The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 54

147

Zhang Xiaoyuan fell silent for a moment, then once again flashed a naive smile at Lin Yi.

"We came out to eat together," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "Uncle Lin, do you want to join us?"

He had calculated that Lin Yi would refuse.

How delightful it was to be affectionate and drink with a beautiful woman? Why bother mingling with these "silly disciples"?

"You young people are lively. If I join, you might feel restrained." Lin Yi stroked his little beard and smiled. "I'll pass."

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked at the words above Lin Yi's head, and then at Lin Yi's benevolent and hypocritical smile. He couldn't help but feel uneasy. His mind turned, suddenly birthing a new idea.

"Uncle Lin treats us so well. Why would we feel restrained?" Zhang Xiaoyuan continued to invite Lin Yi. "Could it be... Uncle Lin thinks the food on our side isn't good?"

Lin Yi was momentarily stunned. "Certainly not what I meant."

Zhang Xiaoyuan blinked his eyes, whispering, "This junior understands, but I am helpless."

Lin Yi didn't grasp his meaning. "What?"

"Uncle Lin knows my father, naturally aware of my family circumstances," Zhang Xiaoyuan's voice grew softer, "but being away from home... the conditions at the sect aren't favorable. Coming to dine in a place like this is already a joyful day."

His tone wasn't exactly dismal, as if stating a simple fact. After a nod to Lin Yi, he pulled the bewildered Lu Zhaoming back. Although Lin Yi wore a benevolent smile, he felt frozen, somewhat at a loss.

Zhang Xiaoyuan believed he would catch up.

In the bustling city of Baicang, with martial artists everywhere, if Lin Yi still clung to the title of a "true gentleman," he would definitely stop him.

Indeed, before Zhang Xiaoyuan could hobble a few steps, Lin Yi called out to him.

"I've been friends with Gaoling for many years and have a good relationship with your master," Lin Yi affectionately tousled Zhang Xiaoyuan's head, appearing reluctant, "While growing, it's only natural to eat well."

Zhang Xiaoyuan, looking up with a pitiful expression, said, "Uncle Lin, I eat well. My martial brothers treat me well and give me everything."

Lin Yi took out several silver bills from his sleeve. "This is Uncle Lin's New Year's gift to you. Use it to buy some good food, don't let yourself go hungry."

Zhang Xiaoyuan hastily declined, "Uncle Lin! I can't accept this!"

Lin Yi thrust the silver bills into his hand. "Silly child, your father and I share a life-and-death bond. No need to be polite with me."

Zhang Xiaoyuan reluctantly nodded and accepted the silver bills.

After uttering these words, Lin Yi beckoned the waiter, instructing him to add a few premium dishes to Zhang Xiaoyuan's table. The bill for the food and drinks would be on his account, and he would settle it later.

Then, using the excuse of someone waiting for him inside, under the admiring gazes of the onlookers impressed by the true gentleman's integrity, he returned to his private room.

Zhang Xiaoyuan grinned.

Excellent, a few hundred taels more in his small money pouch. He had now surpassed the one thousand tael mark!

Wang Henian's silly disciple? Now, who's the silly one?

Pah, can you insult my master and martial brothers?

Old lecher.

......

Hua Liuque and Jiang Jianyu, leaning on the window frame, were left dumbfounded, watching the scene unfold.

Zhang Xiaoyuan led Lu Zhaoming back to the private room, closed the door, and only then did Lu Zhaoming come to his senses, somewhat shocked. He asked, "Xiaoyuan, how could you say such things?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan innocently blinked. "What did I say?"

Every word he spoke was entirely the unvarnished truth.

It was just a matter of combining those truths, concealing a portion, and uttering them in specific settings, which made Lin Yi willingly part with his money.

Moreover, Lin Yi was the one who insulted them first, so Zhang Xiaoyuan felt he had done nothing wrong.

Jiang Jianyu slowly regained his senses. "Junior Brother is impressive!"

He gave Zhang Xiaoyuan a thumbs up, seemingly unable to find other words to express his admiration.

Hua Liuque's eyes widened. It took a while before he could speak. "Xiaoyuan, interested in becoming the most dazzling rogue in this martial arts world with me?"

Before Zhang Xiaoyuan could respond, Lu Zhaoming answered for him, "He's not interested."

Hua Liuque shivered all over, covered his legs, and obediently stepped aside.

Ashner turned around in confusion. "What did they just say? I didn't understand."

Cao Zilian: "I don't quite understand either."

148

The following day, the martial arts conference took a temporary break. As the birthday of Mei Leng'an, the Master of the Scattered Blossom Palace, approached, various martial arts sects that had taken part in the conference were preparing to travel together to Scatterred Blossom Palace.

Zhang Xiaoyuan and the others were to go to Qianlong Treasure Manor to retrieve the birthday gift Martial Uncle had stored there. The Qianlong Treasure Manor was located near Baicang City, close to Zhongzhou City. They had to take a detour, collect the items from the bank, and then proceed to Scatterred Blossom Palace.

Almost no one would deliberately take the longer route to Scatterred Blossom Palace. Cao Zilian and Ashner followed along, as if on a casual outing with their martial sect, adding an element of amusement.

Upon reaching Zhongzhou City, where guards routinely scrutinized incoming and outgoing travelers, Zhang Xiaoyuan spotted familiar credentials from a distance.

It turned out to be Mei Leng'an and Ke Xingwen.

Glancing around, Zhang Xiaoyuan noticed no other disciples of Scatterred Blossom Palace nearby. The two of them had secretly arrived at this location, which seemed rather peculiar.

Mei Leng'an happened to turn his gaze back with a warm smile.

His eyes met with Zhang Xiaoyuan's.

Mei Leng'an: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Mei Leng'an, originally planning to wait patiently, turned expressionless. He handed a hefty sum to the guard and swiftly passed through the gates of Zhongzhou City.

......

With a heavy heart, Zhang Xiaoyuan found an inn within the city to stay. While pondering, he considered that Mei Leng'an and Ke Xingwen might have wanted to wander privately, hence their discreet companionship.

As for Mei Leng'an, he had no connection with him.

Seeing Eldest Senior Brother take out Martial Uncle's letter, Zhang Xiaoyuan hurriedly caught up, wanting to retrieve the birthday gift together with him.

In the past few days, the wound on his knees had scabbed over and was no longer painful. Happily following Lu Zhaoming to the bank, he observed Lu Zhaoming handing Martial Uncle's letter to the bank manager. Glancing at it, the manager's head seemed to spew forth words rapidly.

「One box of top-grade black and white pearls, one piece of premium Hetian jade, one stalk of thousand-year Lingzhi, one piece of Longdan incense... (etc.) Do not inform the bearer of the letter about the contents of the gift. Seal it properly and hand it over to them.」

There were too many words. Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't want to read further.

Was this the joy of being the rich young master of a bank? Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't afford any of these items.

They waited for the bank to prepare the birthday gift. Receiving various gift boxes, it was manageable for two people. If there had been only one person, taking all these items back would likely have been impossible.

The impoverished Zhang Xiaoyuan let out a deep sigh.

They returned to the inn, struggling to climb the narrow stairs with bundles in hand. Later, Zhang Xiaoyuan turned his head and saw Mei Leng'an lazily stretching under the opposite balcony.

Mei Leng'an: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Mei Leng'an's lazy stretch halted midway, freezing completely.

After a moment, he regained composure. Swiftly but gracefully, as if in a hurry, he returned to his room. With a forceful slam, he shut the door.

Lu Zhaoming also noticed.

Unable to resist, he asked, "Is that Elder Mei?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, forcing a smile. "It's him."

Lu Zhaoming: "Why is he here?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan sighed. "Not just him, Ke Xingwen is here too."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Lu Zhaoming seemed to have become a bit more clever recently. As soon as Zhang Xiaoyuan mentioned those two names, he instantly understood.

He felt somewhat awkward.

"Shouldn't we... avoid them?" Lu Zhaoming earnestly asked, treating Zhang Xiaoyuan as if he were a master at handling such matters. "Elder Mei has seen us. There might be misunderstandings."

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded in agreement. "I also think there might be misunderstandings."

This was the second time they coincidentally encountered Mei Leng'an. Although it was purely accidental, if Mei Leng'an thought they were following him, it could lead to complications.

Moreover, they still had Hua Liuque with them. The relationship between Scatterred Blossom Palace and Hua Liuque was delicate. They had discussed that after arriving at Scatterred Blossom Palace, Hua Liuque, Cao Zilian, and Ashner would stay in nearby towns. They would join them after attending the birthday banquet and then return to their sect together.

After some thought, Zhang Xiaoyuan suggested to Lu Zhaoming, "How about we leave early tomorrow morning? Let's avoid them first."

Lu Zhaoming nodded, thinking it was a good idea.

The next morning, before dawn, Lu Zhaoming had already awakened everyone.

They arranged for a carriage behind the inn, with Jiang Jianyu yawning one after another. He mumbled, "Is it necessary to set off so early?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was also sleepy.

His mind was still groggy. Another night disturbed by the snoring of Second Senior Brother in the adjacent room had left him sleep-deprived. Unable to resist, he let out a massive yawn. Midway through the yawn, before closing his mouth, he caught sight of two figures hastily heading towards the backyard.

Carrying bundles on their backs, as if preparing to set off, Zhang Xiaoyuan rubbed his eyes. Upon recognizing who they were, he fell into complete silence.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Mei Leng'an: "......"

Ke Xingwen: "......"

The courtyard fell into an absolute silence.

Everyone exchanged glances, utterly unsure how to proceed.

Zhang Xiaoyuan took a deep breath and broke the silence.

"What a coincidence," he dryly remarked, "Elder Mei, Young Hero Ke."

Mei Leng'an: "......"

Since he initiated a greeting, Ke Xingwen naturally responded. His smile seemed quite awkward as he asked, "Indeed, a coincidence. What brings you here?"

"We... came to the bank to pick up something," Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't hold back another yawn and asked, "What about you?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

He wanted to smack himself.

Oh, he must be too tired to have uttered such foolish words!

How were Ke Xingwen and Mei Leng'an supposed to respond to that?

Ke Xingwen remained silent, and eventually, Mei Leng'an spoke up, "I heard the scenery around here is good, so I wanted to take a look. Since the master is traveling, the disciple naturally accompanies."

Zhang Xiaoyuan stiffly nodded. "Oh, I see."

For some reason, everyone's expressions in the courtyard seemed even more awkward.

Zhang Xiaoyuan turned to Lu Zhaoming and suggested, "Eldest Senior Brother, how about we rest for a couple of days before continuing our journey?"

Mei Leng'an happened to say to Ke Xingwen, "The scenery here is quite good. Why don't we stay for a couple of days before leaving?"

Mei Leng'an: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Mei Leng'an: "Forget it, I wish to leave now."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Let's set off now!"

Mei Leng'an: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

They always spoke at the same time, uttering similar sentiments. Honestly, the road to Scatterred Blossom Palace was a single path. If they set off around the same time, they were bound to meet.

Ke Xingwen found it amusing and exasperating.

He tugged at Mei Leng'an's sleeve, then politely bowed to everyone. Finally, he turned to Zhang Xiaoyuan and said politely, "Young Hero Zhang, given the coincidence, why don't we travel together for the remaining journey?"