Chapter 151: Fang Xu's Awkwardness

Looking at Gu Bei, who currently resembled a miser, Fang Xu and Old Wu could not help but smile wryly.

However, that was all. After gathering several guards, they fully prepared themselves and headed toward the location where the young ladies were being held captive.

After all, Fang Xu had already obtained a great deal of the information he wanted from the mouth of the brutally slain fierce bandit, so they were quite familiar with the way now.

When the fierce bandits guarding the young ladies saw Fang Xu, Old Wu, Gu Bei, and the others approaching them with smiles on their faces, they were somewhat stunned.

They even wondered if Fang Xu and his group were actually their own people. If not, why were they wandering around here so freely? And why were they smiling so genially?

However, just as these fierce bandits intended to question them, Old Wu and the others, who had maintained their smiles right beside Fang Xu, directly drew the long sabers from their waists.

With almost effortless ease, they mercilessly slaughtered the fierce bandits right before their eyes. Until their dying moments, these bandits had no idea what was actually happening.

Why did Fang Xu and the others, who had been smiling at them just moments before, suddenly turn on them?!

Fang Xu smilingly squatted down in front of a fierce bandit who had died with his eyes wide open, pulled the key from the bandit's waist, and tossed it to Old Wu.

Old Wu wiped the bloodstains from his face and then gave Gu Bei a meaningful look.

Gu Bei hurriedly trotted along right behind Old Wu, which left Fang Xu feeling rather amused and exasperated.

Still, Fang Xu thought it was probably better for Old Wu and Gu Bei to handle this part of the task.

After all, Fang Xu genuinely did not know how he should face Qiu Chuji right now, especially since he was now fully aware that Qiu Chuji was actually a woman.

Thinking back to the very first time he had laid eyes on Qiu Chuji, realization suddenly dawned on Fang Xu.

Indeed, back at the Quanzhen Taoist Temple, it had neither been a trick of his vision nor a dream.

Beneath the peach blossom tree, the young woman he had seen had truly existed.

It was just that at the time, it had never crossed his mind that it was Qiu Chuji! Subsequently, Fang Xu glanced over at the guards beside him.

"Did all of you already know Qiu Chuji's true identity?" Fang Xu asked out of curiosity. The guards exchanged awkward glances and nodded.

"Damn it! So I was the only one who didn't know?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!" Even these guards had managed to perceive Qiu Chuji's true gender, yet not a single person had told him?!

This revelation made Fang Xu so furious that smoke was practically billowing from his seven orifices. Seeing the ferocious expression on Fang Xu's face, the guards quickly tried to explain.

They hurriedly assured Fang Xu that it was not because they had wished to keep it a secret from him.

Rather, it was on the orders of Old Wu and Gu Bei, who were both concerned about sparing Fang Xu any embarrassment, hence each of them had assumed that Fang Xu was already well aware of Qiu Chuji's female identity.

This realization made Fang Xu feel utterly awkward. Was there anything in the world more awkward than this moment?!

Fang Xu suspected that Old Wu and Gu Bei were deliberately trying to embarrass him to death, making it blatantly obvious that they knew he had been completely clueless all along!

Sitting outside and waiting, Fang Xu resolved that the moment Old Wu and Gu Bei came out, he would certainly not let them off easily.

Inside the room, both Old Wu and Gu Bei suddenly sneezed, as if sensing that something ominous was coming their way.

Old Wu cast another sideways glance at Gu Bei. How could Gu Bei fail to understand Old Wu's intention? He could only offer a bitter, helpless smile and nod, knowing it was ultimately for their own protection.

One had to admit that the fierce bandits possessed exceptional taste; the young masters and ladies they had kidnapped all came from immensely wealthy backgrounds.

In the eyes of both Gu Bei and Old Wu, these backgrounds were far beyond mere wealth—they were rolling in riches!

In particular, the rouge and powder used by these young ladies cost dozens of taels of silver at the very least; anything less would hardly match their lofty status!

This discovery thoroughly delighted Old Wu and Gu Bei, to the extent that Gu Bei wore a foolish, blank smile across his face.

When the heavy door finally swung open again, Fang Xu was just preparing to vent his grievances and scold Old Wu and Gu Bei.

Before Fang Xu could even utter a single syllable, a figure suddenly dashed toward him, flung herself directly into his arms, and tightly wrapped her arms around his waist.

This caught Fang Xu completely off guard, but upon inhaling the familiar fragrance, he instantly recognized who was holding onto him.

Only then did Old Wu and Gu Bei slowly walk out, wearing playful, knowing grins that made it abundantly clear to Fang Xu that this entire situation had been carefully orchestrated by the two of them!

If one could call it a scheme, it certainly qualified as one.

After all, Old Wu and Gu Bei had faintly sensed that something emotional was about to unfold, so when they left the room earlier, they had deliberately untied the ropes binding Qiu Chuji.

Qiu Chuji had naturally been terrified to her core, for when had she ever encountered such a harrowing ordeal before?

Just as utter despair began to consume Qiu Chuji, Old Wu and Gu Bei had arrived on the scene. And their arrival naturally implied that Fang Xu had come as well.

Old Wu and Gu Bei had naturally informed Qiu Chuji that Fang Xu was waiting just outside the door, which was why Qiu Chuji had instantly lunged into Fang Xu's embrace the moment the door was opened.

How could Fang Xu fail to feel the violent trembling wracking Qiu Chuji's entire body? A deep wave of pity washed over him.

He instantly abandoned any thought of settling scores with Old Wu and Gu Bei, realizing that Qiu Chuji had never endured such terror in her life.

Anyone else placed in the same situation would likely have been scared out of their wits as well.

Therefore, Fang Xu allowed Qiu Chuji to hold onto him while gently patting her shoulder to reassure her that she was safe now.

After Qiu Chuji finally regained her composure, her cheeks flushed with a deep, embarrassed crimson. Lowering her head, she hurriedly retreated from Fang Xu's embrace.

By now, Qiu Chuji was well aware that her secret identity as a woman had undoubtedly been discovered by Fang Xu.

Seeing Qiu Chuji in such a bashful state, Fang Xu could not resist teasing her a little, hoping to help her forget the harrowing experience she had just endured.

He had to admit that this entire incident was ultimately his own fault; otherwise, such a dangerous situation would never have occurred, isn't that so?

With that thought in mind, Fang Xu initially intended to have Old Wu lead the guards in safely escorting the various young masters and ladies back home, as any further delays might invite trouble.

However, Fang Xu had no intention of leaving just yet, and neither did Gu Bei, who was still eagerly anticipating the rest of the spoils and refused to depart.

Fang Xu completely understood why Gu Bei wanted to stay, but Qiu Chuji was now tightly clutching the hem of his robe, clearly having no intention of leaving either.

According to Qiu Chuji's silent insistence, she simply refused to let go of Fang Xu right now, as he was the only person she could truly trust. This left Fang Xu feeling both amused and helpless, yet he voiced no objections.

Since Qiu Chuji wished to stay by his side, he would simply let her accompany him, especially since his heart ached for the shock she had suffered.