Chapter 19 let slip that he left me to be with his Daoist partner at home? ...

Jiang Yu kicked Lian Feng inside, sending him rolling several times. He then gestured to Lian Quesheng behind him, who, pleased with himself, helped Dian Xing up and fed him pills like they were free.

"Ugh—Young Master Lian, that's enough, the bleeding has stopped." Dianxing coughed several times, choking. "Thank you, thank you."

Why be so polite?

Lian Feng was surprised by Jiang Yu's sudden appearance. He had received a letter saying that Jiang Yu was still in Yunshui City, so how could he have already returned?

"Elder Lian, do you miss me this much after just a few days?" Jiang Yu said with a smile. "Why don't I just stand here today and let you see clearly? That way you won't come over to make things difficult for Dianxing as soon as I leave, desperately trying to find out my whereabouts and spending a lot of money, right?"

Lian Quesheng raised his fan and waved it casually. "So this is Elder Lian? I thought that since we share the same surname, he would at least have decent features, if not as handsome and dashing as me. But I never expected him to look like this."

"Dianxing, I'm sorry to trouble you. Seeing this troublesome face every day makes it hard to even eat. Jiang Feiwan, you should compensate Dianxing more."

"Then let's take some from Elder Lian's Hall."

"Xichuang, Zishan, did you hear that? Hurry up and get it as Young Master Jiang said. If anyone tries to stop you, just say my name." Lian Quesheng, always eager for a good show, also pushed Dianxing out. It was just a pity that Shen Jiuxu wasn't here, otherwise they could have had even more fun.

"Jiang Yu, don't go too far. I have already invited the sect leaders and elders of various factions. Once the funeral is over, Shen Wuke will be mine."

"oh--"

"Should I congratulate Elder Lian in advance? But it's a pity, the sect leader's token is in my hands. Elder Lian is an old man of Shen Wuke's generation. Do you know what this means? Should I find a few people to explain it to the sect leader?"

"I don't want to cause trouble, but if Elder Lian continues like this, don't blame me for the sword in my hand being too sharp and taking your life. There haven't been many guests lately, and Dianxing and the others can't be taken care of. Elder Lian, please go and help them!"

Although he knew that he had been injured and his cultivation level was definitely not as good as before, Lian Feng still dared not underestimate him after what happened on the night Shen Jiuxu died. He was afraid that a single sword strike would kill him without leaving a complete corpse. He could only nod and watch him and Lian Quesheng leave with resentment in his eyes.

"Aren't you afraid he'll cause trouble again?" Lian Quesheng was still worried. "With so many people around, if he says something, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it on your own."

"Isn't there still you?"

Jiang Yu looked up at the perpetually gloomy sky. "When have you ever seen me afraid? The Xianchen Sword hasn't been used for many years; it's time to take it out and get some blood on it."

He stood amidst the pavilions and towers, dressed in black. The pure white in his hair became the only bright spot in the dim world. His face was stern, but the red mole between his eyebrows added a touch of charm to his appearance.

Back then, there was actually another line after "Xian Chen's sword breaks through the spring breeze," but everyone refused to say it. However, the ballads and songs in the streets and alleys had no taboos, and the line "Yu Lang's shallow smile bewitches all living beings" was heard everywhere in brothels.

At that time, Jiang Yu and Shen Jiuxu spent every day together. Although many people realized that something was wrong, they just thought it was a friendship. In addition, Lian Quesheng would occasionally join the two of them, and it eventually became a "three-person trip".

It wasn't until the news of their marriage spread that Lian Quesheng, who was listening to music in his own teahouse, was surrounded by a group of people who eagerly asked him if he already knew about it.

Embarrassment, like seeds of grass, drifted with the wind and landed across the land. Even Lian Quesheng raised his wine glass to cover his "ignorance." Why didn't those two say anything? He had insisted on sitting between them, and ended up getting beaten up by Jiang Yu. Was it because of this?

"Uh... well, of course I know. I was the one who brought them together! Aren't they a perfect match?"

Whenever Lian Quesheng thought about this, he felt extremely wronged. He stared at Jiang Yu in front of him and felt that his temperament had changed drastically. The events of three years ago were indeed too shocking, and he could not accept them now.

"If you do this, what will happen to Shen Jiuxu? Are you sure you can keep it from him? The day of the burial will be packed with people, so many sect elders. It's inevitable that you'll show up, and he'll definitely find out everything then."

"So what if they know? I didn't do anything. Besides, if those people didn't know he wasn't dead, why would they attack again?"

Jiang Yu's tone was light and airy, like a dandelion drifting in the wind. The tiny, delicate seeds that land on people have an itchy feeling that is hard to ignore.

"Don't mess with yourself! The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. Do you know who did this?" Lian Quesheng didn't expect him to be so bold. "You're not the Jiang Yu of three years ago. With so many people around, it could really kill you. I can't protect you, just like before."

His last sentence fell very softly, as if to cover up the conversation with a fig leaf. Lian Quesheng realized something was wrong only after he finished speaking and immediately fell silent. The person opposite him was expressionless, like a cold puppet. "I'm sorry, I misspoke."

Changting Inn.

Shen Jiuxu was accompanied by several disciples of Xingchenque. A group of people were playing leaf cards. He had little experience and could not compete with those who played often. Before long, he lost half a bag of silver.

The disciples, having won silver, went downstairs to buy things with great joy, leaving only Shen Jiuxu in the inn. He propped his head up, his thoughts unreadable. Jiang Feiwan was keeping something from him, but he didn't want to tell him. Shen Jiuxu couldn't bear to force him, so he voluntarily went along with the man's wishes and stayed at an inn outside.

With the passing of Shen Wuke's sect leader, even if he wasn't a disciple, he must have a lot to do, but I can't offer much help.

"Oh dear, don't run away! If so many people bump into other people's houses, that'll be a big problem!" A panicked woman's voice was faint amidst the clamor of vendors, but Shen Jiuxu still caught it. He slowly packed up the leaf cards, pushed open the narrow window, and saw that the street below was also extremely narrow. The surrounding mountains cast deep shadows, completely enveloping this bustling little town.

The deep mountains and forests, where there are usually no visitors, should now be called a place with more visitors!

The woman was chasing a woman who was disheveled and dressed in a jumbled mess of clothes, including an outer garment, a blouse, a skirt, and a cassia robe. Her face was covered in heavy makeup, making her look as pale as a corpse that had been dead for several days.

The woman wasn't running fast, and there were vendors everywhere along the way. She soon bumped into a screen covered with cloth. The colorful fabric fell to the ground, and a sharp shuttle was stuck in the middle of the fabric. Shen Jiuxu reacted quickly, grabbing a pillow from the side and throwing it underneath. He used his spiritual power to lift the woman up and help her regain her balance. Only then did the terrified woman behind her catch up.

She grabbed the man's arm and burst into tears, "What is this? She was perfectly fine just a few days ago, how did she become like this? It's like she's been possessed! But Sect Master Shen is gone, who can I ask to take a look at my daughter?"

The crying seemed to ignite the last spark. The woman, who was already acting strangely, grabbed the old woman's arm and began to bite. Her sharp teeth pierced the skin, drawing bright red blood. Shen Jiuxu flew downstairs, struck the back of the woman's neck with a palm, and placed her in the old woman's arms. "Stop the bleeding first."

"Thank you, thank you for saving me, young master."

“Aunt Zhou, I think you should go to Shen Wuke and see Young Master Jiang. He might know something about these things. You’ve already been to all the ordinary clinics, but nothing has worked. I guess you’ve been bewitched by some evil spirit.” The shopkeeper, who was squatting behind the fabric, felt sorry for her, but since they were all neighbors who had watched her grow up, he couldn’t bear to see her suffer, so he still offered her advice.

“Yes,” the old man selling sesame cakes chimed in, “For illnesses that ordinary people can’t cure, you should ask the spirits.”

"Alright, I'll take her there right away." The woman gritted her teeth, immediately borrowed a cart from the vegetable vendor, and ran off with the unconscious woman, leaving the onlookers gossiping. The cloth vendor, squatting in the middle, waved his hand, "Everyone, disperse, disperse, there's nothing to see on such a hot day."

Shen Jiuxu bent down and picked up the scattered fabric for him. The shopkeeper was stunned, and when he looked up, his heart tightened. His narrow eyes widened as if they could contain the entire town. "You... Ahhh—"

The man took off running. Shen Jiuxu was completely bewildered and was about to grab him to prevent him from being hit by the oncoming carriage.

"Young Master Shen, why did you come down here too? Didn't we agree to buy you some food to take up with you?" Shen Jiuxu turned around, and a disciple of Xingchenque grabbed him. This person was named Li Ye. He usually stayed with Xi Chuang and seemed very shy. But as soon as Xi Chuang left, he revealed his true nature and dragged Shen Jiuxu to play cards and drink. He should be a troublemaker like Ye Zishan.

"There was a commotion on the street just now, and some people were injured, so I came down to check on them."

"Was that the woman who pulled the cart past just now? I just heard them talking about her. She's a pitiful person. Young Master Shen, let's go upstairs first and talk things over. There are too many people here, and it's hard to explain in a short time." Li Ye urged them to leave. Shen Jiuxu looked around. The man from before was nowhere to be seen. He couldn't be of any help here. He just hadn't figured out why the man had run away in fright as soon as he saw him.

Do I look scary?

Upon hearing Shen Jiuxu's question, Li Ye jumped three feet high in the air, "Young Master Shen, are you serious?"

A group of young men stood with their mouths half-open, half-eaten buns still hanging in mid-air, their eyes filled with accusation.

“Young Master Shen, even if you want to belittle us, you don’t have to do it this way!” “Young Master Shen, that’s going too far. You’re frighteningly good-looking, so what are we?” “Monsters?” “Shut up, at least we’re decent-looking, okay?”

"If you were frighteningly beautiful, would Young Master Jiang have chosen you over his partner at home?" Li Ye was clearly provoked and said indignantly, but as soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was wrong.

Oh no! He let it slip. Jiang Yu won't kill him, will she?!

"What did you say? What about a Daoist partner at home?" Shen Jiuxu's voice rose considerably. "Jiang Feiwan already has a Daoist partner? So he left me to be with his Daoist partner at home?"

A note from the author:

----------------------

Shen Jiuxu:

The sky has fallen! The person I love is already married!

So what am I? I feel like I'm being cuckolded.

(Very loudly, the leaves on your head are naturally green.)

Please][Please][Please], hurry up and shower me with your favorites, comments, and nutrient solutions!