Chapter 115: Lin Xian'er

"I have troubled you quite enough for today, I shall take my leave."

After conversing with Tianji Laoren, Yu Liancheng had gained much, and he was just about to return to Xingyun Manor to properly digest it all, in hopes of advancing further on the path of martial arts.

Tianji Laoren had likewise gained a great deal, as the other's profound martial theories had deeply inspired him.

Meanwhile, Sun Tuozi beside them had long since fallen into a contemplative state, while Sun Xiaohong was yawning out of boredom.

"Wait a moment."

Seeing that Yu Liancheng was about to leave, Tianji Laoren called out, his brows knitting together: "You aren't planning to return to Xingyun Manor, are you?"

Yu Liancheng nodded and smiled: "That is exactly the plan. When it comes to food, clothing, housing, and transportation, I have never liked to shortchange myself. Since there is no place in Baoding City more comfortable than Xingyun Manor, I naturally intend to return there."

Tianji Laoren said: "But according to the information I have received, you have not only crippled the martial arts of Long Xiaoyun, but also offended the group led by Zhao Zhengyi. Early this morning, they already sent people to invite experts to deal with you."

"Oh?" Yu Liancheng raised an eyebrow, intrigued: "I wonder which experts?"

Tianji Laoren pondered and said: "There is the one known as 'Cloud-Touching Hand' Gongsun Moyun, and also Tian Qi, who 'suppresses the world with a single staff, and settles the universe with three iron gallstones'."

Yu Liancheng chuckled: "The titles of these two are truly quite intimidating."

"Although these two have some ability, they really don't count for much in your eyes. The ones you truly need to watch out for are two others." Tianji Laoren's tone grew a bit more serious.

"I wonder which two?"

"Master Tie Di and Xinmeidashi of Shaolin; the martial arts of these two are already enough to be ranked in the Weapon Manual."

Tianji Laoren said gravely: "Tian Qi, Gongsun Moyun, and Zhao Zhengyi are birds of a feather, so it is no surprise they were invited. But Master Tie Di prides himself on his lofty character, and Xinmeidashi is even more of an outsider, a Divine Monk of Shaolin—I truly do not know how they managed to invite these two."

Tianji Laoren did not understand the reason behind this.

But Yu Liancheng had already guessed it.

Long Xiaoyun and the others had merely told Tie Di and Xinmei that they had found the trail of the Plum Blossom Thief, but because their own cultivation was insufficient, they were unable to capture the thief.

Naturally, the title of this Plum Blossom Thief had been pinned on Yu Liancheng.

"You must especially watch out for Xinmeidashi; he is one of the seven great high monks of Shaolin. Even if your martial arts surpass his, try your best not to injure him. If something were to happen to Xinmei, I fear the entire Shaolin Temple would not let it rest. In recent years, although Shaolin Temple has declined, the seven high monks of the 'Xin' generation all possess extraordinary, unique martial arts; it is only because they are outsiders that they were not listed in the Weapon Manual."

"Monk Xinmei? Very well, I shall wait for him." Yu Liancheng cupped his hands toward Tianji Laoren: "Many thanks for the warning, old sir. I shall take my leave."

Having said this, he turned and stepped out of the Chicken Feather Shop, striding away.

"What a strange man." Sun Xiaohong watched Yu Liancheng's retreating figure and muttered to herself.

Living under the same roof as a group of people who hold a grudge against you—even if one isn't afraid of being plotted against, wouldn't it still feel awkward?

Tianji Laoren lit a dry tobacco pipe, his brows slightly furrowed, the faint light of the tobacco glowing and fading in the small shop.

……

…………

In reality, Yu Liancheng did not feel awkward at all; on the contrary, he found it quite interesting.

Especially when it came to Long Xiaoyun, Zhao Zhengyi, and the others, who clearly hated him to death, yet treated him with the filial piety due a father the moment they saw him—Yu Liancheng found that exceptionally amusing.

Yu Liancheng was currently staying in Tingzhu Pavilion.

Whenever the wind blew through the bamboo forest, creating a sound like crashing waves, it always made one feel a sense of desolation.

At this moment, Yu Liancheng sat cross-legged, merging and mastering the "Tianji Myriad Changes" of Tianji Laoren with his own insights; his mind was clear, and his Qi was ethereal and unpredictable.

Time passed quickly. By noon, a light sound of footsteps arose, followed by a knock on the door: "Young Master, I have come to bring you your lunch."

This voice was incomparably charming and truly pleasant to the ear; even using the phrase "an oriole singing in the valley" to describe it would be an insult to her.

"Come in," Yu Liancheng said indifferently.

With a creak, the door was pushed open. Those light footsteps stepped into the room, followed by the sound of a tray being placed on the table.

But the footsteps did not leave; instead, wisps of sweetness drifted to the tip of Yu Liancheng's nose.

This faint, sweet scent was very pleasant and fragrant, enough to make one imagine that its owner must be a beauty.

But Yu Liancheng did not open his eyes until his True Qi had circulated through his body for several cycles, at which point he slowly opened them.

And the moment he opened his eyes, he saw a face so beautiful it was almost suffocating, paired with that sweet smile—it was truly soul-stirring, making one afraid to look directly at her.

With a face like this, even if her figure were plain, it would be enough to drive many men to madness.

What's more, this woman's figure was also near-perfect, with a curvaceous frame and skin like snow. There was not a single part of her that was not beautiful, not a single part that did not stir the heart.

Yu Liancheng was by no means a righteous gentleman who could remain unmoved in the presence of a woman; encountering such a beautiful woman, he could not help but have some wandering thoughts.

But toward this stunning beauty before him, he was unexpectedly able to remain calm—a calmness bordering on still water.

Because he knew that although this woman was as beautiful as a fairy, she often sent men to hell.

"You are Lin Xian'er?"

Yu Liancheng looked at the woman with indifference.

His gaze was neither sharp nor profound, yet it seemed to possess a strange power, as if it could see into Lin Xian'er's heart, making her feel a chill—a chill that seemed to reach her very marrow, as if someone had used a sharp sword to dissect her entire being.

"It is this humble one."

On Lin Xian'er's flawless, beautiful face, there was a moving, sweet smile.

The more terrifying the person she encountered, the more adorably she would smile.

This was the first weapon she used to deal with men, and she had already become extremely skilled and effective at using it.

Yet this weapon seemed to have no effect on Yu Liancheng at all. He waved his hand as if shooing away a fly: "Since the food has been delivered, you may leave now."

Lin Xian'er lowered her head, biting her lip as she said: "But Xian'er... but Xian'er wanted to watch you finish the meal. Xian'er rarely cooks for anyone..."

Yu Liancheng cut her off: "You cooked this meal?"

Lin Xian'er's cheeks flushed red, and she nodded: "I have long heard of the Young Master's great name and felt admiration in my heart. So, as soon as I heard you had arrived, Xian'er spent the entire morning preparing this table of wine and food for you."

Yu Liancheng raised an eyebrow: "Oh? You just heard of my name?"

Lin Xian'er seemed even more shy; her cheeks grew redder and her head lowered further, her slender fingers fiddling with her lapel: "The Young Master's great name has long spread throughout the martial arts world; even a person without ears should know the Young Master's name. Since I was young, I have admired heroes like the Young Master, and the Young Master also has the Golden Silk Armor in his possession..."

……

PS: A surprise today, Sanjiang next week.