Chapter 337: The One in My Heart

The forest was deep and secluded, untouched by sunlight.

The ground was covered in thick, fallen leaves and ice and snow that had not yet fully melted.

Stepping on them produced a crunching sound.

In this silent mountain forest, it sounded exceptionally clear.

Occasionally, a squirrel would flash across the ancient trees in the forest without making a sound.

The group lowered their voices as they spoke, as if afraid of disturbing something in this ancient mountain forest.

Xu Ziyin followed at the very back, remaining silent for a long time before she finally spoke to ask a question.

Because the build and back of this frivolous-talking Young Master before her both made her unable to stop herself from thinking of a certain scoundrel.

Of course, that scoundrel was far more handsome and imposing than this fellow in front of her.

She had gone to the Inner City several times but never saw him, and she had heard that he had been seduced by his sister-in-law and was keeping mistresses in many places in the Inner City, raising many noble Young Ladies.

She went to Chujian Bookstore, then to Daguanyuan, and after looking at those charming and delicate noble Young Ladies, she left in silence.

Finally, she went to Bao'an Hall.

The moment she walked out of Bao'an Hall, she suddenly understood that perhaps there was nothing about her worth that scoundrel sparing a second glance.

Therefore, she decided to cultivate diligently.

At the very least, she had some talent in this area, and in this, she was surely stronger than those women.

Once she became powerful in the future, she would naturally have value.

So, she returned to the sect and volunteered to join this team heading to the Daughter Kingdom.

Although she was well aware that more than half of this team died every year, and sometimes the entire group was wiped out.

After leaving Lin'an City, she tried her best to temporarily forget that figure.

But for some reason, looking at this posturing, damned Young Master along the way always made her unable to stop herself from thinking of him again.

Judging by his accent, he was also from Lin'an City.

So she endured for a long time, but finally could not help asking: "Where are you from? Are you from Lin'an City?"

He turned his head, his gaze still frivolously and rudely scanning her face, chest, waist, and under her skirt, and said: "That's right, a genuine Lin'an native."

Then he began to boast: "Miss Xu, my family is very wealthy. In the Inner City, the Outer City, and other cities, my family has businesses everywhere. My family's silver fills our rooms; the entire mansion can barely hold it all. Even our old steward, if he just shakes his sleeves, a few thousand taels of silver will fall out. Even the Young Maids in my mansion usually use the most expensive rouge and powder, and eat the finest delicacies..."

Yang Yan, standing to the side, held back his laughter.

A look of impatience appeared on Xu Ziyin's face, and without waiting for him to finish, she cut him off: "So you're considered a somebody in Lin'an City?"

"Of course. In Lin'an City, there is no one who doesn't know me. Although I am usually very low-key, my status and wealth are there, so I can't be low-key even if I want to."

"How do you compare to the Duke's mansion?"

"The... the Duke's mansion?"

Seeing his expression change, a hint of mockery appeared in Xu Ziyin's eyes: "Didn't you say your family was very powerful? Is it even more powerful than the Duke's mansion?"

Luo Zijun gave a dry laugh: "Miss Xu is joking. My family just has money; how can wealthy people compare to those with power, especially the grand Duke's mansion?"

Speaking of this, he could not help but sigh and say: "A merchant is a merchant after all. Even with a fortune, it cannot withstand a single finger from those with power. If they just flick a finger, we are reduced to dust."

Xu Ziyin snorted coldly: "Didn't you just boast about how impressive your status and position were?"

Luo Zijun gave a bitter smile: "That is for ordinary people, but in front of those with power, it is worthless. Has the young lady not heard the saying? Ordinary people are the cattle and horses of the wealthy, and the wealthy are the slaves of those in power."

"You do have self-awareness."

Xu Ziyin had not initiated the conversation for this reason, but seeing the topic had reached this point, she took the opportunity to ask: "Since your family is so wealthy, you must often come into contact with big figures, right? Have you heard of that Matrilocal Son-in-law of the Bai Family?"

"That Matrilocal Son-in-law of the Bai Family? Does the young lady mean that dashing, talented, handsome, and suave fellow named Luo Zijun?"

Luo Zijun wore an expression of surprise: "Why is the young lady asking about that guy?"

Xu Ziyin said with a cold, pretty face: "I've heard many things about him recently, and I don't know if they are true."

Luo Zijun said: "The matter of seducing his sister-in-law?"

Xu Ziyin looked at him coldly and said: "Are you sure everything you heard is true?"

Luo Zijun was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Xu Ziyin snorted coldly and said: "You just said yourself that the fellow is dashing, talented, and handsome. I heard he is now a favorite official of the Queen, and so many noble Young Ladies outside are throwing themselves at him. Do you think he would do something like seducing his sister-in-law?"

Luo Zijun said: "So Miss Xu thinks this matter is false?"

Xu Ziyin was silent for a moment and said: "I think it must have been that shameless sister-in-law of his who seduced him."

Luo Zijun: "..."

Xu Ziyin looked at him and said: "Have you met him?"

Luo Zijun nodded and said: "I saw him from afar once. Actually, he isn't as handsome and suave as the legends say; he looks weak and delicate, like a dull bookworm."

Xu Ziyin's eyes widened, and she said angrily: "You're the dull bookworm! Why don't you take a mirror and look at yourself? Look at what you look like! If it weren't for your money, even a stray dog on the side of the road wouldn't spare you a glance! His handsomeness is known to all and plain for all to see. You're an ugly monster yourself, yet you dare say he isn't handsome? Are you just envious, jealous, and hateful?"

Luo Zijun was speechless: "Miss Xu, can we just talk without resorting to verbal attacks?"

Xu Ziyin's face was full of anger, and she ignored him further.

Luo Zijun looked at her a few more times and said: "Miss Xu, I was just casually commenting on that Young Master Luo. You are so agitated, could it be..."

"You aren't qualified!"

Xu Ziyin looked at him coldly and said: "You are neither as handsome as him, nor as talented, nor as high-ranking, nor as charming. What right do you have to comment on him? Also, you called him weak and a dull bookworm—well, let me tell you, he could make you kneel and beg for mercy with just one finger!"

Luo Zijun looked at her suspiciously and said: "Miss Xu is so familiar with that Young Master Luo; could it be that you know him?"

Xu Ziyin did not speak again, and a hint of desolation seemed to appear in her dark eyes.

After a long while, she said coldly: "I don't know him. He is a person from the Duke's mansion and a favorite official by the Queen's side. What virtue or ability do I have to know him?"

Luo Zijun looked at her again and said: "That's true. I heard that fellow is extremely lecherous. He has the Bai Family Eldest Miss, yet he still carries on with the Bai Family Third Miss. I heard he even keeps mistresses outside and raises quite a few lovers. By the way, I also heard that fellow has special fetishes, tsk tsk... It's fortunate that Miss Xu doesn't know him, otherwise, given Miss Xu's beauty and figure, and..."

Speaking of this, his gaze flicked toward the small feet under her red skirt.

A flash of anger surged onto Xu Ziyin's pretty face again, and she glared at him: "I said, it must have been the Bai Family Second Miss who seduced him! As for those women outside, hmph, those are all noble Young Ladies; it's obvious they also seduced him actively. This just goes to show his charm, which you couldn't compare to in several lifetimes!"

Luo Zijun said, "I heard that guy even has a peculiar hobby; he likes women's..."

Xu Ziyin immediately scoffed, "So what if he likes women's feet? In ancient times, so many scholars and poets wrote so many poems and painted so many paintings about women's feet. Only a true man of talent would fear no worldly judgment and do what he likes. He expresses it openly and honestly; he is a true gentleman and man of talent, unlike some people who are hypocritical, lecherous, and full of malice, yet hide it secretly in their hearts, afraid to let anyone know."

Luo Zijun said, "Miss Xu, actually... I also like women's feet."

Xu Ziyin looked at him with disdain, "You are not worthy!"

Luo Zijun: "... But I am also open and honest, and I said it out loud. I also do not fear worldly judgment, so shouldn't I also count as a true man of talent and a gentleman?"

"You are not worthy!"

Xu Ziyin repeated the same words, her eyes full of undisguised disdain and disgust.

Luo Zijun spread his hands, "Miss Xu, isn't this too unfair? Why is it that when he likes women's feet, he is a gentleman and a man of talent, but I am not worthy?"

"You are just not worthy."

Xu Ziyin ignored him further and walked straight ahead, her red cloak behind her tracing a beautiful color through the dim forest.

Yang Yan was laughing so hard on the side he was about to fall over.

Luo Zijun leaned in close to him and whispered, "Yang Shixiong, could your junior sister's sweetheart be..."

Yang Yan shook his head and said, "Don't ask me, I don't know either."

They traveled through the forest along the way.

From morning until night, when they looked up, the sky had already turned black.

Although everyone was a martial artist with good stamina, climbing the mountain without a moment's rest while also guarding against Demon Beasts that could appear at any time meant they were all somewhat exhausted now.

Naturally, they were also hungry.

Many Demon Beasts are hidden within Cangyun Mountain, and the further in one goes, the more dangerous it becomes.

Therefore, they must maintain their best physical and mental state at all times.

Under the orders of the little girl with twin ponytails, Wang Qiangzhuang, everyone stopped, found an open space on a hillside, took out their equipment, sat down to rest, and ate the dry rations they carried with them.

"Rest for one hour, then continue on our way."

It seems this little girl captain has no intention of letting them sleep here.