Little Ke swore.
In terms of moral integrity, he was absolutely unproblematic, and his character was quite solid.
But who could resist the sight of that swimsuit snugly fitting around Ice Chunk? The coolness and pure allure clashed yet somehow complemented each other perfectly…
Who wouldn’t be a little dazed by that?
It must be the swimsuit’s feedback.
So!
The swimsuit’s to blame, Little Ke’s just a good guy.
Little Ke wiped his nose and said seriously:
“Just now I was with Elder Xue and my brother Xiaobao, refining pills. The fire was too intense, and well… I got a bit hot-headed.”
“You can refine pills?”
“I know a little.”
Gazing at the girl’s jade-like face, streaked with moonlight, an odd glimmer flickered in his eyes.
In Little Ke’s mind, the suppressed thoughts suddenly made his nose tingle again.
He diverted his attention:
“Let’s get to practicing, if we don’t hurry up, it’ll be dawn soon.”
“Mm.”
Glancing at the bright moon already climbing towards the western sky, Ying Bing nodded gently.
“Wait!” Little Ke spoke up again.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just adjusting my state.”
The second layer of “Phoenix Crying over the Tianze” allowed him to faintly sense the other’s emotions.
Last time he was thinking too much about the techniques in the Kuihua Finger, his emotions shifted, and Ice Chunk picked up on it.
Right now, his thoughts were even more jumbled.
He swallowed a Heart Calming Pill, then settled his mind, observing the Mona Ice Cream in the world’s seed.
After a moment.
Little Ke opened his eyes:
“I’m good now.”
Two adjustable massage chairs popped into existence out of thin air.
“Want one?”
Little Ke sat down, adjusted to a comfortable position, and turned back to ask.
Ying Bing’s eyelashes flickered slightly, shaking her head:
“No need.”
“Didn’t you enjoy it last time…”
Little Ke didn’t understand.
Ying Bing: “…..”
Well… since they didn’t share a consciousness soul, she hadn’t sensed Little Ke’s vague thoughts before; everything had been just fine.
Since then, she’d found it slightly hard to face that massage chair.
“Well then, let’s get started…”
“Hold on.”
Just as he was about to touch that beautiful jade hand, it retracted suddenly.
Little Ke froze.
He saw the girl closing her eyes:
“I need to regulate my breath for a bit.”
“…..”
The night wind blew softly, and the stars were sparse.
By Yu Long Lake, it was quiet, with only the sound of clothes rustling in the breeze, mixed with the faint tinkle of wind chimes from downstairs.
The young man and woman exchanged silent glances, unspoken understanding holding them together.
Moments later.
Faint ripples of consciousness flowed as time passed.
As the moon set and the sun rose, they finally got up after a night.
Before they could even let go of Ice Chunk’s hand, they heard a familiar voice:
“Little Ke, a lot of people are looking for you outside!”
Tang Xiaobao rushed in, his little arms flailing as he came to an abrupt stop.
“How many people?” Little Ke asked.
Tang Xiaobao counted on his fingers but ran out of digits before finally saying:
“Just a whole bunch, like, they’re nearly breaking down the tavern door!”
“Does Brother Xiaobao know what they want with me?”
He had only just learned last night that there was a bounty placed on him by the Misty Rain Tower.
Little Ke’s heart had been on high alert ever since.
“Probably… probably because of the Qianlong List, you’ve become famous, right?”
Tang Xiaobao obviously didn’t know either.
Because of the Qianlong List…
That kind of made sense. Though he hadn’t felt much, his and Ice Chunk’s rankings were indeed jaw-droppingly impressive.
But Ice Chunk’s rank was clearly above his!
Why was everyone coming to visit him?
“Brother Xiaobao, go get the elders.”
“Okay!”
“And wait, get Master too.”
Meanwhile, Li Mo pulled out a sobriety pill.
Then he turned to Ying Bing:
“Ice Chunk, you coming along?”
“…..”
Ying Bing gently shook her head.
She didn’t want to waste time dealing with these mundane affairs.
“Alright then, we’ll head to the Sword City together later.”
Li Mo went downstairs.
Ying Bing silently watched the boy’s departing back. She brewed a pot of tea, planning to drink it before starting her practice of “Xia Phoenix Qi.”
Xia Phoenix Qi could convert different inner breaths into genuine true energy.
After the second channel opened, she hadn’t had the chance to do this yet.
Later on…
Hmm?
Just as she sat back down, Ying Bing suddenly dazed.
She saw her chair was empty.
The one she was now sitting on was warm.
That sensation reminded her of a recent moment when the two were practicing swordplay, and she hadn’t paid attention…
Letting nature take its course is one thing.
But that specific scene? It didn’t feel quite right.
………..
As Brother Xiaobao had said, this gathering was indeed quite the big deal.
With the dazzling figures of the Qianlong List, it seemed only reasonable to get to know them, maybe even exchange formal invitations.
But the visitors were evidently anxious, nearly rushing to where Li Mo was after learning his whereabouts.
As if they feared someone else might get there first.
The elders were rather pleased; the Qingyuan Sect had never made a name for itself in Yunzhou before.
Once Li Mo mentioned Xu Yi’s business, they all calmed down.
After some discussion.
Seeing it was indeed necessary to meet, Li Mo would keep his divine vision activated the entire time.
Quickly, everyone arrived at the tavern’s first floor.
There were indeed many people, but they were all standing—looking like they were filled with inner essence, with a few even at the Observation Realm.
Only one person was seated.
Ouyang was surprised to see this person.
“Wealthy Sun?”
Wealthy?
Li Mo looked over, only to see the man Ouyang called Wealthy Sun, dressed in fine silks with a round stature, adorned with a thick jeweled coral gold belt around his waist.
Talk about ostentatious.
Completely different from the low-key demeanor of Little Li.
“Greetings to the esteemed members of Ziyang Mansion.”
Wealthy Sun stood up, flattering the elders of the Qingyuan Sect, yet his gaze was drawn to Li Mo:
“I am Sun Gui, the manager of the Heng Tong Trading Company in Yunzhou. Today, I have come specifically to visit Young Hero Li, hoping to establish a connection with the Qingyuan Sect.”
The Heng Tong Trading Company was one of the four major trading companies of Da Yu, with trade routes spanning north and south, setting up branches in every state.
While Da Yu merchants weren’t held in high esteem, that was merely for show.
In reality, the governor of Yunzhou and the city lord of Hengyun Sword City had to treat Wealthy Sun with respect.
“Oh, so you’re Manager Sun.”
The elders of the Qingyuan Sect responded courteously, maintaining their usual calm demeanor.
“May I ask, Manager Sun, what brings you here?”
Li Mo smiled, hands clasped casually.
The other party wasn’t a killer from the Misty Rain Tower—he was indeed a powerful figure.
Sun Gui looked a bit stunned.
Didn’t they know how wealthy I am?
But after a moment of surprise, his eyes turned resolute.
“Young Hero Li is undoubtedly a striking figure, indeed… good.”
Sun Gui got straight to the point:
“My daughter has always loved the stories about you written under your name, and she has long admired you; these days, she’s been crying and complaining to me.”
“I have just this one daughter, and I’m soft-hearted, which is why I’ve prepared some tokens to come over.”
“Bring it out!”
He clapped his hands, and the servants outside began to open box after box.
Apart from the last huge one.
In an instant, a dazzling array of jeweled treasures flooded the room, causing gasps from the onlookers.
“I have come here precisely to propose marriage. May I ask if Young Hero Li has already found a partner?”
Thud—
Just then, someone just stepped into the hall and caught that line.
Ying Bing narrowed her enchanting phoenix eyes, a hint of mischief glimmering within.
…..
