Melodrama

“Junior Brother Shen!”

Shen Xiuhan was taken aback by the voice and looked up toward the sound.

On the massive vermilion tower ship, a round-faced girl wearing a goose-yellow dress leaned halfway out of the cabin, waving at him with a smile.

“Fifth Senior Sister?”

A look of surprise flashed in Shen Xiuhan's eyes.

The girl was none other than Ding Qing, the Fifth Senior Sister of the Mei Courtyard.

She usually held a temporary placement in the Luo family as the personal bodyguard of the Luo family's young lady, Luo Tangyin.

Early last month, she had returned to Changyun County, supposedly to purchase some items for Luo Tangyin, before rushing back to the prefectural city the very next day. He had not expected to cross paths with her here today.

“Why is Senior Sister here?” Shen Xiuhan asked, feigning ignorance.

Ding Qing took a few steps and leaped down from the ship, landing lightly before him as she explained:

“I was originally supposed to stay at Bixia Villa for some time to guard the Eldest Young Lady while she attempted to break through the Anjin Rank barrier. But who would have thought...”

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of excitement:

“A few days ago, we received word from the main family. They said the Wang family, one of the Five Great Families, is taking the lead to host a ‘Longxiang Martial Feast’ in Changyun County! Anyone who finishes in the top three of this feast will be permitted to enter the ‘Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool’ to cultivate for three days. Upon hearing this, the Eldest Young Lady changed her mind immediately and set off to return overnight.”

Nearby, Xiao Wu, who had been standing silently with his arms crossed, suddenly had a sharp glint flash in his eyes when he heard the name “Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool.”

He took a step forward, his voice steady and powerful:

“May I ask, young lady... is that ‘Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool’ the exclusive spiritual realm controlled by the Longxiang Army of the Great Qi's Five Armies?”

Ding Qing had not paid much attention to this young man dressed in coarse cloth just now.

But the moment Xiao Wu spoke, she felt an inexplicable wave of masculine charm wash over her.

It forced her to take half a step back, her cheeks flushing slightly as she glanced sideways at Shen Xiuhan:

“Junior Brother, this gentleman is...”

“Do not worry, Senior Sister. Brother Xiao is a friend I recently made, and he means no harm,” Shen Xiuhan explained, raising his hand.

Only then did Ding Qing compose herself. She looked at Xiao Wu, hesitated for a moment, and answered truthfully:

“Yes, it is indeed that spiritual realm managed by the Longxiang Army. It is said that the spiritual energy inside is so dense it forms mist, and the blood qi is incredibly vibrant. It has a transformative effect on martial artists attempting to break through major bottlenecks.”

“The Wang family is really sparing no expense for this martial feast. They promised that not only can the top three enter the pool to cultivate, but those who are interested can also join the Longxiang Army, where they will be granted military ranks such as Centurion or Deputy Commander based on their cultivation!”

“So that is how it is...”

Xiao Wu clapped his hands, a burning fervor rising in his eyes:

“A real man born between heaven and earth should naturally achieve extraordinary deeds to protect his country. This Longxiang Martial Feast is something I, Xiao, would like to try!”

Looking at this high-spirited young man, Ding Qing felt an inexplicable surge of goodwill rise in her heart.

But in the next instant, she snapped out of it. Feeling her cheeks burning hot, she scolded herself inwardly:

‘What is wrong with me? Have I been possessed? Junior Brother is watching right next to us. I must absolutely not lose my composure!’

Ding Qing quickly shook her head vigorously. Only after pausing for a moment did she speak again:

“The Longxiang Martial Feast is quite large in scale. According to the letter from the main family, they intend to gather young talents and Anjin Rank experts from all the various forces and martial arts halls of both Changyun and Changshui counties.”

“It is still in the preparation stage right now. I estimate it might take about a month before it officially begins. If Brother Xiao is truly interested in participating, you can pay closer attention to the movements of the families in the Inner City...”

“Thank you for telling me, young lady.”

Xiao Wu cupped his fists heroically and offered a warm smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shen Xiuhan saw that it was getting late, so he turned and went into the black-awning boat's cabin.

He carried out the iron fish creel containing the Ink-Bone Blue Fish and handed it to Ding Qing.

“Senior Sister, this is a Tier Two Ink-Bone Blue Fish. Please take it back and hand it to Master, and ask her to refine it into pills for me...”

“A Tier Two Precious Fish?”

Ding Qing lifted the lid to take a look.

Feeling the fierce blood qi inside, she could not help but let out a low gasp.

Before she could ask further, the pearl curtains on the second floor of the tower ship suddenly clinked together.

Immediately after, a graceful figure stepped out of the cabin, flanked by her maidservants.

It was a young woman.

She wore a dress of snow-white, her figure tall and slender, her face beautiful enough to ruin nations. However, a layer of frost seemed to linger between her brows, giving her a cold, aloof, and arrogant aura, as if nothing in the world was worthy of her attention.

She was none other than Luo Tangyin!

Luo Tangyin looked down from above, her crimson lips parting slightly as her voice drifted down like a cold spring:

“Xiao Qing, it is time to set sail.”

Ding Qing stuck her tongue out and quickly waved at Shen Xiuhan and Xiao Wu:

“The Eldest Young Lady is getting impatient, I have to go! Junior Brother, see you at the martial arts hall!”

With that, she turned and jogged back toward the ship.

Nearby, Xiao Wu raised his thick brows upon hearing that cold voice and looked up.

In an instant, their eyes met.

The moment Luo Tangyin's eyes met Xiao Wu's from above, she actually froze.

She stared fixedly at the heroic young man below, watching him for several breaths.

Then, a delicate, gorgeous blush actually surfaced on the jade-white cheeks of this ice beauty who was famous throughout Changyun.

She turned her head away to walk back into the cabin, but after only two steps, she paused.

After a moment of internal struggle, she turned around once more, her beautiful eyes somewhat evasively looking at Xiao Wu. Her voice had lost its iciness, replaced by a touch of softness:

“Is this gentleman... also a resident of Changyun County?”

Xiao Wu cupped his hands and said in a clear voice, “I am Xiao Wu, indeed a native of Changyun County.”

Luo Tangyin bit her lower lip, the blush on her face deepening. Under the astonished gazes of all the servants on the ship, she continued:

“The wind and waves on the lake are quite strong. If the gentleman does not mind... would you care to board the ship and travel with me?”

“Hahaha! It would be impolite to refuse such kind hospitality. I shall gladly accept!”

Xiao Wu agreed in a very free and easy manner without the slightest hesitation.

He did not forget to turn back and bid Shen Xiuhan farewell:

“Brother Shen, see you in Changyun!”

With that, he boarded the tower ship with complete peace of mind, his back disappearing behind the pearl curtains.

On the water, Shen Xiuhan stared at the departing silhouette of the ship, completely dumbfounded for a long moment.

No matter how one looked at her, this eldest young lady of the Luo family possessed a cold-as-ice personality that kept everyone at arm's length.

Yet when facing Xiao Wu...

She not only took the initiative to strike up a conversation, but even blushed as she invited him to board the ship and travel with her?

This kind of drama usually only came from the mouths of storytellers in restaurants and brothels.

Or in the cheap romance novels written for a living by failed scholars who couldn't pass the civil examinations...

To think... it would actually play out right before his eyes in real life.

Was this the luck aura of a Child of Destiny?

...

As the tower ship vanished beyond the horizon, the wind on the lake suddenly grew biting cold.

Shen Xiuhan was about to enter his boat.

Suddenly!

A sharp whistle rang out without warning from the eastern sky.

Immediately after, a cloud of dazzling, blood-red smoke burst open in midair.

Before Shen Xiuhan could even react, two more explosions sounded in rapid succession.

Three arrows fired in a row, their crimson glow blotting out the sky.

Shen Xiuhan suddenly turned his head, staring in the direction of Yunyi Island, a grave expression creeping onto his face.

“Cloud-Flint Arrows...”

When Shen Xiuhan first set foot on Yunyi Island, Deng Shan had given him this very item.

And he had clearly stated:

‘This Cloud-Flint Arrow is a warning device. It can only be used when Chenjian Dock invades!’

And now, three arrows fired in unison could only mean one thing!

Chenjian Dock was launching a massive invasion!

Yunyi Island...

...was in imminent danger.

“I must rush back immediately.”