Chapter 90: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage (5000-word chapter, please subscribe)

"Princess..."

The maid walked in, her face wearing a respectful expression.

Wu Xiangyi stretched, her previously lazy posture vanishing, replaced by that resolute and hardworking image.

"How is the investigation going?"

"The bookstore owner is named Qi Mu; this is his real name.

He is the young master of a bodyguard agency in the Great Yan Dynasty and once escorted the Prime Minister's daughter, Ceng Ping, back to Fenglangguo a year ago.

The people from the bodyguard agency all returned, but he alone remained here, for reasons unknown."

Hearing the maid's words, Wu Xiangyi sat quietly, frowning as she pondered something.

"Why did he stay in Fenglangguo, and furthermore..."

Wu Xiangyi was puzzled.

At first, she had not paid attention to Lin Chao, feeling that Lin Chao was just an ordinary person among the masses.

But the more she watched, the more she felt he was no ordinary person.

"He is only one year older than me; is he truly a reclusive expert?"

Wu Xiangyi hesitated.

That man gave her the feeling of a mysterious and unfathomable expert from a storybook.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt he was an expert.

"Even if there is a sliver of a chance, I cannot miss it."

Wu Xiangyi's gaze was firm.

The current Fenglangguo is precarious.

The threat of the Great General of Wei, Cao Wuji, is right before their eyes.

Yet, Fenglangguo has no ability to resist.

Thinking of this, Wu Xiangyi spoke: "Let's go, head out!"

Such an expert, no matter what, must be won over.

With Fenglangguo now in imminent danger, she has no other choice.

In the courtyard.

Lin Chao wore a bitter smile.

"Father, Mother, why have you come?"

Before him, Qi Pinggui and Zhao Cui Yun were carrying large and small bags, their bodies showing the wear of the journey.

Clearly, the two had traveled a long distance.

"You kid are staying in Fenglangguo all by yourself, and such a large courtyard is so cold and desolate; your mother and I couldn't stop worrying.

We brought some food over, fearing you wouldn't be used to the food in Fenglangguo."

"Mu'er, you are older now and don't like being by your father and mother's side; that is human nature.

However, being alone outside, if you encounter any trouble, there is no one to look after you.

Having family by your side means when you go out, there is someone waiting for you at home.

When you return home, you can eat a hot meal.

If something happens, there is someone to help you out."

Zhao Cui Yun's nagging manner reminded Lin Chao of his own mother.

Mothers are all like this, nagging.

Perhaps the content of her nagging does not suit one's own wishes, but one day, if you cannot hear such nagging, you will instead miss it.

"I know." Lin Chao smiled.

These two puppet parents are indeed very qualified.

"We won't stay in Fenglangguo for long; when you settle down and start a family, we will return to Lin'an," Qi Pinggui said from the side.

"Mm." Lin Chao nodded.

Father and Mother should have many topics to discuss with Wang Yi.

After finishing the meal with his parents, Lin Chao walked out of the courtyard.

At this moment, Wang Yi walked toward him.

"Brother Qi, did you take a liking to that young lady from last time?"

Lin Chao recalled those days from a few days ago.

It must be said that the woman's beauty was extremely high.

Perhaps, among the women Lin Chao has seen, only the hazy Jia Xiangjun can compare to her.

"Even if I take a liking to her, she has to take a liking to me, doesn't she?"

Lin Chao had only had an ordinary interaction with that woman, Zhao Ran, and had not chatted much.

Through the interaction, Lin Chao knew that the woman had a rather cold personality and did not speak much.

"Brother Qi, if you like the girl, go after her boldly.

Don't look at little Zhao as having a cold personality, as if she is high and unreachable.

It is precisely this personality that leads to almost no men daring to approach her.

Now, if you go to approach her and show her attention, I'm afraid it won't be long before you can win her over."

Wang Yi had a smile on her face, looking like someone who had been through it all.

Lin Chao nodded.

What Wang Yi said was indeed reasonable.

Sometimes, it is precisely the most beautiful girls who no one dares to pursue.

Once someone does pursue them, as long as they have patience, it is actually quite likely they will succeed.

The premise is that the environment is traditional and self-disciplined.

In an era where nightlife is rich and everyone labels themselves a "sea king," the high probability is that one can only become a fish.

"Aunt Wang is telling you in secret, that young Miss Zhao's family is very wealthy.

I saw last time that she has many land deeds in Fenglan, worth ten thousand Gold.

These pieces of news, I would not tell anyone else."

"Thank you, Aunt Wang."

Lin Chao went to the bookstore again.

Regarding the matchmaking, Lin Chao did not pay much attention for the time being.

Mainly, he felt he was still very young, only seventeen.

Of course, in this era where one can become a parent at thirteen or fourteen, he certainly counts as an old piece of cured meat.

He entered the bookstore.

Lin Chao looked at books, feeling bored.

Lin Chao was also aware of the undercurrents surging in Fenglan recently.

Actually, he was also curious whether there were truly the remains of an Immortal in Fenglan.

It is rumored that thirty years ago, Fenglan suffered from a great thief.

The remains of an Immortal were stolen, and even the finger bones of the Immortal were scattered outside.

Fenglan no longer has the remains of an Immortal.

These pieces of information are a mix of truth and falsehood; some people believe them, and some do not.

Just at this moment, a person walked into the bookstore.

This person was none other than Wu Xiangyi.

At this moment, Wu Xiangyi was wearing a verdant green long dress, with a resolute expression on her face.

She walked forward and bowed to Lin Chao: "My name is Wu Xiangyi; I earnestly request that you, sir, accept me as your disciple."

Her attitude was respectful, and her expression was earnest.

After Wu Xiangyi finished bowing, three maidservants walked out from behind her, holding trays in their hands.

Inside the trays were placed various rare and Strange Treasures.

"This is the apprenticeship gift."

"You, sir, love to drink; the first apprenticeship gift is called the Night-Shining Cup, made of white jade."

"You, sir, love to read; the second apprenticeship gift is called the Six Records of Yuefu, which is a collection of Fenglan and a unique copy in the world."

"The third apprenticeship gift is a sword, named Dragon Sparrow, which is a sword on the Tianji Pavilion's Hundred Weapons Ranking."

Wu Xiangyi said slowly, with a respectful expression on her face.

These three apprenticeship gifts were all carefully selected by her.

Lin Chao glanced at Wu Xiangyi, his gaze calm: "I do not take disciples."

Wu Xiangyi's face turned pale in an instant; she spoke again: "Please, sir, accept me as your disciple; Xiangyi will surely serve you, sir, like a father."

Lin Chao raised his head and gave Wu Xiangyi a faint look.

A look of disappointment flashed in Wu Xiangyi's eyes.

She said: "If you, sir, do not agree for a day, then Xiangyi will not leave for a day."

She knew that staying in the bookstore now was disrespectful to the shop owner.

Thus, she walked outside the bookstore and stood straight.

Beside her, a maidservant said in a low voice: "Princess?"

Wu Xiangyi's expression did not change: "You all go back; take these apprenticeship gifts back first, it is not safe to leave them here."

The maidservant looked at Wu Xiangyi and ultimately chose to leave.

Time passed second by second, and the Sun in the sky became scorching hot.

Sweat fell from Wu Xiangyi's forehead.

She still stood there, motionless.

The weather in Fenglan is changeable; perhaps it is sunny one moment, and the next second, a gale blows, and a thunderstorm sweeps through.

The next second, heavy rain arrived; Wu Xiangyi still stood outside the Gate, without making any movement.

Her hair was soaked, a dripping mess, and her eyes seemed unable to open.

She still stood there.

At this time, several maidservants came over and held up an umbrella for Wu Xiangyi.

"Princess, why don't we go back?"

"No!" Wu Xiangyi's attitude was firm.

She is a princess of a country, enjoying the offerings of the people of a country.

She should also do something for the people.

If she cannot find a reliance for Fenglan.

Then, the people the Great General of Wei, Cao Wuji, will capture first are the members of the Royal Family, and those he will enslave later will be the people of Fenglan.

In the evening, Lin Chao walked out of the bookstore.

He looked at the completely soaked Wu Xiangyi and revealed a look of surprise: "Still here?"

After a glance, Lin Chao closed the Gate and went back.

"I have to say, it's quite moving."

Lin Chao sighed.

He had heard the story of "visiting the thatched cottage three times" too many times.

Plus, having watched too many similar tropes on television, the average person would feel no ripples in their heart when seeing such a trope on screen, and might even want to laugh.

But only when it happens for real right beside you do you feel somewhat moved.

Of course, if you are used to seeing people in the billions on the news, you would also be incomparably moved if you suddenly obtained a few million in cash in reality.

Of course, there are exceptions; a bank clerk with a monthly salary of a few thousand, accustomed to seeing large amounts of wealth, might look down slightly on those with a monthly income of tens of thousands.

Everything has exceptions, and not everyone is like that.

On the first day, Wu Xiangyi stayed in front of Lin Chao's bookstore until Lin Chao left.

On the second day, just as Lin Chao arrived at the bookstore entrance, he saw Wu Xiangyi again.

There was a look of frailty on Wu Xiangyi's face.

Clearly, being caught in the rain yesterday had left her with quite a cold.

"I implore you, sir, to take me as your disciple!" On Wu Xiangyi's frail face, her eyes revealed a trace of fortitude.

Qi Mu's refusal yesterday made her feel all the more that Qi Mu was a master.

Only a true master could refuse so many temptations.

If he were a person fishing for fame and compliments, how could he refuse?

"I do not take disciples," Lin Chao said calmly. "Go back; staying here is meaningless."

As Lin Chao spoke, he entered the bookstore.

Inside the bookstore, he continued to read.

Wu Xiangyi remained standing outside the door, motionless.

Through wind and rain, through rain and sun, she did not waver in the slightest, standing in front of Lin Chao's bookstore every day with an extremely firm attitude.

Inside the house, Lin Chao flipped through a book and looked up: "Five days already, and she is still here."

He already had some guesses regarding Wu Xiangyi's identity.

This age, this appearance, and that kind of temperament.

It was very clear that she was that Princess of Fenglan, the number one beauty of Fenglan.

Wu Xiangyi was indeed worthy of being called the number one beauty of Fenglan.

Her age was only one year younger than Lin Chao's, yet she had already grown into a graceful young woman.

With autumn-water eyes and faint brows, she had skin like ice and bones like jade.

Fenglan Royal Palace.

Chongan frowned: "What has Xiangyi been doing these past few days? I haven't seen her for a while."

Beside him, a female official spoke: "The Princess has taken a fancy to a... scholar these days, and is preparing to ask him to be her master."

"A scholar? Asking to be a disciple?" Chongan was puzzled.

The female official then explained: "The Princess believes that the scholar is a master living in seclusion, so she is preparing to offer heavy gifts to become his disciple.

However, that scholar refused the Princess."

Chongan's furrowed brows smoothed out: "That scholar at least has some self-awareness."

He had thought that the scholar felt he lacked the strength to be the Princess's master and dared not accept the heavy gifts, which was why he refused.

The female official lowered her head: "These days, the Princess has been standing outside that scholar's bookstore, every single day, just to become his disciple.

The Princess's intention is that she must move that master with her sincerity.

Only in this way will Fenglan obtain a source of support."

Chongan was slightly stunned, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes: "Sigh, the weather has not been very good these past few days."

He naturally understood his daughter's thoughts.

The current Fenglangguo was riddled with holes.

With the threat of Cao Wuji looming, a Fenglan without a Heavenly Human, a Fenglan without a Grandmaster, was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Jing Country governed the state through literature, but at least they had a few Grandmasters.

Fenglan, however, had none, struggling to survive in the cracks.

"Sigh," Chongan let out a sigh, "What is the background of that master, and what is his Martial Arts cultivation?"

"Reporting to the Ruler, that master is a youth, the young master of a small escort agency in the Great Yan Dynasty, suspected to be a Fifth Grade martial artist."

"A Fifth Grade martial artist, that's quite good."

But, it was only just good.

It was still a long way from being a master living in seclusion.

Chongan thought of something: "Do not stop Xiangyi for now; let her do as she pleases."

Chongan had always held a skeptical attitude regarding the matter of the Immortal Reincarnation.

He did not even fully believe the last words of that Heavenly Human, Meng Lie.

Before the previous ruler passed away, he left behind some words; clearly, that Heavenly Human had undergone some strange changes in his final years.

And anyone who ascended to become a Heavenly Human based on an Immortal Corpse Bone would eventually have an ominous old age and experience some mishaps.

Outside Fenglan City.

Cao Wuji was in full armor, his body radiating a tyrannical aura.

On his back was a large saber, emitting a cold glint under the sunlight, looking exceptionally intimidating.

Surrounding him were three hundred iron cavalry.

These three hundred heavy cavalry are the elite among the elite.

Even when encountering ten thousand infantry, with these three hundred heavy cavalry as the vanguard, they can break through the military formation.

"How is the Immortal Corpse Bone?" Cao Wuji asked, a cold glint in his eyes.

At this moment, a person entirely shrouded in a black robe spoke: "Reporting to the Great General, according to the reaction of the Chongan, Fenglangguo indeed does not have the Immortal Corpse Bone.

However, after I secretly suggested last time to worship the Immortal Corpse Bone and search for the Immortal Reincarnation.

Some changes did indeed occur within the royal palace.

I suspect that the Chongan has already secretly worshipped the Immortal Corpse Bone."

"It seems he really does have the Immortal Corpse Bone." A cold glint appeared at the corners of Cao Wuji's mouth. "An innocent man is guilty of his own treasure; it seems we need to make Chongan feel some pain before he is willing to hand over the Immortal Corpse Bone."

At this moment, the black-robed person spoke: "The princess most beloved by the ruler of Fenglangguo has been outside the royal palace these days. I suspect she is searching for the Immortal Reincarnation; she might know a little about the whereabouts of the Immortal Corpse Bone."

"Immortal Reincarnation? Nonsense." Cao Wuji laughed loudly, a tyrannical aura radiating from his body, and the flying sand and dust nearby seemed to rise up. "Even if an Immortal truly reincarnated, I would still strip his bones to prove my Martial Arts."

Nearby, the black-robed person felt Cao Wuji's power and was shocked inside.

Is this a Grandmaster?

Every word and action can even affect the surrounding environment.

"Give me the information on that princess." Cao Wuji said, his voice overbearing.

"As you command." The black-robed person gave the news about the princess to Cao Wuji.

At this moment, behind Cao Wuji, four martial artists of different heights and builds appeared, two men and two women among them.

"Tai Nan Si Gui, bring that princess here."

Tai Nan Si Gui are famous experts in the pugilistic world.

Rumor has it that all four are First Grade martial artists, especially skilled in Camouflage, and possess great combat strength.

When the four unite, they can even contend with an Ordinary Grandmaster.

"As you command."

"General Cao, do not forget the deal with our Wind and Rain Tower." Behind Tai Nan Si Gui, a charming woman appeared.

Hearing the charming woman's words, a smile appeared on Cao Wuji's face.

"Tai Nan Si Gui, bring the son of Wu'an Lord, Qi Lin, along as well."

The charming woman's smile widened: "Thank you, Great General Cao."

"I never thought that one day, I, Cao Wuji, would be able to cooperate with your Wind and Rain Tower."

"As long as there is sufficient profit, our Wind and Rain Tower is willing to do anything."

"I have a doubt in my heart: with the strength of your Wind and Rain Tower, wanting to enter Fenglangguo and kidnap Qi Lin should be a piece of cake; why cooperate with me?" Cao Wuji asked.

Although Cao Wuji is a Grandmaster, he is extremely wary of the Wind and Rain Tower.

After all, behind the Wind and Rain Tower is Su Yunqiong, that terrifying woman.

The Wind and Rain Tower has dozens of Grandmasters.

Capturing the son of the Wu'an Lord is not a difficult problem.

"Recently, our Wind and Rain Tower's assassins have found it inconvenient to enter Fenglan Wangcheng." The charming woman glanced at the royal city in the distance, a look of wariness appearing in her eyes.

Cao Wuji was slightly stunned.

He thought of something, and a smile appeared on his face.

"I will help with this favor." Cao Wuji continued to ask, "Are you not afraid that your Wind and Rain Tower will force the Jubei King to rebel?"

Cao Wuji knows the relationship between the Wu'an Lord and the Jubei King.

At that time, the Three-Color Pavilion besieged the Wu'an Lord's mansion, but the son of the Wu'an Lord survived.

This was beyond Su Yunqiong's expectations, but it was not a big problem.

"With the pressure from your Wei, how could Qi Sanjia rebel?" The charming woman smiled. "Moreover, Qi Sanjia has no son now.

Once Qi Lin is dealt with, the Jubei Army, without a successor, will be like duckweed without roots, not worth mentioning."

Nearby, a trace of discomfort flashed in Cao Wuji's heart.

He has dealt with Qi Sanjia, or rather Zhao Sanjia, for many years.

He respects Qi Sanjia immensely, and even feels a trace of wariness.

There are not many people Cao Wuji respects: first is the mysterious powerhouse who wiped out the Three-Color Pavilion, second is Su Yunqiong, and third is the Jubei King.

The three hundred thousand Jubei Army have protected the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty like an impregnable fortress.

Unfortunately, the interior of the Great Yan Dynasty excludes those who are different and is full of wariness toward the Jubei King.

Martial artists and scholars from the north are almost never given important positions in the capital of Great Yan.

It can be said that Jubei City is isolated outside of Great Yan.

The charming woman is right; the Jubei King cannot rebel.

If the Jubei King were to rebel, the army of Wei would certainly watch like a tiger eyeing its prey, looking for an opportunity to raid Jubei City.

"Great General Cao must be careful; perhaps some of Qi Sanjia's Twelve Protectors are in Fenglan Wangcheng."

"Rest assured, with Tai Nan Si Gui there, it is a small matter." Cao Wuji said, his face full of confidence.

Among Tai Nan Si Gui, two have already broken through to become Grandmaster experts.

"I implore you, sir, to take me as your disciple?"

Wu Xiangyi looked at Lin Chao, her voice weak but filled with determination.

Lin Chao glanced at Wu Xiangyi, expressionless.

Wu Xiangyi's constitution is simply not suitable for practicing Martial Arts.

Moreover, it is extremely unsuitable.

Practicing martial arts offered her no benefits.

This type of special constitution was extremely rare, and Lin Chao did not know the reason behind it either.

Returning home, Lin Chao was slightly stunned.

Because he heard someone talking in the courtyard.

Had a guest come to the house?

He pushed open the Gate and entered the courtyard.

A familiar figure came into view.

PS: My deepest apologies, regarding yesterday's update, cough cough, it is finally finished, a 5,000-word long chapter. There will be another update tonight!!!

Thanks to 【Peng Shen Shi Jian Ying】 for the 1,000-point reward, and thanks to 【Gu Du De Xiao Pang】, 【Si Lv Kuang Ke】, and 【Shou Shang De Xin Zai Di Xue】 for their tips!

(End of this chapter)