Yuan Ziqi's marriage proposal had failed, yet he was not disappointed. Zheng Family's Young Lady might be lovely, but she was not someone he had to marry at all costs. After all, as the eldest legitimate grandson of Yuan Family Bay, what kind of woman could he not marry? His father had once said that if this trip failed, he would propose to Elder Zhao of the Qingyu Sect and seek the hand of Elder Zhao's young daughter. Though that beauty's looks did not measure up to Zheng Family's Young Lady's, her status was even more exalted, and all four of her limbs were intact.
He glanced again at the red gift Zheng Family had sealed for him—a spirit stone. It was neither much nor little, but he did not intend to open it. This was his first time leaving home to seek marriage; he would keep this red gift as a memento.
With the hooked crescent moon hanging overhead, he traveled along the mountain path. A gentle breeze stirred that night, carrying the chill of melting snow from the slopes on either side, making him all the more clear-headed. This was his first time leaving his family's shelter to roam the martial world alone. Though he had not gone far, only a hundred li from home, it held a unique kind of delight.
He curiously surveyed the pitch-black mountains around him and could not help imagining things. Would there be bandits lying in wait to rob travelers? Or might he encounter some accident that would let him test the twin blades in his hands?
Whatever one hoped for came to pass. An accident truly lay ahead—someone was fighting in the middle of the road!
Yuan Ziqi hurried over excitedly, but after recognizing them, he could not help feeling slightly