Chapter 80 Peach Valley Asks the Sword

Cai Shou hugged the cat and shrank back.

She glanced at the heavy butterfly-carrying servant... Hmm, it's so heavy, if she threw it down, it would surely kill him.

Also, is Miss angry? Is she angry that she acted on her own initiative, or is she angry that Young Master Ouyang is so clueless and made Miss lose face? Or perhaps both?

The chubby-faced maidservant thought to herself.

The stunningly beautiful woman, who hadn't put on her plum blossom makeup during her lunch break, snorted coldly, turned around, and went back into the house, a hint of reproach in her eyes.

Upon closer reflection, she didn't really want to get to know Ouyang Lianghan. It was just that she had always been the center of attention since childhood and had never been ignored like this before.

Regardless of whether this is the kind of man playing hard to get with a woman, as described in some books.

When she actually encountered it, the feeling of being looked down upon still made her, who had a strong sense of self-esteem, very unhappy.

Cai Shou put the cat down and quickly followed, comforting him from behind:

“Miss, Miss Xie is currently recuperating in bed, so it’s normal for Young Master Ouyang to be in such a hurry to deliver the meal. After all… we’re not that familiar with each other, are we? And now that I think about it, his refusal to look at what is improper is indeed the mark of a gentleman.”

On the chaise lounge, Su Guo'er tilted her head and asked:

"Who would want to get close to him? What does it matter to me whether he's a gentleman or not? Only Sister Xie and you, you lovesick girl, are so eager to get close to him."

"But……"

"There are no 'buts'."

Su Guo'er pouted and said casually:

"Anyway, I'm not as bored as you two, and I would never go looking for men out of lust."

"From today onwards, remember to lock the back gate of the plum blossom grove. Don't let anyone in like you did today, and don't let Sister Xie leave either. You're just disturbing my peace and quiet, humph."

"Yes, Miss."

...

"Why is Senior Brother in such a hurry?"

"No, it's nothing. I just had a minor accident on the way."

"What accident?"

"Some people litter."

"They need to be properly educated."

"Never mind, never mind, maybe next time."

In another woman's house, which had a strong scholarly atmosphere, Ouyang Rong wiped his sweat and shook his head as he faced Xie Lingjiang, who had a curious expression on her face.

He breathed a sigh of relief, took out the food from the food box, and placed it on the table.

That was really dangerous; I almost got splattered with dog blood.

Well, that's the downside of being handsome.

Ouyang Rong sighed inwardly.

However, he still had to admit that his sense of smell wasn't sharp enough. Otherwise, he should have turned back immediately after stepping into that secluded plum grove. It was just a pity that he had taken a chance at the time, since he was already there and was so hungry that his legs were shaking...

In fact, Ouyang Rong wasn't quite sure whether the blessed treasure worth 10,000 merits in the Pure Land Palace of Donglin Temple could send him home.

However, based on his overall assessment, it is highly likely.

After all, the Pure Land Palace seems to have had a precedent of ascending to the Pure Land, and the four-character stone inscription that triggered the blessing is called "Gui Qu Lai Xi", which means to go home.

Otherwise, why would I spend 10,000 merit points to recite "The Return" to him with deep emotion?

LOL.

He can recite them all.

So sometimes I hope things are like this, so that you sometimes believe it deeply, sometimes doubt it, but you can't help but keep moving forward in this direction.

Before exchanging for the blessings from the underground palace, Ouyang Rong didn't want to leave too many entanglements behind.

It's not that Wei Lai isn't cute enough, the junior sister isn't endearing enough, or the aunt isn't kind enough.

It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with his current identity.

On the contrary, he was quite content, and even somewhat certain that this was his past and future life, because not only did they look the same, but their tastes were also the same, both liking spicy food, and, well, both being good at reading and good at currying.

It's not that he's a postgraduate entrance exam fanatic who gets itchy if he doesn't take the exam every day. Okay, maybe there's still a little bit of resentment...

But these are not the main reasons. The real reason is... that wanderers don't need a reason to return home.

Ouyang Rong felt that even if he became obsessed with this world, after he finished controlling the floods, he could leave Longcheng County, go to Luoyang, Chang'an, the border regions, and Lingnan... and then spend half his life traveling and build a great career.

But ten, twenty, or thirty years later, no matter what kind of person he has become, he will still be unable to resist returning to the Pure Land Palace, touching the rough four-character stone carving with his fingers, and finally choosing to exchange it for blessings.

With a glimmer of hope for returning home, even the most restless and wild wanderer can't help but turn back.

This is the root, I can't forget it.

Ouyang Rong felt that no matter what, he had to redeem the "Return to the Homeland" blessing first before considering anything else.

If I can't go back, then I've given up hope.

If I go back, I'll have given up hope.

Not to mention, this was one of his original intentions in coming down the mountain to control the floods and fight against the local bullies.

Let's not forget our original aspirations.

This is what Ouyang Rong tells himself every time he can't help but feel "righteous indignation" these days.

If I really go home, what will happen to these deep, eighteen-centimeter-long bonds I've left behind? In this era of marriage fraud and casual sex scams?

You're really something, Ouyang Rong.

At a round table where two people sat, Xie Lingjiang lightly bit her chopsticks, rolled her eyes, and secretly glanced at someone.

Seeing her senior brother eating with his head down, seemingly lost in thought, she didn't say anything to disturb him.

The meal went unnoticed.

After finishing his meal, Ouyang Rong got up to clear the table, packed the plates into a food box, and prepared to leave.

Xie Lingjiang chuckled and asked, "Senior brother, do you have time this afternoon?"

Ouyang Rong was taken aback, then nodded: "It's nothing important... Even if it is, it's not too urgent, why is Junior Sister asking this?"

Xie Lingjiang, who still had some difficulty walking, moved to the edge of the bed, sat down, and let out a sigh of relief.

She hesitated for a moment, then told the truth:

"Actually, it's mainly because I'm physically unwell and not suitable to go out. There's something I'd like to trouble you with, senior brother, but... it's not too urgent."

Ouyang Rong didn't leave immediately. He washed two pears, tossed one to his junior sister, sat down, took a bite of the pear, and said:

"Please speak, junior sister."

Xie Lingjiang bit her lip, her face showing regret:

"Actually, besides assisting my senior brother, I also wanted to attend a grand event in Longcheng County. Unfortunately, I was recovering from my injuries a few days ago and couldn't go, so I missed the opportunity. But I'm still itching to go, so I'd like my senior brother to help me find out the results."

Where should we gather information?

Ouyang Rong looked curious, then paused and asked another question:

"What kind of grand event is this that interests you so much, Junior Sister? It's even more lively than the Dragon Boat Festival I organize?"

"Senior brother's... really can't compare to it."

Her bright, willow-leaf eyes looked at the confident man before her, and she asked with a slight smile, "Also, Senior Brother, haven't you noticed that there have been quite a few more martial arts practitioners around Penglang Ferry in Longcheng County these days?"

"I haven't found anything. But the city's security has indeed declined recently, and Liu Lang often goes there." Ouyang Rong's expression was thoughtful.

“I often went to the West Market recently, not entirely to be a victim at Yuanming Tower, but also to gather information. I was planning to ask for leave to go there after my senior brother’s new construction was announced, but unfortunately…” Xie Lingjiang sighed.

Ouyang Rong smiled sheepishly.

The young lady from the Xie family gave him a slightly resentful look, but still asked, "Senior brother, do you still remember the Yunmeng Sword Marsh and the female cultivator from Wu and Yue that you mentioned before?"

"I can't forget it. I was worried every day that their yard would flood and inundate our Dragon City." Ouyang Rong sighed, then couldn't help but ask, "Is it related to those martial arts practitioners?"

Xie Lingjiang looked out the window, her face filled with longing, and said:

"Yunmeng Sword Marsh is not only the most prestigious and secluded sect in the Jianghu of the South, but also the ancestral home of swordsmanship. According to custom, every five years, the female cultivators of Yunmeng will hold a sword-testing tournament in a place called Peach Valley within Yunmeng Marsh."

"At that time, all sword cultivators in the Jianghu (martial arts world) who aspire to the way of the sword will go there. Swordsmen, Taoists, Confucian scholars, martial artists... as long as they are not sorcerers, all Jianghu Qi practitioners can bring their swords."

"The sword is a gentleman's weapon. My junior sister also knows how to use a sword, so I'd like to give it a try?"

"I would like to ask for your advice, but rather than asking about swordsmanship, I would like to get to know someone."

"Dream lover?"

"Senior brother, don't interrupt." Xie Lingjiang glared at him, then squinted and said:

"Her name is Zhao Qingxiu. She is the Yue Maiden of this generation in Yunmeng Sword Swamp. She is the same age as me, but she is much more famous than me. However, this is normal. It is said that every generation of Yue Maidens found in the Wu and Yue lands by Yunmeng Sword Swamp through spiritual objects inherits the sword skills they are born with. They are even the undisputed masters of sword skills. The lineage has been passed down for a long time, so their reputation is naturally well-known both inside and outside the world."

"And if I'm not mistaken, in this year's Peach Valley Sword Competition, where swords will be broken from peach branches and used for a contest, Yunmeng Sword Swamp will allow her to make her debut, representing the female cultivators of Yunmeng, to challenge all the talented sword cultivators in the world."

Xie Lingjiang turned to him earnestly and instructed, "However, the Peach Valley Sword Tournament has ended, but Longcheng County is very close to Yunmeng Marsh and is also a major waterway for transportation. Many martial artists have left after the event. Senior brother, please go and inquire about it for me..."

Hey guys, sometimes when I correct typos or polish sentences in the backend, the comments get deleted. It's not that Xiao Rong deletes them...

(End of this chapter)