Unwelcome Guests

When Su Yi walked out of the Sword Casting Workshop, he had a Sheathed Longsword in his hand.

The scabbard had been personally crafted by Wang Tianyang, tanned from blue sharkskin, with cloud-patterned guard rings cast upon it, simple, ancient, and elegant.

It was worth mentioning that they had not charged a single coin for the materials used to forge the sword, either.

It was not that Su Yi refused to pay. It was that Wang Tianyang would rather die than accept...

"Tsk, today really opened my eyes. Who would've thought that a proud old whoremonger like Old Wang would ever lower his head and sigh in admiration?"

Though they had already left the Sword Casting Workshop, Huang Qianjun was still brimming with excitement.

Just now, the whole crowd of swordsmiths, Wang Tianyang included, had been practically like a group of students, humbly listening as Su Yi taught them the art of sword casting.

To Su Yi, this had merely been the method for forging an ordinary weapon, hardly worth mentioning at all.

But to Wang Tianyang and the others, it was simply as if they had received an enormous stroke of fortune. One by one, they had been so excited they did not know where to put their hands and feet, reverent and fearful; they had even changed how they addressed Su Yi, respectfully calling him "Master Su."

Thus, when Su Yi finally said he wanted to pay, Wang Tianyang and the others had all grown anxious at once, refusing no matter what to take money from "Master Su."

Huang Qianjun had taken in every scene with his own eyes. How could he not sigh over it?

"Are you planning to attend the Dragon Gate Banquet?"

Suddenly, Su Yi asked casually.

With one sentence, Huang Qianjun's cheerful mood instantly sank, and he recalled the scene when he had met Wen Jueyuan.

After a moment of silence, Huang Qianjun said bitterly, "My cultivation is only at the 'Flesh Refining' stage of the Blood Moving Realm, while Wen Jueyuan is already at the Flesh Bones stage of the Blood Moving Realm. The gap is huge. And half a month from now will be the day of the Dragon Gate Banquet. Even if I work harder, I'm afraid I won't be able to make up for that difference."

Immediately after, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and his tone turned firm and resolute. "But even if I can't beat him, I still have to take part. Failure isn't scary. If I don't even have the courage to face him, that's what you call useless. I'd never be able to lift my head again for the rest of my life!"

Su Yi nodded. Rarely, he said a little more: "A man's ambition, a young man's blood—one should naturally advance with courage and ferocity, fearing neither success nor failure."

"Sometimes, what looks like taking a single step back is, in truth, already losing in utter ruin. This has nothing to do with the level of one's cultivation. Purely in terms of state of mind, the seed of cowardice has already been planted."

After saying this, Su Yi could not help feeling deeply moved.

The path of cultivation was difficult with every step. Only by doing this, only by maintaining a heart that advanced with courage and ferocity, could one carve out a great road to the heavens!

As for cowards, they would never be able to ascend to the absolute peak in their entire lives.

Huang Qianjun was startled, and he thought of a phrase his father, Huang Yunchong, often nagged him with:

"Child, others all laugh at you for being domineering and arrogant, but in your father's eyes, that is exactly how it should be. When cultivating the Martial Dao, one ought to run wild without restraint, fearing neither Heaven and Earth nor ghosts and gods!"

Now, hearing Su Yi's words again, Huang Qianjun felt complicated emotions surge up in his heart for no apparent reason.

After a long while, his gaze gradually became firm, and he said, "Brother Su, I'll remember your teachings. From now on, when I encounter trouble, I absolutely won't retreat!"

Su Yi reminded him, "Not retreating doesn't mean being reckless. As for the line between the two, you grasp it yourself."

After saying this, he no longer spoke.

He had never liked preaching or explaining principles.

As the saying went, "knowing is easy, doing is hard." Some principles had to be personally experienced, tempered, and understood through the hundred forms of worldly affairs before they could truly be comprehended in the heart.

"Brother Su, will you attend the Dragon Gate Banquet?"

Huang Qianjun asked.

Su Yi shook his head. "Though the rewards are quite a few, it's rather too boring."

Boring?

A grand event regarded by the younger generation of Guangling City and Fallen Cloud City as a chance to make their names known and establish themselves, yet it could not even arouse Brother Su's interest?

Huang Qianjun was left speechless, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Before long, as they passed by an alley, a child's loud cry suddenly rang out:

"Su Yi! Come save me! Hurry!"

Huang Qianjun could not help turning his head, and saw that inside the alley, a group of little brats were surrounding and beating up another little brat.

The one loudly calling for help was precisely the little brat being beaten. His whole body had been pinned to the ground, and he was being pummeled until his face was dusty and dirty as he wailed loudly.

Wen Mingrong.

At the Old Madam of the Wen Family's Longevity Banquet, this child had once said, "Though I, Wen Mingrong, am young, I would still be ashamed to associate with a Son-in-law like Su Yi," causing the whole hall to burst into laughter at the time.

Some of the older generation had even exaggeratedly praised the child for having ambition, saying his future prospects were limitless.

But now, Wen Mingrong was being bullied and was crying in pain to Su Yi—the very person he had once deemed "shameful to associate with"—for help.

Su Yi only glanced over there once. Without even pausing his steps, he continued strolling leisurely forward, as if he had seen nothing.

That heartless and cruel scene nearly drove Wen Mingrong mad with anger, and he screamed hoarsely, "Fine, Su Yi, just you wait! When I get home, I'll definitely report you!"

Just then, Huang Qianjun walked over.

The mischievous children who were beating Wen Mingrong immediately revealed wary looks and stopped what they were doing.

"You came to save me? Wonderful! When I get home, I'll have my father reward you with silver!"

Wen Mingrong said in wild joy.

Huang Qianjun crouched down, reached out, pinched Wen Mingrong's filthy little cheek, and gave it a vicious twist. The pain made Wen Mingrong bare his teeth and grimace, tears almost spilling out.

"Little friend, do you have a lot of questions? That's exactly right. If not for my status, I'd have to give you a beating myself. You're simply far too rude."

Huang Qianjun spoke with a grin.

"You..." Wen Mingrong was dumbfounded.

"Don't freeze up. You lot, continue."

Huang Qianjun stood, gave those naughty children an order, then strode off with a chuckle.

In the alley, Wen Mingrong's miserable howls soon rang out again, his cries for his father and mother rising without end...

Only, all of this already had nothing to do with Su Yi.

Apricot Yellow Medical Hall.

When Su Yi returned, he saw a group of guards with fierce, capable auras standing at the main entrance, blocking it and not allowing anyone inside.

Outside the medical hall, it was cold and deserted; the people seeking treatment were long gone.

"Is someone here to kick down the hall?"

A fierce gleam burst from Huang Qianjun's eyes. He strode forward. "You bastards, who let you run wild here?"

"Young Master Huang?"

When they saw Huang Qianjun, those guards clearly stirred in alarm.

Yet not a single one gave way, evidently relying on some backing.

The Black-Clothed Man at their head said in a low voice, "Young Master Huang, this Apricot Yellow Medical Hall is our Wen family's territory. We're guarding it here, so how can that be called running wild?"

"You're from the Wen family?"

Huang Qianjun was surprised.

The Black-Clothed Man nodded and said, "We are subordinates of Second Master Wen. Today, we accompanied our Young Master here to handle some business. Young Master Huang, this has nothing to do with you. It would be best if you didn't get involved."

Huang Qianjun frowned. "Your Young Master? That fellow Wen Jieyuan?"

"That's right," said the Black-Clothed Man.

In an instant, Huang Qianjun understood.

This Apricot Yellow Medical Hall had originally been controlled by Wen Changqing's branch, but starting yesterday, it had been placed under Su Yi's control.

And yesterday, Su Yi had, in one sweep, cleaned out all the servants in Apricot Yellow Medical Hall who served Wen Changqing.

Without a doubt, Wen Changqing's son, Wen Jieyuan, had come here for revenge!

At the same time, the Black-Clothed Man had already spotted Su Yi not far away, and a stern look instantly appeared on his face.

He raised a hand and pointed at Su Yi, scolding, "Son-in-law, you've finally come back. Do you have any idea how long our Young Master has been waiting for you here?"

The other guards' expressions were unfriendly too.

They had come with Wen Jieyuan to find fault in the first place. How could they possibly be polite to Su Yi?

"I'll—"

Huang Qianjun was just about to curse, but Su Yi pressed a hand onto his shoulder. "You stay here."

He turned his head and saw, deep within Su Yi's calm and indifferent eyes, a trace of cold light flash by inadvertently.

His heart gave a sudden tremble.

"Where is your Young Master?"

Su Yi walked forward, his expression as indifferent as ever.

Outside the Sword Casting Workshop, Wen Jueyuan had mocked him, but Su Yi had not cared. He had seen him as an ant-like figure and had disdained to pay him any attention.

But Apricot Yellow Medical Hall was different. This was already his territory. His opponent had bullied their way right to his door; how could he not care?

"Follow me."

The Black-Clothed Man gave Su Yi a cold look, then turned and walked into the medical hall.

Su Yi followed behind him.

The other guards walked behind Su Yi, keeping strict watch as if worried Su Yi would run away.

"Brother Su plans to do it himself..."

Huang Qianjun was just about to follow, but remembering Su Yi's instruction just now, he stopped again.

"Brother Su's order can't be disobeyed, but if I just wait around like this, it makes me seem far too useless..."

Huang Qianjun fell into thought.

It was not that he was worried about Su Yi's safety; he just regretted that he could not go watch the excitement...

Very soon, as if having made a decision, Huang Qianjun turned and left.

Inside Apricot Yellow Medical Hall.

Hu Quan, Wu Guangbin, and the others were all there, but every one of them wore worried frowns, their expressions anxious.

When they saw Su Yi being brought in, their faces all changed.

Only yesterday, Su Yi had taken over Apricot Yellow Medical Hall, and today Wen Changqing's son, Wen Jieyuan, had brought men here to make trouble. That made Hu Quan and the others realize that Su Yi was in for disaster.

Hu Quan quickly warned him, "Son-in-law, you must remember not to clash with Young Master Wen Jieyuan. Take a step back, and the sea and sky will open wide."

Su Yi neither agreed nor disagreed. He only nodded and said, "As long as you're all fine."

Hu Quan was about to say more when the Black-Clothed Man shoved him aside and barked, "This has nothing to do with you. All of you, stay to the side!"

As he spoke, he had already brought Su Yi straight toward the rear courtyard.

Watching them leave, Hu Quan and the others looked at one another, then all sighed without end.

They admired Su Yi's medical skills beyond measure, but the ones who had come looking for trouble this time were people of the Wen Family. None of them had the standing to get involved.

In the courtyard behind Apricot Yellow Medical Hall.

Wen Jieyuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back to one side of Old Locust Tree, his gaze fixed on the well sealed off by chains, his brow furrowed. For a long time, he said nothing.

"Nine years ago, Wandering Daoist Wu Ruoqiu once said that any living person who stayed here would surely be gnawed to death by the Ghost in the well. But how did Su Yi survive?"

Wen Jieyuan was deeply puzzled.

When he came in the early morning today, he had intended to see how miserably Su Yi had died. Who would have thought that such a thing had not happened at all?

Su Yi was still alive and perfectly well!

"Young Master, we've brought Su Yi."

The Black-Clothed Man and the group of guards walked into the courtyard together with Su Yi.

Bang!

The courtyard gate closed. The Black-Clothed Man and the others spread out, taking guard in different places.

Their eyes were icy as they stared at Su Yi, as if looking at prey that had thrown itself into the net.

Beside the ancient well, Wen Jieyuan, dressed in white robes, turned around. His gaze fell on Su Yi as he said:

"Tell me. When you stayed here last night, did anything strange happen?"

His wording was forceful, like he was issuing an order, bossing him around from on high.