Chapter 576: Leisure and Expectations

What kind of person is Wu Pifu, really? What is his essence, what is his personality, what does he want, and why does he do what he does?

Naturally, Huang Rong did not know these many technical terms, but in truth, she had been doing exactly this all along. At first, it was for self-preservation and to understand why she had suddenly appeared in another world. Later, she gradually developed curiosity and interest in Wu Pifu. By now, she was desperate to know these things.

She had a very strong premonition that if she could not understand these things, then in at most a dozen days, she would be parted forever from this extraordinary man before her, and in this life, she would never again have the slightest connection with him!

She... did not want that!

The next part of their journey would be heading south, from outside the pass to the Jin Army territory, from the Jin territory to the Southern Song, and then out to sea to reach Taohuadao. If they traveled leisurely, they could probably walk for a year, but it was naturally impossible for Wu Pifu to stay in this world for long. According to Huang Rong's estimation, one month—one month would be the limit of what Wu Pifu could tolerate.

Huang Rong knew that this month would be her last chance to persuade Wu Pifu to change his mind, or at least to know what Wu Pifu was thinking.

The two traveled south from outside the pass, not entering the Central Capital, but following the official main road.

Wu Pifu did not appear very anxious, and Huang Rong was even less likely to be urgent. Along the way, she dragged Wu Pifu to enjoy the scenery. In just two days, they had visited quite a few scenic spots near the Central Capital of the Jin. In any case, Wu Pifu was not short of money, and Huang Rong was a pampered young lady who had never been short of money since she was a child, so naturally, they ate well, drank well, and stayed well along the way.

This world belonged to the Lost World, but it was very different from other Lost Worlds. As for what exactly was different, Wu Pifu himself could not say for sure. However, after he arrived in this world, he felt that this world did not seem to have any connection with other Dream Worlds; it belonged to some kind of independent system, so naturally, there would be no pollution, nightmares, or the like. He could not even establish a sanctuary in this world.

For him, this was simply an absolutely safe place, and he did not need to worry about any external threats at all.

Therefore, even if it was only for two days, Wu Pifu's mood relaxed.

Next, he would experience the most dangerous, most desperate, and most difficult battle since he awakened from the Dream World system. This battle was highly likely to be a one-way trip. Although he was determined and would not look back, being able to enjoy a peaceful life once more before this battle was a comfort to him.

Sitting on a small boat, Huang Rong poled the oar, singing a small Jiangnan tune while steering the boat into the depths of the reeds. From time to time, egrets flew out, and there were bird calls in the distance. Wu Pifu sat in the boat watching all this, his mind and spirit becoming peaceful and at ease.

Huang Rong steered the boat to the center of the lake. In the distance, one could see a golden high platform; that was the famous Dajue Temple near the Central Capital. Although it was almost dusk, looking from the lake, one could still see many figures and carriages, almost all of whom were high-ranking officials and nobles of the Jin.

However, this world was not the Song Dream World after all. According to the timeline of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, the Jin at this point had long been completely Sinicized, and they were almost about to be wiped out by the Mongols. It was the end of the Jin Dynasty, yet it was also the time of greatest extravagance and indulgence.

Wu Pifu did not think about these things, just sinking into the scenery and tranquility before him. Huang Rong giggled and did not disturb him. Entering the cabin, she stretched out her fair hands, set up a set of purple clay tea sets, and began to brew tea for Wu Pifu, her sleeves lightly rolled up.

On a small stove, a pot of clear water slowly boiled. Huang Rong first rinsed the tea set with boiling water, poured out the first brew, and then carefully brewed the second.

This tea was clearly of top-grade quality. After brewing, the tea was golden in color, and a rich fragrance wafted out. When it entered the nose, it turned into a faint, lingering scent. Paired with the color of the purple clay and the fair white hands holding the teapot and tea set, even Wu Pifu, this rough man, felt as if he were somewhat intoxicated.

When Huang Rong handed him a cup of tea, Wu Pifu took it and sniffed it. The fragrance was refreshing. Regardless of the tea being scalding hot, he drank it all in one gulp. He was stunned for a few seconds before exclaiming, "I finally understand what my old man said back then."

Huang Rong took the teacup from Wu Pifu's hand and poured him another cup, then asked curiously, "What did your father say?"

Wu Pifu said directly, "My old man said that back then, it was only after drinking a cup of tea brewed by my mother's own hands that he knew he had to marry this woman."

Huang Rong's hand trembled, and she almost dropped the teacup. Her face flushed red, and she lowered her head and whispered, "What nonsense is Brother Pifu spouting..."

Wu Pifu shook his head slightly. He stood up and walked to the bow of the boat, saying to Huang Rong, "Rong'er, how about cooking a good fish for me tonight?"

Huang Rong's face still carried a blush, but she said happily, "Alright, but Brother Pifu has a big appetite, so we need to catch a big fish."

"That's simple."

Wu Pifu reached out, but before he could act, several rough voices sounded from the lake shore: "Hey you, that man, bring the boat over!"

Wu Pifu looked over and saw a dozen or so men in gray clothes shouting on the shore. There were two small wooden boats being maneuvered by them. Some of the gray-clad men even carried ropes and iron hooks on their backs. The leader held two water-parting daggers and wore a pitch-black garment similar to a monk's robe. Behind him, four men wore green tight-fitting clothes, holding a sword, a spear, a whip, and an axe, respectively.

As they roared and shouted, Huang Rong also walked out of the boat. Among the dozen or so gray-clad men, someone immediately started clamoring.

"It's that woman! She took out a gold ingot as soon as she made a move!"

"So beautiful..."

"Grab her back, it would be good to make her the mistress of the stronghold..."

"Bring it over! Bring it over! Otherwise, Grandpa will drown you right here!"

The dozen or so people started shouting filth. Wu Pifu looked toward them. Huang Rong was full of anger, but she immediately reached out and grabbed Wu Pifu, saying, "Brother Pifu, don't make a move. This is the world where my home is..."

Wu Pifu let out a breath and withdrew his gaze from this group of people. However, he could still hear these people shouting. The leader, on the contrary, was cautious, just whispering to the four men in green beside him: "What a big, strong man... It's fortunate that we are on the water; otherwise, if we were on land, you few might not be his match!"

While speaking, the leader jumped onto a boat, took the bamboo pole from a gray-clad man beside him, and gave a forceful push toward the shore. The small boat flew toward the small boat where Wu Pifu and Huang Rong were.

Wu Pifu ignored it, just reaching out forward to a height of about a meter above the lake surface. Then, he pulled his palm upward. Suddenly, a water tornado formed out of thin air. There was neither wind nor rain, yet this water tornado rose from the lake surface to a height of several dozen meters in mid-air. Then, a white-gold long fish nearly a meter long was lifted into Wu Pifu's hand.

Immediately following, the water tornado fell from the sky, splashing the center of the lake with water droplets and waves. However, these water droplets and waves could not even penetrate the small boat in the slightest, let alone get near Wu Pifu. When they were five meters away from him, they vanished into thin air, as if an invisible shield was covering the entire small wooden boat.

*Clap! *

The man in the black monk's robe, who was rushing over, suddenly pushed the bamboo pole in the opposite direction. Because he used too much force and his movements were too rushed, the entire bamboo pole snapped, turning into countless bamboo splinters in his hand. These splinters even pierced into his palms and arms, leaving both arms covered in blood.

Yet, this man in the black monk's robe didn't even dare to look at it. The next second, he actually jumped directly into the lake, and the direction was the shore far away from Wu Pifu's small wooden boat.

*Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck... *

If this man in the black monk's robe wanted to express his horror and incredulity, he could have shouted "fuck" ten thousand times in one second.

What had he seen?

Raising his hand and directly forming a water tornado!?

Water splashing, waves rolling, yet unable to get within five meters of that wooden boat!?

If it were an ordinary person, they might only feel amazed, but he himself was a martial artist, and an expert who made a living on the water. How could he not know how terrifying and shocking all this was?

Is this still a human!?

This fucking god has descended to earth!

Just that water tornado from before—even if a ten-thousand-jin sea ship were hit head-on, the whole ship would sink immediately. This was actually something a person created casually!?

Dead, dead, dead...

All the actions of the man in the black monk's robe were survival instincts. In his consciousness, he was frantically shouting that he was dead. However, until he swam back to the shore, none of the expected attacks came. The big man on the boat just watched him silently, along with his stunned subordinates and four disciples on the shore who were also watching him.

The man in the black monk's robe had a face that was blue and red. Regardless of his subordinates and disciples watching on the spot, he knelt down with a *thud* before the big man, and at the same time, his forehead hit the ground three times: "Mortal Sha Tongtian thanks the Immortal for the grace of not killing me. As long as the Immortal has any instructions, Sha Tongtian will definitely do it even if I have to risk my life!"

Wu Pifu was silent for a few seconds. In his memory, he recalled who Sha Tongtian was. He didn't expect to actually have a face-to-face encounter with a character from *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*.

He shook his head and said, "I didn't kill you because my companion doesn't want to see blood here... Since you've said so, I'll give one instruction: from now on, you are not allowed to kill ordinary people again. As for martial arts figures, wealthy merchants, or high officials, they are not included. Go now."

Sha Tongtian opened his mouth but didn't dare to say anything. He just kowtowed nine more times, knocking his forehead until it was covered in blood. Regardless of his subordinates who were scared silly and stunned, he turned and ran toward the main road on the shore.

Wu Pifu watched that group of gray-clad men and four green-clad men fleeing in panic. He shook his head and suddenly said loudly, "Old man, do you want to eat delicious food?"

After the words fell, Huang Rong looked toward the shore in confusion, but she didn't see anyone. Just as she was about to ask, a voice came clearly from the woods on the shore, from far away.

"What amazing skill, what terrifying internal energy, what terrifying control... Was that move just now the legendary Dragon-Capturing Skill?"

Amidst the voice, an old beggar jumped out from the woods, his figure agile, like a snake and a dragon.

Huang Rong hurriedly looked over carefully. After just a few glances, she immediately looked at the emerald green bamboo staff at the old beggar's waist, as well as the fact that he only had nine fingers on his hands. Her heart stirred, and she immediately smiled, "Old man, come aboard. In a moment, I will definitely let you eat this peerless delicacy of the human world."

After saying this, Huang Rong picked up the white-gold big fish and walked into the cabin.

Wu Pifu and the old beggar were both stunned. The old beggar hesitated for several seconds, his eyeballs darting around. In the end, he actually stepped on the water toward the small boat.

Wu Pifu was very, very speechless...

Could it be that little Huang Rong was going to reenact the old story of trading food for martial arts from *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*?

However...

Wu Pifu ignored the old beggar stepping on the water and just looked at the golden sunset...

If he could resurrect his partners, relatives, and the little mute woman in the future, then bringing them to live quietly in this world would also be a beautiful thing...

Unfortunately, this time, he probably wouldn't be able to come back.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 577 =====