Chapter Eight, Undercurrents Surge

Both individuals were lost in their own thoughts, leaving them momentarily speechless. After a while, Li Bao'er suddenly took off her outer garment, startling Cheng Chuqiu, who quickly averted his gaze, feigning nonchalance while his heart raced.

Cheng Chuqiu then settled in a small wooden house not far behind the bamboo house. In the first few days, Lu Yanjiao personally went to guide him every day, informing him of the responsibilities he was expected to handle. She also advised him on what items he might need for work and daily life, and whom he could approach for assistance.

Gong Yuexian observed that the two of them were becoming increasingly in sync in their conversation, which left her feeling rather uncomfortable. She said, "You two continue your discussion; I will head back first."

Lü Yanjiao had never made such a careless mistake before, and she quickly knelt down and bowed her head, saying: "A'jiao knows her mistake, A'jiao knows her mistake..."

Cheng Chuqiu was suddenly at a loss for words, stammering awkwardly as he said: "Madam... Madam... please don't cry... don't cry..."

Chuchiu said: "I do not dare to speak recklessly, but as long as there is even a slight possibility, we must not be careless. Therefore, it is better to have the doctor take a look." As she spoke, she turned to leave.

Li Baor listened, and could not help but feel greatly benefited. Especially the last part, where she casually mentioned the words "old woman" thinking it was a self-deprecating remark, but he turned it around and instead praised her. This kind of eloquence could not be achieved without having read for several years and having some literary knowledge. She couldn't help but think: "He is handsome and charming, which can be said to be mostly innate. What is rare is that he is both talented in literature and martial arts, yet so considerate..." Upon thinking of this, her heart raced.

Cheng Chuqiu returned to the bedside, brought hot water, and instructed her to soak her injured foot in the water, saying: "It is so swollen right now that there is no way to treat it for the time being. Once it feels a bit better, just lie down and rest for a while. I will go get some medication to reduce the swelling and inflammation."

Gong Yuexian had always been indecisive, and upon hearing this, she still frowned. Lu Yanjiao suddenly said, "Ah, otherwise you have another person to choose from." Gong Yuexian asked, "Who is it?"

Li Baor saw that he was lost in thought and asked, "What is wrong with you?"

Gong Yuexian smiled and said, "Oh dear, this has nothing to do with me, don't vent your anger on me."

After a while, the door opened, and two female guards in purple robes stepped out. Once they stood on either side, figures moved within the room, revealing Li Beier and Lü Yanjiao, who were supporting Li Baor. Upon seeing this, Gong Yuexian hurriedly stepped forward to exchange places with Li Beier.

Li Bao'er said: "Wait a moment"

Cheng Chuqiu turned around and, with hands down, said: "Madam, do you have any further instructions?"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "But ... ..."

At this moment, she did not need Cheng Chuqiu to explain further, as she already knew to quickly wrap her arms around his neck. Amidst the sounds of screams, only the voice of Lü Yanjiao could be heard shouting: "Chuqiu! You..." The voice suddenly faded away, and Li Baor's head was raised, only to see the surrounding scenery continuously retreating, causing her to feel dizzy and frightened, prompting her to immediately close her eyes

Cheng Chuqiu walked out of Li Baor's room, found Lü Yanjiao, and instructed her to quickly go inside to attend to her. Meanwhile, he went alone to look for Lin Tie'er

Since Cheng Chuqiu last met Li Bao'er, more than a month has passed without seeing her again. However, he has not been idle; taking advantage of his freedom of movement while working at the headquarters, he has secretly circled the entire island over the past few days, exploring various possibilities for departure

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "So his name is Lin Wanquan; I don't think I've ever heard that name before." He had originally held a glimmer of hope that this old man Lin was a martial arts master living in seclusion, but now his confidence was immediately halved.

Cheng Chuqiu observed the situation and thought, "It seems that this is the main force of the entire gang." As the front of the line reached the center of the training ground, Gong Yuexian immediately shouted, "The gang leader has arrived!" Everyone on both sides of the training ground suppressed their voices and murmured in unison, while those seated in the grand master's chair stood up one after another.

At this time, he, in his capacity as someone working beside the lady, could, in principle, freely enter and exit all general checkpoints on the island. The tattoo on his face served as the best auxiliary proof of his identity, so he did not need to say much, nor did the other party need to ask many questions. At most, he had only heard the other party suddenly exclaim: "So it's you." Generally speaking, he faced little obstruction.

Gong Yuexian pondered for a moment and said, "As for him... I think he appears quite handsome and robust. If he had not fallen to this state, he would definitely be a man of great stature and presence in the outside world. What about you?"

Cheng Chuqiu had not yet responded when Lü Yanjiao exclaimed, "Xian'er, how could I possibly be in a bad mood? This is simply nonsense!"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "It's just a flesh wound; it won't cost a life if things go wrong. So what's the harm in giving it a try"

Lü Yanjiao said: "Then that settles it. The few I just mentioned are already among the very few on this island who are worthy of you. Are we going to wait for someone to fall from the sky instead of considering the newcomers? Therefore, this time I want to find an opportunity to discuss our wishes with the madam. I hope that if she decides not to proceed, she will release the individuals as soon as possible, allowing all the sisters to have a chance to choose."

But he immediately thought: "Acquiring medicinal herbs is indeed a good reason to leave this island. Old Lin has the right to take a boat and leave, in that case..."

Lü Yanjiao guided the way, and Cheng Chuqiu followed her instructions, quickly locating the injured Li Bao'er. The two approached, and Lü Yanjiao signaled for the other maidservants to step back.

Li Bao'er urged, "I am in so much pain, what should I do next?"

A person behind them leaned in between the two and said, "He is the foremost among the three elders of heaven, earth, and humanity. If you don't want to introduce him, he remains completely unharmed." The two turned around, one called out, "Sister A-Jiao." The other shouted, "A-Jiao."

Cheng Chuqiu understood this point and immediately stepped forward to take the water basin. Upon seeing this, Li Bao'er became even angrier. She lifted her small foot and, before he could lift the basin, kicked it over. The basin was made of copper, and with a clang, all the water spilled out, but the basin was completely unharmed. However, Li Bao'er's foot was not so fortunate; she kicked it with her injured foot and cried out in pain.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "It should have been this way long ago, yet you are being so indecisive, like a young girl."

Cheng Chuqiu did not pay attention to what she was murmuring, only asking: "Where is the lady going?" Lu Yanjiao replied indifferently: "In any case, we will serve together; it makes no difference where she goes." Cheng Chuqiu nodded in agreement

Absolutely no complaints

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Indeed, if I were to encounter him on the lake, my life would be in jeopardy"

With just a gentle pull, Li Bao'er instinctively leaned her entire body against his back. Before she could react to anything, she heard Cheng Chuqiu say, "Hold on tight"

With a whoosh, the flying stone, according to his design, passed by Lin Tie'er’s ear and struck the grass in front of him. Lin Tie'er paused his actions, gazed at the grass for a moment, and then continued with his unfinished work

Moreover, each woman's way of laughing is different, and the appearance of their laughter varies as well. It is akin to a garden in spring, where one observes the blooming of a hundred flowers. Although each possesses its own unique characteristics, they are equally pleasing to the eye.

Then Lü Yanjiao said: "Not to mention the distant ones, let's talk about the nearby ones..." As she spoke, she glanced towards the direction where Cheng Chuqiu was, and continued: "Every time a newcomer arrives, which one does not first pass through the ears of the madam? Although the madam is not as young as the two of us, her charm and allure are unmatched on this island. Every newcomer falls for her, and if this continues, what chance will we have?"

Gong Yue Xian Dao: "If I have to marry those few you mentioned, I would rather never marry for a lifetime"

Seeing this, Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Most likely, it's someone skilled in the Vermilion Palm. Heh heh, what is the Vermilion Palm worth? If I get the chance, I will settle this score..." Suddenly, he recalled that his own martial arts skills were down to less than thirty percent, and he was uncertain whether he could handle the Vermilion Palm.

Cheng Chuqiu was indeed taken aback; Li Bao'er was already a mature woman in her mid-twenties, having long been married. To his surprise, her level of temper tantrums and mischief was comparable to that of a young girl like Lu Yanjiao, or even younger maidservants, and perhaps even exceeded them.

Cheng Chuqiu's eyes lit up as he said, "Go out? Are we leaving the island?"

Li Bao'er had an unhappy expression on her face and said, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Are you afraid I will eat you?" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "That's not the case."

Cheng Chuqiu noticed the unusual tone and gaze in her speech, realizing that it was not suitable to stay here for long. He said, "I still need to help the lady prepare some medicine; let A Jiao come in to keep you company..." After saying this, he turned and left.

Cheng Chuqiu also said: "Don't mind her; every time the lady has something particularly important to do, she will sulk for an entire morning"

Moreover, his skills, honed through relentless practice, could barely maintain a level of thirty percent of his former prowess. Unfortunately, his previous reputation was too prominent; his reckless return to the martial world made it fortunate that someone like Qi Gujin caught wind of him. The real concern was attracting a horde of despicable individuals, eager for fame and fortune, who might unwittingly lead him to his demise.

He suddenly reached out with both hands towards Li Bao'er under her armpits

Cheng Chuqiu smiled awkwardly and said, "People are just like this; what they cannot obtain is precisely what they desire, while what is right beside them, they fail to cherish." Lu Yanjiao gently replied, "Yes, people are indeed like this; they yearn for what they cannot have, yet overlook what is right beside them and do not know to cherish it." She repeated what he had just said.

Cheng Chuqiu turned around and asked, "Madam, are you looking for me?" Seeing that Lu Yanjiao was somewhat out of breath, her cheeks flushed, as if she had been running for quite a while, he inquired, "What is the matter that is so urgent?"

Two individuals arrived outside Li Bao'er’s door. Cheng Chuqiu noticed that two sedan chairs were parked outside, accompanied by not only the bearers but also about ten female guards in purple attire. Some of them looked familiar, while others were unfamiliar. Looking further away, there were also about ten burly men, each holding weapons and standing guard, creating a rather imposing scene. Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "The place we are about to go to is likely not going to be easy."

Li Bao'er felt her anger dissipate instantly upon hearing him speak. Moreover, she did not genuinely wish to punish Cheng Chuqi, so she asked, "Is what you said true?"

Then Lu Yanjiao said: "No, no, you must at least call me Miss Lu."

Cheng Chuqiu felt both exasperated and amused, sighed, and said: "Alas... no wonder, no wonder the lady said..."

Lü Yanjiao said: "Master Lin's disciple, Lin Tie'er. Although he has a good appearance, he lacks a certain backbone in his character."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "It's just me, what's the big deal about it?" Lin Tie'er replied: "Have they allowed you to move freely?"

Lü Yanjiao, having familiarized herself with the environment, changed from her earlier playful demeanor to a serious tone and said: "To be honest with you, you are not the first man to have served the madam. Over the past few years since the master passed away, there have been about four or five, though I can't recall exactly. In any case, none of them have met with a good end"

Cheng Chu Qiu asked in confusion: "Yes, where is this place? Why are there so many people here?" Gong Yue Xian replied: "The place where the ladies reside is the main hall. If we compare it to a person's mind, then this is that person's fist.

After a long time, Cheng Chuqiu gradually realized that the work he was responsible for was merely what is commonly referred to as a long-term position. Yet, everyone insisted on explaining the job details to him in a roundabout way. However, there was one point that Li Beier did not get wrong at all; throughout Cheng Chuqiu's daily observations, he mostly saw women, among whom were not a few young and beautiful ones like Gong Yuexian and Lv Yanjiao.

In this manner, Gong Yuexian's introduction conveniently omitted the identity of the young man, which Cheng Chuqiu was most eager to know. Noticing that Gong Yuexian did not intend to continue with the introduction, she pressed further, "What about that one? The one next to the empty chair."

Cheng Chuqiu did not expect her to ask such a question and shook her head

Cheng Chuqiu saw Li Bao'er sitting on a stone beside the steep slope. Looking up, he noticed that this slope was at least several dozen zhang high. If Li Bao'er were to accidentally slip and fall from above, her foot injury would likely be serious. Therefore, he asked, "Madam, can you still stand?"

Seeing this, Li Bao'er hesitated and said, "Is it really going to be like this? Aren't you going to find something to carry me?"

Upon hearing the name "Wei Qing," Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "That's right, he is the 'Elder Wei' who appeared in Li Beier's room that night. No wonder he looks familiar to me"

When Gong Yuexian said this, it certainly did not mean that she liked Lin Tie'er. Her face flushed, feeling both shy and embarrassed, and she hurriedly tried to explain, but Lv Yanjiao had already moved far away.

Gong Yuexian noticed that something was really off with her and hurriedly asked, "What exactly is wrong?"

Upon witnessing this, Cheng Chuqiu felt a weight lift from his heart, yet it also grew cold. He lay listlessly on the rooftop for a long time before finally jumping down from the other side

Lü Yanjiao said: "Ah, I understand now. Elder Chen's son has yet to marry; are you waiting for him to propose to the Second Madam?"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Yes." He reached out his hand to help her up

Then Lu Yanjiao paused for a moment, took a breath, and continued, "The lady sprained her ankle on the mountain. The slope is steep, and none of us could carry her down..."

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself again and turned his gaze back to the scene. He saw that there were a total of seven chairs on the stage. Li Beier was sitting in the center, to her left was Li Baor, and further over was the bald old man. To the left of the old man sat a middle-aged man in his forties, with drooping eyebrows and eyes that seemed to be in a daze, as if he were either daydreaming or had already fallen asleep

Li Bao'er said, "I want to take a break." Cheng Chuqiu, upon hearing this, suddenly felt an inexplicable flush on her face and thought, "If you want to rest, then rest; why feel embarrassed?" Just as she was about to call Lu Yanjiao in, she caught sight of Li Bao'er lifting her other foot and gently swaying it. Cheng Chuqiu did not think much of it and immediately squatted down to help her take off the boot on the other foot

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Since Xian'er does not wish to speak, why not let A'jiao introduce me instead"

Li Bao'er said: "Are you referring to Lin Wanquan? He left the island the day before yesterday to gather medicinal herbs, and he won't be back for at least ten days to half a month."

Gong Yuexian recalled the events of last night, feeling a lingering unease in her heart, though she could not pinpoint what was strange about it. At that moment, upon hearing Lu Yanjiao's words, she suddenly felt a vague understanding.

Once the two individuals were seated, Gongyue Xian led the call: "Lift the sedan!" Li Beier was in front, and Li Baor was behind, both lifted in succession and moved forward. Cheng Chuqiu watched for a moment, and when he saw Lu Yanjiao attending to Li Baor's sedan, he waved vigorously at him, and only then did he follow.

Li Baor said: "Who are you in such a hurry to find? A doctor? Which doctor?"

Lu Yanjiao was both surprised and delighted; she was surprised that Cheng Chuqiu possessed such excellent skills, and delighted that he would take the initiative to assist her. It turned out that after Li Baor married Guo Zongyao, she had studied martial arts for a few years, and since Lu Yanjiao was responsible for taking care of her, she had also practiced for a few years.

Not long after, Cheng Chuqiu stopped in his tracks, and then with a soft "Yi ya," the air around them seemed to suddenly become still. Only then did Li Bao'er lift her head, open her eyes, and realize that the two of them had already arrived in their own room.

Cheng Chuqiu suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Is it Guo Qian's son, Guo Jinhua?"

Lin Tie'er was taken aback and asked, "Madam? Which madam? He has sprained his ankle; I must hurry to inform the master..." As he stood up, he suddenly remembered that the master was not present, and sat back down, saying, "The master has gone out; what should I do now?"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "No, I have taken a liking to a young lady, and we have... also discussed marriage." Thinking of Chai Wenjun, a pang of sadness welled up in his heart

Lü Yanjiao was initially startled, exclaiming, "You..." She had only managed to utter a single word when she felt a lightness beneath her feet, and her entire body was lifted up. With each step she took, she effortlessly advanced several feet forward.

Cheng Chuqiu believed that it would not be long before Li Bao'er would angrily send someone to find him. However, contrary to his expectations, there was no news for several consecutive days. Just as he was gradually forgetting about the matter, Lu Yanjiao came to inform him that Li Bao'er wanted him to accompany her out tomorrow

Lin Tie'er said: "If we are to try, then let us try together, my lady? I dare not..."

Gong Yue Xianqi asked: "How do you know?"

The bald old man had not yet responded, and Li Bao'er in the sedan chair behind spoke up: "Elder Tang, I apologize and hope I haven't delayed everyone."

Thus, it is unclear when Cheng Chuqiu began to entertain the thought of residing here permanently. After all, a gentleman takes his revenge; three years is not too late. If one cannot endure humiliation, how can one bear the burden? Having found such a grandiloquent excuse, Cheng Chuqiu felt even more justified, and life became easier.

Although Li Bao'er found Cheng Chuqiu's movements somewhat outrageous, she interpreted it in her heart as: "So that hillside is not far from the back mountain, how come I never noticed it before?" While she was pondering, Cheng Chuqiu had already walked to the bedside, turned around, and gestured for her to get on the bed. Li Bao'er then climbed onto his shoulder, gently slid down his back, and sat on the edge of the bed

Gong Yuexian turned her head and whispered in his ear: "That old man with the white beard is Tang Junyan, the Grand Elder of our sect, holding a high position; even the sect leader must show him respect. The one further away is called Bao Dan, the son of the former Grand Elder Bao Kexin. Don't be fooled by his seemingly listless appearance; he has a fiery temper and is quite notorious on the island. In the future, if you encounter him on the road, it would be wise to keep your distance."

To put it more clearly, the woman's delicate charm and understanding nature provided him with a different kind of feeling. Even if it was just nonsensical chatter, if he could make these girls laugh happily, he felt a sense of joy. This joy was different from the thrill of plunging a knife into an enemy's chest, but if possible, he preferred to choose the former.

Lin Tie'er exclaimed, "Me? I am not capable yet"

Lü Yanjiao responded and secretly glanced at Cheng Chuqiu. At that moment, Cheng Chuqiu happened to be looking at her as well. Lü Yanjiao's expression was peculiar; she secretly made a face and then retreated.

Lü Yanjiao said: "Indeed, the Second Madam is selfless. Over the past few years, she has managed to revitalize the entire Dongting Gang, allowing us to have a decent life in this desolate place. However, it is not that I, as her sister, do not understand gratitude. I am merely inferring based on common sense that the Second Madam has spent her youth dealing with these bothersome trivialities. At this moment, she may not be interested in matters of love, but what about three, five, or even ten years from now?"

The two sat facing each other at the table. Cheng Chuqiu said, "Madam has twisted her ankle, and I have come to look for medicinal herbs that can treat it."

Li Bao'er said, "Oh, hearing you say that, she didn't marry you later, why?" Cheng Chuqiu shook his head and did not answer

Li Bao'er said: "Why not ... ... "

Li Baor said, "Seeing you so heartbroken, I imagine she must be very beautiful, right?" Cheng Chuqiu let out a bitter smile but still did not wish to respond

Cheng Chuqiu lowered his head and said: "In urgent matters, one must act according to the situation. I observed that the hillside is steep, and I judged that the lady's foot injury is serious. If we do not seek medical attention immediately, it may hinder her ability to walk in the future. Therefore, disregarding the lady's instructions, I made this decision on my own. If there is any offense, I am willing to accept punishment. However, at this moment, it is imperative that I first go and summon a doctor to avoid delaying the treatment of the lady's injury"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Her entire foot is swollen like something, and she screams every time you touch it. How can I help her with a massage?" Lin Tie'er frowned and asked: "Did she really fall that hard?"

At this moment, Gong Yuexian found some free time and happened to pull Cheng Chuqiu, who was unsure where to stand, to the side of the training ground behind Li Bao'er. Noticing that Cheng Chuqiu was particularly interested in a few people on the training ground, she asked, "Is this your first time here, Brother Chu?"

The sedan chair was lowered, and the few individuals seated in the armchair moved forward to greet. One bald old man said, "Madam Guo Er, greetings. I heard that Madam Guo has been injured; may I inquire about her condition?" Li Beier stepped out of the sedan chair and replied, "I have just visited her. After some treatment, she is much better now. I also conveyed everyone’s good wishes for her to rest more. However, Madam Guo insists on coming; it should not be a problem, right?"

Certainly, his actions carry considerable risk. If Lin Tie'er truly knows nothing and suddenly tilts his head to the left, this flying stone could very well pierce through his skull. Therefore, Cheng Chuqiu must act swiftly; the stone must reach him before he makes any movement, flying past his ear.

Cheng Chuqiu looked around for a moment and said, "Why is there still an empty seat? Who hasn't arrived yet?"

During all these days, Cheng Chuqiu had not seen Li Bao'er for the second time. However, due to work commitments, he passed by her door almost every day, thus he knew where her room was and directly escorted her back.

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Then please rest early, madam. I will go and call A Jiao in." Li Baor said, "I do not want A Jiao; I want you... I want you to keep me company and relieve my boredom..."

At that time, during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty, social customs and moral teachings imposed strict regulations on interactions between men and women. However, those in the rivers and lakes were less concerned about such matters, and within the context of mountain strongholds and gangs, these restrictions were even weaker. Nevertheless, even so, for a young woman to reveal her given name in front of a man, the two women, Gong and Lü, still had to communicate through each other's words in order to do so

The two conversed for a while longer. Since the last time Cheng Chuqiu accompanied Li Bao'er down the mountain, Lu Yanjiao had always spoken to him with hesitation, unlike before when she was so unrestrained. Before long, both felt that the conversation lacked substance and hurriedly bid farewell.

As expected, she had not yet arrived, but her voice had already reached: "Brother Chu... you don't need to be busy here for now, the lady is looking for you..."

Upon hearing a single remark from Cheng Chuqiu to Li Bao'er, Lu Yanjiao reacted so intensely that she suddenly felt a sense of protection and interjected, "There is no need to apologize for anything in the first place!"

Lin Tie'er could be considered his savior; if anything were to happen, Cheng Chuqiu would bear the stigma of ingratitude, which he certainly would not welcome. He held his breath, watching the flying stone shoot away, and in that moment, it felt as if it lasted as long as a stick of incense.

Cheng Chuqiu surveyed the surrounding environment and felt quite satisfied, as the size and scenery of the space made it far better than his previous residence on Yunxiao Mountain. However, there was quite a bit of dust by the window on the kang, indicating that although it had been unoccupied for some time, it had not been very long.

Gong Yuexian saw her speaking with a rosy glow on her face, completely absorbed in her own joy, and suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. She hurriedly said: "Sister A Jiao, it's fine for us to just talk about it, but you must not... must not..."

Gong Yuexian hurriedly said: "But the Second Madam, she..."

Cheng Chuqiu certainly held back, otherwise, if he were to truly unleash his skills, Lu Yanjiao would be able to perceive the difference between lightness and swift steps. Nevertheless, even so, it was enough to leave her pleasantly surprised, her heart racing like a startled deer, and she couldn't help but express her admiration repeatedly

Whenever Lin Tie'er heard the term "madam," he immediately became tense and hurriedly asked, "Is the madam talking about me? What is she saying?" Cheng Chuqiu pretended to be mysterious, smiled without answering, and finally said, "As long as you come with me, I will tell you."

Cheng Chuqiu had never been so close to so many women before. In the past, on Yunxiao Mountain, the youngest and most beautiful was undoubtedly Chai Wenjun, followed by her two maidservants. If there were any other women, they would be the old woman who cooked and Aunt Wang who cleaned and did the laundry. He felt as if he had met all the women he was destined to encounter in his lifetime within just three days, leaving him utterly dazzled.

Cheng Chuqiu thus learned the names of the two young ladies and felt somewhat at a loss, so he said: "Miss Lu, Miss Gong, it is a pleasure to meet you both. I hope to receive your guidance in the future." As he spoke, he bowed deeply.

Li Baor wanted to believe that his quick response was merely a casual dismissal. Feeling displeased, she said: "I see that your words are insincere; while you speak nicely on the surface, you are actually mocking me as an old woman in your heart."

He walked into the room confidently and shouted, "Tie'er! Tie'er!" Lin Tie'er rushed out from the back upon hearing the call and, upon seeing Cheng Chuqiu, exclaimed in surprise, "It's you?"

Gong Yuexian observed her mysterious demeanor and asked, "What’s wrong? What happened?" Lu Yanjiao did not respond, but continued to pull her into the flower bushes. Then she peeked out to glance at Cheng Chuqiu before retracting her head back.

Lü Yanjiao could not hide her excitement and whispered, "What do you think? How do you feel about him?" Gong Yuexian, momentarily taken aback, replied, "What do you mean by 'how'?"

Lü Yanjiao said: "So it's that Chu Qiu... What do you think of him..."

The second lady has said that she will help me find a partner

Nangong Yuexian seemed to recall some unpleasant memories, her expression slightly changed as she said, "Ah, let's not talk about those past events anymore. You just mocked him, and now you're trying to scare him again"

To have a boat is perhaps achievable, but it is essential to have a helmsman on board who knows the way, which is considerably more challenging. The helmsman on this island is not an ordinary commoner; should anything go awry, he would steer the boat to the center of the lake, then with a splash, jump into the water. At that point, being left alone on the boat would mean being at the mercy of others.

Cheng Chuqiu looked to the right of Li Beier, and the first seat was that empty chair. To the right of the empty chair sat a young man, followed by a man with a shiny face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a broad mouth, whose horse-like features suggested he was around forty years old.

Cheng Chuqiu thought again: "Although the fairy is not in the room, she should be nearby. Perhaps she has her ear pressed against the wall, carefully listening to the movements inside, ready to come to the rescue at any moment, so that Li Beier can be summoned at will. And precisely because she is aware of these matters, she detests Wei Qing, so much so that she does not even want to mention his name."

Li Bao'er sat up in bed and said, "Chu Qiu, wait! Hey... hey..." Cheng Chu Qiu pretended not to hear, quickly walking out of the room without looking back, leaving Li Bao'er, who was stunned and so angry that she gritted her teeth, but had no way to stomp her feet.

Li Baor said suddenly: "A Jiao!" Lu Yan Jiao returned to the room. Li Baor continued: "Have someone bring in a basin of hot water. If there is nothing urgent, everyone should stay outside and serve. No one is allowed to enter without my orders"

Gong Yue Xian Dao: "I don't want it!" Lu Yan Jiao then mentioned several single men from the islands, including the sons of elders and some promising newcomers. Gong Yue Xian declined them one by one

Suddenly, with a loud "bang," the door burst open, and Lu Yanjiao rushed in, looking disheveled, exclaiming, "Chu Qiu, do not be rude!" Two female guards in purple followed closely behind her.

Lü Yanjiao suddenly looked at him with a very envious gaze and said, "However, the first time I saw you, I felt that you were different from the rest. Compared to those few before you, it was like the difference between heaven and earth, utterly incomparable... I have confidence in you"

Then, with a tone of sadness, Lu Yanjiao softly said: "Sister, regardless of beauty or talent, which man on this island is worthy of you? You are still so young; do you really want to waste your life like this? By the time we grow old and lose our charm, our master will also be old. They have the entire Dongting Gang as their support, but what will become of us sisters in our twilight years? Who can we rely on?"

Li Baor shook her head and said, "If I could stand up, I would be able to help them back." She seemed to be in considerable pain, and her response was somewhat impatient.

Lü Yanjiao said: "Look, you don't want this, you don't want that, do you want to live your life in solitude?"

Lin Tie'er presented a multitude of reasons, merely to decline. Cheng Chuqiu said: "If you don't give it a try, how will you know you can't do it? It's just like practicing martial arts; if you don't find someone to spar with, how will you know whether your skills are merely flashy and ineffective?"

At this point, Cheng Chuqiu had no choice but to comfort her. While examining her injured foot, he continued to knead and caress her sole, instep, and even her calf, as if soothing a child. After a while, Li Bao'er calmed down a bit, but suddenly felt shy. She reached out to hold Cheng Chuqiu's hand and softly said, "Alright..." Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback and then released his grip.

The team advanced further, heading straight towards the yellow earth parade ground by the dock. On either side of the parade ground stood fifty to sixty strong and robust men, all dressed in sturdy attire, some wielding clubs, others holding knives and guns. At the end of the parade ground were several grand chairs, some occupied and others vacant. Behind the chairs stood three square flags, each about one zhang high, with two men in black on either side of each flagpole for protection. The flags fluttered in the wind, creating a formidable presence. Behind the chairs stood three square flags, each about one zhang high, with two men in black on either side of each flagpole for protection. The flags fluttered in the wind, creating a formidable presence.

The two of them immediately set off towards the mountain. Although Lu Yanjiao was the guide, she had hurried down the mountain and was already somewhat fatigued. At this moment, asking her to climb back up the slope was becoming increasingly difficult. Cheng Chuqiu, noticing this, suddenly thought of making a joke at her expense. He reached out and took hold of her right arm, pulling her forward as they ran.

Cheng Chuqiu understood his intention, set aside his work, and said: "I understand, lead the way quickly"

Cheng Chuqiu smiled and said, "How can I carry it alone? Of course, I will carry the lady down the mountain."

A few days later, Cheng Chuqiu had completely adapted to his current life. In the past, he sought the respect of his friends in the martial world as the ultimate affirmation of his self-worth; now, he regarded winning the affection of beautiful young women as the highest guiding principle for enjoying life.

Since the establishment of two female leaders in the Dongting Gang, a group of women warriors was formed for convenience. Later, due to their proximity to the power core, the status of these women also significantly increased. Even the elders of the gang would show them a degree of courtesy, let alone the ordinary members. If they encountered them on the road, most would quickly avoid them, and there were hardly any who dared to approach and greet them.

Cheng Chuqiu happily said: "That's great, otherwise I would have to face A Jiao's sour face for an entire morning, it would be utterly suffocating."

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Did I not come here?" Lin Tie'er turned her surprise into joy and replied, "That's great. Oh, my master is not here."

Lü Yanjiao said: "Oh dear, look at this, even before the person has moved in, there are already helpers here!"

Lü Yanjiao glanced at her narrowly and said, "Rest assured, I have been with the madam for so long; I know her temperament well, don’t I? I won’t cross her boundaries." As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and stealthily pinched Gong Yuexian's bottom.

Li Baor said: "Did you not just speak so eloquently? From a distance, one can easily see that my foot injury is quite serious; I believe you should have some insight into this matter as well"

But the Moon Fairy continued: "The one sitting closest to us is named Wang Xuqing. It is said that he is an excellent swimmer, capable of diving to the bottom of the lake, drifting with the current, and consuming raw fish and shrimp. He could stay underwater for three days and nights without coming ashore, and it would not matter. Our faction dominates Dongting Lake, and his skills in the water are unparalleled in the martial world, so his position as elder is as stable as Mount Tai."

The two maids before me are older, around twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, while the younger one is probably just over twenty. They have been with the Li sisters since they were in their teens, accompanying them from their youth until they became widows. In fact, there are men on the island, but very few dare to approach them. Moreover, finding a desirable man among this group of bandits and thieves is exceedingly rare.

At that moment, Lyu Yanjiao brought in the hot water, but she did not dare to say a word. After placing the basin down, she quietly left. This left Cheng Chuqiu, who originally had questions for her, slightly taken aback. He hurried after her for a few steps but returned empty-handed, having no choice but to help close the door.

Cheng Chuqiu further remarked: "If the lady is not beautiful, then I fear there will be no beauty in the world; if the lady is an old woman, then from now on, the term 'old woman' will become a term of praise for beauty, and poets and literati will compete to incorporate it into their verses."

Li Baor's eyebrows arched as she said, "You have quite the audacity, daring to touch my body and carry me down without my consent"

Lü Yanjiao said: "Just looking at his appearance, how can that be enough? I feel that not only is he extraordinary in looks, but his conversation is also refined, quite different from those unpleasant men of the past. I don't know why, but I have a feeling that he must be some celestial general who has been banished to the mortal realm. Otherwise, tell me, what reason could a man like him have to end up here? Hehe... perhaps... perhaps he has come for someone special!" I don't know why, but I have a feeling that he must be some celestial general who has been banished to the mortal realm. Otherwise, tell me, what reason could a man like him have to end up here? Hehe... perhaps... perhaps he has come for someone special!

The bald old man said: "Where, where..." and called two people for assistance

Seeing this, the two women of the Gong and Lu families burst into laughter. Lu Yan Jiao said, "Alright, alright, let's stop teasing him."

Lü Yanjiao mocked Gong Yuexian while glancing at Cheng Chuqiu's expression, only to find him calm and composed, showing neither a hint of panic nor a trace of joy.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "I know, that's why I came... No, I also happened to have something to do, and I thought I would drop by to see you. Are you busy?" Lin Tie'er replied: "Not busy, just some routine work I do every day." She turned around to pour a glass of water and continued: "By the way, you mentioned you had something to do, what is it?"

A group of people moved forward in a grand manner along the narrow path at the mountainside. More than twenty individuals lined up in a row, almost silent throughout the journey. Cheng Chuqiu merely widened his eyes to recognize the way, not feeling that anything was amiss

Gong Yue Xian Dao: "Yes, that's right. For this Young Master Guo, the lady has endured quite a bit. But it doesn't matter; if merely placing an empty chair can suffice, then it would be no issue to set up ten chairs." Cheng Chu Qiu thought: "This is a place where effort can be exerted; as long as the empty chair remains there, the opportunity will always be preserved there."

At that moment, Lü Yanjiao led Cheng Chuqiu through the back of the bamboo house to see where he was staying, with Gong Yuexian curiously following behind. This time, the room arranged for Cheng Chuqiu was slightly larger than the one at Steward Li's place, and it was very well-lit, being a wooden house located by the low fence.

Cheng Chuqiu feigned anger and said, "Do you think I rushed all the way here just to deceive you about this matter?" Lin Tie'er replied, "Then I might as well go for a visit, to avoid being scolded by my master when he returns."

Early the next morning, Cheng Chuqiu went to meet her. Upon arrival, he noticed Gong Yuexian was also nearby, and greeted her, "Xian'er, good morning." He had grown increasingly familiar with the women, addressing each other by their names without any reservations.

Li Baor said: "No need." She lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and called out: "A Jiao!" Lu Yan Jiao responded and stepped forward to assist her carefully

Gong Yuexian stuck out her tongue and said, "Brother Chu, let's hurry and catch up!"

Li Bao'er said: "Wait! Didn't I tell you to slow down?"

Lü Yanjiao first said, "Alright, I will come to find you tomorrow." Suddenly, as if recalling something, she called out, "Wait a moment, wait a moment..." She hurried forward, grasped Gong Yuexian's hand, and took a few more steps before turning into a cluster of flowers.

Cheng Chuqiu nodded and said: "I see, then those sitting on the chairs in the arena are the ten fingers of the gang."

Lü Yanjiao said: "Then let's say it's my fault, alright? My kindness and the younger sister of the library."

Cheng Chuqiu slightly bowed and said, "I will have to rely more on Miss Lu and would appreciate your guidance."

Li Bao'er exclaimed, "What are you doing?" As she raised her right hand, she aimed a strike at Cheng Chuqiu's neck. Her move was clean and decisive, and the angle was quite clever; however, in Cheng Chuqiu's eyes, it lacked sufficient force. He let out a dry laugh, slightly bent his elbow, and gently deflected her hand with a lift, while simultaneously reaching both hands under her armpits.

As the door closed, Li Bao'er said, "I had someone fetch water; why don't you take a look for me first?" Cheng Chuqiu was somewhat surprised and replied, "Me?"

Li Bao'er said with grievance: "What is good about it? It has made me feel excruciating pain"

Gong Yuexian had a fair complexion, and she was particularly prone to blushing. She felt as if there were hidden meanings in his words, which made her secretly delighted. The two walked side by side and began to chase after Lu Yanjiao.

Li Beier said, "Elders, please return to your seats." The soft sedan chair bearers withdrew, and the female guards in purple also stepped aside. The few individuals who had risen from the grand master chairs all returned to their seats. Only after Li Baor and Li Beier were seated did they each take their seats.

Cheng Chuqiu grabbed her small foot and turned it around in circles. Li Baor was exclaiming repeatedly, "It hurts, it hurts!" She tried to retract her foot, but to her surprise, this movement only intensified the pain at the injury site, causing tears to fall immediately.

Lü Yanjiao said: "Yes, I am talking about him. What do you think of him?"

For some reason, the young man sitting next to the empty chair particularly caught Cheng Chuqiu's attention. Perhaps it was because, according to the seating order, despite his youth, he seemed to rank above those two middle-aged men. Cheng Chuqiu initially thought this, but he ultimately could not help but ask the person beside him, Gong Yuexian: "Who are those people? I am afraid that if I encounter them in the future, I will be unprepared and might make a mistake"

He now exerted all of his remaining three-tenths of strength, aiming precisely, intending for the stone to graze past his left ear. As long as he had practiced internal martial arts and had a foundation of at least two years, he would be able to hear the faint hissing sound. Naturally, he would then have a reaction.

Li Bao'er was not angry and continued, "Whom does she resemble more? A Jiao? Or Xian'er? Or are they all not as beautiful as your beloved?" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "They don't resemble anyone. But I believe everyone has their own unique features; one cannot simply say that one is definitely more beautiful than another"

Some say that the external environment can influence a person's behavior and thoughts. However, in the case of Cheng Chuqiu, the external environment merely triggered his latent personality traits. For at least such an environment has never made him feel uncomfortable or anxious.

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Could it be that old man Lin has seen something and said something to her?" He then said: "I... I was just making a deduction based on common sense."

The two ladies went out together, so of course I had to follow them

Cheng Chuqiu said: "I will go and invite Master Lin to take a look"

I am not trying to scare you. As for the reasons, I am merely a servant and cannot say much. However, there is one thing you must remember, and that is: never let pride cloud your judgment. Otherwise, even if the madam is reluctant, others will not spare you

Gong Yue Xian Dao: "Did Chief Steward Li also mention it to you? In any case, it is best to avoid provoking him..." As she said this, she instinctively patted her chest with her hand, her face displaying an expression as if she had been startled before

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Chief Steward Li once told me some things. He mentioned that everyone has been searching for the son of the former leader, but they have not found him."

Cheng Chuqiu was also aware that some individuals in the martial arts world were very averse to such close interactions with women, living among them. At first, he felt somewhat uncomfortable, but over time, he instead developed a sense of being in his element. This does not imply that his previous days were particularly difficult; rather, the camaraderie and boldness of men who would share their innermost thoughts and stand by each other did not conflict with the life he was experiencing before him

However, everything has two sides. If viewed from another perspective, the harder Cheng Chuqiu tries, the more dangerous the outcome will be if Lin Tie'er is indeed hit.

Lü Yanjiao spoke while carefully observing Gong Yuexian's reaction. Noticing that there was still a look of hesitation on her face, she asked, "Do you want to marry one of the elders as a concubine?" Gong Yuexian replied firmly, "I do not want to!"

Thus, over time, this woman-dominated circle became increasingly insular. Of course, at times this awe stemming from misunderstanding provided significant convenience for them as women, but on the other hand, it also deepened the loneliness in the hearts of every young girl

Li Bao'er exclaimed, "What?" Suddenly, she leaped upward, and her entire body soared into the air

Cheng Chuqiu asked, "Are you going too?"

Cheng Chuqiu said: "His strength is immense; a single slap could kill a person"

Li Bao'er was furious and asked, "A Jiao, did you not clarify? Did you say that I was injured?"

Li Baor's eyes flickered as she said, "You mustn't be so dismissive with me. Just consider the fact that you rushed down the mountain with me on your back, and I hardly felt any jolting; it seems you've trained for a few years. Furthermore, to go a bit further, despite sustaining such serious injuries, you still managed to endure; there must be something extraordinary about you."

Gong Yue Xian Dao: "Hmph, I feel uncomfortable all over as soon as I see him; you shouldn't get to know him either"

Thus, when news of the figure Cheng Chuqiu emerged, it immediately stirred a commotion among the group of women, each heart racing with curiosity, eager to catch a glimpse of his true self. After all, such occurrences are rare in the Dongting Gang, happening only once in a century.

Gong Yuexian let out a startled cry, twisting her waist to evade, her eyes wide open, unsure of the intent behind Lu Yanjiao's actions

The journey was rather long, and along the way, there were two stops made to allow the sedan bearers to rest. Shortly after the third lift of the sedan, the procession rounded a mountain pass. Cheng Chuqiu gazed along the ridge of the mountain, and the first sight that met his eyes involuntarily made him gasp in surprise

Lin Tie'er is correct; without knowledge of swimming, one cannot leave this place without a boat

Li Bao'er was unsure whether her pain was real or feigned, but nonetheless, she began to whimper. Cheng Chuqiu attentively allowed her to rest her feet on his thighs, and then carefully helped her remove her boots.

Li Beier particularly cautioned, "Be careful." Gongyue Xian responded affirmatively. After they switched places, Li Beier continued to follow closely behind, step by step, until Li Baor left for the sedan chair, even personally lowering the curtain for her, before turning back to sit in her own sedan chair

The two laughed and joked for a while. Gong Yuexian suddenly turned to Cheng Chuqiu and said: "My sister A Jiao is named Lu Yanjiao, but since you are older than her, you can just call her A Jiao."

Li Bao'er cried while saying: "It hurts..."

Lü Yanjiao was taken aback, thinking: "Oh no, I was so eager to get him up the mountain that I forgot to ask him to find the appropriate tools." In fact, she had forgotten that at that time, Cheng Chuqiu had readily agreed to set off with her, and it was truly because Cheng Chuqiu appeared so confident that she forgot to think of ways to save the person, rather than forgetting to remind Cheng Chuqiu.

Cheng Chuqiu did not have the leisure to ask them: "What does 'So it's you' mean?" Upon inquiring about the way to Master Lin Wanquan, he proceeded on his own. Before long, the sights and objects before him began to feel somewhat familiar. As he walked, he felt a warmth rising from within, and his steps involuntarily quickened. After all, this was the place where he had been reborn

Gongyue Xiandao: "The leader has already arrived; who would dare to arrive later than the leader? That position is reserved for someone who will never return."

Cheng Chuqiu patted his shoulder and said, "Haven't you also studied with Master Lin for a few years? With the master absent, it is naturally the disciple's turn to step up!"

Gong Yuexian smiled and said, "This comparison is quite good."

Li Bao'er turned her face and said, "I have already told you, you may leave first." Lu Yanjiao and the purple-clad female guard exchanged glances and awkwardly withdrew.

Li Baor smiled and said, "You must be quite picky; there isn't a single girl in the village that you find appealing, is there?"

Removing her socks and rolling up her pant legs, Cheng Chu Qiu saw a delicate foot, as white as jade, but at the ankle, it was bruised and swollen, resembling a steamed bun.

Cheng Chuqiu turned around and said, "Madam, please rest for a moment; I will go fetch the doctor." He turned to leave.

Lü Yanjiao said: "Where, where..."

Cheng Chuqiulings suddenly had a thought: "That's right, I might as well test my disciple first. If there is anything strange, my disciple is more likely to reveal it than I am." Circling back to the front of the house, he casually picked up a small stone and tossed it onto the roof. Quietly, he made his way to the back of the house, and aimed at Lin Tie'er, who had his back turned to him. With a swift motion, he threw the stone at the back of his head.

Half coaxing and half forcing, he dragged him up the mountain. Once there, he directly threw him to Lü Yanjiao, considering his task accomplished, and took the opportunity to slip away quietly.

Originally, not far ahead of that group, from the foot of the mountain extending to halfway up, there were numerous fortress-like buildings, with flags standing tall in front and behind each house, in such abundance that they could not be counted. Looking further down to the foot of the mountain, by the lakeside dock, there were a dozen or so boats moored, also adorned with numerous flags, and many people were moving about on the decks, though it was unclear how many there were.

The north wind grows stronger, and the autumn atmosphere is becoming more pronounced

She saw Cheng Chuqiu and Gong Yuexian chatting about something, and they seemed to be quite engrossed in their conversation. Therefore, she forcefully made her way between the two, pushing Gong Yuexian aside. Gong Yuexian understood her intentions; being the elder sister, she obediently stepped aside a few paces to allow Lv Yanjiao to come in.

The initial discomfort arises from unfamiliarity

Lin Tie'er said: "This is not a matter of fulfilling obligations; the issue is that I still need to match other medicinal ingredients based on the lady's injuries. If it is only for external use, then it is not a problem." As he spoke, he took out a medicinal alcohol for bruises.

Gong Yuexian said defiantly: "Have you been making a fool of him from beginning to end?"

Nevertheless, when he woke up the next day, he was still as usual, happily and freely working among the women, helping one with drawing water from the well and another with moving heavy objects, completely forgetting that he had once been a legendary figure in the martial world, a hero praised by all.

Li Baor said: "Alright, this is not your concern. You may leave first." Lu Yanjiao, panting, replied: "But... but..."

Li Baor tightly clung to Cheng Chuqiu's back, not daring to loosen her grip. After a short while, Cheng Chuqiu slowed down and said: "We have arrived..."

In recent days, Cheng Chuqiu has gained some insights from interacting with various women, understanding that sometimes what they seek is merely an emotion rather than reason. Thus, he obediently turned around, adopting an attitude of complete acquiescence.

For some unknown reason, on this night, Cheng Chuqiu suddenly recalled the famous saying: "The gentle embrace is the grave of heroes." He exclaimed and leaped up from the bed, sitting cross-legged to practice his martial arts. At this moment, it had been more than half a month since he last practiced.

Li Bao'er said, "You certainly know how to speak well." After a pause, she continued, "So what do you think of me? Am I still beautiful?"

Li Baor knew what he wanted to say and interjected, "Although Tie Er is clever, he is still young; how much can he learn?" The implication was a lack of confidence in him

Lü Yanjiao said, "Wow, I see, our Xian'er likes Tie'er. That's fine, but don't come and compete with me later..." As she spoke, she waved her hand and walked away.

That night, the visibility was poor, and Cheng Chuqiu could only see the outline of Wei Qing, having no clear impression of his appearance. However, upon hearing Lyu Yanjiao's answer and comparing it, it was indeed that rude man from that evening.

As the team moved forward, Cheng Chuqiu focused intently and saw that the large flag in the center had a black background embroidered with golden edges and golden characters, reading "Dongting Haohan"; the large flag on the left was slightly lower than the one in the center, featuring a black background with red edges and red characters, inscribed with "Panshi Yonggu"; the flag on the right was the shortest among the three, also with a black background, but embroidered with white characters without borders, stating "Dongting Bang Bangzhu Guo".

Lü Yanjiao originally wanted to say: "Why should I help you with an introduction?" But suddenly she thought, having entered this situation herself, if she were to start off by giving him a hard time, he could still go seek help from Gong Yuexian. Considering this, she said: "Bao Dan, Wang Xuqing, and this man are all elders of our faction, overseeing the three altars of heaven, earth, and humanity. This person, whom the fairy dislikes the most, ranks first among the three; his name is Wei Qing, and he is the disciple of the former faction leader"

Gong Yue Xian Dao: "Why do you say that? I think he is quite a good person..."

Li Bao'er pressed her ear against his back, only able to hear the sound resonating in his chest, indistinct and muffled. She casually asked, "What?" but nervously spoke the words with her mouth, which Cheng Chuqiu could not hear at all

Cheng Chuqiu thought her speculation was indeed correct, and said, "Since Madam trusts Chuqiu so much, I will do my best to give it a try." She moved forward, squatting down by the side of her bed, and gently lifted her injured foot.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Fortunately, my foot is not broken"

By the way! Taking advantage of Lin Wanquan's absence, it is just the right time to look around and investigate the true nature of this old man Lin. Before arriving at the thatched cottage, a sudden idea flashed through his mind; he quickly changed direction and ran towards the back of the house. Soon, he heard a "ding ding" sound from behind the house. Glancing over, he saw Lin Tie'er squatting in the courtyard, seemingly busy with something.

Lü Yanjiao said softly: "Don't forget, they are also lacking themselves."

This foot was uninjured; after removing the sock, the entire foot appeared as flawless as white jade, beautiful enough to make one reluctant to let go. Although Cheng Chuqiu had seen naked women before, he had never appreciated a woman's skin so closely. He couldn't help but think: "If I didn't already know that this woman was a widow, just by looking at this foot, I would have thought she was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl!"

Gong Yuexian was taken aback and said, "Him?" She stretched her neck and looked out through the gaps in the flowers and grass, only to see Cheng Chuqiu bustling in and out of the wooden house, already starting to tidy up.

Li Bao'er said, "Help me lie down properly." Cheng Chuqiu turned his head and saw her in a plain white undergarment, which made her face appear flushed. Cheng Chuqiu's mind went blank; he complied and carefully moved her feet onto the bed, then quickly pulled over the blanket to cover her body. Li Bao'er, fearing that he would leave immediately, instinctively grasped his hand and asked, "Chuqiu, have you... have you ever married?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Yuexian laughed so hard that her flowers and branches trembled, unable to contain herself. Lu Yanjiao, seeing the two of them teaming up to mock her, could not help but feel extremely angry. Without saying a word, she turned and left.

Li Bao'er suddenly threw a tantrum and said, "Take the water away, I don't want to soak anymore." Cheng Chuqiu knew she was being petulant and was momentarily unsure whether to comfort her or to obey her command and remove the water. Suddenly, he thought, "Her status is that of a mistress, which is different from that of A Jiao and the others. When A Jiao is angry, I can tell her jokes and coax her to cheer her up, but that won't work with Li Bao'er."

Lü Yanjiao said: "Isn't it good here? The world outside is fraught with danger; do you really want to go out?"

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "A sprained ankle is not a serious injury; even an apprentice can manage it. Anyway, you just don't want him to come." He then said, "How about I go heat a pot of water and apply it to the injured area? It might help alleviate the pain."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Oh, I was just thinking, that iron..."

The hearts of young girls have seven openings; how does Cheng Chuqiu understand the thoughts of these young women? One can see them exchanging barbs and teasing each other, without a hint of seriousness. The one named A Jiao may be oblivious, but Gong Yuexian's demeanor, however, is strikingly different from just moments ago

Li Bao'er said: "I mean my injury, is it really that serious?"

Li Bao'er was in great embarrassment, still needing to resist, but upon hearing Cheng Chuqiu's low shout: "Get up!" her body unexpectedly floated up in response. Then, as the figure in front of her flickered, both hands tightened simultaneously. It turned out that Cheng Chuqiu had somehow turned around, facing her, while pulling her hands over his shoulders.

His thoughts were directed towards this place, and he could no longer hear what Lu Yanjiao had said next. At this moment, there was only one voice in his mind, constantly repeating: "Therefore, Xian'er should also know about the relationship between Li Beier and Wei Qing. If that is the case, then if I want to understand Li Beier better, I must start with Xian'er first..."

To support someone while simultaneously running up a mountain, one must possess considerable strength in both hands and legs. Lü Yanjiao understood that this was no simple task; however, given her level of skill, she had not yet reached the stage of cultivating internal energy. Naturally, she was unaware that Cheng Chuqiu's action was, in fact, a rare display of superior lightness skill in the martial arts world. She only knew that he must have trained for several years, which accounted for his great hand strength, large strides, and agile movements, enabling him to support someone while maintaining such speed.

Cheng Chuqiu had already anticipated that she might ask this question, and without a moment's hesitation, replied: "Madam, your beauty is unparalleled, a rare gem among thousands."

When Gong Yuexian saw him arrive, she first said, "Good morning, Chu Ge." With a peculiar smile on her face, she continued, "Sister A Jiao is in a bad mood today, so you must be a bit more careful."

Early that morning, he followed his usual routine and went to the wood shed to gather firewood. After a short while, he heard footsteps behind him. He was already accustomed to this sound and knew without turning around that it was Lü Yanjiao who had arrived.

Lin Tie'er considered for a moment and ultimately chose to remain uninformed. Cheng Chuqiu, feeling helpless, could only say: "Then prepare a few doses of medicine to promote blood circulation and alleviate bruising for me, so that I can return and report back."

It turns out that in such a formal occasion, a servant cannot stand behind the leader. Lü Yanjiao was delayed for a while because Li Bao'er had an injury on her foot and was unable to move easily. Once everything was in order, she was able to withdraw.