Chapter Six, The Youth of the Zhang Family

Youyou leaned anxiously at the gate, eagerly looking out, hoping that in the blink of an eye, she would see the servants leading Young Masters Huo Wan coming down the winding mountain path flanked by the green bamboos.

"Master Ancestor! They have arrived!" Youyou exclaimed in surprise, instinctively wanting to rush forward, but then recalling something, she pretended to be clever and ran back to his side, employing her universal sweet smile, wrapping her arms around his neck, and softly pleading, "Master Ancestor, please show some mercy."

Zhu Liancheng smiled without answering

"Not hungry." The heart that once felt at ease has long since flown away, and a small figure flashed and disappeared at the doorway

Pei Junwu and Li Yunshun gracefully walked in from the back door of the courtyard, captivating everyone's attention. Almost no one could avoid being entranced upon seeing them, and Youyou took the opportunity to closely observe the young man in black.

Zhu Liancheng pondered for a moment and said, "Then let it be set for tomorrow to meet these three children"

He cannot be considered particularly handsome, always wearing a cold expression on a face that still bears a hint of youth. Those who do not show their emotions, when observed for a long time, reveal that both the master and the grandmaster belong to this category, yet he is different. When the master is expressionless, there seems to linger a trace of a smile between his brows, exuding a gentle elegance, like snow falling on a plum blossom, with a faint and subtle fragrance. The young man from the Zhang family, however, is different; he wears a long black silk robe made of material that is not of high quality. It is said that such a color is not suitable for early summer, yet it appears remarkably harmonious on him. The simple belt is devoid of any embellishments, yet it accentuates his tall and pleasing figure.

Zhang Shichun, in his forties, has already shown signs of aging, with a few strands of gray at his temples. Nevertheless, having gradually gained fame in the martial world, he carries himself with a certain elegance and demeanor. Beside him is a slender youth, nearly as tall as he is. When the youth gazes at him thoughtfully, he finds himself looking back. In the depths of his midnight-black eyes, a slight ripple of emotion passes, only to return to indifference in an instant. When their eyes meet, the youth feels a bit shy, quickly averting his clear, bright eyes, yet his lingering gaze remains on him.

"Have some food before you leave!" Although Zhu Liancheng is regarded as a master of martial arts in the eyes of outsiders, he is, after all, getting on in years. Youyou is particularly close to him, and he, like any ordinary elder, tends to be chatty and offers advice.

"Let go—" Zhu Liancheng said with a wry smile as he pulled her arm away. With outsiders approaching, the demeanor of a great martial arts sect must still be upheld

Yun Shun's eyes flickered, and her delicate chin lifted slightly, while her long eyelashes mischievously fluttered. The figure regarded as a ghostly being, "Master Yun Shun," playfully teased like a child, saying, "I won't tell you!"

Pei Junwu spoke in a calm tone, yet Zhu Liancheng understood the underlying sharpness in his words. Without mentioning the families of the martial world, almost all the well-known sects that could be said to have "no dealings" with the Bamboo Sea harbored some grudges.

Upon careful observation, his features are exceptionally refined, and when combined, they exude a certain charm. His eyes, while not as beautiful as his master's, are long and well-defined, with thick eyelashes partially veiling his cool black irises, resembling stars in the dark night—distant and unattainable, yet evoking a desire to reach out and touch. She has long been accustomed to handsome men, yet he appears to be a type of beautiful youth she has never encountered before. He is like the solitary eagle she saw in her childhood beyond the frontier, perched on a steep cliff, proud and fierce, something she can only gaze at from afar, fearing that if she approaches too closely, it might swoop down and bring harm.

Hero Pei shook his head and smiled faintly

It is rare for Youyou to wake up early and carefully dress beautifully. On a summer morning, the bright sunlight spills over the tall green bamboos, which are as translucent as jade flutes, standing tall and elegant

Youyou's face turned pale with anger, her lovely features almost scrunched together, "You are talking nonsense!"

Pei Junwu smiled and did not pursue the matter further

Aren't you indirectly finding a husband for Youyou? You must clarify this, otherwise those young gentlemen from noble families who are eager to come will fall into your trap, won't they? You are causing harm!

Master, please don't!" Yue Tianheng deliberately exaggeratedly turned pale and said, "In the future, Tianheng will certainly serve you with utmost dedication, until death.

"Alright, alright," Zhu Liancheng soothingly patted Youyou's head, "Tomorrow I will meet the children of the Huo and Wan families."

Youyou, with no intention of eating, tugged at Zhu Liancheng's sleeve and smiled sweetly. Next to her, Yun Shun couldn't help but laugh out loud. Since she was little, her master had been completely charmed by this tactic of hers, and now that she has grown up, here comes Youyou again.

He noticed the gaze of Yun Shun fixed upon him, originally looking at Zhu Liancheng and Youyou with dark, inky eyes that suddenly focused on her, carrying a hint of affectionate reproach. Those autumn-like eyes stirred with deep feelings, "Little girl, what mischief are you up to again"

"Grandmaster is still the best." Youyou leaned her head on the Grandmaster's shoulder, her mouth murmuring incessantly, while her eyes scanned everyone present, with the exception of her Master, to whom she also offered a smile.

Zhu Liancheng finished his morning exercises and sat in the courtyard of Qiu Yi Ju, enjoying bamboo and drinking tea. For decades, he had befriended bamboo, and its continuous azure elegance made him increasingly enamored and nostalgic. No wonder people say that the elderly are fond of their homes; he found it increasingly difficult to part with the few green bamboos in his courtyard, to the extent that he even ventured out less for his travels.

Perhaps after observing for a long time, she felt that his expression, especially when he unconsciously furrowed his brows, seemed familiar to her

"Junwu, what do you think of the Zhang family's post?" The master asked lightly. Youyou was unaware of the Zhang family and was not interested, continuing to glare at Yuetianheng. Yuetianheng returned a few glances, knowing he could not afford to engage with her, and continued to eat calmly.

Pei Junwu pressed his lips together, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he smiled, as if a delicate white lotus was floating on the water's surface, gently swayed by the breeze, its pure white petals quivering slightly, stirring the hearts of those who beheld it

Yue Tianheng looked at him with a grin, "Hero Pei, your disciple's lightness skill has improved again, how fast he moves."

Father! Yoyo is about to cry from anger, they are all bullying her

Accompanying the Huo and Wan families were Zhang Shichun and his close relatives. Compared to the familiar families, Youyou had a greater interest in the strangers

Xue Yunmu, who had been silently eating, snorted and cast a threatening glance at Yue Tianheng, saying, "Don't get too pleased with yourself. If you provoke me again, I will betroth Youyou to you"

In recent years, Zhang Shichun has gained considerable fame in Sichuan, and has had no prior dealings with the Bamboo Sea. It is indeed unexpected that he would recommend a relative's offspring this time.

Youyou was not disturbed by them at all. The "little girl" that Master referred to was never about her. She was fully focused on twisting Master Ancestor's arm and shaking it vigorously, "Master Ancestor, Master Ancestor, good Master Ancestor, let's meet Wan Huaijun and Huo Shaoxun tomorrow! I promise, they are the talented young men you are looking for, Master Ancestor."

Yun Shun chuckled softly, "Xiao Yuezi, what you said makes a lot of sense"

The two young masters of the Huo family followed their respective fathers, their expressions solemn, each stealing a glance at Youyou as a form of greeting. Youyou understood that this opportunity was crucial for them, so she quietly stood beside her grandmaster, hands down, remaining silent. Her round, peach-like face, when tensed, instead evoked affection and laughter.

Zhang Shichun's elder brother was killed in the battle at Hancang Mountain over a decade ago. It is no wonder that Pei Junwu remarked that it was "truly unexpected". Unexpected, yet not surprising. When it comes to enmity and grievances, the Bamboo Sea has particularly deep-seated issues with the major families. Over the past decade, the major families have instead adopted a posture of indebtedness, actively seeking to please the Bamboo Sea and striving to mend the rifts.

Zhu Liancheng secretly smiled, suddenly feeling soft-hearted. He even thought that if the two young masters, Huo Wan, had good talents and noble character, it would be good not only to accept them as disciples but also to leave them to accompany Youyou. There are indeed very few boys of similar age to Youyou in the bamboo sea, and Yun Shun always follows Jun Wu, making Youyou's loneliness quite natural.

During dinner, Youyou nuzzled up to her master, Zhu Liancheng, like a little kitten. Zhu Liancheng took a few careful glances at her hair but said nothing, smiling as he picked up a piece of chicken for her.

With a joyful cheer, she jumped up from her chair, saying, "I will go tell them right away." Elated, she was about to run out the door

Youyou also understood, no longer entangled too much, obediently standing behind the master ancestor

Zhu Liancheng was so shaken by her that he couldn't eat, so he simply cast a teasing glance at the cute little chubby girl and elongated his tone, saying: "Oh—really?"

Sitting at his master's table, Yuetianheng enjoyed his meal with great relish. In between bites of food, he authoritatively validated Youyou's words, "Master Zhu, you should believe Youyou. Those two young men are indeed very handsome. They are Youyou's childhood friends; just pick one, and this clingy bug won't bother you anymore." As he spoke, he seemed to have an epiphany, staring wide-eyed at the wryly smiling Master Zhu, "You must have thought the same back then, right? Driven mad by Youyou's clinginess, you simply sought a scapegoat?"