Encounter

Shen Xiuhan immediately spotted his master, Mei Shuangfeng, and the Ji family head, Ji Shuying, sitting in the second row.

“To sit on that high platform and watch the matches, one’s cultivation must be at least mid-stage Anjin Rank,” Zuo Guangshu said in a low voice, fanning himself.

“Do you see those four grandmaster chairs in the first row?”

Shen Xiuhan looked closely.

Indeed, in the very front row stood four Huanghuali chairs covered with brocade cushions. Small tables were placed on either side of each chair, set with tea cups and fruit.

Currently, three of the four chairs were empty. Only the person on the far left was seated.

He appeared to be about forty years old, with a lean, refined face. He wore a broad white robe cinched with a white jade belt, his aura as steady as a mountain.

“Who is that?” Shen Xiuhan asked.

Beside him, Jiang Qinghong spoke up, her voice tinged with awe.

“The Wang family head... Wang Zhidao. His cultivation... is said to have reached mid-stage Huajin Rank!”

Shen Xiuhan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Huajin Rank!

He had been practicing martial arts for several months and had seen many Mingjin and Anjin Rank martial artists.

However, this was his first time seeing a Huajin Rank expert with his own eyes.

The other three chairs were likely reserved for the Changyun County Magistrate, Luo Changming; the Bai family ancestor, Bai Qingcang; and Colonel Zhao Zheng of the Zhenyue Camp.

Shen Xiuhan’s heart skipped a beat.

Four Huajin Rank experts gathered in one place—this martial feast was indeed highly valued!

While he was lost in thought, a crisp female voice suddenly came from behind.

“Senior Brother Shen...”

Shen Xiuhan turned at the sound.

Zuo Guangshu, Jiang Qinghong, Xu Chuan, Xiang Yunting, and the others all turned around at the same time.

Standing at the edge of the crowded throng were two young girls.

The older one was about fourteen or fifteen, wearing a smoke-blue silk skirt. She had a slender figure, long legs, and a somewhat cold temperament.

It was Ji Xue.

The other was only twelve or thirteen, with bright eyes and pearly white teeth. Despite her young age, her figure was already remarkably developed, a striking contrast to her youthful face that drew many eyes.

This was Ji Yao.

Beside the two girls was a handsome youth of sixteen or seventeen.

He wore a white robe with a jade belt and moved with an elegant grace, looking very much like a young master from a noble family.

With a quick glance, Shen Xiuhan recognized him.

It was Wen Beng, a classmate of Ji Xue and Ji Yao from the Wuji Academy.

Suddenly finding themselves the center of attention, the Ji sisters’ cheeks warmed, a faint blush appearing as they showed their shyness.

Zuo Guangshu and the others were sharp.

Their gazes shifted back and forth between Ji Xue, Ji Yao, and Shen Xiuhan, and meaningful smiles tugged at the corners of their mouths.

“Senior Brother~”

Xu Chuan pinched his throat to mimic a delicate voice. He bumped into Zuo Guangshu and winked.

“Let’s go watch the excitement elsewhere. We shouldn't stand here like eyesores and ruin someone’s good time!”

Zuo Guangshu snapped his fan shut and nodded repeatedly while stifling a laugh, his eyes full of mischief.

“What Junior Brother says is absolutely correct! Let’s go! Let’s go!”

Jiang Qinghong also wanted to make a joke, but seeing Shen Xiuhan’s face gradually darken, she held back her laughter. She pursed her lips and led the others away.

Once they were far enough away, Ji Xue and Ji Yao exhaled a sigh of relief.

Ji Yao’s shyness faded, and she grew bolder. She stepped forward, grabbed Shen Xiuhan’s sleeve, and gave it a tug. Looking up at him, her eyes were filled with anticipation.

“Senior Brother Shen, it’s so lively today. Why don’t you come walk around with us?”

Shen Xiuhan had intended to wait quietly for the martial feast to begin so he could observe the other martial artists and gauge his opponents.

But on second thought, the banks of Cloudwater Lake were a chaotic mix of people today. If they ran into some troublemaker, it would be a headache.

Out of his duty as a Patrol Envoy, he considered it for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Seeing him agree, the two girls were overjoyed. They led him away from the viewing area, following a small path along the lakeshore toward a nearby Birch Forest.

The forest was much quieter. The tall birch trees stood straight and tall, their bark as silvery-white as snow. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, scattering golden light across the ground.

A breeze blew from the lake through the trees, carrying a fresh scent that was quite refreshing.

Along the way, Wen Beng stepped forward and cupped his hands to greet Shen Xiuhan, acting quite warm.

Since one doesn't hit a smiling face, Shen Xiuhan remained composed and exchanged a few casual pleasantries with him.

“Brother Shen, do you remember Ma Jingxing, who was with us last time?”

“I remember.”

Shen Xiuhan’s eyes flickered, but his tone remained neutral. “I recall... he was the eldest son of the Ma Family Firm, right?”

Wen Beng sighed and said, “Indeed. But... he passed away a month ago. They say he drank too much at a brothel and fell into a ditch, where he drowned. He became a drowned ghost...”

“A pity,” Shen Xiuhan said, shaking his head.

“Yes, it is a pity... Brother Ma’s martial talent was higher than mine. If he were still alive, he might have broken through to Blood Tempering by now...”

Wen Beng sighed repeatedly, looking like a compassionate soul.

Shen Xiuhan, however, saw through him. The man was just talking; there wasn't a hint of sadness in his eyes.

His true purpose was simply to use this to impress Ji Xue and Ji Yao.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Ji Xue and Ji Yao both spoke a few words of comfort to him.

Wen Beng maintained his mournful expression, but his heart was full of smugness.

The four of them chatted as they walked along the path. They hadn't gone far when the sound of reckless laughter suddenly came from ahead.

Four or five young men in practice robes, with sabers and swords at their waists and arrogant looks in their eyes, strode toward them.

The four in the back followed like stars surrounding the moon, clustering around a richly dressed youth in the lead.

The youth was in his twenties, tall and decently featured, but there was an air of domineering arrogance between his brows.

He wore a sapphire-blue brocade robe embroidered with gold thread in auspicious cloud patterns, a jade belt around his waist, and fast boots on his feet. It was clear at a glance that he came from a wealthy background.

Upon coming face-to-face, the youth in the brocade robe stopped, his gaze instantly locking onto the Ji sisters, his eyes lighting up.

A cruel smirk curled on his lips, and his eyes filled with undisguised greed and lust. His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

“Oh, look who it is. Isn't this little sisters Ji Xue and Ji Yao? We haven't met in a while, and you've both grown even more charming.”

The two Ji girls’ expressions changed. They instinctively took half a step back, hiding behind Shen Xiuhan.

Ji Yao’s voice trembled as she whispered quickly, “Senior Brother Shen... that's Luo Wancheng of the Luo family. This scoundrel has always been at odds with my family. He must be up to no good, stopping us like this!”

Luo Wancheng...

Shen Xiuhan’s heart stirred. Last night, when Ji Zhong spoke of the two younger members of the Luo family, this person's name had indeed been mentioned.

Beside him, Wen Beng’s mind raced.

Believing himself to be from a prestigious family and wanting to play the hero in front of the ladies, he took a step forward and forced a smile.

“Sir, I am Wen Beng of Changshui County. Could you perhaps show some respect and...”

“Show you respect?” Luo Wancheng glanced at him sideways, looking him up and down before letting out a disdainful sneer.

“What kind of stray dog are you? You think you're worthy of my respect? Scram!”

Wen Beng’s face stiffened, his smile freezing. He turned pale and then red with embarrassment.

He gritted his teeth and brought up his background, his voice trembling, “I am the grandson of Master Wen Songling, the famous physician of Changshui County! I hope you will stay your hand, sir, so we don't have any misunderstandings and ruin the harmony!”

“Wen Songling...” Luo Wancheng snorted coldly, a flicker of something crossing his eyes.

Although he was overbearing, he knew that the connections of such a famous physician were not to be trifled with.

The Wen family of Changshui County had practiced medicine for generations and had ties to various powers. If he truly injured Wen Songling’s grandson, it would indeed be a bit of a hassle.

Luo Wancheng’s expression didn't change, but his tone softened slightly.

“So you're the grandson of Physician Wen. Fine. This matter has nothing to do with you today. You can leave; I won't make things difficult for you.”

Hearing this, Wen Beng felt he had some leverage. He straightened his back, cupped his hands, and said loudly, “Young Master Luo, my point is that these two ladies are my classmates. Why don't you do me a favor and turn this conflict into—”

“Giving you face, yet you don't want it!”

Before he could finish, Luo Wancheng’s gaze suddenly turned cold, his patience completely exhausted.

Luo Wancheng flicked his toe, and a piece of gravel on the ground shot out like a projectile from a hidden weapon, whistling through the air with a sharp piercing sound!

The stone brushed past Wen Beng’s temple, the gust of wind cutting several strands of hair that drifted to the ground.

The stone’s momentum didn't stop. It slammed into the trunk of a birch tree behind them with a crack. Wood chips flew, and a deep indentation was left in the bark.

Wen Beng swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing as his legs shook uncontrollably.

He hadn't even broken through to the Blood Tempering stage yet; he usually relied on his status to pressure others.

Others knew he was Wen Songling’s descendant and were willing to show him respect. But now that he had encountered someone as unreasonable as Luo Wancheng, it was like a scholar meeting a soldier!

In that instant, Wen Beng felt as if his head had already left his shoulders. He nearly went to join Ma Jingxing...

“Scram!” Luo Wancheng shouted, “Don't go looking for trouble!”

Wen Beng’s face turned purple, his lips trembling. He wanted to say something but couldn't.

After a pause, he gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and scurried back two steps, not daring to look up again.

“Wen Beng, you!” Ji Yao stared in disbelief, her small fists clenched in anger, her teeth gritting.

A flash of disappointment also crossed Ji Xue’s eyes. She pursed her lips and didn't spare the boy in white another glance.

But with the enemy before them, she suppressed her panic. She took a deep breath, puffed out her chest, and shouted, “Luo Wancheng! It's broad daylight—what do you think you're doing?!”

Ahead, Luo Wancheng and his lackeys had already closed in, surrounding them.

Hearing Ji Xue’s rebuke, the lust in his eyes grew even stronger. His grin widened to his ears as he laughed, “What do I think I'm doing?”

“This forest is quite quiet, with no one to disturb us. Naturally, I want to invite you two ladies to have a deep discussion and enjoy yourselves. What do you think?”

“Hahaha! Young Master Luo is absolutely right!”

“These two little girls have such smooth skin; they're perfect for our Young Master Luo to show some affection to!”

“Look at those faces, those figures, tsk tsk tsk...”

The men behind him broke into lewd laughter, their eyes roaming shamelessly over the two girls like wolves eyeing lambs.

“Little beauty, come into your Brother Wancheng’s arms and let’s talk...”

Luo Wancheng licked his lips. Stepping forward, he reached out his large hand toward Ji Xue.

“You’re looking for death.”

Shen Xiuhan, who had been silent all this time, felt his gaze turn cold. With a sudden movement, he lunged forward!