Chapter 269

Tan Wenbin stood on the embankment, his ears twitching slightly. Though some distance away, he could still hear the conversation between Grandpa Li and Zhao Yi.

When he heard Zhao Yi readily agree to perform at the funeral service that afternoon, Tan Wenbin didn't find it laughable at all. Instead, he sincerely remarked,"Our Young Master Zhao truly is quite a character."

Chen Lin hesitantly went into the kitchen to help Aunt Liu prepare the meal. Lin Shuyou ambled over to Tan Wenbin and, hearing his words, replied,"That's only because you've got him completely cornered, Brother Bin."

Tan Wenbin shook his head and said, "That's thanks to Brother Xiaoyuan. Without him, Zhao Yi would easily toy with us."

Lin Shuyou frowned slightly but didn't argue.One could criticize Three Eyes' character, but not his ability.Without Brother Xiaoyuan, they wouldn't even be qualified to sit at the same table as Three Eyes.

Tan Wenbin smiled and said, "I was just being sentimental. Why are you getting so emotional? It's soldier against soldier, king against king. At our own level, we're miles ahead of them."

Lin Shuyou: "Brother Bin, Chen Lin seems to know our identities aren't ordinary."

Tan Wenbin: "You're really insulting that girl's intelligence."

Lin Shuyou: "Huh?"

Tan Wenbin: "After you pounded that old man to death that night, she got up early the next morning to help make breakfast. Do you think she's genuinely that diligent?"

Lin Shuyou: "I really didn't notice that."

Tan Wenbin: "In our Old Madam's eyes, the Chen family might be small, but in the jianghu, they're considered a family of considerable influence. That girl is, after all, born a young lady; she wouldn't need to cook every day.Now, she's even helping Mengmeng make coffins.If the Chen family truly lived like this, they wouldn't even need the Lu family to suppress them; they'd already be ruined on their own.However, she knows Zhao Yi, and judging by her previous reactions, her understanding of our situation here has been severely challenged again."

Lin Shuyou nodded.

Tan Wenbin: "If, going forward, she's even more attentive to this place and to you, then there's no problem; you can continue to see each other.But if she suddenly becomes cold and even resents you for not telling her the truth sooner, I'll fill her car with gas and tell her to drive back to Jinling quickly."

Lin Shuyou: "Huh? Shouldn't it be the latter..."

Tan Wenbin: "Because I know you're a sucker for that."

Lin Shuyou looked sheepish, stating his true thoughts: "I always feel that adding the background might be a bit..."

Tan Wenbin: "It's the same old question: does she like your money or you?"

Lin Shuyou pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Tan Wenbin: "Material conditions are inherently part of your personal charm. There's no need to mind it or specifically separate it.If my parents hadn't been civil servants back then, Yunyun's parents wouldn't have agreed to our relationship so easily.If I had been a delinquent, failed to get into college, and my family's financial situation was average, Yunyun would only have liked me for a while in high school. Once she went to college, it would have been hard for us to stay in touch or cross paths again."

Lin Shuyou: "Brother Bin, how could you be so..."

Tan Wenbin blew a puff of smoke at Lin Shuyou's face and chuckled, "So realistic?"

Lin Shuyou: "I don't think Yunyun is that kind of person."

Tan Wenbin nodded: "Hmm, she might not be, but I am."

Lin Shuyou didn't know how to respond.

Tan Wenbin reached out and patted Lin Shuyou's shoulder: "There is passionate love in this world, but relationships based on reality are often more stable, with a higher floor."

Lin Shuyou: "I think I understand, but also not really..."

Tan Wenbin: "Don't overthink it, just follow your heart. You say you don't have experience in that area, but I was right there watching that night.It was a bit gory, a bit violent, holding her while you beat someone, then disemboweling them right in front of her and splashing blood on her face.It's not the usual approach, but taking a different path can be quite effective. That girl might actually be into it.Ordinary dates are all the same, but a scene like that will be remembered for a lifetime."

Lin Shuyou: "I wasn't thinking that way at the time."

Tan Wenbin: "Take it slow. Other than Tongzi, no one is really rushing you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself; you can't force feelings."

Saying this, Tan Wenbin reached out and flipped Lin Shuyou's eyelid, reminding him:"Tongzi, I've spoken well of you to Brother Xiaoyuan a few times now. If you don't learn to restrain yourself, Brother Xiaoyuan will personally suppress and seal you."

Tongzi: "Jitong, quickly thank Manager Tan for me."

Lin Shuyou: "Tongzi says, 'Mind your own business.'"

Tongzi: "You scoundrel, are you rebelling! Who am I working so hard for?!"

Lin Shuyou laughed, and Tan Wenbin also laughed.

Aunt Liu: "Lunch is ready!"

When all of Li Sanjiang's family members were present, meals had to be served at several tables.Runsheng originally ate alone in a corner, mainly to avoid having the incense smoke bother others.Later, Lin Shuyou joined, competing with Runsheng in eating. Now Tan Wenbin was back and in dire need of replenishment, so he also joined the eating contest, which could be called the "Three Kingdoms contention on the rice buckets."

Li Sanjiang held his wine, took a sip, and seeing the three 'mules' eating so heartily, his own appetite improved significantly.Seeing Old Man Tian wheel himself over, Li Sanjiang tapped his bowl with his chopsticks and enthusiastically greeted him:"Come, little brother, sit here with me. Let's have a few drinks!"

Old Man Tian turned to look at Zhao Yi, who nodded."Alright, I'll have a drink with you, old brother."The two clinked glasses and drank them dry.

"Brother, how did you hurt your leg?"

"I fell and became paraplegic."

"Oh, that's a tough one."

"It's fine. I wasn't used to it at first, but I've adapted now. At least I still have a skill I can use."

"Indeed, you throw those stones quite well."

"Hehehe."

Li Sanjiang seemed to recall something and said, "We have a folk doctor here. His skill isn't great, he can't cure most illnesses, but he occasionally succeeds with a few difficult ones. Brother, do you want to try your luck?"

Old Man Tian was momentarily stunned. His injury wasn't ordinary; he had fallen while saving his young master and then been infected by a蠱 toxin. Now, the toxin had permeated his meridians, making recovery impossible.But since Li Sanjiang said so, he didn't want to spoil his host's mood. He feigned a hopeful expression and asked:"Really? That's great! Old brother, please bother yourself to arrange a time with him for me."

"Alright, what was his village number again? I think I wrote it down in a notebook somewhere..."

Aunt Liu brought over a bowl of winter melon and clam soup, set it down, and said, "That doctor passed away last month. His family even ordered a batch of paper effigies and stools from us."

Li Sanjiang exclaimed in surprise, "What? Hey... it seems there was something like that, but how could I forget? That's not right, I should have gone to his family's wake."

Aunt Liu: "Another family offered more that day, so you went to their wake instead."

Li Sanjiang's face fell. He raised his cup and said to Old Man Tian, "Come, little brother, let's have another drink."

"Cheers."

After drinking, he wiped his mouth and lightly patted his forehead: "Ah, look at me. I'm getting old, and my memory is failing."

Old Man Tian: "Old brother, you're still good. My mind has been gone for a long time."

Zhao Yi held his rice bowl, intending to squeeze in with the guy named Li, but when he saw Ah Li sitting next to Li, he didn't dare to approach.The Old Madam was eating alone at a round table, and he certainly wouldn't dare to go there.Yin Meng and the Liang sisters were at one table, but Aunt Liu and Uncle Qin were also sitting there.In the end, Zhao Yi simply squeezed in with Tan Wenbin and Runsheng, sitting down next to Lin Shuyou.

Lin Shuyou said disdainfully, "What do you want?"

Zhao Yi: "To fight for the good food."

After the meal, Li Sanjiang set off with Zhao's Acrobatic Troupe.Since the host was holding the banquet at a restaurant in town, there was no need to deliver tables and chairs. As it was only paper effigies, Uncle Qin and Xiong Shan were more than enough, so Lin Shuyou and Runsheng stayed home.Taking advantage of the free time, Runsheng wheeled out the tricycle, and after Yin Meng got on, he rode it towards Xiting Town.Chen Lin stood on the embankment, watching their figures gradually disappear, unconsciously twirling her fingers.Turning back, she saw Tan Wenbin twirling car keys, waving at her.It was her car. Tan Wenbin was taking Zhou Yunyun out for a drive.

Lin Shuyou watched Chen Lin standing there, then shifted his gaze to the distant fields, and then to the blue sky and white clouds.Finally, he decided to help Xiong Shan clean the fish pond.He stood up and walked outside.Chen Lin watched his retreating figure, biting her lip, wanting to say something but hesitating.A'You sensed it but felt too awkward to stop.Aunt Liu, however, couldn't stand it anymore and called out to Lin Shuyou, "A'You, take the girl out for a walk."Lin Shuyou immediately stopped, looked at Aunt Liu first, then at Chen Lin, and pointed outside.Chen Lin actively jogged down and stood beside Lin Shuyou, and the two walked out together.

Aunt Liu chuckled, somewhat exasperated: "I've never seen anyone as difficult as A'You."

Liu Yumei: "Only serious people are like that. Once they make up their mind, they don't change."The Old Madam greatly appreciated this quality in A'You, both in relationships and friendships.

Aunt Liu whispered, "But Xiaoyuan and Ah Li, when they played together back then, things moved much faster."

Liu Yumei immediately said, "Can they be compared?"

Aunt Liu: "Oh, why not again?"

Liu Yumei: "They are smart children, so naturally, they move faster."Saying this, Liu Yumei looked up at the second-floor balcony.Not long after lunch, both children were lying on the rattan chairs, eyes closed.The sun wasn't too harsh today, gentle and comfortable, with occasional breezes. It was indeed suitable for an outdoor nap.However, the boy and girl weren't sleeping. Like playing Go blindfolded, this was a training habit they had developed long ago.In Ah Li's dream, Li Zhuiyuan could train his spiritual strength. Earlier, when the boy first entered and looked around, he would immediately feel dizzy and disoriented for a long time. Now, with his growth, coming here was like returning home normally.

Beyond the threshold, there were white clouds, but also a blue sky.The once eerie and evil-ridden ground had reverted to its most primitive and ancient rural appearance.Li Zhuiyuan and Ah Li stepped across the threshold and sat down by the ancient well in front.Something seemed to be hidden beneath the well, occasionally making faint sounds, but it dared not show itself.As for what was overhead, they were still there, but they hid themselves better. Moreover... when the boy arrived, they would even feel guilty enough to actively create an atmosphere of blue sky and white clouds.The traces of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha from the previous-to-previous "wave" and the Dragon King's family from the previous "wave" were such that as the "wave" levels you faced continuously rose, those once insignificant entities naturally became exceptionally well-behaved.The offense and defense had shifted.Now, in the gap between the two waves, if Li Zhuiyuan was willing to venture out, he could completely create karmic clues for himself, just like he did with the dream ghost before, and capture a few evil spirits to destroy for fun.This wasn't a "wave," but Li Zhuiyuan felt that the Way of Heaven would grant him this convenience.After all, there were countless coincidences in the world, and not all coincidences were "waves." Here, there were extremely broad accommodating conditions.However, this efficiency was too slow, and there were too many evil spirits here. Moving mountains like the Foolish Old Man was meaningless for now; he still had to wait until he truly became the Dragon King before asking the immortals to move the mountains.

"Gurgle... gurgle..."The thing in the well was still churning. When Li Zhuiyuan once again turned and looked down, it returned to stillness.This evil spirit wanted to show some special presence but dared not face the boy's gaze directly.

Li Zhuiyuan spoke: "Come out on your own."The well was silent.Li Zhuiyuan stretched out his hand, as if to grab it.With a "whoosh," a long, snake-like entity with a bulging head shot out from under the well. Its body was colorful, and as water droplets splashed, they formed a rainbow, creating a beautiful scene.Immediately, it fell back down and submerged into the well.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Continue."It flew out again, the beautiful scene continuing.After it dropped down again, without waiting for the boy to instruct it, it flew out once more, repeating the cycle, keeping the rainbow perpetually suspended above the ancient well.Li Zhuiyuan reached out to touch the nearby rainbow bridge. He was actually able to grasp a handful and present it to Ah Li, who blew on it, sending countless rainbow-colored bubbles flying out, which were truly beautiful to behold.The colors and the way they played were much more fun and interesting than the bubble solution bought from small vendors at the cinema.Ah Li played for a long time, Li Zhuiyuan accompanied her for a long time, and the evil spirit jumped up and down for even longer.Only after they had fully enjoyed themselves did the boy take the girl's hand and walk towards the bungalow.The evil spirit stopped, its body draped over the edge of the well.In its eyes, intense malice condensed, causing the beautiful rainbow above to instantly turn black.The boy, who was about to step over the threshold, stopped his foot and slowly turned back.The rainbow reappeared, and it began to jump again, even actively blowing out large amounts of bubbles.The boy didn't turn back completely but continued into the house, returning to reality with the girl.

Ah Li went to the desk and unfolded a completed painting.The painting for the previous 'wave' was difficult to depict, and Ah Li had spent a long time designing it.The painting showed a mountain with steep green slopes on either side, and a mountain path in the middle.The boy was at the bottom, walking up; above, Yu Tiannan in a black robe was walking down.The main reason was that the key points of the previous 'wave' were not suitable for retention, so Ah Li had extracted a good omen.The Dragon King, who descended the mountain in the past, met with Xiaoyuan, who was ascending, symbolizing a mutual recognition and handover.

Ah Li looked at the boy, anticipating his reaction."It's very good, truly," Li Zhuiyuan nodded, satisfied.At least, the painting didn't include his true form, nor those two lazy dogs.

"However, Ah Li, I think this painting could be richer. For example, the little stray dog next to Yu Tiannan could be painted in. After all, it was actually the true protagonist of the previous 'wave.'"Ah Li used her fingertip to draw a circle at Yu Tiannan's feet in the painting, then moved her finger down to behind Li Zhuiyuan, implying that if there was an extra dog there, something should be added here too, otherwise it wouldn't be symmetrical and wouldn't look good.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Draw Zhao Yi."

Xiong Shan's work was too efficient.Arriving at Grandpa Li's fish pond, Lin Shuyou found that there was truly nothing left to do.But this time, he wasn't alone; Chen Lin was with him. Just coming and going so directly, Lin Shuyou felt foolish himself.But if not going back, what else could they do?

Chen Lin: "Aunt Liu said she wants to make fish soup for everyone tonight."

"Alright, I'll catch fish." Lin Shuyou rolled up his sleeves, ready to find tools to catch fish, but he immediately realized that this was a newly turned pond, only recently stocked with fingerlings.

Chen Lin: "The river is right next to us. Shall we go fishing there?"

Lin Shuyou nodded: "Mm."

Chen Lin: "I saw it when we came; there's a boat tied up by the river."

Lin Shuyou: "That's someone else's boat. We'd have to ask them to use it, which is too much trouble."

Chen Lin: "Then let's not take a boat; we can just sit on the bank and fish."

Lin Shuyou: "What I meant was, we have one ready at home."

With that, Lin Shuyou walked to the fish pond, first lifted the small boat floating on the water, then crouched down and hoisted it onto his shoulder."Let's go."

"Okay."

Lin Shuyou carried the boat to the riverbank, with Chen Lin following behind him, watching his back. For a moment she smiled, then looked worried.After setting the boat down in the river, Lin Shuyou got on first, then said to Chen Lin:"Come on board."

Chen Lin looked hesitant.

"Come on, don't dawdle."

"Okay."Chen Lin got on.

Lin Shuyou pushed off with a slight exertion of his feet, and the boat drifted away from the bank, reaching the middle of the river.

"Alright, now we can fish..."Only then did Lin Shuyou realize he had rushed her onto the boat but forgotten to prepare fishing rods.

Tongzi: "So dumb."

Chen Lin sat in the boat, legs folded, hands on her knees, possessing both the grace of a young lady from a prominent family and the delicate charm of a girl from a smaller one.She looked to both sides and said, "You're right. It would be a pity to use such beautiful scenery for fishing instead of just enjoying it."

Lin Shuyou: "I forgot to bring the fishing rods."

Chen Lin covered her mouth, bowed her head, and this time genuinely burst out laughing.

Lin Shuyou: "You wait here. I'll go ashore and get them. I'll be right back."

Tongzi: "Why don't you just go into the water and catch fish?"

Lin Shuyou: "Right, I'll just catch the fish!"

Tongzi: "..."

"Splash!" Lin Shuyou jumped into the river and disappeared beneath the surface.Chen Lin was somewhat surprised and leaned over to look for him but couldn't find Lin Shuyou's figure.

Underwater, Lin Shuyou felt that his cheeks, which had grown hot from seeing Chen Lin's smile, finally cooled down."Buzz!"His vertical pupil opened, and he could see the fish clearly as they swam by.His figure moved swiftly through the water, his hands like lightning. He quickly caught two large fish, and instead of surfacing, he simply tossed them upwards.The fish flew out of the water and landed precisely in the boat.Next was the second, the third, the fourth...Such efficiency, truly worthy of the White Crane True Lord!Only after he was sure he had caught all the large fish in that area did Lin Shuyou surface.In the boat, to prevent so many fish from jumping out, Chen Lin was squatting there, using her hands to block them.She kept calling out and laughing, and although a little disheveled, she was still lively and pretty.

Lin Shuyou flipped himself onto the boat and helped her out of the predicament.He repeatedly reached out, slapping the heads of the fish. Soon, these fish were either stunned or dead, lying motionless between the two of them.This added a touch of stillness and fishy smell to their isolated date.

Tongzi: "You really are a genius!"

Lin Shuyou sat down and sighed in relief.Chen Lin wanted to find something to wipe the water droplets off him but couldn't find anything suitable. She could only lift her sleeve and lean closer, helping him wipe them away.Lin Shuyou stiffened his face, as if being medicated.

Chen Lin: "If this blind date still counts, then I am very interested in you now."The blind date was arranged openly, although Zhou Yunyun had invited her bright side.

Lin Shuyou: "Oh."

Chen Lin: "After that night, I knew you were formidable, and I also knew your family had influence, but today, I was still scared. Even now, thinking about Young Master Zhao kowtowing, my heart still pounds."

Lin Shuyou: "His forehead skin is very thick."

Chen Lin: "The Zhao family is a legitimate Dragon King family."

Lin Shuyou: "Actually, not so legitimate."In front of Brother Xiaoyuan, Zhao Yi never dared to call himself part of the Dragon King family.

Chen Lin: "While I'm scared, I'm also very pleasantly surprised. If you take a liking to me, then with your family's influence, my Chen family won't have to fear the Lu family anymore."

Tongzi: "Alas, she still hasn't seen enough of the world."

Lin Shuyou: "This isn't my family's influence, it's Brother Xiaoyuan's. I'm just Brother Xiaoyuan's subordinate."

Chen Lin: "I understand the principle of a seventh-rank official at the prime minister's gate. With this connection, the Lu family definitely wouldn't dare to offend my Chen family again."

Tongzi: "The girl is quite frank, not pretentious."

Lin Shuyou: "Also, we don't care about the grievances between your Chen family and the Lu family."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lin pursed her lips, her smile unchanged, and continued wiping away the water droplets, saying; "I know, I didn't seize the opportunity at first, and trying to latch on now would seem laughable. I just wanted to express my thoughts."

Lin Shuyou: "Because the Lu family will soon cease to exist."

Chen Lin: "..."

Tongzi: "Good seduction technique, keep going."

Lin Shuyou finally had the courage to turn his head and look at Chen Lin, forcing out what he thought was a calm smile:"You're really foolish, to actually think we would keep them around, oh..."Lin Shuyou's voice trembled, because Chen Lin had rested her head against his chest.Although Lin Shuyou had held her that night, there were no impure thoughts in his mind; he was only thinking of proving himself.Now, in this situation, ripples formed in his heart.

Tongzi: "Your heart is beating so loudly."

The boat just drifted on the river like that.The girl's head just rested against A'You's chest like that.Shuyou's hand repeatedly wanted to rise and embrace her shoulder, but ultimately, he lowered it.He felt that the current feeling was quite beautiful, and he didn't want to break it by doing anything rash.

After a long while.Chen Lin: "Actually, that night when you killed that person, I found it very charming."

Lin Shuyou: "Is... that so..."

Chen Lin: "My family couldn't protect me. My brother and I were somewhat exiled by the family. Later, even my brother went out to 'light lamps' and wander the jianghu, leaving me all alone. I was very scared."

Lin Shuyou: "Mm..."

Chen Lin: "Are you more willing to accept my dark side?"

Lin Shuyou: "Either is fine."

Tongzi: "The world has really changed. Even a simple and honest guy like you has learned to lie."

Chen Lin: "My true self is my 'yin' side. My 'yang' side is the strong-looking persona I created... Perhaps I overdid it when creating it and left you with a bad impression."

Lin Shuyou: "You need to build up... before you break down..."

Tongzi: "Such sophisticated phrasing, quite exquisite."

Chen Lin: "I want to tell you that I'm very satisfied with you. I'm drawn to your handsomeness, your power, and your background."

Lin Shuyou: "I'm drawn to your..."

Chen Lin looked up, watching Lin Shuyou's face, her gaze like water, eagerly awaiting his answer.

Tongzi: "Good child-bearing!"

Lin Shuyou: "...gentleness."

At dusk, Lin Shuyou carried two large burlap sacks of fish and walked home with Chen Lin.The quantity of fish was so great that it would certainly be more than enough for fish soup tonight, not all of it would be used for fish jelly, and quite a lot would probably need to be salted.

Aunt Liu: "So many? Are any alive? We can keep them."

Lin Shuyou looked a little awkward: "None are alive."The stunned fish had all died because they had stayed in the boat for too long.

Aunt Liu: "Oh dear, if someone didn't know, they'd think a flock of cranes had come to our village and ruined all the fish in the river."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuyou's face immediately flushed.He knew that Aunt Liu had sensed the aura of him transforming into the White Crane True Lord while catching fish underwater.

Chen Lin said, "Aunt Liu, please rest. I'll handle it."

Aunt Liu: "With so many fish, how long will it take you alone?"

Chen Lin: "It's fine. A'You and I will clean them together. Once we're done, we'll ask you to cook, Aunt Liu."

"Alright then." Aunt Liu walked to the Old Madam's tea table, poured herself a cup, and smiled, "Looks like there's progress."

Liu Yumei took a sip of tea: "We have to thank this pit."Aunt Liu's gaze dropped, seeing the small pit on the concrete ground. It was the one Zhao Yi had made that morning by kowtowing.

"You're right, that girl is indeed intelligent and thoughtful."She was still shaken in the morning, but by the afternoon, she had pushed their relationship forward.Most people wouldn't have been able to adjust so quickly, let alone act with such initiative.

Liu Yumei: "Having ambition and knowing how to seize opportunities to advance is a strong point. I dislike those who insist on being haughty and causing their own downfall.In the old grand mansions, such people were actually easier to get along with. You knew what they wanted, and they knew what they wanted. There wasn't so much unnecessary drama."

Aunt Liu: "A'You seems to be enjoying himself."

Liu Yumei: "A naive young man, how could he endure such a test?"

Aunt Liu: "I just feel like it's a bit fast."

Liu Yumei tilted her chin upwards; the two children were playing blind chess there.

Aunt Liu: "You yourself said they are smart children, they're different."

Liu Yumei: "There's no such thing as too fast or too slow. Truly exceptional people, whether male or female, wouldn't end up on blind dates in the first place."

Aunt Liu: "Then why did Zhuangzhuang arrange one for him?"

Liu Yumei: "Perhaps he wanted to help him resolve some emotional knot."

Aunt Liu: "A'You doesn't look like he's been heartbroken."

Liu Yumei: "Then he must have fallen for someone he shouldn't have."

Aunt Liu immediately became interested, leaned closer, and deliberately lowered her voice, asking:"Who do you guess it might be?"

"Who knows? Maybe a teacher, or a graceful widow who has a few children by her side."

Aunt Liu suddenly felt it wasn't very interesting. This gossip was planted too far away and lost its flavor by the time it was picked and brought over."I'll go help them gut the fish, otherwise dinner will be delayed again."

After Aunt Liu left, Liu Yumei placed her teacup back on the tea table, a playful smile curling subtly on her lips:"Do we still need to guess? Just look at who helped set it up."

The inaugural performance of Zhao's Acrobatic Troupe of Jiujiang was a complete success.Old Man Tian, sitting in his wheelchair, performed various throws, including pebbles and dishes, and finally put on a dart-throwing show, with a person standing opposite him balancing a grape on their head.The genuine kung fu performances and various acrobatic acts by the Liang sisters also drew a round of applause.The most captivating act was Zhao Yi's.He first performed "chest breaking a large stone." One swing of the hammer, and blood immediately spurted from his chest, frightening the audience into shouts. Then he stood up, patted his body, and indicated he was fine.After that, Zhao Yi performed magic tricks. Ordinary magic was already exciting, but he also performed mind-reading on the spot, amazing everyone.The main client truly lived up to their reputation; not only did they not delay the final payment, but seeing the excellent performance had earned them face, so they added an extra bonus for the hard work.

On the way back, Li Sanjiang handed the performance fee to Zhao Yi. Zhao Yi took it, then divided half and handed it back to Li Sanjiang.

Li Sanjiang: "What's this for?"

Zhao Yi: "Introduction fee."

Li Sanjiang: "What kind of person do you take me for, old man? I don't take a cut of this."

Zhao Yi: "It's a token of appreciation."

Li Sanjiang: "I appreciate the sentiment, but take the money."

Zhao Yi: "But we also have this rule there. Acrobats, who brave dangers, have an old custom: they must give a portion to the introducer, purely for good luck and blessing."

Li Sanjiang: "There's such a rule?"

Zhao Yi: "Yes, there is. Just take this one time, no exception next time."

Li Sanjiang took the money and said, "Alright, since you said you'll be staying here for a while, let's consider this your food expenses. I'll settle the balance with you later."

Zhao Yi was flustered: "How can that be? We'll pay for our own food!"

Li Sanjiang: "I have my rules here too."

Zhao Yi wilted, only able to offer a helpless smile.

Li Sanjiang fell back and sat on the flatbed cart pulled by Uncle Qin.The Liang sisters, who had been holding their breath all afternoon, spoke up:"Is this really going to be our side job?"

"Are we really going to keep doing this?"

Zhao Yi narrowed his eyes, scanned them, and said sternly:"Don't you see the Dragon King's man and the subordinates of the guy named Li helping out here? Just follow along. There are only benefits, no drawbacks. Maybe next time, it'll bring us enough luck to save a life."

The host had kept them for dinner, so it was quite late when Zhao Yi and his group returned.The house was already full, so Tan Wenbin took them to Big Beard's house to stay.

Zhao Yi feigned displeasure: "That guy Li is so leisurely, he doesn't even want to personally come out and entertain me."

Tan Wenbin: "You know Brother Xiaoyuan's personality, and besides, didn't he already spend some time with you on the rattan chair during the day?"

Zhao Yi: "That's very generous of him, so I should be grateful?"

Tan Wenbin: "Don't say things like that. It might cause misunderstandings, making people think our relationship is actually based on personal connections and friendship."

Zhao Yi: "When are you leaving?"

Tan Wenbin: "Tomorrow. I'll lead the team. We'll try to go and come back quickly."

Zhao Yi: "Didn't you say you'd introduce me to a mysterious entity?"

Tan Wenbin: "Aren't I taking you there now?"

As they approached Big Beard's house, they felt nothing unusual, but once they stepped onto Big Beard's embankment, facing the peach orchard, Zhao Yi and his group's expressions all drastically changed.Old Man Tian trembled and mumbled, "A blessed place for spiritual medicine, this is a blessed land suitable for growing spiritual medicine! Why are they all peach blossoms? What a waste..."

Zhao Yi reached out and clamped Old Man Tian's mouth shut."Mumble mumble...""Old Man Tian, if you don't want to be buried here as fertilizer, don't talk nonsense."Zhao Yi slowly released his hand. Old Man Tian quieted down, pointing forward in disbelief, and asked:"Young Master..."

The Liang sisters held hands, their bodies beginning to tremble, shaking more and more violently.Zhao Yi quickly stepped forward, kicked their clasped hands apart, interrupting their interconnected probing."Don't look where you shouldn't! How many times did I tell you on the way here? Once we arrive, you'd better act like proper grandchildren!"Facing Zhao Yi's scolding, the Liang sisters didn't dare to retort this time, not even with a glance.Because they had just probed the great terror beneath the peach orchard.

Zhao Yi turned to Tan Wenbin and said, "I didn't expect you guys to be playing so wildly, actually daring to be neighbors with such an existence?"

Tan Wenbin: "Are you disappointed, Young Master Zhao?"

Zhao Yi shook his head: "No, very pleasantly surprised."

Tan Wenbin: "Good, as long as you're not disappointed."

Zhao Yi: "How should I meet it?"

Tan Wenbin pointed forward: "Just walk in. If it's willing to see you, it will. If not... you might die."

Zhao Yi: "The guy named Li can, why can't I, who's named Zhao, do it?"

Tan Wenbin took out a small notebook from his pocket: "Can I interpret that as a last will and testament that needs to be recorded?"

"Yes, and don't forget to send it back to Jiujiang for me."

"Certainly."

Zhao Yi stepped off the embankment and approached the edge of the peach orchard, taking deep breaths.Tan Wenbin stood with his arms crossed, watching the spectacle.Unexpectedly, the next moment, Zhao Yi spoke towards the peach orchard:"Li Zhuiyuan and I are very good friends. We have gone through many hardships together and consider each other confidants. He introduced this place to me and invited me to pay my respects. I, your humble servant, have arrived today, and I ask for your forgiveness for my disturbance."Immediately, Zhao Yi stepped forward and walked inside.This was a dangerous place, but also a place of opportunity. The guy named Li must have gained a lot here, so he himself... must also try.To encounter a treasure land and not dare to enter, that would be the real joke!

Petals of peach blossoms fell around Zhao Yi, forming a path of fallen flowers, guiding him forward.A smile appeared on Zhao Yi's face; he had gained the approval of the terrifying existence beneath the peach orchard!At once, Zhao Yi turned his head, wanting to see Tan Wenbin's expression on the embankment behind him.Tan Wenbin merely tapped his arm with his fingertips, showing no emotion.In truth, Tan Wenbin was already very surprised. Even Brother Xiaoyuan, when he wanted to communicate with the one inside, had to rely on his bond and similarities with that great figure.But Zhao Yi actually just walked in.

After proceeding further into the depths, a blurred figure appeared in front of Zhao Yi, its true face unseen.Zhao Yi bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Senior."

A hoarse voice spoke:"Do you know why I allowed you in?"

Zhao Yi: "I am foolish, please enlighten me, Senior."

"Because you are like me."

A knowing joy blossomed in Zhao Yi's heart; it was as he had expected.To be seen as an earlier version of oneself by an elder was a very high form of praise and recognition.However, superficial humility still had to be maintained. Zhao Yi bent his waist even deeper and replied:"I am greatly humbled. Senior, you must have been a person of extraordinary talent in your time. What virtue or ability do I possess to be compared with you?"

"Heh... don't you know?"

"Junior..." Zhao Yi looked up, no longer overly humble, but candidly said, "It must be a kind of mutual appreciation."

"Precisely, because we are exactly alike, it can be called mutual appreciation."

Zhao Yi gradually relaxed, wanting to draw closer: "To resemble Senior even a little is the greatest honor for this junior..."

"You are like me:Seeing a tall mountain, yet not daring to climb it. As long as the mountain stands there, we will be suppressed for that long.Suppressed until we lose our temper, suppressed until we can't breathe, suppressed until, in the end, we even get used to being suppressed.What's even more ridiculous is that the mountain might never have truly looked at us directly, from beginning to end.You are like me, equally pitiful."

Zhao Yi: "..."