Chapter 48: Spring Literary Assembly 1

Spring Literary Assembly?

Even though Ling Yan was terrified to the extreme, she never imagined that Yan Buji's purpose was actually for a literary gathering?

This...

Ling Yan looked at Yan Buji's solemn face and naturally didn't dare ask further.

"Then tonight...."

"Hehe, Miss, just sleep at the side. Rest assured, I only want to safely reach the Spring Literary Assembly; during this time I won't do anything to Miss. On the contrary, Miss can still trust me; otherwise, how could I have stayed in Lin Shan Cheng for twenty years?"

Ling Yan gritted her teeth, suddenly undergoing such a huge change; for a moment, even though she was clever as ice and snow, she couldn't fathom Yan Buji's thoughts.

Seeing him like this, he truly had no intention of leaving his room; immediately she dared not fall asleep easily, fearing she would encounter something evil.

However, after seeing Yan Buji sitting by the bed on his own, beginning to meditate and regulate his breath, Ling Yan's troubled spirit gradually calmed.

That night, naturally could not be called a good sleep.

The next day.

Ling Yan got up and discovered that Yan Buji by the bedside had vanished; she just breathed a sigh of relief when she suddenly heard shouting from outside the door:

"Miss, will you be attending the Spring Literary Assembly today?"

"I...."

"The carriage is already prepared; if you're not going, you should let us know in advance."

"Go.... I'll go then."

Ling Yan took a deep breath, wishing dearly that what happened last night was just a nightmare.

But after dressing, when she came to the rear courtyard and saw the coachman on the carriage, Ling Yan's expression suddenly changed dramatically.

"Miss, what's wrong?" Zhong Shifu asked from the side.

"Uncle Zhong, I just remembered.... oh no, let's go."

Zhong Shifu wore a strange expression; seeing the missus so unusually agitated this morning, could it be that last night's nightmare made her paranoid and suspicious?

Around, several guards and maidservants followed the carriage, heading all the way out of the city.

Yingchun Gu is not far from Huanglong Cheng; this valley is each year a tourist spot of the Kun Dao Dynasty, with mountains covered in flowers, rushing rivers, and with the Spring Literary Assembly held here, it becomes a favorite place for those who affect elegance.

However, before reaching Yingchun Gu, officials nearby had already deployed heavy troops to guard and inspect passersby, showing that scholars hold high status in the Kun Dao Dynasty.

"Halt, those ahead, get off the carriage!"

"It turns out to be the Ling family's carriage; I wonder if the lady inside is Miss Ling of the Ling family?"

"It's me; do you want me to get down?"

"No need, no need, please come this way, gentlemen; however, your guards may not bring weapons into the valley; if you have any, please hand them over to us for safekeeping." The officials said with beaming smiles.

"Hmm, Uncle Zhong, are you carrying weapons?"

"No, Miss."

"Sirs, my guards have no weapons; please be accommodating."

Zhong Shifu also knew this, so he hurried forward and subtly dropped a money pouch.

The officials' eyes shifted; they stepped on the money pouch with their feet and said, "Miss Ling, please this way."

"Thank you, sirs."

All along the way, the Ling family had considerable fame nearby; they also encountered many scholars in blue robes carrying swords, since swords are ritual implements, if unsealed they can be worn, which is also a refined pastime for literati.

These scholars, upon seeing the Ling family's convoy, brightened and wanted to step forward to chat, but were stopped by Zhong Shifu and his entourage; after a few words they left resentfully.

Yan Buji sat quietly driving the carriage at the front; as for identity, it didn't matter—the coachman had been swapped for someone nobody objected to.

As for strength, Yan Buji wasn't worried that a few half-step grandmasters could notice anything unusual.

"Isn't this the Ling family's carriage? May I ask who the owner inside is—could it be Miss Ling Yan of the Ling family?"

A scholar carrying a book rode in on a donkey, his manner unrestrained, his hair messy as if he'd had some drink, quite unlike the surrounding scholars.

Zhong Shifu's eyes lit up; he clasped his hands and said, "So it's the Drunken Flower Hermit, Mr. Liu Feng—my apologies. Our miss is indeed here; may I ask if you have any advice?"

"Hahaha, I dare not presume to give instruction. I've heard that the Ling family miss is as beautiful as a celestial maiden, with a slender figure; this commoner of mine can't restrain his curiosity and just wants to take a look."

Zhong Shifu's face darkened, about to speak.

Ling Yan suddenly said, "Mr. Liu is quite refined, but I, a humble woman, am not worthy of your affection; if we have the chance, let's meet again in the valley."

"Then it's Liu Mou who was abrupt, hahaha—Miss, if you have any trouble, please come find me!" Liu Feng said, then glanced at Yan Buji.

Yan Buji felt a stir in his heart, sensing something off.

What's the deal with this literati?

He had also heard the name Liu Feng; since childhood he'd studied the classics diligently, and at twenty he became a recommended candidate, yet instead of advancing further he wandered among mountains and waters, composing many widely beloved classic poems.

Even if many officials wanted to befriend him, they still had to gauge his mood; he is indeed a unique literati.

But looking at him now, he seems not so simple.

The key is that Yan Buji didn't detect any hidden strength in him, which only made Yan Buji more hesitant.

"He's not the person I'm looking for; I hope he doesn't come bother me." Yan Buji thought to himself.

Soon, the carriage arrived outside the valley, where many carriages were parked in a shed to one side.

Ling Yan got off the carriage and saw Yan Buji proactively drive the carriage over; her heart sank even more.

She also didn't know what Yan Buji intended to do after entering the Spring Literary Assembly, but for now she had brought him here; if anything went wrong, she couldn't escape!

"Miss, what's wrong?"

"Nothing.... let's go."

"Alright."

Zhong Shifu found it a bit odd, but didn't think much of it.

On the other side, after parking the carriage, Yan Buji saw a group of idle coachmen nearby drinking lightly, with no interest in joining them.

The wounds on his body ached faintly; this was a serious injury he had rarely suffered in twenty years!

His qi and blood were turbulent, and adding the backlash of the Xuè Shā Dān, although the Guān Tiān Dēng Mó Zhuàng had resolved much of it, great risk still remained.

"Fortunately I have comprehended the flower-pattern profound skill from the Profound Accumulation Secret Order, which separates the two internal arts; otherwise, relying solely on the Blood Essence Skill, I could not have survived in the hands of the Kūn Gate Master. Moreover, precisely because I have the Guān Tiān Dēng Mó Zhuàng, the backlash of the Blood Essence Skill is actually smaller than I imagined."

Yan Buji took a deep breath; despite many mishaps, he had still arrived at the Spring Literary Assembly. This is what happens after thorough preparation—even if an accident occurs, he can have a backup plan.

Even though this backup plan is fraught with risk, Yan Buji dares to guarantee that Ling Yan could not possibly reveal his identity openly!

Among those present, who could be his opponent?!

Even if there were, would such a person truly be willing to fight him to the death?

As for the immortals?

Such people would be even less likely to attend a mortal gathering—this would simply be a loss of status!

However, the danger is great; the most important variable is that he still hasn't found the person he seeks!

As long as he finds him, all the hardship of these twenty years will not have been in vain!