Chapter 3, Friends

Ren Piaoping could not help but be secretly astonished upon seeing this; the old man's skills seemed to be no less than those of the Jade Hibiscus. What was even more surprising was that the middle-aged man was one of the rare experts in the Six Doors in recent years—he was the first peak of the Imperial Golden Medal Divine Captor, surnamed Di, given the name Gaofeng. How could he have come to Chang'an? Could it be that a major case has occurred in Chang'an?

Liu Rujun seemed unable to contain her excitement, pulling Ren Piaoping along as they rushed straight to the gambling house

The first peak let out a long sigh: "Very well, very well!" With his head hung low, he walked out. Chang Xiaoyu called out loudly: "Divine Constable, it was not I who killed him; at that time, I merely tapped Wang Tianyu's sleeping acupoint." The first peak seemed taken aback, but continued to walk away without looking back

Ren Piaoping said sternly: "Yan Wushuang!"

However, at this moment, he absolutely should not be asleep

Ren Piaoping seemed to be explaining to Liu Rujun: "As long as one is human, when they arrive at a casino, they are likely to lose a third of their humanity." She continued: "Xiao Chang, this is 'Shan Jie Ren Yi' Liu Rujun, Liu Xiong, 'Kuai Dao Fei Xue' Chang Xiaoyu!"

Chang Xiaoyu and Liu Rujun laughed heartily and said, "I have never seen it and do not wish to see it."

Liu Rujun is treating guests today. When it was time to settle the bill, the shopkeeper politely said, "Gentlemen, someone has already paid the bill. That gentleman mentioned that you would be staying at the 'Qingyun Inn' tonight. The carriage is ready, please!" The three of them looked up and saw two luxurious carriages outside. Liu Rujun asked, "Who could it be?" Chang Xiaoyu replied, "I don't know," and turned to ask Ren Piaoping. However, Ren Piaoping was already in the first carriage, so Chang Xiaoyu and Liu Rujun had no choice but to board the second carriage.

Ren Piaoping smiled and said, "Surely the young lady does not intend to take my life again"

First Peak Road: "No need, right here." He was afraid that as soon as he stepped outside, Chang Xiaoyun would escape. It took him a full three years to trap his prey here, so how could he let it slip away? At least in his eyes, at this moment, Chang Xiaoyun was already in his grasp.

Ren Piaoping suddenly fell silent, and in the carriage, only the faint fragrance of osmanthus was dancing, along with the audible heartbeats of the two individuals.

... ...

Liu Rujun executed a backhand strike, employing the Shaolin minor grappling technique, and seamlessly moved to grasp the shoulder blade of the individual, utilizing the Eagle Claw technique of the Dianzang sect. These two moves were as swift as lightning, executed in one fluid motion, causing a few onlookers to feel a chill in their hearts and retreat to a safe distance. However, to their surprise, the individual lowered his shoulder and somehow evaded Liu Rujun's attack. Liu Rujun was taken aback and began to scrutinize this person closely, yet no matter from which angle he looked, he could not discern anything remarkable about him; on the street, among ten faces, nine resembled his.

Liu Rujun gave a wry smile: "It seems that your ability to mock others surpasses your martial arts skills."

Liu Rujun was about to pour more wine when Chang Xiaoyu reached out to stop her, saying, "What is meant to come will eventually come," as her eyes glanced at the First Peak. "Divine Catcher, please step outside."

Chang Xiaoyu replied: "Brother, it is only because the one who died is the son of the governor"

It was already dusk, and Liu Rujun was still gambling. In front of Liu Rujun lay a pile of silver, and the dealer's face was naturally not pleasant. However, the expression of the man next to Liu Rujun was even worse; he was cursing under his breath. He had already lost three thousand taels of silver that afternoon, and now he had lost even the last tael. Unable to contain his frustration, he confronted Liu Rujun, saying, "Brother, you don't seem to be from around here, do you?" Liu Rujun completely ignored him. This man, emboldened, shouted, "You little rascal must have something up your sleeve!" He reached out to grab Liu Rujun's right hand. The others, taking advantage of the situation, stood by coldly, waiting to see Liu Rujun make a fool of himself.

As he spoke, the old man carefully examined the First Peak, said not a word, and turned to leave

Yan Wushuang seemed even angrier and said: "Of course I won't say it, it would drive you mad!"

First Peak Road: "Alright!" He downed the glass of wine that Liu Rujun had poured for him in one go, then stood up and said, "The wine has been consumed, it is time to attend to business."

Liu Rujun spoke rarely along the way, but at this moment said: "Ren Xiong, why don't we first go to the gambling house and gamble a bit? I have long forgotten many pleasures of the world in these past three years." Ren Piaoping smiled and replied: "Good, if a person stays in a place of tenderness for three years, even happiness will turn into unhappiness, let alone for you, as the place of tenderness has long ceased to be a place of tenderness for you."

At this moment, Chang Xiaoyu's voice arrived: "Old fox, are you alright?" As soon as the words fell, Chang Xiaoyu and Liu Rujun had already reached Ren Piaoping's car, sitting on either side of the car wall. Noticing that Ren Piaoping seemed a bit distracted, Chang Xiaoyu mischievously said: "Did a she-cat catch you?" Liu Rujun, unable to contain her laughter, added: "I just noticed that the car's compartment is lower than the back; I didn't expect there to actually be a she-cat inside." Seeing that Ren Piaoping seemed a bit distracted, Chang Xiaoyu mischievously said: "Did a she-cat catch you?" Liu Rujun, unable to contain her laughter, added: "I just noticed that the car's compartment is lower than the back; I didn't expect there to actually be a she-cat inside."

The faint fragrance of osmanthus is not unfamiliar to Ren Piaoping; it has nearly intoxicated him at the Zui Li Xiu Qiankun Restaurant in Luoyang. This delicate beauty, Ren Piaoping, is even more familiar to him, as she nearly took his life. The woman in the carriage is none other than Yan Wushuang, who leaves no trace in the flowing water.

Chang Xiaoyu knew that Ren Piaoping would not roll, because they were friends, but still said a pointless remark: "Old fox, let's go, today you can't help your brother." Chang Xiaoyu had already noticed that all the skilled archers lying in ambush around the Gathering Immortals Building were top-notch.

Suddenly, the sound of horse neighing echoed through the street as four fine Yunnan horses pulled a luxurious and noble carriage, racing in from outside the city gate. Bystanders gasped and dodged, while a little boy, approximately five or six years old, seemed so frightened by the commotion that he forgot to move aside. Just as the carriage was about to run over the child, an elderly man, around fifty years old, dressed in a light blue robe, forcefully intercepted the four horses with his left hand while cradling the child in his right arm. The crowd erupted into applause, and the old man said to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, hurry home."

Two carriages rushed away in succession. As Piaping entered the carriage, a faint fragrance of osmanthus greeted her, and what came into view was a delicate and beautiful woman

Friend, the most important thing is trust. Even if you witness betrayal with your own eyes, you should not hastily draw conclusions, let alone what you hear.

Liu Rujun never expected that Ren Piaoping would be such a person, and said indignantly: "Truly deserving of the title 'Ren Piaoping, who is as close as a hair's breadth yet as distant as the horizon', I finally understand today"

This time, Yan Wushuang was truly angry, as her person was already outside the car, and the top of the car shed had been broken by her. In the wind, her enchanting singing could be heard: "Wishing to express my thoughts through the zither, but there are few who understand me; when the strings break, who will listen..."

Liu Rujun and Chang Xiaoyu exchanged a smile with each other

Ren Piaoping replied: "If I ask you, will you speak?"

At noon, the streets were crowded with people, and the street vendors were shouting loudly to attract customers. A variety of goods were vying for attention, showcasing themselves to the passersby. The young women were clearly dressed with great care to attract the attention of their beloved.

The three of them could not help but burst into laughter

Yan Wushuang said irritably, "If I don't say anything, you won't ask."

Liu Rujun spoke: "Why doesn't the divine constable sit down and share a drink?"

Ren Piaoping said: "As long as you do not bully others, others will be grateful to you. Moreover, you lost money and are acting arrogantly, yet you still want me to help you? It would be good enough if I don't bully you along with others."

Chang Xiaoyu laughed heartily: "Indeed, you are very understanding, much more pleasant to hear than this old fox's words"

Liu Rujun suddenly seemed to guess who this person was, a well-known friend in the martial world: the swift blade Feixue, Chang Xiaoyu! It was just that she did not understand how he could be such a person

The first peak, is it not ignorance? It is merely that he had attempted to capture Ren Piaoping seven times, all of which ended with Ren Piaoping escaping. Subsequently, Ren Piaoping had saved him three times. The first peak, however, paid no heed to Ren Piaoping and loudly declared: "Brother, are you mad with desire for fame? Do you think anyone can impersonate Ren Piaoping? Before I change my mind, quickly get lost."

Yan Wushuang rested her chin on her hands, seemingly lost in thought, when she suddenly smiled sweetly and said, "Today, this young lady has no interest in killing."

Ren Piaoping smiled and said, "Have you ever seen such a large mother cat?"

Ren Piaoping's name, "Within Reach Yet Far Away," is derived from his unparalleled lightness skill. Before Chang Xiaoyu could finish his breath, Ren Piaoping had already returned, causing the First Peak to feel an overwhelming sense of frustration, his face frozen like ice. He knew that the archers had been subdued by Ren Piaoping in that very moment.

Ren Piaoping said slyly, "Alright then, brother, take care!" As she spoke, she turned on her heel and left.

Ren Piaoping and Liu Rujun were sitting in a teahouse by the roadside. Ren Piaoping's thoughts were on Xiaodie, while Liu Rujun was preoccupied with Yufurong, both of their minds completely detached from the bustling market around them

Ren Piaoping looked around and smiled, saying: "My lord, the divine constable, I am the main character in the case of the eight hundred taels of lost silver in the capital. I suppose you intend to take me down today as well"

The fragrance of osmanthus has vanished from the carriage, and fine rain has begun to fall from the sky at an unknown time, leaving the drifting soul feeling inexplicably empty inside

At this moment, the lights are just coming on. The three of them ordered the finest wine and the best dishes, beginning to indulge in a feast while discussing their proudest achievements, reminiscing about their saddest moments, boasting about things even they themselves could hardly believe, and of course, including their most beloved women.

Friends, sometimes it truly feels like this, so close yet so far away.

Chang'an

Then Yan Wushuang smiled charmingly and said, "I told you that we would meet again." Her voice was still as pleasant as ever

Men are at their most charming when drinking, while women find them to be the most detestable. Note: There must be at least two men, and they must be friends

Ren Piaoping was not pleased with this, so she sat on a chair at the door, ordered a pot of wine, and began to pour and drink by herself. The sun shone warmly on her, while Liu Rujun had gone to the innermost table to indulge in her gambling addiction.

Chang Xiaoyu never expected that Ren Piaoping would actually leave, and she was so angry that her whole body trembled, unable to utter another word

Ren Piaoping asked: "Why are you here?"

Liu Rujun smiled and said, "If I were to return the silver I won to you, it would naturally be a sign of disrespect towards a friend. However, I can still afford the finest daughter red from the 'Juxian Tower' in Chang'an."

Liu Rujun truly could not think of anyone else in the martial world who resembled such a character. At that moment, Ren Piaoping, who had come over upon hearing the sounds of fighting and commotion, was also looking at this person. On Ren Piaoping's face, besides a smile, there was also a hint of pride. Looking at the other person, a mischievous glint was hidden behind the seemingly malicious smile. Suddenly, in front of the crowd, the two large men embraced each other without a care in the world.

The strong man driving the horse, with a face devoid of expression, in a fit of rage shouted "seeking death" and swung the whip towards the old man. This strike likely carried a force of at least three to five hundred pounds. Naturally, the whip could not reach the old man, as one end of it was already in the old man's hand. No matter how much strength the strong man exerted, the whip remained completely still.

Yan Wushuang suddenly felt that she had shifted from being proactive to being passive, and could not help but say: "Oh, aren't you going to ask me why I am here?"

Ren Piaoping fell silent again. Yan Wushuang suddenly fixed her gaze on Ren Piaoping and said word by word: "I miss you." Ren Piaoping seemed taken aback and asked: "What do you miss about me?"

At that moment, the person laughed and said: "Old fox, you see others bullying me and you don't lend a hand?"

At this moment, Liu Rujun was not only perplexed but also asked, "If it was not you who killed the person, why do you still need to hide?"

Eight years of experience in the martial world have taught Ren Piaoping to adapt to circumstances. At this moment, he has unknowingly fallen asleep, which is a luxury that many people can only dream of.

Before long, the largest gambling house in Chang'an, 'Tianyi Gambling House,' appeared before them. At this time, it was still early, and a few pots of blooming azaleas were placed outside the gambling house. There were not many people inside; only five or six individuals were gathered around a table at the back, throwing dice.

These three individuals walking together are likely to intimidate most in the martial world. However, there is at least one exception. This person stands right before them, known as the First Peak. At this moment, the First Peak is dressed in the attire of a constable, with a plain knife sheathed at his waist, standing upright, his expression as cold as steel, as if he himself were a blade. Liu Rujun and Ren Piaoping continue to laugh, while Chang Xiaoyu cannot bring himself to smile. He knows that the First Peak has come to find him, and he understands the reason for this visit. Three years ago, due to the son of the Jiangxi governor, Wang Tianyu, publicly teasing and insulting a rural woman on the street, he could not bear to stand by and intervened. Little did he know that the young man, who was all show and no substance, ended up losing his life after returning home. Three years have passed, and he has been hiding in the Tianyi Gambling House, yet he finds he cannot escape his fate.

Ren Piaoping said: "The son of the governor is certainly not a human's son; otherwise, why would he need to hide?"

Gathering Immortals Pavilion

At this moment, Ren Piaoping and Chang Xiaoyu exchanged a knowing smile, realizing that they had merely been acting just now, and even Liu Rujun had been deceived. Liu Rujun laughed heartily: "Today, I finally understand what it means to have friends"

Amidst the crowd, there arose a wave of applause. At that moment, a tall middle-aged man stepped down from the carriage, exuding an air of authority between his brows. He reproached the burly man, saying, "Dog servant, release him at once!" He then clasped his fists and addressed the elderly man, saying, "All of this is my fault; I hope you can forgive me."