The third chapter, a thousand words and ten thousand phrases

Xiao Zuo could only see Yun Meng's delicate face, as smooth and soft as white jade, flawless and almost without a single blemish. Looking from above, her eyelashes were long and curled, her eyes dark and round, her nose was high and straight, and a slight dimple appeared on her cheek. If one were to point out a flaw, Xiao Zuo felt that her lips were slightly thin, but at this moment, with a touch of rouge applied, they appeared alluring and vibrant. If her lips were any thicker, they might become overly enchanting.

Yun Mengxin said, "This child has quite a stubborn temper." Pretending to be angry, she added, "Alright, enough, stop hitting yourself." Xiao Zuo asked, "Sister Yun, are you not angry anymore?" He still did not dare to raise his head. Yun Meng replied, "If you don't hit yourself, I won't be angry." Xiao Zuo said, "Then I... I want to go down first." Yun Meng was taken aback for a moment before saying, "You... you, fine, you can go down first..."

Suddenly, a voice as faint as a mosquito said: "This woman has quite the keen ears; she heard that. " Another voice replied: "What are you laughing about? This is bad; we have to go down now! " The first person said: "If we have to go down, then so be it. It's easy to hold in a fart, but holding in laughter is quite difficult. " The other voice responded: "That is not correct. Do you really think you can hold in a fart? Nonsense! If a fart has no place to escape, where will it go in the end? You often let out silent but smelly farts, which shows you can hold in the sound, but you cannot control the smell.

Yunmeng was taken aback, turning to draw her dagger, only to see Jiang Daqian laughing heartily as he leapt out of the window. In her haste, she was unable to pull it out. She abandoned the dagger and rushed to the window to look down, only to see Jiang Daqian and Yu Wanxiang, two figures of unusual shape, parting the crowd and quickly heading towards the east gate. The figure that Yu Wanxiang was carrying under his arm, who was smaller in stature, was none other than Xiao Zuo. Fearing that she would lose their trail, Yunmeng leapt out of the window without a second thought and pursued them.

When Yan Huchen saw the two of them turn around and took a good look at their appearance, he felt a sudden jolt in his heart. However, being skilled and bold, he immediately shouted, "You old man, put them down!" Jiang Daqian, well-versed in the world, recognized that the newcomer was coming for his two brothers and did not respond. Suddenly, he stopped, turned around, and struck with a palm. Yan Huchen did not dare to underestimate him; he ducked his head and swiftly darted past Jiang Daqian.

The large spinning top laughed and said, "Brother, this girl is not simple. We two have roamed the martial world and rarely concern ourselves with trivial matters. I didn't expect her to know that we are both esteemed seniors. Quite impressive, indeed." The large bamboo horse also said cheerfully, "We both possess exceptional martial skills, and our names are well-known throughout the martial world. It is not surprising that the young lady recognizes us, but it is rare for her to identify us at a glance. Her insight is quite remarkable among her peers." The two of them showed their delight, and their regard for Yunmeng had noticeably changed.

Yunmeng sighed and said, "It is better to pass the time unknowingly; for a woman of my age, it is best not to remember her birthday." Xiao Zuo replied, "How could that be? As long as Sister Yun does not mention it, who would be able to tell your age? Five or six years ago, when I first saw Sister Yun, you looked just like this. Even in another ten years, you will still look like this." Yunmeng laughed and said, "Then I would become a monster, wouldn't I?" With a thought, she leaned forward a little closer to Xiao Zuo and gazed at him softly, asking, "Has my appearance really not changed?" As she spoke, she tilted her face to let Xiao Zuo take a closer look.

Yunmeng was taken aback and asked, "Who told you that?" Then she smiled and continued, "I want him to call me 'sister,' but I don't genuinely wish to be his sister. At first, I merely took him in because I saw him all alone and pitiful, with a tragic background. We have no familial ties whatsoever.

The person Yunmeng saw was none other than Yan Huchen. He had spent all his silver at the Qunfang Building and even pawned his accompanying sword. That night, with nowhere to stay, he was contemplating finding a temple or Daoist shrine to spend the night when he suddenly heard Yunmeng calling out. His spirits lifted instantly, and following the direction pointed by Yunmeng, he indeed saw two old men just exiting the city gate. Known by the nickname "Chasing Wind Sword," he excelled in lightness skills. Moreover, with beauty before him, how could he hesitate? Without a second thought, he took off in pursuit. Following the direction pointed by Yunmeng, he indeed saw two old men just exiting the city gate. Known by the nickname "Chasing Wind Sword," he excelled in lightness skills. Moreover, with beauty before him, how could he hesitate? Without a second thought, he took off in pursuit.

Yunmeng did not understand this layer of her own psychology. Before her stood Xiao Zuo, his face flushed, looking quite embarrassed, which made her laugh heartily. She thought to herself, "After all, he is still a man." Suppressing her urge to tease him, she said, "What are you standing there for? Your sister is unwell, and your brother should help feed her a few spoonfuls of soup. What is there to be shy about? If you are unwilling, I can do it myself." As she spoke, she lifted the quilt and was about to get up. Although it was already spring, the chill of early spring lingered, and it was still cold in the mornings and evenings. Inside the quilt, Yunmeng was only wearing a thin undershirt. Seeing her bare shoulders, Xiao Zuo was about to get off the bed, but he quickly approached and said, "Don't get down, I'll bring it over." Only then did Yunmeng contentedly snuggle back into the quilt.

Yu Wanxiang could not help but retort, saying: "You are speaking nonsense with your eyes wide open. It is obvious that I am taller than you, yet you claim that there is not a single aspect in which I can match you?" Jiang Daqian replied: "You may be taller than I, but I am sturdier than you!" Yu Wanxiang countered: "My lightness skill is better than yours!" Jiang Daqian responded: "My internal strength is greater than yours!" Yu Wanxiang asserted: "My punches are faster!" Jiang Daqian declared: "My palm technique is superior!" Yu Wanxiang insisted: "My... my swordsmanship... my palm technique is superior!" Yu Wanxiang continued: "My... my swordsmanship..." Before he could finish, Jiang Daqian quickly interjected: "My knife skills are exquisite!" The two became increasingly agitated, drawing closer to each other. Although Yu Wanxiang was half a head taller than Jiang Daqian, Jiang Daqian's round belly pushed forward, keeping Yu Wanxiang at a distance of more than half a foot. Yu Wanxiang's upper body involuntarily leaned forward, lowering his head, and their eyes met, their noses almost touching, as saliva flew from their mouths, splattering onto each other's faces. Although Yu Wanxiang was half a head taller than Jiang Daqian, Jiang Daqian's round belly pushed forward, keeping Yu Wanxiang at a distance of more than half a foot. Yu Wanxiang's upper body involuntarily leaned forward, lowering his head, and their eyes met, their noses almost touching, as saliva flew from their mouths, splattering onto each other's faces.

These few words, regardless of tone or expression, are not much different from the way she usually displays her charm to men. Every man who has experienced this has not been able to escape unscathed. Although Xiao Zuo is still a youth, he cannot help but feel dry-mouthed and restless; however, his first reaction is one of awkwardness and helplessness. Yunmeng, seeing this, thinks: "When he first arrived, he spoke little and only knew how to take charge of everything. Now that he has grown up, he still entirely follows my lead, doing things according to my instructions. I have never heard him express his own thoughts. Perhaps I should take this opportunity to see what he is really thinking? What is his attitude towards me?"

Yunmeng felt increasingly that what he was saying was nonsensical, and in his heart, he was already thinking "nonsense" repeatedly. However, these two individuals had peculiar temperaments, and if he were to say something wrong, not only would he fail to save Xiao Zuo, but his own life might also be in jeopardy. Thus, he said, "Senior, you... you have misunderstood..." Xiao Zuo was even more anxious and had long wanted to argue his case, but Jiang Daqian's grip was swift and precise, effectively seizing his "Dazhui acupoint," rendering him unable to move or speak, and he could only emit muffled sounds, unable to articulate more than a few words.

As she was distracted talking to Xiao Zuo, her deliberation became even more prolonged. Yan Huchen, seeing this, said: "This move of mine is not easy to handle, so take your time thinking; I will go wash my face." Yunmeng teasingly remarked: "Aren't you afraid I might switch the pieces?" Yan Huchen stood up with a smile and replied: "I have already let you have four pieces; isn't it difficult for you to want to know where your chess skills truly stand?" He then went to wash his face.

Yunmeng Xindao said: "It turns out they are two foolish individuals; perhaps they have mistaken the person they are looking for." She continued, "Indeed, both seniors possess exceptional martial arts skills, like a divine dragon that is seen only in part. Although I have admired you for a long time, I have yet to meet you in person, which I often regret. I did not expect the two seniors to arrive suddenly, and I was unable to welcome you properly. I hope you will forgive my rudeness!" Saying this, she gently bowed.

A few strands of hair were left on the pillow, and bringing his nose closer, he could still smell the same scent he had experienced during the passionate night with this woman. Get up? Yan Huchen only wished he could lie down for a little longer, as this might be his last day lying on this bed.

Upon hearing the voice of Xiao Zuo, Yunmeng was immediately pulled out of her chaotic thoughts. In that fleeting moment, a thought flashed through her mind: "Why not let Xiao Zuo decide for herself"

Although Yunmeng intended to tease Xiao Zuo in order to observe his reaction, she did not expect that Xiao Zuo would have the audacity to make such an intimate gesture towards her. Yunmeng was at a loss as to whether she should feel pleased or angry, and while she hesitated on how to respond, she suddenly heard a crisp sound of "slap"; it was Xiao Zuo who had slapped himself. The sound was clear, and his right cheek immediately became red and swollen, leaving behind the imprint of five fingers.

After Yunmeng sent Yan Huchen away, she instructed Xiao Zuo, "Tell Mother that I am not feeling well and need to rest for a few days." Xiao Zuo replied, "Alright, I will go right away!" He turned and left. Seeing his diligence, Yunmeng smiled, then walked a few steps before suddenly thinking, "What was he just smiling about? Am I really that unwell, and yet he seems so happy?" She returned to her room alone, arranged her hair in front of the mirror, and indulged in self-pity for a while. Suddenly, she recalled what Yan Huchen had told her about Xiao Zuo.

Yunmeng was lost in thought for a while, and indeed the outcome could not escape the two paths that Yan Huchen had envisioned for her. One path was to let Xiao Zuo leave while still young, to pursue her own life. The second path was to have Xiao Zuo stay, knowing that one day she would grow old and withered, and at that time, she would still have a companion.

After a moment of wild thoughts, he suddenly sighed, got up, walked to the wooden cabinet, pulled out a drawer, took out a small porcelain bottle from inside, changed into a different set of clothes, tucked the bottle into his bosom, and walked straight out of the room

He pretended to be calm, immediately stood up, and could only hear the conversation between the two old men, who said: "Who is this person? His lightness skill is not weak! This palm strike actually did not injure him." "That's because your palm strength is lacking. Alright, alright, let's hurry and leave; it's getting late, and everyone has already dispersed." "Nonsense! My palm strength is not lacking? Do you want to take a palm strike from me and see?" "Then you have to catch up with me first." "I am right behind you; do I still need to chase?" "Nonsense, that's because I am still holding onto someone..." "Then you let go of this kid..." The voices grew fainter as Yan Huchen adjusted his internal energy, and the two old men and the young man had already gone far away.

Then Yunmeng saw Xiao Zuo leave, and after a moment of daze, she got off the bed, put her clothes back on, and sat down in front of the mirror. She looked at herself in the mirror and suddenly spoke to herself: "What am I really thinking? I took off my clothes and wrapped myself in a quilt, wasn't it to entice him? He finally couldn't help but kiss me; I should be proud of that, but why... why?" As she thought about how Xiao Zuo had stolen a kiss, she unconsciously pulled open her collar to look at the spot where he had kissed her. As she gazed, she suddenly felt her face flush, and her heart skipped a beat, saying: "Why am I blushing? Why do I feel shy? He... he... he is just a little boy..."

Yan Huchen laughed and said, "Your ambition is quite grand." Yunmeng replied, "In this game, I must win at all costs." Yan Huchen chuckled, placing his piece down on the third and fifth lines, directly invading the enemy camp. Seeing his bold and daring moves, Yunmeng expressed his admiration and casually responded with a piece of his own. Initially, both players moved quickly, almost without any hesitation, but after more than twenty moves, their pace began to slow. As Yunmeng's chess skills were relatively weaker, he took more time to think than Yan Huchen.

Then Yu Wanxiang, reveling in the misfortune, said: "He is not pretending to be deaf and mute, but rather does not wish to waste his breath on you. Such matters are clear to anyone with eyes. If you want him to explain, are you not asking him why the sun shines during the day and why the moon appears at night? Haha, just admit that you are not as good-looking as I am!" Upon hearing this, Yunmeng immediately seized on his words and replied: "Senior Yu, Xiao Zuo believes that Senior Jiang is not as handsome as you, yet Senior Jiang has managed to capture attention. If you do not rescue him, no one will dare to speak the truth in the future!"

These two individuals have peculiar appearances, arriving like a gentle breeze. Yunmeng realizes that she has encountered extraordinary figures from the martial world. Aside from secretly being on guard, she truly cannot understand why these two have come uninvited. However, from the tone of their conversation, it seems that had she not discovered their whereabouts, they would have intended to continue hiding. Seeing them engaged in a heated debate, she interjects: "Hey, are you two thieves or bandits?"

Yunmeng sensed that something was amiss, as these two individuals were quite muddled, unable to distinguish between what was what. Perhaps it did not matter to them, but the so-called friends they spoke of might not feel the same way. If any of them were to notice the discrepancies in their words and mock them, the two would surely be enraged, which could cost Xiao Zuo his life. Seeing that the two were about to leave without a second thought, Yunmeng reached out to block them, positioning himself in front of Jiang Daqian. Unexpectedly, Jiang Daqian laughed heartily, stepping back instead of advancing, while Wanxiang seized the opportunity to slip through the broken window.

Yan Huchen opened his eyes and saw a woman in white, her collar slightly open, standing with her back to him. She was preoccupied with a mirror, arranging her long hair that cascaded down to her waist. Occasionally, she would turn her head slightly, and her glossy black hair flowed like silk down her shoulders, revealing her neck and shoulder line, which resembled white jade. Yan Huchen carefully observed the kiss marks left on her fragrant neck and delicate shoulders from the previous night, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he curled up comfortably under the cotton quilt.

Yunmeng heard "We brothers are doing a favor for someone," and thought that their uninvited visit today originated from this. Seeing that although their martial arts skills were high, they had a rather dull demeanor, he said: "It is a universally accepted principle to repay debts and compensate for damages, but that applies to ordinary people. If it concerns the esteemed elders of the martial world or senior masters, then it is a different matter altogether"

Both Jiang and Yu let out a light "Ah". Following this, Yu Wanxiang struck with his left palm, while Jiang Daqian struck with his right palm, both simultaneously aiming at Yan Huchen. Upon seeing the clever positioning and formidable force of these two strikes, Yan Huchen realized he was facing skilled opponents. He quickly pivoted on his right foot and leaned back to evade Yu Wanxiang's palm, but Jiang Daqian was blocking him from behind, making it impossible to avoid that strike. Consequently, he gathered his internal energy and raised his palm to meet the attack. With a loud "Bang", Yan Huchen was propelled backward for five or six zhang before landing, feeling his internal energy surging, momentarily dizzy and disoriented, unsure of his surroundings. He gathered his internal energy and raised his palm to meet the attack. With a loud "Bang", Yan Huchen was propelled backward for five or six zhang before landing, feeling his internal energy surging, momentarily dizzy and disoriented, unsure of his surroundings.

He wrapped himself in the quilt, only hearing the sound of the door opening and the footsteps resuming. He thought to himself, this must be Xiao Zuo bringing in the items Yun Meng requested. After a series of movements and collisions of tables and chairs, he distinctly heard a voice, which belonged to the young man Xiao Zuo, who continued to speak: "Has Hero Yan not gotten up yet?"

In fact, Yunmeng had not completely overlooked Xiao Zuo; it was just that every time she considered him, she thought: "He is the one I picked up and raised with my own hands. Although I am not yet of an age to be his mother, the role I play is not much different from that of his mother. It will never... never..." Remembering the first time she met Xiao Zuo, his innocent, youthful face evoked a sense of pity in her, prompting her to do something unprecedented in her life, perhaps also the last unprofitable venture, which was to take Xiao Zuo in and raise him to adulthood. It will never... never..." Remembering the first time she met Xiao Zuo, his innocent, youthful face evoked a sense of pity in her, prompting her to do something unprecedented in her life, perhaps also the last unprofitable venture, which was to take Xiao Zuo in and raise him to adulthood.

Yun Meng noticed that these two individuals enjoyed bickering, so she said: "Of course there is a difference. If a robber or thief breaks in, I will drive them out with a broom, and there will be no need to compensate for the doors and windows. However, if they are neither, regardless of what they come to me for, they must first take out silver to compensate for the doors and windows." The tall bamboo horse was taken aback and said to the big top: "Brother, this young lady makes a valid point." The big top replied: "What is valid? When we brothers do work for others, they always send us plenty of silver to spend; there has never been a case where we had to pay out of our own pockets. Furthermore, if a petty thief does not have to compensate, yet we, who are not thieves, must pay, does that not imply that we are even worse than thieves? Is there any reason in the world for that?" The tall bamboo horse suddenly understood and said to Yun Meng: "My brother is right; we absolutely will not pay."

Wanxiang's expression changed dramatically, and he angrily said, "What did you say?" Yunmeng was startled and took a step back. At that moment, Jiang Daqian burst into laughter and said, "This girl speaks well, hahaha, you couldn't handle women forty years ago, and forty years later, you still can't. I admire you, truly admire you!"

Yan Huchen observed her crying one moment, laughing the next, being as passionate as fire at one moment, and as cold as frost at another, resembling a performance. He felt a considerable resentment brewing within him, just as he was about to express it, suddenly Yunmeng's two soft little hands wrapped around his neck, pressing against his chest as she said: "Good brother, please listen to me and quickly earn some more silver, don't keep your Meng'er waiting too long..."

Yunmeng quickly said to them: "You two esteemed elders have traveled a long way as guests; please do not rush to leave. I will have someone prepare water and wine immediately." The two old men, seeing her courteousness, smiled broadly. The tall bamboo horse said: "We won't sit; once the matter is settled, we must be on our way." Yunmeng lamented: "What a pity..." Changing the subject, she asked: "May I ask the esteemed names of the two elders..."

It has been more than half a month since Yan Huchen stayed at the Qunfang Building. Not only has he taught the renowned skill "Chasing Wind Sword Technique" with seventeen moves, but yesterday he also pawned his treasured sword for silver, giving all the proceeds to the young lady Yunmeng, who is currently combing her hair. Now, with the gold at the bedside exhausted and parting imminent, he cannot help but feel a sense of heroism waning, wishing only to lie down a little longer. Hearing Xiao Zuo calling at the door, he suddenly feels a bit shy about facing others.

In the midst of contemplation, still unsure how to respond, I heard Xiao Zuo say: "Both of you seniors have introduced each other as sworn brothers. Among the two of you, who is the elder brother and who is the younger brother?" Da Zhu Ma smiled and said, "Little brother, it's obvious that I am the elder brother." Jiang Da Qian quickly added, "Don't listen to his boasting; there isn't a single part of him that can compare to me. If I don't take the role of elder brother, it would hardly be fitting."

Yan Huchen said: "I think it is time to discuss this matter." Yunmeng was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?" Yan Huchen replied: "You yourself said that when you took in Xiao Zuo, he was merely a ten-year-old child, and naturally, nothing seemed to matter then; you could overlook it. However, five or six years have passed, and now he is a young man. He understands how things are. He has been following you around every day; even if he were your relative, it would still be quite inappropriate, wouldn't it?" Fearing that his words might be too vague, he continued: "I remember you mentioned that he once peeked at you while you were bathing, didn't you?"

Seeing that he could not restore the original situation, Yan Huchen said: "My dear sister, shall we play another round? This time I will let you have six pieces." Yunmeng, with an inexplicable air of arrogance and stubbornness, refused, shouting: "No, no! Why should I let you have six pieces? You are clearly about to lose to me, and out of unwillingness, you are deliberately disrupting the game. You are not a good person; you are a bad person, a hypocrite!" As she spoke, she unexpectedly burst into tears.

Yunmeng, feeling helpless, could only pursue further. After running just a few steps, she suddenly saw a familiar figure ahead. With a thought, Yunmeng pointed forward and shouted: "Hero Yan! Hero Yan! Quickly... quickly... stop those two old men, they have taken Little Zuo!"

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As he dashed out, his body shot forward like an arrow released from its bow, remarkably swift. The two Jiang individuals were unaware that Yunmeng had brought reinforcements, and one more person was in their grasp. In no time, they were caught up to, merely six or seven zhang away. Upon hearing the footsteps behind them, the Jiang duo sensed that this person's lightness of step was extraordinary and unlike any ordinary skill. They instinctively turned around to see who this person was. This momentary distraction caused them to falter slightly in their steps, allowing Yan Huchen to close the distance by another two or three zhang. The Jiang duo, upon hearing the footsteps behind them, sensed that this person's lightness of step was extraordinary and unlike any ordinary skill. They instinctively turned around to see who this person was. This momentary distraction caused them to falter slightly in their steps, allowing Yan Huchen to close the distance by another two or three zhang.

Yunmeng was overjoyed and thought, "You two are not joining forces; it seems like you are giving me an opportunity." At that moment, she transformed her palm into a claw and aimed for Jiang Daqian's shoulder. She was well aware that although these two spoke wildly and behaved oddly, they had long been renowned in the martial world, and without a doubt, their internal strength was profound. Therefore, she immediately executed the lethal technique learned from the "Eagle Claw School": "Golden Eagle Sweeps Its Wings." This move descended from above, targeting the opponent's Tianding, Jugular, Shouwuli, Quchi, and other acupoints along the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, executed in one fluid motion with both speed and power. If Jiang Daqian recognized the danger and retreated, Yunmeng could directly strike at his wrist, taking the opportunity to seize Xiao Zuo back. However, if Jiang Daqian did not evade but instead chose to block with his arm, Yunmeng could directly attack the acupoints on his arm, such as Huizong, Waiguan, and Yangchi along the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, making it a formidable move.

Yunmeng said, "There is no need to rush to deny it. At your age, it is quite normal to start liking girls." Xiao Zuo recalled the kiss he had given Yunmeng in the morning and couldn't help but blush again. Fortunately, one side of his face was already red, so he gently turned his face to the side, thinking that Yunmeng probably wouldn't notice.

In a moment, Yunmeng was both despondent and angry, shouting, "You did it on purpose, you did it on purpose!" She stamped her feet in a fit. Yan Huchen could not tell whether she was genuinely angry or just pretending, feeling flustered and hurriedly trying to move the pieces on the chessboard back to their original positions. However, there were a total of 361 squares on the board; he might remember their approximate locations, but arranging them correctly was no easy task. As Yan Huchen rearranged the pieces, Yunmeng kept saying, "Not right, not right." This caused him to completely forget the only impression he had in his mind, and soon he was drenched in sweat, feeling as if he were being struck by a blade, which was a hundred times more distressing.

In an instant, the two engaged in a comparison of their martial arts skills, including both hand-to-hand combat and the use of weapons and hidden devices. As the conversation progressed, they found themselves at a loss for words. Then, Yu Wanxiang unexpectedly declared, "I... I am handsome!" Jiang Daqian, unwilling to be outdone, retorted, "I have an elegant demeanor!" Yu Wanxiang responded, "I hear you talking nonsense! I am the one who is bold and imposing!" Jiang Daqian countered, "Nonsense! I have an extraordinary appearance!" Yu Wanxiang shot back, "Nonsense! I am exceptionally talented!" Jiang Daqian exclaimed, "Nonsense..." At this point, Xiao Zuo, having listened to their exchange, could not help but interject with a "Nonsense" of his own. Aware that it was impolite, he still burst into laughter.

When Yunmeng threw the chess piece, he did not use any internal energy. Yan Huchen, seemingly unfazed, took the hit without feeling any pain. However, he still interjected, saying: "I am merely speaking from a man's perspective, defending this young brother. I do not know what he truly thinks in his heart; I only know that if I were in his position, spending day and night with a captivating beauty, coming and going together, I would have long since been unable to bear it..." I do not know what he truly thinks in his heart; I only know that if I were in his position, spending day and night with a captivating beauty, coming and going together, I would have long since been unable to bear it..."

The madam, upon hearing the news, cheerfully rushed to see Yan Huchen off at the door. As she watched his gradually receding figure, her mind was filled not only with thoughts of the white silver that had just entered her pocket, but also with a mocking smile: "Another scoundrel!" She habitually referred to those who spent all their wealth in the brothel as scoundrels. It turned out that when a person had been completely drained of their resources, what remained was, of course, nothing but dregs.

People say that a courtesan is heartless and an actor is ungrateful. However, Yan Huchen feels that Yunmeng possesses a certain compassion, and thus he said: "When was that?" Yunmeng tilted his head and thought for a moment, then replied: "About five or six years ago? At that time, he was just a ten-year-old child, and now he has grown so much. Alas, time passes so quickly, and the years are relentless!" A sudden inspiration struck him, and he said: "Let’s not talk about this anymore. Why bring it up for no reason? Let’s play chess, let’s play chess!"

Xiao Zuo was unknowingly captivated, his gaze drifting closer to her ear, eventually reaching her neck. It was then that he noticed a small mole on Yunmeng's right neck, near the area behind her ear. Although the color was not particularly dark, it stood out against her fair skin, making it quite noticeable. In a moment of forgetfulness, he leaned in closer, and suddenly a faint, delicate fragrance wafted towards him, further intoxicating him, causing his mind to buzz. In the end, he could not help himself and gradually leaned in to kiss her neck.

Yunmeng's enchanting eyes sparkled like silk as she gazed at Yan Huchen, speaking softly: "What if you can't take it anymore?" Yan Huchen's heart soared with joy; he stood up and slowly circled behind her, saying: "If I can't take it anymore, I will..." Before he could finish his sentence, he lunged forward to embrace Yunmeng. She playfully jumped aside, laughing, and said: "It's too late, Yan Daxia. I originally intended to say that if you win this game of chess, I would accompany you for another night. But it seems now that we will have to save that for next time." As she spoke, she returned to the chessboard and placed her white piece down. Yan Huchen moved closer, only to find that his black pieces had been completely blocked in their attack, yielding little gain, while his defenses had been breached, losing half of his territory to the white pieces. Back and forth, the outcome was already quite clear; not only was he losing this game, but he was also in utter disarray.

Jiang Daqian said, "That's not right, that's not right." Yu Wanxiang replied, "What is not right this time?" Jiang Daqian continued, "Did you not say before that you would come to Bianjing to assess the situation? If it was too troublesome, you would just take the girl away. Is that not so?" Yu Wanxiang glared at him and said, "Did I not say 'to assess the situation'? I have assessed the situation now and decided not to take her away; I would like to invite her instead. What do you think?" As he spoke, he placed his hands on his hips, adopting a posture that seemed to challenge Jiang Daqian.

Xiao Zuo thought: "It must have been that impulsive kiss in the morning that made Sister Yun determined to drive me away. Otherwise, why would she be in such a hurry to say these things to me? I impulsively kissed her, and now she thinks I have grown up. Staying by her side will only become increasingly inconvenient..." Filled with regret, but it was already too late.

Then, Yu Wanxiang and Jiang Daqian indeed turned back to glance at each other, exchanged a smile, and continued without stopping, heading straight out of the city gate

Yan Huchen hid under the quilt, somewhat curious about what Yunmeng was doing. As soon as he heard Xiao Zuo leave, he immediately climbed out of bed, got dressed, and walked over to Yunmeng's side. He saw her sitting in a chair, with a chessboard in front of her. In her left hand, she held a book, while in her right hand, she alternately held a black piece and a white piece, playing chess alone while studying the game records.

She understands that when a person lives under the mercy of others, relying on their support, it is inevitable to wear down one's ambition and even compromise one's principles. What Xiao Zuo presents before her is the best portrayal of this situation. She just does not know how much ambition Xiao Zuo has lost because of this, nor how much grievance she feels.

With a glimmer in his eyes, Wanxiang asked, "Why is that?" Jiang Daqian replied, "Old Lu has married six wives, yet he is terrified of them to the point of being scared to death. He secretly wishes to meet the most beautiful woman in the martial world, but he doesn't even dare to speak of it. One could say he is a man of color without courage. But look, as soon as we take action, we have captured the lover of the most beautiful woman in the martial world. We will bring him before Old Lu, and won't he be shocked to the point of losing his eyes! At that time, who would dare to say that we two brothers are at a loss when it comes to women, or that we are old bachelors who fear to provoke women?"

Yunmeng Dao: "What are you hesitating to say?" Xiao Zuo replied: "Sister Yun, you are not only beautiful, but your martial arts skills improve day by day. Over the years, you have also earned quite a bit of silver. Why not, as you said, take advantage of your youth, retire early, and find a good family to marry into?" He originally did not dare to say these words, but since parting was imminent, he felt there was no point in holding back; there would be no more opportunities in the future. Especially when he reached the last few words, 'find a good family to marry into,' he became even bolder and raised his voice to say it.

It seemed that Wanxiang had completely overlooked the possibility of the other party coming here. He frowned and said, "This is quite strange. The young lady just mentioned that she has long admired my name and has been fond of me for a long time. Why, when she invited you to be a guest, does she suddenly not want to anymore?" Yunmeng, fearing that he might suddenly change his mind and capture her, hurriedly replied, "Senior, you are a master of the martial world, renowned and respected by all as a model to learn from. What you say must be taken seriously. If you say you will invite me to Lujiazhuang, it must be a genuine invitation. If I am unwilling, you cannot force me; otherwise, it would mean your words are not credible. As the saying goes, a person without trust cannot stand. A person without integrity is even worse than the lowly characters in the martial world." Considering how these two loved to argue, perhaps they could be cornered with words.

Yan Huchen leaned forward and interjected, "With this move of the black piece, the small jump, followed by the white piece sticking, and then the black piece continuing with the tiger move, the entire corner will fall under the influence of the black pieces, and the outcome will be largely determined. However, if the white piece does not stick and directly cuts here, the black piece only needs to extend, then the white piece jumps, and the black piece cuts again, the white piece will still be unable to escape..." He spoke while gesturing and pointing on the board. Yunmeng listened to him while looking at the game record, and couldn't help but be surprised, saying, "So you know how to play chess." Yan Huchen smiled and replied, "I know a little bit."

The two were having a great time. The top said, "Where, where?" The big bamboo horse replied to the top, "See, I told you before, eavesdropping under the eaves is not the behavior of a true gentleman, but you wouldn't listen." The top responded, "When did you say that? I suggested hiding on the roof, and you said the wind was strong up there, so it was better to hide under the eaves, didn't you?" A disagreement arose, and they were about to argue again. I suggested hiding on the roof, and you said the wind was strong up there, so it was better to hide under the eaves, didn't you?" A disagreement arose, and they were about to argue again

Humanitarian: Haste makes waste. In his eagerness to return to his seat, Yan Huchen, while crossing his legs, inadvertently bumped into the table leg. With a loud crash, all the pieces on the chessboard were displaced and pushed to one side. Yunmeng exclaimed in disbelief, her face reflecting her incredulity. Yan Huchen realized he had caused a mishap and quickly apologized.

Yunmeng did not recognize that girl from the library, yet how could the girl not know Yunmeng? She then said, "I saw him just leave." Yunmeng asked, "Where did he go?" The girl replied, "I don't know." After taking a few steps, she suddenly turned back and said, "Yun girl, if Xiao Zuo does anything wrong, just talk to him nicely. He is already such a big person; there is no need to hit him at every turn, right?" Yunmeng murmured to herself, "I hit him?" Suddenly recalling how Xiao Zuo had slapped himself, she hurried to explain, saying, "I..." But she saw the girl turn around the corner and leave. Suddenly, the girl turned back and said, "Yun girl, if Xiao Zuo does anything wrong, just talk to him nicely. He is already such a big person; there is no need to hit him at every turn, right?" Yunmeng murmured to herself, "I hit him?" Suddenly recalling how Xiao Zuo had slapped himself, she hurried to explain, saying, "I..." But she saw the girl turn around the corner and leave. Yunmeng, unable to argue in time, became angry and, regardless of whether the other party could hear or not, shouted, "What does it have to do with you!" She angrily ran back to her room. It was not until night that she quietly came to Xiao Zuo's door.

After a while, Xiao Zuo brought in some water. Yun Meng instructed, "Put it aside for now; Hero Yan is currently playing chess." Following her instructions, Xiao Zuo placed the basin of water aside and went to attend to the two of them. Yun Meng asked, "Xiao Zuo, do you understand?" Xiao Zuo replied, "It seems I understand a bit, but there are still some parts I don't get." Yun Meng said, "In fact, Go is easy to learn but difficult to master; it's not hard at all, but to play well is quite challenging." Xiao Zuo responded, "Indeed."

Jiang Daqian smiled and said, "Less company!" His left palm thrust forward, directly aiming at Yunmeng. Yunmeng felt a sudden constriction in his chest, alarmed, and thought, "This person's internal strength is truly remarkable!" As he flipped his right hand, a dagger with a golden handle leaped into his grasp; it was the very one used that day to fend off a stealthy attack, saving Yan Huchen from a fatal blow to his neck. Yunmeng did not know where he had concealed it on his person, but whenever needed, he could readily draw it forth.

The first person pretended to sniff a few times and laughed, saying: "There are quite a few farts, but fortunately, they aren't too stinky!" The person who came in afterward did not understand the meaning and asked: "What are you saying?" The first person laughed before speaking, saying: "If you hold all your farts in your stomach with no way to release them, once you open your mouth to speak, it is inevitable that a foul odor will fill the air!" The person who came in afterward became furious and shouted: "Stop your nonsense!" The two exchanged words, neither willing to concede, each determined not to let the other have the last word.

Xiao Zuo smiled and said: "I only sent someone to have the cook prepare this for you after hearing that you were feeling unwell. It is meant to replenish your energy and is very beneficial for your health. I noticed you had it before, so I took the liberty of having it made. I didn't expect that you actually dislike this flavor. If you prefer something lighter, I can have someone make a longan and lotus seed soup instead"

Yunmeng shouted, "No!" and rushed out through the broken window. Jiang Daqian reached out to stop her, saying, "Don't be anxious, don't be anxious!" He countered Yunmeng's move. However, with this obstruction, Xiao Zuo's figure had already vanished into the night sky. Yunmeng, furious, no longer held back, unleashing all her fists, palms, and claws. Jiang Daqian responded to her moves, marveling as he said, "This young lady's martial arts are not taught by a single master. Although there are many techniques, they are not fully mastered. How strange, how strange, are you a disciple of the Liuhe Lianjiaquan? How can you also use the martial arts of the Wuhu Duanmen Dao? Aren't those two families sworn enemies?" While he muttered to himself, his hands did not slow down. Suddenly, a voice from afar outside the window called out, "What are you dragging your feet for? Do you need me to help you?"

Xiao Zuo felt a sense of relief as he squatted down to clean up the broken bowls and leftover food on the ground. Yun Meng said, "You don't need to do that, go call Granny Zhang to take care of it." Xiao Zuo replied, "Yes, yes." He turned and walked out of the room, his gaze never daring to look towards Yun Meng.

As she thought of this, she couldn't help but reflect on her own life. Throughout her life, she had never had any extravagant expectations of men. Although she had watched Xiao Zuo grow up, once a boy became a man, he would inevitably possess that kind of character, wouldn't he? Yun dreamed and pondered, letting out a sigh. She neither trusted men nor wanted to face loneliness, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do.

Then Yunmeng took out four white pieces and placed one in each of the three-three points at the four corners. At this point, the white pieces occupied two of the corners, which could be said to have established an invincible position. Following this, she unceremoniously made a bold move on the two-six line, and then smiled and said, "Alright, it's your turn."

Xiao Zuo felt a cool breeze wash over his face, and his previously flushed cheeks instantly felt much more refreshing. He said, "It is swollen, but it hasn't hurt for a long time." Yun Meng responded with a soft "mm," carefully applying a second layer, and asked, "When I came over this afternoon, you weren't in the room. However, I encountered a girl in a red dress, with a heart-shaped face and big eyes. She thought I was hitting you and scolded me for it."

The two old men turned their heads upon hearing this. One of them, the large top, glared and said angrily, "This woman is so arrogant, she actually says we are petty thieves." The tall bamboo horse replied, "That is incorrect; she is inquiring whether we are thieves or robbers, not directly stating that we are thieves." The large top shouted, "What difference does it make? She only gave us two options to choose from, and whichever one we pick, aren't we still petty thieves?" The tall bamboo horse retorted irritably, "Can't you choose neither?" The large top was taken aback and, feeling angry, said, "This woman is so arrogant, she actually says we are petty thieves." The tall bamboo horse replied, "That is incorrect; she is inquiring whether we are thieves or robbers, not directly stating that we are thieves." The large top shouted, "What difference does it make? She only gave us two options to choose from, and whichever one we pick, aren't we still petty thieves?" The tall bamboo horse retorted irritably, "Can't you choose neither?" The large top was momentarily stunned but did not argue further, saying, "That is true." He then said to Yunmeng, "Is there any difference? We are neither of those two."

The woman, seeing that she could not wake Yan Huchen, ceased to speak and continued to comb her hair. Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the door, followed by someone knocking and saying, "Miss Yun, the items have been brought in for you." The woman responded with an "Oh," and said, "Bring them in!" Upon hearing this, Yan Huchen quickly pulled the quilt over his face.

Yunmeng Qiran smiled and said, "You..." Just as she began to speak, her expression suddenly turned strange, and her eyes glanced towards the eaves, slowly lifting her head. Xiao Zuo was taken aback and also looked up.

With a hearty laugh, Wanxiang said, "Not bad, not bad, this kid is clever and honest, I really like him. However, he has offended my brother, which is unfortunate. As long as he survives this time, I will definitely reward him handsomely!"

Yan Huchen's face turned pale, and he absentmindedly responded with a word. Xiao Zuo said, "Miss Yun, it's all right now, I have taken the water out." Yun Meng replied, "Alright, you hurry along." Xiao Zuo acknowledged and directly carried the basin of water out.

In fact, within this, Yunmeng harbors another sentiment, one that she may not fully comprehend herself. Deep within a certain corner of her soul exists a kind of fear and anxiety: the concern that even Xiao Zuo might look down on her

Without addressing any misunderstandings with Yunmeng, Jiang Daqian immediately asked Xiao Zuo: "What do you mean by laughing? Are you laughing at my lack of elegance, or that my features are too ordinary? If you don't provide a reasonable explanation today, you will certainly suffer the consequences!" Xiao Zuo wanted to say: "If you don't let me down, how can I explain?" However, her mouth opened, and only a few incoherent sounds came out. Jiang Daqian angrily exclaimed: "You are actually pretending to be deaf and mute!"

Yunmeng softly said: "I do not wish to drive you away. As the saying goes: a man's ambition lies in the four corners of the world. Following me, how much can you truly achieve? I see that girl named Weici; although she is two or three years older than you, she possesses a strong sense of justice and is quite unique. If you like her, I can speak to your mother tomorrow and help you redeem her, allowing you to take her back. A man establishing a family before pursuing a career is also a good approach..." Xiao Zuo was already in tears, choked up as he said: "I do not want that..." Yunmeng's expression changed, and she said: "Do you look down on us, the women of the brothel? Since ancient times, female heroes have emerged from the dust. In the previous dynasty, General Li Jing was able to achieve great merit thanks to the assistance of Hongfu Nü..."

Xiao Zuo wiped away her tears and said, "That is not what I mean; I am reluctant to part with Sister Yun..." Yun Meng sighed and replied, "In this world, there is no banquet that does not come to an end. If you follow me, ultimately there will be no future for you. While you still have the chance to leave, you should do so as soon as possible; otherwise, if you stay with me until my youth fades, your own youthful years will also be nearly gone."

Yunmeng smiled and said, "Did I not tell you that when no one is around, you can just call me 'sister'? Why call me 'miss'? It feels too formal." Xiao Zuo replied, "I am used to calling you that in front of others, and I can't change it all of a sudden." As he spoke, he was about to carry the wooden tray holding the bowl of soup outside. Seeing this, Yunmeng hurriedly said, "No need to change it, just put it on the table for now; I will drink it later." Xiao Zuo responded, "That should be done soon; if it gets cold, the taste will be even worse." He then placed it on the table.

It is unclear how much time has passed, when suddenly, someone outside the door knocked and said: "Miss Yun, are you resting?"

Yan Huchen was truly flustered at this moment, repeatedly saying, "Yes, yes, yes." His subordinates did not dare to stop, aimlessly moving the pieces on the chessboard, but he could not remember the original layout at all. The pieces moved back and forth, yet he could not find their proper places. Yunmeng felt that he was simply brushing her off, shouting, "There’s no time left, it’s useless, who needs your kindness..." Suddenly, a small hand reached over to help arrange the pieces. When Yan Huchen looked, it was Xiao Zuo who was rearranging them.

In order to alleviate the awkwardness, Yan Huchen suddenly said: "That little Zuo has a good memory. I heard someone say that he is your younger brother?" He knew it was not true, yet he still asked this question.

Yan Huchen is a martial artist, and the Seventy-Two Paths of the Pursuing Wind Sword Technique is intricate and complex. He has gained fame through this, and naturally, his memory is not lacking. When the pieces are in disarray, he cannot recall the correct and practical positions. However, at this moment, as each piece returns to its original place, the deep-seated memories within him are immediately awakened, and he thinks to himself: "Indeed, it is as such." He feels a sense of relief. Yunmeng is also overjoyed, saying: "Xiao Zuo, you truly are remarkable. Indeed, it is as such, come, come, Yan Daxia, I will place my piece here, it is your turn, it is your turn." He immediately breaks into a smile, like a child. But at this moment, as each piece returns to its original place, the deep-seated memories within him are immediately awakened, and he thinks to himself: "Indeed, it is as such." He feels a sense of relief. Yunmeng is also overjoyed, saying: "Xiao Zuo, you truly are remarkable. Indeed, it is as such, come, come, Yan Daxia, I will place my piece here, it is your turn, it is your turn." He immediately breaks into a smile, like a child.

Yunmeng muttered to herself, "That is..." staring at the chessboard. By that time, they had already played about forty moves, and the board was filled with black and white pieces, making her head spin. Yan Hucheng's offensive was fierce, constantly disrupting her layout, and Yunmeng was at a loss, following his lead. At that moment, with Yan Hucheng not in front of her, she felt relaxed and suddenly thought, "He is at a disadvantage, so he must resort to unexpected tactics. If I take care of my two corners, even if things go poorly, I surely won't lose. Why should I follow his lead?" With her plan set in her mind, she felt confident of victory and urged, "Alright, alright, I've thought it through, I'm going to make my move, hurry over to take a look." Hearing her words, Yan Hucheng felt quite anxious, quickly wiped his face, and came to sit down.

Xiao Zuo collected his thoughts and carefully fed Yun Meng a few spoonfuls of soup. Yun Meng suddenly said, "Xiao Zuo, how many years have we been together?" Xiao Zuo pondered for a moment and replied, "Exactly five years and three months." Yun Meng exclaimed, "Ah! That means you are sixteen years old this year!" She couldn't help but think, "I am ten years older than you..." Xiao Zuo, unaware of Yun Meng's thoughts, awkwardly smiled and said, "It's about right." Yun Meng laughed and asked, "What do you mean by 'about right'? It is what it is, and it isn't what it isn't. Sigh, when is your birthday? I always forget." Xiao Zuo replied, "December 9th." Yun Meng said, "Ah, right, right! You were born after the Laba Festival. I remember now, I won't forget it in the future."

It is said: "An inch shorter, an inch more dangerous." As she wielded the dagger in her hand, it darted left and right under Jiang Daqian's palms, glinting coldly, truly perilous. Jiang Daqian's face showed a look of surprise and doubt as he said: "What are you... what are you..." While defending himself, he scratched his head, as if searching for something in his mind, yet unable to recall it. Suddenly, he heard a shout from outside, from Wanxiang, saying: "How much longer do I have to wait? If you run into trouble, don't be stubborn; just call out, and I will come to rescue you immediately!" Jiang Daqian's face showed a look of surprise and doubt as he said: "What are you... what are you..." While defending himself, he scratched his head, as if searching for something in his mind, yet unable to recall it. Suddenly, he heard a shout from outside, from Wanxiang, saying: "How much longer do I have to wait? If you run into trouble, don't be stubborn; just call out, and I will come to rescue you immediately!"

At that time, she simply thought that it was just a matter of feeding a few more mouths, which was nothing remarkable. Moreover, she had no intention of getting married, and having a few more children did not seem like a burden. However, time passed swiftly. Initially, it would have been fine to pick up a little girl, but unexpectedly, she ended up with a boy, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth. Not too big, yet not too small; it was something she had not considered before, and it did not seem like a significant issue. Yet now, this matter had been brought to the forefront by Yan Huchen, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to completely disregard it.

Yunmeng found a stool in his room and sat down, asking, "Does it still hurt on your face?" Xiao Zuo turned his right cheek away and mumbled, "No, it doesn't hurt anymore..." Yunmeng took out a porcelain bottle and said, "Come here, I will help you apply some medicine." Xiao Zuo responded but did not move his feet. Yunmeng asked, "Why aren't you coming over? Are you afraid I will eat you?" Xiao Zuo replied, "No." He slowly leaned over. Yunmeng turned his right cheek towards him, and under the light, he said, "It’s swollen like this, and you still say it doesn’t hurt." He removed the cork from the porcelain bottle, scooped out some white ointment, spread it in his palm, and gently applied it to his face. Yunmeng asked again, "Why aren't you coming over? Are you afraid I will eat you?" Xiao Zuo replied, "No." He slowly leaned over. Yunmeng turned his right cheek towards him, and under the light, he said, "It’s swollen like this, and you still say it doesn’t hurt." He removed the cork from the porcelain bottle, scooped out some white ointment, spread it in his palm, and gently applied it to his face.

Yunmeng was taken aback, exclaiming "Ah!" in surprise. Little Zuo was also suddenly awakened, his whole body trembling as he stumbled back a few steps. Then, with a loud crash, the porcelain bowl in his hand shattered into pieces. He had no idea why the bowl broke, for at that moment, he was oblivious to his surroundings, seeing nothing and hearing nothing. He felt as if he had plunged into an ice cellar, every pore rapidly contracting, with only one thought incessantly repeating in his mind: "It's over, it's over, how could I have done this? How could I do this?" He stood there in a daze, murmuring to himself.

In the midst of their conversation, with a loud "crash," the paper window shattered, and Yunmeng pulled Xiao Zuo aside. Xiao Zuo only saw two figures, one in front of the other, swiftly entering. The person who entered last continued to speak: "That statement is incorrect; the foul smell is one thing, and flatulence is another; the two cannot be conflated. Just like if you haven't bathed for over a month, your entire body reeks of sweat, who would say you are passing gas?" The first person replied: "Indeed, you say the smell of 'sweat' is different from the smell of flatulence, so it follows that while you can endure the sound of flatulence, the smell is something you cannot tolerate, haha." The person who entered afterward said: "Who says that? I do not wish to endure it; it is not that I cannot endure it. If I were to hold it in, how would you know I passed gas? I do not wish to endure it; it is not that I cannot endure it. If I were to hold it in, how would you know I passed gas? And could I still let you speak here?"

Although it was late in the day, there were still quite a few pedestrians on the land. Yunmeng chased for a while, but suddenly lost focus and lost sight of them at the street corner. Noticing that they were heading east, she hurried directly to the East Gate to search for them. Before long, she passed through the inner city and reached the edge of the outer city, where she finally spotted those two familiar figures in the distance. However, the distance was already quite far, and Yunmeng, having run recklessly for a while, found her breath uneven. Realizing she could not catch up, she shouted, "Stop! Stop! Useless old men from the northern frontier, only capable of bullying women and children!" The distance was already quite far, and Yunmeng, having run recklessly for a while, found her breath uneven. Realizing she could not catch up, she shouted, "Stop! Stop! Useless old men from the northern frontier, only capable of bullying women and children!"

Xiao Zuo smiled and fed Yun Meng a sip of soup, saying: "By the way, when is Sister Yun's birthday?" Yun Meng replied: "Why do you ask? Do you want to celebrate my birthday?" Xiao Zuo said: "Even if so, it is only right!" Yun Meng responded: "Hmm, let me think... May... May 12th, I suppose..." Xiao Zuo remarked: "Then it's coming up soon. Good thing I asked, otherwise this year would have passed by unnoticed again."

Yunmeng was taken aback, realizing that these two strange individuals actually intended to capture her and take her to that so-called Lu Family Manor. Her mind raced as she tried to recall if she had ever offended anyone with the surname Lu, but she couldn't think of any instance. At that moment, she heard Yu Wanxiang say that they were not forcing her but rather extending an invitation, which left her utterly confused. Since there was no immediate danger, she replied, "Is this how you invite someone? If you do not release Xiao Zuo, I will not go anywhere!" At this moment, her concern for Xiao Zuo's safety far outweighed her own, yet she remained completely in the dark about the situation.

In the presence of Wanxiang, he declared loudly: "When a person speaks, they must keep their word. I, Wanxiang, have always been a man of my word, as solid as a promise, and as difficult to retract as a team of four horses!" Turning to Jiang Daqian, he continued: "Brother, you have lost face this time; as your brother, you also have no glory. If you laugh at me again, I will immediately turn against you!" Upon hearing this, Jiang Daqian laughed even more heartily and replied: "As the elder brother, how could I let my younger brother lose face? Look, I have caught this little rascal, so there is no need for these women!"

Jiang Daqian was taken aback and said, "By the way, why are we here?" He was still holding onto Xiao Zuo. Yu Wanxiang suddenly showed a troubled expression and said, "Well... we came to find Miss Yun, it is for... um..." Jiang Daqian interjected, "I remember now, it was at the Lu family village, for that old man Lu's sixtieth birthday. We, as brothers, gave him face and had a grand feast, but unexpectedly, he not only did not appreciate it but also mocked you for a while. You were not satisfied and made a bet with old man Lu, and as a result, you lost..." Jiang Daqian continued, "I remember now, it was at the Lu family village, for that old man Lu's sixtieth birthday. We, as brothers, gave him face and had a grand feast, but unexpectedly, he not only did not appreciate it but also mocked you for a while. You were not satisfied and made a bet with old man Lu, and as a result, you lost..." Yu Wanxiang retorted, "You have it wrong, it was you who was mocked by him, it was you who was not satisfied, it was you who made a bet with old man Lu. However, we did not lose, nor did he win; we came here voluntarily to invite Miss Yun to the Lu family village out of pity for him."

Yan Huchen noticed that Yunmeng's demeanor had turned resolute, no longer resembling a jest. He said, "Good sister, please do not keep me in suspense." Yunmeng replied with a smile, "Hero Yan, do not forget that you even pawned your sword. As the saying goes, 'When one is well-fed and warm, one thinks of desires.' Tonight, it seems that the hero may even have trouble finding a meal, yet you still have the heart to think of such things"

Although Yunmeng found it quite amusing, he did not dare to laugh out loud. Upon hearing Xiao Zuo's laughter, he felt something was amiss. Suddenly, a figure flashed before his eyes; Xiao Zuo had already been seized by the nape of his neck, lifted up like a chick. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Jiang Daqian who had acted swiftly. The moment he grabbed Xiao Zuo, he returned to his original position, moving as quickly as a ghost. Yunmeng wanted to intervene, but it was already too late.

On this day, Yan Huchen slowly awakened, slightly opened his eyes, and saw that the sky outside was already bright. He turned over to avoid the glaring sunlight, hoping to fall asleep again. Suddenly, a gentle female voice sounded beside him, softly saying: "It’s time to get up; you’ve been sleeping later each day."

Yunmeng joyfully said, "What are we waiting for? Let's have a game! Playing chess against myself is just too boring." As he spoke, he began to gather the pieces on the board, sorting them into black and white. Yan Hucheng sat down opposite him and allowed Yunmeng to play with the white pieces first. Yunmeng asked, "Will you let me have four pieces?" Yan Hucheng replied, "I'm not that skilled either; we're just here to practice, so the outcome doesn't matter." Yunmeng made a face at him and said, "Who said that? I want to win, no matter what, you have to let me have four pieces." As he spoke, Yunmeng placed one piece in each of the four corners, two black and two white, following the ancient Chinese Go rules. These four points, along with the center of the board, are referred to as "Shizi" or "Five Mountains," indicating their immovability. However, it is uncommon to place a piece in the center, and the white pieces go first, which differs from the modern rule where the player with the black pieces plays first.

Light shone through the window, and Yunmeng knew that Xiao Zuo must be inside the room, so she tapped on the door a few times. Xiao Zuo responded to the door, and upon seeing Yunmeng, was startled and hesitated for a moment before quickly inviting her in

After the two elders introduced themselves, Yunmeng was indeed taken aback, just as the great spinning top Jiang Daqian had described. She had been in contact with various figures from the martial world and was quite familiar with some of the tales and extraordinary accounts. Upon hearing that the two elders before her were actually the Northern Duo, she couldn't help but think: "It is said in the martial world that the Northern Duo possesses exceptional martial skills, appearing and disappearing like ghosts, embodying both righteousness and wickedness. They belong to no sect and are not bound by any constraints, acting solely according to their personal preferences. It is also said that they enjoy bantering with each other, and their friends in the martial world have secretly given them another nickname, 'The Duo of Endless Banter.' It seems that they truly are those individuals." She further pondered: "They mentioned doing work for a certain person and a book artist; who exactly are they working for? Who possesses the ability to command them?"

Yu Wanxiang nodded repeatedly and said, "Indeed, indeed, when these people mention Miss Yunmeng, they nearly drool with excitement. But who else would dare to come directly to her like us brothers? Especially since we managed to get her lover right away; won't that drive them all mad when we return? I simply can't wait to see the astonished expressions on their faces, haha, it's simply marvelous, simply marvelous!" Jiang Daqian replied, "We shouldn't delay; if we arrive late and they have all dispersed, who will we boast to?" Yu Wanxiang insisted, "Hurry up, hurry up!"

Indeed, Yunmeng continued nonchalantly: "Tomorrow I will give you some silver. Whether you want to engage in a small business or buy a piece of land in the countryside to live on, it is all fine. Leave early, and do not follow me anymore, mingling among the women in the brothel." Xiao Zuo was taken aback and stammered, "Sister Yun, you mean... you want to drive me away!"

Yunmeng was taken aback, only to hear Xiao Zuo, with his head lowered, say: "I... I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to, I really didn't mean to, Sister Yun... Sister Yun, please punish me..." Yunmeng came to her senses and said: "You... how could you..." At a loss for words, she stammered a few phrases but could not continue. Just then, there was another "slap" sound as Xiao Zuo struck himself again. He said: "You... how could you..." At a loss for words, he stammered a few phrases but could not continue. Just then, there was another "slap" sound as Xiao Zuo struck himself again.

Yunmeng made up her mind, quickly took off her outer garment, and burrowed into the quilt, sitting on the bed with only her head exposed. She then said, "Is there something you need?" Xiao Zuo replied from outside the door, "I had the cook prepare a bowl of Four Gentlemen Soup, and I am bringing it to you now." Yunmeng responded, "Come in first." Xiao Zuo answered, "Yes."

Jiang Daqian shouted out the window, "Nonsense!" Seeing that Yunmeng was young and a woman, he showed no more than a modicum of mercy. At that moment, being mocked by his companions, he had no reason to be polite. With a swift motion, he grabbed, causing the dagger in Yunmeng's hand to slip away, and with a "thud," it embedded itself into the wall.

Although Xiao Zuo is young, he is still a man. Logically, there should be no room for him to rest in the Flower Pavilion, but since he is the companion of a popular courtesan, it is a different matter. Yunmeng arrived at his door and found it wide open, with no one inside. Just then, a very young-looking girl walked by, and Yunmeng seized the opportunity to ask, "Have you seen Xiao Zuo?"

Yunmeng Dao: "Is that so?" After a moment of thought, she continued, "Then you feed me." It was as if she were acting coyly. Xiao Zuo was taken aback by her words, thinking he had misheard, and asked, "Wha... what..." Yunmeng's eyes, like two pools of autumn water, sparkled with a gentle smile as she softly said, "I mean, why don't you come and feed me."

Upon considering Yunmeng's feelings, he immediately understood the awkwardness of the current situation. After a moment to calm his emotions, he asked, "What plans does Sister Yun have?" Yunmeng replied, "What plans? What plans can I have? I just go on living day by day. A woman's youth is limited; I must enjoy life while I can." Xiao Zuo first nodded, then opened his mouth as if to speak, but he forced himself to hold back. He then asked, "What plans does Sister Yun have?" Yunmeng replied, "What plans? What plans can I have? I just go on living day by day. A woman's youth is limited; I must enjoy life while I can." Xiao Zuo first nodded, then opened his mouth as if to speak, but he forced himself to hold back.

Upon hearing this, Yan Huchen was filled with a surge of anger, which instantly dissipated. He let out a gentle sigh and said, "I have stayed long enough; it is time for me to leave." He had taught seventeen moves of the Chasing Wind Sword Technique to outsiders, and if his master were to find out, he would likely be expelled from the sect immediately. Thus, he took his leave of Yunmeng. Yunmeng had long since grown accustomed to her life, and although there was a slight reluctance at parting, rules were rules. If one wished to discuss feelings, it was better to leave this profession early. Therefore, after bidding farewell, she did not cling to him.

Yunmeng pouted slightly, glanced at him, and said, "So this is what you meant..." Yan Huchen replied, "Don't you think this matter is quite serious?" Yunmeng looked at him slyly and said, "Don't tell me you're feeling jealous..." Yan Huchen relaxed his brow and said, "What would I be jealous of? I see that this young Zuo is clever and bright, and he looks quite talented. Do you think he would be content to be a servant for a girl for his entire life? Your relationship will eventually change. If Miss Yun thinks this young man is still a talent and doesn't want to hold him back, then she should let him go early and give him a chance to develop. I see that this young Zuo is clever and bright, and he looks quite talented. Do you think he would be content to be a servant for a girl for his entire life? Your relationship will eventually change. If Miss Yun thinks this young man is still a talent and doesn't want to hold him back, then she should let him go early and give him a chance to develop. But if Miss Yun fears loneliness in her later years and wants him to accompany her forever, then she must prepare for that..." Upon hearing this, Yunmeng's face flushed, and she suddenly became playfully angry. A white piece flew from her hand, hitting Yan Huchen squarely on the forehead, as she said, "Accompany? Accompany you, you big-headed ghost? I need him to relieve my loneliness? He... he is still just a young lad!"

Yunmeng only heard a soft "mm." Then came the sound of small pebbles clinking against each other. After a while, Yunmeng spoke again: "Alright, bring a basin of water for Hero Yan; he should be waking up soon." The young man on the left responded, "Yes." Shortly after, he opened the door and went out.

Yunmeng frowned and covered her nose upon hearing their filthy words. Xiao Zuo, upon getting a clearer look at the two newcomers, couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart. Both appeared to be around sixty years old, with graying hair. The one near the door had a long horse-like face, yet his complexion was rosy, reminiscent of a youth. He was tall and thin, resembling a bamboo pole with a horse's head, much larger than a child's toy horse. The one near the window, on the other hand, had a round head and big ears, and was quite plump. Strangely, his legs were disproportionately thin, making him look like an oversized top standing on the ground.

At first, Yan Huchen thought that Xiao Zuo was going to tidy up the chess pieces and was about to scold him, but soon realized that was not the case. He saw Xiao Zuo arranging the pieces one by one. Yan Huchen did not pay much attention at first, but upon closer inspection, he could not help but feel both surprised and delighted. Yunmeng also noticed something unusual and exclaimed, "Xiao Zuo, you..." Before long, Xiao Zuo had found the correct positions for all forty-odd pieces on the board, and remarkably, not a single piece was misplaced.

The two elders were so pleased with themselves that they were completely unaware that this young lady had clearly expressed her admiration for them for a long time, yet she did not even know their names. At this moment, the two elders did not consider the connection between these two facts. The big spinning top proudly declared: "Hehe, hold on tight, don’t be scared when I say this, my name is Jiang Daqian, and this is my sworn brother, he is called Yu Wanxiang. In the martial world, we are known as the 'Twin Heroes of the North, Transforming a Thousand Changes.'" The big bamboo horse also laughed and said: "That’s right, my name is Yu Wanxiang, and he is my sworn brother, named Jiang Daqian, who has dominated the martial world for decades as the 'Twin Heroes of the North, Crossing Rivers and Mountains.' No, that’s not right; it’s the 'Twin Heroes of the North, Crossing Rivers and Mountains' who have continued to dominate until now, referring to the two of us!"

Yunmeng secretly cursed in her heart, "Two old fools!" With a quick thought, she followed up with, "Wait a moment, esteemed seniors, you have come this time to find someone, is it to notarize the handsome and the ugly of the two of you?" She intended to divert their attention.

Xiao Zuo was initially startled by her sudden action and felt a bit shy to get too close. However, upon noticing Yun Meng's serious demeanor, he began to observe her carefully.

Xiao Zuo exclaimed, "Is it Wei Ci?" Yun Meng replied, "Is it?" Xiao Zuo said, "I will find an opportunity to explain it to her tomorrow. She is a very nice person. After I talk to her, I will ask her to come and apologize to you." Yun Meng smiled and said, "No need!" She gently pushed him away and took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands. Xiao Zuo thanked her and found a stool to sit in front of her. Yun Meng continued, "Do you really like Wei Ci?" Xiao Zuo was taken aback for a moment, then quickly shook his head.

Yunmeng hurriedly said: "Senior, please show mercy, he is still just a child..." Jiang Daqian was taken aback, lifted Xiao Zuo a bit higher, turned his head to take a few more glances, and then said: "Is he still a child? But I clearly just heard the two of you hiding here, talking about love. You called this kid over, and when he didn't come, you said: 'Come here, are you afraid I will eat you?' Then you asked him: 'Is it enjoyable?' After that, you wanted to give him money, hinting that he should first settle down before making a career, but this kid didn't appreciate it and cried for you to quickly find someone to marry. When I heard this, I couldn't help but chuckle softly, which revealed my presence to you. In short, your lover doesn't want you anymore, and yet it caused us to be discovered, losing face. Now he even dares to mock me; I will capture him and interrogate him thoroughly. If his answers do not satisfy me, I will immediately end him, which will also give you some relief!

Yan Huchen smiled and said, "I didn't expect Miss Yun to have such an interest in the art of chess." Yun Meng turned to glance at him, continued to play chess on her own, and replied, "It's a pity that most people in the martial world are not familiar with this art, so these days spent with you have been set aside." As she spoke, she followed the chess manual and made a few more moves. Upon reaching the forty-seventh move, she suddenly paused, staring blankly at the chessboard. She muttered to herself, "Why should this piece be placed here?" Upon reaching the forty-seventh move, she suddenly paused, staring blankly at the chessboard. She muttered to herself, "Why should this piece be placed here?"

Then Jiang Daqian shouted, "Good!" He raised his right hand and unexpectedly sent the head of Xiao Zuo in his hand towards Yunmeng's claws. Yunmeng was taken aback and hurriedly changed his move, unable to suppress a low cry, "Despicable!" Jiang Daqian laughed heartily, completely unconcerned, and then exerted force with his hand, throwing Xiao Zuo out of the window.

With a soft sound, the door opened, revealing Xiao Zuo holding a wooden tray. On the tray was a porcelain bowl, which contained a spoon and was steaming hot. Yunmeng lazily asked, "What kind of soup is this?" Xiao Zuo replied, "It is the Four Gentlemen Soup." He placed the wooden tray on the table, turned around to close the door, and then picked up the tray again, bringing the soup in front of Yunmeng. Yunmeng leaned in to sniff it, wrinkled his brow, and recoiled, saying, "So it's this soup; I don't like to drink it, please take it back." He added, "Why are you making this soup for me? Did I ask for it?"