[Wuxia] The Soul of a Great Hero (Complete) - 13

Chapter Fifteen: The Beautiful Woman of Yesteryear Now Hates Again

Chapter Fifteen: The Beautiful Woman of Yesteryear Now Hates Again
Night fell deeply, the moon rose in the east, and Hua Yunlong, swift as lightning, rushed towards Jinling. He first went to the "Medical Cottage" to pay his respects to the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" Yu Shangde and his wife, only to learn that Yu Zhaonan and the other "Five Young
Masters of Jinling" had already gone off separately to search for his whereabouts after his abduction. Although Cai Changyi was in charge of guarding Jinling, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" had not seen him for three days. After learning of the movements of the "Five Young Masters of Jinling," Hua Yunlong was deeply grateful for their chivalrous act of helping others in their time of need. On the other hand, he was also deeply worried about Cai Changyi's safety, fearing that Cai Changyi might encounter the Nine Yin Sect and be kidnapped by them. Therefore, he quickly ate some food, retrieved his sword and bag, inquired about Cai Changyi's residence, bid farewell to Yu Shangde and his wife, and headed straight for East Street.
Cai Changyi's residence was originally the mansion of Gao Hua, the Prince of Jinling. Although Gao Hua's lineage had declined, the mansion remained unchanged, its grandeur undiminished. However, even the servants in the mansion did not know Cai Changyi's whereabouts. According to a steward surnamed Gu, the young master had not returned for three days, and his mistress and young lady had also gone traveling three days
prior. Hua Yunlong, of course, was unaware that this was "Master Yuanqing's" arrangement. When he left the Cai mansion on East Street, he felt a sense of bewilderment and fear. But despite his fear, he was not in a hurry, because he had already decided to investigate the "Nine Yin Sect's" movements at midnight. If Cai Changyi had indeed been abducted by the Nine Yin Sect, he would then be able to find out what was going on and rescue him. At this
moment, in Jinling, he couldn't help but think of Jia Yan from "Yixin Courtyard." He was born with a flirtatious and promiscuous nature, and every woman he had met during his travels in the martial world was on his mind. Especially considering Jia Yan's special status and eloquent speech, she had revealed his secrets to Qiu Hua. Furthermore, three days prior, in the early morning, he had seen her carriage speeding from the Drum Tower towards the bustling city. Therefore, he felt both concern and doubt. It was only late afternoon, still early before midnight, so he strolled towards the Confucius Temple.
He entered an alley and arrived at the west side of "Yixin Courtyard." Seeing no one around, he leaped over the courtyard wall, turned corners, and arrived at the building where Jia Yan lived. The building was brightly lit, and he could see Yun'er leaning against the railing gazing into the distance. However, after looking closely for a while, he couldn't see Jia Yan, nor anyone else moving about upstairs. He waited, but the situation remained unchanged.
Hua Yunlong frowned, thinking to himself, "Where is Jia Yan? Where did Jia Yan go? If she was summoned out, Yun'er should have gone with her. Yun'er is still here, and there doesn't seem to be any guest upstairs. Could it be… could it be…"
Hua Yunlong's heart tightened, and he darted southeast. In the southeast stood a refined residence, located in another courtyard, seemingly unrelated to "Qiaxin Courtyard," yet connected by a gate. He walked through a half-open side door and immediately saw a small, gleaming carriage parked in front of the residence, with Old Man Hao, the driver, seated there. His heart skipped a beat, then he heard Jia Yan's clear voice ask, "Old Man Hao, is the carriage ready?"
Old Man Hao replied loudly, "Reporting to Miss, the carriage is ready, just waiting for you to board." As the lamplight flickered, a maidservant led the way with a lantern, accompanied by Jia Yan, who gracefully emerged from the residence alongside a beautiful woman in purple. The woman in purple wore a
long, flowing dress, her hair styled in a cloud-like bun, and her face was extremely beautiful. She looked to be in her early thirties, or perhaps twenty-five or twenty-six; her exact age was uncertain. Hua Yunlong was stunned for a moment, then the maidservant opened the carriage door and respectfully escorted the two into the carriage. With a flick of his whip, Old Man Hao set the carriage moving. Desperate and without a plan, Hua Yunlong darted along the ground, leaping onto the rear of the carriage. He then ducked beneath the carriage. His movements were as light as a swallow and as swift as a cat, truly undisturbed by anything, not only failing to alert the servant girl but also remaining completely unaware of the people inside.
Hua Yunlong, hidden beneath the carriage, heard only the rumbling of the carriage, but had no idea which direction it was heading, nor where his fifth uncle was. He knew the carriage had traveled along a long stretch of stone-paved streets before turning onto a dirt road. Half an hour passed before the carriage turned onto a mountain path, and only stopped abruptly after about the time it takes to eat a meal. He deduced that the people inside had already disembarked, and then quietly emerged.
It was nearly midnight, and the cold moonlight shone brightly. Before him stood a desolate Taoist temple, with Old Man Hao still seated high in the front, seemingly on high alert. He tiptoed around to the side, brushed the dust off his clothes, and thought to himself: It's probably too late to investigate the Nine Yin Sect's movements now. Lost in thought, he floated onto the roof of the Taoist temple. He saw a lamp burning in the backyard and rushed towards it. Suddenly, he
heard a clear voice sigh, saying, "Ziyu, you shouldn't have come."
The name "Ziyu" startled Hua Yunlong. He quickly thought: Is that beautiful woman Fang Ziyu? With a mixture of surprise and doubt, he found a hidden window, poked a small hole in the paper window frame, and pressed it to his right eye, peering into the room with the lamp. It was a simple Taoist room. A beautiful Taoist nun with jade-like skin sat cross-legged on a cloud-shaped bed. Beside her sat a gaunt, elderly Taoist. Jia Yan knelt respectfully on the ground, while the beautiful woman in purple stood respectfully before the beautiful nun.
The elderly Daoist nun coughed lightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Hen, since Miss Fang is here, please invite her to sit down and talk."
The beautiful Daoist nun, addressed as "Fellow Daoist Hen," replied indifferently, "Talking about worldly matters is pointless. Chang Hen has seen through the illusions of the world, tied her hair up to become a Daoist, and her heart is as still as water. There's nothing to talk about with her."
But then Fang Ziyu exclaimed excitedly, "Miss..."
"Fellow Daoist Changhen" interrupted, "This humble Daoist, Changhen, is no longer your young lady."
Fang Ziyu replied sadly, "Yes, Daoist Master."
The Daoist nun who called herself "Changhen" made a gesture of respect, saying, "Please sit down. Let's not dwell on the past; let's talk casually."
Fang Ziyu's eyes were filled with tears, and she said, "Yes, Daoist Master." The Daoist
nun Changhen said calmly, "Don't just agree. The past is gone, why grieve for yourself? Please sit down. If you have something to say, please sit down and tell me." Turning to Jia Yan, she added, "Yan'er, please rise. Kneeling on the ground, this humble Daoist dares not accept such an honor."
Fang Ziyu sat down, weeping. Jia Yan prostrated herself and bowed again, then gracefully rose and stood behind Fang Ziyu, her expression sorrowful, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated. Fang Ziyu raised her sleeve to wipe away the rolling tears, paused, and said, "Daoist Master, I plan to establish the 'Charming Maiden Sect' soon and announce it to the martial arts world. I have come to ask for your instructions." Hua Yunlong was startled upon hearing this and listened more intently.
He saw Daoist Changhen frown and say, "Why do you need to ask me for instructions to establish a sect?"
Fang Ziyu said, "I am deeply grateful to Daoist Master for taking me in and nurturing me, and for passing on the 'Charming Maiden Heart Sutra.' What I have received is nothing short of a second birth. Without your permission, I dare not make this decision on my own."
Daoist Changhen paused slightly and said, "If I had not become a nun, I would not have agreed with this idea of establishing a sect. Now that I am devoted to the Dao, I can no longer concern myself with these worldly matters."
Suddenly, Wan Ziyu said urgently, "Aunt... Daoist Master, please rest assured, I will not make things difficult for the Hua family." "
The Daoist nun Changhen suddenly became solemn and said, 'You…'
Fang Ziyu hurriedly interrupted, 'Ziyu deserves to die. Ziyu was in a moment of panic and forgot the Daoist's warning.'
The Daoist nun Changhen sighed suddenly and said, 'This humble Daoist has also fallen into the trap of words. In truth, what's done is done, and even if it's brought up again, it won't stir up any more emotions.' She paused, then suddenly continued, 'You're suddenly in such a hurry to open the altar, could it be related to the Hua family?'
Fang Ziyu said anxiously, 'Yes, no… no.'
The Daoist nun Changhen frowned again and said, 'Please speak frankly, there's no need for further reservations.'
Fang Ziyu composed herself and said, 'Daoist, you may not know, but the Sima couple has already been murdered.' The Daoist
nun Changhen's body visibly trembled, but she quickly regained her composure and said, 'Is it the Sima Changqing couple, known as the "Nine Swordsmen"?'"
Fang Ziyu nodded and said, "It was indeed the great hero Sima Changqing and his wife. They died suddenly in their home in Luoyang, both with wounds on their throats, killed by wild animals. The murderer left behind the mark you used years ago."
Before she finished speaking, Daoist Changhen's expression changed drastically, her eyes blazing, and she asked in horror, "You mean the Jade Cauldron?"
Hua Yunlong almost cried out, "Lady Jade Cauldron! She is Lady Jade Cauldron!" Actually, when Fang Ziyu excitedly addressed Daoist Changhen as "Miss," he had already suspected something, but as far as he knew, Lady Jade Cauldron had already passed away, and her will was in his possession, so he dared not be certain.
At this moment, Daoist Changhen's voice came again, saying, "The great hero Sima had no ordinary relationship with the Hua family of Yunzhong Mountain. With him and his wife murdered at the same time, what action has 'Luoxia Manor' taken?" Hua Yunlong pressed his hand against the window lattice and peered into the room through the small hole.
He saw Fang Ziyu with a sorrowful expression, saying, "Because of that jade cauldron, the people of 'Luoxia Manor' suspect that you, Daoist, are the mastermind behind the massacre. Currently , Bai Junyi's son, Hua Yunlong, has been ordered to investigate the culprit in the martial world."
The Daoist nun, Changhen, said with slight agitation, "If that's really the case, why isn't Hua Tianhong personally taking action?" At this moment, instead of defending herself, she excitedly asked why Hua Tianhong wasn't personally involved. Hua Yunlong, hearing and seeing this, was completely bewildered.
Fang Ziyu then angrily replied, "Great Hero Hua is now enjoying the blessings of having multiple wives; he's probably long forgotten the past." "Besides resentment, there was a hint of bitterness in her words. Hua Yunlong, being a natural romantic, was particularly sensitive to feelings of jealousy and indignation. Hearing this, he widened his eyes and listened intently.
The Daoist Changhen sighed and said, "The old matriarch was upright and strict throughout her life. Now that this matter involves bloodshed, my grudges with the Hua family are already inextricably linked. Her sending her grandson down the mountain to investigate is truly a wise move." Hearing this, Hua Yunlong's emotions were greatly stirred, and he suddenly felt sympathy for the Daoist Changhen.
The Daoist Changhen sighed deeply and continued, "Just now you said that Bai Junyi's son was ordered to hunt down a criminal in the martial world. Do you know where he is now?"
Fang Ziyu said, "A few days ago, he went to the Yixin Courtyard with the son of the 'Jiangnan Confucian Physician' to investigate Yan'er's background. Now I hear that he has been kidnapped by the leader."
The Daoist Changhen suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "You mean the leader of the Nine Yin Sect?" "The Nine Yin Cult Master has arrived in Jinling?"
Fang Ziyu nodded and said, "It is indeed the Nine Yin Cult Master. When I heard he was kidnapped, I immediately mobilized my disciples to investigate openly and secretly, but to this day, we still do not know where the
Nine Yin Cult Master is." The Daoist Changhen murmured for a moment, then suddenly said, "This child is quite clever; he managed to find the Nine Yin Cult Master, so he has finally found someone to target. However, the Nine Yin Cult Master is cunning, resourceful, and ruthless. Now that she has returned to the martial world, she must have something to do. That child, having fallen into her hands, will not only gain nothing, but is probably already in grave danger."
Fang Ziyu then said, "According to my investigation, the murder of Hero Sima involves many people and is not solely the work of the Nine Yin Cult Master. However, because the murderer left the Daoist Master's mark, the people of 'Luoxia Manor' believe that the Daoist Master is the most likely suspect. In my opinion, the Daoist Master should make a statement to avoid being implicated and damaging his reputation."
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "Don't explain anymore. I'm convinced it has nothing to do with you." But
then he heard the Daoist Changhen sigh softly and say, "The innocent are innocent, and the guilty are guilty. I am now a person beyond worldly affairs, and praise or blame means nothing to me. Besides, I left a will for Luoxia Manor long ago. The 'Jade Cauldron Lady' has been gone for many years. The Jade Cauldron has no connection with me anymore. Let them find the answer themselves."
Hua Yunlong was deeply moved. Hearing this, he felt his blood boil and almost couldn't resist rushing into the room to uncover her secrets and comfort her. Fortunately, he was well-mannered and managed to remain calm. He quickly thought of the 'Jade Cauldron Lady,' who was now known as 'Changhen,' and knew the depth of her hatred. He feared that if he acted rashly, he might provoke her resentment and make things worse. Therefore, he forced himself to listen further.
Fang Ziyu sighed softly, saying, "Daoist Master, why do you torment yourself like this?"
The Daoist nun, Changhen, smiled sadly and said, "Why do you sigh for me? You say you won't make things difficult for the Hua family, yet you're still preoccupied with founding the 'Charming Maiden Sect.' What is your intention? Isn't it the same as my own feelings?"
A blush suddenly rose on Fang Ziyu's face, and she bowed her head, saying loudly, "Ziyu is simply following Daoist Master's orders. If I couldn't, I would have loved to unleash a storm and see how he would clean up the mess!" The
Daoist nun, Changhen, chuckled, "In fact, you've been protecting 'Luoxia Manor' at every turn." Fang Ziyu's blush deepened; she wanted to argue, but was speechless.
The elderly Daoist nun, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly sighed softly, saying, "This is the karma of a past life. As women, once we fall in love, we can never forget it. Fellow Daoist Changhen, the martial world is likely to be in turmoil from now on." "
The old nun Changhen turned back in surprise and asked, 'Does fellow Daoist have something else in mind?'
The elderly nun said, 'The facts are quite obvious. Master Sima is no ordinary person. Even I know he has a deep relationship with the Luoxia Manor. The simultaneous murder of him and his wife is surely a challenge to the Hua family of Yunzhong Mountain. Now that the leader of the Nine Yin Sect has returned to the martial world, according to Miss Fang, it seems that someone else is colluding with the Nine Yin Sect.'
Before she could finish speaking, Fang Ziyu interjected, 'That is the Xuanming Sect. In recent years, the disciples of the Xuanming Sect have been committing all sorts of evil deeds in the martial world. I have been secretly observing them and have discovered that their martial arts are unique. Recently, they have gone from hiding to being more open and blatant.'
The old nun Changhen exclaimed in surprise, 'Ah! Who is the leader of the Xuanming Sect?'" Fang Ziyu said, “
The leader of the Xuanming Sect has never shown himself, but he has countless followers with the same name who are 'Chou Hua,' causing trouble in various places. It is said that one of these 'Chou Hua' was involved in the murder of Master Sima.”
Changhen Daogu exclaimed excitedly, “Countless 'Chou Hua'? Are they targeting the Hua family? The Jade Cauldron—that's clearly another conspiracy by the Nine Yin Sect leader. She stole my mark, hoping to lure me out so she can use my past connections to frame the Hua family. I am now outside the martial world and no longer wish to get involved in the feuds of the martial world. Let them fight it out.” Fang
Ziyu's expression hardened, and she said urgently, “Then, Master, are you really not going to help Master Hua?”
Changhen Daogu suddenly sighed deeply, saying, “Like a silkworm spinning silk until death, like a candle burning until it's ash. Ziyu, create your ‘Charming Maiden Sect’ to help him. My heart and soul are exhausted; I have no strength left.”
Fang Ziyu, flustered and stammering, stammered, "This..." The
Daoist nun Changhen waved her hand, interrupting, "Go. It was my oversight in the past that I didn't know you also had feelings for Hua Tianhong. By the time I realized it, it was too late. Now, I can only advise you to love what you love; there's no guarantee of gain. You once had the spirit of a man; go and build a career to comfort your later years." At this, Hua Yunlong's eyes welled with tears, and he leaned against the window frame, as if he had lost consciousness.
After
a while, Hua Yunlong awoke from his daze, only to find himself in complete darkness. The room was dark, the lights were off, and Fang Ziyu and her master had left sometime earlier. A sense of desolation and sorrow still lingered in his heart. He silently left the Taoist temple and headed towards the desolate mountains. He pondered to himself, glancing around, and muttered, "Dawn is approaching. I'll rest for a while. Daydreaming is useless anyway. If I use my brain more, I might be able to turn the tide and eradicate the demonic forces..." He found a stone bench against the wall and sat down, immediately putting everything else out of his mind and focusing intently on his practice.
That noon, with a long sword at his waist and a satchel slung across his shoulder, he arrived in Jinling again. He entered the city through Tongji Gate and stayed at the "Wanlong" inn. This time, he didn't stay at the "Medical Cottage," indicating he had given it considerable thought. After washing up and having a meal, he changed into a set of dark purple silk bodysuit and trousers, wore fast boots, and draped a matching cloak over his shoulders. He tied the mottled ancient sword to his waist, carefully concealed the three medicine bottles and the string of pearls in his bosom, called over the shop assistant, gave him some instructions, and then, pretending to be a tourist, strolled out of the shop.
He had already considered the situation. Jinling was a place of hidden tensions, like a confluence of events. Members of the Nine Yin Sect were there, as were members of the Xuanming Sect, along with Xue Niang and her servant, Jia Yan and her apprentice, and the "Five Young Masters of Jinling" whom he himself had met. If they were to openly clash, it would undoubtedly be a major event that shook the martial arts world. However, he knew the "Five Young Masters of Jinling" were not in Jinling. Xue Niang and her servant, if obedient, would have already spread far and wide. Jia Yan and her apprentice's "Charming Maiden Sect" had not yet established its headquarters and would not easily reveal its intentions. The Xuanming Sect consisted of only two "Chou Hua"s and their subordinates; a battle was unlikely to break out for the time being, and even if one did, his own strength would be insufficient.
Although frivolous, he was not reckless. After much deliberation, he felt there were several things he needed to do first: First, he needed to ascertain Cai Changyi's whereabouts. If he had been captured by the Nine Yin Sect, he should rescue him first, and then try to reunite with the "Five Young Masters of Jinling." Secondly, is the leader of the "Nine Yin Sect" still in that manor? What actions did she take after he left? She had sent a message to the people of the "Xuanming Sect" to discuss strategies against the Hua family; what is the current situation? Thirdly, although he generally understood the case of Sima Changqing, he still couldn't figure out the key points because of "Lady Yuding's" vague statements. For example, why the Jade Cauldron was stolen by the leader of the "Nine Yin Sect," and how the leader of the "Nine Yin Sect" colluded with the people of the "Xuanming Sect" to commit the crime. If possible, he wanted to see "Lady Yuding" or have a sincere talk with Jia Yan and her master.
Therefore, he stayed at an inn and wandered around, partly to avoid bringing trouble to the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician," and partly to conceal his whereabouts and maintain flexibility. He also prioritized several essential tasks: meeting "Lady Yuding" wasn't urgent, as that was a matter of chance; investigating the "Nine Yin Sect's" movements was best done at night to avoid alerting them and making them more vigilant; for now, he should keep an eye on the whereabouts of the "Five Young Masters of Jinling." He was meticulous, and in half a day, he seemed much more mature.
At this moment, he strolled leisurely, looking east and west, until he arrived at Xiaguan on the riverbank. Jinling was currently the capital of the Ming Dynasty, as well as a major water and land port. The Xiaguan area was bustling with carriages and merchants, and also had three other things in abundance: numerous security escort agencies, inns and taverns, and teahouses and brothels. The area around Xiaguan was no less prosperous than the Confucius Temple area within the city. On the main streets, besides merchants, travelers, boatmen, and porters, one could see tall, broad-armed, and fierce-looking men everywhere. These men charged around recklessly, fighting and causing trouble as if it were commonplace. The constables, as long as no one was killed, turned a blind eye.
Hua Yunlong wandered through the bustling crowd, not seeing anyone particularly conspicuous, and then strolled towards a teahouse of moderate size. A waiter greeted him, bowing and saying, "Young master, please. There are private seats upstairs." Hua Yunlong nodded, went up to the second floor, and chose a seat by the window.
The tea server hurriedly moved tables and chairs, flattering, "Hehe, this window faces the Yangtze River, the air is so fresh, it's even better than the private seats. Sir, what kind of tea would you like?"
Hua Yunlong casually replied, "Pu'er."
The tea server chuckled dryly, saying, "You're from the Yunnan border, aren't you? Hehe! Actually, 'Pu'er' isn't as good as 'Wuyi,' 'Wuyi' isn't as good as 'Junshan,' and 'Junshan' isn't as good as 'Longjing.' 'Longjing's' 'Maojian' is the real gem among teas. Sir, how about you brew a cup of 'Maojian' and try it?"
Hua Yunlong raised his eyes and smiled, "You're quite knowledgeable about tea?"
The tea server was slightly taken aback, bowing, "You flatter me, sir."
Hua Yunlong's face suddenly darkened, "I want Pu'er."
The tea server was taken aback again, stammering, "This...this..."
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly, "What? Pu'er is out of stock, is that it?" The tea vendor, looking embarrassed, repeatedly bowed and said, "Yes, yes, Pu'er is out of stock, please forgive me ,
sir." Hua Yunlong laughed heartily and said, "Since it's out of stock, why bother with all that talk? You're quite the businessman." The tea vendor blushed and lowered his eyes, saying, "Please forgive me, sir." Hua Yunlong waved his hand lightly and said, "Go ahead, I'll drink any tea you like." The tea server, surprised by his easygoing manner, glanced up in surprise, then bowed and excused himself, hurrying downstairs. At that moment, all the tea drinkers upstairs turned to look at him. Firstly, his imposing figure, sword attire, and piercing gaze exuded a commanding presence. Secondly, his playful banter with the waiter over choosing a cup of tea led others to believe he was there to cause trouble, making him particularly noticeable. It's well known that most tea drinkers during the day are idle and aimless individuals, fond of stirring up trouble and readily pledging to be heroes, claiming to be standing up for others and righting wrongs. However, Hua Yunlong was remarkably easygoing, merely laughing it off, which was rather disappointing. Hua Yunlong, with his imposing presence, glanced at everyone before turning to look out the window, leisurely admiring the vast river and passing boats. "Second Brother, this man is quite skilled?" Another clear voice said, "Hmm, this man is spirited and has an inner strength; he's a master of internal martial arts." Although Hua Yunlong was gazing at the river view, he had come with a purpose, and he heard every word of their conversation. Just then, the tea server brought over a pot of fragrant tea. He turned around, took a sip, and took the opportunity to look towards the source of the voice. In a corner of the teahouse, he saw two men around thirty years old sitting face to face. One had a thick beard and a large scar on his cheek, while the other was tall and thin with a black mole between his eyebrows. Both were dressed in short clothes and carried weapons, but they looked travel-worn, their faces full of worry and anxiety. He looked at them, and they were looking at him as well. Hua Yunlong was not one to judge by appearances. His eyes met theirs, and he smiled slightly, saying, "If you two gentlemen don't mind, why don't we move in for a chat?" "Because of a single sentence, his chivalrous heart was stirred, and he forgot the purpose of his trip, taking the initiative to greet others. The two men hesitated for a moment, then finally picked up their tea sets and came over. The slender man clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, 'I am Luo Zhenfu, and this is my third brother, Ma Shijie…' Hua Yunlong returned the salute and said solemnly, 'I am Bai Qi, please sit down and talk.' This was his secret decision: to use a pseudonym for anyone whose background he did not know. Luo Zhenfu and Ma Shijie said 'I have long admired you,' and sat down on either side of him. After exchanging pleasantries, Hua Yunlong inquired about the 'Five Young Masters of Jinling,' and Ma Shijie whispered, 'They are looking for someone.' He then dipped his index finger in water and wrote three characters—Hua Yunlong." Upon seeing his own name, Hua Yunlong was startled. He smiled apologetically and said, "Please forgive my rudeness, gentlemen. I am indeed Hua Yunlong." Ma and Luo were taken aback, exchanging glances, still seemingly incredulous. Hua Yunlong had no choice but to continue, "I was originally kidnapped by the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect.' I escaped last night and returned safely. I had met Senior Yu before, but I had no choice but to meet you." Luo Zhenfu and Ma Shijie then led Hua Yunlong to find the "Five Young Masters of Jinling." Not long after leaving the city, they encountered Cai Changyi, Li Bosheng, Yu Zhaonan, and others near a grove of trees, and they gathered together to chat. Hua Yunlong clasped his hands in greeting to each of them, saying he had long admired them, and then looked at Cai Changyi, saying, "Brother Changyi, I returned from my escape, but I couldn't find you anywhere." Cai Changyi retorted, "Don't talk like that! You were looking for me, and I was looking for you too. I practiced martial arts for three days, and when I returned to your place of imprisonment, you had vanished without a trace." Hua Yunlong was quite surprised and asked in astonishment, "What? You knew where I was imprisoned?" His implication was one of disbelief, because Cai Changyi was a hot-tempered and righteous man. If he had known where Hua Yunlong was imprisoned, there was no reason why he wouldn't have helped him. Even if he had become wiser and knew that one person's strength was insufficient to accomplish anything, he wouldn't have ignored the matter and gone off to "practice martial arts for three days" on his own. Yu Zhaonan and Li Bosheng were also incredulous, both staring at him with wide eyes in astonishment. Cai Changyi, however, remained oblivious, still speaking with a hint of resentment, "Of course! Otherwise, why would I have sent a message so quickly, urging Brother Bosheng and the others to return immediately?" Li Bosheng suddenly realized, and said, "So, when you sent the message, you didn't even know that Brother Hua had already escaped danger?"

Cai Changyi suddenly said, "Now that the demonic calamity has begun, the night before last, I saw members of the 'Xuanming Sect' whispering with the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect'..."
Mentioning the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect,' Hua Yunlong's spirits lifted, and he asked, "Where did you see them whispering?"
Cai Changyi suddenly raised his eyes with great interest and laughed, "Right in the front yard of your forbidden place! The night before last, I saw quite a lot."
Hua Yunlong frowned and said, "What exactly did you see? Why don't you just tell me frankly?"
Cai Changyi said, "Of course I will tell you... " "Tell me,"
Hua Yunlong said, " do you know a senior named Gao Tai?" "Is he a man of imposing stature and grand bearing, yet with handsome features?"
Cai Changyi nodded, "Indeed, indeed, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old."
Hua Yunlong said, "I know him. He's the successor of the venerable Zhou Yikuang. His martial arts were taught by my grandfather and father; I call him uncle. So, have you seen him?"
Cai Changyi said with great enthusiasm, "Not only have I seen him, but I also saw him send the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' flying back to his hometown with a single, gentle palm strike. Haha, his aura is truly enviable."
Hua Yunlong stared in astonishment, secretly thinking: What happened? The leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' is dead? Has Uncle Gao's skill improved by leaps and bounds? Suspicion crept into his mind, and he said, "Explain yourself clearly, preferably from the beginning, so as not to confuse me."
Cai Changyi said, "What's confusing about it? It's just one palm strike." He swung his left arm, assuming a palm strike stance, and Li Bosheng's nose narrowly escaped.
Li Bosheng leaned back, reached out and grabbed his left wrist, saying, "Don't gesture, are you saying the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' is dead?"
Cai Changyi awkwardly withdrew his arm, saying, "She's not dead, she went back to her hometown."
Yu Zhaonan chimed in with a smile, "I understand, the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' was injured by Master Gao's palm strike, and now she's gone back to her lair to recuperate, right?"
Cai Changyi hurriedly added, "You're half right, going back to her lair is true, but she wasn't injured." The more he explained, the more puzzling it became. If the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' wasn't injured, how could someone as ambitious as her suddenly return to her lair?
Hua Yunlong frowned and said, "The more you explain, the more confused we get. Let's start from the beginning! For example, what were the leaders of the Nine Yin Sect and the people of the Xuanming Sect discussing? How did my Uncle Gao encounter the leader of the Nine Yin Sect? How was the leader of the Nine Yin Sect sent back to his hometown by my Uncle Gao with a single palm strike? Where was he at that time? And so on, let's tell you one thing at a time."
Cai Changyi was taken aback at first, but seeing everyone staring at him with bewildered expressions, he said helplessly, "Alright, I'll start from the beginning."
He closed his eyes, gathered his thoughts, and then said, "The night before last, I returned from practicing martial arts at the top of Zhongshan Mountain. It was around the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. I thought to myself, 'I haven't seen you for three days, I wonder how you are doing?' So I didn't go into the city, but instead ran west along the foothills to your place of imprisonment." His gaze shifted to Hua Yunlong, and he continued, "You know, I went to that manor three days ago. You were turned upside down and hung from a tree then."
Hua Yunlong had no idea, but he didn't explain, saying softly, "Go on, there's no need for details."
Cai Changyi then continued, "I went straight to the back courtyard, but there was no one in the tree, and no lights in the courtyard. At that time, I thought something had happened to you, and in my anxiety, I wanted to grab someone to ask, but I had experienced their martial arts and knew that they were all extraordinary, so I acted with extra caution, carefully making my way to the front courtyard..."
Hearing this, Yu Zhaonan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, thinking: You know how to be cautious? That's certainly unusual. He chuckled inwardly, but urged aloud, "Tell me faster, there's no need to talk about the unimportant things."
Cai Changyi glared at him before continuing, "In the main hall of the front courtyard, the lights were on, and looking through the windows, I could see a large crowd of people, no less than twenty." At that moment, I thought to myself: Could they be questioning Brother Yunlong? Thinking this, I was instantly filled with excitement, forgetting all restraint. I took a leap, ready to rush into the hall…”
Suddenly, Ma Shijie cried out, “Oh dear, that would reveal our whereabouts!”
Cai Changyi said, “I’m not in a hurry, why are you? If our whereabouts are revealed, how will we know what will happen next?” He paused, then continued, “Sometimes I’m very impatient, but at that moment, a thought struck me: 'No, if they are questioning Brother Yunlong, can I save him if I rush in like this?' So I forced myself to calm down, and quietly slipped away, climbing an elm tree, looking down into the hall.”
Li Bosheng nodded and smiled, “That’s right, rough around the edges but meticulous at heart. If you can be vigilant at all times, we can be completely at ease.”
Cai Changyi glared at him and said, “Don’t interrupt. We’re getting to the crucial point. ” Li Bosheng raised an eyebrow and remained silent.
Cai Changyi continued, "It turns out that in that hall, two tables were set up for a grand banquet. One of the guests, an old man with a red face and white beard, sat alone at the head of the table, while the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' sat at the head of the other table. The other subordinates of the 'Nine Yin' and 'Xuanming' sects sat among themselves, their camaraderie extremely harmonious. However, Brother Yunlong was nowhere to be seen."
Hua Yunlong asked, "Is that old man with a red face and white beard the leader of the 'Xuanming Sect'?"
Cai Changyi replied, "No, he is the head of the 'Xuanming Sect's' headquarters, surnamed Duanmu, but I don't know his given name."
Hua Yunlong said, "The so-called 'whispering' happened after the banquet."
Cai Changyi said, "No, it happened during the banquet."
Hua Yunlong chuckled, "How can it be called 'whispering' during the banquet?"
Cai Changyi said, "Alas, 'whispering' is what I used." The elm tree where I was hiding was more than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) from the hall, and there was a window in between. Their voices rose and fell, and I couldn't hear them clearly. To me, wasn't this considered "whispering"? Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Cai Changyi frowned and said in a deep voice, "What are you laughing at? This isn't good! Does that mean they're having a secret meeting behind closed doors, discussing petty theft, wrongdoing, heinous acts, and things that could cause bloodshed, and that's not considered 'whispering'?"
The crowd wanted to laugh even more, but upon hearing the words "heinous acts, things that could cause bloodshed," they knew the matter involved sensitive information and perhaps a major discovery. Therefore, everyone suppressed their laughter and remained silent. Hua Yunlong had voluntarily surrendered that day, allowing Mei Suruo to hang him upside down, mainly because he wanted to find out how the "Nine Yin" and "Xuanming" sects colluded, how they were dealing with the Hua family, and the details of the murder of Sima Changqing and his wife. While the massacre of the Sima family no longer required a full investigation, the details of the collusion between the two major cults remained unknown. Hearing Cai Changyi's words, Hua Yunlong felt a chill run down his spine and quickly replied, "Alright, no need to nitpick over the wording. Continue. What did you hear?"
Cai Changyi frowned and said, "It's really troublesome. At this crucial moment, they lowered their voices, making it impossible to hear clearly."
Hua Yunlong said, "Tell me what you heard."
Cai Changyi said, "In summary, there are five points: First, they are trying to deal with the Hua family. Second, they mentioned 'Lady Yuding.' Third..."
Hua Yunlong was startled again and asked, "What do they intend to do to 'Lady Yuding'?"
Cai Changyi said, "This was said by the Duanmu altar master. He asked the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' to find 'Lady Yuding' at all costs. What was his purpose? I didn't hear it."
Hua Yunlong sighed inwardly and said, "Alright, please continue." Cai Changyi said, "
Thirdly, the Xuanming Sect is preparing to hold an altar on June 6th, saying they want the Jiuyin Sect's full support."
Hua Yunlong raised his eyebrows and said, "That's strange. Since the two sects are colluding, wouldn't the Jiuyin Sect have a tacit understanding with the Xuanming Sect's establishment of its sect? Why would they need to discuss it separately? There must be some other conspiracy involved."
Cai Changyi said, "Whether there's another conspiracy, I don't know. This is all I've heard."
Hua Yunlong pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you know where the headquarters of the 'Xuanming Sect' is located?"
Cai Changyi thought for a moment and said, "It seems to be Ximengshan City."
Hua Yunlong asked, "Where is there a 'Ximengshan City'?"
Li Bosheng interjected, "I haven't heard of a 'Ximengshan City.' It's probably a mistake for 'Yimeng Mountain Area.'"
Cai Changyi blinked and suddenly exclaimed, "That's right, Yimeng Mountain Area, Huangniuping in Yimeng Mountain Area."
Li Bosheng smiled slightly and said, "I'm afraid you've misheard again. I've been to Tai'an, Laiwu, Xintai, and Mengyin. From Tai'an, I turned southeast, passing through Culaishan Mountain to the main ridge of Mengshan Mountain. Near Xintai, there is a place called 'Fangniuping'..."
Cai Changyi then asked, "Have you been to Yishan?"
Li Bosheng shook his head and said, "No."
Cai Changyi said, "Isn't that settled then?" "There's a 'Cattle-Fangping' in Mengshan, so how can you say there isn't a 'Yellow Ox-Ping' in Yishan? How can you say I misheard?"
Yu Zhaonan laughed loudly and said, "Alright! Alright! Stop arguing! 'Cattle-Fangping' and 'Yellow Ox-Ping' are only one character different. As long as it's in the Yimeng Mountains, we won't have to worry about not finding it in the future. Brother Changyi, you've mentioned the fourth point."
Cai Changyi then said, "This fourth point is right for you. You must be especially careful with your subsequent actions."
Hua Yunlong was secretly startled and asked, "What do you mean?"
Cai Changyi said, "They talked about you the most and for the longest time. In short, they want to find a way to kidnap you."
Hua Yunlong blurted out, "Was it Mei Suruo's idea?"
Cai Changyi said, "No, that night, the woman surnamed Mei was indifferent and didn't speak at all."
Hua Yunlong asked in surprise, "Whose idea was that? The leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect'?"
Cai Changyi shook his head and said, "According to that Duanmu altar master, it was their leader's idea to ask the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' to cooperate." Hua
Yunlong was even more surprised and said, "What's the logic? I'm just a nobody, why does the leader of the 'Xuanming Sect' value me so much?"
Cai Changyi said, "You are indeed still a nobody at the moment, but we must make something of ourselves. The 'Nine Yin' and 'Xuanming' sects will inevitably cause trouble. We are prepared to support you to lead them and teach them a lesson. Then, you will no longer be a nobody."
Yu Zhaonan chimed in, "That's right, our generation should have a leader, and you are the most suitable person."
Li Bosheng said, "If the headquarters of the 'Xuanming Sect' is indeed located in the Yimeng Mountains, then our generation's situation will be similar to the previous generation. The previous generation had one sect, one association, and one gang, forming a tripartite balance, and the leader of the chivalrous path was your father." "Our generation faces the troubles of the 'Starry Constellation Sect' in the West, the 'Nine Yin Sect' in the South, and the 'Mysterious Dark Sect' in the Yimeng Mountains. That makes it a three-way power struggle. You are the most suitable person to lead our younger generation."
The three spoke in unison. Hua Yunlong was indeed excited, but he was not arrogant, and his mind was not on leading the group. Therefore, he said awkwardly, "My three brothers flatter me too much. I consider myself lacking in virtue and ability, unfit to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. Besides, this is just wishful thinking. The 'Mysterious Dark Sect' leader's high regard for me has nothing to do with my martial arts, talent, or intentions. The reason behind it is unfathomable. My three brothers should help me think about it first."
Cai Changyi said, "No need to think about it. It's related to your father and mother anyway. " While pondering, he muttered, "Fifth...fifth..." He suddenly raised his head and exclaimed, "That's all!"
Hua Yunlong was slightly taken aback. Li Bosheng interjected, "Didn't you say, 'In summary, it's nothing more than five points'?"
Cai Changyi said, "Trivial matters, that doesn't count."
Yu Zhaonan said, "What trivial matters? It would be good to tell you for reference."
Cai Changyi said, "They're not worth referring to."
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "You said they were having a secret meeting, discussing evil deeds and creating a massacre, but so far, I haven't heard a single concrete fact. What's the logic behind that?"
Cai Changyi frowned and said, "That's the truth! I've told you everything I heard. If there's anything I haven't told you, it's just a few names. What's the logic behind that ?"
Hua Yunlong said, "Whose names?" Cai Changyi said, “
What about Xing Zhou, Ren Xuan, Ciyun Toutuo, Tianyi Laodao, Huangshan Qu Tianhao? The names they mentioned are countless, and their stories were told in fits and starts, so I can’t remember them all. Even if I could remember them clearly, I wouldn’t be able to tell if they were right or wrong. How can all of these be reduced to one point and asked me to explain a principle?” He thought it made no sense ,
considering it trivial, so he didn't mention it. Little did he know that when these people's names were heard by Hua Yunlong, his heart trembled. He secretly thought: This is a conspiracy. They mentioned these people's names, not to win them over, but to plan an assassination, just like they killed Uncle Sima. Otherwise, why would they mention them when these people have either gone into seclusion or disappeared?
However, this was just his guess, and he didn't show any shock on the surface. He paused for a moment, feeling that without evidence, it was best not to say anything to avoid causing confusion. So, Hua Yunlong smiled and said: "So, that's all there is to the so-called 'whispering'?"
Cai Changyi said: "I'm summarizing it. Actually, they talked and drank until midnight before they dispersed."
Hua Yunlong said: "And then?"
Cai Changyi said listlessly: "They left." Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "
I know. After the banquet, the people from the Xuanming Sect must have left."
Cai Changyi was taken aback and said, "Strange, how did you know?"
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "Isn't it simple? My Uncle Gao will probably arrive soon. If the people from the Xuanming Sect were present, it would be a great battle, and the leader of the Nine Yin Sect wouldn't have had to go back to his hometown."
Cai Changyi slapped his leg and shouted, "That makes sense, let me explain." He was intrigued and, before Hua Yunlong could speak, he interrupted, "After the banquet, the people from the Xuanming Sect took their leave. The leader of the Nine Yin Sect seemed preoccupied. He dismissed his subordinates and wandered alone in the courtyard. I took this opportunity to look around for you. When I returned to the front courtyard, there was another person in front of the leader of the Nine Yin Sect. That person was your Uncle Gao."
Hua Yunlong asked, "Why did my Uncle Gao go to see the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' in the middle of the night?" Cai
Changyi raised an eyebrow and said, "To see you." He paused, then continued, "The leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' certainly had quite the air about her. When I returned, I saw her with a cold face, coldly demanding, 'Who are you? Why are you breaking into a private residence at night?' Your Uncle Gao answered decisively, loudly, 'Gao Tai, here to ask the leader for a favor.' Haha, those two sentences were brilliant; I, Cai Changyi, fear I could never imitate them in my entire life."
Hua Yunlong, fearing he would change the subject, quickly followed up, "What happened next? How did the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' respond?" Cai Changyi said, "
The leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' was taken aback at first, then coldly snorted, 'You're an unknown figure, what favor do you want from me?' Your Uncle Gao was indeed very straightforward; he replied, 'While I am indeed unknown, the leader should be familiar with the name Hua Tianhong, right? I've come to ask the leader to return his son.' Upon hearing this, not only was the leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' stunned, but I was also taken aback."
Hua Yunlong said, "No wonder she was stunned. I had already left by then, but I wonder what she said?"
Cai Changyi said, "She was stunned for a long time. Your Uncle Gao was even more astounding. He didn't answer, but raised his arm and gently swung it to the left. I was puzzled when I suddenly heard the leader of the Nine Yin Sect shout in horror, 'A cornered beast's struggle! Who are you?' Your Uncle Gao said, 'That's right, it used to be called a cornered beast's struggle, but now it's the Lone Cloud Divine Palm.' As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud crash, and the elm tree on the left, which was over five zhang tall, broke off and fell to the ground in the courtyard."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "The leader of the Nine Yin Sect was quite straightforward. He said coldly, 'I have something to say, but I'm afraid you won't believe it.' Your Uncle Gao said, 'You are the leader of a sect. As long as you speak, I will believe you completely.' The leader of the Nine Yin Sect said, 'At dusk, Hua Yunlong left without saying goodbye. Do you believe that?' If he left without saying goodbye, who could believe that?" At the time, I secretly cursed her for "talking nonsense," but your Uncle Gao paused for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist salute, said "Excuse me," and turned to leave.
Yu Zhaonan interjected, "Just because Master Gao broke an elm tree with one palm, did the leader of the Nine Yin Sect return to his lair?"
Cai Changyi said, "Of course it's not that simple. I greatly admire Master Gao's demeanor, but the leader of the Nine Yin Sect was furious. Seeing Master Gao turn to leave, he immediately snorted coldly, 'Come if you want, go if you want, you're too arrogant.' Upon hearing this, Master Gao immediately stopped and said, 'Is the leader resentful and wants to teach me a few martial arts moves?' The leader of the Nine Yin Sect coldly said, 'Take one of my palms before you leave.' Master Gao calmly said, 'I await your instruction.' So, the two exchanged palms..."
Yu Zhaonan asked urgently, "What was the result?" Cai Changyi said, “
I couldn’t tell, but when their palms clashed, Master Gao took a half-step back, and the leader of the Nine Yin Sect swayed for a long time before regaining her footing. By the time she was steady, Master Gao had already said ‘I accept your instruction’ and drifted away.”
Yu Zhaonan said, “So, the leader of the Nine Yin Sect wasn’t defeated?”
Cai Changyi said, “I don’t know either, but after Master Gao left, the leader of the Nine Yin Sect suddenly muttered ‘I’m old, I’m old’ twice, and then started wandering around in the courtyard.”
Yu Zhaonan pressed on, “That doesn’t necessarily mean the leader of the Nine Yin Sect went back to her lair, does it?”
Cai Changyi said, “That’s true, there’s more to it.” He paused for a moment before continuing, "The leader of the 'Nine Yin Sect' hesitated and pondered for a long time. Suddenly, he walked into the hall and summoned his disciples above the rank of hall master. He immediately announced that the position of sect leader would be passed to 'Netherworld Palace Master' Mei Suruo, and she herself would return south soon. As for the details, there's no need to go into them."
Yu Zhaonan listened to his conclusion and said, "Well, this can be considered 'sending her back to her hometown with one palm,' but..."
Cai Changyi frowned and said, "What 'but'?"
Yu Zhaonan raised his eyes and said, "This doesn't seem to fit the phrase 'the demonic calamity has begun.' Generally speaking, the old demon has profound skills and a rather ruthless heart. When the young demon takes over, regardless of his skills or methods, he should be slightly inferior to the old demon. From our perspective, that should be good news."
Cai Changyi's eyes widened and he said, "Good news? Do you think Mei Suruo is a gentle, affectionate, and kind-hearted young lady?" "You ask Brother Hua, how cold and ruthless must that woman be? Speaking of martial arts, I'm afraid even you, Brother Hua, are no match for her." Yu Zhaonan was startled, speechless with astonishment.
Hua Yunlong, upon hearing that Mei Suruo had taken over the "Nine Yin Sect," felt a turmoil of emotions, a mixture of bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and spiciness—a vague and unsettling feeling. His temperament was irritable, and unwilling to dwell on it, he made an excuse, saying, "Brother Changyi, let's not talk about this anymore, let's go?"
So the others followed, silently heading onto the official road. It was already late afternoon, the sun slanting across the sky, its intense heat radiating down on everyone, causing a sense of restlessness and unease, their minds in turmoil. Upon reaching the city, Hua Yunlong, having seen them, felt relieved and bid them farewell.
Hua
Yunlong spent the night in Dingyuan City. Before dawn the next day, he left the city and headed south. Upon arriving in Chizhen, he saw a teahouse at the end of the street with a sign that read "Yixinglou." Intrigued, he quickly entered. This "Yixinglou" served both food and drink and was thriving; although the lunch rush had passed, it was still bustling with customers.
He was dressed in a close-fitting outfit, an ancient sword at his waist, and a cloak draped over his arm. His imposing figure and dashing presence immediately drew everyone's attention as he entered the teahouse. He chose a seat by the window and sat down. A waiter bowed and came over apologetically, saying, "Our shop is short-staffed; we apologize for neglecting you, young master."
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "Don't be so polite. Just bring some wine and dishes, and brew a pot of tea. I'll ask you something later." The waiter quickly replied, "Yes," bowed again, and turned to leave.
Instantly, whispers arose: "Whose young master is he? So easygoing."
"Hmm, extraordinary bearing; he must be from a wealthy family."
"Look at his imposing presence, a refined elegance with a touch of majesty; he's probably a young swordsman."
In this small town, they'd rarely seen someone like Hua Yunlong; no wonder they were whispering among themselves. A moment later, the innkeeper brought over wine and dishes, along with a pot of tea. He poured a
cup for Hua Yunlong, saying, "Young master, you've had a long day. Please have some tea first." Hua Yunlong picked up the teacup, took a sip, and seeing that the innkeeper showed no intention of leaving, he knew he was waiting for him to ask questions. So he smiled slightly and said, "May I ask if there's an inn in your town?"
The innkeeper quickly replied with a smile, "Please forgive my rudeness, young master. Our town has only six or seven hundred households, and it's a remote and impoverished place with few travelers. Where would we find an inn? However, if you wish to stay somewhere, I can arrange it for you."
Suddenly, a clear voice interjected, "Is that enough? Then it's time to call us." The clear voice was like a silver bell, resonant and ear-piercing. Hua Yunlong was startled and quickly looked in the direction of the voice.
He saw a young scholar in white robes and a turban sitting in the corner of the left wall, near the stairs. Another page, about fourteen or fifteen years old, was sitting beside him, smiling and looking in his direction. The scholar was quite handsome, no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. His eyebrows were like distant mountains, his eyes like bright stars, his nose straight and round, his lips red as cinnabar, the corners of which curved slightly, revealing a line of pearl-like teeth. His full cheeks even had a pair of dimples of just the right depth. His skin was as clear as jade, and his innocent childishness had not yet faded completely, yet within that innocence lay a mischievous and clever wit, instantly giving one a feeling of comfort and joy, making one want to tease him.
However, Hua Yunlong's feelings were different at this moment. Firstly, the boy's arrival was sudden, his voice deafening; secondly, although under the gaze of all the tea drinkers in the teahouse, the boy remained calm and unperturbed, clearly not an ordinary person. These were turbulent times, and this was a remote and impoverished place. He was not a careless person, and upon suddenly seeing such a figure, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease.
In that instant, the air in the teahouse seemed to freeze, becoming so quiet you could hear a pin drop. As Hua Yunlong watched, a thought suddenly struck him: "Hmm, this person looks so familiar, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before? Where exactly have I seen him?" This realization immediately made him furrow his brow, his gaze sharp as lightning, as he stared intently and pondered deeply.
Suddenly, a figure moved, and the shop assistant swayed his hips as he approached the young scholar, bowing and scraping, "Excuse me, excuse me, what would you like, young master? Please give your orders."
The young man raised an eyebrow and said, "You're quite the snob, calling him 'young master' and me 'young master.' Is it because he carries a long sword and is a martial artist, that he thinks I'm just a weak scholar, powerless to even kill a chicken, and therefore afraid to fight back?"
The shop assistant was both amused and exasperated, and could only bow and apologize, his face full of sycophancy, "Young master is too kind, please..."
Before he could finish, the young man chuckled and turned to the page, saying, "Qi'er, these days you really have to be a little fierce. Look how quickly he changed his tune!"
The pageboy covered his mouth with his sleeve, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Young...Young Master is right. Calling him 'Young Master' sounds quite novel."
Hua Yunlong couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, thinking: Whose young master is this? He seems even more mischievous and eccentric than I am! Haha, let's see what other tricks he has up his sleeve. Hua Yunlong himself was a mischievous and eccentric big kid, and this handsome young man perfectly matched his temperament—how delightful! In an instant, his carefree and unruly childlike nature lifted, and he completely forgot his wariness.
The young man said, "My mother was right. Those who work in carriages, boats, shops, porters, and government offices—these people are all opportunistic and slippery, don't you think?" The pageboy
nodded and smiled, "Indeed, this fellow is very slippery. He must be the 'shop' that Madam was talking about?"
The two chatted and laughed, making the waiter blush and feel both amused and exasperated, yet unable to retaliate. Helpless, the waiter could only fawn over him, saying pitifully, "Young master, please forgive my rudeness..." The
handsome young man turned his face, smiling sweetly, and said, "Why would I hold a grudge against you?"
The waiter bowed deeply, saying, "Yes, I was momentarily careless and neglected you. You are so magnanimous and fortunate, you will naturally not hold it against me. Please tell me what you need, and I will get it right away." The waiter was eloquent and
persuasive, and the handsome young man, seemingly softened by his flattery, nodded and said, "Alright, bring some wine and dishes." The waiter, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly replied "Yes," bowed, and retreated.
Unexpectedly, the handsome young man suddenly called out, "Waiter!" The waiter, startled by the voice, quickly turned around and stood still.
The handsome young man smiled and said, "Do you know what I want for food and wine?"
The waiter, already bewildered, stammered, "What do you want for food and wine?"
The young man raised his arm and pointed towards Hua Yunlong, saying, "Give me one of his dishes, not more, not less. If there's anything extra or missing, you'll be held responsible."
Hua Yunlong was startled, thinking to himself: Here it comes, so he's been beating around the bush, he really is after me. He wasn't one to back down, and his demeanor was quite forthright. He laughed heartily, stood up, and gave a slight bow, saying, "Since we've met, it must be fate. Your tastes are the same as mine, and I haven't even touched my food and wine yet. If you don't mind, why don't we move on to another room?" He said this, but in his heart he was secretly calculating, thinking: No matter how cunning and strange you are, I don't believe I, Hua, can't beat you. Hmph, I'll find out your secrets eventually.
The handsome young man seemed to have come with a purpose. He raised an eyebrow and said, "I've heard you have a bold and unrestrained nature; seeing you now, I can see it's true." He stood up, turned to the pageboy, and added, "Qi'er, let's go and bother him for a while." He took a step forward and
gracefully led the way. Hua Yunlong had already made up his mind to remain calm and observe the young man's actions. Therefore, he instructed the waiter to add more cups, dishes, and wine, and invited the master and servant to sit down. The waiter was quite obedient; upon hearing the order, he acted swiftly, and in a short while, the wine, dishes, and cups were all prepared. The pageboy, called "Qi'er," picked up the wine pot and filled the cups for the two of them. Hua Yunlong intended to exchange a few polite words, but before "Qi'er" could even sit down, he said in a serious tone, "Hey, our young... young master doesn't drink. This is just to be polite."
Hua Yunlong picked up his cup, smiled slightly, and said, "Since that's the case, I wouldn't dare force you. I'll drink this first as a sign of respect, and you can drink as you please." He tilted his head back and downed the cup first.
The handsome young man held his cup, indeed touched his lips to it, and then laughed, "Young master, you're quite forthright. However, I think you've gone too far." Even though his words were hurtful, Hua Yunlong hadn't considered the implications and was momentarily stunned, unable to accept it.
Seeing his stunned expression, the handsome young man suddenly spoke softly, "Don't you think so? We've only just met, and you clearly know I've come for a reason. Whether I'm friend or foe, I dare say you haven't figured it out. Yet, you didn't ask my purpose or my name, just picked up your wine cup and drank. That wine was poured by Qi'er. If I were your enemy, and Qi'er had tampered with the wine, would you still be so carefree and unconcerned?"
His words were reasonable, but sharp. Hua Yunlong snorted inwardly, thinking: Knowing it's our first meeting, aren't you going too far? If I, Hua, were afraid of your tricks, I wouldn't dare provoke you. He thought about it, but couldn't voice it. So, he decided to play along, smiled slightly, and said, "Brother, you are right. May I ask your name?"
The handsome young man seemed to think he was "teachable," and smiled broadly. This smile startled Hua Yunlong. The young man's smile was innocent yet charming, even more so than a bright young girl's. He chattered on and on, "My surname is Xuan, the Xuan of 'announce,' 'proclaim,' 'swear,' and 'proclaim.' I take my mother's surname, and my given name is Wei Yu, the Wei Wu of 'majesty.' Do you understand?" Being a young man, he wasn't afraid to be long-winded, explaining his name for a long time, just in case someone didn't understand.
Hua Yunlong frowned inwardly, but nodded slightly on the surface, saying, "My surname is Hua, and my courtesy name is Yun..."
Before he could finish, Xuan Wei interrupted, "I know, courtesy name Yunlong, no need to say more." After a pause, he suddenly added, "Aren't you going to ask me why I came to find you?"
Hua Yunlong was not surprised and smiled, "I was just about to ask."
Xuan Wei said straightforwardly, "We met Brother Yu Zhaonan in Chuxian County, and he said you came in this direction."
Hua Yunlong chuckled to himself, thinking to himself: You're too mischievous. Since we're on the same side, why not just get straight to the point and say it frankly? Why do you have to be mysterious and make me nervous for a while? Sigh, this pampered child is still joking around. He sighed inwardly, unable to find a way to laugh it off. After a moment's thought, he picked up the wine pot, filled his own cup, and added a little more for Xuanwei. Holding the cup in his hand, he smiled slightly and said, "As the saying goes, 'All men are brothers within the four seas.' As long as we share the same ideals, it doesn't matter whether we're family or not. I'm older, so I'll boldly call you Brother Xuan. Come, Brother Xuan, let me toast you as a token of my gratitude."
Xuanwei, quite naive, raised an eyebrow and said, "Didn't I already toast you?"
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily and said, "That's called 'the more polite, the better.' I'll drink first." He tilted his head back and downed the cup in one gulp.
Xuanwei was speechless and could only frown and take a sip. Hua Yunlong said, "Alright, let's consider this a cup of wine to seal our friendship."
Xuanwei paused for a moment, then suddenly stammered, "Long... Brother Long."
Hua Yunlong was taken aback at first, then exclaimed joyfully, "Yes, call me Brother Long, say it again." "He was an open and honest man, harboring no grudges. Hearing Xuanwei timidly call him 'Brother Long,' he instantly forgot all his annoyance. For some reason, Xuanwei's face flushed red, and instead of fading, he lowered his head.
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily, saying, 'Hey, look at you, what's there to be shy about? Let me tell you, your Brother Long values loyalty above all else. Calling me 'Brother Long' will never be a loss for you.' Hearing this, Xuanwei's face turned even redder, and he lowered his head even further. Looking at him, one could see that the back of his neck was also red.
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, 'Alright, we should find a place to rest now.' So the three of them went downstairs."

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