Chapter 110: Creek Water Nourishes the Flood Dragon in the Courtyard (Subscribe!)

Jishi Hall.

On the table were braised duck kidneys, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, brocade-clad softshell turtles, winter bamboo shoots and Magnolia blossoms, braised yellow croaker overflowing with fragrance—it could truly be said that color, aroma, and taste were all present.

Han Wenxin hung his head in despondency as he looked at the good food and drinks on the table, feeling inexplicably that they had suddenly lost their appeal.

His heart was kind-hearted.

He hoped that Zhou Xianming lived well, had wine to drink, dishes to eat, and brothels to visit.

But he did not wish for Zhou Xianming to live better than him, drink more fragrant wine than his, have more dishes on the table, or visit higher class brothels than him.

My friend made money, and I did not, which made me even more sad and upset.

Oh, such is human nature.

While Zhou Xianming was picking up dishes, he threw in a chilly remark, “Officer Han, you’d better eat more, or how would you help yourself to the water of Yu State River later?”

“Won’t these dishes shut your mouth?”

Han Wenxin immediately felt a rush of anger, his fists making a cracking noise.

Seeing this, Zhou Xianming’s neck shrank in fright, afraid that he might get a severe beating upon leaving Jishi Hall, and no longer dared to speak.

“Alright, alright, let’s eat first.”

An Jing tried to mediate beside them, wondering why these two seemed ready to clash the moment they met.

As the old saying goes, a dog’s mouth can’t grow ivory—why bother?

An Jing, as if struck by a thought, spoke, “Right, Tan Yun, haven’t you learned some new dishes recently? Bring them out and let Han brother and Mr. Zhou have a taste.”

Tan Yun was wolfing down her meal and looked up blankly upon hearing An Jing’s words.

“I think not!”

However, Han Wenxin and Zhou Xianming spoke in unison.

Seeing such consensus between the two, An Jing couldn’t help but add, “Don’t be shy, the cooking skills of Tan Yun are quite excellent.”

At that moment, they shared a moment of joy and felt a hint of empathy.

Zhao Qingmei also covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.

Han Wenxin smiled sheepishly, “It’s fine, the appetizers made by the lady here are enough for us.”

“Yes, yes, we already have more than we can eat, why bother Miss Tan?”

Zhou Xianming also nodded vigorously.

They still vividly remembered the last crab feast, which An Jing mentioned was Tan Yun’s specialty sashimi.

They didn’t understand what sashimi was, but they knew what raw meant.

Was this something humans could eat?

Even Little Black frowned upon it.

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun finally understood that these two were actually disparaging her cooking skills; her face immediately fell, and she thought resentfully, “What do you mean by this! Do you think I’m eager to cook for you? Cooking for my own husband is more fitting.”

If An Jing knew what Tan Yun was thinking, he would certainly shout: No, I don’t want it.

Zhao Qingmei raised her glass at the side and smiled, “Today is a joyous day as Mr. Zhou ranked first in the autumn examinations; my husband and I want to offer Mr. Zhou a toast, wishing that he may succeed continuously and claim the top three spots.”

An Jing nodded and also raised his glass, “Indeed, may you achieve the top three honors, and return even as a top scholar.”

“Then I’ll take your favorable words to heart and claim that top scholar position.”

Zhou Xianming drank it down and then his eyes filled with hope, “After all, I have already promised Miss Li Yue that once I achieve fame and success, I will redeem her.”

Han Wenxin felt a sourness in his heart and murmured, “Just a courtesan, what’s there to covet.”

He truly couldn’t understand why, given all the bright prospects before him, Zhou Xianming was infatuated with a woman of the red light district.

“Vulgar,” Zhou Xianming lifted his drink, his eyes filled with emotion, “Love starts unknowingly and deepens endlessly; a martial artist like you would never understand.”

Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin was filled with disdain and mockery, but all it culminated in was one sentence: “You’re really foolish!”

Zhou Xianming also glared, “Officer Han, don’t forget that you promised to drink up the water of the Yu State River.”

“Sure, to drink up the water of the Yu State River, I’ll first go to the Red House to see if the Oiran’s tears…”

Han Wenxin said this and paused, quickly changing his words, “To hear if the Oiran’s song is really that touching.”

“You dare!?”

Zhou Xianming became frantic as if his vital point had been touched, “Come and fight me if you want, even kill me, but if you dare touch a single hair of Miss Li Yue, I absolutely cannot bear it.”

Perhaps after Han Wenxin gave him a good beating, he’d no longer have the strength…

Han Wenxin ate his meal and drank his wine, seeming much calmer, and said, “You’re truly hopeless, reading books in vain. You’re ready to die for a courtesan; Brother An once told you that to chase a single horse recklessly is not as good as growing a grassland to wait for a herd of horses.”

An Jing’s eyebrows rose; he remembered that he’d also said the second part: By then, your head would already be a grass-covered plain.

It seemed that Han Wenxin only remembered the previous sentence.

Zhou Xianming, Han Wenxin, and Li Fuzhou were indeed a curious trio.

Han Wenxin’s thinking was much like that of most people; the only purpose for his visits to the brothel was simple—like a beast of burden satisfied merely with fodder.

Zhou Xianming, however, was different; he went to lick, to fawn over a woman who was within everyone else’s reach yet would forever be beyond his.

He not only wanted to misuse the public for personal gain but also wished to lock things down further.

Li Fuzhou was the most fascinating among them. His mindset had reached an incredibly profound level. He frolicked in the human world, unbound and free, a true expert.

In his presence, the others’ realms were far inferior.

As Li Fuzhou had once said, you could never truly grasp knowledge until you practiced. He really went seeking to assess the depth of knowledge.

Three men, three entirely different attitudes towards life: the classic loser, the shameless flatterer, and the perennial scoundrel.

After a long pause, Zhou Xianming also calmed down and looked at Mr. and Mrs. An Jing, “Mrs. An, Doctor An, after the new year I might go to Yujing City for the examinations, and I’m afraid I won’t be returning anytime soon. I might even stay in Yujing City.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing was somewhat startled, “Is there such a rush?”

In Great Yan, Jiangnan Dao was only one of the nine provinces, a distance of thousands of miles from the capital—a journey whose length and time were considerable.

If Zhou Xianming really were to stay in Yujing City, it was uncertain how often, if ever, they would meet again in this lifetime.

Hearing this, Han Wenxin also fell silent.

“I’ll still come back, after all, Li Yue is waiting for me.” Zhou Xianming laughed lightly, remembering something, “Oh right, Mr. Li said he’d go to Yujing City with me.”

An Jing’s interest piqued, “Third Master is going with you to Yujing City?”

That’s good news; he’d been worrying about what to do with Li Fuzhou, this troublemaker. If he were leaving, that would be for the best.

Seeing the Demon Sect Sect Master roaming about, it seemed the rumors of the Demon Sect stirring were true.

Zhou Xianming nodded, “Yes, he mentioned he hasn’t been to Yujing City for a long time and has some matters to attend to.”

Zhao Qingmei interjected from the side, “The Third Master mentioned it to me too, but I didn’t pay much attention at the time.”

Now that Li Fuzhou had revealed himself, if he remained in Jiangnan Dao, it would be extremely dangerous. He might attract the top experts of the Xuanyi Guard or people from the Zhenyi Sect, plus he had his crucial matters for entering Great Yan.

“By the way, where is Mr. Li?” asked Zhou Xianming.

“He’s gone fishing on the lake, won’t be back till tonight,” replied Zhao Qingmei.

Zhou Xianming expressed his regret, “That’s really too bad, I was hoping to engage in some academic exchange with him.”

Academic exchange…

Han Wenxin snorted softly from the side, “Scholars are really crafty, unlike us simple folks who just speak of having fun.”

An Jing chuckled softly, “Mr. Zhou, I’ve noticed you’ve been in quite a good mental state recently.”

“Of course.”

Zhou Xianming perked up at this point, “That donkey doesn’t come to bother me to read or write at night anymore, so I’ve been sleeping soundly.”

Tan Yun paused slightly with what she was doing at these words.

“Donkey!? What donkey!?”

Han Wenxin asked, perplexed.

“A few months ago, there was a person in black, utterly illiterate, a real ignoramus. She made me teach her how to read and write.”

As Zhou Xianming recalled this, a pang of sadness struck him, “Hopelessly inept, if I showed the slightest displeasure, she would beat me up so badly, it really hurt.”

Hearing this, Han Wenxin was both shocked and angry, promptly saying, “I experienced the same thing. This person was brutal. I couldn’t stand a single move from her, and at the slightest disagreement, she would beat me mercilessly…I searched for half a month and couldn’t find any trace of this person. If I catch this thief, I will let her know how formidable Han Wenxin is.”

Zhou Xianming looked surprised, “Arrest Officer Han, you were also beaten up by that donkey? Are you sure it was her?”

“Almost certainly. Such a disgrace, I, Han Wenxin, must avenge.”

“Arrest Officer Han, when did we ever offend this person?”

“Who knows? I meet so many people daily; it’s hard to say.”

“With her high skills yet not killing, it doesn’t seem like a deep-seated enmity. It might just be some friction in the brothel,” they mused.

The two looked at each other upon saying this.

Tan Yun was bowing her head, tirelessly shoveling rice into her mouth, the gaze in her eyes flickering fiercely as if a blazing flame, but to herself she muttered, “I need to eat well to have the strength…”

An Jing felt a twinge of suspicion and surprise, then glanced at Tan Yun beside him, “Eat slower, no one is stealing your food.”

“I’m…late.”

With her cheeks puffed, Tan Yun’s speech was unclear.

“Don’t talk nonsense; I’ve never been to a brothel,” Han Wenxin quickly said, glancing at Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun across from him.

“Rude martial artist!”

Zhou Xianming snorted softly, “Even if we go to the Oiran, we dare not speak openly. What harm is there for us scholars to visit the Oiran?”

“Despicable scholar!”

Han Wenxin retorted without any courtesy.

“Husband, eat more, this kidney dish is specially made for you.” Zhao Qingmei gently picked up a piece of kidney and then placed it in An Jing’s bowl with a smile.

“Yes, son-in-law, have more. You’ve gotten thinner lately.” Tan Yun also nodded with concern.

Seeing such a cozy and intimate scene softened their hearts.

“It’s alright, you eat too. While they aren’t eating, we can have more.”

An Jing said while laughing as he ate.

“Damn doctor!”

Both of them cursed inwardly.

….

After filling up with food and drink, the sky also began to darken.

Han Wenxin and Zhou Xianming left cursing, allegedly to discuss the identity of a man in black.

Taking advantage of Zhao Qingmei’s time to bathe, An Jing headed to the storage room door.

Previously, he had acquired many martial arts manuals through the Earth Book. As his cultivation continued to grow, most of these were rendered obsolete and were thrown into this storage room.

An Jing took out a key from the medicine box, ready to open the storage room when, to his surprise, he found the door opened with a push.

He then looked carefully at the iron lock and found it had corroded over the years, covered in rust.

“So the lock is broken.”

An Jing breathed a sigh of relief, then slowly stepped into the storage room.

“Huh!?”

The moment he stepped into the storage room, he sensed something was amiss, “Someone has been in here, could it be Tan Yun?”

Although the storage room was as empty as before, he smelled a distinct dog odor.

Tan Yun was the first person he thought of.

“It seems nothing is missing.”

An Jing looked around briefly, even he had forgotten what martial arts were inside, as he considered them trivial.

An Jing then walked to a corner and gently moved away the heavy box.

Underneath the box, surprisingly, was a hidden compartment, not too big nor too small, holding several skin scroll manuals. An Jing flipped through them briefly and found none missing.

These scrolls and manuals were exactly the Unity Sword Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Nine-character Sword Technique, and other cultivation techniques he was currently practicing.

An Jing took six bamboo slips from the medicine box, then stuffed them all in there.

“It seems these haven’t been discovered. Perhaps Black Puppy sneaked in to play, thinking about bathing in the pot just like the rabbits…”

“No, the door was locked back up; it must have been Tan Yun who came in. There’s no telling if she discovered anything. Moving it now would be too much like trying to hide my deeds. I must think of a flawless excuse.”

After pondering for a while, An Jing had an idea, and then his thoughts finally turned to the Earth Book.

Cultivation: First Grade

Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (on the rise)

Root Bone: Once in a Hundred Years

Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Eighth Layer), Nine Yang Divine Finger (Second Layer).

Prompt One: The host’s fate has not yet taken root (remaining nine months). When performing martial arts, the host must not let others know his identity, otherwise, he will encounter a dark opportunity.

…..

Seeing this, An Jing’s mouth hinted a smile, “Nine months, in just nine more months I no longer need to be so cautious.”

Then he noticed the last martial art listed, Nine Yang Divine Finger.

“Finally, a martial art that can match up to swordsmanship. As the old saying goes, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. By changing identities and emerging later, I’ll be even safer.”

Since reaching the Earth Flower Realm, An Jing’s cultivation had significantly slowed down.

Although he possessed a high Root Bone and the residual Power of Supreme Yang from the Bodhi Bead within his body, the Earth Flower Realm also required a lot of time to accumulate. Cultivation is not an overnight affair.

“The Earth Flower is the flower of qi. If I could obtain some Zhu fruits, I might reach the peak of the Earth Flower Realm directly. The end of the year is near, it seems too risky to borrow them now, better to have a secure year first.”

An Jing thought quietly, eventually deciding to give it up.

After all, the Grandmaster appearing in the battle at Three Temple Mountain had left him still fearful. Now, facing experts of the Heavenly Flower Realm, he wasn’t scared. If worst came to worst, he could flee.

But if he encountered a Grandmaster or someone at the Grandmaster Realm, that might be the end of him.

He had just reached the Earth Flower Realm, so there was no rush.

“I hope this year can be more peaceful.”

An Jing took a deep breath, “It’s a good time to nurture my sword intent and ponder it repeatedly.”

The “Sword Dao Tao General Outline” states that there are seven realms in swordsmanship, and today the five great sword immortals all belong to the Fifth Realm, already considered the top swordsmen in the world.

The Fifth Realm: no sword in hand, but a sword in the heart.

This is a chasm in swordsmanship. Throughout history, countless so-called sword dao geniuses were halted at the Fifth Realm. It is no exaggeration to say that this realm tests the true strength of a swordsman.

Hence, those who have reached the Fifth Realm today are all hailed as contemporary sword immortals.

With no sword in hand, how can there be a sword in the heart?

This is a state of mind, the essence of Sword Dao, obscure and profound. Ordinary people might feel puzzled, and even An Jing is currently baffled.

This realm is like the stars above the sky; you can see them, but you can’t touch them.

Indeed, An Jing had faced immense difficulties to cultivate up to the First Grade Earth Flower Realm. In Jianghu, all the renowned young masters have the support of towering figures behind them.

They have guidance from predecessors, countless resources for support, and remarkable talents, which naturally lead to rapid progress in their cultivation.

Among the five great sword immortals, which one does not have a prominent backing? Grassroots heroes rising from obscurity is almost impossible in this Jianghu.

In any Jianghu, if you want to become famous quickly, you have to kill.

Some people kill too swiftly and fiercely, becoming notorious, but they rise too quickly.

Those who rose too fast also die quickly.

Countless young talents have died before they could grow up.

“The Fifth Realm, how can one truly reach it?”

An Jing pondered for a moment.

No sword in hand, but a sword in the heart.

Is the focus on the hand or the heart?

After pondering for a while, An Jing felt he had some insight, yet also felt he had none.

It seems he needs an opportunity for enlightenment.

“Forget it, let’s not think about it now.”

Eventually, he gave up, as the enlightenment in swordsmanship is not achieved overnight.

An Jing prepared to walk out of the storeroom, and just then, his foot hooked something by the side.

“Clatter! Clatter!”

Books scattered all over the floor.

“A diary?”

An Jing looked down, couldn’t help but mock himself, then quickly gathered all the books and the diary, and walked out of the storeroom.

A decent person, who would write their inner thoughts in a diary?

Can those written in a diary even be considered inner thoughts?

An Jing locked the door, and just as he walked to the backyard, he saw Tan Yun preparing to go out through the side door.

“Tan Yun, it’s so late, where are you going?”

Tan Yun’s eyelashes twinkled, her lovely eyes brimming with a smile, “My lord, I just ate and now I feel like going for a walk.”

An Jing nodded and then looked at the little black pup lying beside, “This little blackie is getting stronger, good, very good.”

“Woof! Woof!”

The little black pup, seeing the caring look in An Jing’s eyes, bristled its fur and barked fiercely at him.

Tan Yun seemed to be in a hurry, waved her hand and said, “My lord, I will go first.”

Without waiting for An Jing to reply, she quickly walked towards the door.

“Just going for a walk, why so eager?”

An Jing muttered to himself, then chuckled and walked towards the bedroom.

“Click!”

An Jing slowly walked in and casually closed the door behind him.

The beauty emerging from the bath, her image dim, her loose dress thinly veiling her chest.

At that moment, Zhao Qingmei appeared to have just finished bathing and was sitting in front of the dressing table like a freshly bloomed lotus, her delicate features as if stepping out from a painting, her long hair cascading down, lightly dressed in an ethereal sheer fabric, her legs fair and slender.

“My lady, did you miss me this evening when I was away?”

An Jing walked up to Zhao Qingmei and couldn’t help but gently sniff the faint fragrance she emitted.

Zhao Qingmei put down the comb in her hand and pouted playfully, “I’ve been thinking about my husband, but I’m not sure if my husband has been thinking about me.”

“Of course, I have been. I think about you all the time,” he replied.

“Then tell me, how have you been thinking of me?”

“According to medicine, a human has a total of 206 bones. When I think of you, I seem to have 207.”

“How could there be an extra one?”

At first, Zhao Qingmei was puzzled, but then she realized what he meant, and her face blushed deeply, “Tch! Dogs can’t spit out ivory!”

“My lady, doesn’t this prove that I’ve been thinking about you?”

An Jing quickly stopped Zhao Qingmei and suddenly felt as if he was holding a delicate jade, surrounded by a delightful fragrance.

Zhao Qingmei, with a smile in her beautiful eyes, pushed An Jing away gently, “My lord, please, don’t hurry…..”

“What’s the matter, my lady?”

An Jing blinked his eyes.

Zhao Qingmei leaned into An Jing’s embrace and said with a breath of warmth, “My lord, I was thinking, it has been quite a while since we last went out for a stroll in nature.”

If there’s not some interesting life to live, then how can I write in the diary with my brother?

Do we really need a diary?

An Jing nodded slightly, smiling, “If my lady wishes, we could find a time to go boating, sunbathe, or watch the stars together.”

“Brother, you must not go back on your word,” Zhao Qingmei said with a raised, alluring brow.

“When have I ever deceived you?”

With that, An Jing wrapped his arms around Zhao Qingmei’s slender waist.

The scene before them was as chaotic as weeds crowding the front door and as nourishing as creek water nourishing the flood dragon in the courtyard.

……

Red House, aboard the painted boat.

Night fell, and the Yu State River became lively once again.

As the evenings lights were just beginning to glow, the boat floated along the river. Though it was already late autumn, early winter, the crowd listening to music remained unending.

Every night, countless boats drifted on this Yu State River, bustling with constant activity.

In the Red House boat, the antique-style decor had its own unique charm.

Behind the screen, there was a woman with graceful curves, captivating the soul.

“Mom Zhao, has Mr. Zhou come again?” Li Yue asked softly.

“He has.”

Mom Zhao remarked with a sigh, “It’s truly surprising. I didn’t expect that unassuming Mr. Zhou could actually win first place. He seems quite devoted to you, coming whenever he has money, though it’s a pity he’s a pauper……”

The news of Zhou Xianming’s victory at the autumnal exams had already spread throughout Yu State City; the brothels were natural gathering places for scholars, making the news spread even quicker.

“Then let him come in,” Li Yue said after a moment of silence.

“Understood.”

Mom Zhao nodded in response. Although she appeared to be the madam overseeing everyone and everything on the boat, Li Yue held a special status, and she had no choice but to obey.

Soon after, Mom Zhao left, and Li Yue remained calm. Her delicate hand reached out slowly and she poured herself a drink from a cup. She then drank it all in one gulp.

The drink in the cup was from the Wuyang Wine Shop, very strong indeed, but Li Yue drank it all without a change in her expression.

She seemed to have grown accustomed to it.

Before long, footsteps were heard from outside.

“Zhou Xianming pays his respects to Miss Li Yue.”

“Come in,” she said.

Zhou Xianming entered the inner chambers, his excitement palpable. This place was reserved only for those whom Miss Li Yue favored, and this was his first visit here.

From behind the screen, Li Yue chuckled softly, “I congratulate you, sir, for winning the top spot at the autumn exams.”

“You flatter me, Miss Li Yue, being first at the exams is nothing noteworthy,” Zhou Xianming replied, dismissing it casually.

Li Yue took another drink and slowly said, “You are a man of great talent; I believe you can achieve the hat trick and bring honor to your ancestors, leaving your name in history.”

Scoring top honors in the imperial examinations is not something any ordinary scholar can achieve.

“With Miss Li Yue’s auspicious words, I am sure to score top honors this time, and I will spare no effort to redeem you,” Zhou Xianming declared.

As he said this, excitement surged in his heart.

“The master really has a heart,” Li Yue said with a smile.

She had heard that so often her ears could have developed calluses—many men had said the same thing.

Zhou Xianming paused, then finally clasped his fists and said, “Actually, I have always wanted to ask Miss Li Yue for her real name, may I be so honored today?”

“Mountains are hard to cross, who laments for the lost? We meet like passing water, all strangers from other places. A name is but a title; please, just call me Li Yue.”

“Tap tap tap…”

Just then, footsteps were heard, and they saw Li Yue slowly walk out from behind the screen.

Dressed in a red gown, resplendent with colorful embroidery, with peach blossom eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows that arched delicately, she exuded an exceptional and alluring grace.

“Miss Li Yue…”

Seeing the person who walked out, Zhou Xianming was momentarily stunned.

“Master Zhou, do you find me beautiful?”

Li Yue chuckled lightly.

Zhou Xianming instinctively replied, “Beautiful, Miss Li Yue is surely the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Li Yue was indifferent to this comment, as she had heard it countless times before, and always from different men.

At that moment, she walked towards Zhou Xianming, her shawl slowly falling from her shoulders to reveal skin as white as snow.

“Gulp!”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Zhou Xianming felt a surge in his throat, and his heart began to pound wildly.

Especially those eyes of Li Yue, brimming with boundless allure.

“Master Zhou, the Fire Blade today lacks a bit of spice; it feels somewhat hot…” Li Yue paused her step, then spoke softly.

Following that, Zhou Xianming slowly extended his hand, and Li Yue slowly closed her eyes.

But the next moment, she felt warmth on her shoulder and instinctively opened her eyes, seeing her previously fallen gown being draped back over her shoulders.

“It’s windy, Miss Li Yue should wear her clothes,” Zhou Xianming coughed dryly, “Otherwise, catching a cold would be troublesome.”

“Is that so?”

Li Yue was momentarily bewildered, her expression turning slightly vacant.

In all these years, countless men had sought to unclothe her, but Zhou Xianming was the sole man who had opted to cover her.

Zhou Xianming earnestly nodded, “Yes, I once caught a cold and had to take medicine from Doctor An for three days.”

Li Yue smiled genuinely, “Then I shall thank Master Zhou deeply.”

This time, her smile was heartfelt.

“Miss Li Yue, you are truly beautiful,” Zhou Xianming remarked, unable to hide his astonishment.

“If Master Zhou likes it, that’s good.”

“My intentions towards Miss Li Yue are clear as day, evident to heaven and earth,” Zhou Xianming blurted out, his heart uncontrollably racing.

“Then I shall await Master Zhou scoring the top three ranks.”

A glint appeared in Li Yue’s eyes.

“Alright, Miss Li Yue shall wait for the good news from me,” Zhou Xianming declared, taking a deep breath, his resolve filled with fighting spirit, “I shall take my leave now.”

Having said that, Zhou Xianming turned and walked toward the exit of the boat.

“Master Zhou.”

“Yes?”

“My name is Lin Wanhong.”

…..

Spring Breeze Alley.

Zhou Xianming walked towards his home.

“Snap!”

“Han Wenxin is a beast.”

Suddenly, he halted his steps and harshly slapped himself, the sound echoing through the empty alley.

“But I, Zhou Xianming, am even worse than a beast.”

At this moment, he thought of the seductive scene from earlier, his guts turning green with regret; his hand was clearly meant to be untying a robe, so how did it end up lifting it instead?

“If I could have another chance, I definitely wouldn’t tremble anymore…..”

Zhou Xianming, filled with a sense of loss, started dragging his steps, unknowingly arriving at his own doorstep.

The moment he pushed the door open, he froze.

Inside the cluttered room, a figure clad in black sat on a chair, holding a book that had been deformed in her grip, a testament to the fury boiling within her.

“Great… hero, what brings you to visit my humble abode today?”

Zhou Xianming swallowed hard and said with a forced smile.

The figure in black put down the book and slowly walked towards Zhou Xianming.

A silent hero is the most terrifying.

“Wooo…. hero, I was wrong.”

Zhou Xianming’s body shuddered and he collapsed to the ground.

It wasn’t that Zhou Xianming was weak and incompetent; he was genuinely in pain, especially since the figure in black was merciless, her punches making solid contact with flesh.

“Is crying fake tears useful?”

The figure in black scoffed coldly, “What I despise the most are scholars, and today I’m hitting you.”

“You hit me, I really screamed, don’t doubt it, I really dared to scream!” Zhou Xianming seemed to know that the figure in black did not intend to kill and seemed afraid of revealing her identity.

“Go ahead and scream, even if you scream your throat hoarse today, it won’t help!”

With that, the black-clothed figure’s fist, the size of a sandbag, brutally descended.

A moment later, Zhou Xianming, with a bruised face and in utter disarray, sat at the edge of the bed, tears streaming down his face incessantly.

These weren’t tears of sadness; they were tears of pain, reaching such an extreme that tears automatically flowed.

“You’re lucky, I only had half the time tonight.”

The figure in black clapped her hands, exhaled a long breath, and then walked out of the house.

…..

The waning moon hung high, with stars scattered across the sky.

The chilly night wind weaved through the silent streets of Yu State City.

On the city gate tower, a graceful figure leaped from afar, landing on the corner of the eaves.

This was none other than Li Fuzhou, who had been out fishing.

“Whiz! Whiz!”

Just as he landed, numerous silver lights shot from a distance.

Li Fuzhou’s body trembled, and the black-and-white Heavenly Demon Qi formed a protective Gang Qi around him.

“Sizzle! Sizzle!”

Several flying needles stuck to that Gang Qi, which then dissolved them into a stream of clear Qi that floated up into the air.

“Li Fuzhou, it seems your injuries have mostly healed,”

A cold laugh sounded from a distance as an old woman slowly approached from outside the city.

This was none other than Ling Yuhua from the Mortal World’s Wind and Rain Tower.

“Yuhua, why must it always be about fighting and killing the moment we meet?”

Li Fuzhou shook his head and smiled.

“Hmph!”

Ling Yuhua snorted, “If I were not your inferior, I would have slain you today, you villain.”

Li Fuzhou looked at Ling Yuhua and said, “If you really wanted to kill me, you should have brought Xi Jikui and Liu Qingshan with you. That tells me you still don’t want to kill me. Why deceive yourself and others?”

Ling Yuhua said nothing; indeed, as Li Fuzhou had said.

If she truly wanted to kill Li Fuzhou, she would have contacted Xi Jikui and Liu Qingshan before coming. Even if Liu Qingshan, the cunning fox, might not get involved, Xi Jikui, the audacious fellow, would definitely have ambushed Li Fuzhou.

“Speak then, what matter have you called me here for today?”

Ling Yuhua still spoke coldly.

“How far has Liu Qingshan’s plan for the Five Gangs Alliance progressed?” Li Fuzhou directly asked.

Li Fuzhou was aware of Liu Qingshan’s scheming, but he was unclear how far it had progressed.

“Why should I tell you?” Ling Yuhua’s expression was impassive as he spoke, “Do you have anything valuable to exchange with me?”

Li Fuzhou let out a long sigh and said, “As an old man, I have nothing significant to offer but my own self.”

“Pah!”

Ling Yuhua immediately spat on the ground, “Who would fancy an old fool like you?”

Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow and said, “Then why were you and Liu Huiyun still unable to forget me back then? Fighting fiercely over me?”

Ling Yuhua replied, “Last year, I encountered Liu Huiyun. Do you know what she said?”

Li Fuzhou smiled and said, “How would I know? Perhaps she’s been missing me desperately after all these years?”

A cold smirk formed on Ling Yuhua’s lips, “She asked me if I had heard anything about you, wondering if you had died over these many years.”

Li Fuzhou: “…..”

Ling Yuhua continued, “Moreover, if she truly couldn’t forget about you, would she have married someone else back then?”

As he spoke this, a hint of mockery flashed in Ling Yuhua’s eyes.

Li Fuzhou sighed deeply and said, “Back then, I was foolish. I failed to realize that you were the one who truly devoted yourself to me.”

Looking back, I realize that I overlooked many beautiful things, and only after the time had been squandered and betrayed, could I take these memories out, dust them off, and lament that they were indeed the best.

Ling Yuhua’s pupils constricted violently, and his fingers trembled slightly.

What’s the use of saying these now? A lifetime has already passed by in a hurry.

A lifetime!

Things that I have let go of, and those I haven’t, will soon vanish like smoke and clouds.

Having regained his composure, Li Fuzhou then asked, “Yuhua, your Wind and Rain Tower must have agreed to the Five Gangs Alliance, right?”

After a moment of silence, Ling Yuhua replied, “My Wind and Rain Tower has agreed, and our tower master is not interested in the position of the Alliance Hierarch. As you must know from the intelligence of the Golden Corner Alliance, its leader is supported by the Crown Prince’s faction and naturally wouldn’t resist. Sanhu Gang’s He Yunkai is a double-dealing crook, swinging whichever way the wind blows. Now, only the people from Wangjing Sea are tough to handle; they seem to lack a strong desire to join the Five Gangs Alliance….”

Wangjing Sea, on the edge of the East Sea, is home to a group of brutal bandits who frequently attack merchant ships, causing trouble for both Zhao Country and Yan Country. The Xuanyi Guard once dispatched the Great Heavenly Gang to subdue them, but ultimately, these bandits managed to elude capture by maneuvering their boats among the East Sea Islands.

These bandits not only target Yan Country but also show no mercy to Zhao Country.

As long as they do not overstep too much, actually, neither country is willing to eradicate these bandits; after all, doing so is akin to helping their enemy remove a threat and would result in a loss of their own strength.

This has allowed these bandits at Wangjing Sea to grow stronger gradually, continuously expanding their manpower, becoming one of the five major gangs of Yan Country.

“I see.”

Li Fuzhou nodded slowly upon hearing this.

It seems Liu Qingshan just needs to finalize the deal with these bandits of Wangjing Sea to make the Five Gangs Alliance happen.

“I think you’ve been exposed, and staying in Jiangnan Dao now poses a great danger,” Ling Yuhua said with a slight huff.

The leader of the Demon Sect Human Sect and still not fully recovered from your injuries—this presents a substantial opportunity for many people.

In this Jianghu, to gain fame, one must kill, and Li Fuzhou, you are a perfect sharpening stone.”

“Are you worried about me?” Li Fuzhou laughed loudly, looking up.

“No, I just don’t hope to see you dying at the hands of another,” Ling Yuhua remarked coldly.

Li Fuzhou’s smile faded and he replied, “Rest easy, I will soon leave for Yujing City.”

Now that his identity was exposed, staying in Jiangnan Dao indeed was fraught with crises, and it might even endanger Zhao Qingmei’s identity if news of her presence in Great Yan spread. If that happened, Li Fuzhou could die a thousand times and still not escape blame.

“Yujing City, what are you doing going to Yujing City?”

With a slight change in facial expression, Ling Yuhua asked, “Don’t you know that Yujing City is even more dangerous than Jiangnan Dao? In Yujing City, there are even more people who want you dead—your master, your martial brothers, and…”

Li Fuzhou smiled faintly, “It’s been many years, what harm is there in meeting them once again?”

“You are essentially walking into your own death…”

Ling Yuhua suddenly thought of something, “Could it be that you are attempting to break through your shackles?”

Li Fuzhou’s eyes narrowed into slits as he replied, “This trip to Yujing City, I must attempt to break into the Grandmaster Realm. The world has been waiting for me for decades, how can I let the world down now?”

Ling Yuhua was momentarily stunned, recalling that the Li Fuzhou before him was a once-in-a-generation genius.

A disciple of Lv Guoyong, and a younger fellow disciple of Zhao Tianyi.

“Long roads lie ahead, and the Jianghu paths are far-reaching. After I finish addressing my concerns, I will come to find you again for a drink,” Li Fuzhou said.

After speaking, Li Fuzhou leapt down to the ground, placing his hands behind his back, and walked forward with a leisurely stride.

At this moment, he was no longer the famous leader of Human Sect.

He was just an old scholar full of poetry and earnestly longing to return home.