Chapter 71: Heroes and Heroines of the Martial World
After Lü Zhong and his men retreated in one battle, seeing that Zhu Zijian was not in a hurry to pursue them, they slowed down their horses.
Zhang Qiyan said, "It seems that after suffering a loss, they will no longer pursue alone."
Lü Zhong: "They must be running ahead, while we are carrying supplies and moving slowly. It won't be long before we are overtaken."
Zhang Qi: "Then kill them a few more times. In the battle just now, their cavalry was clearly outmatched, and only a few of our brothers were seriously injured."
Lü Zhong: "Alright! Let's continue onward and find an open area that will be advantageous for our battle." The group then quickened their pace and ran.
Inside the city of Shanshui, the Xiaoyao Lang group walked through the market. Xie Yunfeng stopped his horse and said, "This is the largest inn on this street!"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked up and saw a wooden plaque hanging high above the building's entrance, bearing the four large characters "Qingyun Inn." On either side were two lines of text: the right read, "Bathing in the pure breeze, the righteous heart is won"; the left read, "The bright moon dispels evil spirits."
Yin Xiaosheng dismounted and stepped forward. A woman emerged from the room. She appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in a blue blouse and skirt, adorned with a jade hairpin and gold ornaments. Her long hair reached her waist; she was dignified and graceful, a picture of perfection. Judging from her attire, she was likely the proprietress. She approached the group and softly asked with a smile, "Are you all looking for a room?"
Yin Xiaosheng: "Do you have any rooms available?"
The landlady smiled and said, "There are still three upper-class rooms available! We won't count the lower-class rooms."
Yin Xiaosheng turned his head and asked, "Junior Sister, there are only three superior rooms. Would you like to stay there?"
Murong Hanchan looked around and declared boldly, "Stop!"
Upon hearing this, the proprietress gave Murong Hanchan a second look.
Yin Xiaosheng immediately said, "We'll take the upper-class rooms! Please show us the way, madam."
The landlady glanced at them and then said, "The total for the six of you, the six horses, and the three rooms will be two taels of silver!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaosheng exclaimed, "No way! Three guest rooms for two hundred copper coins? That's enough for me to live on for two months!"
Sitting in his carriage, Xiaoyao Lang said casually, "That's right! I think that place across the street is quite nice. It's brightly lit and bathed in sunshine; it's much more glamorous than this place. Boss lady, don't you think so?" He then looked at the boss lady and deliberately gave her a couple of flirtatious glances.
Seeing this, the landlady smiled and walked up to him softly, saying, "Young master is right. That inn is not only magnificent, but also cheap. For just one tael of silver, you can find a girl to keep you company!"
The proprietress spoke softly, which displeased Murong Hanchan, who turned her head away. Yu Linglong was right behind Xiaoyao Lang, and seeing the proprietress looking at him with such tenderness, she became quite curious.
Murong Hanchan turned her head and saw the "bright sun" that Xiaoyao Lang had mentioned. That wasn't an inn at all, but a place for men to seek pleasure. She knew about the Yan Yang Lou; Shangguan Qinghuan often frequented this place. It was a pity that her foolish brother beside her didn't know about such a place of pleasure.
Looking at the landlady, whose tenderness seemed genuine yet not quite, Xiaoyao Lang felt a little awkward. He had intended to tease her, but the landlady was so humorous and returned the favor in the same way. He then said boldly, "Alright! It's getting late, and two taels of silver is enough for the stay! But landlady, you must treat me well! Don't take the money and then make me suffer." As he spoke, he took out three strings of small coins from his bundle and handed them to the landlady.
The proprietress took the money, smiled, and said softly, "I won't let you down, young master!"
Yu Linglong asked softly, "Yu Lang, why does she treat you like this?"
Xiaoyao Lang boldly declared, "Are you jealous?"
Yu Linglong stepped down from the carriage and said indifferently, "I want to too!" As she spoke, she rolled her eyes at Xiaoyao Lang.
Everyone dismounted one after another. A waiter from the shop came out, led the horses and carriages to the backyard, and the proprietress led everyone upstairs.
The landlady said, "You must be a couple with three members. These three rooms are just right!"
...Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Murong Hanchan said, "Alright, you can leave now! Where we stay is our business."
The proprietress smiled and said, "Alright! If you need anything, just call them. One servant per room, responsible for everything." As she spoke, three waiters arrived, and the proprietress turned and went downstairs.
Yin Xiaosheng laughed and said, "How you stay is your business. I'll go to my room first!"
Murong Hanchan smiled and said, "Senior Brother, what are you still hesitating about? You and your sister-in-law will naturally share a room."
Xie Yunfeng and Qiu Xia were momentarily speechless with embarrassment. Xie Yunfeng said, "Junior Sister, what nonsense are you talking about! We are not yet married, how can we live in the same room!"
Upon hearing this, Chunxiang lowered her head and remained silent.
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "Thank you, Brother! You're mistaken! Since you two are in love and are both men of the martial world, why talk about marriage? Why not just go to the bridal chamber today and enjoy yourselves?" After saying that, he looked at Yu Linglong with interest. Yu Linglong understood and glanced at him before gracefully entering another room.
Hearing this, Murong Hanchan chuckled to herself and then said, "Brother Xiaoyao is absolutely right! We are all people of the martial world, what do we care about worldly etiquette? It's perfectly reasonable for two people to fall in love and settle down together!"
Xie Yunfeng: "But..." Before he could finish speaking, Xiaoyao Lang pushed him inside.
Xiaoyao Lang: "Stop talking nonsense! A man's strength lies in his spirit, stop with this and that!"
Chunxiang remained silent for a long time before finally looking up and whispering, "Thank you, Brother! Let's share a room!" She then went inside, and Xiaoyao Lang immediately stepped forward to close the door.
Upon seeing this, Murong Hanchan stepped forward, wrapped her arms around his neck, and exclaimed with a sweet smile, "Brother Xiaoyao! You're so naughty!"
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "Three rooms, even fate has decreed it! Why shouldn't we take it?" After saying that, he gently kissed her forehead, a light kiss that made Murong Hanchan's heart flutter.
Looking at the beauty before him, Xiaoyao Lang saw her face flushed with a hint of shyness, her rosy lips alluring. Afraid he might lose control, he quickly said, "Chan'er! Aren't you tired? Go to sleep early!"
Murong Hanchan asked softly, "Brother Xiaoyao, which room do you plan to stay in?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang pointed to the door of Yu Linglong's room and gestured across the three rooms. He then laughed and said, "Of course, it's this one!" After saying that, he walked towards Yin Xiaosheng's room.
Murong Hanchan smiled sweetly and said softly, "Brother Xiaoyao, see you in my dreams!"
...
It was almost 11 PM, and the Zhu brothers were still chasing after the Yongle gang members, while the brothers who were walking behind them were already exhausted.
Zhu Ziqiao suddenly exclaimed, "Second Brother, look! They're not far ahead!"
By the faint moonlight, Zhu Zijian could vaguely make out the large army ahead. He immediately shouted, "Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Lu Zhong and his group had also been keeping a close eye on the movements of the Zhu brothers.
Zhang Qi: "Young Master, they're about to catch up!"
Lu Zhong shouted sternly, "Brothers, we were born men, and as righteous men, it is our duty to protect our homes and land. Now the Zhu Family Village is about to attack, and our families are all in front of us. We must hold them off and not die easily! Do you understand?"
Everyone responded in unison, "Understood!"
Immediately, the group turned their horses around and charged towards the Zhu brothers with their spears in hand.
Hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Zhu Ziqiao looked closely and saw a troop of men charging towards them. He immediately shouted, "Archers, prepare!"
Before the archers could advance, Lü Zhong and Zhang Qi had already spurred their horses and charged into the crowd. With over forty spears attacking simultaneously, the Zhu family's army was thrown into chaos. Although they numbered a thousand, they lacked a defensive formation, and given the darkness of night, their reinforcements were unable to provide support.
After a brief exchange in the pitch black, neither side gained the upper hand.
Seeing many of his men fall, Zhu Ziqiao hurriedly shouted, "Retreat! Retreat!"
Upon hearing this, Lü Zhong immediately shouted, "Retreat!"
The two armies then separated. Zhu Ziqiao had intended to ambush and create an encirclement, but to his surprise, Lü Zhong did not pursue at all, and the archers were not used. He was filled with pent-up anger.
Seeing this, Zhu Zijian said, "Forget it. Our men are already exhausted from chasing us all this way. It's the middle of the night, and we haven't even prepared torches. There's no point in continuing the pursuit."
Zhu Ziqiao sighed and said, "Second Brother, give the order that we rest here for the night and explore again tomorrow."
Zhu Zijian: "Great!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
