Le charme d'une femme puissante se répand à travers le monde

Chapitre 23

Leaving Longyao Kingdom? Really leaving Longyao Kingdom? So soon? I don't think I'm mentally prepared at all! After crossing that city gate, will it be another completely unfamiliar world?

Half a year ago, I transmigrated to another world. Although everything around me was unfamiliar, and I didn't know anyone, this physical body had relatives and family. These people knew me and could shield me from some hardships. Later, I was fortunate to receive special treatment from Erlinzi and the fox, which gradually made me forget the feeling of being in a foreign land. But stepping through this city gate, it truly is a completely unfamiliar world. I have never been to the Azure Sky Kingdom, and no one there will know me. Now, I bear a heavy responsibility. Only now do I hesitate a little: In the Azure Sky Kingdom, will I have the same luck as in the Dragon Radiance Kingdom?

The carriage continued its slow journey, and no one approached to check the passengers. We passed through each city gate with unusual ease, likely arranged by Fox or Erlinzi. Sigh, I wonder what Fox and Erlinzi are doing now? They're probably swamped with the war in Wangyue Kingdom. I wonder if they've had a moment to think of me? It seems I haven't sneezed or even had an itchy ear these past few days. It's strange how bored I've been these past few days, thinking about them quite a bit. This world is so unfair!

I rose, lifted the carriage curtain, and turned to look behind me. We had already passed through the city gate. The three large characters "Qi Qing Pass" on the gate, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, gleamed with a cold and dazzling crimson, making my eyelids twitch violently. I turned back and sat down. Yun Yao's steady voice came from the front: "Young Master, ahead lies Qingzhou of the Tianqing Kingdom. Once we enter the city, soldiers will board the carriage to question us." I closed my eyes to rest, my heart churning: The real persuasion journey begins from this moment, doesn't it? Will this road be easy? Can I truly complete my mission successfully? But at this point, being hesitant is useless. Even if this road is difficult, I must strive to reach the end, because my elder brother Fox and my second brother Erlinzi, and indeed the entire Longyao Kingdom, are waiting for my good news.

Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: The Sky is Vast, the Waters Wide, Where Are We? Even If We Meet, We Would Not Recognize Each Other (Part Two)

Chapter word count: 4113 Last updated: 08-12-20 15:55

Even if we met again, we wouldn't recognize each other. (Part Two)

As darkness fell quickly, we decided to have dinner and stay overnight at an inn called "Qingyun," which we'd heard was the best inn in Qingzhou. I'd originally intended to dress as a merchant, but firstly, I found that too old-fashioned, and secondly, neither I nor my companions really had the air of merchants. In the end, we decided that Hong'er would continue her life as a maid, Yunhui and Yunyao would go from guards to servants and coachmen, and as for me, I'd play myself—the legendary handsome, dashing, charming, popular, well-read, travel-loving, wealthy young master, hehe!

So when the waiter saw me, his expression was as if he had seen the God of Wealth descend to earth. He was so excited that he rushed over to greet me. After several unsuccessful attempts to snatch the reins from Yunhui's hands, he finally gave up on the idea of valet parking and bowed and scraped as he led the way for me, as if we hadn't seen any of the doors to this large inn. He said solicitously, "Sir, this way please, this way please!"

When the innkeeper saw me, the fat on his face twitched, and he forced out what looked like a smile. I shuddered and said to Hong'er before he could speak, "I'll find a place to eat first. You book three superior rooms and have Yunhui and the others put their luggage away before coming over to eat."

After I finished speaking, I said to the waiter who was still by my side, "Pick a good seat, and there will be a reward."

Hearing my words, the waiter's eyes lit up, and his attitude became even more respectful and ingratiating. In no time, he found a seat on the second floor by the window with a superb view, offering both a view of the scenery outside and a clear view of the surrounding area and the lobby downstairs. I tipped him a small piece of silver and told him to bring me some of their signature dishes. He was overjoyed and rushed back downstairs to take my order.

I leaned back lazily in my chair, suddenly finding it a little funny. When I was young, I watched too many TV dramas and dreamed of one day being like the characters, dressed in flowing white robes, sitting in an antique-style restaurant, enjoying exquisite dishes, spending lavishly, and then, when encountering injustice, chivalrously stepping in to help, and finally, without waiting for thanks, gracefully departing, detached and otherworldly, leaving the world in awe. Now, my situation is quite similar to that of my dream. If it weren't for the fact that it's already winter and a bit cold, and I was too embarrassed to wave a fan around (actually, the main reason was that I was worried about getting two little red chilblains on my cheeks), the effect would be even better, hehe.

The dishes were served one after another, and Hong'er, Yunhui, and Yunyao took their seats one after another. I ate my meal absentmindedly, while idly watching the various people dining in the downstairs hall. It was completely dark outside, and apart from a few inns and restaurants, the streets were pitch black. Looking at the downstairs hall, there weren't actually that many customers. Sigh, no matter how bored I felt, or how bustling and lively Qingzhou was, I could only obediently finish my meal and go back to my room to sleep. I had a heavy responsibility now, and I couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

A sudden commotion erupted downstairs. I frowned slightly and looked down into the lobby. What was going on? What was happening? Four burly men were punching and kicking a man who wasn't fighting back. He was half-crouched on the ground, his hands clasped to his chest, his body bent as if protecting something. Everyone around him had amusement on their faces, and not a single person stepped forward to say a word.

Actually, I know I shouldn't meddle in other people's business at a time like this, and I've never been one to do so. But seeing those four men seemingly determined to beat someone to death, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I wonder what that person was desperately clutching to their chest. Oh well, it's nothing serious anyway, so I'll show mercy this once. I am, after all, a prime minister of a nation (even if it's an imposter), and I have Yun Yao and Yun Hui by my side. Besides, I've never been to Qingzhou before, so I shouldn't cause any major trouble. Kid, you're lucky!

I picked up a plate from the table and casually tossed it downstairs with a "crack." The people downstairs were stunned at first, then stared in disbelief at the shattered plate on the ground. Finally, they all looked up to admire my unparalleled beauty. Hahaha, I should probably throw up first.

Oh, what a pity. I thought I could at least smash a pig's head. This plate is really not giving me any face.

"Who's making a racket downstairs, disturbing my good mood?" My cold voice, my lazy tone, my haughty posture, and my leisurely sitting position perfectly matched the countless fantasies in my mind: elegant, noble, and naturally aristocratic... But Hong'er clearly didn't think so. She tugged at my hem with great anxiety and whispered, "Young master, let's not meddle in other people's business."

Just as I was about to teach Hong'er that she must have courage, integrity, and backbone, and not let evil forces run rampant in front of everyone, the group of silly geese downstairs finally came to their senses.

"Where did this brat come from, daring to interfere in your old man Huang's business? If you're so tough, get down here and kowtow to your old man Huang to apologize." The speaker was a middle-aged man with a rough face and yellow teeth. He was one of the four people from before.

Grandpa Huang? Hearing this, I suddenly got excited and ran downstairs in a few quick steps. I went up to the middle-aged, rough man, circled him, looking him up and down. Tsk tsk tsk, I was shocked. This man was definitely related to Huang Shiren in my mind by blood. No matter how I looked at him, he was no good. He was just so annoying.

Yunhui and Yunyao, those two little rascals, followed me around in a circle, while Huang Shiren's relative was completely bewildered. But despite his confusion, he still managed to put on a brave face: "Kid, scared of your Uncle Huang? Hurry up and kneel down and kowtow!"

"Sigh, I've seen brainless people, but I've never seen anyone this brainless. Hey sir, which eye of yours saw me and is afraid? Looks like you need a Bausch & Lomb brace." I muttered to myself as I walked towards the person who had just been attacked, ignoring that ruthless relative.

I'm at a loss for words to describe the person before me. He was dressed in a dark blue robe, which looked to be of decent quality, but the robe was wrinkled in many places. His long hair was disheveled, and his beard was unkempt, making his face indistinct. He reeked of alcohol and was half-lying on the ground. Despite his wretched appearance, he exuded a cold and aloof aura. When he saw me approaching, he only glanced up at me, his eyes bloodshot, before lowering his head to bring the wine jug in his arms to his lips and taking a swig.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. I've always hated drunkards more than anything in my life, and to make matters worse, the first person I ever stepped in to help in a fight was the very drunkard I despised most, and the thing he was desperately protecting was that wine jug. Oh heavens, how could I possibly accept this? I nudged his foot lightly, holding my breath, and said, "Hey, you're not dead yet, are you?"

Look at this scene! How completely different this is from the heroic act I imagined! You drunkard, you've turned what should have been a beautiful memory of my life into this mess. And you're still looking at me with those crooked eyes! Don't you know that I wasted a precious first opportunity of my life trying to save you, you drunkard? Hmm, those eyebrows... they look vaguely familiar... but I can't remember where I've seen them before. How strange! Could it be that a familiar face suddenly appears in this Azure Kingdom?

"You brat, you dare to ignore me! You're asking for it!" Huang Shiren's relative couldn't contain himself and went berserk when he saw that I hadn't said a word to him.

Sigh, I'm destined to be a bit player who can't even get a supporting role! The moment he moved, Yun Hui stepped in front of me, while Yun Yao's move was as fast as lightning. With just one finger, he petrified Huang Shiren's relative—he was struck on an acupoint.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. No one had even seen how Yun Yao made his move, and they were all stunned. In particular, the three accomplices of Huang Shiren's relatives, who had come to help their brother, were all frozen in place and dared not move after seeing this.

I glanced back at the drunkard. He held the wine jug, watching everything coldly, a sneer playing on his lips. I thought to myself, what did I ever do to deserve this? It's like meddling in other people's business! If I'd known he was this kind of scoundrel, I would have just stayed in my dreams, living as the carefree hero who roams the martial world.

"How did he offend you?" I pointed to the drunkard lying on the ground and turned to ask the three men.

"He stole our wine." The person who replied was no match for Huang Shiren's relative in terms of imposing manner. If they were both extras, he would only be an extra among extras.

"Oh? You took his wine and you're going to beat him to death?" I sneered. Anyway, with Yun Hui and Yun Yao protecting me, I'm perfectly safe. I can do whatever I want. "Is it really that serious? Just punch him a few times in the face, make him too ashamed to show his face, and he won't be able to steal anyone's wine anymore. If someone dies, you'll be in trouble too, won't you?"

"Alright, I'll pay for the drinks, and I'll also treat you to dinner today. Consider it an apology on his behalf. Are you satisfied?" I gestured for Yun Yao to release the pressure points on Huang Shiren's relative. I was absolutely certain that the four people in front of me wouldn't dare to object. The facts were there for all to see, unless they were tired of living.

After seeing the four men off, I glanced again at the drunkard still lying on the ground. That guy didn't even bother to get up, bow, thank me, or offer any thanks or a forced smile. I, his savior, was about to leave, and he didn't even look me in the eye—he was so cool! I angrily prepared to go back to my room, but after only a couple of steps, I turned back, plopped down on a stool, and yelled at the waiter, "Get me a pen and paper, quick!"

A gust of wind blew by, then another, and the pen, paper, and ink were already on the table in front of me. I quickly picked up the pen and wrote a few lines, then read them aloud to myself. I took the paper and walked over to the drunkard still sitting on the ground drinking, kicked him a few times, and saw him staring at me coldly with his bloodshot rabbit eyes. I said irritably, "The cost of the drinks and food just now totaled eight taels of silver. This is an IOU. Sign it and put your fingerprint on it! I saved your life, but I'm not giving you any money. So, when you become rich and powerful, you'll still have to pay me back."

A fleeting change finally appeared in those rabbit eyes before they returned to their coldness. Then a somewhat hoarse voice rang out: "I didn't ask you to pay this money, so why should I be the one who owes you?"

Look at him, look at him, a drunkard who lives a life of debauchery every day, his voice sounds like a duck's, it's awful. And is he even speaking human language? It's been like this since just now. I kindly helped him out of a difficult situation, and he acted like a complete stranger, his eyes so cold, his smile so sarcastic. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. After taking a few deep breaths, I tried to speak calmly: "If I hadn't kindly helped you out, you would have been kicked to death by someone long ago. You'd still be alive drinking here?"

"Wouldn't it be better if he were dead!" His voice was very soft, as if he were talking to himself. A deep sorrow filled his brows, shrouding him in a shadow of despair and grief.

So he was conscious from the very beginning. Then when he was surrounded, he didn't resist at all, he just wanted to die? No wonder, when we first met him, he was in a very miserable situation, but he didn't seem miserable at all, because he was so calm, so calmly seeking death, so even in a worse situation, he wouldn't seem miserable.

"Death? If you want to die, there are a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand ways to die quietly in this world. If you really want to die, you can jump into a river, jump off a cliff, jump off a building, take poison, hang yourself, or bang your head against a wall. You can die without anyone knowing. Why do you have to let others kill you in front of everyone? Are you greedy for someone to give you a funeral allowance, or do you hope someone will collect your body?" I hate people who want to commit suicide but make a big fuss about it and end up failing. This person in front of me is obviously one of them.

He seemed to pause for a moment, a hint of mockery on his face, before continuing to chug his drink, seemingly ignoring me completely.

While it's true that good deeds should be done anonymously, being ignored in this way would make anyone indignant. It's like in the 21st century, I bravely stand up to offer my seat to someone in a crowded area, only to have the person I offered it to casually plop down in, not only without a word of thanks but also with an air of entitlement, completely ignoring me. That feeling is unbearable. My anger flared up instantly, and I turned to the crowd that had been somewhat stunned by the spectacle and shouted, "Waiter, bring me a big basin of cold water!"

Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: The Sky is Vast, the Waters Wide, Where Are We? Even If We Meet, We Would Not Recognize Each Other (Part Three)

Chapter word count: 5085 Update time: 08-12-20 15:55

Even if we met again, we wouldn't recognize each other. (Part 3)

Before long, the waiter brought a full basin of water to me, looking at me with a surprised expression. Without saying a word, I took the basin and poured the water down the drunkard's seat.