Qiao Xun was indeed influential. Before the banquet began, Jiang Chuting saw not only the guests he had seen on the street before, but also the leader of the Jade Wind Sect, the sword master Ouyang He. In the year Jiang Chuting became famous at the martial arts tournament, he had defeated Qin Yushu, the eldest disciple of this master.
Qin Yushu also came today, sitting to Ouyang He's left. Beside him was a young man of about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features and a bright spirit; he was clearly a girl disguised as a boy.
Jiang Chuting calmly withdrew his gaze. Although he had met them before and even fought with them, as long as he didn't make a move, no one would recognize who he was.
After a while, Jiang Xian said, "I have a feeling that someone has been watching us the whole time."
Even without him saying it, Jiang Chuting had already noticed, because the man's scrutinizing gaze was completely undisguised; although there was no malice, it was direct and bold enough. It seemed to be the girl disguised as a man.
The person she was looking at was Lin Zhi.
Lin Zhi was young, dressed in purple robes with arrow-shaped sleeves, and had a noble and handsome appearance. It was perfectly normal for him to attract the attention of young girls.
Jiang Chuting smiled knowingly at this.
Lin Zhi had initially just found being stared at annoying and hadn't intended to do anything, but seeing him laugh made her unhappy. She huffed and puffed out in a low voice, "What are you laughing at? Is it that funny?" Did this guy not know what jealousy was? Still laughing! The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became, and she secretly pinched his palm under the table. Of course, the pressure wasn't heavy.
This was nothing serious, so Jiang Chuting wasn't jealous. She squeezed his hand back and said softly, "It's not funny, it's delightful."
Lin Zhi snorted, "Why are you happy?"
There were other people at the table. Jiang Chuting leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "No matter how much she likes you, you're still mine."
Perhaps influenced by Lin Zhi, I no longer feel uncomfortable saying such things now.
A sudden flutter surged in Lin Zhi's heart. Her previously cold and hard lips couldn't hold back any longer, and she slowly curled up into a smile, revealing her adorable tiger teeth. Her whole face instantly brightened, and she exchanged a sweet glance with him. If there weren't so many people around, she would have already buried her head in his arms and snuggled up to him for a while.
At that moment, none of them expected that the girl's actions were not just a casual glance; in the afternoon, she had blocked Lin Zhi's path.
After lunch, there was a dinner party. Lin Zhi went back to the inn to retrieve their belongings and his own sword, and then returned to Changliu Manor.
The gray-blue tassel on the sword was a gift from Jiang Chuting. He was walking along, glancing down at the gently swaying tassel, feeling a sweet warmth in his heart, when suddenly someone blocked his path. He looked up and saw...
The young man in front of him was slender and graceful, with red lips and white teeth; he was the same person who had been staring at him during the luncheon.
She smiled brightly, "My name is Jin Xia, what's yours? I like you a lot, give it to a friend."
Lin Zhi said coldly, "Not interested."
He was about to walk around her when Jin Xia stopped him, her eyes wide: "Why are you leaving? I'm a girl, be nicer."
Lin Zhi knew she was a woman, but remained aloof as ever: "If you're a girl, please be a little more reserved."
This summer, she scoffed, "What's with the pretense? People in the martial world are all unrestrained and bold; they don't care about these girlish manners. Otherwise, it would be very fake."
Lin Zhi sneered upon hearing this, "If I liked you, your behavior would be considered unrestrained and free-spirited, but I don't like you, so your actions can only be described as hypocritical and pretentious, which is annoying."
"You!" Jin Xia was angered by him. She glanced down at the sword in his hand, then smiled. "You practice swordsmanship too? Do you know who my grandfather is? He is Ouyang He, the most famous sword master in the martial arts world. If he were willing to teach you a few moves, you would benefit from it for life. So, are you willing to be my friend now?"
Influenced by his family's traditions, Lin Zhi usually maintained basic politeness towards girls he didn't particularly dislike, but he had already exhausted his patience with this woman. Moreover, after only a few words, he already disliked her intensely.
He retorted sarcastically, "Your grandfather's achievements are his business. Why should I be friends with you?"
Lin Zhi walked forward, while Jin Xia backed up to continue blocking his way, saying confidently, "You can try to curry favor with me."
Lin Zhi sneered: "The people I know are better at swordsmanship than your grandfather. No need for that. Get out of the way."
This summer, she retorted, "More powerful than my grandfather? You're exaggerating. He probably can't even beat my grandfather's grand-disciple. Fine, if you put it that way, let them come out and have a match, then I'll believe you."
"Are you out of your mind? Why should I need your belief?"
"If you don't give it up, it means you're insecure and just bragging."
Lin Zhi thought she was an idiot and didn't want to waste any more words on her, so he walked away. She was spoiled at home and felt humiliated by this rejection. She stubbornly opened her arms, trying to block his way, saying, "You're not allowed to leave until you've explained yourself to me!"
She tried to grab Lin Zhi, but accidentally grabbed the sword tassel. Lin Zhi was furious and, without even drawing his sword, sent out a palm strike.
He thought to himself that if this woman's grandfather was really as powerful as she said, she must also have some martial arts skills. But who would have thought that she didn't even know how to dodge and was hit by the palm strike, flying backward and falling to the ground with blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.
Lin Zhi was somewhat surprised and before he could react, a middle-aged man and an old man rushed over. They were Ouyang He and Qin Yushu, and they helped Jin Xia up.
Qin Yushu hurriedly asked, "Xiao Jinxia, are you alright?!"
This summer, she burst into tears. Qin Yushu only saw Lin Zhi make a move, and his anger surged. He said to her, "Don't worry, your senior uncle will teach that brat a lesson for you."
After saying that, he stood up, his eyes sharp and fierce, and drew his sword, pointing it directly at Lin Zhi. "Boy, you dare to touch someone from our Jade Wind Sect. Today, we'll teach you a lesson."
Jiang Xian and Jiang Chuting appeared to be wandering around the manor aimlessly, but in reality, they were searching for the person who had been kidnapped the day before. They circled around several times without success.
Jiang Xian yawned and said slowly, "I'm not saying this to be mean, but even if it really was Qiao Xun who did it, such a big house must have some kind of secret room or passage that we can't find in a short time."
Jiang Chuting didn't reply, but her gaze swept across the area and she saw a group of servants bustling by the veranda. Her eyes narrowed abruptly.
He and Lin Zhi came to Jiangling this time to chase after that mysteriously disappeared male prostitute. They had seen his portrait before, and there just happened to be that face among this group of people!
Jiang Chuting leaped forward, grabbed the male prostitute, and smiled slightly at the other servants, "I'll have him do something for me. You all go ahead."
Jiang Xian also came over, puzzled, but didn't say anything. After everyone left, he looked at the timid-looking person being pulled by Jiang Chuting and asked, "What's wrong? What's wrong with this person?"
Before Jiang Chuting could speak, she saw Qiao Xun hurriedly leading his people in one direction.
Qiao Xun turned his head and saw them, and said from afar, "Brother Jiang, Brother Chu, hurry, Lin Zhi is fighting with someone up ahead!"
Jiang Chuting was surprised. Although Lin Zhi had a bit of a temper, he would not usually make a move unless provoked.
He handed the male prostitute to Jiang Xian and quickly said, "Keep an eye on him for me, I'm going to get him."
Jiang Xian said, "Don't worry, don't worry." After watching him and Qiao Xun walk away, he sighed, "Neither of these two, father and son, is easy to deal with."
When Jiang Chuting arrived, Lin Zhi had gritted his teeth and held on, but his condition was not good, because he was facing Qin Yushu.
Although this person had been defeated by him more than a decade ago, his own strength should not be underestimated.
Jiang Chuting's heart tightened, worried that Lin Zhi would be injured. Ignoring the possibility of being recognized, he drew his sword and leaped between the two, using a sword technique to separate them and shield Lin Zhi behind him. A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Yushu's eyes; his opponent had suddenly become Jiang Chuting, who calmly countered.
Lin Zhi felt somewhat frustrated and helpless at always being the one protected behind Chu Ran. But he knew that against someone with such profound inner strength, he would only suffer losses. His only option was to obediently stay by Chu Ran's side and not cause him any trouble.
Jiang Chuting and Qin Yushu fought their way from the courtyard to the rooftop. Their swords clashed with a series of crisp clangs, and wherever their sword energy swept, tiles flew everywhere. It was an extremely fierce battle.
Qiao Xun looked up anxiously: "Oh dear, can't we talk things out? If we keep fighting like this, it'll ruin our relationship."
Ouyang He entrusted Jin Xia to the care of the disciples in his sect, and he also watched, his eyes narrowed.
Qin Yushu fought Lin Zhi to teach him a lesson, and his fight with Jiang Chuting was merely out of curiosity to spar with him. However, the more they fought, the stranger the feeling became. Although their sword techniques were different, this feeling of being suffocated and suppressed awakened a deeply etched memory within him. It was so similar, so incredibly similar.
In the end, Qin Yushu was defeated.
Jiang Chuting did not want to hurt anyone, so he stopped short of harming anyone, sheathed his sword, and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer."
Qin Yushu also cupped his hands in greeting, looking at the face he had never seen before in his memory: "May I ask your esteemed name?"
Jiang Chuting used his usual low-key words: "An unknown person, not worth mentioning."
Qin Yushu raised an eyebrow and said, "If you are an unknown person, then I, Qin, who was defeated by you, should be even more insignificant and worthless, like an ant."
Since he was so insistent, Jiang Chuting had no choice but to give an alias: "Chu Ran".
Qin Yushu also introduced his sect and name, and after a moment of hesitation, said, "I always feel that I have fought with you before, but you should not have this kind of face."
Jiang Chuting stood with one hand behind his back, his expression indifferent. "Brother Qin must have misremembered."
Qin Yushu laughed heartily, then looked him over seriously for a moment. "If you are the person I imagine, then it makes sense for you to change your appearance and travel the world. You were originally exceptionally talented, with excellent martial arts skills that even my master praised highly, but... it's a pity." His tone was a mix of lament and sympathy.
Jiang Chuting remained calm and said, "I think you've misunderstood something. I'm not the person you're thinking of."
Qin Yushu seemed to have already made up his mind, and smiled without saying a word.
Jiang Chuting turned slightly to look at the crowd gathered below the roof. Only Lin Zhi was standing at the very front, closest to them, frowning and silent, probably having overheard the conversation.
Jiang Chuting didn't say much to Qin Yushu, and leaped down. Lin Zhi immediately came to greet him, "Chu Ran!"
He subconsciously wanted to hold hands, but Jiang Chuting subtly avoided it, gesturing with his eyes that there were too many people around. Lin Zhi pouted aggrievedly and withdrew his hand.
Qin Yushu also came down. Qiao Xun wiped his sweat and, after understanding the cause of the matter, began to smooth things over.
Qin Yushu walked over to Ouyang He and whispered a few words. Ouyang He glanced at Jiang Chuting, his expression showing little surprise.
This summer, she didn't believe Lin Zhi's words at first, but she was still feeling annoyed and ashamed when she heard Qin Yushu whispering, and shouted, "Senior Uncle, what are you talking about, disguise, and ninefold..."
Qin Yushu turned around and interrupted her: "Xiao Jinxia, are you still feeling unwell? Are you going to block people's way again?"
This summer, she turned and left angrily. She wasn't seriously injured, and besides, she was the one who provoked the other first, which wouldn't sound good to others. Ouyang He and Qin Yushu also told Qiao Xun and left.
Qiao Xun breathed a sigh of relief and told everyone to disperse.
Lin Zhi was glanced at by Jiang Chuting, then snorted and crossed her arms. "Who told her to touch my sword tassel? I was being merciful by not chopping off her hand."
Jiang Chuting said helplessly, "I only bumped into it, it didn't break."
Lin Zhi was stunned by his words: "This is a gift from you, it belongs only to me, how can I let others touch it? You let others touch the bracelet I gave you too?" After saying that, she rolled her eyes and stared at him suspiciously.
Jiang Chuting didn't have such extreme thoughts. She had even let Wei Jia play with it before. However, she couldn't tell the truth at this moment, so she said, "I have always cherished your feelings. Don't overthink it."
Lin Zhi puffed out his cheeks and snorted. Jiang Chuting had told him about finding that male prostitute, and Lin Zhi immediately became serious upon hearing this, "But how did he end up at Changliu Manor?"
"I don't know. I was just about to ask when I heard you were fighting, so I rushed over. Jiang Xian is watching you right now."
Lin Zhi slowly raised his eyes to look at the sky. Jiang Chuting smiled and patted his head, "Let's go back and ask."
On the way back, the two of them inexplicably fell silent.
Jiang Chuting felt inexplicably uneasy, and wondered if Lin Zhi had heard what the girl had shouted.
If Lin Zhi had been more perceptive and less trusting of him, what he heard today would have been enough to arouse suspicion. With just a little investigation, perhaps nothing could be kept secret.
But his reaction didn't seem like he was already suspicious.
After walking in silence for a while, Lin Zhi suddenly spoke up without looking at him, her voice low: "Chu Ran, no matter what your identity was before, as long as you truly love me, that's enough."
Jiang Chuting turned her head and stared at him blankly.
He thought he should breathe a sigh of relief, but in fact, he felt both heartbroken and sad.
Lin Zhi gave him a profound trust that disregarded everything else, but he had been betraying her all along.
It's uncertain whether Lin Zhi will still be able to say those words to him when the truth is revealed.
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