Mid-May.

The border between Yunnan and Jinling.

There is a lot of rain in this area, and the drizzle is constant. Most of the people who come and go wear bamboo hats and cheap straw raincoats. When they are thirsty on the road, they quickly drink a bowl or two of water at the roadside tea stalls to take a rest.

The news of the Crown Prince and the Regent Prince's southern tour had already spread far and wide, and people could be heard discussing this matter everywhere recently.

"I never thought that our crown prince, who is only sixteen years old this year, already has the appearance of a wise ruler. I didn't hear that in Shunfu? Hey! He actually had the courage to kill the corrupt official directly!"

"Wasn't it the young prince who solved the Nan'an fraud case? The newly appointed official flattered the horse and even sent women to the young prince. I heard that the young prince's face turned black on the spot."

"Didn't they say that the Regent King is here too? Why is there no news about him? Humph, I heard that he is not an easy person to get along with..."

"Who says it's not true? It's the higher-ups' business, none of our business."

The waiter at the tea stall served tea diligently, his eyes darting around shrewdly, fearing that these gangsters would get angry and smash their stall.

The waiter looked towards the corner.

There sat a man, tall and slender, wearing a black robe and a hat pulled down very low, so that only his hard jaw and pale lips could be seen.

He placed one hand on the table, with a long sword wrapped in cloth under his palm, and held a rough tea bowl in the other hand, taking a few sips slowly.

There was a cold aura around him, isolating him from the chaotic noise around him.

He is an honest swordsman.

The waiter looked at him for a few seconds and thought.

"...Hey, hey, hey, by the way, is there still no news about Master Ximian who is on the list of the hottest people?"

"He's been at the top of the list for almost ten years, right?"

"Well, if you ask me, Ximian has not appeared in the past ten years. Otherwise, the top spot would have been challenged long ago. Isn't the second place on the list always looking for him?"

"Hiss - don't mention it. After he took the title of Sword Saint, he became even crazier in looking for someone."

"That guy, he has never drawn his sword since Master Ximian disappeared. He got the title of Sword Saint by picking up a random wooden sword.

What do you think of the relationship between that person and Master Ximian? Is this like Boya and Ziqi, where a soulmate is hard to find, or is this a mortal enemy, where we must fight to the death?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, I think that since we haven't found him for so many years, maybe Ximian has already died. When the next person on the list comes up, what will he be like..."

Bang!

An unsheathed sword directly shattered the tables of those people and fiercely stuck into the ground. The faded gray and white cloth strip on the hilt was slightly lifted in the wet rain.

The waiter was stunned, looking blankly at the swordsman whom he had just defined as 'honest'.

"Who, who who!"

The people at that table turned around angrily, and before they could get angry when they saw the swordsman, they were shocked by the powerful internal energy emanating from that man.

The smart man had already thought of something, and hurriedly looked down at the sword. The word "nothing" could be vaguely seen in the center of the hilt.

They immediately gasped and exchanged glances with each other.

Damn it! It’s Qiu Che!

The Sword Master that Ximian had been looking for for ten years, one of the protagonists in their conversation, how could it be such a coincidence? !

——Saying Ximian was dead in front of Qiu Che, they were the ones seeking death!

Those people stood up hurriedly, said "I'm sorry, I'm sorry", and left.

“Hey hey!”

The waiter wanted to cry but had no tears.

How come...the stall is still smashed.

The swordsman said nothing from beginning to end. He finished the rough tea in his hand, placed a silver ingot on the table as compensation, took back the sword, and rode away from the tea stall.

The waiter watched his figure walk into the rain mist, which was the direction of Jinling.

He touched the silver curiously, thinking, this good man who gave the silver should be... a big shot in the underworld, right?

The southern tour ship slowly sailed towards Yunnan.

We have encountered three assassination attempts along the way. The eldest prince and the third prince must have been involved. However, the guards sent by the royal family are capable and we are safe.

Lian Shenwei is very satisfied with Jingjue's performance in recent days.

The young Chu Jun became visibly mature and steady, his body grew taller, and the youthfulness on his face gradually faded away as he went through one thing after another.

Of course, I became more wary of him.

The boy suspected that he was also involved in these assassinations.

Lian Shenwei was too lazy to argue with him, or rather, he was happy to see it happen. This southern tour was like going home for him. So the closer he got to Nanjing, the happier he felt.

His mood and physical condition affected each other. After nearly a month of recuperation on the road, and without the need for bloodletting, he managed to get better.

"Master, the prince invites you to have dinner with him." Ming Cang pushed open the cabin and came in.

In the cabin where Lian Shenwei lived, the food, clothing and daily necessities were all the best, and the floor was covered with a layer of velvet carpet.

It's not that he has to be extravagant, but Feng Ke said that his current body can't stand the torture, so it's better not to eat. He doesn't know when his depleted body can be replenished.

Lian Shenwei raised his eyebrows when he heard this: "What else did you say?"

His body hasn't fully recovered yet, and if he stays for too long, Ying Jingjue will easily see through him. He will shirk things whenever he can and won't be alone with Ying Jingjue.

"Forget it, it's nice to go out and get some fresh air today."

When they got to the deck, there was a table full of delicious food. Ying Jingjue came over with a smile and said, "Teacher, please take a seat."

Lian Shenwei was wearing a blue shirt today. He sat at the table and poured himself a cup of tea. He said in a gentle tone, "What can I do for you, Your Highness?"

He had just taken medicine and couldn't eat yet, so he didn't pick up his chopsticks. Ying Jingjue saw this and naturally took it as a form of defense against him.

He didn't force it, and smiled, "Talk to the teacher, the team can go to the border of Yunbei and Jinling this afternoon. I heard that the public security there is good, and I want to go and see the governance experience of the local officials."

"I'll leave this fleet in the care of the teacher. I'll take some people there and return in the evening."

Lian Shenwei: "Your Highness, it's up to you to decide."

Ying Jingjue said, "Since the public security is good, there must be no thieves or pirates."

The air was subtly still.

Lian Shenwei pondered in his heart.

This kid is actually threatening and testing him?

The wolf cub is about to show his claws.

With a faint smile in his eyes, he gently blocked her words, "Your Highness is blessed. Even if we really meet one, I believe we will be safe."

Ying Jingjue looked at him for a moment, then raised his glass with a smile: "With the teacher here, I will be safe and sound."

"There may be heavy rain tonight, Your Highness, please be careful and come back early," Lian Shenwei stood up, walked to Ying Jingjue, and patted him lightly, and scattered powder fell on Ying Jingjue's body.

"I will go to rest first. Wake me up when Your Highness leaves."

The young prince didn't notice and nodded, looking at the vast lake.

The atmosphere in the south and the north is naturally different, including sailing. He originally thought he would not be used to it, but he adapted very well, even...

Ying Jingjue inexplicably said, "I always feel that this boating scene on the lake is somewhat familiar."

Lian Shenwei's steps suddenly stopped, and the curve of his lips slowly disappeared.

He turned around and said calmly, "What did your highness say?"

Ying Jingjue turned around and said, "Nothing. I have read poems about the beauty of the south before. Seeing it today, I know it is true."

He paused, wondering: "What's wrong with the teacher?"

Lian Shenwei's gaze lingered on his face for a while, and after making sure that there was nothing unusual, he returned to his previous expression.

"Nothing."