[Wuxia] The Soul of a Great Hero (Complete) - 9

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

[Chapter Eleven] Why Did the Beauty Fall into Prostitution?

The
next day, Hua Yunlong settled his accounts and traveled through Nanyang, following the southern route of Jinghu. He rode on horseback. The journey was long or short, depending on the situation. One evening, as he reached Jingmen, he suddenly heard the sound of hooves behind him. Turning around, he saw a cloud of dust rising behind him as eight or nine long-distance horses carried several people of varying ages, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, galloping towards him. They reached him in the blink of an eye.
Remembering his mother's instructions, he didn't want to cause trouble, so he pulled on the reins and moved aside. But as the horses passed, he noticed the color of the people's clothes and was greatly surprised. He thought to himself: Strange! These people are dressed in purple tight-fitting clothes, each carrying a long sword. The leader is young, also wearing a blue robe and a short cloak. Could it be Qiu Hua and his group?
Dust obscured their vision, making it impossible to discern their faces. However, Qiu Hua claimed to be the mastermind behind Sima Changqing's murder and the chief disciple of the "Xuanming Sect" leader. This lead was not to be overlooked. He immediately tightened the reins and spurred his horse to follow, keeping a watchful eye on the group as they entered the western part of Jingmen. Once inside, the group continued their relentless gallop, causing chaos and panic among the pedestrians.
Hua Yunlong, filled with revulsion, cursed inwardly, "Hmph, what are you? Even if you're not members of the 'Xuanming Sect,' I must punish you for your arrogant and unrestrained behavior. Otherwise, how can the common people live in peace?"
As he cursed, they arrived at a rather grand inn. The man in the short cloak loosened the reins, peered into the doorway, dismounted, and shouted, "Here we are!" He abandoned his horse and strode inside. The others, seeing this, dismounted and followed, leading their horses inside.
When Hua Yunlong reached the entrance, he saw a magnificent carriage parked inside. The carriage was glittering and exquisitely small, clearly a woman's carriage. Several innkeepers were tending to the horses. The people who had entered earlier were nowhere to be seen. One of the innkeepers came out, bowing and scraping, saying, "Young master, would you like to stay here? Our place is elegant and refined; there is no other like it in Jingmen City."
Hua Yunlong thought to himself: Those people must have had ill intentions, trying to take advantage of the carriage owner. If I hadn't encountered them, I wouldn't have bothered, but now that I have, how can I allow them to act recklessly? He nodded, dismounted, and said boldly, "Take good care of my horse; I'll charge double tomorrow." "
Having many servants around him on a daily basis, he had unconsciously developed a noble air. Knowing that the god of wealth was at his door, the waiter quickly shoved the reins into another waiter's hand, swaying his hips as he followed closely behind, leading Hua Yunlong into the hall. He flattered, 'Hehe, young master, do you prefer liveliness or tranquility? If you prefer tranquility, we have a fine residence in the back courtyard; if you prefer liveliness, we have superior rooms in the middle courtyard. Tea, snacks, and banquets are all available here, young master…'
Hua Yunlong, impatient with the flattery, waved his hand and coldly asked, 'Where are those people in tight-fitting clothes staying?'
The waiter was slightly taken aback and said, 'They are in the middle courtyard, but they haven't settled in yet, young master…'
Hua Yunlong asked, 'What about the owner of the carriage at the gate?'
The waiter suddenly realized and said, 'Oh, young master, so you are with that young lady. She stays in the middle courtyard. I'll lead you there now…'
Hua Yunlong said, 'Then the middle courtyard it is. I'll stay next to that young lady.'"
The waiter was startled again, thinking, "Another one wanting to stay next door?" A clear, bell-like voice asked, "Who is it? Who wants to stay next door to me?" It turned out that the front hall of the guesthouse also served food and drinks, with elegant booths with curtains drawn on both sides. Hua Yunlong happened to be passing by the door of one of these booths when the bell-like voice came from inside. Hua
Yunlong was a natural-born romantic; that bell-like voice was magnetic, making one's bones melt. He involuntarily stopped and cheerfully replied, "It's me, I am... I am..." He wanted to introduce himself, but suddenly became wary and stammered, unable to continue.
The waiter covered his mouth and chuckled . Inside the private room, a soft "pfft" rang out. "Who am I... Yun'er, go see who I am?" The curtain was lifted, and a pretty girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old stepped out. She glanced at Hua Yunlong and said crisply, "Reporting to Miss, it's a young gentleman."
Her silvery voice tinkled, "A young gentleman? Then there's no need for another room. We can use the main room outside. Yun'er, please invite him in for a chat."
Hua Yunlong was greatly surprised, his brow furrowing as he wondered: Whose young lady is this? Why is she so unrestrained? Before his doubts could fully form, the maid named Yun'er smiled and said solemnly, "Young master, please. Our young lady invites you."
Hua Yunlong's curiosity was piqued. Ignoring the waiter's astonished and bewildered expression, he straightened his clothes and strode towards the private room, saying, "Since the young lady has invited me, how could I refuse? Miss Yun'er, please."
Upon entering the private room, Hua Yunlong was immediately struck by her beauty. For a moment, he was speechless, completely stunned. Inside sat a stunningly beautiful woman. Her eyebrows were like dark ink, her beauty as delicate as a flower, and her entire being exuded charm and allure. She was perfectly proportioned, neither too plump nor too thin. At this moment, her pearly teeth were slightly visible, and her beautiful eyes held a spring-like quality as she gazed intently at Hua Yunlong. Hua Yunlong hadn't even touched his wine, yet he seemed infatuated, already intoxicated without drinking.
The beautiful woman glanced at him for a moment, then chuckled and said in a clear voice, "Please sit down."
Hua Yunlong, startled by her words, quickly smiled and said, "Please sit, please sit down." He pulled up a chair and sat down.
The beautiful woman's eyes sparkled, and she covered her mouth, saying, "It is an honor to have you so kind, young master. I pay my respects." She gathered her sleeves and gave a slight curtsy.
Hua Yunlong quickly stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Miss, you are as beautiful as a fairy. It is my honor to be able to drink and chat with you."
The beautiful woman no longer declined, glancing at Yun'er and saying, "Yun'er, what are you daydreaming about? Why don't you pour wine for the young master?"
Yun'er suddenly became alert, but kept chuckling, saying, "This young master is so handsome, I couldn't help but stare." She picked up the wine pot, filled the cups in front of them, and then stole glances at Hua Yunlong's face.
The beautiful woman ignored Yun'er's audacious words and actions, picked up her wine cup, glanced at Hua Yunlong, and said, "My surname is Jia, and my given name is Yan. I'd like to offer you a toast first." She raised the cup to her lips, tilted her head slightly, and downed it in one gulp.
Hua Yunlong hurriedly picked up his cup and also downed it in one gulp, saying, "My surname is... Bai, the Bai of black and white, and my given name is Qi." Although he was infatuated with the woman, he still gave a false name, showing that his vigilance remained.
Jia Yan thought he was stuttering because he had just met a beautiful woman, so she didn't mind and smiled sweetly, saying, "Judging from your accent, sir, you don't seem to be a local. Are you a wandering knight-errant?"
Upon hearing the words "wandering knight-errant," Hua Yunlong's heart skipped a beat, and his confused mind cleared up a bit. He casually replied, "I am from northern Shanxi. I was passing through Jinghu this time, intending to visit the scenic spots of Jiangnan. I didn't expect to meet you, miss. It's a chance encounter, and we are destined to meet." Although he answered casually, his romantic nature was unconsciously revealed.
Upon hearing this, Jia Yan's face flashed with surprise, but it was quickly concealed. She then smiled charmingly and said, "I am staying in Jinling. I am returning from a pilgrimage to Mount Emei. Since you are interested in traveling south, it would be perfect if we could travel together. If you do not mind my humble appearance, I would be happy to be your guide."
At this moment, Hua Yunlong's mind calmed down slightly, but his vigilance increased. He couldn't help but wonder: Whose young lady is this? Or whose female relative? Why is there no man accompanying her on a pilgrimage to Mount Emei? Staying in Jinling, where is her ancestral home? Before his doubts could arise, the maid Yun'er had already refilled the wine cup and said with a cheerful voice, "Drinking, young master? Since we have met, it is fate. Traveling together will deepen our connection. If you are so reserved, won't it seem too formal? There are many days ahead."
Disturbed by her presence, Hua Yunlong, though still suspicious and finding the behavior of the master and servant too bizarre, no longer cared. He picked up his wine cup and laughed loudly, "Indeed, indeed! If we remain so reserved, wouldn't it be awkward? Miss Jia, let me toast you."
He tilted his head back and downed the cup. With an open heart, his flirtatious nature was immediately revealed. After finishing his drink, he chatted and laughed, exchanging glances with Miss Guiyan. The two flirted and teased each other, until finally one called her "Brother Qi" and the other "Sister Yan," as if they had known each other for a long time, forgetting even the time. After several rounds of drinks, Miss Jia Yan, unable to hold her liquor, lazily stood up and said, "Brother Qi, I have to travel tomorrow and cannot drink with you any longer." With a stretch of her jade arm and a sway of her body, she pounced on Hua Yunlong.
Hua Yunlong spread his arms and embraced her slender waist, exclaiming, "Indeed, indeed! There's plenty of time in the future, let's rest early today." The two of them, embracing each other, followed the maid Yun'er, stumbling and swaying, towards the guest rooms in the central courtyard.
Whether Jia Yan was truly drunk or feigning it, once inside the room, she still clung tightly to Hua Yunlong, refusing to let go. Although Hua Yunlong wasn't drunk, his amorous nature, coupled with the pleasure of holding such a soft body, made him seem reluctant to release her. The maid Yun'er became even more enchanting. She closed the door, lit the oil lamp, and with a beaming smile, stared intently at the two embracing with her large, bright eyes, as if admiring a beautiful pair of twin water lilies, her gaze unwavering, not blinking for a moment. A moment later, amidst soft moans, Jia Yan's jade-like hand slowly moved, caressing Hua Yunlong's bulging arms and strong chest, then squeezing his waist repeatedly, while her other hand moved towards the "Jiangtai" acupoint on Hua Yunlong's back...
In the nick of time, the door was kicked open with a "bang," and a man stood in the doorway, angrily shouting, "So, you woman pretending to be virtuous, you're just a philanderer too! You, surnamed Qiu, would like to ask, in what way am I inferior to this brat?"
The two men snapped to attention. Hua Yunlong turned around, blocking Jia Yan's path, and asked in surprise, "Your surname is Qiu?"
The man roared angrily, "My surname is Qiu, and my given name is Hua. I never change my surname or my given name. If you see the opportunity, you'd better stand aside obediently, and I won't bother you."
Hua Yunlong stared intently, increasingly disbelieving his ears, and increasingly convinced that the person before him was not Qiu Hua. How could he call himself "Qiu Hua"? And how could Qiu Hua transform? Doubts arose, and he was momentarily stunned. The person who called himself "Qiu Hua" was the same as the one he had seen in Luoyang in terms of clothing and weapons, and even their ages were similar, but their faces and temperaments were different, so they were clearly not the same person.
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "This man has high eyebrows, narrow eyes, a bulbous nose, a bloody mouth, and a pale, horse-like face. His gaze is lewd and malevolent, with more black than white. He is undoubtedly a wicked and cruel person, definitely not Qiu Hua from Luoyang. But even if there are people with the same name in the world, why are the number of people accompanying him, their clothes, and the weapons they use all the same?"
Just then, Jia Yan walked over gracefully, leaned against Hua Yunlong, raised her slender hand, brushed a strand of hair from her side, and smiled charmingly, "Young master, it's been a long time since we last met."
Jia Yan was a rare beauty, and every gesture she made could inspire people to have wild fantasies. The "Qiu Hua" had come with anger, but when he saw her smile, he felt his anger simmering in his chest, unable to be released. He paused for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed loudly, "Rarely seen? Humph! This young master chased you all the way from Wanxian to Jingmen, and not a single day passed without seeing you?"
Jia Yan raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with spring, and said, "Oh dear, then haven't we seen each other six or seven times?" She turned her head and asked Yun'er, "Yun'er, have you seen this young master?"
Yun'er chuckled and said, "We set off at four in the morning every day and lodged at the end of the day. How often have we seen this young master?"
Jia Yan hummed in agreement, then lamented to herself, "My stubborn habit is really harmful. Otherwise, we wouldn't have angered Young Master Qiu." "Changing her tone, she glanced sideways at "Qiu Hua" before continuing, "Young Master Qiu, you may not know, but I have a phobia of ghosts, especially in broad daylight. If I were to suddenly encounter a blue-faced, fanged demon, it would surely cost me my life. Therefore..."
"Qiu Hua," still seething with anger, interrupted, "Therefore, you and your servant set off at dawn and lodged at dusk, avoiding your young master every day?" Although he was still angry and reproachful, his tone had softened considerably, showing that Jia Yan's coquettish gestures and affected manner had achieved the desired effect.
Jia Yan frowned slightly, her eyes darting around seductively, and said softly, "Young master, you've wronged me. How could I dare avoid you? It's just that my early mornings and early nights are a habit that might surprise you. Even if we met because of this, it was unintentional." She paused slightly, then smiled charmingly and said, "Young master, I have something inappropriate to say. May I ask?"
Qiu Hua, who had been following her all along, was clearly lusting after Jia Yan's beauty. He had previously assumed that Jia Yan disliked his ugliness and deliberately avoided him, which fueled his anger and resentment. But now, seeing Jia Yan's captivating charm and alluring demeanor, with no sign of rejection, his anger had completely dissipated. Upon hearing her words, he couldn't help but laugh and said repeatedly, "Go ahead and speak. Even if I'm wrong, I won't blame you."
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "This Qiu Hua is blinded by lust. Jia Yan is clearly insulting him, yet he's so self-satisfied and oblivious." "Haha, 'blue-faced and fanged,' though not exactly the same, it's still quite similar."
Jia Yan chuckled, then said to Yun'er, "Yun'er, go and invite the gentlemen outside in. Don't let them stand there too long, or they'll blame us for neglecting our honored guests." Yun'er replied, "Yes," and headed towards the door.
Qiu Hua was greatly pleased and laughed heartily, "No need to invite them. They are my subordinates; they can stand for a while."
Yun'er turned around and said crisply, "Even your subordinates won't do. You can't say that while you, the young master, are enjoying your blessings here, your subordinates are left to wait outside in the cold, can you?"
Jia Yan feigned indignation and said, "You have no manners at all! How dare you disobey the young master's orders?"
Hearing this, Qiu Hua became even more delighted and laughed loudly, "She has a point. I'll tell them to go back now." Turning towards the door, he said loudly, "Go on, we don't need you here." A loud voice responded "Yes" from outside the door, and then several people left in quick succession.
As Qiu Hua turned around, Jia Yan quickly exchanged a smile with Yun'er, their expression extremely mysterious. Witnessing this, Hua Yunlong muttered to himself, "What's the logic behind this? This woman secretly tried to acupuncture my pressure points, and her technique was extremely skillful. Now that she knows there are people outside, it's clear that her skill is extraordinary. If she disliked 'Qiu Hua' for being ugly, she could have simply turned a blind eye and driven him away. Why bother with this seductive and mysterious act? Could it be that I've misjudged her?"
After giving his instructions, "Qiu Hua" turned around, his beady eyes gleaming. His eyes gleamed with lewd light as he chuckled, "Pretty girl, even if you didn't intend to avoid me, you've certainly whetted my appetite these past six days. Now that we've met, I won't let you escape again."
Jia Yan raised an eyebrow and feigned innocence, "Young master, you're really something. I had no intention of leaving."
"Qiu Hua" laughed heartily, "Exactly, exactly! It's best you don't leave. Speak your mind; I'm all ears."
Jia Yan smiled sweetly, "All ears? That's more like it." She rolled her eyes at "Qiu Hua," gestured for him to sit, and said, "Young master, please have a seat."
"Qiu Hua" laughed heartily, as if his soul had been hooked, repeatedly saying, "Sit, sit, you sit too." He strode to the table, dragged out a chair, and sat down with an air of grandeur.
Jia Yan, still clinging to Hua Yunlong's arm in undiminished intimacy, moved gracefully towards him. Hua Yunlong felt a pang of unease, thinking to himself, "What exactly is Jia Yan up to? Does she want me to compete with that 'Choi Hwa' for her affections, while she watches the spectacle unfold? Hmph, who am I, Hua, to let you have your way?"
Sure enough, "Qiu Hua's" expression changed drastically. Previously, perhaps accustomed to his domineering ways, or perhaps overconfident, he hadn't taken Hua Yunlong seriously, paying no attention to Hua Yunlong's appearance or demeanor. But now, seeing the two walking arm-in-arm so intimately, he felt a surge of jealousy. Upon closer inspection, he realized Hua Yunlong was incomparably handsome, a rare beauty in the world. His jealousy flared, his fierce gaze intensifying as he stared intently at Hua Yunlong, wishing he could bite him.
Jia Yan, however, seemed oblivious to his sudden stare, sitting down beside Hua Yunlong and smiling slightly, "Young Master Qiu, may I ask, is it true that you chased him from Wanxian to Jingmen?"
"Qiu Hua" withdrew his gaze, impatient, and said, "Nonsense, why would I lie to you?" His jealousy raged, his ferocious nature returning, all traces of his previous warmth and politeness vanished.
Jia Yan remained unperturbed, her smile unwavering, and said, "So, young master, you've taken a fancy to my beauty?" This was far too explicit; even Qiu Hua wouldn't have dared to utter such a thing in this atmosphere, yet she spoke it without restraint. For a moment, Qiu Hua was speechless, utterly dumbfounded. Jia Yan giggled sweetly, then shook her head, saying, "In my opinion, young master's sincerity seems insufficient. Don't you think so?"
Qiu Hua raised an eyebrow. He said impatiently, "What exactly do you want to say? Why don't you just say it straight? You are a rare beauty, and although I have seen many people, I have never seen anyone like you. Whether you are sincere or not is another matter. If I didn't like you, why would I have followed you all this way?"
Jia Yan pursed her lips, unconvinced, and said, "Is that so? You're just talking a good game. If you really liked me, how long would it be between when you stayed at the lodging and when you went to bed? Why don't I see you then?" Upon hearing this, "Qiu Hua" looked around with his beady eyes, his mouth trembled, and he looked surprised, but he couldn't answer.
Jia Yan raised an eyebrow, sighed, and said, "Ah, you men..."
Qiu Hua suddenly shrieked, "Hey...no..."
He suddenly yelled, startling Jia Yan, who hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
Qiu Hua frowned and muttered to himself, "Dazed and drowsy, am I really that tired?" He paused, lost in thought, and fell silent.
A sly smile flashed across Jia Yan's face as she casually interjected, "What do you mean by drowsy? Why don't you continue?"
Qiu Hua raised his eyes, utterly astonished, and said, "This is truly bizarre. Every evening, after finally finding your lodgings, you become drowsy after washing up, collapse onto the bed, and sleep until dawn. This..."
Before he could finish, Jia Yan feigned annoyance, saying, "Enough with the 'this' and 'that'! Just this one thing shows that your sincerity is lacking."
Qiu Hua said urgently, "You...you can't say that."
Jia Yan retorted, "After relentlessly pursuing you for days, you finally catch up, only to fall asleep..."
Qiu Hua quickly interrupted, "I...I..."
Jia Yan feigned annoyance, "Let me tell you for you! You don't actually want to sleep, but you're just too exhausted from days of travel, is that right?"
"Qiu Hua" said seriously, "It's not fatigue. This young master is skilled in martial arts; even after traveling for two or three days, I won't feel tired."
Jia Yan said charmingly, "Oh! So you're a martial artist, young
master. I thought you carried a long sword like this Brother Bai Qi, a common practice among young men these days." Mentioning Hua Yunlong, "Qiu Hua" was extremely annoyed. His gaze shifted, and he asked Hua Yunlong fiercely, "Your name is Bai Qi?"
Hua Yunlong nodded indifferently, "That's right, I am Bai Qi."
"Qiu Hua" rolled his eyes and glared, shouting, "What do you do?"
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "Young Master Qiu's manner of asking questions is quite inappropriate. And what do you do?"
"Qiu Hua" suddenly stood up and shouted angrily, "Well, you dare to be rude to this young master?"
Hua Yunlong smiled and said, "That depends on what Young Master Qiu does. If you are rude, why should I be polite to you?"
"Qiu Hua," enraged, laughed coldly, "Fine, fine, you've got some nerve..."
Hua Yunlong, not backing down, retorted, "What's the point of reading the classics? If one knows propriety, one can go anywhere in the world; if one doesn't, one can't move an inch. Even if Young Master Qiu is a martial artist, I believe your elders have already explained this simple principle. I have not violated propriety, so naturally I am confident. What does this have to do with the size of your courage?"
He spoke with a smile, without a trace of anger, but his words were barbed, a tone of lecturing. "Qiu Hua" was furious and roared, "You little brat, you dare to contradict me again? You're courting death!"
Hua Yunlong, with ulterior motives, interjected with a smile, "Being in an inn, I don't believe Young Master Qiu would dare to kill and rob, showing no regard for the law..."
Before the word "Ji" was even uttered, Qiu Hua was already enraged, and he sneered, "Your Excellency is blind. I'll take your eyes, then you can talk about law and discipline..." As he spoke, his right arm shot forward, his index and middle fingers bent like hooks, aiming straight for Hua Yunlong's eyes.
Hua Yunlong could see that although his right arm moved slowly and steadily, the changes in his palm and fingers were endless and extremely ruthless; an ordinary master would not be able to dodge it. However, Hua Yunlong was highly skilled and daring, and he was also confident in his plan. Therefore, he ignored it completely. It happened so fast, in the blink of an eye, Qiu Hua's hand was almost touching her face. Suddenly, Jia Yan stretched out her fair wrist and gently lifted Qiu Hua's elbow, saying in a sweet voice, "Young Master Qiu, what are you doing? Brother Bai Qi didn't offend you..."
At this moment, the maid Yun'er came over with a teacup and said, "Young Master Qiu, you came to see our young lady for fun, why are you so angry? Please sit down, Yun'er has brought you some tea."
Qiu Hua's arm stopped in mid-air, and only then did he withdraw it. He stared at Jia Yan in astonishment for a while, and suddenly said in a deep voice, "You...who are you? What do you want?"
Yun'er took a cup of tea. She placed the cup of tea in front of him, seemingly casually yet with a hint of surprise, and said, "What? You don't know..."
Qiu Hua sat down heavily again, saying, "Hmph, a bachelor's eyes don't tolerate any nonsense. What exactly do you do? Just tell me."
Yun'er placed another cup of tea in front of Hua Yunlong, turning back with a smile, "What nonsense? We don't know anything about that. Our young lady's surname is Jia, her given name is Yan, and her stage name is Sister Yan. She's one of the top courtesans in Jinling City..."
Jia Yan suddenly shrieked, "You brat, are you trying to die? You're a virgin, you should be proud of that
, shouldn't you?" "Broken courtesan" and "virgin courtesan" both refer to girls in brothels. A "broken courtesan" is someone who has opened her door, while a "virgin courtesan" is someone who is still a virgin. This distinction in the status of a prostitute is something every man who frequents brothels knows. "Qiu Hua" was a womanizer, born with a lewd nature. He picked flowers and plucked buds without regard for the woman's status. He was naturally very familiar with the common terms used in the world of pleasure. Yet, upon hearing this, he stared wide-eyed at Jia Yan in astonishment, seemingly unable to believe it.
Yun'er stuck out her tongue and made a face, saying, "Yes, Miss, I misspoke. Miss is a popular figure in Jinling City, not a courtesan..."
Jia Yan scolded her lightly, "You still dare to talk?"
Yun'er giggled and said, "I won't talk anymore, I won't talk anymore." Turning her face to "Qiu Hua," she said, "Young Master, are you drinking tea? Why are you spacing out?"
"Qiu Hua" came to his senses and then said coldly, "Hmph, the strangeness of this matter must lie with you. I am not an ordinary person. You can't fool me with your pretense. Tell me, what tricks did you use to make me fall into a deep sleep?"
Jia Yan raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, pursed her cherry lips, and said, "Young Master Qiu, you've spoken without thinking. If you want to sleep, it's because you're exhausted. What tricks could I possibly have used? Yun'er has already explained my identity. A guest like you, Young Master, is someone I'd beg for. How could I deliberately make you fall into a deep sleep? Besides, how could a courtesan like me possess such sophisticated methods? Young Master Qiu is a sensible man, isn't he?" Her tone was obsequious and extremely resentful, carrying the pitiful charm of a courtesan pleading for forgiveness.
Hua Yunlong stared at her, secretly thinking: This woman is a courtesan. No wonder she's so alluring and seductive, but... wait a minute, she clearly possesses martial arts skills. Why would she become a courtesan? Could she have ulterior motives?
The man known as "Chou Hua" wasn't stupid. He seemed to have developed some wariness towards Jia Yan. He said coldly, "If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. I stay here every day, and even if I'm asleep, there must be a reason for it. Just now, your 'Heavenly King Holding the Pagoda' move blocked my elbow, clearly showing you possess superior martial arts skills. Hmph! Sweet talk, trying to cover up the truth. Speak! What exactly do you and your servant do?"
Jia Yan was taken aback at first, then said in a low voice, "If Young Master Chou says it like that, I have no way to defend myself. Yun'er, please see the guest out for me." Having said that, she stood up, seemingly about to leave. "
Qiu Hua" smiled sinisterly and said coldly, "See the guest out? Hmph, I'm afraid you have no choice."
Jia Yan hesitated, frowning and complaining, "What exactly do you want? I just wanted to make the atmosphere more harmonious, so I made small talk to tease you. Who knew it would turn out so seriously? You've come to believe I used some trick to make you unconscious. Don't you think that if I wanted to harm you, and I have such great ability to make you unconscious, I could have done it anytime. Why would I let you pester me and act so arrogantly?" Her words seemed soft but were actually firm, and her reasoning was quite sound. For a moment, "Qiu Hua" was speechless, unable to utter a word.
Jia Yan paused slightly, then sighed deeply and continued, "As the saying goes, 'A thousand cups of wine are too few when drinking with a bosom friend, but even half a sentence is too much when talking to someone with whom you don't see eye to eye.' I had already stated beforehand, and you, sir, had agreed, so even if I was inappropriate, you wouldn't blame me. But in the end, I still couldn't help but blush.
Since that's the case, even if I tried to please you, it would be like ice and fire, impossible to melt together. Sir, please go ahead." At this point, she tugged at Hua Yunlong's sleeve and added, "Brother Qi, let's go inside and sit down." It was clear from the situation that she was being asked to leave.
Qiu Hua, naturally unwilling to be expelled, slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Stop!"
Jia Yan paused, then said, "What? Is the young master being unreasonable? You should know this is an inn, not a brothel in Jinling. Whether or not I accept guests is my own decision." Caught off guard by her sharp words, Qiu Hua's forehead veins bulged, his whole body trembled, and his beady eyes flashed with a fierce light, as if he were about to strike.
Xiao Yun'er looked around and quickly tried to dissuade him, saying, "Young Master, please don't be angry. Miss, please sit down too."
Jia Yan coldly replied, "Why should I sit down? Although our bodies may be lowly, the principles of the world are the same: to flatter and fawn. Since we can't please our guests, why demean ourselves and invite trouble?"
Xiao Yun'er, though small, was shrewd. She frowned and said, "Miss, we're here to make money peacefully. Young Master Qiu has been following us all this way, so he must have fallen for you at first sight. For that alone, it's nothing for us to suffer a little."
She turned to "Qiu Hua" and said, "Young Master, you're magnanimous and blessed. Don't take our Miss's feelings to heart. Here! Have a cup of tea to calm down." She picked up the teacup on the table and handed it to "Qiu Hua."
The man who had been "enraged" was actually at a loss for words. Although he had some suspicions before, they were based on hearsay and he had no evidence. Now, after Yun'er's gentle persuasion, he had no more reason to lash out. Besides, with such beauty before him, he was unwilling to leave in a huff. So, he almost woodenly took the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Hmph, you and your servant possess martial arts skills and live in seclusion. What exactly are you plotting? In my opinion, it's best to speak frankly. Otherwise, hmph, hmph." He left the conversation unfinished, which showed that he was only asking for trouble.
Xiao Yun'er was very obedient. Upon hearing this, she said seriously, "Young master, that's not right of you. What could we, mistress and servant, possibly be plotting? Even if we were, it would only be for a few taels of silver from you. Young master, please drink your tea and say no more. I'll try to persuade our young lady again."
"Qiu Hua" immediately followed up, "Are you really after a few taels of silver?"
Yun'er frowned and said, "Our identities have been clearly stated. We've fallen into prostitution. If we weren't after a few taels of silver, who would be born a lowly person willing to be defiled?"
"Qiu Hua" coldly said, "That's simple. Tonight, I'll stay here and give you ten taels of silver." As he spoke, he reached into his robe, took out a silver ingot, and slammed it onto the table.
Jia Yan cried out urgently, "That...that won't do."
"Qiu Hua" glared at her, saying, "What won't do? Have you forgotten who you are?"
Jia Yan replied nonchalantly, "In business, there's a first-come, first-served order. Tonight, Young Master Bai has already taken the lead, you..." "
Qiu Hua" interrupted, "Bastard, what first-come, first-served order? I...eh..." He shook his head frantically, but it was too late. Before the startled "eh" could even finish, he slumped forward, collapsing onto the table, unconscious.
Jia Yan screamed in horror, "Ah...what happened? Could it be...could it be epilepsy?"
Hua Yunlong, observing coldly, suddenly understood, realizing Jia Yan was deliberately acting; the problem lay in the tea. He was quick-witted and responsive. Without batting an eye, he chuckled gloatingly and said, "Don't panic. Epilepsy won't kill you. Even if he does, it's his own fault. He brought this upon himself. Who told him to have such a strange disease and throw tantrums?" He picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.
Jia Yan feigned nervousness, saying, "You seem so relaxed. If he falls ill and never recovers, then... that's a matter
of life and death." Hua Yunlong said leisurely, "So be it. If he dies, I'll be your witness in the government." Jia
Yan smiled secretly, saying, "Young Master Hua is indeed different from others. I thank you."
Hua Yunlong was startled by her sudden change in address, saying, "What? You know..."
Jia Yan giggled, "Who doesn't know the young master of the Hua family of Yunzhong Mountain?"
Hua Yunlong stood up abruptly
, looking flustered, "You... you..." Jia Yan quickly dodged, saying, "Young Master Hua, please don't be angry. Getting angry will cause you to collapse."
Hua Yunlong's expression hardened, saying, "Who exactly are you? What tricks did you put in the tea?"
Jia Yan laughed crisply, "Nothing much, just a little bit of 'Seven-Day Bewitching Powder,' it won't kill you, Young Master." Hua Yunlong glared angrily, gritting his teeth, "
The sleeping potion of the Lower Five Sects, humph, what is your purpose..." Before he could finish speaking, his head shook, and then he collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Jia Yan was extremely pleased, laughing heartily, "I thought the descendants of the Hua family didn't care about the sleeping potion of the Lower Five Sects, but it turns out you're just all talk. Yun'er, quickly get that ugly ghost off the bed, and tell Old Man Hao to prepare the carriage, let's go."
Yun'er responded, dragging "Qiu Hua's" body, and asked in confusion, "Senior Sister, is he really the young master of the Hua family?" In a moment, even her form of address changed.
Jia Yan was a little anxious and impatient, saying, "He doesn't even deny it himself, why are you worrying about it? Hurry up, if that ugly ghost's men become alert, who knows how long it will take."
Hua Yunlong's unconsciousness was fake, it was all an act. He was born immune to all poisons, let alone a mere sleeping potion. Even a deadly poison would be helpless against him. He was feigning unconsciousness, secretly observing Jia Yan and the other person's actions with his squinted eyes. He saw Yun'er hide Qiu Hua's body, then stand up and ask, "This Qiu fellow must have quite a background. Why don't we take him with us?"
Jia Yan said, "What use is a second- or third-rate character? If we wanted to take him, Senior Sister would have already done it."
Yun'er disagreed, saying, "The more the merrier, our carriage can still fit."
Jia Yan scolded lightly, "What do you know? We're lucky to have encountered a descendant of the Hua family; that's already a great achievement. Go and tell them to prepare the carriage, lest we delay our journey." Yun'er then fell silent and left the room sullenly.
After Yun'er left, Jia Yan bent down, picked up Hua Yunlong, kissed him on the cheek, and murmured to herself, "My handsome young man, don't blame me. If it weren't for the unavoidable circumstances, looking at your handsome and strong appearance, how could I bear to let you suffer so much?" She moved gracefully and gently placed Hua Yunlong on the bed, then casually pointed a finger at the "Juque" acupoint on Hua Yunlong's chest. "
Juque," also known as the "Returning Soul Acupoint," is one of the eight major acupoints on the human body. The incident was sudden and unexpected. Even though the Hua family descendants were skilled in acupoint manipulation, and Hua Yunlong was clever, quick-witted, and exceptionally intelligent, they couldn't have imagined that Jia Yan had drugged him and then struck his pressure points to induce unconsciousness. Thus, with a flick of her finger, she struck his vital points. Hua Yunlong finally lost consciousness and truly fell into a coma. A moment later
, Yun'er returned, and Jia Yan had packed their belongings. The two of them, one on each side, supported the drunken Hua Yunlong as they left the inn, boarded the carriage, and headed east.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ A little over ten days passed, and around dusk that day, the small, exquisite carriage appeared outside the Shuixi Gate in the west of Jinling City. Judging from this, Jia Yan's words did have some credibility; they were indeed heading towards Jinling. At this moment, the carriage was still two arrows' length from the Shuixi Gate. Old Man Hao, the driver, was sweating profusely and was about to whip the horse a few more times to get into the city as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, from the depths of the green shade by Mochou Lake, five strong horses galloped out. On the lead horse sat a young gentleman in a brocade robe and wide belt. The young man pointed with his whip and called out loudly, "Old Man Hao, is Miss Jia back?"
Before Old Man Hao could answer, Jia Yan's voice came from inside the carriage, whispering, "Ignore her, let's hurry into the city." Old Man Hao naturally dared not disobey, whipped the horse again, and urged it onward.
Seeing that Old Man Hao ignored him and instead spurred his horse on, the young gentleman felt a surge of anger. He immediately pulled on the reins, charged forward, and shouted in a deep voice, "Old Man Hao, what kind of logic is this? Do you think I, 'Surpassing Mengchang,' Yu Zhaonan, am not worthy to associate with you?" "The horses and carriage stopped abruptly, their stances frozen in place, blocking the road. With
Yu Zhaonan blocking the way, Old Man Hao had no choice but to pull on the reins, forcefully halting the aching horse that had been galloping forward. The horse neighed loudly, reared up, and the carriage came to a stop. A few moments later, several sturdy horses arrived, lined up behind Yu Zhaonan. Jia Yan, feigning ignorance, lifted the curtain of the carriage window and peered out, asking, 'Old Man Hao, what's going on?' She paused, then abruptly added, 'Oh, it's Master Yu…'
Upon seeing Jia Yan, Yu Zhaonan's face lit up with joy. He dismounted and rushed over, exclaiming, 'It really is Miss Jia who has returned! Miss Jia, since your journey west, I have longed for you every day, like a parched land yearning for rain. Haha, today I have finally been waiting for you!'" "
Jia Yan was anxious inside, but had to keep up appearances, saying, 'Oh dear, how could I accept such an honor? How about this, I'll host a banquet in my room tonight, and I would be honored to have Master Yu join me.'
Yu Zhaonan laughed heartily and said, 'Hosting a banquet to welcome you is my business. I'll accompany you into the city now.' He reached out and pulled open the carriage door, stepping inside.
Jia Yan, unconcerned, hurriedly tried to push him away, saying, 'The carriage is very dirty. Let's meet tonight.'
The carriage was no more than eight feet long and wide. Once the door opened, everything inside was laid bare. Hua Yunlong was lying on the brocade couch in front of Jia Yan, leaving her nowhere to hide. Yu Zhaonan was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily, saying, 'I wondered why Old Man Hao wouldn't stop the carriage. It turns out Miss Jia has brought a man back.'" He reached out and grabbed Hua Yunlong by the collar, pulling him out of the carriage.
Jia Yan was extremely anxious and rushed after him, saying, "Quickly put him down, that's..."
Yu Zhaonan flicked his wrist, throwing Hua Yunlong towards his companion, and shouted, "Brother Yifeng, please take this boy back to my humble abode. I'm going to accompany Miss Jia into the city."
How could Jia Yan let him take Hua Yunlong away? She stopped in her tracks and rushed forward, shouting urgently, "No, no, you can't take him away!"
Yu Zhaonan was startled, then quickly flashed to block Jia Yan's path, and said in a deep voice, "Stop! So Miss Jia is also one of us. I misjudged you." Jia Yan was anxious and careless, revealing her lightness skill. Yu Zhaonan had exposed her, and she was momentarily stunned.
Yu Zhaonan's eyes were sharp as he stared at Jia Yan, and he coldly replied, "Miss Jia possesses extraordinary skills, and there must be another reason why you are hiding in the brothel?" "I, Yu Zhaonan, would like to hear your details, and if you have any difficulties, I will help you resolve them."
Jia Yan came to her senses and said in a flustered manner, "Master Yu, why do you have to meddle in my affairs?"
Yu Zhaonan smiled coldly and said, "My nickname is 'Sai Mengchang,' and that's not something easily obtained. As for our friendship, I have known you for many years, and your difficulties are nothing to me."
Jia Yan rubbed her hands and stamped her feet, her anxiety evident, but she suppressed her emotions and said softly, "I have long heard of Master Yu's concern for those in distress, and I am deeply grateful for your care over the years. However... however, I have other difficulties that I cannot tell outsiders. Please forgive me, Master Yu."
Yu Zhaonan was unmoved by her soft words, and snorted coldly, saying, "You know I am concerned for those in distress, and you should also know that I hate evil." " You possess extraordinary skills, yet you remain hidden in the world of courtesans. If you don't have your own reasons, you must have some ulterior motive. If you don't explain, are you forcing me to use force?"
Jia Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she pleaded softly, "Why must you make things difficult for me, Master Yu? What good would that do you?"
Yu Zhaonan sneered and replied, "I never consider personal gain or loss when I act, only whether it's right or wrong..."
Jia Ma said, "Master Yu, is it right to force someone against their will?"
Yu Zhaonan raised an eyebrow and said, "Clever arguments are useless. Speak frankly to avoid damaging our harmony."
Jia Yan observed his expression and knew there was no way to resolve this peacefully. Her face darkened, and she said, "Master Yu, if you insist on meddling, this harmony is definitely ruined."
Yu Zhaonan's eyes darted around, and he laughed heartily, saying, "I wondered why you brought a man back. It seems my judgment was correct; there's some ulterior motive behind it."
Jia Yan's eyes flashed with frost as she shouted sharply, "Master Yu, return that man to me immediately, or don't blame me for being ruthless!" Yu
Zhaonan laughed loudly, ignoring her. As soon as his laughter subsided, he turned and asked, "Brother Yifeng, is that man one of our sect members? Has his acupoint been sealed?"
"Brother Yifeng" replied loudly, "This man has a very kind face. I feel like I've seen him somewhere before. I've already released his acupoints, but he's still unconscious."
Yu Zhaonan was slightly taken aback and said, "Then something must have been done to him. Brother Yifeng, take him back first and ask my father to examine him."
Before the man called "Yifeng" could make a move, Jia Yan hurriedly called out, "Old Man Hao, Yun'er, stop him! Don't let him leave! Don't let him take the man away!" Yun'er and the old man driving the carriage responded and blocked the four riders' return route. Their movements were as fast as lightning, no less than those of a first-rate master.
Yu Zhaonan was shocked by what he saw. He turned around and shouted, "Miss Jia, I don't want to offend you before I know the truth. Tell me, who is that person? Why did you kidnap him?"
At this moment, Jia Yan's seductive charm was completely gone, her gaze turned fierce, and she was as cold and aloof as a beautiful statue sculpted by a master craftsman. She was no longer the flirtatious courtesan she once was. Her eyes flashed with lightning speed, and she said, word by word, "Master Yu, I may not be your match, but if you insist on meddling in my affairs, I can't care less." She reached into her clothes and found a gleaming, chilling dagger, about a foot long, already in her hand.
Yu Zhaonan was secretly surprised, but still sneered, "My reputation is well-known. When have you ever heard of
me giving up halfway through something..." Before he could finish speaking, Jia Yan coldly interrupted, "Enough with the idle talk. I'm no match for you. Take him away..."
Suddenly, "Brother Yifeng" shouted, "Brother Zhaonan, I remember now, this person looks just like the great hero Hua from Yunzhong Mountain..."
Yu Zhaonan was shocked and turned around in horror, saying, "What? You said it's the great hero Hua?"
"Brother Yifeng" said, "No, it's the young master of Hero Hua."
Yu Zhaonan turned around, his imposing manner overwhelming, and said in a stern voice, "Tell me, is that young master Hua?"
Jia Yan coldly replied, "I've already said, if I'm no match for him, you can take him away. Why ask again?"
Yu Zhaonan's mind raced, suppressing his anger, and he said, "Hero Hua's virtue is boundless, and he has bestowed upon our Yu family a great favor. I will not allow anyone to harm a hair on his head. You are just a woman, and your evil deeds are not yet known. I do not wish to fight you. You may leave."
Jia Yan coldly smiled and said, "Leave? Leave him behind." With a flick of her dagger, she swept it across with a "whoosh."
This move seemed slow, but it was actually extremely fast. A flash of cold light appeared, and an incomparably sharp sword aura suddenly attacked Yu Zhaonan's side and back. Yu Zhaonan had just turned around when he suddenly felt the sword energy pressing against his body. Without turning his head, he swung his whip backhand, paused, and shot forward, shouting, "Brother Yifeng, let's go quickly!"
His movements were like a celestial horse soaring through the sky, incredibly fast, and the whip he swung carried a surging, overwhelming force. Jia Yan managed to block the energy, but he was already firmly seated in his saddle, spurring his horse to gallop towards the city. The other four did not hesitate any longer, each cracking their whips and shouting in unison, following suit. The five of them were highly skilled horsemen, moving too fast. Yun'er and the old man surnamed Hao tried to strike, but they only managed to kick up dust, unable to stop them.
Xiao Yun'er was still unwilling to give up and was about to give chase when Jia Yan sighed dejectedly, saying, "Yun'er, stop! I never imagined he was so skilled."
Yun'er retorted angrily, "Are we just going to give up?"
Jia Yan said, "What else can we do? Let's get in the carriage and go. We still have to guard against him causing trouble." With a sigh, they boarded the carriage, and Old Man Hao whipped the horse, galloping quickly towards Jinling City.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
Jinling, also known as Jiangning, was a prosperous city during the Six Dynasties. The Jinling before us is even more prosperous than before, and its scenic spots and historical sites are the best in Jiangnan. Along the Qinhuai River, near the Confucius Temple, tourists throng by day, and at night, revelry fills the air. The scene is a vibrant mix of lights and
wine, lasting all night long. It's truly a place where all sorts of people mingle, and the air is thick with the scent of perfume. Strolling through it is both nerve-wracking and unforgettable. Right here on the Qinhuai River, a veritable den of extravagance, stands a mansion facing the street, its back to the river, just a stone's throw from the Confucius Temple. This mansion boasts red walls and green tiles, tall buildings and deep courtyards. On the river behind it, several small, exquisite painted boats are moored. Above the wide, imposing gate hang two enormous lanterns, still burning with red candles. The flickering candlelight illuminates the three golden characters "Yixin Yuan" (怡心院), making them shine brightly.
This "Yixin Courtyard" was one of the most prestigious brothels in Jinling City. It employed renowned chefs, had pleasure boats, and boasted countless beautiful women to entertain its patrons. No wealthy merchant, tycoon, or corrupt official in Jinling City was unaware of the name "Yixin Courtyard" on the banks of the Qinhuai River. Jia Yan's carriage sped into the city, winding its way through the streets, until it arrived at the Qinhuai River and entered "Yixin Courtyard."
She claimed to be a Jinling prostitute, and it didn't seem untrue. However, as soon as the carriage entered the courtyard, a restless commotion arose, which subsided after a long while. What was the reason for this? Given the high walls and deep courtyard, it wasn't the busiest time of day; the reason was beyond the understanding of outsiders. While Jia Yan was in this state, Yu Zhaonan, who had rushed into the city, was extremely nervous.
Unable to ride on the main streets, the group of five took to the backstreets and alleys, passing the Drum Tower and exiting the Xuanwu Gate, galloping relentlessly towards a vast and secluded manor on the lakeshore. Before they even arrived, Yu Zhaonan called out in a loud voice, "Whose turn is it? Quickly, invite the old master."
A burly man emerged from the gate, bowing and replying, "Reporting to the young master, Yu Mao is on duty."
Yu Zhaonan waved his hand from afar and shouted, "Quickly, invite the old master and tell him that Young Master Hua of Yunzhong Mountain has arrived." Yu Mao hesitated slightly, then replied "Yes," and turned to gallop away.
Yu Zhaonan and the others continued riding without stopping. Only when they reached the main hall did they dismount. After a long gallop, everyone was drenched in sweat, but Yu Zhaonan was anxious and had no time to care about the sweat dripping down his cheeks. After dismounting, he turned around and asked, "Brother Yifeng, has Young Master Hua changed?"
This "Brother Yifeng" was also a young man in his early twenties, with bright eyes, a broad back and a strong build, exuding a heroic and elegant aura. He gently lifted Hua Yunlong with both hands and stepped onto the stairs, saying, "Young Master Hua remains unconscious. Despite all this running, he still hasn't woken up."
Then a burly young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes said, "Could it be that he suffered internal injuries, which is why he is unconscious?"
Another tall young man with phoenix eyes said, "Young Master Hua's complexion is stable; he doesn't seem to be injured."
A young man with a broad forehead, high nose, and square face said, "Then another acupoint has been sealed, Yi..." "Brother Feng, put Young Master Hua down and examine him carefully again."
Several people chattered as they escorted "Brother Yi Feng" into the hall. "Brother Yi Feng" laid Hua Yunlong flat on a central eight-immortal table, raised his right arm, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, saying, "In my opinion, Young Master Hua has probably taken some kind of drug..." The burly
young man suddenly clapped his hands and shouted, "That makes sense! Among the five of us, Brother Yi Feng has the highest martial arts skill. If other acupoints are sealed, Brother Yi Feng will definitely be able to see that Young Master Hua has most likely taken poison."
Yu Zhaonan frowned and said, "Brother Changyi, don't shout. Anyway, my father will be here in a moment. Once he arrives, the problem will be solved." At this moment, a servant came out, carrying a tea tray with several cups of hot tea.
Yu Zhaonan waved his hand and said, "Put down the tea and quickly inform the old master that Young Master Hua of 'Luoxia Manor' is unconscious and in the front hall. Please come quickly." The servant replied, "Yes," put down the tea tray, and ran off.
Yu Zhaonan glanced at Hua Yunlong, then suddenly sighed and said, "Brothers and friends, you've earned the nickname 'Meng Chang' (a reference to a notorious but corrupt official). Now it seems that even if it's not a big deal, it's still quite unbecoming."
The burly young man, addressed as "Brother Changyi," raised his thick eyebrows and asked in bewilderment, "Brother Zhaonan, why the sudden sigh? We, the Five Young Masters of Jinling, are kindred spirits. Everyone knows we're good friends. As the saying goes, there are three kinds of beneficial friends and three kinds of harmful friends. The more friends the better, what's wrong with that?" "
Brother Changyi" was surnamed Cai, "Brother Yifeng" was surnamed Yuan, the tall and slender young man was named Li Bosheng, and the square-faced young man was named Gao Songping. Together with Yu Zhaonan, they were known as the "Five Young Masters of Jinling." It turned out that all five of them were scions of prominent families. Because they were of similar age, they shared similar temperaments, were chivalrous friends, and generous with their money. They usually went out together, traveled together, and frequented brothels, famous scenic spots, and historical sites. Each of them possessed considerable martial arts skills, which not only allowed them to make many friends but also to sometimes meddle in other people's business and stand up for the weak.
Therefore, the name "Five Young Masters of Jinling" was known to everyone. The young men, fond of fame and success, were quite proud of themselves in the past. But at this moment, Yu Zhaonan suddenly felt a pang of emotion. Not only did "Brother Changyi" ask this question in bewilderment, but the others also felt deeply puzzled, their gazes shifting to Yu Zhaonan in unison. Yu Zhaonan smiled faintly and said, "It's no wonder Brother Changyi is surprised; I myself feel a bit bewildered. However, I've been thinking that I've been too impractical in my daily life, so when things come to a head, I'm helpless and still have to rely on my father. It's really wrong of me."
The tall and slender Li Bosheng frowned and asked, "Brother Zhaonan, are you saying that you've wasted time in the past and failed to inherit Uncle Yu's mantle?"
Yu Zhaonan slowly nodded and said, "My father's medical skills and ability to identify and detoxify poisons are said to be unparalleled in the world, except for the Nine Poison Fairy lineage of Miao Jiang. However, I have only learned a few superficial aspects of my father's martial arts. How can I not feel regret?"
Cai Changyi, who was clearly not one to use his brain, said openly, "There's no need to feel regret. Brother Zhaonan is still young and determined to learn. It's not too late."
Yu Zhaonan smiled bitterly and said, "It's not too late to learn now, but if something happens to Young Master Hua, what use will my medical skills be, even if I've mastered them? I'm afraid I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Cai Changyi's eyes widened in astonishment. "What? You mean Young Master Hua..."
Yu Zhaonan interrupted with a bitter smile, "You can see for yourself, Young Master Hua's injuries don't look like injuries, and his poisoning doesn't look like poisoning. If his acupoints are sealed, we don't know where they are, delaying the opportunity for treatment. How can we make up for this regret? If I had mastered my father's medical skills, even if I were helpless, I would feel better. Brother Changyi, now I'm not just feeling sorry, I'm actually regretting it."
As soon as he said this, everyone looked at Hua Yunlong. He looked calm and his breathing was steady, indeed not like someone who was poisoned or injured. Therefore, everyone frowned. After a pause, Cai Changyi suddenly said loudly, "Brother Zhaonan, this is your fault. Why didn't you ask Jia Yan for clarification?"
Yu Zhaonan said, "Firstly, Jia Yan wouldn't tell, and secondly, I was anxious."
Cai Changyi's eyes sharpened, and he said, "Why wouldn't she tell? Humph, I'll go ask her." He strode out of the hall.
Gao Songping stepped forward, blocking his path, and said, "No need to go. We've already become enemies since we're trying to take her man, so she naturally won't talk."
Cai Changyi snorted coldly and said, "I'm afraid she won't talk." He wanted to pass Gao Songping, but as soon as he took a step, a strong voice came from behind the hall, urgently asking, "Nan'er, how is Young Master Hua?" Before the words were finished, an old man with white hair and a silver beard appeared from behind the screen door, followed by a boy carrying a medicine bag. This old man, known as the "Confucian Physician of Jiangnan," was Zhao Nan's father, a famous philanthropist in Jinling.
Cai Changyi stopped and hurriedly went to greet him with Yu Zhao Nan and the others. Yu Zhaonan said, "This man looks remarkably like Master Hua. I believe he must be Master Hua's son..."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" had already seen Hua Yunlong lying on the table. He waved his hand, stepped forward, and said, "Shouldn't he be treated? Has he been unconscious all this time?"
Yu Zhaonan replied, "Yes, he has been unconscious."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" walked to the table, frowned, and after examining him for a while, muttered to himself, "His facial features are very similar to Master Hua's, and his eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth are very similar to Madam Bai's. He is the young master of the Hua family." He bent down, examined the tongue and eyes, then grasped the pulse, intently examining Hua Yunlong's vital energy and pulse. The old man's expression grew increasingly solemn. After about half a cup of tea's time, he finally released his five fingers and said, "Young Master Hua has taken a sleeping potion. The blood and energy in his 'Juque' acupoint have not been flowing smoothly for long." He paused, his gaze fixed, and asked Yu Zhaonan, "Nan'er, where did you find Young Master Hua?" "
Yu Zhaonan said, "When we were touring the western suburbs, we met... met..." Jia Yan was a prostitute, and he had dealings with prostitutes. In front of his father, he stammered and couldn't bring himself to say it.
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" frowned and said, "Nan'er, why are you hesitating? What did you meet? Why don't you tell us?" Yu Zhaonan paused, feeling that he couldn't not tell, so he had to bite the bullet and recount the events at Shuixi Gate in detail.
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" didn't reprimand his son. He listened quietly to Yu Zhaonan finish speaking, then his eyes were fixed on Hua Yunlong's face, as if he were exploring something, or perhaps deep in thought. The "Five Young Masters of Jinling," along with the boy carrying the medicine bag, didn't dare to breathe loudly, afraid of disturbing the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician." As a result, the hall was silent, and everyone was extremely nervous. After a long while, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" suddenly realized and said, "I understand, what a superb technique."
As he spoke, he bent down and gently stroked Hua Yunlong's head, slowly moving his hand towards the "Jade Pillow" acupoint on the back of his head. A look of joy suddenly appeared on his face, and he lifted Hua Yunlong's body, saying, "It's fortunate that Young Master Hua is lucky. You all rode your horses at breakneck speed and tossed him around, yet the Bewitching Silver Needle on the 'Jade Pillow' acupoint actually didn't move. Nan'er, all of you come with me." After speaking, he carefully moved his feet and walked straight to the back. The
"Five Young Masters of Jinling" looked at each other, their hearts all trembling, and took large strides to follow him. Passing through the corridor, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said again, "This young master Hua has a unique constitution; the bewitching medicine seems to have no effect on him. We'll remove the silver needles later, and he should be fine. Nan'er, go ahead and tell your mother, then come to my study; I have something to say." Hearing this, everyone felt a great weight lifted from their hearts. Yu Zhaonan responded with a "Yes," and ran past the crowd towards the backyard.
A moment later, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" led the other young masters to the study. The study was spotless and impeccably tidy, with a brocade couch against the wall by the window. He placed Hua Yunlong against the couch, took the bag from the attendant, retrieved the necessary items, and then began to remove the silver needles. The symptoms were already present, so the procedure was relatively simple.
Having prepared all the necessary medicines, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" gently pressed Hua Yunlong's "Lingtai" acupoint with his right palm, and with his left hand holding a magnet, aimed at the "Yuzhen" acupoint at the back of his head, and gently pressed the magnet. After a moment, he slowly moved the magnet away from the back of his head. On the magnet, a tiny silver needle, about half an inch long
, was clearly visible. He then withdrew his right palm and carefully applied a packet of yellow powder to the needle prick. A little blood had been at the prick, but after the powder was applied, it instantly congealed into a scab. This procedure didn't take much time or effort, but the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" seemed to have just fought a battle; beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and the onlookers were extremely tense, their hearts pounding in their chests. After the surgery, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" let out a long sigh of relief, saying, "Luckily, luckily. If there had been any mishap, it would have been a lifelong regret for me, Yu Shangde."
Cai Changyi, without thinking, recklessly said, "Uncle, using a magnet to attract the silver needles doesn't seem like much trouble."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician," while tidying up his tools and handing them to the boy, said with lingering fear, "A child's view, a child's view. The 'Jade Pillow Point' is one of the thirty-six major fatal acupoints of the human body, the gateway to the Niwan point, the pivot of the Du meridian, connecting thirteen meridians. It's not child's play. My skill is insufficient; I lack the internal force to attract the silver needles, so I had to use a magnet, which is even more dangerous..."
Cai Changyi asked curiously, "How could it be dangerous?" "How could there be no danger?" said the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician. "
"Think about it," he continued. "The magnet's attraction is all-encompassing. To retrieve the silver needle, one must follow the original needle hole. If the technique is slightly off or unstable, the silver needle will vibrate, immediately damaging the meridians. The consequences would be either death or disability. How dangerous is that?"
Only then did everyone understand why the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" was so trembling and cautious. Cai Changyi was even more astonished and doubtful, exclaiming in horror, "Ah! There are actually intricacies involved. No wonder Uncle was covered in sweat." The
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" smiled slightly and said, "Fortunately, it's all over now, and Young Master Hua is alright."
He paused slightly, glanced at the four of them, and continued, "My dear nephews, I have something on my mind that I want to discuss with you today." Not knowing what he wanted to talk about, the group sat down nervously.
At this moment, the sound of footsteps and a cane hitting the ground drifted from afar. The young servant beside the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "Madam has arrived. Go and tell the kitchen to prepare wine. After Young Master Hua awakens, we'll have them begin the feast." The servant bowed and replied, "Yes," before leaving.
Yu Zhaonan accompanied his mother into the study, where the young masters quickly rose to greet them. Madam Yu glanced at Hua Yunlong and asked her husband, "Master, is Young Master Hua alright?"
This old lady had white hair, a string of Buddhist beads around her neck, and held a heavy, coiled dragon cane in her right hand. Her piercing eyes suggested she was also skilled in martial arts. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "Young Master Hua is alright. I've removed the silver needles. He should awaken in about the time it takes to eat a meal. Madam, please sit down. I need to take this opportunity to speak with Nan'er and the others."
As Madam Yu sat down, she asked, "What are you talking about? Is it about Nan'er's involvement with women?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "We need to talk about your involvement in brothels, but we also need to talk about other things."
He turned his face to his son and said, "Nan'er, I don't force you to practice martial arts, I don't force you to study medicine, I let you make many friends, even to the point of getting drunk by the river and
visiting brothels. Do you know why?" Yu Zhaonan blushed and said, "Your son is ignorant, but I know that Father has other intentions. Perhaps it's because our Yu family comes from the Jianghu (江湖, the
martial arts world), and we can't forget our roots. Making more friends and helping others with their difficulties is always beneficial." The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" nodded and said, "It's neither beneficial nor harmful. Your 'can't forget our roots' has some merit, but your thinking is unrealistic. You should know that the Jianghu is a source of trouble and not worth lingering in. As for helping those in distress, that's a matter of life. If you and I don't do it, others will. This is not my intention." Yu Zhaonan suddenly realized and replied, "
I understand, Father. You are indulging me so that you will not forget the kindness of Master Hua."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" nodded approvingly, saying, "Nan'er is very perceptive. That is exactly what I think." Everyone frowned, and everyone felt puzzled.
Madam Yu said, "Sir, your words have confused this old woman. We naturally cannot forget the kindness bestowed upon us by Master Hua, but we have no opportunity to repay him. So, this old woman can only enshrine the portraits of Master Hua and his mother, recite Buddhist scriptures for him morning and evening, and offer incense as a token of our gratitude. Your doting on Nan'er and indulging him without urging him to improve himself is already a great mistake. Now you are even shifting the blame onto Master Hua. This...this...this is a sin." The
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" laughed loudly and said, "Madam, is Nan'er an unambitious person?"
The old lady was slightly taken aback, glanced at her son, and said, "What exactly are you trying to say? Why don't you just say it directly? This roundabout way is making me more and more confused."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" nodded and said, "Alright, I'll explain now." He glanced at Hua Yunlong, then opened his palm, holding the small silver needle he had just extracted, and continued, "Madam, please look, this is a silver needle taken from Young Master Hua's 'Jade Pillow' acupoint."
Old Guan took the silver needle and examined it closely, saying, "This silver needle has residual sleeping potion. What? Is the matter serious?" "
The Confucian Physician of Jiangnan said, "What I've been worried about is about to erupt."
The old lady was startled and said, "You mean, there will be chaos in the martial arts world?"
The Confucian Physician of Jiangnan nodded and said sadly, "Long-term chaos will inevitably lead to order, and long-term order will inevitably lead to chaos. Since Hero Hua swept away the evil forces and brought peace to the martial arts world, it has been twenty years. Those evil spirits who escaped the net back then, and those heroes who refused to submit, how could they remain subservient forever? Alas! The cycle of heaven is always accurate, but it has come too quickly."
The old lady was slightly taken aback and said, "I'm afraid you're just worrying unnecessarily."
The Confucian Physician of Jiangnan said, "I have always been optimistic and content with my fate, why would I worry unnecessarily? Since the treasure hunt at Jiuqu, thanks to Hero Hua's grace, the Tiantai Sect was able to retrieve its secrets. My husband, who enjoys both medicine and medicine, obtained a copy of the 'Hua Tuo's Classic of Medicine,' which has led to my current small achievements." "Because I am optimistic and accepting of my fate, and admire the character of Master Hua, I was able to remain detached at the time. I always felt that Master Hua was too lenient, and the troubles were not completely eradicated. Therefore, in recent years, I have been constantly worried about this..."
It turns out that this "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" was originally an elder of the Tiantai School. He discovered treasures in Jiuqu and his family prospered. Because of his detached nature, after handing over the secrets of his school to the sect leader, he lived in Jinling, practicing medicine and helping the world. Eventually, he became a famous doctor and a well-known philanthropist in Jinling. Who knew that he was grateful for Hua Tianhong's kindness and was actually keeping an eye on the dynamics of the martial arts world? Such measures show that he is a thoughtful person. By this point, the "Five Young Masters of Jinling" had grasped the gist of it. Although Cai Changyi was reckless, he wasn't stupid. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" paused slightly, then said with an "Oh," adding, "I understand. Uncle allows us to eat, drink, and be merry without restraint because he wants us to be mindful of the dynamics of the martial world." The
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "Heroes and villains, if they want to make a move, being mindful is useless. You must become accustomed to it, leaving no trace, to achieve anything. Like this time with that woman surnamed Jia, if you had harbored prejudice against her, you wouldn't have been able to save Young Master Hua." He paused again, then continued, "However, you are all good children, and you know your place, so I can rest assured."
The four young masters blushed. Yuan Yifeng added, "Nephew dares to presume, Uncle, perhaps you have other instructions?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" nodded repeatedly and smiled, "Yifeng is astute. My intention is twofold: first, to allow you to make more connections and understand the changes in the martial arts world; second, to help you build connections so that you can assist Master Hua in his endeavors should an accident occur. This is my way of repaying Master Hua's kindness, but it's also for the greater good. Please forgive me if you don't mind."
Cai Changyi shouted, "Following him is my father's favor! Who objects? Anyone who objects will be severed ties!"
Yuan Yifeng and Li Bosheng ... Gao Songping chimed in, "Brother Changyi is right. It's thanks to your father and uncle's kindness. Your uncle's heart is as clear as day. If we can follow Master Hua to eradicate the evil forces and accomplish something great, it will not have been in vain for your uncle's painstaking care..." Before he could finish speaking, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" burst into laughter, saying, "Very good, very good. My virtuous nephews are reasonable and righteous. I am truly gratified."
The old lady frowned slightly, raised the silver needle in her hand, and poked her mouth, saying, "Old Master, is your worry caused by this silver needle?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" turned around and said, "It all started with this silver needle. Madam, please consider this: that woman surnamed Jia hides in the brothel, willingly working as a prostitute, yet she possesses extraordinary skills. This silver needle contains residual sedatives, and the acupuncture technique is superb. The person who was subdued is also the son of Master Hua. With these signs combined, doesn't it indicate that there will be upheaval in the martial world?"
Old Guan thought for a moment, about to speak again, when he suddenly saw Hua Yunlong, the eldest son of Hua Da, turn over on the brocade couch. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" hurriedly said softly, "Madam, please rest. We need to ask Young Master Hua for details." After saying this, he
got up and walked towards Hua Yunlong. Hua Yunlong suddenly sat up and shouted, "I'm suffocating!"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" stretched out his left arm and gently supported him, saying, "Young Master Hua, you'd better lie down for a while..."
Hua Yunlong opened his eyes wide and asked in surprise, "Where...where is this?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "Jinling 'Medical Cottage,' my residence." Hua
Yunlong glanced around, his gaze sharpening. "Who are you, sir? What is your name?" the
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" replied. "I am Yu Shangde, also known as the 'Jiangnan Confucian Physician'."
Hua Yunlong asked, puzzled. "Am I ill or injured?"
the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said. "Young master, you were controlled by Xiao Xiao and poisoned with a bewitching needle."
Hua Yunlong frowned. "A bewitching needle? You said this is Jinling?"
the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said. "Indeed."
Hua Yunlong suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! I remember now! Where is Jia Yan?"
Yu Zhaonan interjected, "Jia Yan is a prostitute at the Yixin Courtyard. Right now..."
Before he could finish, Hua Yunlong jumped up, impatiently saying, "This woman is not simple. Where is the Yixin Courtyard? I'll go find her."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" stopped him, saying, "Young master, please wait. The situation is indeed complicated. That woman is probably no longer at the Yixin Courtyard."
Hua Yunlong was slightly taken aback, then looked around again before finally fixing his gaze on the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician." He paused for a moment, then said, "Old sir, do you recognize me? I was poisoned by a mind-altering needle; was it Elder Meng who saved me?" The "
Jiangnan Confucian Physician" nodded and said, "Twenty years ago, during the treasure hunt at Jiuqu, I met
your parents. It was a small matter, nothing to mention. How are you feeling, Young Master Hua? Are you alright now?" Mentioning the treasure hunt, Hua Yunlong assumed the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" was an old acquaintance of his parents, so he quickly straightened his clothes, bowed respectfully, and said, "Junior Hua Yunlong greets Senior Yu."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" hurriedly returned the courtesy, saying, "I dare not accept such courtesy. If Young Master Hua is not unwell, I have something to ask you."
Hua Yunlong secretly wondered why this senior Yu was so humble. While thinking this, he said aloud, "The bewitching drug is not effective against me. I have not felt any discomfort. Senior, please ask me anything. I am all ears."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" laughed heartily and said, "That's good then. Please sit down, Young Master Hua." He then introduced Hua Yunlong to the people present. Hua Yunlong also bowed to Madam Yu and expressed his admiration to the "Five Young Masters of Jinling" before sitting down with ease. The
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" glanced at his son and said, "Nan'er, tell him about your good fortune in meeting the young master beforehand, so that Young Master Hua will not have any doubts." Yu Zhaonan, upon hearing his father's instructions, recounted the entire story of intercepting Jia Yan.
As they rushed back to the "Medical Cottage," Old Madam Yu brandished a silver needle in her hand and interjected, "The reason Young Master Hua was unconscious was because this mind-controlling needle had sealed his 'Jade Pillow Acupoint.'"
Hua Yunlong listened intently and exclaimed in shock, "'Jade Pillow Acupoint'?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "The matter is over now. Young Master Hua, calm down and check if you have lost anything important."
Hua Yunlong was greatly alarmed. Nothing else mattered, except for the letter from "Lady Yuding" hidden inside his protective armor. That letter was absolutely crucial and could not be lost. Therefore, upon hearing this, he was filled with anxiety and hurriedly reached into his robes. Fortunately, the armor was still there, and the three medicine bottles his aunt had given him were also in his robes. As for his protective sword, his clothes, and his dragon steed, even if they were lost, it wouldn't matter. Knowing that the soft armor hadn't been touched and the letter was still there, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It seems that Jia Yan didn't search my body. My sword and clothes are fine.
" The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" frowned and said, "That's strange. Why wouldn't that woman surnamed Jia search me?... Young Master Hua, do you remember the situation when I was subdued?"
Hua Yunlong's face flushed slightly and he said, "To be honest, it was my own carelessness..." He then recounted his encounter with Jia Yan and how his acupoints were sealed, and then said, "I was confident that I was immune to all poisons, and that the 'Seven-Day Bewitching Powder' was invincible against me, but I didn't guard against her striking my acupoints. By the time I realized it, I was already unconscious. As for her pricking my 'Jade Pillow' acupoint with a bewitching needle, I knew nothing about that."
The "Five Young Masters of Jinling" were all skeptical when they heard him say he was immune to all poisons. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician," however, listened quietly and pondered. Even after he finished speaking, he still didn't know why Jia Yan hadn't searched Hua Yunlong's body. Silence fell for a long while. The study was cold and quiet, but the atmosphere was tense and solemn, like an invisible iron band tightly gripping everyone's heartstrings, making it hard to breathe.
Cai Changyi was very impatient. After a while, he suddenly said loudly, "Don't think about it anymore, Uncle. Let's go to 'Yixin Courtyard'."
Gao Songping chimed in, "Regardless of whether Jia Yan has returned to 'Yixin Courtyard' or not, it's never wrong to go there. Uncle Yu, I think we should still pretend to be patrons and go to 'Yixin Courtyard' tonight."
Old Madam Yu nodded and said, "Songping is right. Jia Yan is staying at 'Yixin Courtyard'. Perhaps 'Yixin Courtyard' is someone's lair. Going there to find out the truth is a good way to get to the bottom of things." "
The Confucian Physician of Jiangnan" shook his head repeatedly, saying, "We can't go. It would alert them and all our previous efforts would be wasted."
Old Madam Yu said, "The old man is always indecisive. How can he accomplish anything if he hesitates? I, this old woman, will be their support."
"The Confucian Physician of Jiangnan" laughed and said, "Madam, you're confused. You might be useful in the future if you risk your life for us, but now that we're going to 'Yixin Courtyard,' how can you be their support in a place like that?"
The old lady was taken aback at first, then her expression changed, as if she was about to argue. Hua Yunlong quickly stood up and said, "Madam, please calm down and let me say a word. The reason I was so careless and restrained was because I wanted to find out Jia Yan's background. Now that I know Jia Yan is staying at the 'Yixin' brothel, I will handle it myself. I thank Senior Yu and all the brothers for their help. As for their assistance, I appreciate it." He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply.
Cai Changyi refused the gesture, shouting, "Hey, you're so fussy..."
Yuan Yifeng, fearing he would be impolite, quickly interrupted, "Young Master Hua, you're too kind. Your father's deeds are widely known. We brothers are merely imitating him, each doing our duty. Your words are meddling."
Yuan Yifeng returned the gesture with a fist and a laugh, adding, "That was just a joke, Young Master Hua, please don't take it seriously. What we mean is that the people of 'Luoxia Manor' have benefited greatly from our actions and conduct. We sincerely wish to follow in your footsteps, firstly to learn from your father's example, and secondly, to contribute our own efforts to do something meaningful. If Young Master Hua doesn't allow us to participate, we will truly be unwilling." "These words were gentler, but still extremely sharp, leaving no room for refusal.
Hua Yunlong was taken aback, then clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Brother Yuan, I have nothing to say. However, since you all are so informal, please refrain from calling me 'Young Master Hua' from now on. My courtesy name is Yunlong, so please call me Hua Yunlong or Yunlong as you please. If you still call me 'Young Master,' I will leave in a huff. Please don't take offense, brothers."
Cai Changyi, being the most impatient, clapped his hands and cheered, "Great! Let's say it this way. Whoever calls you 'Young Master' again will be this one." He made a "turtle" gesture, which immediately caused two bursts of laughter that lasted for a long time.
Amid the laughter, the old lady repeatedly slammed her cane on the ground, panting, "Stop laughing, stop laughing, let's talk about serious matters." Though she said "stop laughing," she actually laughed even harder than the others. Yu Zhaonan's mother, who was also her uncle, choked on her laughter and tried to suppress it, gently patting her mother's back.
Just then, a servant came to report, "Reporting to the old master, the wine and food are prepared. May I ask where we should meet?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician," suppressing a laugh, replied, "The inner living room." He stood up solemnly and continued, "Brother Long, this old man is honored to accept your invitation. Please, let's drink and talk, and perhaps we can come up with a feasible plan."
Hua Yunlong said, "That's only right," but Madam Yu interjected, "I think you're the one who's truly out of line. Brother Hua has been unconscious for so long, and all my nephews are covered in dust. Are you going to drink without even washing up?"
Laughter broke out again, and the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" exclaimed, "You're really getting senile! Nan'er, take Hua... take Brother Long to wash up. My nephews, you all know each other well, so please make yourselves at home. Madam, let's wait for each other in the living room." In this way, the atmosphere immediately became extremely relaxed. The old couple went out first, followed by each of them going to wash up.
Yu Zhaonan's build was comparable to Hua Yunlong's. He took out a new set of clothes for each of them, from the inside out, and gave them to Hua Yunlong to change into.
Hua Yunlong, with his lively nature, found himself quite compatible with them. After washing and changing, he looked even more refreshed and radiant. The group went to the inner living room one after another, where they chatted freely and without restraint, creating a very harmonious atmosphere. The elderly couple even displayed the spirits of youth, and the meal lasted until the first watch of the night before they finally dispersed, thoroughly enjoying themselves. During the meal, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" had asked Hua Yunlong why he had left home.
Hua Yunlong made no attempt to conceal his true intentions, frankly stating that he was "ordered to apprehend a murderer," and recounted his journey in detail. Everyone listened, silently lamenting the death of the "Nine-Lives Swordsman," and feeling indignant at the killer's mystery and cruelty. However, they all reached the same conclusion: a "catastrophe was imminent," and the martial arts world was about to face many turbulent times. When discussing the impending catastrophe, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" was remarkably reserved. He only vaguely mentioned that Hua Yunlong's account and the people he had encountered were "possibly related," refusing to elaborate further. Yet, he strongly encouraged Hua Yunlong's trip to the Southern Wilderness, without giving further explanation.
With Jia Yan's situation at hand, Hua Yunlong didn't ask her much about the rest. Jia Yan's disappearance into the brothel was a mystery, her motive for kidnapping Hua Yunlong was a mystery, and the fact that she didn't search Hua Yunlong's body was an even bigger mystery. A series of unsolved mysteries made further speculation unnecessary. Therefore, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" agreed with the others' suggestion—to continue pretending to be patrons and investigate the "Yixin Courtyard." However, he only agreed to let Yu Zhaonan accompany Hua Yunlong; the others didn't need to go. He believed Jia Yan had already fled, making the trip redundant. His reasoning for having Yu Zhaonan accompany Hua Yunlong was that they were both involved, and his reasoning was sound.
If the "Yixin Courtyard" was a den of iniquity, Jia Yan must have known about the kidnapping, and concealing everything about Jia Yan was to be expected. The investigation needed to be conducted appropriately. After Hua Yunlong was rescued, it was reasonable for Yu Zhaonan, an experienced guide, to lead him to search for Jia Yan's whereabouts. Even if they found nothing, it wouldn't arouse suspicion within the "Yixin Courtyard" and raise their guard. This was his foresight; he didn't want the trail to end so easily, so the others didn't insist.
However, there was one exception: the rather impulsive Cai Changyi. Cai Changyi seemed to have a special affinity with Hua Yunlong and refused to part ways, arguing that he was also a party involved and was present during the rescue. Even after the gathering ended, he continued to make a scene. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician," driven to distraction by his nagging, had no choice but to allow him to accompany him. He was overjoyed and jumped up, shouting, "Prepare the horses! Prepare the horses!"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Changyi, this is a clandestine investigation. You must remain calm and not ruin Brother Long's plans."
Cai Changyi nodded repeatedly, saying, "I understand. I won't speak once we arrive at Yixin Courtyard."
At this moment, the group was in the front courtyard, where servants had already prepared three fine horses. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" waved his hand, saying, "Mount up. Go early and return early, and you'll gain something. It's best not to make a move tonight."
Others might not understand the last two sentences, but Hua Yunlong, being quick-witted, understood immediately. He smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "This junior knows what he's doing. It's a cold night with heavy dew. Please return, senior." He took the reins, mounted his horse, said, "See you later, brothers," and rode away with Yu Zhaonan. The bright moon shone, and the three men's eyesight was exceptionally sharp. They rode at full speed without worrying about making any mistakes.
However, after passing the Drum Tower and entering Xiwangfu Street, the pedestrians gradually became crowded, forcing them to slow down their pace. All three were dressed as noble young masters, handsome men and strong horses, their slow, deliberate movement attracting many envious glances. Yu Zhaonan, nicknamed "The Mightier Mengchang," was well-known among the "Five Gentlemen of Jinling," and many people deliberately approached him to greet him, further slowing their journey.
Cai Changyi, straightforward and easygoing, was preoccupied with his own thoughts and impatient with those who tried to curry favor, ignoring them and his thick eyebrows furrowing tightly. Hua Yunlong, though also impatient, was new to Jinling and felt a sense of novelty, so he looked around and managed to endure it. After a while, Hua Yunlong suddenly noticed Cai Changyi's furrowed brows and became more attentive. He thought to himself, "This Brother Cai is straightforward and honest, without any guile; he's a man of character. Such people are the most kind and honest. I can't miss this opportunity; I must get to know him well." Thinking this, his interest suddenly surged. He gently lifted the reins and slowly asked, "Brother Changyi, are you from Jinling?"
Cai Changyi, who was feeling extremely impatient, immediately relaxed his brows upon hearing Hua Yunlong's question, chuckled, and said, "Yes, and you?" As soon as he spoke, he realized the question was unnecessary and quickly added, "We should tell each other our ages and see who's older. This 'brother'/'younger brother' thing is a bit ambiguous."
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "I was born on the nineteenth day of the first month of the Renshen year, and I'm seventeen years old this year. And you, Brother Changyi?"
Cai Changyi laughed heartily and said, "I've got it! I was born in the Xinwei year, exactly two years older than you." Hua Yunlong laughed, "
I'm not at a disadvantage. I'll have Brother Changyi to take care of me in the future..."
Cai Changyi felt very comfortable and laughed loudly, "We'll take care of each other, we'll take care of each other."
Hua Yunlong said, "This man knows how to be humble, he's not naive at all." He then asked, "But may I ask who your master is?"
Cai Changyi replied, "My family's martial arts are very mediocre."
Hua Yunlong smiled secretly and asked, "Are your parents still alive? How many brothers do you have?"
Cai Changyi said, "My father passed away many years ago, and I only have one younger sister." He suddenly widened his eyes and said seriously, "Let me tell you, my sister is a tigress. Be careful when you see her in the future."
Suddenly, Yu Zhaonan said, "Be careful, we've arrived." It turned out that they had been chatting and talking and had unknowingly arrived at the gate of "Yixin Courtyard".
Hua and Cai were just stunned when a madam came up to them, bowing and scraping to Yu Zhaonan, saying with a fawning smile, "Master Yu has just arrived. Sister Yan has been waiting for you. Please, please come in. Sister Yan has prepared a feast and is waiting for you in the room." Taken aback by the unexpected words, the three of them froze on their horses, forgetting to dismount.

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