Chapter 2076: How to Tame the Unruly Youth 25

It happened that day turned to night.

If you can't go out to see people, then just don't go out.

Ji Lai Zhi fell asleep in a daze, and even when he woke up the next day, not only did the swelling not subside, it became even more flushed, yet he didn't notice.

Another afternoon, the four companions finally reached the main city within Cangzhou.

Cangzhou City's wine flags cut through the early summer sky.

Jin Chen's white horse always trailed half a horse length behind; the plain gauze veil hung down, so others could only see his fingers gripping the reins, not even a hint of his face.

Although he disguised and covered his face, Feng Xu Zi's presence still drew attention to the four of them; as Ji Lai Zhi reined his horse on the main street, his hooves happened to trample a scattering of fallen apricot blossoms, the dark arrow‑sleeves with gold trim edging fluttered loudly in the wind, the youth's ink‑black long hair tied up startled the girls throwing fruit from the second‑floor shops, their silver bangles jingling wildly.

"Young sir, drink a cup of plum wine!" the purple‑clad heroine flung the wine gourd upside‑down from the flying eaves, amber liquor arcing through the air.

Ji Lai Zhi was obviously startled by the enthusiasm, he caught the incoming porcelain cup with two fingers, residual wine trickled down his wrist into his sleeve, drawing a mix of boos and laughter from the street, teasing him.

Ji Lai Zhi glanced at Jin Chen, quickly tossed the porcelain cup back, reined his horse closer to Jin Chen, and muttered sideways, "If I had known I should also wear a veil, the people of Cangzhou City are overly enthusiastic."

Jin Chen laughed at him, "Young Master Ji, even if you wore a veil, you would still attract attention."

What the hell, you don't care at all?

Ji Lai Zhi fell silent for a while, not knowing where this inexplicable jealousy came from.

Jin Chen isn't the least bit afraid he'll be led astray.

Jin Chen could tell at a glance what Ji Lai Zhi was thinking, and couldn't help saying, "Ji Lai Zhi, do you know what about you puts me most at ease when we're out?"

Ji Lai Zhi responded with a questioning look.

Jin Chen said reassuringly, "Everyone looks like a bad person to you."

That really leaves him no chance to be jealous.

Ji Lai Zhi: "……"

Jin Chen gladly found a moment to pat his head, as encouragement.

Their closeness obviously went beyond mere trying—within just two days, Feng Xu Zi and Feng Yang independently came to the same view, shifting from shock to gradual numbness.

After all, no master‑disciple pair stays together day and night without separation.

Heaven knows how shocking it was for Feng Yang, who wanted to go find Ji Lai Zhi to play early in the morning, to push the door open and see him embracing the Venerable.

At that moment Feng Yang even figured out where he wanted to bury himself.

Ji Lai Zhi even let him savor this unique master‑disciple relationship; Feng Yang let out a gasp, not daring to imagine it.

——

They arrived a bit late; all the decent inns in Cangzhou City were full, so Feng Xu Zi first returned to the Hall of Questioning the Heart to handle affairs, while Feng Yang wanted to tag along with Ji Lai Zhi to play everywhere, which could be counted as the fun of wielding a chicken feather as a command arrow, after all his task was to accompany the Venerable's disciple in playing—the "major affair".

Just when Ji Lai Zhi secretly thought Jin Chen had already prepared lodging, he turned around to see Du Gu Wen coming to greet him.

"Sir." Du Gu Wen's title remained unchanged; leading the Martial Arts Alliance disciples to welcome him at the alley's end, this both showed respect and avoided revealing Jin Chen's identity to outsiders.

The Martial Arts Alliance has already prepared side rooms for Sir and everyone; Father heard Sir was coming and had also made preparations, hoping Sir would agree.

If Jin Chen could enter the Martial Arts Alliance before the Martial Arts Assembly begins, even if he cannot reveal his identity now, it would still be the Formless Office's acknowledgment of the Martial Arts Alliance.

"Acceptable."

Jin Chen had nothing to object to; staying in the Martial Arts Alliance would at least keep Ji Lai Zhi from acting up so easily.

He agreed readily; Du Gu Wen's expression visibly brightened, and he personally showed Jin Chen the way.

"Sir, may you still stay in your former courtyard?" Du Gu Wen asked with a smile.

Ji Lai Zhi sharply lifted his eyes and grabbed Jin Chen's sleeve.

Jin Chen lifted his foot and walked……

He almost didn't move.

Jin Chen lowered his gaze, looked back at Ji Lai Zhi, who seemed eager to cling to him.

"What's wrong?"

Ji Lai Zhi's smile mixed with a hint of resentment: "Ah, Master, you're truly popular; I, the disciple, am deeply impressed—no wonder you're a high‑ranking big shot."

Jin Chen: "……"

He pinched Ji Lai Zhi's face.

"Speak properly."

Ji Lai Zhi muttered, "Don't let him call you Sir!"

His attitude toward others using that title is completely different, his tone twisting and turning.

Ji Lai Zhi had no doubt that with this attitude, a few more words would have Du Gu Wen addressing him as fellow martial brothers.

Jin Chen chuckled lightly, "Your angle of jealousy is quite novel."

It leaves him unable to grasp it, and utterly unexpected.

Ji Lai Zhi, brimming with jealous vigor, suppressed his heartbeat: "Nonsense, I'm not jealous."

Just that Cangzhou City is too big; that initial unease and fear of loss have long faded, and he faintly seeks a sense of presence.

Ji Lai Zhi rubbed his chest, then after dismounting he held Jin Chen's fingertips tightly, as if afraid of losing himself, behaving impeccably.

But only in front of Jin Chen.

Not long after, everyone arrived at the Martial Arts Alliance.

Alliance Chief Du Gu, ever smooth‑handed, faced Jin Chen and lavished extravagant praise on Ji Lai Zhi, outright declaring him the foremost youth of the present Martial Arts world.

The true number one, Du Gu Wen: "……"

He glanced sideways at his father, returning an affirming smile.

The result was obvious: Jin Chen was very pleased, Ji Lai Zhi floated on praise, and so they peacefully agreed to stay temporarily at the Martial Arts Alliance.

Ling Gun Gun perched on Jin Chen's shoulder, 【This Martial Arts Assembly is no simple matter, Host; you must seize this moment to cleanse the martial world, blood‑bathe the Azure Cloud Sword Manor, and ferret out the mole in the Formless Office!】

Jin Chen patted it once, 【Don't be so chuunibyou.】

Ling Gun Gun chuckled, 【I just read out your inner thoughts.】

【……】Jin Chen threw it away.

"Report!"

Someone stepped forward and whispered a few words into Dugu Alliance Leader's ear.

Dugu Alliance Leader startled, his expression grew a bit more solemn, "Is this true?"

Subordinate: "Absolutely certain, it was our people who saw it with their own eyes in the city, and they had no intention of hiding it."

"Step back."

Dugu Alliance Leader, looking slightly odd, digested for a moment, glanced at Ji Lai zhi, then explained to Jin Chen.

"Venerable One, it is said that the Two Hermits of Flowing Cloud and Chasing Moon have also come to Cangzhou City; this time upon leaving seclusion they even took on a disciple."

Jin Chen seemed to sense something, "Who?"

"The young master of the Qingyun Sword Manor, Ji Si Yao." Dugu Alliance Leader said softly.

【It has appeared! The protagonist's golden finger opportunity!】Ling Gun Gun bounced back, 【The golden finger has appeared, so the next plot isn't…… oh! Main God is in danger!】

Jin Chen's expression turned a bit colder, and he pulled the somewhat angry Ji Lai zhi into his embrace.

"Also good," he thought, "if in a short time we cannot uncover the true cause of death of Ji Lai zhi's mother from over a decade ago, and if Ji Si Yao's provocation and poisoning become public knowledge, we could justifiably seize the Sword Manor."

But the Flowing Cloud and Chasing Moon…… these two old monsters emerging into the world, could it also be for the purpose of dividing up the treasures hidden by the Wu Xiang Office?

"Mohei."

Mohei, hidden in the darkness, suddenly appeared, "Subordinate present."

Jin Chen rubbed Ji Lai zhi's fingers, lowered his eyes in thought for a few moments, "Investigate the movements of Flowing Cloud and Chasing Moon over the past half year."

"Yes."

Ji Lai zhi had just been annoyed about having to see Ji Si Yao again, but seeing Jin Chen's solemn expression, he involuntarily reached out to smooth the furrowed brow of his forehead.

"What's wrong?" Ji Lai zhi asked softly, "Who are Flowing Cloud and Chasing Moon? Are they going to deal with you?"

Jin Chen chuckled, "No, they have remained hidden for many years; this emergence will inevitably cause a stir in the martial world."

Ji Lai zhi wondered, "Many years?"

The Dugu Alliance Leader beside him added, "At least fifty years; when I was still a youth, I personally followed my father to send the two hermits up the mountain."

Ji Lai zhi snorted, "How mysterious."

Dugu Alliance Leader suddenly paused, nodded, glanced at Jin Chen without leaving a trace, and dared not think further.

He suddenly recalled that the master of the Wu Xiang Office back then was also a Venerable One, and even over these many years, his appearance has not changed.