Ch 153: Departure
Asking Chu Fan wasn’t truly hoping he’d participate in the Martial Arts Competition for Marriage; it was just a casual mention.
Now, it seems I can’t help but consider future wife candidates for my second brother, lest this fellow really marries some strange woman.
“I should add a few more details to the letter later, letting Chu Tian and the others put in some effort…”
While thinking this, I caught sight of another person on stage.
Siye.
Wen Keren immediately stood up, while Wen Fusheng still had a shrewd look on his face, completely unmoved.
Chu Qing curled his lip, feeling that the mystery should stem from having met Sang Qing yesterday.
Wen Fusheng and Siye didn’t know what they talked about, but this kid finally came to his senses.
“Let’s go; there’s nothing more to see.”
Chu Qing shook his head and led Chu Fan away.
Chu Fan was puzzled:
“Isn’t it settled yet?”
“Wen Fusheng only wanted Siye’s attitude; now that he’s shown it, he’s made up his mind.
“Regardless of his martial arts skill, no one will win this Martial Arts Competition today.
“Even if there is… they won’t.”
With Wen Fusheng’s martial arts, cheating for Siye would be too easy.
Moreover, he guessed that even if Gongsun Wu really won in the end, he wouldn’t marry his niece to him.
As for how things would unfold afterwards, Chu Qing didn’t know.
In short, the Martial Arts Competition was Wen Fusheng’s strategy to kill two birds with one stone; now that the purpose was achieved, it’s settled.
Chu Fan didn’t know the ins and outs, but since Chu Qing said so, he listened.
The facts indeed matched Chu Qing’s expectations.
This Martial Arts Competition ended with Siye’s victory, a happy ending for everyone.
With that, all the excitement at Luochenshan Villa ended, and experts from various factions bid farewell.
Xia Wanshuang visited Chu Qing; Chu Qing wrote her a letter of introduction, and she set off for Divine Blade City with the start-up funds he gave her.
That concludes the matter regarding this Miss.
Over the next two days, Hua Jinnian departed first… The Heavenly Mechanism Order matter yielded no benefit, he inexplicably fought a battle, and there was nothing exciting left to see at Luochenshan Villa, so he left and continued his wandering.
Then Bian Cheng and Mo Duxing, along with Chu Fan and the other two, bid farewell; they were returning to Taiyi Gate to report the Celestial Mechanism Valley matter to their sect.
Logically, Wenrou should have gone back with them.
But Wenrou was summoned by Wen Fusheng, and leaving after staying at home for only two days was rather inconsiderate.
So Wenrou was left to stay and keep Wen Fusheng company for a few more days, and then she could return to the sect on another day.
As the people at Luochenshan Villa gradually dispersed, Chu Qing also prepared to leave.
He found Wen Fusheng, explained his intentions, and Wen Fusheng didn’t try to keep him, only saying to Chu Qing:
“You must keep Little Cold Valley in mind.”
Chu Qing waved his hand:
“Villa Master Wen, I’m very busy; if I happen to be passing by Little Cold Valley, I will certainly visit.”
Wen Fusheng was stunned; this wasn’t what they agreed upon.
He glared at Chu Qing:
“What do you mean?”
Chu Qing rubbed his hands:
“Things with no benefits aren’t easy to remember…”
“What benefits do you want?”
Wen Fusheng almost laughed in anger.
“I don’t lack wealth, but I see that Villa Master Wen’s Soul Piercing Finger martial art is quite good; how about you teach it to me?”
Chu Qing winked at him.
Wen Fusheng laughed loudly:
“Good, good, good, so you have your eye on the Soul Piercing Finger.
“That’s easy…”
“You agreed?”
Chu Qing was stunned; he felt this old man was too readily agreeable.
He heard Wen Fusheng say:
“Agreed, naturally! You only need to marry Rou’er, and I will teach you all my martial arts!”
“…Aren’t you still not agreeing?”
“Nonsense!”
Wen Fusheng angrily said:
“The Soul Piercing Finger is our Luochenshan Villa’s secret transmission and is never passed on to outsiders.
“Such martial arts, unless you become one of our Luochenshan Villa’s own, otherwise, how could I possibly teach you!?
“If you don’t want to marry, then make another condition!”
“Miserly…”
Chu Qing curled his lip:
“If so, then let’s change the conditions.”
“What condition?”
“I want to open a shop within Luochenshan Villa’s sphere of influence.
“The shop will temporarily be run by your people, and I will have someone take over when I find a suitable candidate.”
“Just that?”
Wen Fusheng frowned slightly, then said:
“You opening a shop is a pretense… you have ulterior motives, don’t you?”
“I don’t care what my motives are, it’s not about your Luochenshan Villa; just say yes or no.”
Chu Qing held his teacup, lightly swept the tea leaves, his tone somewhat nonchalant.
“Fine, it’s a small matter.”
Wen Fusheng agreed.
“That’s it then…”
After drinking a cup of tea, Chu Qing stood up:
“I’ll leave now, no need to see me off; farewell.”
Wen Fusheng snorted:
“Don’t be so conceited; who would see you off?”
By the time he finished speaking, Chu Qing had already walked out the gate.
He didn’t have much; besides some clothing and dry food, he mainly had to carefully handle Ling Beichen’s ashes.
After packing, he carried his bundle and prepared to leave.
But as he opened the door, he saw a group of people standing outside.
Wen Kaiyuan, Wen Pingce, Siye, Si Chen, Wen Keren… and a number of Luochenshan Villa disciples who came to see him off.
Chu Qing glanced at the crowd, and heard Wen Kaiyuan say:
“Third Young Master, that’s not right; you’re leaving without even saying goodbye?”
“Hahaha.”
Chu Qing smiled:
“Thank you for your concern, Second Master; now that things here are settled, it’s not right to continue freeloading.
“I’ve already said goodbye to Villa Master Wen, so I didn’t want to alarm everyone.”
Siye, no longer cold as he was when they first met, softly said:
“Though our time together was short, Third Young Master, your great kindness and generosity to our Luochenshan Villa are beyond measure.
“The martial world is full of dangers; I hope you’ll take extra care, and may you overcome any difficulties you encounter.”
“Thank you.”
Chu Qing bowed, glanced at Wen Keren standing beside Siye.
Things between the two weren’t settled yet; he didn’t know if there would be further setbacks, but for now, it looked good.
Wen Pingce wanted to form a sworn brotherhood with Chu Qing before he left.
He was ultimately persuaded by Wen Kaiyuan.
Everyone escorted Chu Qing to the gate of Luochenshan Villa and bid farewell before Zhai Xing Lake.
Some brought silver notes, others offered dry food…
Chu Qing accepted everything, bowed, and said:
“Alright, all good things must come to an end; everyone, until we meet again!”
“Third Young Master, travel safely!”
“Third Young Master, remember to come back often.”
“Younger brother, when you come next time, we must form a sworn brotherhood!”
Waving goodbye to everyone.
Chu Qing turned around, his steps light and agile, disappearing into the distance.
Wen Kaiyuan and the others watched until Chu Qing was out of sight before turning back to Luochenshan Villa.
Wen Pingce looked around curiously and asked:
“Why didn’t Rou’er come?”
Wen Kaiyuan smiled:
“Don’t worry about that; I’ll go find Big Brother first.”
He went into Luochenshan Villa ahead of everyone else and went straight to Wen Fusheng’s courtyard.
Wen Fusheng was sitting by the window drinking tea; the sky was filled with withered yellow leaves, some falling onto the windowsill, which he picked up to examine their veins.
Wen Kaiyuan entered the room, and Wen Fusheng softly asked:
“Gone?”
“Yeah.”
Wen Kaiyuan nodded, hesitating.
“If you have something to say, just say it; don’t be so hesitant.”
“…Did you just let Rou’er go with him?”
Wen Kaiyuan said with some anxiety:
“After all, neither is married; although Third Young Master has superb martial arts and is upright, he wouldn’t necessarily do something underhanded.
“But they’re still young… living together day and night, there will inevitably be some problems.”
“So what if there are?”
Wen Fusheng snorted:
“I’m not worried about there being problems, I’m worried about there not being any!”
“…”
Wen Kaiyuan’s eyes widened; what did he mean worried about there not being any?
That’s your own daughter!
Just letting the bad boy take her away, and you seem quite pleased?
Wen Fusheng curled his lip; some things he couldn’t say…
The key was that the boy was slippery; he promised to go to Little Cold Valley, but who knows if he will actually go?
He couldn’t leave Luochenshan Villa because of the Ghost Emperor’s Edict.
If the boy goes back on his word, where would he go to find him?
Rather than worrying, it’s better to let his daughter go with him… Having a beautiful woman by his side constantly reminding him to go to Little Cold Valley.
If something were to happen, that would be even better.
A young expert who was willing to help Luochenshan Villa fight against the Heavenly Evil Cult just because of a little friendship with Wenrou.
His daughter wouldn’t be at a loss!
Moreover, once their relationship is confirmed, he wouldn’t dare not to help!
Wen Fusheng was shrewd and wouldn’t do anything that would lose him money, but unfortunately, these things he couldn’t tell Wen Kaiyuan.
Leaving Wen Kaiyuan to wonder if his elder brother’s brain was damaged by the Heavenly Evil Cult’s thugs…
…
…
Chu Qing left Luochenshan Villa and headed north.
After walking about twenty miles, he sat on a large stone by the roadside to rest.
Occasionally he took out some food from his bag and ate and drank it with clear water.
After waiting for a while, seeing that the small thief hiding in the shadows hadn’t come out yet, he smiled helplessly:
“If you don’t come out, I’ll be leaving.”
Wenrou, carrying her small bag, slowly walked out from the edge of the woods and came to Chu Qing’s side, her big eyes fixed on him:
“How did you know I followed you?”
She didn’t expect to be able to hide her following Chu Qing.
Chu Qing’s martial arts were so high, how could he not know someone was following him?
But why was he so sure it was her?
“Everyone came to see me off, but you didn’t… naturally, you have a bigger plan.
“Someone has been following me since I left Luochenshan Villa.
“Even if I used light body skill to get rid of them and erased my traces, they could still keep up… besides you, who else has this ability?”
Chu Qing tapped Wenrou’s forehead:
“Why didn’t you stay home to keep your father company? Why are you following me?
“What I’m going to do next is quite dangerous…”
“In the martial world, nothing is ever peaceful and smooth sailing?”
Wenrou softly said:
“Besides, Father asked me to follow you.”
“…Your father is very scheming.”
“Mm.”
Wenrou nodded vigorously:
“Third Brother is right.”
“…”
Chu Qing looked at this leaky little cotton-padded jacket and was both amused and speechless.
But to be honest, even though they hadn’t spent much time together, he felt a little reluctant to part ways.
Not to mention Wenrou’s easygoing personality, the most important thing was that she was very useful.
She’s practically a human radar…
He thought she would stay at Luochenshan Villa to accompany Wen Fusheng.
Even though Chu Qing was reluctant to part with her Celestial Fragrance Sensing Body, he couldn’t separate the father and daughter.
Now that she chose to follow him, there was no need to send her back.
As for what Wen Fusheng thought, Chu Qing could mostly guess.
Looking at Wenrou, Chu Qing clicked his tongue:
“Your father is really willing…”
“Why wouldn’t he be willing?”
Wenrou tilted her head and looked at Chu Qing.
“…Forget it.”
Chu Qing waved his hand:
“Since you’re here, shall we go?”
“Mm.”
The two of them left immediately, packed their bags, and continued north.
They weren’t in a hurry; even if Chu Qing wanted to deal with the Mirror of Retribution, he needed a suitable opportunity, it wasn’t urgent.
Therefore, they traveled and watched leisurely, dawdling for two whole days before leaving Luochenshan Villa’s territory.
They formally entered the Iron Blood Hall’s sphere of influence; not far ahead was a small town.
The town was called Tiehuan Town.
Chu Qing and Wenrou didn’t take the normal route; otherwise, the closest town to Luochenshan Villa would be Dingxing City.
The reason Tie Lingyun was able to rush to Tian Xing Mountain in the middle of the night was because they were in Dingxing City at that time.
Dingxing City wasn’t originally called Dingxing City; it was only after the Iron Blood Hall’s influence spread that they named it Dingxing City. Tie Lingyun’s main goal was to… if I can’t defeat you, I’ll still annoy you.
The name’s targeting of Tian Xing Mountain was too obvious.
Wenrou, however, didn’t feel targeted; she was excited about everything.
In the end, they booked two rooms at an inn in Tiehuan Town to rest for the night.
During dinner, Chu Qing saw Wenrou playing with a money pouch.
He was puzzled:
“Where did you get that money pouch?”
Judging from its color, it wasn’t the kind Wenrou would like.
Wenrou handed it to Chu Qing:
“I found it earlier… I haven’t found the owner yet.”
Chu Qing took it and was about to speak when he heard a series of footsteps approaching; turning his head, he saw a group of people entering the inn gate.
The leader looked to be about fifty years old; although his expression was calm, a trace of ferocity could still be seen between his brows.
The people behind him were dressed well, appearing to be people who traveled the martial world to make deals… but most of them had fleshy faces and didn’t look like good people.
Chu Qing believed he shouldn’t judge people by their appearance, but looking at this group of people, he felt that not judging people by their appearance would be doing them a disservice.
Not only Chu Qing, but many people in the inn looked at this group with wary glances before quickly lowering their heads to eat and drink.
“Huh? Why are there bandits in the Iron Blood Hall’s territory?”
A voice suddenly came from a corner; Chu Qing couldn’t help but look in that direction and saw a disheveled scholar in his thirties staring at the entrance, puzzled.
