The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 27 Part 2

Zhang Xiaoyuan thought that leaving Hua Liuque alone at the foot of Scatterred Blossom Palace for a few days would be like handing him a golden opportunity.

In a few days, who knew how many naive girls he could manipulate? The risk was too great, and Hua Liuque's leg was not ready for such a challenge.

But when he turned to look at Hua Liuque, there was no sign of joy on his face.

He simply nodded slightly and quietly agreed, "Yes, Eldest Senior Brother, I'll stay at the foot of the mountain."

Zhang Xiaoyuan immediately understood.

There must be a story behind this!

If he remembered correctly, Hua Liuque was originally a disciple of Scatterred Blossom Palace but was expelled by Mei Leng'an for frequenting questionable places. Zhang Xiaoyuan initially thought someone like Hua Liuque wouldn't be ashamed of such matters, but he was clearly mistaken. He looked at the top of Hua Liuque's head, where there were no traces of writing. After a long time, a faint line of words appeared.

「If only I could have another chance.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan was taken aback. The words disappeared in an instant, as if it were just his imagination. Hua Liuque then revealed his familiar smile and asked cheerfully, "Are we going to the martial arts conference to recruit disciples for Master?"

"Yes, but it's not crucial," Jiang Jianyu replied truthfully. "We probably won't recruit anyone."

Hua Liuque suggested, "Have you considered taking on a junior sister?"

Lu Zhaoming tapped his fingers on the table, and Hua Liuque immediately coughed and nodded. "My leg hurts. I'm going to bed."

After saying this, as if fearing Lu Zhaoming, he limped away towards the thatched shed. Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

He couldn't discern anything from Hua Liuque's head, but he could tell that Hua Liuque was likely a person with quite a story.

It was truly frightening.

Except for him and Eldest Senior Brother, it seemed like everyone in this sect had quite a story.

83

The sect's houses were still under construction, so everyone had to stay temporarily in the thatched shed.

Inside the shed, the bedding was makeshift, and the straw matting was uncomfortably prickly. Zhang Xiaoyuan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a while, and then came the thunderous snoring of Second Senior Brother.

Not only that, the laborers slept in another thatched shed, and the chorus of snores, accompanied by insect sounds and birdcalls, made it impossible to find any peace.

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't sleep.

He turned over a few times and opened his eyes to check on everyone. Second Senior Brother was sprawled out, squeezing poor Hua Liuque into a corner. Master and Martial Uncle slept with a proper posture, while Eldest Senior Brother lay on his side with closed eyes, one hand always resting on the sword by his pillow.

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but think, "Eldest Senior Brother is truly obsessed with his sword, even in his sleep."

Just as he was about to lie down, Lu Zhaoming suddenly opened his eyes.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

It seemed that it wasn't just him who couldn't sleep tonight.

......

Lu Zhaoming made a hushed gesture to Zhang Xiaoyuan, sitting up and lowering his voice to a near whisper as he asked, "Can't sleep?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt like they didn't need to speak so quietly at all.

Second Senior Brother's snores were almost shaking the roof! He could barely hear Eldest Senior Brother speaking so softly!

If he couldn't lip-read, he wouldn't have had a clue about what Eldest Senior Brother had just said.

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded, and Lu Zhaoming suggested, "How about taking a stroll?"

They were currently on a mountain, not in a town.

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't fathom what could be interesting to explore in the middle of nowhere.

Nevertheless, he got up and followed Lu Zhaoming, distancing themselves from the cacophony of snores that threatened to bring down the roof. As they walked a bit farther, the surroundings finally quieted down.

Now, he could finally hear what Eldest Senior Brother was saying.

"Second Junior Brother has always been like this," Lu Zhaoming said, "If you're not used to it, let Hua Liuque stay next to him in the future."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a bit sorry for Hua Liuque.

He and Lu Zhaoming stood in a nearby grove, the snoring sounds faintly audible, as if from another world. Lu Zhaoming took off his outer robe and draped it over a tree, then sat down against it.

The remaining half of the space was evidently meant for Zhang Xiaoyuan. He also leaned against a tree and couldn't help but yawn — having walked back from the county office to the sect at noon had already left him tired. With a restless night's sleep added to that, he felt a bit drowsy. Lu Zhaoming remained silent, and the intermittent snoring and insect chirping almost became a perfect lullaby. Gradually succumbing to fatigue, Zhang Xiaoyuan slumped forward. Nearly jolting awake, Lu Zhaoming caught his arm to prevent him from falling and asked, "Are you sleepy?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan yawned several times and nodded incessantly.

Lu Zhaoming said, "Then, go ahead and sleep."

Huh?!

Zhang Xiaoyuan instantly woke up, wide-eyed. Glancing around, he found himself sleeping under a tree, with his head resting on Eldest Senior Brother's leg. Nearby were a bunch of fearless birds, which only fluttered away when he moved, flying up into the treetops.

Having learned from the experiences of Xia Mobai and Zhao Chengyang, at the sight of birds, Zhang Xiaoyuan thought of bird droppings. He inspected his clothes and, judging by his proximity to Eldest Senior Brother, he was unharmed thanks to Eldest Senior Brother's extreme luck. Only then did he remember Eldest Senior Brother. He looked up at Lu Zhaoming, who was already awake and about to speak. Suddenly, voices from afar interrupted.

Jiang Jianyu: "Where's Xiaoyuan?"

Hua Liuque: "Ran off with Eldest Senior Brother."

Jiang Jianyu: "What do you mean 'ran off'? Where's Eldest Senior Brother?"

Hua Liuque: "Took off with Xiaoyuan."

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a bit awkward. Apologizing to Lu Zhaoming as he got up, he said, "Eldest Senior Brother, sorry, I fell asleep... Let's go back quickly."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Lu Zhaoming remained motionless.

Zhang Xiaoyuan was already standing, and he couldn't help but ask, "Eldest Senior Brother? What's wrong?"

"You're a bit heavy... You go back first," Lu Zhaoming said calmly. "My leg is numb."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

After Lu Zhaoming returned, they packed up and finally set off for the martial arts conference.

Zhang Xiaoyuan and Hua Liuque stared at each other, not knowing what to say.

Hua Liuque was very nervous.

Zhang Xiaoyuan noticed that Hua Liuque was desperately searching for countless topics, but none of which interested him. After a prolonged silence, Zhang Xiaoyuan simply closed his eyes, feigning sleep. He hadn't slept well the night before and actually dozed off. He woke up in a daze only when Jiang Jianyu told him to get off. Glancing outside, he realized it was already dusk.

Jiang Jianyu found a small teahouse by the roadside where travelers could rest. He called Zhang Xiaoyuan and Hua Liuque to take a break.

The teahouse was simple, but the boss' wife was surprisingly attractive. Hua Liuque wanted to steal a few more glances, but with Lu Zhaoming present, he dared not. The boss' wife poured tea for them, and to conceal his nervousness, Hua Liuque quickly gulped down a large bowl.

Jiang Jianyu was also thirsty. After taking a few sips of tea, he asked the teahouse boss, "Do you have anything to eat here?"

「Shady Teahouse Proprietor」

「Shady Teahouse Proprietress」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"