Chapter 261: Minority Retreat

Zhang Gui was bewildered by Dan Jiaojiao's technique, and a brainworm took hold.

He almost completely lost his reason in the dark gutter and capsized.

But deep in his heart he could still faintly recall the words Dan Jiaojiao said when she left.

Now, seeing Zhen Ciyun candidly admit it, the one who harmed him was what she calls her senior grandmaster sister.

Although regarding the "Ming Wang Protector" joint, it's unclear whether she deliberately or unintentionally left it unmentioned, it was enough to clear most of Zhang Gui's doubts,

"It seems indeed nowhere is easy to get along; no one can succeed casually."

"Why does it end up singing a song in the end?"

Although it's rambling and off‑key, the reasoning is actually very simple and clear.

"This song is so beautiful; it's you who don't appreciate it," Zhang Gui laughed heartily,

"However, since Dan Jiaojiao is your senior sister, I'll let her off this time.

After all, 'you can run from a monk, but you can't run from the temple,' and a gentleman's revenge need not be sooner than ten years.

No need to argue over day and night at this critical moment."

"Then when the time comes I'll help you properly deal with her.

But you didn't let her take any advantage today, right?"

"Of course not!" Zhang Gui glared, declaring resolutely.

"If you say there's none, then there is none," Zhen Ciyun smiled faintly,

"By the way, when you just woke up and used 'Words Follow the Law' that was the technique you employed last time in Great Wolf Capital, helping Shi Jing dismember those frivolous rascals, right?

Even among the ancient sects of the Di Ku Jie, this secret method is not a Divine Ability that can be obtained easily.

In the future, unless you face a strong enemy, you really shouldn't use it lightly.

Especially in front of those ancient sect disciples."

"Are you afraid that I'm using a cow‑sized sword to kill a chicken, and that overuse will let others spot the flaw?"

"Rest assured, this method is my way of leveraging the mysterious…"

"You'd better not casually stir any mystery in front of those ancient sect disciples."

"My cultivation aptitude is extremely compatible; I was personally recruited by my master."

"I've studied the cultivation secret scriptures for over ten years, never daring to slack off a day, yet I remain stuck in old ways, finding obstacles hard to overcome."

"As a result, last time I 'saw with my own eyes' you cracking soybeans, linking to the mystery."

"On what grounds?"

"Just because you're a top figure in the Divine Path, and your inherited bloodline inherently carries mysteries?"

"Zhang Gui, any practitioner of the Immortal Path who sees someone like you would inevitably ask themselves this question."

"And the more outstanding among them, the more uneasy they feel."

"If I weren't enamored with you, I still couldn't help feeling this way."

"So you truly must follow 'showing prowess is less than hiding clumsiness,' understand?"

"The minority retreat principle, I understand."

Zhang Gui thought for a moment:

"Alright, no more idle chatter.

I'm feeling great now; let's go out and see the lanterns."

"My first visit to Jinling Du was on the fifteenth day of the new year; it would be a great regret not to see the lanterns."

"Alright then, let's set off right now.

I know which market's lanterns were the most exquisite in past years.

After we've seen them, we'll head over to the Da Hui Guan to find Shi Jing and have a proper good time together."

While Zhen Ciyun was speaking, the guestroom door was suddenly knocked.

"Sister, Zhang Gui is feeling better.

I've brought a basket of supplements, the best for nourishing spirit and boosting Qi.

Please open the door first."

Meanwhile, at a poor‑folk market called Qiu He Fang on the outskirts of Jinling Du,

the Shop Assistant Song San from Xiaoyao Ju finally finished work, strolling home with low spirits.

"Brother San, Brother San, look how bright my lantern is."

"Ah, Song San, you're off work, are you going to the outer courtyard to enjoy the lanterns later?"

"If you go, bring us along, will you?"

"Yeah, yeah, when Uncle Jiu Yang Shu, Peng Ge, and Chai Huo Ge go to the outer courtyard to see the lanterns,

we're playing with flowers and missed it."

Whenever familiar neighborhood kids meet him, none of them fails to greet him.

Some even smile and make their requests.

It shows that Song San is usually not quick‑tempered or meddlesome; rather, he's gentle and not good at refusing others.

"Well, okay then.

After I get home, wash my face, grab a few meat buns and head out, taking you to another market to see the lanterns,

"Brother San, I also want to eat meat buns, I also want to eat."

"Hu Gou Er, during the New Year, every household has a feast; now you still ask for Brother San's tasty food, aren't you ashamed?"

"Man Niu Zi, I myself ask for Brother San's meat buns; where did you show up!"

"Alright, alright."

During the first month of the year we must not quarrel, otherwise the whole year will be inauspicious.

Quick—spit, spit, spit, cough up a few mouthfuls of foam.

There are meat mantou as well.

Seeing the mischievous neighborhood kids bickering, Song San hurried to mediate.

And this commotion unexpectedly lifted his spirits, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face,

"Your Song Shen's noodle dumplings and meat mantou are a masterpiece; just wait for them."

As the words fell, the children erupted in a clamor.

Song San then quickened his steps toward the direction of his home.

Soon, using the simplest lanterns that the residents of the narrow alley had made and stuck into the door cracks,

whether they were tall cylinders or square ones, colorful lanterns, their light shining through.

Song San saw a figure he had been thinking of day and night walking toward him.

It left him stunned, not knowing how to express himself.

The figure drew nearer and, concerned, asked first, "Brother San, are you alright?"

"I—I'm fine, Jiao, Jiaojiao, I—I'm sorry to you today."

"You really acted wrongly today, treating me as someone else."

Standing in the dim Yellow light, Dan Jiaojiao lightly bit her lip,

"We both clearly come from hard‑up backgrounds.

You still have a mother who loves and protects you, willing to raise you to adulthood.

I, however, have been alone and destitute since childhood, surviving solely on my own.

I know that girls who show themselves publicly, doing odd jobs for the rich masters' sons, surely earn a bad reputation.

But what else can I do?

"Stop, Jiaojiao, it's my fault, it's my fault!

Earning money through my own hard work to support myself is not shameful at all!

I was confused today, babbling nonsense.

You know, I once mentioned a wife from a certain household.

She was my childhood sweetheart, but in the end she ran off with a rich master's son.

It planted a disease in my heart.

Today I even vented my anger onto you, which was absolutely unforgivable.

"I, I, I truly am not a man, not a man, not a man…"

The more he spoke, the sadder and more agitated he became; overwhelmed by guilt, Song San curled his arm around and delivered a heavy slap to his own face.

"I won't allow you to hit yourself like that."

Dan Jiaojiao stepped forward, grasped Song San's palm, and gently pressed it to her cheek,

"I won't blame you anymore."

Their skin touched, and Song San felt a sudden daze, as if all the blood in his body surged to his head.

Suddenly, he pulled Dan Jiaojiao into an embrace.

The shadow on the ground merged into her silhouette.

(End of chapter)