Chapter 5: The Love and Hatred of Mei Lan

Yang Fei cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Elder Sun, for your kind advice. I shall take my leave now."

Yang Fei did not expect such a sorrowful situation; his heart raced with anxiety. He hurriedly helped Xiao Die to her feet and gently wiped away the tears streaming down her small face, feeling quite puzzled as he asked, "Xiao Die, what is the matter with you?"

Xiao Die's eyes reddened; although she was still just a child, she had already learned quite a bit about the affairs of the brothels from daily exposure. Suddenly, she knelt down in front of Yang Fei and began to knock her head on the ground.

On one side of the Ru Gui Inn, a residential house was left with only a pile of broken bricks and tiles. At the entrance of the inn, a notice was posted indicating that it was temporarily closed for business. This clearly indicated the intensity of the fight. Yang Fei, not bothering to catch his breath, went to knock on the door

Meilan had originally made up her mind to give her virginity to Yang Fei, but upon seeing him lying in bed with two women, her anger surged. She felt an overwhelming urge to kill him with a single sword strike. Hearing his words, she bitterly retorted: "You are quite the libertine, enjoying yourself with two companions, not even sparing such a young child. If I do not act on behalf of justice today and kill you with a single sword, will I allow you to ruin others?" After saying this, she felt her cheeks flush; had she not come here to be ruined by him herself?

Meilan was momentarily taken aback, not yet comprehending the meaning behind Yang Fei's words. When she recalled the implication of the "ugly duckling" in his speech and thought of the events of the day, she could not help but feel her delicate face flush with anger, tears streaming down her cheeks like a fountain. With a swift motion, she drew her long sword and pointed it at Yang Fei, her voice sharp as she exclaimed, "You are seeking death." As she spoke, the tip of her sword danced in a flourish, aimed directly at Yang Fei's throat

Yang Fei nodded and respectfully said to the two, "Yes, Chief Escort, Uncle"

Bai Xiangtian saw Yang Fei actually nodding, and was even more astonished, saying: "Xiao Fei, when did you get to know Master Mei?"

To Yang Fei's surprise, Mei Lan actually nodded. She stared blankly at Yang Fei, who was completely undressed, her heart racing suddenly. After a while, she suddenly sat down at the dressing table, and one by one, like the autumn moon, she removed the few hair ornaments from her head in front of the bronze mirror

Inside the room, there were two people engaged in an intimate moment; one was naturally Fu Jun, and the other was unexpectedly Bai Yushuang. The door had not been properly closed, and with a push from Yang Fei, it swung open, startling the two, who quickly separated. Although the three were usually quite familiar with each other, the situation was rather awkward at this moment. Yang Fei was at a loss, unsure whether to enter or to retreat outside.

Although her eyes are not particularly large, they possess a captivating charm that emerges in their glances. Coupled with her elegantly arched willow-leaf eyebrows, there is an enchanting allure that is quite mesmerizing. Her petite nose, exquisite oval face, and the faint trace of blood seeping from her lower lip further enhance her stunning appearance. Undeniably, in terms of beauty, Mei Lan can be considered a rare beauty. However, since she often spends time with Mei Yunqing, she does not attract much attention. Yet, she is far more beautiful than Qiu Yue, albeit also more fierce. Her actions are often unexpected and perplexing. At this moment, with his life hanging by a thread, Yang Fei naturally lavishes praise on Mei Lan, exclaiming loudly, "Miss Xiao Lan is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." After saying this, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate, realizing he had overdone the flattery, so he added, "Of course, except for your young lady." This statement is indeed true; even Bai Yushuang pales in comparison to Mei Lan.

Yang Fei could not help but sit back in the armchair, watching every move of Qiu Yue. Although she appeared to others as an utterly despicable courtesan, to him she seemed extraordinarily pure. As long as a person possesses a noble spirit, what does it matter if their body is tainted

Fu Jun smiled wryly and said, "It has been an hour since I just woke up from a nap, and Yu Shuang has already arrived. What about you?"

Yang Fei had just returned to his body when he heard Mei Lan cursing him for being a rat as she turned the corner. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, realizing that fortune and misfortune are intertwined; one cannot escape from what is destined. Despite his stealthy actions, he was still caught red-handed by her. Had he known this would happen, he would have boldly walked down the main road instead.

At this moment, the Zhenwei Escort Agency was extremely quiet. Those bodyguards and porters living near Chang'an naturally returned home to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, while many others, like Yang Fei, were out shopping. As a result, more than half of the people in the agency had already left.

The armchair was exceedingly spacious, allowing two people to sit without feeling cramped. Yang Fei thought that perhaps in the past, clients had engaged in such activities with Qiu Yue while seated there. He could not help but gently caress the satin-like smooth and delicate skin of Mei Lan, who was seated across his lap, indulging himself freely. His large mouth also mischievously kissed her jade-like neck. Mei Lan, being inexperienced, could not help but softly moan under such circumstances.

Xiao Die suddenly struggled free with all her might, falling to her knees on the ground, and pleaded, "I beg you, Master Yang, to redeem Xiao Die. I will repay you for the rest of my life by working like a cow or a horse."

His appearance was quite absurd and comical, which made Mei Lan involuntarily chuckle with a "pfft" sound.

Qiu Yue said: "This young master is unaware; in our line of work, we typically buy low and sell high, and the price at which we redeem is generally several times higher than the price at which we initially sold it." Noticing Yang Fei's gloomy expression, she couldn't help but ask: "Does the young master not have that much silver?"

Qiu Yue released him and gently said, "I will escort you down; please wait a moment." After speaking, she returned to the dressing table to continue her grooming.

Yang Fei thought to himself that he was also a poor wretch, not much better off than you, so where would he find the silver to rescue you? Yet, seeing Xiao Die's tear-streaked, pitiful face, his heart softened. He realized that this good deed of his was likely set in stone for today. After a moment's contemplation, he asked, "How much silver would it take to redeem Xiao Die?" His question was directed at Qiu Yue.

Yang Fei originally intended to tie his loose belt, but upon seeing the situation, he had no choice but to give up. He forced a bitter smile and said, "Does your young lady know that you want to kill me?" He certainly knew that if Mei Yunqing wanted his life, she would have acted long ago. Moreover, there was no need for Mei Lan to take action; it was certain that Mei Lan was secretly seeking revenge, hence he reminded her to think twice before acting.

Yang Fei felt a heavy heart; in this day and age, even if he were to be dismembered and sold, he could not obtain two hundred taels of silver. With a helpless expression, he said: "Didn’t Xiao Die just sell for fifty taels to Ruan Xiang Ju?"

Yang Fei hurriedly took the handkerchief from Mei Lan's hand and said with a smile, "It's no trouble, let me do it myself." The handkerchief was quite large, and he quickly wrapped it around his left cheek, passing it through his ear, and then said, "This will do."

Yang Feifang let out a sigh of relief and said: "Thank you, Chief Escort"

Meilan called out to him, saying: "What brings you here? Why are you leaving without taking care of your business?"

Nangong Yi stayed in the room to help Mei Yunqing with her illness, while Wu Yunhe noticed that Mei Lan's eyes were red and swollen from crying silently, not knowing the reason behind her sorrow. Unsure of how to inquire, he suggested a swordsmanship duel with Mei Lan, ostensibly to practice martial arts, but in reality, it was to help her alleviate her distress

Meilan said nothing, walked to the bedside, glanced at Xiaodie, and asked: "What is her name?"

Yang Fei said: "I am already drunk, what else can I do?"

Xiao Die was already in a charmingly intoxicated state, unaware of when she had collapsed onto the table and fallen into a deep sleep

Yang Fei watched as Qiu Yue approached him and placed the jade pendant into his hand. Only then did he hear her say: "This is an ancient jade passed down in my family, and I have never parted with it. Originally, there was another piece identical to it, but unfortunately, I do not know where it is now"

Yet, Mei Lan softly said, "Do you think I look good?" Yang Fei did not understand the meaning of her words and could only look up at her. It was the first time he had examined Mei Lan so closely.

Fu Jun slowly said: "Yu Shuang mentioned that your beloved was attacked and injured today. My father and the chief escort have gone to check on the injuries." He spoke very slowly, and by the time he finished, Yang Fei had already vanished without a trace. Unconsciously, he murmured: "I haven't finished speaking yet. Why are you in such a hurry? I didn't see you this anxious even when your mother passed away."

Meilan remained silent, methodically putting on her clothes and slowly inserting the hair ornaments. At that moment, she returned to her original appearance, as if the earlier events had never occurred. Once she had dressed completely and picked up her long sword, intending to leave, Yang Fei suddenly said: "If you truly wish to repay your young lady's kindness, then help me redeem the little girl on the couch from here." Two hundred taels of silver was a significant amount in his eyes, but for Meihua Mountain Manor, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

Yang Fei waved his hand to Qiuyue, who stood at the entrance of Ruanxiangju, gazing at him with tears still streaming down her face, and said: "Miss Qiuyue, if one day I have money, I will definitely redeem you. Take care of yourself." After saying this, he steeled his heart and walked away, only to look back at the street corner and see Qiuyue still standing there, motionless like a statue. He couldn't help but sigh, then recognized his direction and headed towards the Zhenwei Escort Agency

Yang Fei chuckled and said, "It hasn't been accomplished yet, so what kind of good deed is that?" He poured a glass of wine, handed it to Xiao Die with a slight smile, and said, "Xiao Die, would you like to have a drink to celebrate?"

Yang Fei then felt a sharp pain in his left cheek. When he reached out to touch it, he found his hand covered in blood, clearly the result of Mei Lan's earlier strike. He bitterly smiled to himself, wondering why every time a woman got angry, she preferred to injure his face. His face was already not handsome, and with a few more scars, he would surely become a hideous sight. However, upon hearing the last sentence from Mei Lan, he was taken aback. He dared not trouble her further; if Mei Lan were to rub salt into his wounds again, he would either bleed to death or suffer excruciating pain.

Meilan was also unaware, as her jade hand suddenly covered his lips, saying: "There is no need to say more, I believe you are."

The tip of Mei Lan's sword pierced the abdomen of the mouse, causing it to struggle desperately, not yet dead. With a flick of her wrist, Mei Lan created a flourish with her sword, and the mouse fell to the ground with a soft thud, yet did not flee, for all four of its legs had been severed by her blade.

Yang Fei found it difficult to articulate, but Bai Xiangtian chuckled and said, "It is perhaps best for us old folks not to inquire into the matters of you young people."

Chunhua let out a sound and said: "He, oh, has long since left, and even left a message for me to tell the young master to take his time and not to rush. Unlike you, young master, who can stay in Qiu Yue's room for half a day, playing who knows how many tricks, right, Qiu Yue?" Her words were quite lewd, and the courtesans around her all burst into laughter.

Bai Xiangtian then turned around and left with Fu Wuji

Meilan, however, did not sheathe her sword. The long sword was pointed diagonally at Yang Fei as she smiled sweetly and said, "This rat is so despicable; killing it with one sword would be too merciful. I want to slowly torture it to death." As she spoke the last sentence, her originally flower-like smile suddenly turned somber, and each word seemed to be spoken through gritted teeth.

Mei Lan, with a charming face and a bright smile, said softly, "I almost forgot." After speaking, she indeed followed her own words and sheathed the sword. Taking out a handkerchief from her person, she approached Yang Fei with a gentle expression and said softly, "Young Master Yang, I truly apologize for injuring your face with my sword just now. Allow me to help you bandage it."

In the past, Mei Lan had never spoken to Wu Yunhe in such a gentle and soft tone. Wu Yunhe felt a stir in his heart, somewhat flattered and surprised, and he responded repeatedly in agreement. The two then began to compete again in the open space.

Meilan did not respond; instead, she took the initiative to kiss him, but Yang Fei pushed her away with a firm hand: "Answer me."

At the age of sixteen, a young girl is in the bloom of youth, at the time of choosing a partner for marriage. Yet, it is lamentable that she has encountered such a tragic fate. Yang Fei sighed, pondering that in this vast world, there are indeed countless tragic events. Even the emperor has no means to address them all, so how could he possibly have the ability to manage each one individually

The entire perimeter of the backyard is lined with poplar trees, and there is a small path running through the middle. Alongside the path, there are two flower beds filled with numerous unknown flowers. Although it is already mid-autumn, the flowers are still in full bloom, competing for beauty. In the northwest corner of the left flower bed, there is a vacant area of about three zhang in diameter, where Mei Lan is truly engaged in a lively swordplay with a man, enjoying the duel immensely

Wu Yunhe was astonished; it could be considered quite an achievement for a small-time thug to make it this far. However, upon hearing Mei Lan refer to herself as "Young Hero Wu," he couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy in his heart

After a while, the autumn moon finally rose. Yang Fei's chest was already dampened. He gently pushed her away and looked outside; the sun was slanting down, and in the blink of an eye, it was dusk. He realized he had been here for an entire afternoon. Yang Fei sighed and said, "I should head back"

Upon hearing Mei Lan refer to him as "Brother Wu," Wu Yunhe felt a surge of joy, quickly forgetting why Mei Lan had mastered this move so skillfully. Having practiced the Huashan Sword Technique since childhood, he knew how to counter this maneuver. With a loud shout, he transformed his long sword into a curtain of blades, protecting his vital points. This was precisely the "Cang Song Ying Ke" move that Mei Lan had seen before, which is the first defensive move in the Huashan Sword Technique, perfectly countering the "Bai Hong Guan Ri" technique.

Xiao Die had just taken her seat, and her mood had brightened considerably. The faint sorrow that was somewhat incongruous with her age had also vanished from her brow.

Yang Feiqi said, "Miss Qiu Yue, this ancient jade holds such commemorative value for you, why are you giving it to me? Quickly take it back." As he spoke, he intended to return it to Qiu Yue.

Yang Fei set aside the displeasing matters in his heart, took the wine jug, and poured himself a cup of wine, which he drank in one go. He then poured a cup for Xiao Die as well. In this manner, the two of them exchanged cups, and within the span of a single incense stick, they finished the entire jug of wine.

Qiu Yue then stood up and said: "My original name is Xing Xiaoyue, and my brother is called Xing Xiaolong"

Qiu Yue hurriedly walked to his side, gently assisting him in dressing. Yang Fei initially intended to decline, but upon seeing Qiu Yue's slightly pleading gaze, he had no choice but to relent. Moreover, being served by a beauty while dressing was inherently a most pleasant affair.

The martial arts of the world share common principles, and the same applies to swordsmanship. Although Mei Lan is unaware of the secret techniques and does not know the authentic internal skills of Mount Hua, her own martial arts are quite advanced. She is proficient in sword techniques and is intelligent. Even though she does not understand the internal energy circulation during the variations of sword forms, she compensates with the Jade Maiden Divine Skill learned from her childhood at Meihua Mountain Villa. As a result, she not only practices the Mount Hua sword techniques with great fluidity but also wields power that is not inferior to that of the disciples of the Mount Hua sect.

Yang Fei watched the mouse on the ground that was still struggling, and finally it gradually stopped moving. In his heart, he felt that he was still inferior to it. He stood there for a while, and as the sky darkened, the unique full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival slowly rose from the horizon

Meilan, for reasons unknown, felt a surge of jealousy in her heart and said: "I merely struck her acupoint." Her charming face turned cold, and she pointed the tip of her sword at Yang Fei's heart.

Meilan gently said: "Are you really saying that? Please do not deceive me"

Qiu Yue also sighed and said: "Now that Xiao Die is still young, she only does some trivial tasks and engages in unrelated rough work. In three or four years, alas, it is truly pitiful." As she uttered the word 'pitiful,' she could not help but shed tears, yet she did not realize whether she was lamenting Xiao Die's plight or recalling her own equally pitiable situation.

Meilan's expression softened, and she coldly remarked, "They can be considered virtuous women, hmph, don't play tricks." Suddenly, she sheathed her long sword and commanded, "Get up first."

Qiu Yue could not help but reach out to gently caress Yang Fei's still youthful face. At that moment, Yang Fei appeared to her as the most handsome man in the world. If she could be his wife even just once, she would willingly accept death. Lost in her thoughts, Qiu Yue unconsciously rested her head on Yang Fei's chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

Yang Fei originally intended to speak, but upon seeing Xiao Die's eyes filled with hope, he swallowed the words and instead said: "I will do my best to think of a way when I return. If I can manage to obtain it, I will definitely rescue Xiao Die to prevent her from losing her happiness for a lifetime." He was quite self-aware and did not dare to make his words too absolute.

Bai Xiangtian smiled and said, "I haven't done anything for you, so why thank me?" After saying this, he gave a slight bow and stepped out of the inn. After walking quite a distance, he suddenly turned back with a friendly expression and said, "Xiao Fei, come back early tonight."

The young hero of the Huashan Sect, Wu Shaoxia, refers to Wu Yunhe. He and Nangong Yi returned to their resting place, finding themselves with nothing to do. Upon seeing Mei Yunqing's unparalleled beauty, Nangong Yi could not help but feel a sense of admiration and envy. He seized the opportunity to deliver medicine to Mei Yunqing as an excuse to visit her. Wu Yunhe also wished to see Mei Lan, and the two quickly reached an agreement. After having dinner, they arrived early at the Ru Gui Inn. However, Wu Yunhe had previously set three rules with Nangong Yi, forbidding him from engaging in any verbal sparring with Mei Lan.

Yang Fei asked, "What news?"

Although Yang Fei had seen Mei Yunqing's body last night, the situation was urgent and it was late at night, so he could not see it clearly. Now, with such a vividly beautiful naked body before him, Yang Fei was already blushing and his heart was racing with desire. He swallowed hard, and in that moment, even the beautiful image of Mei Yunqing was completely forgotten.

Two individuals, a man and a woman, alone together, igniting a passionate fire, facing each other in the nude, was originally a scene of romantic pleasure. Suddenly, Yang Fei felt a chill on his back. He turned Mei Lan's beautiful face towards him and saw that her face was covered in tears. A chill ran through his heart, and all desire vanished. He coldly asked, "Why are you like this?"

The door opened by itself, and unexpectedly, stepping out from within was Bai Xiangtian and Fu Wuji. Accompanying them was Manager Sun. Upon seeing Yang Fei, Bai and Fu were taken aback in unison. Bai Xiangtian exclaimed, "Xiao Fei, how did you come here?"

Yang Fei thought to himself: If I were to speak of what just happened, you would regret it even more

Qiu Yue unexpectedly blushed deeply, not bothering to refute, as if she had already acknowledged Chun Hua's words

Xiao Die, her face flushed, released Yang Fei, as if she had suddenly remembered that Yang Fei was a man and that she could be considered half a woman herself. Such an action was quite inappropriate. She took two steps back, knelt down on the ground, and respectfully bowed her head three times to Yang Fei, saying: "Xiao Die thanks the young master for his life-saving grace."

Meilan, without waiting for Yang Fei to respond, said: "He is merely a small thug from the Zhenwei Escort Agency. Young Hero Wu, as the esteemed disciple of the Huashan Sect's leader, why must you associate with such nameless figures from the martial world"

The autumn moon hung low, and she gently opened the door, taking his right arm as they walked out together

Yang Fei certainly knew what she was thinking, but he could not have anticipated how vicious a woman could be when she hated someone. The tip of Mei Lan's sword danced before his eyes, and he felt a genuine sense of fear in his heart. He couldn't help but tremble as he said, "Miss Xiao Lan, may I ask you to sheathe your sword?"

Yang Fei performed another bow and then walked out through the back door

Bai Yushuang's face flushed red, and she softly called out: "Feiyang, you are back. My father has asked everyone to gather in the courtyard tonight to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival." After saying this, she quickly walked away from his side, and in the blink of an eye, she had disappeared from sight

Seeing him so courteous, Manager Sun felt quite pleased and did not go against his intentions. He pointed to a door and said: "Go out through this back door, pass through the flower garden, and you will see a row of single-story houses; the one at the far east is the one you seek"

The autumn moon smiled faintly; she could see that Yang Fei was a kind-hearted, attentive, and gentle man. A woman marrying a man like him, who is so well-read and cultured, is truly fortunate. Upon thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh again, fearing that she would never have such luck in this lifetime. Perhaps Xiao Die might have it; she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards Xiao Die.

Yang Fei did not expect to encounter the two individuals, and his expression turned awkward. For a moment, he could not think of any lies to respond with, and could only stammer, "As for the head of the escort, I..." Just as he was hesitating, the shopkeeper Sun, whom he had only met once, spoke up and greeted him, "Young Master Yang, have you come to visit the estate owner as well"

After half a cup of tea's time, Qiu Yue finally wiped away her tears and continued, "Later, I was sold to this Soft Fragrance Pavilion, and I was only sixteen years old then"

Mei Lan steadied her mind, retracted her long sword, and pointed it at Yang Fei, saying sternly: "One day, I will make you perish beneath my sword." After speaking, she did not even glance at the ashen-faced Yang Fei, and despite the tears still hanging on her delicate face, she turned to Wu Yunhe with a smile and said softly: "Brother Wu, let us continue our swordplay."

Yang Fei said: "Little Butterfly"

Qiu Yue suddenly woke up, feeling around her side, only to find that Yang Fei was no longer there. Just as she was feeling disappointed, she unexpectedly discovered that she could move. Ignoring the soreness and numbness throughout her body, she climbed up. Looking up, she saw Yang Fei sitting naked in the armchair, and she couldn't help but be slightly taken aback, her heart secretly rejoicing, thinking that she only needed to approach him to fulfill her long-held wish. However, Yang Fei's actions left her greatly disappointed, as he actually began to get dressed.

Meilan was already feeling completely weak and powerless, caught off guard and pushed to the ground. She felt extremely worthless, as if no one wanted her even when she offered herself. She thought she was even inferior to the prostitutes in this soft fragrance residence. As these thoughts crossed her mind, a wave of sadness overwhelmed her, and she collapsed on the ground, crying out loud.

Meilan, for reasons unknown, felt a surge of bitterness in her heart and snorted, "A toad wishes to eat swan meat, utterly unaware of its own limitations"

To ease her mood and temporarily set aside the matter of Yang Fei, this allowed for both defense and offense. The Huashan Sect, established on the foundation of swordsmanship, boasts an exceptionally exquisite sword technique. Any martial artist who witnesses such profound martial arts cannot help but feel delighted and humbly seek guidance. Mei Lan often engaged in several exchanges, and upon seeing unfamiliar techniques, she would request Wu Yunhe to demonstrate them again. As a result, in just over half an hour, she managed to learn about eighty to ninety percent of the Huashan sword techniques.

Qiu Yue adjusted her attire and did not immediately stand up; instead, she reached into her bosom with both hands from her neck and, under Yang Fei's astonished gaze, took down a jade pendant from around her neck

Today, someone referred to Yang Fei as "Young Master Yang," which greatly surprised him. However, he did not expect that at this moment, someone would call him "Old Master Yang." Coming from humble beginnings, he felt unworthy of such a title. With great trepidation, he helped Xiao Die to her feet and gently seated her in a chair, saying softly, "Let us speak amicably; there is no need to kneel."

Yang Fei did not answer him, but instead retorted, "You seem to be in good spirits; when did you return?"

Qiu Yue shook her head and said: "That piece of ancient jade is with my younger brother, and this year he is already fourteen years old. I am from Huayin County. Three years ago, the Yellow River breached its banks, causing a great flood. My parents were drowned, leaving only my brother and me to beg for a living along the way. Unexpectedly, we got separated on the road. At that time, a seemingly kind old man took pity on me and took me in, but who would have thought that he..." At this point, Qiu Yue was already in tears, unable to speak. Yang Fei realized what that old man had done and, in a fit of anger, slammed the table, nearly knocking over Qiu Yue's cosmetics on the dressing table.

Yang Fei looked at his two daughters, who were tightly clinging to him on either side, and secretly smiled bitterly. In such a situation, he truly had no way to argue, so he could only sigh and say: "Miss Xiao Lan, if you want to kill me, there is no need to rush. Why don't we find a secluded place where no one is around, and you can kill me with one sword, so as not to stain this luxurious bed? Moreover, they are all respectable women; if the authorities were to investigate, how could they possibly extricate themselves?" He spoke a lot of nonsense, not truly intending to seek death with Mei Lan. He thought that if he could delay for a moment until they reached a more populated area, it would not be easy for Mei Lan to kill him then. Besides, having a sharp sword pressed against his chest, with his life hanging by the hands of others, was certainly not a pleasant experience.

Meilan retorted, "Do you like me?"

Yang Fei felt a sudden sharp pain in his chest, which startled him awake. When he looked down, he saw a gleaming long sword pressed against his heart, having already pierced the skin and drawn blood. Yang Fei was instantly terrified, wondering if he was truly so short-lived that he would meet his end today. Words of pleading almost escaped his lips, but fortunately, he caught sight of the sword-wielder, who turned out to be Mei Lan, an old acquaintance he had just angered. He thought to himself that although he had said some harsh words to her, it shouldn't warrant a death sentence. With this in mind, he couldn't help but force a smile and said, "Miss Xiao Lan, what are you trying to do?"

Meilan looked at him, her eyes filled with tenderness, and said: "Swear an oath for me to hear."

Xiao Die pleaded, "I beg you, please save Xiao Die, otherwise..." Her voice had already become choked.

Qiu Yue suddenly knelt before Yang Fei, weeping as she said: "I only ask that Young Master Yang, when you go out in the future, please help me inquire about the whereabouts of my brother, as he also possesses a jade pendant like this one."

***

Meilan was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. She recalled the task that Meiyunqing had sent her here to accomplish. Looking at Yang Fei, whose face had turned pale with fear, she bit her lower lip so hard that it drew blood. After a long pause, she finally said: "You should sit in that armchair."

Yang Fei felt a tightness in his heart. His enmity with Mei Lan ran deep as the sea. If he were to walk past her so brazenly while she was practicing her swordplay, what if she pretended to make a mistake and accidentally killed him? Wouldn't that be an extreme injustice? He would feel too embarrassed to even mention it to the King of Hell. It would be better to sneak in when she wasn't paying attention. Having made up his mind, he said to Manager Sun: "I dare not trouble you, Elder Sun, to escort me. Please just inform me of the direction, and I will find my way there myself." He thought that if he called Manager Sun too disrespectfully, it would be better to refer to himself as a junior and address Manager Sun as Elder Sun.

Yang Fei felt dizzy and heavy-headed, and said to Qiu Yue: "I asked Xiao Die to sleep on your bed; Miss Qiu Yue wouldn't mind, would she?" Without waiting for Qiu Yue's response, he embraced Xiao Die, whose eyes were hazy from intoxication, and walked to the bedside. He carefully removed Xiao Die's cloth shoes and placed her on the bed, covering her with a brocade quilt. Feeling his eyelids grow heavy, he finally succumbed to fatigue and collapsed onto the bed.

Yang Fei felt a pang of compassion in his heart. He initially intended to help her up and utter some words of apology, but upon thinking of Mei Yunqing, he steeled his resolve and said coldly, "Did your young lady send you here?" He was self-aware enough to know that Mei Lan would not truly fall for him.

Yang Fei noticed her sudden shifts in demeanor; just a moment ago, she wanted to kill him, yet now she was so tender and gentle. He was perplexed by her behavior, but as he caught a faint whiff of the subtle fragrance of plum and orchid, his heart stirred, and he no longer felt as frightened as before. He softly asked, "Miss Xiao Lan, what exactly do you intend to do?"

The grandmaster chair is placed by the window next to the dressing table, allowing one to gaze out at the scenery while also observing the woman as she adorns herself, truly a perfect spot for a patron. Yang Fei obediently sat in the chair, which was quite spacious, accommodating even a large person without issue. Although Yang Fei sat comfortably, he was internally anxious. Mei Lan's long sword was pressed against his heart like a wandering spirit, and Yang Fei truly could not understand Mei Lan's intentions. If she wanted to kill him, why not do it quickly? Instead, she chose to torment him slowly, and at this moment, he deeply regretted offending this little aunt.

Meilan's skin, as white as snow and resembling white jade, now radiated a faint rosy hue. As she approached Yang Fei, she let out a delicate cry and was pulled down to sit in his embrace. At this moment, even Liu Xia Hui would find it hard to restrain himself; if Yang Fei did not take action now, would he not be an ordinary man

Seeing Yang Fei's anxious expression, Mei Lan hesitated for a moment before finally removing the last piece of clothing that covered her body

Although Wu Yunhe understood that the Huashan Sword Technique was not merely about external principles, he was motivated by two factors: first, it was his beloved who sought his guidance; second, he thought that if he only taught the sword forms without imparting the key phrases, even if she learned them, they would be of little practical use. With this in mind, he earnestly taught the entire set of Huashan Sword Techniques from beginning to end, even generously sharing the last three forms of the Huashan Sword Technique, which were difficult for ordinary disciples to master.

Yang Fei said: "I got drunk there and took a nap"

At this moment, Wu Yunhe observed everything that had just transpired with clarity. Although he knew that Mei Lan must harbor great hatred for this person, he saw her taking a handkerchief to bandage Yang Fei, and a wave of bitterness rose in his heart. Ultimately, he could not help but approach, and he saluted Yang Fei, saying: "I am Wu Yunhe from Mount Hua. May I ask your esteemed name, brother?"

Yang Fei initially wanted to say no, but seeing her eyes filled with anticipation, he blurted out: "I like it."

Yang Fei had almost passed through the backyard, while Mei Lan seemed still unaware of his presence, feeling quite pleased with herself. Suddenly, she sensed a flash of sword light shooting towards her, which terrified her to the core, leaving her spirit shaken and almost causing her to lose control of her bladder.

Mei Lanfang was feeling gloomy. At first, she used Wu Yunhe as a shield and launched a fierce attack. Fortunately, although Wu Yunhe was much more skilled in martial arts than she was, he was willing to let her have the upper hand. Thus, the two of them fought to a standstill, neither gaining the advantage over the other

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Die believed that Yang Fei would surely manage to gather the funds. Unconsciously, she broke into laughter, let out a joyful cheer, jumped up, and threw herself into Yang Fei's arms, holding him tightly as if he had just rescued her from a pit of fire.

Meilan, however, did not respond. Instead, she stood up and began to remove her clothing. Yang Fei was taken aback, wondering if Meilan truly had a crush and intended to "force herself" on him. As he watched Meilan shed her garments one by one, Yang Fei was already dumbfounded. By the time only the lake-green bandeau and bright red lingerie remained on Meilan's delicate body, Yang Fei was nearly drooling.

Fu Jun observed that he seemed rather unconvinced, and with a sly smile said: "I have another piece of bad news, but for you, it might just be good news."

Fu Jun sighed, "What a pity, what a pity, the money has all been spent, yet the matter remains unresolved. Don't you think it's unfair?"

Then Mei Lan unexpectedly said something that Yang Fei would never have thought of: "Take off your clothes." After saying this, she had already retracted the long sword in her hand

Qiu Yue combed her hair slowly, hoping that time would pass even more slowly. Although she had been in this line of work for two years and did not believe that true feelings existed in the world, at this moment, she realized that she had deeply fallen in love with Yang Fei, despite having known him for only half a day.

Manager Sun had a favorable impression of him and replied: "It is Miss Lan. Young Master Yang, have you not met her before? She is currently in the backyard sparring with Young Hero Wu from the Huashan Sect."

Yang Fei entered through the back door and arrived at his own room. Without a moment's hesitation, he pushed the door open and entered.

Yang Fei was filled with rage and was about to explode, but upon reflection, he thought that they were merely pitiful individuals. He had no choice but to suppress his anger and quickly walked out the door. Qiu Yue hurriedly followed him, only to hear Chun Hua laughing behind them: "Qiu Yue has found herself a pretty boy."

Qiu Yue fastened the belt for Yang Fei, her hands still resting on his chest. She knew this might be her last opportunity to be close to this man. Thinking of this, Qiu Yue could no longer hold back and threw herself into his arms, sobbing softly.

He thought to himself that the injuries Mei Yunqing sustained last night were indeed serious. If she were to suffer further injuries today, her life would be in jeopardy. With this thought in mind, he became increasingly anxious and hurried. Normally, a journey that would take at least half an hour was completed in just a moment, but by the time he arrived at the Ruigui Inn, he was already so exhausted that he could hardly catch his breath.

Meilan suddenly reached out and patted Qiuyue twice, then lightly swept out of the window. She had originally entered through the window, and now she was leaving through it.

Upon hearing the name Mei Yunqing, Yang Fei was taken aback and instinctively pushed Mei Lan away with force

Qiu Yue lightly reprimanded, "Xiao Die must not be so disrespectful to the young master"

Fu Jun looked at Yang Fei with a knowing smile and after a moment said: "Why did you take so long?"

Yang Fei, upon hearing that voice, immediately recognized it to be Mei Lan, yet pretended not to know: "Who is the person inside?"

Xiao Die did not refuse, tilting her head to drink it all in one go, yet she did not make a fool of herself like Yang Fei had earlier. It was evident that this was not her first time drinking, but her little face quickly flushed with two rosy clouds.

Fu Jun Da Qi said: "You didn't just sleep there all afternoon, doing nothing, did you?"

After a long while, Mei Lan looked at Yang Fei with an expression of intense resentment, as if she wished to see him suffer a thousand tortures.

Manager Sun said: "Young Master Yang, the place where the owner resides is in the back courtyard at https://mhetushucom.com in the side room. Allow this old man to lead you there."

Meilan retracted her long sword, but on the tip of the blade was a mouse. She laughed softly and said, "I just saw a mouse sneaking around, attempting to engage in some petty theft. So, I killed it with a single stroke, but I didn't expect to injure Young Master Yang. I truly apologize for that"

Yang Fei felt a deep sense of shame. Even the closed-door disciple of the Huashan Sect's leader treated the maid beside Mei Yunqing with such courtesy. How could he, a mere ruffian from a small escort agency, ever hope to be worthy of being Mei Yunqing's lover or husband? He felt utterly despondent; what was the point of seeing Mei Yunqing now? At most, they would exchange a few words, and in the end, she would still ignore him. Everything he did only served to increase his sorrow. In a daze, he bowed to the two and said, "Gentlemen, I take my leave." He felt utterly despondent; what was the point of seeing Mei Yunqing now? At most, they would exchange a few words, and in the end, she would still ignore him. Everything he did only served to increase his sorrow. In a daze, he bowed to the two and said, "Gentlemen, I take my leave."

Yang Fei only heard the first part of Fu Jun's sentence before rushing out the door, not even catching the latter part clearly. In a hurry, he left the Zhenwei Escort Agency and dashed straight towards the Ru Gui Inn.

Yang Fei examined the jade pendant closely. The pendant was intricately carved on both sides with a dragon and a phoenix. The jade was a vibrant green and translucent, warming to the touch. Even someone like him, who had little knowledge of such things, could tell that this was a piece of exquisite ancient jade, of extraordinary value. During her years of wandering, Qiu Yue had refused to sell it, which indicated how precious this ancient jade was to her. Since Qiu Yue entrusted it to him, it was evident that she held a great deal of trust in him. Yang Fei hung the pendant around his neck and said, "Miss Qiu Yue, I promise you, you can get up now."

Yang Fei despises it when people say he overestimates himself. He retorted sarcastically, "A swan cannot eat, but an ugly duckling certainly can."

Qiu Yue saw that Yang Fei seemed quite agreeable, and felt happy for Xiao Die in her heart. After thinking for a moment, she said: "At the very least, it should be two hundred taels."

The wooden bed was quite spacious, and Yang Fei felt no sense of crowding as he lay on his back at the edge of the bed. Qiu Yue walked over, helped him take off his shoes, and shifted him slightly inward. Dressed, she and Xiao Die lay on either side of Yang Fei.

Suddenly, she heard a very gentle voice say, "Do not make a sound." Qiuyue was taken aback upon hearing this; she intended to turn around to see who had spoken, but found that she could not utter a word and was completely unable to move. She could not see who was speaking, and in her anxiety, tears streamed down her face. Unfortunately, she soon found that even her tears could not flow, as she felt a numbness in her waist, and in the blink of an eye, she lost consciousness.

Meilan's expression was one of sorrow: "But your favorite is the young lady."

Yang Fei did not take Mei Lan seriously. After a moment's hesitation, Mei Lan's expression turned cold, and she hurriedly said: "If I have ever deceived Miss Xiao Lan, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death." He deliberately included the word 'ever' in his oath, as he had indeed never deceived Mei Lan before, and thus this oath should not apply to him.

Yang Fei naturally shook his head: "Of course not, how could I deceive Miss Xiao Lan."

One thing that a person must do almost every day is to undress and dress. Of course, no one finds it troublesome. However, apart from when he was a child in front of his mother, Yang Fei had never undressed in front of a woman. He was somewhat puzzled about whether Mei Lan was a woman who enjoyed watching men undress. Fortunately, this was not an exceedingly difficult matter. The act of a man undressing for a woman and a woman undressing for a man, while essentially the same, carries vastly different implications. Yang Fei quickly took off his clothes, and in the blink of an eye, he was left with only a pair of shorts. Looking at Mei Lan, whose face was surprisingly a bit flushed, he asked, "Do you want me to continue?"

Qiu Yue recited "Amitabha" and said: "Young master has truly done a great deed."

Although he was no longer armed with swords and blades, Yang Fei did not consider fleeing. Firstly, Mei Lan's martial arts were far superior to his, and secondly, being completely naked, he could not run even if he wanted to. Yang Fei sat quietly in the armchair, his hands awkwardly covering his lower body, his mind racing with thoughts. What exactly did Mei Lan intend to do? Was she planning to embarrass him by throwing him naked onto the street? That would be rather cruel. Upon reflection, if Mei Lan wanted to throw him out, she could have done so long ago; why was she still hesitating? As he pondered, he inadvertently glanced at Mei Lan, only to find that she was also looking at him. Startled, he quickly lowered his head.

Yang Fei dared not disturb the two individuals and quietly prepared to sneak past through the narrow path between the two rows of willow trees and the courtyard wall to the east, a path he had created himself.

Yang Fei nodded and said, "I will take note of it and help you inquire when I have the time." As he spoke, he stood up, indicating that he intended to leave

Meilan was initially immersed in the enchanting swordplay, when suddenly she noticed someone sneaking in the corner. She had long harbored intense hatred for Yang Fei and immediately recognized him. With a quick thought, she playfully exclaimed, "Brother Wu, take a look at how well I perform this move, 'White Rainbow Piercing the Sun'!" As she spoke, her sword light transformed into a white ribbon flying towards Wu Yunhe, indeed executing the move 'White Rainbow Piercing the Sun'.

Yang Fei felt quite embarrassed as Qiu Yue looked at him. He never expected that a man would feel so shy under a woman's gaze, so he could only pick up the clothes on the ground and put them on one by one

When Wu Yunhe discovered that the gate of Meilan was wide open, he finally realized that Meilan's move "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun" was not directed at him at all, but rather ...

Yang Fei was indeed very obedient, quickly getting out of bed, but upon seeing Qiuyue motionless, he expressed his concern, saying: "What have you done to her?"

Yang Fei knew that he could not escape being the "big fool" today, so he could only smile wryly and say, "Get up, look at your forehead, it's all bruised."

Yang Fei was about to nod when he suddenly heard a female voice say: "Young Hero Wu, this move 'White Rainbow Piercing the Sun' is quite exquisite. Could you demonstrate it once more for me to observe?" Then, he heard a male voice respond: "Of course."

Manager Sun smiled and said, "Young Master Yang, take care on your way."

In the hall, many young women were already seated, with people coming and going, creating a lively atmosphere. Among them was Chunhua, who had once accompanied Fu Jun. Upon seeing her, Yang Fei could not help but ask, "Where is my cousin?"

Yang Fei said softly: "I have heard that Master Mei was attacked and injured, and I have come to pay a visit."

Fortunately, Wu Yunhe was quick-witted and swift in action. With a single sword strike, he advised, "Miss Xiaolan, you must not act recklessly"