Chapter 21: This Annoying Second Uncle!

Li Hanshan led his four junior brothers in, feigning surprise as he smiled: “What a coincidence—I didn’t expect you, Zhou Qing, and Shi Zhen, to be here today too!”

“Greetings, Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother He, Senior Brother Ning!”

“Greetings, Senior Sister Shi!”

Everyone exchanged polite bows.

Zhou Qing, seated at the inner table, had no choice but to bow as well.

Li Hanshan said: “Today is Senior Brother He’s birthday—we’re celebrating. Join us?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing and Shi Zhen quickly offered their congratulations to Senior Brother He.

He Han, second disciple of Shenyue Peak, smiled faintly: “Thank you, junior brothers and sister. It’s just some harmless fun.”

Soon, the surrounding area grew quiet.

The Shenyue Peak disciples stole glances at Shi Zhen, then at Zhou Qing.

What’s the real relationship between you two now?

Did sneaking a peek at her bath somehow spark feelings?

【Heart Mirror Point +5】

Zhou Qing watched as Lu Yaoyao’s head label, originally 【So Bold】, visibly shifted to 【So Fickle】—he nearly choked on his breath.

【Heart Mirror Point +6】

Soon, Shi Zhen’s head label, 【His Little Junior Brother】, began slowly changing into 【Popular Senior Brother Zhou】.

Zhou Qing was utterly speechless.

Sister, which eye do you see me as popular?

These brother-protecting maniacs are about to swallow me whole.

【Heart Mirror Point +5】

Another voice rang out—Zhou Qing looked at Li Daoxuan, who smiled invitingly but eyed him with a silent challenge: “Dare you try?”

Above his head, the annotation 【A Pig Who Can’t Stop Eating Shit】 slowly morphed into 【A Sticky Patch of Dogskin】.

Zhou Qing felt utterly drained.

Why am I a sticky patch of dogskin again?

I didn’t even know you were here—I just happened to be next door.

You make it sound like I came here just to cling to your junior sister. If you don’t seek me out, I’ll thank heaven and earth.

As the entire private room sank into awkward silence, Zhou Qing suddenly slapped his forehead.

“Oh no, I nearly forgot something urgent! That’s why Senior Brother San rushed off earlier—Shi Zhen Senior Sister, all you senior brothers, eat up, I’ve got to leave now, we’ll get together another day!”

With that, Zhou Qing bowed apologetically and hurried away.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Aside from Shi Zhen and Lu Yaoyao, the other six big men nodded in approval.

At least he’s sensible!

…………

After leaving Yushantang, Zhou Qing hurried home, but whether from psychological suggestion or not, he kept feeling someone was secretly tailing him.

“Senior Four!”

At that moment, Yan Xiao suddenly leapt down from a nearby tree—the sudden movement startled Zhou Qing, already jumpy as a bird frightened by a bowstring.

“Senior Brother San, can you please act like a normal person for once!”

Zhou Qing, still shaken, leaned against a nearby tree as he stared at the golden label above Yan Xiao’s head.

Yan Xiao chuckled, stepping forward to wrap an arm around Zhou Qing’s shoulder: “I’m just teasing you. You’ve been acting suspicious—did you do something wrong? Don’t lie to me; I ran into Shi Zhen Senior Sister when I came down the mountain.”

Hearing Yan Xiao’s words, Zhou Qing became certain: it hadn’t been him in Yushantang.

This annoying Second Uncle!

After calming himself, Zhou Qing said: “I didn’t do anything wrong—why would I act suspicious? Shi Zhen Senior Sister just invited me for a meal.”

Yan Xiao “oh”ed, not thinking much of it, then suddenly remembered something and grabbed Zhou Qing’s arm to show him his collection of junk.

After all, the Five Sects’ Artifact Exchange Fair was set to begin the day after tomorrow.

“Wait, why are you always staring at your crotch?”

“I’m checking if it’s up.”

“Why would it suddenly be up? Is there a pretty junior sister nearby?”

“Senior Brother, am I blushing?”

“No, you’re just a pale-faced pretty boy.”

The two returned to Xiaoling Peak, and Zhou Qing felt no unusual sensation on his body—he must have imagined it.

I should’ve walked slower—I should’ve packed some food to bring back for Senior Brother San.

“Senior Brother, check if this wine is poisoned.”

Zhou Qing pulled out two bowls of wine—the rich aroma instantly caught Yan Xiao’s attention.

As a seasoned drunkard, Yan Xiao darted over, inhaled deeply, and his eyes lit up.

“Excellent wine! Truly excellent! Where did you get this?”

He snatched the bowl and downed it in one gulp.

The liquor slid down his throat, releasing a chilling cold that made him shiver.

Then he excitedly shouted “Good!” three times in a row.

Next came the second bowl—Shi Zhen’s.

Before Zhou Qing could react, Yan Xiao grabbed him, his eyes filled with longing.

“Senior Four, what kind of wine is this? I feel like I’m riding an ice serpent, soaring freely through a howling snowstorm—but I can’t drink too much…”

Before he finished speaking, his body suddenly stiffened—ice began spreading visibly across his skin.

Under Zhou Qing’s horrified gaze, he collapsed like a frozen stick.

“Senior Brother San!” Zhou Qing reacted instantly, catching him.

If he fell, he’d shatter into pieces.

“Master, help!”

Feeling the freezing chill through his hands, Zhou Qing frantically hoisted the ice-stick Senior Brother onto his shoulder and mounted his sword, racing toward Xiaoling Peak…

…………

“Achoo! Achoo!”

Inside the room, Yan Xiao huddled under his quilt, sneezing repeatedly, sniffling back the snot that dripped to his lips.

Yet his eyes sparkled with longing as he savored the lingering taste.

“What wine turned him into that?” Mo Xingjian frowned from nearby.

Zhou Qing’s face flushed awkwardly; he scratched his head and lied: “I don’t know—I found it on the road.”

“Found it? You two are truly a pair—one dares to pick it up, the other dares to drink it!” Mo Xingjian was utterly speechless.

How did I end up with two such lunatics?

At this moment, he suddenly missed his eldest disciple and Second Lady.

“You two~~” Mo Xingjian gritted his teeth, pointing at one, then the other, then finally flung his sleeve and stormed out.

Can’t you ever have a peaceful day?

Do you think I’m immortal? If you don’t cause trouble every day, you get itchy?

Seeing their master leave, Yan Xiao snuffled, leapt out of bed, and asked: “Senior Four, was this wine really found by you?”

“Absolutely!”

“Where? Take me there right now!”

“At the foot of the mountain—only these two bowls exist. Don’t get any ideas.”

“Ah, after drinking this, I finally understand what garbage I’ve been drinking all these years.”

…………

Yanlong City, at the foot of Mount Taiqingmen, was the largest city and always bustling.

Choosing this location for the Five Sects’ Artifact Exchange Fair caused a sudden, near-explosive surge in foot traffic.

When Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao passed through the dim tunnel of the city gate, a deafening roar of noise hit them.

Everywhere he looked, crowds thronged the main street, packed so tightly no one could pass; shouts rose and fell in chaotic waves.

In the distance, towering, majestic buildings radiated an extraordinary aura.

People dressed in the robes of different sects moved through the crowd; strange and wondrous goods filled the stalls, dazzling the eyes.

Some argued fiercely with vendors, trying to exchange the fewest spirit stones for the most precious items; others crouched low, carefully examining the authenticity and value of each object.

Shouts, haggling, and quarrels wove together, making the Artifact Exchange Fair even more vibrant.

(End of Chapter)