Chapter 175: Hero's Invitation

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

The carriage procession moved along Bai Shi Street and soon arrived at Zheng'an Street.

Inside the spacious carriage, three young women sat side by side on the main seat, centered on the princess dressed in mourning clothes, with two fingers held up on either side, maintaining their smiles.

Xie Jinhuan sat on the ground at the carriage entrance, a small table before him holding white paper, using a hard brush to sketch a group portrait of the three.

Though limited by ink and brush, resulting in a black-and-white scroll, Xie Jinhuan had opened books at age three and somehow managed to draw with a comic-book feel.

The fullness and texture of the princess and Naiduo were astonishing, Linghu Qingmo's slender figure was unmistakably rendered, and even the reflective sheen of the horse-face skirt's embroidery under the lamplight was captured.

The only regret was that it wasn't good to have the three lean together, both hands making a 'peace sign~'.

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

To keep the three from holding their pose too long, Xie Jinhuan drew quite quickly, but just as he was nearly finished, he suddenly noticed the imposing Ghost Bride, clad in a fiery red long dress, wearing a golden dragon hair ornament, her demeanor like an empress atop a mountain peak, sitting on the side observing, her profile composition extremely beautiful...

?

Xie Jinhuan's brush paused; he somewhat wanted to include her, but including her would turn it into a supernatural event, so for now he could only feel apologetic and quickly completed the group portrait of the three.

Seeing Xie Jinhuan finish, Linghu Qingmo quickly lowered her fingers, came forward to take the scroll and examine it, then gave a slight nod of approval in her eyes, looking somewhat embarrassed:

"Why did you paint me so beautiful?"

"You are already that beautiful; I've only captured seventy percent of the feeling."

Princess Changning came forward to admire it closely; for some reason, she felt the style was a bit 'erotic', emphasizing fleshiness and sensuality, even rendering the subtle creases of the full bodice; she looked down at herself:

"Am I really this big? And Qingmo's buttocks..."

Duoduo's eyes sparkled brightly: "Yes, exactly so; Young Master Xie's eyes are like a ruler!"

Xie Jinhuan said modestly, "I am a martial artist; having keen eyesight is quite normal."

Princess Changning liked this painting very much, carefully put it away, then glanced out the window:

"We've arrived; Duoduo, you take Young Master Xie to see the new residence."

"Okay~" Duoduo quickly stood up.

Linghu Qingmo had been busy with official matters these days and hadn't gone to see it either, but she felt it improper to stick to a man's heels, so she interjected:

"You go ahead first; I'll escort the princess back to the Wang Fu, and I'll come over later."

"Alright."

—

The new residence was only a few hundred meters from the Wang Fu; it was now mostly cleaned up, with a gilded plaque reading 'Marquis of Danyang' hanging at the entrance, and two stone lions crouching on either side of the vermilion-painted main gate; though its scale couldn't compare to the Wang Fu, it far exceeded that of ordinary households.

Xie Jinhuan walked along the street toward the new residence, catching sight of the grand house from afar; he felt quite surprised, since according to the imperial court's standards for enfeoffment rewards, the house wouldn't be this large, nor would it be on Zheng'an Street where dukes and marquises clustered; the landlady must have slipped some silver behind the scenes to swap for a better one.

Xie Jinhuan had previously lived in a two-courtyard house and was still pondering where to find servants and stewards, but then Duoduo, radiating a milky fragrance, came close, hugging his arm like a concubine supporting her master:

"My Lord~ The trivial matters of the new residence, this servant has already handled for you; in the future, I hope My Lord won't disdain this servant~..."

?

Xie Jinhuan turned back to glance and saw the procession had already entered the gate, so he breathed a sigh of relief, took a small pouch from his robe:

"You've worked hard. This is for you; don't disdain it."

"Oh~"

Duoduo's eyes lit up with surprise; she initially raised her hand to receive it, but after a moment's thought, she hugged her arm again and lifted her bodice:

"When My Lord rewards this servant, how can one hand it over with hands? In the future, My Lord must be more domineering."

Xie Jinhuan looked left and right along the street:

"This doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

"Then let me open it for My Lord..."

"Hey!"

Seeing Duoduo, without another word, hook her collar to show him her snow-white cleavage, Xie Jinhuan hurriedly stuffed the pouch inside:

"Alright, alright, it's on the main street; what if someone sees..."

"Hehe~ Thank you, Marquis Xie, for the reward~"

The two proceeded thus, and in a short while they arrived outside the main gate.

Xie Jinhuan had intended to give a red envelope to the Wu Zu guarding the gate, but looking up, he saw a figure standing before the gate, speaking with the Wu Zu about something.

Xie Jinhuan glanced over and saw the visitor wore a black robe with a sword hanging at his waist; it was Wei Lu, grandson of Wei Wu Yi, whose demeanor now possessed a certain cold, young hero's charm; one didn't know how long he had been practicing at home...

Xie Jinhuan and Wei Lu had met by chance, with a connection of borrowing a sword once, but they weren't yet close friends; seeing Wei Lu's situation, it seemed he was waiting specifically for him, so Xie Jinhuan handed his umbrella to Duoduo, approached the gate, and bowed with clasped hands:

"Brother Wei, why are you waiting here?"

Wei Lu had come to the capital to pay birthday respects to the Empress, but as he paid them, the person vanished; now there was a hint of sighing between his brows as he clasped his hands and returned the bow:

"Today, news came from the mountain, asking me to deliver an invitation to Brother Xie; I didn't know where Brother Xie lived, so I came to inquire..."

An invitation?

Xie Jinhuan felt somewhat puzzled and raised his hand:

"Brother Wei, please come inside first."

"Hey, we are both people of the Jianghu; no need for such formality."

While speaking, Wei Lu took a golden invitation from his sleeve:

"My grandfather is advanced in years and plans to hold a 'Hero Gathering' at Sanjiangkou on the day of Li Dong this month, widely inviting heroes of the Jianghu to attend and discuss the selection of the next alliance leader. Young Master Xie is a person of the martial arts world and possesses great talent; we hope you will honor us with your presence then."

Duoduo stood at his side; hearing this, her eyes brightened slightly:

"A martial arts tournament?"

Wei Lu nodded: "Yes; at that time, the Geda Sect will compete in martial arts; my grandfather will offer a stalk of 'Hu Gu Teng' as the prize!"

"Wow..."

Duoduo felt the Princess should enjoy this liveliness.

Xie Jinhuan looked at the 'Hero's Invitation', feeling a bit puzzled in his heart.

After all, the Qian Emperor had just passed away during the day, yet by night the Xueying Ridge was already organizing a Hero's Assembly; this certainly had a purpose.

As the number one martial artist of Great Qian, Wei Wu Yi had long been revered as the 'Martial Alliance Leader' of the Southern Jianghu.

But in reality, the Dengjiao Sects of Dao, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Mohism paid no heed to Wei Wu Yi's whims; martial sects only gave him face, and in true matters still listened to Lu Wu Zhen, after all, he was the legitimate spokesperson authorized by the imperial court, possessing legal authority to supervise the world, and disobedience meant being labeled a demonic heretic.

Wei Wu Yi certainly wanted, like Lu Wu Zhen, to become the leader of the righteous path, supervise the hundred schools and sects, and stand on equal footing with the Daoist sect.

But during the Qian Emperor's twenty-year reign, he revered the Daoist sect and never granted Wei Wu Yi this right; even now that power had been delegated to Monk Wuxin, it still hadn't been given to him.

Now that the Qian Emperor has passed and the Crown Prince ascends, there is clearly an opportunity.

Hearing the news, Wei Wu Yi hurriedly organized the Hero's Assembly at Sanjiangkou; whether to show the new ruler his influence or to pressure the Dao and Buddhist sects, the goal was to secure the qualification of spokesperson, wanting three-way co-rule.

Normally, for a Jianghu gathering of this caliber, only sect masters are qualified to receive the 'Hero's Invitation'.

Xie Jinhuan is a scattered martial artist, yet Wei Lu specifically sent him an invitation, which fully demonstrates respect.

Moreover, for such a good thing, he indeed wanted to go.

Reputation aside, Hu Gu Teng and Feng Yu Cao are sister immortal herbs; the main ingredients for refining the 'Po Sha Dan', one Rank 1 pill guarantees entry into Super Rank, while a Super Rank pill washes the bones and marrow; the difference between them is only that one focuses on the physical body, the other on the soul and spirit.

Their value can be glimpsed simply by seeing how Mount Zihui and Queyue Villa tore each other apart over a single Feng Yu Cao.

The banner Wei Wu Yi raised was to discuss the next Alliance Leader; with Super Rank ancestors present, they couldn't possibly lose face and personally descend to the arena to fight for the treasure.

For this reason, those capable of snatching this item are all minor sect masters below Super Rank or high disciples of various sects.

Xie Jinhuan's martial arts specialize in killing martial artists, plus his current 'Full Demon Body', he is confident he can suppress martial artists from the early to mid stages of Rank 1, but encountering a late-stage Rank 1 opponent, he would be swept aside by 'one force overcoming ten skills'.

For this reason, to want to go, he must still raise his cultivation, at least touch the Rank 1 threshold, or even cross into Rank 1...

Li Dong is in late September, there are still nine days, hmm...

Nine days...

Xie Jinhuan pondered for a moment, felt there was a tiny bit of difficulty, and put away the invitation:

"Should there be no official business at that time, I, Xie, will certainly arrive."

Wei Lu clasped his fists and said, "Then I, Wei Mou, will return first, and personally welcome Brother Xie when the time comes."

"Too polite."

——

Shortly after.

Xie Jinhuan saw Wei Lu off, then followed Naiduo into the new residence; along the way he observed, seeing artificial hills, pavilions, and lakes all present, shifting scenery with every step, architecture meticulously crafted, and the privacy of the inner quarters was impeccable.

After sending her best friend back, Linghu Qingmo also ran over; at this moment walking by his side, holding the invitation to examine:

"I haven't attended such an occasion yet..."

"I haven't either; shall we go together then?"

"Hmm... we'll see then..."

Duoduo walked to the back; because Miss Linghu was present, she couldn't take advantage anymore; after following around for a while, perhaps not wanting to disturb the Old Master's favoring of the tall, cold Second Lady, she quietly slowed her pace, then stopped at the corridor corner.

Xie Jinhuan glanced back, feeling Naiduo was truly sensible, and accompanied her to the main room of the inner quarters.

The main room has two floors, with a spacious hall in the middle having a high ceiling; a plaque reading 'Upright Gentleman' hangs in the central hall, with study, bedroom, and side rooms on the left and right, plus east and west wings outside; such a residence couldn't even be filled by three wives, four concubines, and five chambermaids...

Xie Jinhuan looked around, very satisfied; seeing Seeing Mo Mo still looking at the Hero's Invitation, he walked to the multi-treasure shelf, picked up a bamboo flute, and brought it to his lips:

"Dudu~~ Du~~..."

A tune full of Jianghu spirit instantly rang out from the silent new residence.

Linghu Qingmo was pondering what the scene at Sanjiangkou would be like; hearing the flute sound, she clearly paused.

Lifting her eyes to look, she saw the night rain outside the window was slightly cool, and a dim yellow firelight illuminated the spacious hall.

A cold Young Master in white robes stood at the hall entrance holding a jade flute; behind him was the 'Upright Gentleman' plaque, outside was the rustling rain curtain and landscape courtyard, his whole body radiating a carefree yet lonely vibe of a Jianghu night rain...

Linghu Qingmo knew Xie Jinhuan was posing, but still thought he was very handsome; she walked quietly to the front, glancing secretly at Xie Jinhuan's profile.

Noticing Xie Jinhuan glanced at her, she quickly turned her gaze away, held the invitation behind her back with both hands, tapped her toe lightly, and feigned a bored waiting posture.

"Dudu~..."

After finishing a song, Xie Jinhuan nodded slightly:

"This flute is good; the price must not be cheap. How about I teach you to play the flute?"

Because her master very much liked Su Boyu's zither music, Linghu Qingmo had been exposed to it since childhood and actually knew a little, just not as hardworking as Xie Jinhuan; seeing this, she blinked her eyes:

"Hmm... that works. Eh? What are you doing?"

As soon as the words fell, she was pulled to the front; two arms wrapped around from her sides, the flute was brought to her lips, and a clear voice sounded by her ear:

"Hold it."

Play it like this?

Linghu Qingmo's face flushed red, a bit nervous, but Xie Jinhuan blocked her from running; finally, she picked up the bamboo flute, brought it to her red lips, and tried to learn the song from just now.

"Dudu~~"

"Yo, such a good memory; truly my big Seeing Mo Mo who is as smart as ice and snow..."

"..."

Linghu Qingmo's face turned red; she gently squeezed the person behind her with her shoulder; only after the song ended did she turn around:

"How was it... huh?"

In the spacious courtyard, a single lamp burned like a bean; a man and woman stood before the courtyard.

The woman held the bamboo flute against her chest, leaning back and looking up; the man held her lips with his mouth, his hand supporting her chin so she couldn't pull back, his arm around her waist preventing escape; only the shimmering horse-face skirt swayed a few times.

Zizi~

After that brief moment, the woman raised the bamboo flute and gave the man's head a light tap:

Dong~

But unfortunately the man was unmoved. The woman had no choice but to close her eyes, put on an angry look, and silently endure...

(End of chapter)