Meeting an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land

Upon being invited by Zhuge Xiang, Young Master Li paused slightly, pondered for a moment, then turned and sat down at Zhuge Xiang 'Zhuge Xiang table. His gaze swept over the three of them, and when he saw Mo Lingna and Lu Yuling, he couldn't hide his amazement. "Since this brother has so sincerely invited me, then I will not stand on ceremony."

"Young Master Li's painting of lotus flowers battered by rain just now truly broadened my horizons. For this, I toast you, for allowing me to see such a beautiful painting," Zhuge Xiang said, raising his wine cup with a carefree smile.

Zhuge Xiang's thoughts were simple: you showed me such a beautiful poem, so in return, I should toast you.

"Haha, you're too kind, sir. I should thank you for that drink with the painting. I should be the one toasting you," said Young Master Li, raising his glass in response, as he was always pleased to hear praise.

"Alright, you two can drink, but this back-and-forth toasting is a bit too formal," Mo Lingna said with a smile as she listened to the conversation between Zhuge Xiang and Young Master Li.

"Is this your wife, sir? You are truly blessed, I envy you greatly," said Young Master Li, glancing at Mo Lingna as she poured wine for the two of them. He then smiled at Zhuge Xiang, knowing that she was Zhuge Xiang's wife, which was why she poured wine for them.

"This young master is not only skilled in painting, but also has a discerning eye," Mo Lingna said, her eyes crinkling with laughter. What could make Mo Lingna happier than that the Young Master Li had recognized her as Zhuge Xiang's wife at a glance?

"This gentleman enjoys painting; he seems to be a man of ambition. However, judging from his appearance, we are not kindred spirits," said Young Master Li after sizing up Zhuge Xiang.

"As expected, my wife was right. Young Master Li's judgment is indeed sharp." Just by looking him over, he knew that he was not a scholar or a literati. Zhuge Xiang was somewhat impressed. Then, he formally introduced himself, saying, "My name is Zhuge Xiang. This is my wife Mo Lingna, and that is my senior sister Lu Yuling. We are both Cultivator from the Great Qin Empire."

"From the Great Qin Empire?" Zhuge Xiang's words startled Young Master Li slightly, who then smiled and said, "The Great Qin Empire is separated from my Great Tang Dynasty by a vast expanse of the East Sea. It seems that you all have considerable cultivation to have come here. I am Li Zhi. As you can see, I am just an ordinary person. It is my honor to have made your acquaintance."

"Brother Li Zhi, what are you saying? Although I am not a refined person, I know that the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, regardless of status. You say it's an honor, which is looking down on me," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile, feigning displeasure upon hearing Li Zhi's words, showing his forthright nature.

"I did misspoke, I'll punish myself with a cup," Zhuge Xiang's words made Li Zhi laugh. He readily poured himself a cup of wine. Li Zhi was a man of bold and unrestrained character, and he and Zhuge Xiang were of similar temperament. Amidst the clinking of cups, the two drank to their hearts' content.

"Alright, it is truly Distant Resonance to have met Brother Zhuge today. If Brother Zhuge has the opportunity to come to Chang'an City in the future, I will certainly welcome him with open arms..." After several rounds of drinks, when they had drunk enough and were full, and it was time to part, Li Zhi spoke.

"We will meet again if fate allows," Zhuge nodded, and saw Li Zhi off.

Chang'an City? This is the imperial city of the Great Tang Dynasty, just like Xianyang City of the Great Qin Empire. I originally thought that Li Zhi was from Yongling City, but I didn't expect that he was from Chang'an City.

For Zhuge Xiang, Li Zhi's appearance was just a minor episode in his trip to the Great Tang Dynasty. After a hearty meal and a viewing of a painting competition among literati, the three of them left to search for the Xuan Zhuge Xiang Mysterious Yin Jade Mine, following Ice Maiden's Memory.

However, just as Zhuge Xiang and his companions left Yongling City, they sensed a surge of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy. Clearly, a Deity Transformation Cultivator had made a move. Following the direction of the Heaven and Earth Vital Energy fluctuations, Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback...

The two middle-aged men, both at the Deity Transformation stage, were fighting. One of them was making a move, while the other was tightly holding onto a younger man.

The person who fought with the middle-aged man was a young woman. With a sharp cry, the woman held a Spear in her hand, and her moves were wide and powerful, giving people an unparalleled feeling of dominance.

Of course, what surprised Zhuge Xiang was not the battle itself, but the captured young man and the young woman fighting. Zhuge Xiang recognized both of them. The man was none other than Li Zhi, who had just been drinking with him, and the woman fighting was none other than Wu Zhao.

Wu Zhao? How did she end up in the Great Tang Dynasty? Zhuge Xiang wondered to himself. They had parted ways after their trip to the Hundred Emperors Tomb, but he never expected to run into her in a foreign land like the Great Tang Dynasty.

"Did she and Li Zhi know each other before?" A glance revealed that the two middle-aged men had captured Li Zhi, and Wu Zhao had intervened to rescue him. But was Wu Zhao simply acting out of a sense of justice, or was she already acquainted with Li Zhi?

There was no time to worry about that now. Seeing the battle, whether out of friendship with Wu Zhao or because of Li Zhi, Zhuge Xiang would not stand idly by. With a tremor of his Dragon's Judgment Sword, Zhuge Xiang joined the fray.

The two middle-aged men were only at the Spell Control Stage. How could they possibly withstand Zhuge Xiang's True Essence Realm cultivation? In just a few moves, without even Lu Yuling and Mo Lingna helping, they successfully rescued Li Zhi.

Seeing Zhuge Xiang's formidable strength, and knowing that Lu Yuling and Mo Lingna were no ordinary people either, the two middle-aged men exchanged a glance and decisively retreated.

"Thank you for your righteous help, young lady, and thank you, Brother Zhuge. I never imagined that Brother Zhuge's cultivation was so profound," Li Zhi said to Wu Zhao after being rescued, while looking at Zhuge Xiang in amazement.

He defeated the two middle-aged Cultivator in just a few moves, which was easy. However, considering that Zhuge Xiang was so young, even though the cultivation culture in the Great Tang Dynasty was far inferior to that in the Great Qin Empire, it did not mean that he did not know the significance of Zhuge Xiang's cultivation level at his age.

"As the saying goes, 'One should draw one's sword to help when one sees injustice.' Even if it's a stranger, one should lend a hand, let alone Brother Li, right?" Zhuge Xiang said with a smile after hearing Li Zhi's words. As he spoke, Zhuge Xiang's gaze fell on Wu Zhao. "Miss Wu, I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Hmm, your cultivation has improved," Wu Zhao said in amazement, her Spear trembling slightly. Heroine Among Women as ever, observing Zhuge Xiang closely.

"Wu Zhao, Tenth Layer of Spell Control Stage." Looking at Wu Zhao's level information with his Data Eye, Zhuge Xiang was secretly astonished. His own cultivation speed was indeed fast, but her appearance was even more remarkable. Could it be because of the blessing of the Six Nations' Fortune upon her?

"Oh? You two actually know each other? What a coincidence!" Li Zhi exclaimed in surprise upon hearing the conversation between Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao. He knew that Zhuge Xiang was from the Great Qin Empire, but he never expected to run into an acquaintance here.

Initially, Mo Lingna thought Zhuge Xiang was acting out of respect for Li Zhi, but now, hearing Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao's conversation, she realized they actually knew each other. Mo Lingna's expression changed slightly, and she was naturally jealous. However, after spending these days together, Mo Lingna had learned how to deal with it.

"Husband, do you know this young lady? Your friend is my friend, please introduce her to me," Mo Lingna said with a smile as she approached Zhuge Xiang.

During her conversation, Mo Lingna deliberately emphasized how she addressed Zhuge Xiang, while seemingly casually observing Wu Zhao's reaction more closely.

Sure enough, upon hearing Mo Lingna's words and her address Zhuge Xiang as her husband, Wu Zhao was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise in his eyes, before carefully examining Mo Lingna.

It has to be said that Mo Lingna's appearance is undeniably striking. Even without considering her flaws, judging from Zhuge Xiang's demeanor, they don't deny it. Could it be that the two of them are actually husband and wife?

Zhuge Xiang instinctively disliked how Mo Lingna addressed him. Being forced into marriage by a woman was indeed shameful, but these days, Mo Lingna had obeyed Zhuge Xiang in everything, except for this way of addressing him. In addition, no matter how much Zhuge Xiang disliked it, their status as husband and wife had been established, so Zhuge Xiang had no way to refute it.

"This is my friend, an old friend I've known for many years, named Wu Zhao," Zhuge Xiang said, introducing Wu Zhao as well. "This is my wife, Mo Lingna."

"Hello, Miss Wu. It's truly rare to see a woman as bold and courageous as Miss Wu. Miss Wu is a role model for us all," Mo Lingna said to Wu Zhao after the introduction, clearly praising Wu Zhao's indomitable spirit.

"Miss Mo's cultivation level makes me feel ashamed. Only a genius Cultivator like you is worthy of Brother Zhuge," Wu Zhao said, praising Mo Lingna. Clearly, she could sense Mo Lingna's cultivation level at the Gathering Origin Stage.

Wu Zhao's answer made Mo Lingna secretly smile, her eyes narrowing with joy. No matter what, hearing from other women, especially beautiful and outstanding women, that she and Zhuge Xiang were a good match made Mo Lingna very happy.

"So, Miss Wu's surname is Wu. My name is Li Zhi. I was just fortunate to receive Miss Wu's righteous help. I will never forget your kindness," Li Zhi said again, thanking Wu Zhao.

"You're too kind, young master. It was nothing, just a small favor. No need for such thanks," Wu Zhao said magnanimously, shaking his head after hearing Li Zhi thank him again. (To be continued...)