Chapter 101 Huang Rong

"Junior Brother Ye, the martial world is treacherous, so be careful." Linghu Chong said to Ye Xiu at the foot of Mount Hua.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother, I will be careful." Ye Xiu nodded.

"The journey is long, so let's say goodbye here." Linghu Chong clasped his fists towards Ye Xiu, turned around and left with a smile.

Ye Xiu looked at Linghu Chong's figure, then turned and left in the opposite direction of Linghu Chong.

After Ye Xiu turned around, Linghu Chong, who had already walked a distance, stopped and looked back at Ye Xiu's back, his expression becoming extremely complicated.

To be honest, Linghu Chong was actually quite envious of Ye Xiu, even to the point of jealousy.

The junior sister who always liked to follow him around, since Hengyang City, began to like to hang around Ye Xiu, and became less close to him, the senior brother.

And the master and the master's wife, their attitude towards Ye Xiu also changed drastically.

Originally, Linghu Chong was the only one treated like a son by his master and mistress. Now, it was Ye Xiu—no, Master Yue Buqun's treatment of Ye Xiu was even better than before.

Linghu Chong couldn't help but feel envious and jealous.

But that night not long ago, Ye Xiu had demonstrated his fourth-level Xiantian cultivation, and Linghu Chong suddenly understood why his master and mistress treated him so well.

It made sense. Ye Xiu was only eighteen years old, yet he had achieved such a high level of cultivation. With Ye Xiu's talent, as long as he didn't die prematurely, he would definitely become a Grandmaster or even a Grandmaster, carrying the Huashan Sect forward.

Meanwhile, Linghu Chong, in his twenties, had only just broken through to the Xiantian realm with the help of the Dugu Nine Swords. He was far behind Ye Xiu.

"Junior Brother Ye, then, let me, your senior brother, escort you and attract attention," Linghu Chong muttered.

In fact, the night before Linghu Chong left the mountain, Ning Zhongze had also approached Linghu Chong and discussed a lot with him.

After all, Ning Zhongze had truly raised Linghu Chong as his own son. Although Linghu Chong's actions had pained Ning Zhongze, he couldn't completely detach himself from his feelings for him.

In Ning Zhongze's heart, Linghu Chong remained like his own son, though now he was less filial and obedient.

Ning Zhongze chose to speak frankly with Linghu Chong, explaining the significance of Ye Xiu to the Huashan Sect and why Yue Buqun and herself held Ye Xiu in such high regard.

Ning Zhongze also openly explained the shift in Yue Buqun's and her own feelings toward Linghu Chong. Of course, Ning Zhongze didn't mention Yue Buqun's castration for sword training.

Such heartfelt words cleared Linghu Chong's resentment, and

Linghu Chong finally understood why his situation on Huashan had become so awkward.

Finally, Ning Zhongze explained the purpose of his and Ye Xiu's trip down the mountain, though this purpose had been somewhat disguised and modified.

Ning Zhongze's original words were: "Your master forced a breakthrough to enhance his strength and protect Mount Hua. Although he's reached a new realm, he's also injured, and his injuries are serious. Therefore, this time, your Junior Brother Ye is descending the mountain to seek out a martial art called the Divine Illumination Sutra, to heal your master's wounds."

Ning Zhongze even volunteered the story of the plank road, but during his final instructions, he couldn't help but change his tune.

"After we descend the mountain, Xiu'er will need to conceal his identity. As for you, Chong'er—Chong'er, you should also conceal yours. Safety is paramount."

So, at this point, Linghu Chong knew almost everything, save for Yue Buqun's castration for sword training.

So, Linghu Chong made his choice. He

didn't try to hide his whereabouts, but let everything take its course. Once he was discovered by the Songshan Sect, he'd use the opportunity to draw attention and relieve Ye Xiu's pressure.

But Linghu Chong didn't know that Ye Xiu's situation was even more unique, and he didn't actually need his help relieving his stress.

Of course, Ye Xiu himself didn't know that either.

...

Ye Xiu's makeup obscured his once handsome features, and the sword he held was transformed into the one gifted by Dongfang Bubai, making him appear to have no connection to the Huashan Sect.

In reality, Ye Xiu hadn't been active in the martial arts world before, so few knew his true identity. Even fewer recognized him after this disguise.

Dongfang Bubai, Huang Rong, and Qu Feiyan stood silently watching Ye Xiu's departure from afar.

"Master, Ye Xiu has left the mountain. Should we also take action?" Qu Feiyan said excitedly.

Previously, because Ye Xiu had been staying at Huashan, Qu Feiyan and even Huang Rong had no reason to approach him. Consequently, Ye Xiu's favorability towards them remained constant, and he barely even mentioned them in his diary.

Huang Rong and Qu Feiyan had already been getting a little impatient, and now that Ye Xiu had finally come down the mountain, they finally had a chance to get close to him.

"Next, I need to go back to Blackwood Cliff," Dongfang Bubai said to the two.

"Huh?" Qu Feiyan looked stunned, and Huang Rong raised an eyebrow slightly.

"It's been a long time since I left Blackwood Cliff. Although there are people here who have been reporting intelligence from the sect to me, there are some things that I have to deal with after I return," Dongfang Bubai explained casually.

"Oh? The Sect Leader wants to go back to Blackwood Cliff? That's really too good—too bad. I can't stay by the Sect Leader's side anymore, and I feel completely drained." Qu Feiyan said this, but her fluttering eyebrows showed how excited she was.

After all, she had always been by Dongfang Bubai's side, and with Dongfang Bubai watching over her, she couldn't do anything she wanted. To the extent that after leaving Hengyang City for so long, she hadn't even appeared in front of Ye Xiu.

Dongfang Bubai looked at Qu Feiyan quietly.

"Um, well, I... I haven't been to Blackwood Cliff in ages, and I'm kind of missing it. How about I go back with the Master?" Qu Feiyan laughed dryly.

"Okay, Qu Feiyan, you come with me to Blackwood Cliff. As for you, Huang Rong, you can go as you please," Dongfang Bubai ordered bluntly.

"Huh?" Qu Feiyan's eyes widened, a look of disbelief on her face.

"Thank you, Sister Dongfang." Huang Rong beamed, her face radiating joy. When she looked at Qu Feiyan, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, making Qu Feiyan feel as if her tail had been stepped on. She shouted in dissatisfaction, "But Master, why can Huang Rong go as she please, but I have to go to Blackwood Cliff?"

"Go to Blackwood Cliff? That was your own decision," Huang Rong said with a grin.

Qu Feiyan puffed out her cheeks like a pufferfish.

Finally, dejected, she followed Dongfang Bubai to Blackwood Cliff.

As for Yi Lin, she remained alone at home in Huayin County.

Dongfang Bubai discovered that Yi Lin's personality was too simple, and her love for things was also quite simple.

Yilin disliked the bustle of the outside world. She preferred the quiet solitude of her small Buddhist temple, chanting sutras or praying. Most of her days were spent this way.

Although her life was simple and peaceful, Yilin felt deeply happy.

In fact, Yilin felt that it would have been better if her family had settled at the foot of Hengshan Mountain instead of Huayin County.

That way, she could live with her sister while still visiting her master and her fellow disciples.

As for why Yilin was allowed to stay in Huayin County instead of going to Heimu Cliff,

Heimu Cliff was, after all, the headquarters of the Sun and Moon Sect. Previously, Yilin was a young nun in the Hengshan Sect. If she went to Heimu Cliff, she would have felt extremely uncomfortable and perhaps even terrified. It would have been better for her to stay in Huayin County, at least at the foot of the Huashan Sect, and thus, less of a problem.

As for safety, numerous Heimu Cliff experts were hidden there specifically to protect Yilin. How could she possibly be in danger?

Ye

Xiu rode his horse, hurrying towards Jingzhou City.

By the time he reached a small town, it was already getting late, so he decided to rest for the night and continue his journey the next day.

Just as Ye Xiu arrived at the Yuelai Inn and dismounted,

preparing to grab a bite to eat, he heard a quarrel erupt from a small steamed bun shop next to the Yuelai Inn.

Ye Xiu turned to see the owner of the steamed bun shop arguing with a beggar.

The beggar was trying to eat the bun without paying, and the seller wouldn't let him.

"Okay, if you don't want to eat it, then I'll give it back to you," the beggar said, returning the bun.

"You, you, look at how you've messed with this bun! It's all dirty! How can you still sell it?" the seller couldn't help but yell.

It wasn't that the seller was being unreasonable; it was that the bun the beggar had returned bore five dark fingerprints.

The steamed buns themselves were quite white, tender and beautiful, and quite appetizing. But now, there were five black fingerprints on the white and plump buns, and they really couldn't be sold.

But the little beggar stretched out his little hand and grabbed all the buns in the basket, leaving five black fingerprints on them. Now, the matter has become a big deal.

The bun seller was not willing to give in.

Ye Xiu had a strange expression. He always felt that the scene in front of him had a strong sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

Ye Xiu couldn't help but look at the little beggar - Oh, it's an acquaintance!!!

"Brother Mu? It's you!" Ye Xiu shouted with a little surprise.

This little brother Mu was also a very smart person. When they were in Hengyang City, he had used his wisdom to help Ye Xiu and Yue Lingshan.

"Brother Ye? What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here!" After seeing Ye Xiu, the little beggar Huang Rong seemed to have not expected to meet an old friend here, and she spoke to Ye Xiu happily.

"Well, you have to compensate me for my steamed buns--" the steamed bun seller couldn't help but say something at the side.

"Here." Ye Xiu took out ten copper coins and threw them over.

One copper coin can buy two steamed buns, and there are less than twenty steamed buns in that basket, so ten copper coins are enough for Ye Xiu to throw over.

After taking the copper coins, the steamed bun seller gave the steamed bun that Huang Rong had just grabbed to Huang Rong.

"Bah, I don't want this kind of dirty steamed bun." Huang Rong curled her lips.

"Okay, okay, since Brother Mu doesn't want to eat steamed buns, forget it. I also need to eat, so Brother Mu, come with me." Ye Xiu casually invited Huang Rong.

Huang Rong's eyebrows immediately lit up. "That's what you said, but I'm a very picky eater. I can't handle standard food."

"...Then ask the restaurant to serve some of their signature dishes." Ye Xiu shook his head. He didn't mind treating his friends to a good meal, especially since after Ye Xiu conquered Jingzhou City, he'd go to Tianning Temple first to retrieve some of the treasures. So, money didn't mean much to him.

"That's what you said," Huang Rong said, even walking a step faster than Ye Xiu into the nearby Yuelai Inn.

"Waiter, first, four dried fruits, four fresh fruits, two salty and sour dishes, and four candied fruits."

"I don't know what dried fruits you want. Which fresh fruits are you looking for? And which salty and sour dishes do you want? And which candied

fruits do you want?" "The four dried fruits are lychees, longans, steamed dates, and ginkgo nuts. Pick the fresh fruits that are in season. For the salty and sour dishes, I want fragrant cherries and ginger plums. I wonder if they're available here?

And candied fruits? They're rose kumquats, fragrant grapes, candied peach strips, and pear flesh sweethearts..." Huang Rong eagerly listed a few dishes. Seeing Ye Xiu's strange expression, she immediately ordered 48 dishes, all of them the best. She even gave him instructions for many of the dishes.

Ye Xiu had felt a strong sense of déjà vu when he saw the little beggar and the steamed bun vendor. Now that the little beggar had ordered 48 dishes, Ye Xiu practically knew who he was.

But Ye Xiu didn't understand. Wasn't Huang Rong supposed to be in the Song Dynasty? How did he end up in the Ming Dynasty? And he even knew me? Where's Guo Jing? Did he run off on his little red horse?

"Brother Ye, isn't this a small order?" Huang Rong said to Ye Xiu mischievously.

"What do you think? Who would serve forty-eight dishes at a restaurant? That's definitely not cheap. I've got all the money I have, do you think it's enough to cover the bill?" Ye Xiu wanted to be like Guo Jing and just pay without asking.

Unfortunately, his current financial situation didn't allow it.

After all, the Huashan Sect wasn't doing well financially. Although Ning Zhongze had given Ye Xiu enough money for his trip, that was only based on not spending lavishly.

Huang Rong had ordered forty-eight dishes at once, and they were all the most expensive and valuable. Ye Xiu's money might not be enough.

Huang Rong didn't feel sorry for Ye Xiu seeing how he looked. She simply reached out and took Ye Xiu's wallet, then counted the silver in the wallet: "Well, that's enough. After paying the bill, there's still a tael of silver left." Huang Rong said with a smile.

"..." Ye Xiu looked at Huang Rong speechlessly. She was really not polite at all.

In the end, Ye Xiu's wallet was empty, and a large table of dishes was served, so much that there was not even enough space on the table.

Then, Huang Rong took a bite of some of these dishes, and just glanced at and smelled the others without even eating them.

In the end, Huang Rong didn't eat more than two bites of the forty-eight dishes. Only Ye Xiu ate some, and the rest were almost left untouched.

"This town is too small after all, and there are no good chefs. Brother Ye, I'll treat you to a delicious meal some other day." Huang Rong said to Ye Xiu with a smile.

"You said it, and I'm waiting for your treat. But you don't even have money for steamed buns, so how can you treat me to something delicious?" Ye Xiu asked casually, yet with a hint of meaning.

"Although I don't have money, I can cook. Let me tell you, I'm not sure about other things, but when it comes to cooking, I'm super confident," Huang Rong said confidently.

Well, Ye Xiu was now absolutely certain that the little beggar before him, claiming to be surnamed Mu, was most likely Huang Rong in disguise.

"By the way, Brother Mu, it's been a while since we last met in Hengyang City. Why are you here?" Ye Xiu asked, putting down his chopsticks after finishing his meal.

"I don't have anywhere else to go anyway, so I just wandered around. This time, I heard someone named Wan Zhenshan in Jingzhou City was having his fiftieth birthday, so I planned to go join in the fun and get some food and drinks," Huang Rong said with a grin.

Ye Xiu had written in his diary that he was going to Jingzhou City. Dongfang Bubai had almost immediately investigated the situation in Jingzhou City through information from the Sun Moon Divine Cult, and Huang Rong had naturally seen this intelligence as well.

"Going to Jingzhou City?" Ye Xiu was stunned. He hadn't expected such a coincidence that Huang Rong would also be going to Jingzhou City.

As for saying it wasn't a coincidence? Ye Xiu hadn't told anyone else about his trip to Jingzhou City, not even Ning Zhongze. How did anyone know he was going to Jingzhou City?

And Wan Zhenshan's fiftieth birthday was indeed going to be celebrated. So Huang Rong's statement was really correct, and Ye Xiu felt even more that it was a coincidence.

"Why? Brother Ye, are you going to Jingzhou City too? Did Wan Zhenshan send you an invitation to Huashan?" Huang Rong asked with a look of curiosity. As if she really knew nothing.

"Not really. After all, Huashan is a bit far from Jingzhou City, and Wan Zhenshan, he is a bit of a name in Jingzhou City, so he wouldn't go all the way to Huashan to send an invitation. I just have something to do in Jingzhou City." "

What a coincidence, we are both going to Jingzhou City. It's just on the way." Huang Rong said to Ye Xiu with a smile.

"Yeah, it's a coincidence, then let's go together?" Ye Xiu also liked Huang Rong, this quirky little girl.

"Okay, then let's go together!" Huang Rong smiled and nodded, and the two of them made an agreement.

Afterwards, Ye Xiu used the remaining one or two taels of silver to rent two rooms, one for himself and one for Huang Rong. Then Ye Xiu only had a few copper coins left, which could still afford a few steamed buns for tomorrow.