Desperados Attack - Chapter 54 - The Strange Manor

Su Xinghe stood outside the manor, his sword no longer thirsting for blood, with droplets falling from its tip.

After a moment, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Su Xinghe assumed it was a new opponent and said, “Who goes there? Are you here to avenge the young lady just now?”

“Avenge?”

A woman stepped forward, cupped her fist, and asked, “What is the young hero’s name?”

In Su Xinghe’s eyes, the woman’s appearance was not particularly striking because she looked just like Duanmu Shuang earlier-as if they were carved from the same mold.

But it made sense, as they were sisters, after all.

“Su.”

Su Xinghe replied curtly, as his mind was solely focused on Qiusui’s safety, unaffected by the beauty before him.

The woman cupped her fist and said, “I am Duanmu Ping of the Nine Star Manor, the fifth in my family. You can call me Fifth Miss or Miss Ping; it doesn’t matter. I’m here under orders from my eldest sister to invite the young hero inside for a discussion.”

With that, she gestured with her hand, “Please, come inside for some tea.”

Su Xinghe lifted his right foot to step into the manor but hesitated, recalling that Nine Star Manor had a reputation for deceit and malice in the Western Regions, as Aunt Tu had mentioned their many misdeeds.

Thinking of this, he became indecisive and uncertain.

At this moment, a maid said, “Scared? Where did your courage go?”

Perhaps encouraged by her master’s approval, seeing no one stopping her, she continued, “With my Fifth Miss’s strength, killing you is as easy as a flick of the wrist. What are you hesitating for?”

Su Xinghe immediately retorted angrily, “Hmph, your second young lady was even fiercer and more vicious than you. What was her end?”

“You…”

The maid was about to argue back but was stopped by Duanmu Ping, who raised her hand.

She then began walking into the manor.

At this time, someone suddenly blocked Su Xinghe’s path, saying, “Boy, you mustn’t go in. They’ll harm you!”

This person was Tu Ning’er.

Duanmu Ping’s face slightly changed color as her internal anger showed on her face, which was apparent to anyone, especially Su Xinghe.

Duanmu Ping intercepted her, asking, “Who is this old lady?”

Old? Lady?

Tu Ning’er pointed at Duanmu Ping’s delicate nose and scolded, “You brat, does speaking nonsense make you this happy? Or are you already blind at such a young age?”

Tu Ning’er was a bit angry, but outnumbered as she was, she dared not scold too harshly.

“Do you know?”

Duanmu Ping said, “It’s your aged appearance that saved you; otherwise, you might have been sacrificed.”

“Sacrificed?”

Su Xinghe’s heart chilled at the idea, realizing this manor wasn’t simple. He grasped Tu Ning’er’s hand and said, “Come with me inside. I’ll protect you!”

“Let’s go!”

The two followed Duanmu Ping into the manor, which appeared from the outside like a separate courtyard.

Upon entering, Su Xinghe was left speechless. He had always thought Deer Manor was the most luxurious, but Nine Star Manor was even more opulent.

It was almost like a palace, with everything made of gold-golden hills, trees, grass, and rocks. The grandeur was beyond imagination.

However, amidst all the splendor, a foul smell lingered.

Su Xinghe and Tu Ning’er followed Duanmu Ping into the main hall, where the atmosphere was lively, seemingly unaffected by the injury of one of their sisters.

The hall was even more magnificent, filled with golden vessels, ancient musical instruments that added to the refined ambiance.

At the center stood a dragon throne, glittering in gold, where the young lady of Deer Manor presumably sat.

Su Xinghe and Tu Ning’er stood at the entrance of the hall.

“Take a seat!”

The young lady slightly raised her hand, and two chairs were placed on either side of the hall. They both sat down, each served with a cup of tea.

“Are you the one who injured my younger sister outside the manor?”

The woman lacked Duanmu Ping’s composure and Duanmu Shuang’s elegance, exuding an unmatched allure that stood out in the hall.

“Your sister spoke out of turn; I merely taught her a lesson.”

“Heh heh…”

The young lady said, “Whether you taught her or she taught you, or even if you killed her, it’s no concern of mine. But you must know that Nine Star Manor is no ordinary place-you won’t find a single man in this hall.”

Su Xinghe glanced around and indeed saw no signs of men.

“Heh, it’s of no concern if you kill my younger sister, but as the Manor Lord, I must kill you, or else people will say I can’t protect my own sister. That would be both an insult and a defamation to me. What do you think I should do?”

Su Xinghe understood the implication in the young lady’s words and said, “Did I come in here just to have tea?”

“Heh, do you know the tea is poisoned?”

Su Xinghe chuckled and responded, “I know.”

Since being poisoned by Lady Yao last time, Su Xinghe had become very cautious about what he drank, always inspecting it carefully.

“You knew?”

Surprisingly, the young lady wasn’t shocked. Instead, she appeared satisfied.

“Bravo!”

The young lady clapped and praised, “Indeed, you’re no ordinary person. Anyone who can injure my younger sister is exceptional.”

Su Xinghe decided to cut to the chase, “Young lady, a Manor Lord from your manor abducted a couple of friends of mine who are very important to me. I kindly ask you to bring them out.”

“Oh? Are you talking about that plain-looking man and the pretty girl?”

Su Xinghe was taken aback but realized the young lady’s description was quite fitting.

“Yes, exactly. Please bring them out, and I’ll take them away immediately without disturbing your gathering.”

“No rush, no rush!”

The young lady waved her hand, and two people were brought out from behind her.

These two were indeed Qiusui and Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng seemed alright, but Qiusui looked quite worn out.

“Qiusui!”

Su Xinghe stood up to go to them, but the young lady halted him with a “Hold on,” saying, “Young hero, don’t be so hasty. Nine Star Manor isn’t a place you can come and go as you please. If you don’t leave something behind, how can I just let you go so easily?”

Su Xinghe felt frustrated, knowing the manor and its people were peculiar, but he was also at a loss.

After all, even a powerful dragon can’t suppress a local snake.

“Feng-Ge!”

Upon seeing her beloved, Tu Ning’er rushed forward. Two maids attempted to stop her, but she easily pushed them aside.

“You wretches, I’m taking my Feng-Ge with me now. Who dares to stop me?”

Hearing this, the young lady chuckled and said, “Go ahead, try it!”

As she spoke, she raised a hand, and a grape shot out towards Tu Ning’er.