Chapter 1334: The Lord of Yougui Pavilion is a True Elegant Scholar, A Newborn Calf Not Afraid of Tigers

"Young Master Xu, the customs and practices in Zhong Yu are vastly different from those in your Dong Yu!"

"Yujing Cheng is also known as the warm bed beneath Gui Zhe Sheng Shan, and there are many nuances to it."

"In Dong Yu, when you see someone wearing a sword, you might think they're either a Ling Jian Xiu or an even more formidable Gu Jian Xiu."

"But here in our region... not at all!"

Li Laohan straightened his back as he drove the Xiang Gui carriage, his cheeks bunching up in a knowing smile. "That sort of thing is just a little indulgence."

"Oh?" A surprised voice came from inside the carriage. "An indulgence? What kind of indulgence?"

"Young Master Xu, don't play innocent!" Li Laohan couldn't help but chuckle. "The officials and nobles of Yujing Cheng love places like these elegant pavilions the most."

"Ordinary refined gentlemen just aren't enough for them anymore. They want something with an exotic flair, preferably like people from Dong Yu—someone who carries a sword..."

"This really ignites that fire in their hearts, heh heh!"

Inside the Xiang Gui carriage, Xu Xiao Shou furrowed his brow slightly, sensing something off in Li Laohan's tone. But he didn't dwell on it, finding it more amusing instead.

Ever since the battle on Xukong Island ended, it had taken over thirty days to fully receive the Tian Zu inheritance. When he woke up, not only was Xukong Island deserted, but even the trial participants from Yunlun Mountains had all scattered.

As soon as Xu Xiao Shou emerged from seclusion, he took on a task from Ba Zun An, timing it just right to meet the deadline and represent Lao Ba in Zhong Yu to rendezvous with a certain bigwig.

They set out yesterday and arrived in the capital today. When he asked Li Laohan about the general intelligence on Zhong Yu, he discovered that coming from Dong Yu, even carrying a sword had turned into an exotic custom.

Exotic custom... what a fascinating feeling!

In Jian Shen Tian, if you walked around without a Ling Jian, you wouldn't even dare call yourself a Dong Yu person. Even if you didn't use the sword, just wearing it at your waist was a symbol of nobility.

But ever since entering Zhong Yu, forget about Gu Jian Xiu—there were hardly any Ling Jian Xiu or sword wielders on the streets; it was almost nonexistent. Most people you encountered were adorned with gold and jade, exuding extravagant opulence.

This was fundamentally different from the sword-obsessed folks in Dong Yu, who were all mad about Jian and even Ba Zun An...

It seemed the people of Zhong Yu knew how to enjoy life better?

Of course, this also indirectly proved that Zhong Yu was highly developed, with Sheng Shen Hall under the emperor's feet being extremely stable. Otherwise, someone like Li Laohan wouldn't dare chat so freely with him, this newly fabricated Tai Xu successor, even joking around.

"Elegant pavilions, refined gentlemen..."

Xu Xiao Shou pondered whether the person he was meeting was like Ba Zun An, someone who enjoyed reciting poetry and composing verses.

He had some foundation in that, having memorized quite a bit. But he felt that facing a true refined gentleman, he might easily slip up— he couldn't just blurt out something like "Hoe the fields at noon" to everyone he met, could he?

"Li Laohan, how refined are those refined gentlemen you mentioned?"

"Heh heh, extremely refined! Extremely refined!"

"How extremely refined is that?"

"Young Master Xu, still pretending? Everyone who goes to You Gui Ge is there for A Yao girl!"

A Yao girl—who was that?

Xu Xiao Shou stroked his chin, about to ask, when the carriage stopped. Li Laohan let out a breath and turned his head to say, "Young Master Xu, the elegant pavilion has arrived."

Elegant pavilion?

I was supposed to go to You Gui Ge, not... Before he could speak, Xu Xiao Shou froze inside the carriage and instinctively lifted the golden bead curtain.

Green-tiled roofs with blue eaves and red lanterns, songbirds and beauties everywhere. The people coming and going were all wealthy or noble, with peach and apricot branches peeking through the doors.

Even though the sun was high at midday, this place with the plaque "You Gui Ge" still had a steady stream of visitors.

Under the peach and apricot trees at the entrance, two graceful women with rouged faces and curvaceous figures wore sheer gauze skirts that hinted at spring's allure. Each held a round fan, smiling radiantly as they waved and beckoned to the passing crowd.

"Come on over."

"Young master, come on over."

"I hear A Yao girl will appear tonight—it's a rare chance to get close to her!"

On the second floor, leaning over the railing with tea and a vertical qin, a "refined gentleman" with only her side profile visible and a green veil covering her face needed only to lightly pluck the strings. That tantalizing, carved-back beauty made passersby below stop and gaze, lost in thought.

"What a fine tune!"

"Divine music!"

"Such heavenly sounds—how can we only hear the player and not see her?"

Then, half-reluctantly, half-willingly, with a flick of their sleeves, they went from feigning resistance to laughter, striding like shooting stars into the building for a closer look.

"Elegant... pavilion..."

Xu Xiao Shou was stunned.

When had he ever seen such a scene? From his debut at Tian Sang Ling Palace, he had focused solely on swords, elixirs, and the path of killing, tempering his heart into an unshakeable rock.

But now, as he lifted the curtain, the world seemed to freeze while his heart stirred. He had seen many beauties, like Yu Zhi Wen, Lei Xi Er, and Rao Yao Yao, all stunning in their own right.

Yet, women dressed so lightly— that was a first for him! The clothes on them, even stacked together, wouldn't be as thick as one of his sleeves after activating Wu Xiu · Chi Jiao Hand.

This spectacle... it was overwhelming, impossible to grasp!

Why would Ba Zun An send me to a place like this? Has he gone mad... Oh, right, he's a married man, so no wonder he wouldn't come himself. Xu Xiao Shou suddenly realized.

The carriage curtain was pulled open, and Li Laohan winked suggestively as he poked his head in. "Young Master Xu, this is You Gui Ge."

"How about it? Refined enough?"

Xu Xiao Shou quickly averted his gaze; the dazzling whiteness was making him dizzy. His Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak: "Extremely refined, extremely refined..."

So this was the elegant pavilion? These were the refined gentlemen?

This was indeed what Li Laohan meant by the places they frequented most, a hall of great refinement?

Then, these people of Zhong Yu truly were different from those sword-obsessed folks in Dong Yu at their core...

They really knew how to enjoy life!

Li Laohan, with his slightly hunched back, got out of the carriage first. He pulled out a small stool and placed it as a step to help his master descend.

He remembered well— this gentleman was incredibly capable but had a delicate constitution, unable to withstand even a breeze or a fall.

Li Laohan's careful actions naturally drew the attention of the surrounding passersby.

What kind of delicate lady was this?

The Xiang Gui carriage was already a symbol of luxury, and one bearing the Tai Xu successor's mark was rare indeed. The moment it stopped at the entrance, the two women at You Gui Ge's door lit up with watery eyes.

Seeing Li Laohan's movements, they hesitated to speak.

"This one..."

With a soft step, Xu Xiao Shou bent down from the carriage, descended the stool, and lifted his head— in that instant, the area fell silent.

Even the pedestrians stopped, turning to look with surprise in their eyes.

"Damn! Who is this? He's way too handsome!"

"Zhou! Old Zhou! Isn't this exactly your type?"

"Incredible, I could go for him myself..."

"Shut up! Did you see that carriage? It's a Tai Xu successor! Watch your mouth, or you'll bring trouble!"

Even the two women from You Gui Ge, who had started to call out but then stopped, couldn't help tugging at each other's arms.

One of them was bold and wild, her eyes gleaming green as she blurted out: "So delicate, so tender, so sickly..."

"Cui Er, I really like this one!"

"Under scrutiny, passive value: 23."

"Under infatuation, passive value: 98."

"Under scrutiny, passive value: 125."

The information panel dinged wildly, and Xu Xiao Shou felt the predatory gazes around him, making his heart skip a beat.

"Ba! Zun! An!"

Gritting his teeth internally, Xu Xiao Shou realized why, after emerging from seclusion, Ba Zun An had insisted he use this "sickly gentleman" appearance, despite his damaged Dao foundation and incomplete digestion of the Tian Zu inheritance, which left him unable to act freely.

He had thought it was perfect for strutting around and raking in passive values through force.

But he never expected the destination to be a place like this!

Ba Zun An had set this trap!

"That schemer..."

"Hold on, how does he know so much about this..."

With three parts suspicion, three parts fear, and four parts feigned composure, Xu Xiao Shou adopted a "since you're here, make the best of it" attitude.

Ignoring the stares, he turned to Li Laohan and casually tossed him a bag of Ling Jing. "Alright, you can go now."

Li Laohan weighed the bag in his hand, chuckling as he tucked it into his sleeve, but he didn't leave right away. "Young Master Xu, what are you saying..."

He adjusted his belt, that smile returning to his face. "Since we're here..."

Xu Xiao Shou paused, then laughed and waved his sleeve. "Then come with me. Today, I'll cover all the tea and drinks."

"Ah, thank you, Young Master Xu!"

At the sound, the two women under the peach trees brightened even more, hurrying over. Que Er was faster than her companion, grabbing Xu Xiao Shou's hand and pulling it into her embrace.

"Young master, please come inside."

"Xiao..."

Xu Xiao Shou instinctively wanted to warn her to be careful, but then remembered things were different now—he didn't need to.

The Tian Zu inheritance had completely transformed him. As half a Xukong clan member, he now had exceptional control over his physical strength.

Skills like enhancement, sharpness, and shockwave, which he couldn't control before, were still active but could now be restrained to his surface, at least preventing accidental harm to others.

Moreover, with his damaged Dao foundation and undigested inheritance, he couldn't use his power recklessly. So, after seclusion, he had consulted Ba Zun An on Cang Jian Shu.

At Sheng Di Lv.0, with mastery of sword techniques and unity with heaven and man, Ba Zun An's explanation was like a sudden enlightenment for Xu Xiao Shou.

Finally, since he couldn't exert his own strength, he borrowed Ba Zun An's hand to place a "Cang" character seal on his qi sea and dantian.

As long as this "Cang" seal remained unbroken, even Dao Qiong Cang passing by wouldn't recognize him as Xu Xiao Shou through heavenly mechanisms or familiar aura.

He wasn't sure if it was true, but that's what Ba Zun An said, so Xu Xiao Shou decided to believe it.

Now, he was truly just a sickly gentleman.

Pulled by Que Er, Xu Xiao Shou nearly fell apart, almost breaking the seal and unleashing his wild side.

"Easy, easy..."

Xu Xiao Shou tried to wave her off, but Que Er seemed intent on stuffing his arm into her chest, her grip incredibly strong.

He wasn't sure if he should enjoy it or be alarmed. Deliberately retracting some of his surface strength, he finally freed his hand from this Xiantian realm girl's embrace without harming the beauty.

Que Er, with her light makeup yet charming looks, felt a bit frustrated and pouted inwardly—was her figure not ample enough? Or was he not interested...

But she kept her smile. "What should we call you, young master?"

Her companion, smiling coyly, gently took Xu Xiao Shou's hand, tiptoed, and breathed softly, "You can call me Ying Ying..."

"Under seduction, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiao Shou shivered. This breath was far more intense than Rao Yao Yao's Hong Chen Jian Qi— this was the real deal!

He quickly adapted to the rhythm here.

As they walked, he pulled out the paper fan prepared by Ba Zun An from his sleeve—made by Si Ren Mister—and with a flick, revealed the name Ba Zun An had lazily given him:

"I am Xu Gu Sheng."

Que Er's gaze lifted from the elegantly written characters on the fan, her eyes full of affection as she stared at his pale, delicate face: "Xu Gu Sheng, Gu Sheng... From death to life, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new— what a wonderful name, young master!"

Xu Xiao Shou hadn't even realized his own name could be interpreted that way. He thought to himself that no wonder You Gui Ge was such an elegant place—the people here spoke so beautifully!

"Young master, where are you from? Are you from the Tai Xu Xu family?"

"Under probing, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiao Shou glanced down and saw that Ying Ying didn't actually know about the Tai Xu Xu family, but he quickly looked away, not daring to stare.

The back of the fan featured a landscape painting with sword-like mountains and heroic spirit, painted by Ba Zun An himself.

Xu Xiao Shou flipped it over and said proudly: "Cang Jian Zong."

In Dong Yu, Cang Jian Zong only accepted a few true disciples like Gu Qing and his group, but many came for trials, and if they had talent and fate, they might receive guidance from Qi Jian Xian Wen Ting, turning them into unofficial disciples and elevating their status.

Wen Ting didn't mind, so over time, Cang Jian Zong gained many "outer disciples," some real, some fake.

Que Er and Ying Ying were startled at the name.

In Dong Yu, this title was renowned and thunderous. But here in Zhong Yu, the two pondered for a moment before understanding its meaning.

"Young master Xu is from Dong Yu?!"

Glancing at the black sword at his waist, which stirred slightly and let out a joyful hum under their gaze, the sword had a spirit!

Que Er and Ying Ying exchanged looks, their eyes filling with even more delight.

A Dong Yu Gu Jian Xiu...

Paired with such a sickly, soft, and enticing face...

This Xu Gu Sheng was top-tier in every way!

"Of course."

As Xu Gu Sheng nodded, Que Er and Ying Ying hurriedly ushered him inside, no longer daring to overstep, thinking that perhaps A Yao girl would really appear today, not just as hype.

You Gui Ge had its own hidden space.

From outside, it looked like a three-story pavilion, but inside, it was vast.

The dim light from the night pearls hanging above was bright yet atmospheric, with famous landscape paintings and masterpieces on the walls, exuding refined elegance.

The ground floor had two courtyards, each with dozens of tea tables separated by screens. A central Gui Mu spiral staircase led up to the curtained private rooms.

Mysterious sounds of silk, bamboo, and strings floated from somewhere, drawing people in and guiding the lavishly dressed guests to toast and chat.

Everyone's gaze, whether shifting or sideways, eventually returned to the high stage in the inner courtyard, where a lightly dressed, graceful dancer performed.

Wine doesn't intoxicate people; people intoxicate themselves!

Xu Xiao Shou scanned the room, feeling as if he had entered an earthly paradise, already a bit tipsy.

He pushed away Que Er and Ying Ying, who were trying to cling to him, and covered his lips with the fan handle, lightly coughing.

The sound wasn't loud, yet it drew the attention of hundreds on the ground floor. Even the dancer on stage paused briefly, glancing over with charm.

"Who is that?"

"Who does he think he is? Using Ling Yuan like that—does he think he's some big shot when everyone here is at least a Xiantian master?"

"What a buzzkill! Come on, Yan Er girl, let's continue, heh heh heh..."

"Get lost, you bastard!"

"Damn, what kind of luck did Que Er and Ying Ying have to snag such a pitiable sickly young master?"

Even upstairs, some doors creaked open.

Powerful spiritual senses from the women above locked onto him with greedy stares, and in the next second, they hurried downstairs.

"Young master."

"Under angry stares, passive value: 365."

"Under infatuation, passive value: 128."

"Under liking, passive value: 154."

"Under seduction, passive value: 66."

Xu Xiao Shou almost burst out laughing. He knew he'd come to the right place— this was paradise.

"Gentlemen!"

The sickly young master cupped his hands, flipped open his fan, and laughed heartily: "Everyone, eat and drink as you please— tonight, I'll cover all expenses!"

The room fell silent, a pin drop audible.

All eyes fixed on the fan: "I am Xu Gu Sheng."

In the next second, You Gui Ge erupted in thunderous cheers as the crowd chorused, raising their cups in respect: "Thank you, Young Master Xu!"

"Under gratitude, passive value: 561."

"Under infatuation, passive value: 642."

Even Que Er and Ying Ying were stunned. The revenue at You Gui Ge wasn't cheap— booking the whole place for a day, especially the second and third floors, would cost a fortune in Ling Jing...

Such extravagance from this sickly young master!

The more they looked, the more they liked him.

Que Er's eyes even showed a hint of resentment: "Is young master here for A Yao girl too?"

"A Yao?"

Xu Xiao Shou shook his head slightly, mimicking the subtle smile of the people here and Li Laohan, fanning himself casually like a regular: "Not at all, not at all."

"The person I'm looking for is Xiang Yi."

Xiang Yi?

Que Er and Ying Ying both trembled, their pretty faces draining of color.

The guests and women on the ground floor and second floor froze as if they'd seen a ghost, staring in shock.

"Under terrified stares, passive value: 666."

Thank you for the generous reward, regardless boss!