Remembering that I was originally going to Yue Linghe's place, I quickly slipped away, and nobody paid any attention to him anymore.
Chapter 17
"Sister Lian is here? Have you had breakfast? If not, come along."
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by Yue Linghe's enthusiastic welcome, which almost made me trip over the threshold. I was still late; she was already having breakfast.
"No... well, I've already eaten."
I was originally going to ask Granny Zhao to forget that I was late today, but my eyes caught sight of Nangong Ling sitting inside.
"You're quite something, getting up later than your master as a maid."
Nangong Ling picked up a piece of red bean cake for Yue Linghe without even looking up.
"I... I was delayed because I ran into Jun Guan..." I pouted, feeling annoyed by Nangong Ling's attentiveness.
"Master Jun?" Yue Linghe took a bite of cake and turned around. "Are Sister Lian and Master Jun very familiar with each other?"
It's a tangled mess, so complicated that you should be bowing down to heaven if you don't start fighting right away.
"Those she knows well have all turned against her. Ask her, how many major sects in the martial arts world hasn't she offended?"
He added another piece of hibiscus pastry to Yue Linghe's bowl. Isn't it too sweet to eat something so sweet so early in the morning?
"Without your brother, wouldn't Sister Lian be hunted down? Poor Sister Lian..."
Yue Linghe, are you trying to make me hate you? I tightened my sleeves and lowered my head. I still can't stand hearing people say I'm pitiful; it's like a sharp stone has crossed a line and pierced my vulnerable spot.
"Eat your food properly and stop looking around." Nangong Ling tapped Yue Linghe's head with the end of her chopsticks. "After you finish eating, pack up and we'll leave this afternoon."
You're leaving after just one night? Anyway, he's the master now, so whatever he says goes.
Rong Lian, you're becoming more and more self-aware, actually managing to live such a humble and stifling life!
...
This time, the escort force has been expanded again. The people from the Nangong family alone are enough to attract attention. Now, with the addition of a vehicle from the Tianjue Sect and a vehicle from Bieyun Manor, it can be described as a grand and imposing procession.
Of course, I won't be able to ride in Miss Yue's car anymore, and that's fine, but that indestructible Gemini An insists on having me ride with him, which is not a good thing. With him around, I can forget about getting a good night's sleep in the car.
Where are we going?
"Let's go to Yanwu Fort!"
"What are we doing there? And with so many people together!"
"Where is this year's martial arts tournament being held? Isn't Yan Suqing the leader of the martial arts alliance?"
The martial arts tournament, held every two years, is organized by the leader of the martial arts alliance. At that time, all heroes can show their skills and win the position of leader of the martial arts alliance based on their true abilities.
"Hey, is that old geezer the leader of the martial arts alliance?"
"Even though he has had his share of romantic affairs, he at least has real skills. Can anyone without some ability bring him down?"
"Is there no one else in the martial arts world? He's been in that position for years!" I clicked my tongue in dissatisfaction. "If my father hadn't been busy dealing with family matters and resigned from the position of alliance leader, how could it have been his turn!"
Upon hearing this, Shuang Zi'an burst into laughter, "You still have the nerve to say that? If it weren't for Rong Lian upsetting the Grand Palace Master, the Rong family wouldn't have fallen to this state."
Why bring up something you shouldn't talk about? Gemini An, you need a lesson. "Pah! He's just jealous of the Rong family! Who knows what kind of evil martial arts he practiced that forced my three brothers to abandon their family and live in seclusion? The entire Rong family can't find anyone who can stand up to him. I'm just baffled by him..."
"Wait, are you saying that the Rong family can't find anyone who can rival him?"
"Otherwise, would the Rong family have fallen?"
"I thought he used some shady methods... Did he win by force?" Gemini An stopped laughing, his face showing doubt and a hint of seriousness.
“Yes, he has all sorts of tricks up his sleeve.” I thought for a moment, “but he doesn’t use any underhanded methods. That’s why I especially hate him, otherwise I could justifiably curse him! It’s one thing that he swallowed up the Rong family’s merchant ships, shops and all their businesses, but his skills are even better than my father’s. Isn’t that hateful?”
"Really?" Gemini stroked his chin. "So this kid's skills are unfathomable."
"Why haven't you fought him?"
"They won't give me a chance to fight. The four protectors are blocking my way. Who do you think can strike at the heart of the enemy?"
"That's true. Putting aside Qionghua, Xiao Jinse alone is a formidable opponent. You'd probably only manage a draw."
"Hmm...it seems that Yan Suqing's position is in jeopardy this year."
"Good, good, good!" It's not just the old man's position that's in jeopardy, "It would be best if Nangong Ling, Jun Guan, and the Twins all died fighting each other!"
"Mutual slaughter? I don't know what Nangong Ling is thinking, but my brother loves being the manor lord and wouldn't even consider being the alliance leader. As for Grand Master Jun, he's not someone easy to figure out either, but he's too proud and arrogant to necessarily be interested in the position of alliance leader. You should stop dreaming."
Chapter 18
Yanwu Fort is not far from Bieyun Mountain, only a few days' journey away. Although I was suffering from the torment of the twins, it was really nice not to have to face those plagues. As I watched the bamboo forest getting closer and closer, I knew that my good days were coming to an end.
The old man Yan Suqing is fine, but his son is a problem. Speaking of which, when Yan Guhong was little, he followed me everywhere, always bowing and scraping, doing whatever I asked, incredibly obedient. Even though his goal was the Rong family's Nine Swords, at least the little guy was cute and adorable, and I loved him. But that didn't last long. After he tied his hair up, he changed completely. After his trip to Peach Blossom Valley to learn, he never came looking for me again. Later, when I met him at Yanwu Fort, his attitude was indifferent. Hmph, what a stubborn child.
"Why do you look like you've swallowed a fly?" Gemini asked as he got off the carriage.
I glanced at him sideways, too lazy to even acknowledge him.
“She doesn’t want to see the tiger inside,” Qiongying said as she ate a bag of chestnuts.
"What tiger?"
"A tigress in the Yan family."
Gemini was completely confused and still couldn't grasp the point.
"Lord Yan has this kind of hobby? How come I didn't know?"
"Yan Hailan! She's so stupid!"
Gemini An suddenly realized this and nodded repeatedly.
"How could I not have thought of that? That description is so apt!"
"Brother, be careful what you say." Shuangziwei stepped forward and poured cold water on his words.
Gemini snorted, grabbed me, and rushed toward the door.
"Open the door! Open the door for me right now!" Shuangzi An vented his anger on the door, banging on it so loudly it shook the mountains.
A short while later, just as the door was trembling precariously, an unfamiliar servant came out to open it.
"Who dares to cause trouble in Yanwu Fort?!" Despite his pale and thin appearance, this young servant had a surprisingly strong voice.
"..." Gemini An was so shocked by the shout that he lost most of his momentum and stared blankly, unable to say anything for a moment.
“Slave, don’t be so presumptuous!” An elderly man came out from inside; he was the old steward of Yanwu Fort.
"Old Guan, I've only been out of the martial world for a little over half a year, and even a gatekeeper dares to ride roughshod over me?"
"Master Shuang, you flatter me. This little servant is ignorant and doesn't recognize your greatness. He has offended you..." The old steward pulled the servant over, reached out and pressed his head down, nodding and smiling apologetically as he spoke. When he looked up again, he finally saw me, his expression froze, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.
Hey, do I look that much like a ghost? Why do they all look like this?
Nu'er, who was standing to the side, kept her head down. When the old steward suddenly fell silent, he became curious, opened his eyes, stared blankly for a moment, and then laughed.
"Old Guan, how come you forget everything the moment you see a pretty girl?"
The old steward's face turned ashen as he glanced down at Nu'er. "You know nothing! You'd better get back to the kitchen and start a fire!"
"Hey, if you want to discipline your servants, at least let us in first."
The old steward glanced at me. "Uh... well, Master Shuang, you should wait for this old servant to go and inform them..."
"An announcement? I can wait, but I'm afraid the masters behind me can't."
"Ah?" He shifted to the side, only then noticing the people behind him, and his old face instantly broke out in a cold sweat. "Please, please, distinguished guests, follow me..."
So the group entered the Yan residence in a grand procession. I was pulled by Shuangzi An to walk at the front. If I had my old internal strength, I would have definitely blasted him seven zhang away! Do you think I don't know what he's up to? He just wants to watch the show.
Chapter 19
Although this year's martial arts tournament was held in Yanwu Fort, Yanwu Fort was so large that all the heroes who came to participate entered through the West Gate, and very few people went through the East Gate where the Yan family lived. The West Gate and the East Gate were far apart, taking half a day to walk between them. Moreover, in order to build relationships with the various sects, Yan Suqing had simply moved from the East Gate to the West Gate recently. So, the old steward left us in the main hall and didn't return for half a day.
"Young Miss! Young Miss!..."
Why does that voice sound so familiar? I walked to the door and listened carefully. The more I listened, the more it sounded like the voice of Yan Hailan's maid.
The sound grew closer, but before that, there seemed to be the sound of rapid footsteps. Before I could react, a force suddenly pulled me backward.
"Ha, Rong Lian, it really is you!" The tigress's voice was best ignored.
But when I looked up, I realized that the spot where I had been standing had been hit by the powerful force of the tigress charging in, creating a dangerous gust of air. If someone hadn't pulled me away, I would have been hit by the tigress.
Yan Hailan glanced around at everyone in the room, her expression unfriendly.
"Bieyun Manor, Tianjue Sect, Wuyue Palace? My ignorant younger brother is one thing, but how did you all fall for this little vixen's tricks?"