Chapter 2: Acquaintance

A pure white hand waved in front of Fang Tian, who then awakened to see Yue Ming pouting, looking at him with dissatisfaction, "What, have you even taken away my soul?"

The voice was extremely low, and even with all his effort to listen, it was intermittent. However, the meaning behind the words was not difficult to understand. At that moment, Fang Tian noticed that the person resembling a steward glanced in that direction; he had heard it too? It should be noted that his seating position was much farther away from Fang Tian's. In secret, Fang Tian's evaluation of that person increased significantly.

Fang Tian has been wandering the martial world for over a month now, yet he has not encountered any bandits. His interest has greatly increased, and he is eager to see them, as this is indeed an experience.

Upon hearing this, Fang Tian felt greatly relieved. His attire was not a complete failure; the other party's ability to see through him had other reasons. However, he was secretly astonished, as he had carefully observed the surroundings last night and found no suspicious individuals. It seems that the world of martial arts truly harbors hidden talents.

Fang Tian also transmitted a message to Yue Ming: "Brother, do you know those few people?"

Then I will call you Brother Fang, how about it? Shall we go together?

Only then did Fang Tian notice that the several big men in the south were whispering about something. The voices from that direction became clear: "Big brother, that little girl... really not bad... if only... hehe..."

Fang Tian and Yue Ming sat comfortably at the table, enjoying the famous pumpkin cakes from the restaurant

This place is indeed suitable for bandits to commit robbery, with mountains on both sides and a narrow path running through the middle, no village in front and no shop behind, truly a great location

The entire restaurant has three floors. The ground floor lobby has over a hundred tables, the second floor is quite elegant with only about twenty tables, and the third floor consists of private rooms

Thinking of this, he mimicked the other person's posture, placing one hand on his hip and pointing with the other hand, saying: "Hey, this road is opened by me, this tree is planted by me. If you wish to pass through this road, leave behind a toll."

These are undoubtedly three formidable experts. The burly man is self-evident, clearly a person of extraordinary strength. The young man is certainly a rising star in the martial arts world. However, what captures Fang Tian's attention the most is the man who appears to be a steward. On the surface, he shows no signs of being a master, but the brilliance that flashes in his eyes reveals that he is indeed a master among masters

Fang Tian knew that he would never forget this figure, feeling that the girl was beautiful in every aspect. Her figure was exquisite; adding a single point would make her plump, while subtracting one would make her thin. In every gesture and movement, there was an unparalleled elegance, as if each of her actions contained the essence of the universe.

Fang Tian nodded secretly, not expecting that this outfit had such flaws in the eyes of an expert. Indeed, in this world of martial arts, one learns as long as one lives.

Fang Tian noticed that there were no notable figures in the tavern above, so he no longer paid attention. He turned to Yue Ming and began to chat and laugh.

Hmph. Yue Ming scoffed disdainfully and said, "You lecher, just like this, you have lured away all your souls..."

"Hehe, speaking of which, it seems I can no longer let you go," Fang Tian said fiercely, but inwardly he was anxious, thinking that it couldn't possibly come to killing someone over such a trivial matter

The urging voice came from ahead again, and he smiled, quickening his pace to catch up.

Indeed, in a vast forest, there are all kinds of birds

The reason Master has not returned to the sect for ten years is due to the numerous internal conflicts within the sect. Due to the special physique required for practicing the Yin-Yang Divine Art, there are very few individuals within the sect who genuinely practice it, with only Ouyang Ancestor being a notable example of someone who practiced it collectively. As a result, the vast majority of people in the sect actually practice only the Fiery Yang Art and the Mysterious Yin Art. These two forms of martial arts do not have the restrictions of a special physique, leading to a large number of disciples, who have effectively become the backbone of the sect. In contrast, those who practice the Yin-Yang Divine Art, from Ouyang Ancestor downwards, can only maintain a single lineage, and their influence has gradually weakened. According to the sect's rules, only the Yin-Yang Sect is considered the orthodox lineage, while the Fiery Yang and Mysterious Yin sects are merely branches. Historically, only disciples of the Yin-Yang Sect can become the sect leader. Even in the absence of the next generation of Yin-Yang disciples, the previous sect leader, on their deathbed, would designate one of the other two sects as the acting leader and seek out disciples on their behalf. Furthermore, it is quite difficult to achieve great success in practicing the Yin-Yang Divine Art (breaking through to the seventh level), and disciples of the Yin-Yang Sect who have not reached the seventh level often find their abilities lacking compared to the experts of the Fiery Yang and Mysterious Yin sects. Gradually, the other two sects sought to seize control of the sect, until the ancestral master revitalized the sect's prestige, temporarily suppressing this faction.

Without waiting for Fang to respond, Yue Ming had already waved at him, saying: "Hurry up, Brother Fang, I will treat you to a meal up ahead"

With the arrival of the girl in white, Gongsun Yan, the noisy tavern fell silent for a moment. Although many were astonished by her beauty, the discerning could tell that this group was not to be trifled with. For the time being, no one made any moves, but what thoughts were turning in their minds remained unknown.

Fang Tianyue listened with increasing astonishment, not expecting that this young brother had such extensive knowledge and experience

A powerful strike came forth, accompanied by a fierce wind, and at the same time, a wave of heat rushed towards Fang Tian, who couldn't help but be startled. This felt somewhat like the True Qi of the Sun from his sect; could it be from a fellow disciple

Yue Ming heavily stamped his foot, and Fang Tian suddenly came to his senses, immediately feeling his own impropriety. He hurriedly said, somewhat flustered: "Oh, Yue... younger brother..."

Yue Ming observed the conversation of those several big men with Fang Tian and transmitted to him: "Those big men are bodyguards from the Xiongwei Escort Agency, and they do have some discernment. Hmm, there are a total of seven of them, all quite capable... What kind of escort are they protecting that requires so many people? I wonder if their chief escort has arrived yet"

Fang Tian was momentarily taken aback; how could there be such a person

Brother Huang, your talent is remarkable! After a moment of astonishment, those scholars exclaimed in praise.

As Fang Tian reminisced about the past, the young bandit opposite him grew increasingly furious, having failed to even touch the hem of Fang Tian's clothing. Enraged, the young man let out a long howl and suddenly abandoned Fang Tian, striking repeatedly at the cliffs on either side. Rocks flew chaotically, debris scattered everywhere, and dust billowed into the air. In a moment, the entire stone wall was pockmarked and uneven.

Although this couplet is exquisite, it is not difficult to respond to

During the meal, Yue Ming spoke and laughed, recounting some old stories, and his words flowed continuously. For a moment, it was not lonely at all

"... ... Good, good!" Fang Tian could hardly speak; was this really a man? If it weren't for Fang Tian's firm belief that only a man could cultivate the Yang Sun True Qi, he might have truly regarded him as a beauty! Could it be a woman disguised as a man? Impossible! That robust masculine energy could not be cultivated by a woman. Fang Tian shook his head vigorously, trying to rid himself of this thought. That robust masculine energy could not be cultivated by a woman. Fang Tian shook his head vigorously, trying to rid himself of this thought

Upon hearing the chubby scholar ask him to come up with a corresponding couplet, he couldn't help but curse inwardly, "This damned fatso, so demanding. It is already difficult enough to come up with the first line, how can I possibly come up with a second line?" Yet, he could not refuse to respond. In a moment of helplessness, he could only say: "Brother Zhang, you flatter me. I, too, happened to come across this couplet while reading. As for the second line... I can't think of one at the moment. With your esteemed talents, I would appreciate your guidance. Haha..."

Fang Tian finally came to his senses and quickly said, "Alright, alright, let's make amends, let's make amends." He dared not provoke his anger again, and besides, he was quite fond of his temperament. Furthermore, although he held certain prejudices against his sect, it was still his sect; family matters should not be aired in public. If the other party was indeed a fellow disciple, then they were part of his own circle.

The robber looked at Fang Tian and laughed heartily, angrily saying: "What are you laughing at? You are asking for a beating. Quickly hand over the money."

"Miss, let us sit here," a clear voice came through, drawing Fang Tian's attention to a girl in light green clothing standing next to the girl in white. She appeared younger, around fifteen or sixteen years old, yet she was undeniably a beauty, with a charmingly innocent face, exuding a lively and youthful energy. Such a stunning beauty, who would certainly attract attention, was overlooked simply because she stood beside the girl in white.

Seeing the elder brother's expression, everyone felt a sense of unease and buried themselves in their meals

A young girl walked in, beautiful and untouched by the mundane world. Dressed in white, she was as pure as snow, with skin as white as jade, her icy complexion and delicate bones exuding an aura of sanctity that made one hesitant to look up at her. With a waist as slender as a willow, she moved gracefully, her steps light as a lotus, approaching with elegance.

Huang Shusheng was initially quite pleased with himself, as he showcased his talents and made an impression in front of the beautiful woman. Just a glance from that beauty towards him was enough to suggest that she... If... then... Huang Shusheng couldn't help but indulge in wild fantasies.

The robber cast a disdainful glance and said, "Isn't that simple? A scholar on the road is mostly heading to the capital for the imperial examination. Is there anyone as leisurely as you? Even if one is traveling the world, how can one do so without a servant accompanying them? Moreover, you don't even carry a book box, yet you still wish to pose as a scholar?"

The young robber, seeing that he could not do anything about the situation, became increasingly furious, and his strength intensified as he surrounded them from all sides

The young man, seeing that Fang Tian was ignoring him, could not help but feel a surge of anger.

Fang Tian looked at him in astonishment, truly strange! Is there really someone who remains unmoved by such a beauty? At that moment, Yue Ming lowered his head and no longer paid attention to Fang Tian. Fang Tian also ignored him and turned back to continue admiring that beautiful woman

Wandering the martial world, one cannot do without money. Yesterday, Fang Tian found himself financially embarrassed and could not help but secretly employ his extraordinary skills to rob a wealthy household. As the future leader of the most renowned sect in the martial world, he felt deeply ashamed for engaging in such actions. Fortunately, the wealthy household was a local tyrant, notorious for their oppression of both men and women, which somewhat eased his conscience. However, being exposed now brings a sense of shame and anger. It is important to note that his master was a great Confucian scholar, who placed immense importance on personal ethics and held him to very strict standards in this regard. Despite his shame, he felt somewhat reassured by the fact that the wealthy household was a local bully, known for their unscrupulous behavior. Yet, being discovered still left him feeling humiliated and angry. His master, a man of great virtue, had very high expectations of him, especially concerning personal conduct. Due to his early years of wandering, he had grown accustomed to the stark contrast of wealth and poverty, witnessing the excesses of the rich and the suffering of the poor. Unlike his master, who was somewhat pedantic, he had a more pragmatic view of life. Nevertheless, he held his master in great esteem and did not wish to cause him any displeasure through his actions. Therefore, this news must not leak out under any circumstances.

These individuals chose a vacant table on the side of Fang Tian and sat down. As the sound of ordering food began to fill the air, the restaurant gradually regained its liveliness, and the crowd emerged from their shock. Although they still secretly observed the young girl, they no longer behaved as recklessly as before.

After the young man vented for a while, he finally calmed down. Suddenly, he smiled at Fang Tian and said, "No more fighting, no more fighting, it's too boring. Considering your behavior last night, you're not such a bad person after all. How about we make up?"

Before the words were finished, he stepped forward swiftly and struck towards Fang Tian with a palm

When Yue Ming came out after changing his clothes, Fang Tian immediately regretted it. He never expected that the ugly duckling had transformed into a beautiful swan. Yue Ming was dressed in a blue scholar's robe, and after washing away the dirt from his face, it turned out to be smooth and fair, exceptionally beautiful. Standing there, he truly resembled a graceful and refined young gentleman of the world.

Tianranju is the largest and best inn here, also serving food and beverages. Fang Tian and the others are seated at a window-side table.

For instance, he suspected that the butler, who was around fifty years old, bore a striking resemblance to "Iron Abacus" Ouyang Tian from the "Directory of Renowned Figures in the Jianghu"; he just had not seen the signature weapon, the iron abacus. The power capable of attracting a figure like "Iron Abacus" Ouyang Tian, and with the surname Gongsun, must certainly be one of the four great families mentioned in the "Origins of Jianghu Forces," namely the Gongsun family.

Looking at the distant figure departing ahead, Fang Tian couldn't help but shake his head. It truly is a case of not knowing someone until you have a conflict, but isn't it a bit too fast to become so familiar so quickly

Fang Tian and the other person were seated by a window on the second floor, where the bustling street outside was filled with a constant flow of people, creating a scene of vibrant prosperity

But upon seeing the bandit ahead, he couldn't help but laugh

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The robber looked at Fang Tian and said, "Hmph, if it weren't for seeing you help those poor people later, hmph, I wouldn't even bother with you! Enough with the nonsense, watch me teach you a lesson!"

Seeing Fang Tian's expression, Yue Ming couldn't help but laugh until he doubled over. Upon noticing Yue Ming's mockery, Fang Tian felt a deep sense of shame for his own loss of composure

It is now dinner time, and the seats are already filled to about seventy or eighty percent, predominantly occupied by itinerant merchants. To the north, there are three tables of guests who appear to be prominent figures in the city, exuding a certain grandeur; at a table in the center, four scholars are engaged in a lively debate over classical texts; meanwhile, to the south, a few burly men, who are from the martial arts community, are boisterously enjoying their meal.

He was a ragged, emaciated boy, wearing a tattered hat askew on his head, with his face and hands covered in soot. Clearly a little beggar, small and thin, he was far from being tall and imposing. Yet, despite this, he still aspired to be a robber

Fang Tian turned his head in astonishment, completely stunned

Ah, I did not expect to encounter such a classic line

The grandmaster took in five disciples, three males and two females, with the master being the youngest among them. The other four disciples only followed the master to learn the Yan Yang Divine Skill and the Xuan Yin Divine Skill. These four senior brothers possessed great power, held significant authority within the sect for a long time, and greatly expanded the sect's influence. It was only after they had become renowned figures in the martial world that the master became the grandmaster's closed-door disciple. The master began his training at the age of eighteen, and by the age of twenty-five, the grandmaster had vanished without a trace. At that time, the master had only reached the fourth level of cultivation, which was quite low, and thus faced exclusion from the four senior brothers. Although the master was the nominal leader, he remained a passive observer and could not tolerate humiliation. In his youthful arrogance, he left in anger, partly out of spite and partly in search of disciples, hoping that the next generation would help him regain his honor. Thirteen years later, the master finally found a disciple and subsequently lived in seclusion on Lonely Mountain. Of course, much of this is speculation on Fang Tian's part, but considering the master's position as the leader while living in seclusion in the deep mountains, one can imagine the treatment he received within the sect.

A sound shattered the tranquility of the moment when the picture book was being read, instantly causing everyone to be astonished, their gazes converging on the source of the sound

Finished, finished, how can I stand with him? Can I still live? Am I not even uglier than the ugly duckling? Fang Tian felt deep regret.

Having traveled together, Fang Tian and Yue Ming had become quite familiar with each other. Naturally, Fang Tian had also provided him with a change of clothes, discarding the beggar's outfit. Although the young man was very reluctant, he could not withstand Fang Tian's persuasion and threats. What a joke, having a beggar standing beside him would surely tarnish his charming and elegant image.

This is a small town, yet it is quite prosperous. It serves as a vital transportation hub for those traveling south, north, east, and west. Merchants passing through must take a moment to rest here before continuing their journey

Although Fang Tian had read the secret tales of the martial world hidden by his master, that was merely theoretical knowledge. When it came to confronting real individuals, it was not so easy. However, upon receiving a reminder, detailed information quickly surfaced in his mind. This information was extremely comprehensive, demonstrating the formidable intelligence capabilities of his sect. After all, his sect was the foremost in the world, possessing extensive connections in the martial community, and had a dedicated intelligence department, the Flying Goose Hall, overseeing the entire martial realm.

Yue Ming suddenly twirled in front of Fang Tian, her posture light and graceful, and playfully said, "Elder brother, what do you think?"

Hey, this road is opened by me, this tree is planted by me. If you wish to pass through this road, please leave a toll.

My name is Fang Tian

At that moment, a sound of footsteps came from the staircase behind, and suddenly the tavern fell into silence. Everyone unconsciously paused their conversations. The burly man across the table had his mouth wide open, and a piece of meat that was halfway to his mouth fell to the ground without him noticing. He simply stared intently at the direction of the staircase, and for a moment, the tavern was exceptionally quiet, with no sound whatsoever except for the footsteps.

Indeed, those engaged in the escort business possess keen eyesight. Mo Yun... (From this, it is evident that this Yue Ming also heard the low whispers of that escort, indicating that his skills are quite remarkable.) It must be the renowned master Ding Rushan of Mo Yun, who is said to be one of the Flying Dragon Twin Guards of the Gongsun family. That woman must be Gongsun Yan, the daughter of the family head Gongsun Feilong. I have long heard of her beauty, but she does not seem all that impressive. The one with eyes on the top of his head must be Gongsun Wei, one of the Seven Young Masters of the martial world. The steward... Hmm, could it be the famed steward Ouyang Tian? He has not traversed the Jianghu for ten years.

Fang Tian was taken aback, swiftly dodging the strike and retreating a yard. He said, "Wait! How do you know I possess martial skills?" At that moment, he was dressed as a scholar, resembling a wandering student, making it difficult for an ordinary person to discern his martial prowess.

However, the man who appeared to be the leader suddenly changed his expression and said in a low voice: "Lao San, are you looking to get yourself killed? The Gongsun family... Moyun... is not something we can afford to provoke. We cannot stay here for long, hurry up and eat, and let's leave this place quickly"

Fang Tian observed carefully from the shadows, noticing that the palm technique seemed somewhat similar to the Fire Palm technique of his sect, the Yan Yang Sect, yet there were many differences, making it difficult to ascertain whether it belonged to his fellow disciples. Upon closer examination of the opponent's palm energy, he detected a mix of cold, yin energy within the yang, which further indicated that it was not the Yan Yang Divine Skill; rather, it bore some resemblance to the Yin Yang Divine Skill that Fang Tian practiced. Of course, this was definitely not the Yin Yang Divine Skill, as he was well aware of his own abilities. The uncertainty regarding the opponent's identity made it even more imperative for him not to reveal even the slightest hint of the Yin Yang Divine Skill.

The robber, upon seeing this, became even angrier and said: "Hmph, I know you have some skills, but looking down on others like this, I must teach you a lesson!"

The young girl, Gongsun Yan, also fell into deep thought. After a long while, she slowly said, "This couplet is indeed exceptional; I fear that this lower line will not be able to be matched." Her voice was like a yellow oriole emerging from the valley, ethereal and reminiscent of celestial music, and the entire tavern fell into silence.

A person is walking up slowly, a beauty, a true beauty

I did not expect that the first person I encountered after descending the mountain would be someone from my own sect, and moreover, their martial arts were so unique

This couplet, whether interpreted positively or negatively, is indeed a fine one! For a moment, the atmosphere in the tavern became calm again. The few men from the escort agency did not seem to appreciate the brilliance of this couplet, but out of fear of the Gongsun family’s reputation, they were currently bowing their heads and eating heartily, thus not disturbing the tranquility of the moment. Gongsun Yan, upon hearing this couplet, had her beautiful eyes flicker and her gaze towards the Huang surname scholar revealed a look of astonishment. It seemed she did not expect to encounter such a talented individual in this small town. The Huang surname scholar, noticing the beauty looking at him, felt even more pleased with himself.

Seeing the angry expression of the robber opposite him, Fang Tian couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably. Suddenly, an idea struck him; why not play a joke

The plump scholar, seeing Mr. Huang so prominent, could not help but feel a twinge of resentment. He said, "This couplet is exquisite, Brother Huang is exceptionally talented, far beyond our capabilities. However, I wonder what the lower line is. I would like to invite Brother Huang to recite it as well, so that we may broaden our horizons."

The several scholars fell into deep thought at once, and for a moment, it was not easy for them to come up with a suitable second line.

The young man immediately calmed down and said, "My name is Yue Ming, shall we be friends?"

The robber looked at Fang Tian with a smug expression and said, "I saw everything you did last night."

Also easily overlooked are three individuals: one in his fifties, resembling a butler, with a kind expression; another, a robust man in his forties, tall and strong, standing there with an air of calm confidence, undoubtedly a formidable character; and the last, a handsome young man in his twenties, equipped with a long sword, exuding a spirited demeanor as he glances around.

When I thought it might be fellow disciples, I became increasingly reluctant to reveal my martial arts skills. I merely dodged and evaded, employing the lightness technique passed down by my master, the Carefree Movement. For the time being, I would not be at a loss.

The several scholars began to engage in a lively discussion. Among them, a taller man said, "Esteemed brothers, I, a humble junior, have just composed a couplet. I kindly ask for your guidance." A somewhat plump man complimented, "Brother Huang, your talent is remarkable; it must surely be exceptional. Please share it quickly, so that we may broaden our horizons."

Brother Huang was greatly pleased and raised his voice, saying: "I only remembered this upon seeing the sign of this restaurant, 'Guests from Heaven at Natural Residence.' Please, everyone, enlighten me." After speaking, he couldn't help but cast a proud glance at Gongsun Yan.

Fang Tian stared at him in astonishment: "You, sigh, didn't you see that she is a beauty? How can you remain composed?"

Yue Ming noticed Fang Tian staring at him in a daze, and couldn't help but feel a flush rise to his face, lowering his head in embarrassment. This shy demeanor left Fang Tian utterly captivated. This expression was not in the least inferior to that of a stunning beauty whose smile could captivate a city.

Fang Tian was taken aback, "This guy has gone mad." This was his first thought, but upon seeing the opponent's heavy palm strike, it was evident that their internal skill was exceptionally advanced.