Chapter Nine, The Young Master
The young man furrowed his brow deeply upon hearing Shepi Chen's words. Hunted by the logic of this statement, the Muntian Eagle quickly extended his hand towards him: "Return the invitation to me!" The young man cast a cold glance at him, clasped the wedding invitation with both hands, and then placed it in his hand. Strangely, the invitation seemed to sink into the gaps between Muntian Eagle's fingers, then crumbled into ashes, slipping smoothly through his fingers, as if what he held was originally a pile of incense ashes.
The midsummer in the south is truly terrifyingly hot. It feels as if fire is pouring down from the sky, and the leaves seem to be scalding to the touch
The leader of the bandits, sensing something was amiss, turned around and asked the one from earlier, "What is the background of these people?" The young thief replied, "Apart from this young one and this old man, the rest are all hired porters."
The young man handed a note to Su Quan: "Uncle Quan, take a look at this." After reading it, Su Quan rolled his eyes and said, "Where did you steal this wedding invitation from?" The young man, with his head held high, replied, "What do you mean stolen? It was personally delivered by Old Master Yang. Have you heard of the four great families of the martial world: Su, Zhao, Yang, and Tang? Do you think you can provoke the Yang family?"
Old Master Yang was clearly moved by Yang Jiansheng's words; this plan was indeed meticulous. After pondering for a moment, he said: "It still won't do. Everyone knows that Jianru's talent surpasses his appearance. Now, in such a hurry, where can we find a woman who is both talented and beautiful? Even if such a person exists, she would certainly be a lady of high status, and how could she be willing to undertake this disgraceful act of marrying in place of another?" At this moment, a smile finally appeared on Yang Jiansheng's face: "Father, do not worry, I have already found the person." He called out to the door, "Miss Du, please come in."
Yang Jian said: "Father, consider this: the Yang family's influence has greatly diminished recently. Our initial intention to marry my sister to Young Master Su was precisely to leverage the Su family's prestige to enhance our own status. Now, Young Master Su has traveled a great distance to propose, yet we have no bride to present to him. How can he possibly swallow this humiliation? Moreover, we have already sent out over 5,000 wedding invitations, reaching every notable figure in the martial arts world without exception. It has already been rumored outside that this will be the grandest wedding in the past century of the Jianghu. If we cannot hold it on time, how will we ever show our faces in the Jianghu again? Furthermore, among the 'Su, Zhao, Yang, and Tang' families, the Yang family is likely to fall to the last position."
This Lord Yang, nicknamed "Thunder Fury," clearly has a very irritable temper! At this moment, he is in the living room, smashing everything he can get his hands on, while his three sons do not dare to utter a word. Only the one on the east side appears indifferent. He is the second son, Yang Jian Sheng, the best martial artist in the Yang family, known as Thunder Prince.
The years in the Jianghu seem to pass particularly quickly, and twenty years feel like just a dream. Su Wujiao has been living in seclusion at home for twenty years. In fact, he is not completely isolated from the world; at least he is aware of a few significant events that have occurred in the world.
Du Huijun sat up straight and said, "I want you to promise me that apart from me, there will be no other wife!" Su Wujiao solemnly raised his hand and swore, "Under the bright moon, I, Su Wujiao, will only have Yang Jianru in this life..." Du Huijun suddenly could not bear the name Yang Jianru out of jealousy, and she covered his mouth: "Call me Huijun, do not call me Jianru. You must say that there will only be one wife, Huijun!"
After a while, everyone heard the rapid sound of hooves, probably from around thirty to fifty people
To say that this young lady is not only a renowned beauty but also a celebrated talent is to acknowledge her as the apple of her father's eye. However, at this moment, with her departure, the matriarch has lost her pillar of support and is no longer able to compete with herself for attention
Thus, the two of them sat in the courtyard watching the moon. Su Wujiao took off his outer garment and wrapped it around her. After a while, Huijun said softly, "Today is my birthday." Su Wujiao asked in surprise, "No, my father has calculated our birth dates, and your birthday is on the third day of the eleventh month. Today is only the twentieth day of the ninth month, there is still more than a month to go." Du Huijun was startled and then remembered that today was her birthday, Du Huijun's birthday, not Yang Jianru's birthday. Huijun said softly, "Today is my birthday." Su Wujiao asked in surprise, "No, my father has calculated our birth dates, and your birthday is on the third day of the eleventh month. Today is only the twentieth day of the ninth month, there is still more than a month to go." Du Huijun was startled and then remembered that today was her birthday, Du Huijun's birthday, not Yang Jianru's birthday.
Su Quan sighed, saying: "Alas, the second young master was said to be in the south earlier, but now no one knows where he has gone or whether he has suffered any hardships." The young man replied: "It doesn't matter, Wu Wei is already an adult. Besides, he has good skills and a pleasant temperament, so he should not suffer losses. It's just that father is pushing him too hard." Su Quan couldn't help but feel a sense of lament: "Indeed! Even a little child can be stubborn. You, on the other hand, are obedient, and before we know it, you will be getting married..."
Speed is of the essence in military matters, and I shall depart that very night. Su Wujiao, like the other young men, did not believe that Liu Aosong could defeat the combined efforts of so many. Therefore, when he returned home to bid farewell to his wife, his tone was light-hearted: "My dear, I will be back soon, at most in a month; take care of yourself at home." Du Huijun was taken aback and, disregarding the presence of Yang Jiansheng, exclaimed loudly: "I am pregnant and want you to stay at home with me!"
Su Wujiao regained his composure and stepped forward to hold Huijun's hand: "Rest assured, when I return, I will give the child a proper name." Then he lowered his head and kissed her hand, speaking with deep emotion, "Huijun, Huijun..."
At that moment, a group of people appeared on the official road, clearly having traveled a long distance, each covered in dust. A layer of dirt had also settled on the several boxes and cages at the back of the line. The young man at the forefront had removed his outer garment and draped it over his arm, while an elderly man beside him had rolled up his pant legs quite high. He said to the young man, "Young Master, we will reach Yangzhou in two days. Let us rest for a while before continuing our journey." The young man nodded.
Su Wujiao's joy was not to be taken lightly, and he could only smile foolishly at that moment. However, a flicker of anger and surprise crossed Yang Jiansheng's face: "Sister, a good man has ambitions that reach far and wide. I guarantee that within a month, I will ensure that your husband returns safely, and it will not delay his return home to see you and the children. Please be obedient, sister."
Then there was Guan Feidu, who had fought alongside Su Wujiao, establishing a Sun and Moon Alliance, which gained momentum that no one could match at the time, claiming to restore the Ming Dynasty and overthrow the Qing. This seemed somewhat amusing to Su Wujiao, as during the time of the Ming Dynasty, Guan Feidu often criticized the darkness of the world and had even invited him several times to rebel.
As the door curtain fluttered, a young woman walked in with great poise—she was in her early twenties, with a slender and tall figure, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes that seemed to reach her temples. Although she did not possess the true beauty of Yang Jianru, her jade-like elegance and captivating charm were equally intoxicating.
Yang Jiansheng glanced at his unfortunate brother, feeling pleased: "The younger sister may not be sought after, but we cannot neglect to hold the wedding festivities." Master Yang shouted: "What nonsense are you talking about!" Everyone felt puzzled. Even the bride was gone; how could the wedding festivities still be held?
The young man fell silent for a moment: "Since you know Lord Yang, then let's go. We won't make things difficult for you." The mixed sky sculpture saw that he was afraid, spat, and stood up from the ground: "You know how to be sensible."
Shepi Chendao: "Chen Bao, what do you understand? Young Master Su Wujiao is the foremost expert of the younger generation. The four prominent families each have a capable son, collectively known as the Four Young Masters—'Peerless Young Master' Su Wujiao, 'Gentle Breeze Young Master' Zhao Jiuhua, 'Thunderbolt Young Master' Yang Jiansheng, and 'Blazing Flame Young Master' Tang Duqian, with the Peerless Young Master at the top. However, that is merely a convenient grouping; the other three young masters cannot be compared to this Peerless Young Master. He is the first individual to enter the martial arts ranking before the age of twenty! However, that is merely a convenient grouping; the other three young masters cannot be compared to this Peerless Young Master. He is the first individual to enter the martial arts ranking before the age of twenty! As for the Yang family, not to mention the Thunderbolt Young Master Yang Jiansheng, even his father has not made it onto this martial arts ranking, so the Yang family's alliance with the Su family this time can be considered a significant elevation."
Hui Jun resides in her secluded chamber, and her current worries encompass her entire world. However, a significant event has occurred in the outside world that has left Su Wu Jiu preoccupied, rendering him unable to notice his wife's concerns in recent days
The young heroes who returned alive were unwilling to speak of the events that transpired, indicating the severity of the battle! Consequently, many versions circulated in the martial world, such as, "In the end, the Laughing Demon Lord was killed by a palm strike from Su Wujiao that shattered his heart's pulse," "Liu Aosong died in the Seven Deadly Formation set by Guan Feidu," and "That demon was subdued by Young Master Su at a critical point, and then the young heroes collectively stabbed him to death with their swords." ... Others claimed, "Liu Aosong was distracted by the beauty of Yiman Feng, which allowed Su Wujiao to take advantage of him." ... "That demon was subdued by Young Master Su at a critical point, and then the young heroes collectively stabbed him to death with their swords." ... Others claimed, "Liu Aosong was distracted by the beauty of Yiman Feng, which allowed Su Wujiao to take advantage of him." ...
Old Master Yang has one wife and three concubines. His wife, Madam Xu, has given birth to the eldest son, Jianhe, and the fifth daughter, Jianru. The second wife, Madam Zhang, has no children. The third wife, Madam He, has only one son, the most accomplished son, Yang Jiansheng. Jianping and Jiannan are the children of the youngest wife. Old Master Yang is advanced in age, and it goes without saying that his sons are engaged in both open and covert struggles for power. Jianping is incompetent, Jiannan is still young, and the only one who can compete with Yang Jiansheng is the eldest brother, Jianhe.
In that grand battle, all the young elites emerged, but in the end, only a dozen individuals returned alive, including Guan Feidu, Su Wujiao, Yang Jiansheng, Tang Duqian, the northern route of Wudang Palace, and Emei Yimanfeng, while Liu Aosong finally met his demise at the summit of Yuelu
Chen Baoshen stuck out his tongue and after a long pause said: "What if the skills are good? If Su Wujiao ends up with a face like a hemp, then it would be like Diao Chan marrying Zhang Fei"
The several men in the room were instantly taken aback. They heard Yang Jiansheng proudly say: "This Miss Du Huijun is the courtesan selected last year from Qinhuai. She has outshone the second place winner, Ji Fangqing, with her talents. In terms of ability, she is certainly not inferior to her younger sister"
Suddenly, the young man reached out to stop Su Quan: "Someone is coming!"
In a small grove not far from the city, a corner of a wine flag is faintly visible. The owner of the tavern truly knows how to do business, having set up dozens of long stones under the shade of the trees. At this moment, many patrons are sitting there engaged in lively conversation, while others are simply lying on the stones, dozing off.
Young Master Thunder looks down on this elder brother from the bottom of his heart. He believes that the elder brother is indecisive, and if it were not for the fact that the first lady gave birth to the fifth young lady, Jian Ru, he would have likely lost his power long ago
Twenty-six years ago, Yangzhou
At this moment, the young man said to Su Quan, "Uncle Quan, isn't Old Master Yang being a bit extravagant? Why would he invite someone like this?" Shepi Chen interjected, "Young hero, it seems you are not aware of certain matters. You must have roamed the Jianghu before, and you surely know the Four Great Families of the Martial World." The young man smiled and nodded.
The young man asked curiously, "Whose older brother? Why hide things?" A voice sneered, "Not an older brother, it's your uncle by marriage! So, why hide it? Just send it directly to my uncle by marriage at home." Another person jumped out and added, "It's this sheep, I've been with him for a while, and he has quite a bit of valuables in that box, let's take action!"
Du Huijun knew that Yang Jiansheng was taking this opportunity to make friends all over the world, so she certainly would not let Su Wujiao return. She looked at him grinning foolishly and couldn't help but sigh: "Then why are you coming back? The sun is so scorching at noon, be careful not to get heatstroke."
Su Wujiao's heart began to race, but the young lady had her back turned to him, obscuring her features; only her long hair glimmered in the sunset, cascading beside her face. ... He was eager to catch a glimpse of her face, but as he leaned to the side, she unexpectedly turned her face slightly away; thus, he took another step to the left ... . ... Suddenly, he felt a chill beneath his feet and with a "plop," he fell into the pond. Several lotus flowers were crushed under him, and a few slippery koi fish startled and swam past him; it turned out to be just a small fish pond. ... Suddenly, he felt a chill beneath his feet and with a "plop," he fell into the pond. Several lotus flowers were crushed under him, and a few slippery koi fish startled and swam past him; it turned out to be just a small fish pond. With his skills, he certainly wouldn't drown, but the embarrassment was truly difficult to bear.
The greatest event can be considered the change of dynasties. Currently, the world is ruled by the Manchus with long braids. Initially, when it was required to wear braids, Su Wujiao was somewhat unaccustomed to it, but now, many years have passed, and it no longer matters. This significant event has, in fact, had the least impact on him.
Shepi Chen finally understood Su Quan's words, pointing at him in astonishment: "You are..." Su Wujiao interjected: "Su Wujiao." He was seen blushing, unable to hide his joy. Shepi Chen let out a long breath: "No wonder your skills are so remarkable! Young Master Su, I am not fortunate enough to witness the ceremony, so I would like to congratulate you in advance.
Young man said: "You need not attend the banquet; considering your acquaintance with the young master of the Yang family, just leave."
That is a wedding invitation, inscribed with "Su Zhao Union of Marriage". Upon opening it, it reads, "The young lady Jianru is delighted to announce her marriage, and respectfully invites you to grace our humble abode on the 8th of August to witness the ceremony." Below it is signed with the character "Yang"
Old Master Yang said: "Is there a need for you to say that? But I only have this one daughter, am I supposed to marry your mother to Young Master Su?" The crowd couldn't help but laugh, and Yang Jiansheng felt slightly embarrassed. After a pause, he said: "Anyway, my sister rarely goes out, so we can find a beautiful girl to impersonate the Fifth Miss..."
Then Chen Baoqi asked, "What is the Martial Arts Ranking?" Shepi Chen replied, "The Martial Arts Ranking is selected by some esteemed and discerning seniors in the martial arts community. For instance, Su Wujiao's father, Su Laoye, was included for his feat of 'Riding out of Tongguan with a sword, pacifying the thirteen mountains,' which refers to the time when bandits outside the pass constantly harassed the common people. Su Laoye rode out alone and defeated the bandits from the thirteen mountains. Later, the bandits contacted many skilled fighters to seek revenge, but coincidentally, Su Laoye was not present, and the eldest son of the Su family single-handedly drove them all away at just fourteen years old. Because of this incident, he also entered the Martial Arts Ranking and earned the title of 'Unmatched in the World.' After that, the Unmatched Young Master never suffered a defeat again, and apart from him, the youngest person on the list is already over forty years old.
The operation had grown large, and inevitably there would be times when not everything could be attended to. Guan Feidu, who had become a formidable enemy of the court, was finally captured in Guangdong and was about to be escorted to the capital by the general stationed in Yangzhou. Concerned for the life of a close friend, Su Wujiao could no longer stand by idly. He joined the rescue efforts organized by the people of the Jianghu and, after a separation of twenty-six years, returned once again to Yangzhou
The matter was thus settled. The Yang family, having long resided in Jiangnan, was indeed affluent. Old Master Yang secured this daughter for the sum of 50,000 taels of silver, and then, according to the original plan, arranged for his daughter to marry Su Wujiao
He had already made calculations in his heart. Seeing that everyone was too afraid to speak, he said: "Young Master Su will be arriving in a couple of days. If we still haven't found my sister by then, the Yang family will be greatly embarrassed."
Their wedding will take place in seven days, and the number of guests, along with their disciples, has completely filled the city of Yangzhou. All the restaurants in Yangzhou have joined in, and the banquet lasted a full five days; it is likely that even the emperor's daughter's wedding would not be this grand. Yang Jiansheng has already exhausted his voice, and Mr. Yang is worried that Du Huijun might reveal flaws if she appears too often, so he has instructed her to stay at home alone. However, the groom, Su Wujiao, cannot escape; after toasting at each table, he has already had too much to drink. Yet, every day he finds a way to sneak back home to catch a glimpse of Huijun.
Suddenly, Su Quan interjected, "Young Master Su, nicknamed 'The Divine Sword Jade Lord', how can you say he is ugly? It is truly a joke!" The young man beside him turned red and suddenly asked Chen Bao, "Is Miss Yang really that beautiful?" Chen Bao looked at him disdainfully and replied, "Of course! Is the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan just a name? Moreover, she has a kind heart. Young man, you are indeed quite handsome, and it is rare to find someone like you. You should be able to marry a beautiful wife, but as for someone with the character of Miss Yang, I fear there will be no one else like her."
In the three months since Su Wujiao's arrival, Yang Jiansheng has come to understand the meaning of "there is always a greater sky beyond the sky." Su Wujiao possesses an innate sensitivity to martial arts; many techniques he can master at a glance and excel at with minimal practice, and he is capable of devising numerous countermeasures. For the sake of his wife, he has provided Yang Jiansheng with extensive guidance, even touching upon some of the martial arts that the Su family does not pass on to outsiders. In just three short months, Yang Jiansheng's martial arts have made significant progress, and he is reluctant to let Su Wujiao leave so soon.
The shopkeeper's face changed color: "Everyone, quickly hide any valuable items, you never know if those guys are coming! They shouldn't be visiting my small shop, but this... this is a bit eerie..."
The thin man, who had been gnawing on a watermelon in the teahouse, suddenly said: "Huntian Diao, stop boasting. Old Master Yang probably doesn't even know who you are. This invitation was given to you by Young Master Yang, wasn't it? Look at that invitation, it doesn't even have a name on it; that's the lowest quality. Old Master Yang just wants to liven things up, having sent out as many as 5,000 invitations. On that day, I guarantee you won't even catch a glimpse of the newlyweds"
Then, after a full fifteen years of leaving home, his second brother Su Wuwei unexpectedly returned, bringing with him an extraordinarily talented woman. The old master of the Su family had always looked down on this second son, but the joy of his long-lost return after many years was truly remarkable, so he indulged him in everything. Even Uncle Quan remarked that this second lady was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, surpassing even the late first lady. However, Su Wujiao did not appreciate this comment; in his heart, no one could compare to Huijun's beauty. Even Uncle Quan remarked that this second lady was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, surpassing even the late first lady. However, Su Wujiao did not appreciate this comment; in his heart, no one could compare to Huijun's beauty
Su Quan smiled and said: "These are the betrothal gifts for our young master’s marriage. You may take them, but is it because you have taken a liking to our young master? However, I must apologize for your appearance, my friend."
Five years later, Su Wujiao could not withstand the relentless pursuit of Yiman Feng, who had once fought alongside him, and took this Emei heroine as his concubine. This was indeed a disservice to her. The uncles and aunts of Emei turned against him because of this. However, Su Wujiao insisted on this course of action to fulfill his promise to Huijun from years ago. Yiman Feng truly loved him and accepted the situation as it was.
Thus, Su Wujiao said: "The bright moon is above, and in this life, I, Su Wujiao, will only marry Hui Jun as my wife, forever respecting and loving her in my heart, unwavering for a lifetime!" Du Huijun felt a mix of bitterness and sweetness in her heart, and she reminded him: "Wujiao, when there are others around, do not call me Hui Jun, be sure to remember that. You know, father does not like mother, nor does he like to hear this name." Su Wujiao kissed her hair: "Alright, if you like to be called Hui Jun, I will call you that when no one is around. I will call you a thousand times, ten thousand times..."
The young hero of the martial world, with his tender face, had long since set his heart on Yangzhou, finding even the mere two days of travel to be excessively long
The leader, seeing that apart from the old man and the young boy, everyone else was in a state of panic, grew bolder: "If you know what’s good for you, hand over your valuables quickly, and I might leave you some for your journey."
Su Wujiao followed Yang Jiansheng through the corridor and past the building, walking quite a distance. The surroundings fell silent, and in the distance, a sea of flowers appeared, revealing a corner of a small building. The air carried a hint of sweetness, and under the afterglow of the setting sun, a slender young woman was trimming the flower branches. Su Wujiao seemed to recall something and turned to look at Yang Jiansheng, asking nervously: "Is she..." Yang Jiansheng nodded with a smile.
Old Master Yang observed that Su Wujiao was as handsome as jade, with a striking appearance, his eyes shining with a restrained brilliance, and a subtle glow of precious light flowing across his face, which could not be concealed even by the dust. He understood that Su's internal strength had already reached a remarkable level, one that even he himself could not attain. It was evident that everyone was comparing their own son to him, which was truly flattering. Such character, yet his daughter was not fortunate enough to have this blessing. He sighed inwardly at the missed opportunity, steadied his mind, and then said: "Noble nephew, you have traveled a long way; let Jian Sheng take you to rest for a while." Yang Jian Sheng, standing nearby, immediately took him in his arms and warmly led him away.
Su Quan said to the bewildered young man: "It seems they are robbers, here to steal something." However, his voice showed no signs of panic. The young man exclaimed, "Ah, so that's how it is. I was wondering why these strangers were talking to me. Uncle Quan, there are no skilled fighters among them, so let me handle this." Su Quan smiled and said, "Young master, you are still soft-hearted, afraid that the old man will be too harsh, aren't you"
They had one son and one daughter. Su Wujiao named the eldest son Su Feidu and the second daughter Su Feishuang, in memory of the child they never had the chance to meet
The Martial Arts Ranking is indeed a source of calamity, as countless conflicts in the martial world have arisen in the pursuit of the positions it bestows. Among these, the title of the world's number one has remained vacant. It is widely acknowledged that only two individuals are qualified to occupy this position: one is the former elder of Shaolin, Master Huixin, who has been in seclusion for martial arts training for the past ten years and has yet to emerge; the other is Liu Aosong, known as the "Demon Lord of a Smile." Liu Aosong is known for his unpredictable temperament, cruelty, and arrogance, which certainly does not qualify him as a good person. Therefore, despite his martial arts being unrivaled in the world, people are reluctant to acknowledge him. Instead, they all say: "If Elder Huixin were to emerge from seclusion, the Demon Lord of a Smile would certainly not be his match."
The bandit leader was instantly furious, swinging down a knife. Su Quan, though not young, was quite nimble; he pretended to hold his head and exclaimed "Ouch!" as the knife narrowly missed him. The bandit leader swung again horizontally, but Su Quan crouched down, reached out, and grabbed the intruder's ankle, using the momentum to send the bandit leader crashing to the ground. In fact, this bandit leader, nicknamed the Mischievous Eagle, was quite skilled, but today he encountered someone too formidable; in the hands of his opponent, he was like a rag doll, with no room to struggle.
Finally, Su Quan could not help but laugh from the side: "Congratulations, young master!" The boy's face turned crimson in an instant. In fact, he was Su Wujiu, who had practiced martial arts since childhood and was exceptionally gifted, hailed as a once-in-a-century martial arts genius. This marriage was arranged by his father, and he had never met Miss Yang, yet the young man was also filled with youthful longing. From the first day he heard the news, he had been imagining what his fiancée would look like. If those renowned heroes who had been defeated under his sword were to see him fidgeting at this moment, one could only wonder what they would think.
Shepi Chen further remarked: "Nowadays, Miss Yang is to marry the eldest son of the Su family, the foremost family in the martial arts world. Do you think Old Master Yang would not be delighted? This joyous occasion, he wishes to make as grand as possible, so that the entire martial arts community knows of the union between the two prominent families. Just wait and see who would dare to disrespect the Yang family in the future"
It seems that Shepi Chen truly did not receive an invitation. With a hint of jealousy, he remarked: "You must take good care of the invitation, as it may allow you to enjoy a meal at the Yang family. Just remember to keep your mouth in check; don't drink too much like last time at Li Village, when you grabbed hold of Old Man Li's daughter... Otherwise, be wary of your own skin"
Su Wujiao asked, "Why are you called Huijun?" Du Huijun replied, "Huijun was given by my mother, and Jianru was named by my father. I do not like the name Jianru, so please call me Huijun!"
At this moment, the eldest son Yang Jian realized that she was a courtesan, no wonder she was willing to take on the role of a substitute bride. He gazed at her somewhat foolishly, not knowing what thoughts were crossing his mind
Su Wujiao was on his way here, unaware that chaos had erupted at his father-in-law's home at that very moment—Miss Yang Jianru, who was always well-mannered and knowledgeable, had unexpectedly eloped the night before her wedding! Even more alarming was the fact that the stable boy, Xiao Wei, had also gone missing with her. Young and handsome, Xiao Wei had long been known to get along well with the old master Yang's daughter, but the old master could not fathom that his daughter would actually run away with a servant. Moreover, the two had planned meticulously, and despite the old master Yang's pursuit for several days, there was no sign of them.
The eldest son, Yang Jian, and the fifth young lady were born of the same mother. He trembled as he said: "The several groups of disciples we sent out have all returned, and they all say they could not find any trace of my sister. Father, please do not be angry; I will go look for her again." Old Master Yang shouted: "What are you looking for? Just tell Young Master Su that the wretched girl is dead. If any of the disciples see that wretched girl, they should kill her on the spot; there is no need to bring her back!"
However, all these accolades were merely a nightmare for Su Wujiao. It was only on his return journey that he learned that his in-laws' home had suffered a devastating fire three months prior. Due to her pregnancy and limited mobility, and living in a remote area, everything had been reduced to ashes. Thus, Su Wujiao's happiness was obliterated. He returned to his home and no longer wished to venture out, and the one most likely to contend for the title of "Divine Sword Yulang Jun" fell into a state of despair.
The young lady was startled by the sound and turned around, covering her heart with her hand: "Oh dear, my flower! How could you, sir, be so reckless?" Thus, this slightly pouting face plunged into Su Wujiao's heart and never came out again for the rest of his life
The night is cool as water, and the heart is calm like the moon. Who can understand what it would be like for a woman like her to truly feel love? Who can know whether the fire phoenix experiences pain or joy during its rebirth from the flames?
Today again, he returned with a flushed face and a head full of sweat, gently knocking on Huijun's door. Du Huijun went to open the door herself, casually taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and said softly: "Come in." Su Wujiao shook his head: "I have to leave soon; this afternoon there is a banquet to entertain Master Yu from Qingcheng Mountain, and my third brother insisted that I must be present to socialize a bit."
One person beside said, "Not only that, but Miss Yang from the Yang family is a renowned talented woman. Even the Hanlin scholar may not possess her knowledge, and as for her appearance, tsk tsk! The peony flower is not even as beautiful!" Shepi Chen replied, "You speak with such conviction. I have heard that Miss Yang is talented throughout Jiangnan, but she is a lady from a prestigious family, and she hardly leaves her home. How could you have seen what she looks like?" The other person said, "I haven't seen her, but my wife has. That year, she was helping in the kitchen at the temple and saw Miss Yang come to offer incense. Hey, at that time, she thought she was the dragon girl descending from the side of Guanyin Bodhisattva and almost bowed down. The young master of the Su family is called Su Wujiao, right? I wonder what kind of fortune he has accumulated over several lifetimes!"
Old Master Yang shook his head and said: "No way! Can paper really cover fire? Your sister has been seen by outsiders before; if this is exposed, it would be even more embarrassing!" Yang Jian replied: "Father, rest assured. After the marriage, I will have that woman claim she is reluctant to leave home, allowing Young Master Su to stay for a month or two. By the time this matter cools down, I will choose a day to divert Young Master Su's attention and send that woman away. When he returns, I will casually say that something unfortunate happened to my sister and she has died. We are all family, how could Young Master Su suspect anything? This way, not only will the lie not be exposed, but Young Master Su will also be firmly established as your son-in-law, and the Su family will not neglect the Yang family in the future.
Su Quan smiled lightly and said, "Let me show you the consequences of being unprepared." As he spoke, he reached out to grab the Hunyuan Eagle. The Hunyuan Eagle had no choice but to swing his knife wildly, losing all form. Su Quan frowned and said, "Look at your little courage; the old man would be furious seeing this. Get lost!" He kicked the large knife away and reached down to lift the Hunyuan Eagle by the head and feet, intending to throw him. A voice called out, "Wait, Uncle Quan!" Suddenly, a white shadow flashed, and the young man arrived first, picking up a large red object from the ground, which had fallen from the Hunyuan Eagle's embrace.
As a group of twenty to thirty people entered the forest, the space immediately became cramped. The guests who were sleeping were roused by the owner. A ruffian muttered, "What kind of bird person..." but upon seeing so many people arrive, he swallowed the rest of his words. With not enough seats available, the newcomers simply sat on the ground. The young man at the forefront said, "Sorry to disturb everyone. Boss, please cut up a few watermelons to share with everyone; I will treat you all." His accent indicated he was from the Tongzhou area. He was handsome and had an extraordinary demeanor, instantly winning the favor of everyone present.
Huntian Diao raised his eyes and recognized that the thin man was a small-time thug on the ground: "Shepi Chen, you can't reach the grapes and say they are sour; even with such a post, you don't have a single one."
Du Huijun and Yang Jiansheng both changed their expressions drastically at the same time. A sinister look appeared in Yang Jiansheng's eyes, yet he still spoke in a gentle tone: "Brother-in-law, you need not worry, how could we mistreat our own sister?"
Du Huijun discovered that she had been pregnant for more than a month, but she did not dare to tell anyone, as her intuition warned her of danger. She was fully aware of the ins and outs of the situation; the Yang family had not treated her poorly. How could she avoid implicating the Yang family while also being able to be with Su Wujiao for the long term? This dilemma left her in a state of distress. Fortunately, winter was approaching, and even though her waist had thickened, she could still temporarily conceal it.
The mixed sky sculpture witnessed the young man display such a skill, his face turned pale, and he did not dare to explain the situation, quickly retreating with his subordinates.
Liu Aosong, unable to swallow his anger, continuously provoked Shaolin. Although there was no one in the temple who could match him, Shaolin had always been well-connected, and many heroes stepped in to stop Liu Aosong's reckless behavior. Unfortunately, even when the heroes resorted to underhanded tactics, they could not overcome the Demon Lord. Naturally, when the Demon Lord was ambushed, his temper was not good, so he chose to eliminate a few particularly annoying individuals, which inevitably offended their numerous friends in the martial world. As a result, chaos ensued. The death toll continued to rise, yet the Demon Lord remained unscathed, not losing a single hair.
After Su Wujiao arrived in Yangzhou, he initially intended to find an inn to settle down before formally paying a visit to his father-in-law. However, all the inns in Yangzhou were already fully booked by various martial artists who had come from different places. Thus, he had no choice but to arrive at the Yang family home covered in dust. At that moment, the Yang family was also in a state of chaos, as several distinguished guests had arrived early. Many of them recognized Su Wujiao and made jokes at his expense, causing him to blush as he went to meet his father-in-law
However, human calculations are no match for the heavens, and an "accident" truly occurred
It has been three months since Su Wujiao got married, and Lord Yang has been urging his son to hasten the occurrence of an "accident". Prolonging this situation is ultimately dangerous, yet Yang Jiansheng remains reluctant to take action.
For Su Wujiao, the current days feel like a dream, and Jianru is the goddess in his dream. Jianru is reluctant to leave her home so soon, so she naturally stays at her family home for a while longer; Jianru does not know martial arts, but what significance does martial arts hold? Jianru says the moon is square, but when has the moon ever been round?
The old family member beside him first handed a piece of watermelon to the young master, and then began to eat himself: "Young Master, this time the old man can rest easy knowing that you have brought the young mistress home." The young man replied gently: "Uncle Quan, you have worked hard; my brother and I have always made you worry." This old family member is named Su Quan, and the young master has always mispronounced his name.
Su Wujiao did not respond, but took out a pair of jade earrings from his pocket: "I just saw these on the street, they are so beautiful, I give them to you!" After saying this, he shyly ran away like a child. Du Huijun looked at the earrings; they were a vibrant green, well-crafted, and not particularly rare. However, for some reason, she took off her own pearl earrings and put on the jade ones. In fact, this eye-catching green did not match her bright red ceremonial dress at all, but she, who usually paid great attention to her outfit coordination, did not want to take them off. However, for some reason, she took off her own pearl earrings and put on the jade ones. In fact, this eye-catching green did not match her bright red ceremonial dress at all, but she, who usually paid great attention to her outfit coordination, did not want to take them off.
Du Huijun lay on the bed, thinking of the foolish expression of that idiot young master, and couldn't help but smile secretly. This unexpected meeting was actually arranged by her on purpose. This Young Master Wu Jiu, who was renowned in the martial arts world, was merely an inexperienced young man in her presence. However, he was indeed a rather handsome and charming young man. At this thought, a hint of tenderness unconsciously added to her smile
However, the most renowned are the two extraordinary dark horses—Meng Fei, the leader of the Green Forest in the Northern Seven Provinces, and Du Fengji, the head of the local forces in the Southern Four Provinces! They are collectively referred to as the two great legends of the North and South. Strictly speaking, these two cannot be considered traditional figures of the Jianghu: both engage in business and are supported by large financial groups. Yet, in the face of such severe circumstances of dynastic change, one resembling a mountain bandit and the other a thug, they have managed to achieve such remarkable success, prompting a reevaluation of the boundaries of Jianghu.
But she had no choice but to continue pretending to be ignorant: "Hmm? Is today not the 3rd of November?" Su Wujiao smiled and said: "Are you thinking of celebrating your birthday? Do you want a gift? Whatever you want, just tell your husband.
In principle, while everyone is pursuing vengeance, the title of "Number One in the World" should be given to the rightful owner. However, let us not forget that there are still some young prodigies in the martial arts world. To concede defeat is not the behavior of youth, thus a vigorous campaign against evil was launched under the leadership of Guan Feidu, the eldest disciple of Yandang, known as "Shanxi Yan." The first person he invited was one of the Four Young Masters of the martial arts world. Yang Jiansheng, feeling that his martial arts had greatly improved recently and having a ready-made guardian by his side, readily agreed. To concede defeat is not the behavior of youth, thus a vigorous campaign against evil was launched under the leadership of Guan Feidu, the eldest disciple of Yandang, known as "Shanxi Yan." The first person he invited was one of the Four Young Masters of the martial arts world. Yang Jiansheng, feeling that his martial arts had greatly improved recently and having a ready-made guardian by his side, readily agreed. Su Wujiao, unable to resist his appeal, also had no choice but to agree.
Although opinions vary widely, it is indeed certain that Guan Feidu trapped him and Su Wujiao struck him. As a result, the reputations of the two soared, and Su Wujiao was even hailed as the most promising contender for the title of the world's number one!
The third matter is that Old Master Yang passed away two years ago, and the one who inherited the family business was not the third son Yang Jiansheng, but rather the eldest son Yang Jianhe. This was due to Yang Jiansheng's repeated failures at critical moments, relying entirely on his elder brother to clean up the mess. Old Master Yang finally realized that the eldest son was indeed wise yet unassuming, thus he returned the authority to this once-disgraced crown prince. Yang Jiansheng has always been at odds with his elder brother; although Jianhe is loyal and does not hold grudges, his life has naturally not been easy, and he has been forced to restrain himself considerably. Furthermore, due to the war, the Yang family relocated to Shaanxi, automatically withdrawing from the power structure of "North Su, South Yang, East Zhao, West Tang." Now, many young heroes have emerged in the martial world. Zhao Jiuhua's eldest son Zhao Tianfeng has inherited the former glory of the Divine Sword Jade Gentleman, while Yang Jiansheng's youngest son Yang Hong and Tang Duqian's nephew Tang Bei are also quite impressive. It must be said that these four prominent families are indeed remarkable, as each generation can produce at least one expert, no wonder they dominate the scene!
Her sword-like demeanor was goddess-like, and his gaze grew increasingly gentle, yet it often revealed sorrow. One night, he heard a noise outside the door, and finding himself alone, he hurried out, only to see his wife weeping over the railing. Heartbroken, he embraced her and repeatedly said, 'Jianru, do not be sad. What do you want? I will find anything you desire.' Du Huijun felt she was on the verge of collapse, truly unsure how things had spiraled so out of control. Had she not already seen through the ways of the world? How could she be defeated by a mere young lad? Yet his eyes could see straight into her heart! She cried and threw herself into his arms, saying, 'Wujiao, I am scared!' Su Wujiao quickly reassured her, 'Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, I will always protect you!'