Chapter 1: No Striking, No Acquaintance
The Eastern Abandoner asked: "Is there any wine?" The attendant hurriedly replied: "Yes, yes, yes, you have come to the right place for drinking. The wine here is renowned far and wide; we confidently claim that no one dares to call themselves the first, if we consider ourselves the second"
Dongfang could not help but wonder who this handsome young man was, as he was able to command the heir of the Wei family, one of the four great families of the martial world, to obey him with such respect. Seeing that the other party believed that they had ulterior motives and did not trust his words, he could only helplessly say: "Well then, since we are in the martial world, let us proceed according to the rules of the martial world." Saying this, he walked to the table and poured a cup of "Rouge Cold," sipping it slowly while secretly contemplating what to do next. He saw that the other party was convinced that they had ulterior motives and did not believe his words, so he could only helplessly say: "Well then, since we are in the martial world, let us proceed according to the rules of the martial world." Saying this, he walked to the table and poured a cup of "Rouge Cold," sipping it slowly while secretly contemplating what to do next.
Yun'er was taken aback, and upon looking up, it felt as if struck by lightning. In an instant, she experienced a sensation akin to "as graceful as a startled swan, as elegant as a swimming dragon, radiant like autumn chrysanthemums, and flourishing like spring pines." However, upon closer inspection, there was not the slightest sense of delight. The newcomer appeared to be around twenty years old, with a pair of phoenix eyes, eyebrows that soared to the temples, thin lips tinged with red, wearing a purple-gold crown, dressed in a deep red brocade robe, with a white double-breasted jade belt at the waist, and light shoes wrapped in silk. At first glance, he resembled a celestial being; yet, his gaze was cold and fierce, as he approached step by step with a long sword in hand, exuding an unspoken aura of power. The heaviness of his brows and eyes was filled with a menacing aura, instilling an involuntary fear in others.
The innkeeper saw that the two of them had a look of poverty, dressed in the most ordinary coarse cloth garments, and wondered how they could possibly be people who came to dine at a place like "Hongyan Laibin." Were they perhaps here to dine and dash? With this thought in mind, a certain expression of disdain involuntarily appeared on his face, leading to a somewhat negligent service. Recently, the world had been in turmoil, with thieves rampant, and the two clearly looked like people from the underworld, armed with swords and knives, so the innkeeper did not dare to speak up and chase them away.
Before long, the officials and soldiers of Lin'an Prefecture surrounded the entire "Hongyan Laibin" restaurant.
As Dongfang Qi took advantage of the young master being fully focused on his wine cup, he swiftly grabbed Yun'er and whispered, "The officials are coming, let's go this way!" The two of them coordinated perfectly, leaping and jumping, escaping through the window with agility and precision. By the time the young master realized he had been deceived and leaped to the window, the two had already vanished, disappearing into the vast sea of people.
Wei Sikong originally stood aside to watch the excitement, but upon hearing his commanding tone, he let out a barely audible sigh, put away the fan in his hand, and walked step by step towards Yun'er. A powerful aura approached, and a killing intent gradually emanated from his body. Seeing this, Yun'er frowned, knowing she was no match for him. She looked around; the handsome young man blocked the window, and Wei Sikong stood at the staircase entrance. The tavern was so small that there was truly nowhere to escape or hide. She sighed inwardly, crossed her arms protectively over her chest, and could only brace herself to confront her formidable opponent. She looked around; the handsome young man blocked the window, and Wei Sikong stood at the staircase entrance. The tavern was so small that there was truly nowhere to escape or hide. She sighed inwardly, crossed her arms protectively over her chest, and could only brace herself to confront her formidable opponent.
"No need to say more, everyone is here." The voice was crisp and decisive, clearly indicating that the decision had been made. The person calling Yun'er appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, with a voice as melodious as pearls falling on a jade plate, clear and pleasant to hear. It was the height of summer, with the scorching sun overhead and waves of heat pressing down, causing everyone passing by to sweat profusely. Yet she stood there, looking fresh and unbothered by the heat, under the sun. Dressed in male attire, although it was merely a simple blue cloth robe, it did not diminish her striking appearance. Her features were like a painting, with red lips and white teeth, and she smiled gracefully. Anyone who saw her would inevitably exclaim, "What a charming youth from some family on the road."
Yun'er saw Dongfang Qi wanting to use a sword to pay for his meal, so she hurriedly snatched it from his hand, glanced at him, and said: "Are you foolish? Although swords are everywhere in the blacksmith's shop and are not worth much, there is no need to waste it like this. We can just eat without paying, what's the big deal? In today's world, there are plenty of people who kill without facing consequences"
At that moment, someone happened to lift their clothes and step onto the stairs, and he heard a chilling sound of wind by his ear, the aura of a sword pressing in on him, leading him to believe it was an assassination attempt. He instinctively reacted, channeling his energy to his dantian, and with a "ding," he drew the long sword from his waist. He saw a flash of white light in the air, barely discernible, and that person had already sheathed the sword with a "cha" sound. His face was filled with anger as he looked in the direction where Yun'er was, his gaze cold and sinister, as frigid as ice and snow.
Dongfang Qi frowned as he sensed that the other party seemed intent on engaging him in a confrontation. He had never encountered such an arrogant, overbearing, and unreasonable individual. It was merely a misunderstanding, yet the other acted with such ruthlessness, ready to take a life over a trivial disagreement, which was not the conduct of a true hero or nobleman. Taking three steps back, he clasped his fists and said: "Your swordsmanship is remarkable, young master, and I hold you in high regard. What just transpired was purely a misunderstanding. I hope you, as a person of stature, can overlook this minor offense. We are here to offer our apologies to you."
Yun'er has a clear understanding of the situation, knowing how many pounds and taels she weighs. Seeing her in a disadvantageous position, and being dragged by that handsome young man, he was unable to lend a hand to save her. Just as he was feeling anxious, he suddenly turned around and faced Wei Sikong, exclaiming: "Wei Shaoxia, as a scion of a prestigious family in the righteous sect of the martial world, you once ventured alone into enemy territory, challenging the 'Ten Tyrants of Yanshan' with your sword, gaining fame in the martial world through a single battle. The Qingfeng sword in your hand, used to uphold justice and protect the weak, is truly magnificent, and to this day, it is still spoken of as a beautiful tale. Why today do you go against your principles, indiscriminately killing the innocent without distinguishing right from wrong?"
The guests upstairs had long been frightened away by the commotion. A few bold ones stood on the stairs, peering up curiously. The innkeeper had already sent someone to report to the authorities. The large tavern was suddenly silent.
Wei Sikong responded with an acknowledgment and proceeded to handle the matter himself
With a crisp "ding", the sword of Dongfang Qi was shattered with a single blow, breaking into two pieces along with its sheath, rolling all the way to the window before coming to a stop, producing a clear sound. The diners upstairs were instantly dumbfounded, staring with their mouths agape at the newcomer, each thinking: "What a swift sword!" It could slice through gold and jade, cutting iron as if it were mud.
The two of them together have only a total of one tael and one cash of silver
Dongfang Qi leisurely walked around the table, leaning against the street-facing window. Facing the handsome young man, he poured another glass of wine and shouted, "Please!" Taking advantage of the other party's unpreparedness, he flung the cup in his hand over, simultaneously giving Yun'er a knowing glance. The wine cup spiraled through the air with increasing speed, creating a sharp sound of wind. The young man was entirely focused on the cup of wine, his eyes fixed, and with a twist of his wrist, he skillfully caught it with his other hand. The cup landed steadily in his palm, and not a single drop of the light red liquid spilled out, showcasing an exceptionally elegant technique.
The renowned wine named "Yanzhi Leng" is as famous as the phrase "Hongyan Laibin". This wine is a vivid red, reminiscent of rouge, and has been described by literati with the phrase "as bright as peach and plum blossoms, as cold as ice and frost". "Yanzhi Leng" is stored in ice and snow for many years, exuding a chilling aura, with a rich and thick aroma that remains intact, truly deserving of its name "Yanzhi". Consuming it in the height of summer dispels heat and brings a sense of comfort, but it can only be found at "Hongyan Laibin". Matters of the East are of little concern, yet the delights in the cup are greatly valued, which is why Yun'er insisted on coming to "Hongyan Laibin" for a taste, and he did not stop her. Consuming it in the height of summer dispels heat and brings a sense of comfort, but it can only be found at "Hongyan Laibin". Matters of the East are of little concern, yet the delights in the cup are greatly valued, which is why Yun'er insisted on coming to "Hongyan Laibin" for a taste, and he did not stop her
The young master gazed out the window with a somber expression, suppressing the anger within him. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Sikong, have the governor of Lin'an, Zhou Yunlong, come to see me. Send someone to pursue him, and kill without question. We must see him alive or his corpse; he must not be let go." His tone was calm, yet it sent chills down one's spine, as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over them.
The East dismissed it with a single remark, "Just an unknown junior, not worth mentioning. It is not surprising that Young Master Wei does not recognize him. Young Master Wei, please adjudicate this matter. Yun'er has not established any deep-seated enmity with this young gentleman, and we have already offered our apologies earlier. Why must we be so relentless, insisting on driving someone to their death?"
Dongfang Qi and Yun'er, both covered in dust, stood in front of the most renowned restaurant in Lin'an, "Hongyan Laibin." Dongfang Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead, observing the people entering and exiting, all of whom were either wealthy or noble. He said with a hint of uncertainty, "Yun'er, do you really want to dine here?"
The handsome young man, seeing her daring to shout "thief" while committing theft, darkened his expression, his eyes revealing a fierce light. With his fingers clawed like talons, he executed a move called "Black Tiger Prowls the Heart," reaching for her chest, and said with a snort, "I wonder where you think you can escape to!" Yun'er, witnessing his wolf-like claws growing larger before her eyes, was terrified, her beautiful face changing color. In a mix of shock and anger, she retreated repeatedly, "Ah ah ah ah—" frightened to the point of not knowing how to respond.
Wei Sikong looked at him with a hint of surprise, not expecting that he not only recognized him but also had a thorough understanding of his life story. He glanced at the handsome young man beside him, whose expression was clearly displeased, and fell into silence. After a while, he raised an eyebrow and said: "It is merely some empty titles and superficial fame given by friends in the martial world. I understand your words; I do not dare to accept the praise, nor do I dare to accept the criticism. On the contrary, this young hero—though unfamiliar in appearance—seems to know quite a lot about me. May I ask your esteemed name?"
After finishing the meal and settling the bill, the total came to 4 taels and 9 cash, which is the living expenses for an ordinary family for three months. Yun'er exclaimed, "Are you robbing us? It's just a plate of stir-fried beef, a plate of Kung Pao chicken, a few seasonal vegetables, and a pot of wine, yet you charge 5 taels of silver?" The waiter, with a pained expression, replied, "Esteemed guest, our 'Hongyan Laibin' is the best restaurant in Lin'an City, not just an ordinary eatery. Just the Kung Pao chicken is prepared differently from others; the peanuts must be shelled, peeled, deep-fried, and stir-fried all within one hour to ensure its taste and texture..."
Dongfang Qi had no choice but to stand up, placing Yun'er behind him, and cupped his fists in greeting, saying: "Esteemed young master, Yun'er was momentarily reckless and accidentally bumped into you. I hope you, being magnanimous, will not take offense." The handsome young man's pupils instantly constricted, his gaze fixed intently on him, a strange expression fleeting across his face. His body leaned slightly forward, resembling a poised cheetah ready to pounce, and with a smirk, he coldly replied: "Very well, very well." He slowly drew the sword from his waist.
Dongfang Qi made up her mind and shrugged, choosing not to say more, before stepping inside
At this moment, Wei Sikong actually admires Dongfang Qi a bit, knowing full well that he is besieged on all sides, yet still able to drink calmly and unhurriedly; this composure truly deserves admiration.
The young master tilted his head and squinted at Yun'er. The veins on his forehead throbbed violently, and his expression was both fierce and menacing, clearly enraged by Yun'er's provocative demeanor. He noticed that Dongfang Qi, facing him, remained calm and composed under the pressure of his internal energy, exuding the aura of a master. Not daring to underestimate him, he fixed his gaze on every move Dongfang Qi made and, without raising his head, said: "Sikong, kill him!" He was, of course, referring to Yun'er
The silent Dongfang Qi fixed his gaze on the beautiful young man's sword at his waist, slightly furrowing his brow
Yun'er tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Aren't we... aren't we out of money?" It was strange; he wasn't the type to dine and dash. Dongfang Qi glanced at her and said, "Didn't you insist on eating here?" Yun'er let out a dry laugh and replied, "Of course, of course. Actually, there's nothing wrong with dining and dashing, but we still need to think it over. You are bold because of your skills, but I am limited by my circumstances. What if—" She gestured in the air as if mimicking a fight, "You mustn't leave me behind."
He felt a sticky sensation in the palm of his hand. Looking down, he realized it was grease from the chopsticks. A look of disgust appeared on his face as he snapped them in half with a loud crack and angrily threw them to the ground. His eyes scanned the area, and in a gloomy tone, he asked, "Who?" His voice was cold, as if it had emerged from the depths of the earth, devoid of any warmth, sending chills down one's spine. His gaze pierced through the panicked crowd, coldly fixing on a corner to his right, his expression changing several times.
Yun'er preferred to present herself in male attire, as she appeared more handsome than in female clothing, and it was also more convenient for traveling. Along the way, she won the hearts of many young women, and although she outwardly avoided them, she felt quite pleased internally. Little did she know that upon encountering this person today, she would realize that there truly exist men who are even more attractive than women. The thought of being outshone while disguised as a man inevitably left her somewhat disheartened. At that moment, she mused, what kind of person is this, neither fully male nor female, with an odd demeanor? Perhaps he is just a "flowered pillow with a rotten interior." She lazily stood up and said nonchalantly, "Hey, how did you break my sword? You owe me compensation." This was just the right opportunity to swindle him out of some silver to cover her meal expenses
The handsome young man immediately turned his head to look at Yun'er, his pupils constricting as a murderous intent arose within him. Hmph, it is better to mistakenly kill than to let go! Without further ado, he kicked out with a foot filled with true energy, aimed directly at her vital point. If it weren't for Yun'er's quick reaction, as soon as she sensed the danger, she leaped back; otherwise, she would have likely met her demise by now.
Dongfang smiled faintly, "Rest assured, we are two grasshoppers on the same string; if we are to die, we shall die together."
While speaking, a young man dressed in a white silk robe and carrying a long sword approached. He had a tall and slender figure, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a straight nose, and a composed demeanor. Glancing at the broken sword on the ground, he turned to the handsome young man and asked, "Young master, what has happened?" After a moment of astonishment, a look of vigilance appeared on his face
Wei Sikong revealed a faint bitter smile, "Alas— you say it is a misunderstanding, but my young master does not think so, which makes things difficult to say. I would like to let you go, but I am not in a position to make that decision." As he spoke, he shrugged, implying that Yun'er’s fate, whether life or death, entirely depended on that handsome young master, and had nothing to do with him.
Just as the handsome young man’s hand was about to touch Yun'er’s garment, a sudden gust of wind arose beside his ear, and a hidden weapon, infused with a powerful internal force, shot directly towards his cheek. He decisively withdrew his hand and tilted his head back, slightly swaying from the force of the opponent's powerful energy. His heart tightened immediately, not daring to underestimate the situation. He secretly channeled his true energy—his right hand firmly grasped the hidden weapon that had ambushed him, which turned out to be merely a chopstick. He decisively withdrew his hand and tilted his head back, slightly swaying from the force of the opponent's powerful energy. His heart tightened immediately, not daring to underestimate the situation. He secretly channeled his true energy—his right hand firmly grasped the hidden weapon that had ambushed him, which turned out to be merely a chopstick.
The arrival of the wild geese indeed brought a throng of guests, with every seat occupied, some drinking, some conversing, some singing, and others calling out... The voices were bustling, and the crowd was as lively as a tide. Dongfang Qi turned around, looking for a while, and finally found an empty table in a corner to the north, where he sat down and poured himself a cup of cool tea to quench his thirst
Yun'er took a deep breath, her face pale, gasping for air, and shrinking back in fear. Upon hearing his words, anger surged within her. She never expected that this person, who appeared to be celestial, would possess a heart as venomous as a snake's, so unreasonable, arrogant, and self-important. The brutality of his methods, the arrogance of his tone, and the terrifying expression on his face were unprecedented. She recalled narrowly escaping death just moments ago, almost falling into this person's hands, and immediately gritted her teeth in hatred, saying: "Dongfang, teach him a good lesson!" It would be best to beat him to the point of rolling on the ground in fear, begging for mercy.
The handsome young man, upon hearing this, turned pale with rage. He seemed to ignore Dongfang Qi's apologies for his wrongdoing, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the vital points of his entire body. Nonchalantly, he said: "What do you think I am? Do you think you can come and go as you please? Since you have risked everything to save him, hmph, with such deep feelings, why not die together with him? I might even consider leaving you with a complete corpse." Since you have risked everything to save him, hmph, with such deep feelings, why not die together with him? I might even consider leaving you with a complete corpse.
In the eighth year of the Zhenghe era of Emperor Zhou Ming, in Lin'an, during a time of chaos.
The handsome young man was somewhat perplexed by his unusual behavior. According to the rules of the martial world, shouldn't they have engaged in a proper fight? Yet, not only did he refrain from taking action, but he also started drinking instead. Uncertain of what the other party was up to, he cautiously chose not to strike first. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Dongfang Qi, and glanced at Wei Sikong standing to the side, his vigilance deepening.
Eastern Abandonment of Darkness: I did not expect that there would be such a person here, I fear there may be some trouble
Dongfang Qi seemed to understand his thoughts, smiled gently at him, and slammed the long sword in his hand onto the table, saying softly: "Little brother, are you afraid that we won't pay for our meal? This should be enough, right?" The waiter felt somewhat awkward at being addressed as "little brother" and was also intimidated by the sword in his hand, quickly shaking his head and saying: "Not at all, sir, you jest. Look at you, you must have had a hard journey. What would you like to eat? We have all kinds of delicacies, from mountain treasures to seafood, from game birds to fish, cold dishes to hot stir-fries, fresh fruits to preserved sweets. At our Hongyan Restaurant, we have everything you could wish for"
Yun Er looked at Dongfang Qi with a face full of anxiety, frequently signaling him to think of a way to escape quickly. These two did not appear to be good-natured individuals; since they could not provoke them, why not just hide? They could treat it as stepping in dog poop and consider themselves unfortunate. Dongfang Qi blinked, signaling her to remain calm.
Yun'er noticed that he was moving towards the window without making a sound. Understanding the situation, she raised her right hand and shouted towards Wei Sikong's direction: "Hidden weapon!" Taking advantage of the moment when Wei Sikong was dodging, she ran towards the window.
Yun'er sensed that the situation was dire; although she was flustered, she remained composed. She swiftly sidestepped towards the window, rolling clumsily in front of the crowd, leaving her covered in dust and looking quite disheveled. At that moment, she heard applause behind her, coming as swiftly as a shadow, like a malignant growth that clings to the bone. In an instant, her spirit was shattered, and she scrambled to her feet, raising her voice to scream repeatedly: "Help! Help! There's been a murder! A robbery!"
Dongfang Qi said, "It doesn't matter, just leave it here for now, and we will redeem it later." Yun'er raised her eyebrows and took out the only one tael of silver she had left, saying, "I won't. This is all I have, take it or leave it. You 'Hongyan Laibin' are running a black shop, who dares to stop me?" As she spoke, she drew her long sword and performed a flourish in the air. The long sword shot out, tracing a green arc in the air, the sword energy was sharp and fierce, leaving the shop assistant standing by in speechless fear.
The handsome young man displayed a look of surprise on his face, likely unable to believe that Yun'er could evade his unusual kick. He then snorted, "Not bad—" Before he could finish his sentence, he formed his fingers into a blade and struck down towards Yun'er's head with a fierce blow. Having missed his kick earlier, he was already quite impatient and thus sought to resolve the matter swiftly. At this moment, Yun'er was so frightened that her complexion changed; she had not expected this person to be so ruthless. She had merely made a few jokes, yet he was intent on taking her life, striking with cruelty and leaving no room for mercy.
The handsome young man asked expressionlessly, "Sikong, do you recognize this sword?" His voice was cold, his eyes fixed on the ground, and his face wore a grim expression. Wei Sikong took a careful look and replied with certainty, "I do not recognize it; there is nothing particularly special about it." This meant that he could not ascertain its origin.