Chapter 57

"Miss, let's go."

A-Zhu tugged at Wang Wang Wang Yuyan's sleeve, prompting the latter to finally withdraw her gaze from the location of the Central Plains Escort Agency.

Wang Wang Wang Yuyan looked at A-Zhu in confusion: "What is it?"

A-Zhu jerked her chin in the direction of South South Murong Fu.

Wang Wang Wang Yuyan's willow-like brows furrowed slightly: "What's wrong with my cousin again? Storming off in a rage; who angered him this time?"

A-Zhu and A-Bi exchanged a glance, then shook their heads in unison: "We don't know; let's catch up quickly."

Wang Wang Wang Yuyan sighed and gave a slight nod of her head.

The departing figures of the three women were naturally captured by Jiang Sishui as well.

Or rather, he had noticed them long ago.

After all, the Immortal Sister's appearance and temperament were so outstanding and otherworldly that she stood out in a crowd like a crane among chickens, making it difficult for anyone not to notice her.

"Strange, why does it feel like Wang Wang Wang Yuyan's heart isn't on South South Murong Fu? Could it be that in this world, she has not fallen in love with him?"

Because the distance was too great, Jiang Sishui could not make out Wang Wang Wang Yuyan's expression clearly, but the fact that she didn't even notice South South Murong Fu leaving obviously meant her full attention was not on him.

This was vastly inconsistent with the original story; how could Jiang Sishui not overthink it?

If this were truly the case, the difficulty of his plan to win over Wang Wang Wang Yuyan would plummet off a cliff!

Thinking of this, Jiang Sishui couldn't help but feel a surge of delight.

"Oh my! Brother Shen, fortunately you arrived in time; otherwise, you would never have seen your brother again!"

Tang Tang Tang Bohu sheathed his Overlord Spear and came trotting over cheerfully.

The white-clad swordsman smiled faintly: "How could I not see you? If I had arrived a bit later, at most I would have brought a roasted chicken and two jars of wine when coming to view your body."

"Should I also bring two incense sticks and several stacks of spirit money?"

"Mm~ if you wish, I am not unable to consider it."

"Hiss—Brother Shen, you must be trying to anger me to death so you can inherit my eight wives!"

"Your eight wives? Forget it then; I would rather we switch places—I'll lie down and rest while you bring me roasted chicken and wine; as for incense and spirit money, those won't be necessary."

"..."

"Brother Tang, what is with that expression? If you have something to say, just speak freely."

"This humble one does have something to say, but cannot bring himself to say it."

"Why can you not say it?"

"Because you currently do not meet the conditions."

"Oh? What is it? Feel free to say it first so I may listen; perhaps I can immediately satisfy your conditions."

"In that case, this humble one will speak plainly."

"Speak."

"I shall care for your wife and daughters; rest assured and depart."

"..."

"Since Brother Shen has made such a sacrifice for his brother, if this brother does not do something in return, I fear my conscience will never be at ease."

Tang Tang Tang Bohu wore an expression of utmost sincerity.

The white-clad swordsman took a deep breath, patted his shoulder, and exclaimed with a sigh: "Brother Tang is truly a man of high righteousness!"

Tang Tang Tang Bohu waved his hand and said with perfect confidence: "It is only proper. The Shen and Tang families have been friends for generations; you and I are brothers; why distinguish between us? What is yours is mine!"

The white-clad swordsman: "..."

He no longer wished to speak with Tang Tang Tang Bohu and turned to look at Ding Chunqiu, saying lazily: "Senior, when possible, show mercy; why not let my brother off this time, what do you say?"

Though he appeared frivolous and careless, Ding Chunqiu dared not underestimate him in the slightest, his gaze sweeping toward the man's waist.

There hung diagonally a long sword; its scabbard was worn and tattered, yet no one would dare look down on it because of that.

Hearing the white-clad swordsman's words, Ding Chunqiu was momentarily stunned.

From their conversation, he had already discerned that these two were old family friends with a deep bond.

He had assumed that with Tang Tang Tang Bohu arriving as reinforcement, the pair would surely be relentless, seeking to reclaim their honor, and that he would inevitably face a fierce battle.

He had never expected the white-clad swordsman to open his mouth merely to act as a peacemaker.

This left Ding Chunqiu somewhat at a loss.

Could it be that this young man was strong only on the outside but weak within?

Yet recalling the power of that previous sword strike, it did not seem so!

Thoughts racing, Ding Chunqiu maintained a pleasant expression on the surface and asked: "May I ask how this young hero is addressed?"

The white-clad swordsman replied openly: "Shen Lang."

Shen Lang?

"As expected, it is him!" Jiang Sishui thought.

A trace of scrutiny and curiosity also appeared in Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's eyes; she had not expected that Jiang Sishui had just mentioned him in his diary last night, yet today they would happen to encounter the man himself.

Ding Chunqiu's heart stirred, and he said slowly: "This old man has heard that there is a Shen family in Suzhou, which once produced a Shen Shen Tianjun, invincible beneath the heavens. As a Grandmaster who fought across the Nine Provinces without a single defeat, people bestowed upon him the nickname 'King of the Nine Provinces'."

Shen Lang smiled faintly: "Indeed, he was my late father!"

Once Shen Lang admitted this, an immediate stir rippled through the crowd.

Some local forces from Suzhou reacted most strongly.

Ever since Shen Shen Tianjun's death, the Shen family's status in the martial world had plummeted, their sphere of influence shrinking drastically; many of their businesses had been seized by others, and numerous factions had engaged in conflicts with them, large and small.

Now, after more than a decade, the Shen family had unexpectedly produced another martial prodigy who, while still young, forced Ding Chunqiu to retreat with a single sword strike; this would inevitably impact the balance of power in Suzhou.

Some factions might even face retaliation and reckoning!

How could they remain calm?

Ding Chunqiu's eyes flashed, and he chuckled, "It seems the Shen family has produced another prodigy. Young Hero Shen has fully inherited his father's true teachings. Today's incident was merely a misunderstanding. I take my leave."

With that, Ding Chunqiu flicked his sleeve and departed without any hesitation.

The disciples of the Star Host Sect hurried to follow, yet no one dared to shout loudly or flatter him.

For although Ding Chunqiu loved hearing flattery most of all, he also hated it most when someone flattered him only to step on a horse's hoof.

Anyone with eyes could see that Ding Chunqiu feared Shen Lang's strength and had no choice but to retreat.

One could only imagine his mood at this moment.

To go up and suck up to him now would surely be asking for death.

Shen Lang turned and asked Tang Tang Tang Bohu, "How did you end up fighting this Old Freak Ding?"

At the mention of this, Tang Tang Tang Bohu felt both anger and pride: "This Old Freak Ding has long admired my talent and wished to capture me to help him solve the 'Zhenlong Chess Game'."

"Oh? Can Brother Tang solve that chess game?" Shen Lang asked in surprise.

Tang Tang Tang Bohu shook his head, "That is hard to say. Who knows how the Clever Debater Mr. will move his pieces? One must enter the board personally to find out."

Shen Lang nodded slightly.

Indeed, over the past twenty years, the 'Zhenlong Chess Game' had not gone unsolved in private, yet those who arrived at Leigu Mountain with full confidence to play against the Clever Debater Mr. still lost.

The reason was simple: everyone's style of play was different.

Similarly, there were some who had never solved it even once in private but still came here to try their luck.

What if the Clever Debater Mr. made a mistake, allowing them to solve it by chance?

Precisely because of this, although the 'Zhenlong Chess Gathering' had been held many times, large crowds still came to support it on every occasion.

This was especially true for the great masters of the chess path around Suzhou.

With Shen Lang intervening and Ding Chunqiu retreating, the drama came to an end.

Some of the heroes watching the battle departed on their own, while others stepped forward to build connections; there is no need to elaborate on these details.

Jiang Sishui had intended to ask Huang Huang Yaoshi about Huang Rong through indirect questions, but suddenly noticing the appreciative look in Huang Huang Yaoshi's eyes as he gazed at Shen Lang, his heart grew cold.

He immediately dismissed the thought, turned back to the carriage, and lowered the curtain, "Uncle Zhao, let us go."

Zhao Zhao Tianhao suspected nothing and, with a single command, the escort convoy set off.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying noticed Jiang Sishui's unusual behavior and asked with concern, "What is wrong? You seem very unhappy."

Jiang Sishui took her soft hand in his palm, smiled, and said, "I am fine; I just suddenly understood some things. You need not worry."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying asked no further and rested her head on his shoulder.

She knew that if Jiang Sishui truly had some unresolved trouble in his heart, he would most likely write it in his diary.

Holding the girl's warm and soft body in his arms, Jiang Sishui felt tenderness flowing within his heart, yet his eyes carried a trace of coldness.