Leaving an Empty Seat, Just Waiting for You

Tonight, Nan Ying's makeup was especially exquisite and dazzling.

In a robe of snow-white, her skirt hems drifting and swaying, she outlined a graceful, enchanting figure.

Her hair was coiled high, revealing a slender Snow-White Swan Neck. Her beautiful eyes were like water, and her red lips were full.

Standing there so prettily, even the brilliant lamplight seemed to dim, drawing countless gazes from nearby. Some men even showed looks of infatuation.

Looking at Su Yi, Nan Ying lightly bit her red lip, a misty, shadowed hue rising in her eyes as she said, "I thought that without your cultivation, Senior Brother Su wouldn't come join in this sort of excitement. Don't think too much of it—I absolutely don't mean to mock you."

Su Yi's expression did not change. He turned a deaf ear to her, too lazy to bother with this woman.

In his previous life, what he had detested most were two-faced sluts like this.

"Su Yi, it's been a long time."

Suddenly, there was a stir in the distant crowd. A group walked over, all well-dressed and imposing, important figures who had long occupied high positions.

The speaker was an old man at the head of the group, his beard and hair gray-white, his spirit hale and hearty. When his eyes opened and closed, it was as if cold lightning flickered through them, terrifying in the extreme.

Only, when his gaze turned to Su Yi, there was a trace of sorrow in his expression.

"Uncle-Master Zhou."

Su Yi cupped his hands.

This man was none other than "Azure Peak Sword Old" Zhou Huaiqiu, the elder ranked fourth in the inner court of Green River Sword Mansion.

Back when Su Yi had still been an Outer Sect Disciple of Green River Sword Mansion, he had admired and valued Su Yi greatly, and had once given Su Yi no small amount of care.

At the same time, Su Yi noticed that those accompanying Zhou Huaiqiu included Ni Hao, the Li Family patriarch Li Tianhan, and other important figures of the Li Family.

Zhou Huaiqiu sighed softly and said, "I've already heard about some of your affairs in Guangling City. No matter what, you absolutely must not sink into dejection and decline because of this. Living well is what matters most."

A strange look appeared in Su Yi's eyes, and he nodded.

Zhou Huaiqiu hesitated for a moment, but still lowered his voice and reminded him, "Su Yi, don't blame your uncle-master for speaking unpleasantly. I suggest you leave Wen Lingzhao's side as soon as possible."

"She is already a 'Grandmaster Disciple.' You should understand the weight of that status, and you... are destined to be unable to be with her."

After saying this, Zhou Huaiqiu seemed worried that he had struck Su Yi too hard, and reached out to pat Su Yi's shoulder in consolation.

"Senior Brother Su, Uncle-Master is doing this for your own good. Don't think too much of it."

At the side, Nan Ying also said softly, "We all understand that with your current status, if you continue staying together with a Grandmaster Disciple like Wen Lingzhao in the name of husband and wife, it's bound to be disaster, not fortune."

Though she said this, a trace of delight in his misfortune flashed deep within her eyes.

Su Yi directly ignored Nan Ying and said to Zhou Huaiqiu, "Uncle-Master Zhou may not know this, but I have long had the thought of dissolving this marriage arrangement."

Zhou Huaiqiu said with relief, "Since you have such thoughts, I can be much more at ease."

A mocking curve appeared at the corner of Nan Ying's lips. Was this still the Outer Disciple Sword Leader with unbending pride from back then?

It seemed that this year of life as a Son-in-law had long since ground his proud bones to pieces, forcing him to bow his head to reality!

Ni Hao had been watching coldly from the side all along and had paid no attention.

Martial artists and ordinary people were, to begin with, people of two different worlds.

Seeing this, Su Yi immediately knew that they had misunderstood.

The reason he intended to dissolve the marriage was merely that he did not want a smear of green placed on his head for no clear reason!

How could he possibly care about trouble brought by some "Grandmaster Disciple"?

Shaking his head, Su Yi was too lazy to explain anything.

"Brother Zhou, the banquet is about to begin. Shouldn't we enter?"

Li Tianhan, who had not spoken all this time, suddenly smiled and spoke.

Zhou Huaiqiu nodded, then said to Su Yi, "You were blocked here because you don't have an invitation? Then come in with us."

As he spoke, he had already stepped forward and walked ahead.

The others all followed one after another.

The Imperial Guards stationed nearby all opened a path, not daring to block them.

Hu Quan could not help lowering his voice and saying, "Young Master-in-law, have they misunderstood? You clearly have an invitation, and it's even a distinguished guest invitation. Even Lord Fu Shan specially instructed..."

"Why bother paying attention to these things? Let's hurry on."

Su Yi smiled and cut him off, hands clasped behind his back as he walked toward Dragon Gate Bridge.

Hu Quan hurriedly followed.

As a tiny little steward, he had no invitation at all, and had to stick close by Su Yi's side.

The night deepened.

At the center of Dragon Gate Bridge, above the heart of the Great Cang River.

Around the arena, three zhang high and ten zhang across, tables and chairs had already been set out. Roaring torches illuminated the place as bright as day.

Once the Dragon Gate Tournament began, this place would become the focal point of every eye!

At this moment, many important figures from Guangling City and Fallen Cloud City were already seated around the arena.

On Guangling City's side were major figures such as City Lord Fu Shan, Imperial Guard Commander Nie Beihu, and Huang Family patriarch Huang Yunchong.

On the Wen Family's side, because patriarch Wen Changjing had gone to Heavenly Origin Academy to visit relatives many days ago, the one attending was the main branch's Second Elder, Wen Changqing.

On Fallen Cloud City's side, those attending included City Lord Li Jianyu, the first clan's Mo Family patriarch Mo Haolong, and other major figures of Fallen Cloud City.

When Zhou Huaiqiu and his party arrived, the major figures present from the two cities all rose one after another, greeting them with smiles.

This scene also caused a stir in the nearby area.

"Look, that's 'Azure Peak Sword Old' Zhou Huaiqiu, a resounding major figure of Green River Sword Mansion!"

"In this Dragon Gate Tournament, whichever family's younger generation performs outstandingly might be taken notice of by Lord Zhou Huaiqiu and directly selected as a disciple of Green River Sword Mansion!"

"Who is that woman? Her looks are actually so outstanding?"

"She's an Inner Sect Disciple of Green River Sword Mansion, named Nan Ying. A fairy-like figure, and a renowned peerless beauty even in Cloud River County City!"

"When will I ever be qualified to take part in the banquet? If I could, I'd die content..."

...On the nearby river surface, sail shadows dotted the water, lanterns blazed brilliantly, and the people aboard the boats were all very excited, their expressions full of yearning and longing.

This was a grand feast for major figures, a place where distinguished talents competed for brilliance.

To the people of the two great cities, merely being able to take part would already be called an enormous honor!

Amid this boiling clamor of discussion, Zhou Huaiqiu, Li Tianhan, Nan Ying, Ni Hao, and the others had successively taken their seats.

Li Tianhan seemed to have noticed something and said, "I see just about everyone has arrived, yet there's an empty seat beside Brother Fu. Who is it prepared for?"

Hearing this, all the major figures seated there looked over one after another, revealing curious expressions.

City Lord Fu Shan was the host of the Dragon Gate Banquet, so his position was naturally in the most central spot, and also the closest to the Dragon Gate Arena, with an excellent view.

Yet beside him, there was an empty chair.

Fu Shan laughed heartily and said, "This has been prepared for an honored guest. As for who exactly it is, please forgive me for keeping you in suspense for now."

Everyone could not help being surprised, and they speculated endlessly in their hearts.

An honored guest?

Which honored guest could it be now?

Could their status possibly be even higher than Zhou Huaiqiu's?

Huang Yunchong and Nie Beihu glanced at each other, vaguely guessing it, and their hearts surged for a while.

This looked like nothing more than a seat beside Lord Fu Shan, but the significance it represented was completely different!

However, since Fu Shan was unwilling to reveal it, they were also tactful enough not to make a sound.

At the same time.

In the area near the banquet grounds, many, many figures had also gathered.

Most were younger-generation children of the various major clans.

They were not yet qualified to be seated at the banquet, and could only watch from the nearby area.

"Huh, Su Yi, how did you sneak in?"

When Su Yi and Hu Quan appeared, they were quickly recognized.

The one who spoke was none other than Wen Shaobei!

His face was full of astonishment, as if he could not believe Su Yi could still participate.

The Wen Family disciples near him were also surprised.

Su Yi glanced at Wen Shaobei, and could not help feeling somewhat impressed. This fellow truly had been born asking for a beating.

During the day, he had only just been slapped viciously twice by Huang Qianjun, and the bruised swelling on his cheeks had not yet fully faded, yet now he was already jumping around again.

"He's Su Yi? Sigh, a cripple actually became the husband of a Grandmaster Disciple. There's simply no justice under heaven."

The other clan disciples in the nearby area whispered among themselves, pointing and gesturing at Su Yi.

Su Yi paid no attention to any of this, his gaze calm as he admired the beautiful scenery beneath the night.

Looking far into the distance from here, the Great Cang River was covered in lights like scattered stars. As the current surged, light and shadow drifted, truly beautiful.

Seeing that Su Yi did not say anything, Wen Shaobei snorted coldly and shifted his gaze away.

Today was the Dragon Gate Banquet, and there were many major figures present. No one dared act recklessly.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

A burst of drumming rang out amid the firelight of the night, vast and deep, spreading far into the distance.

The people on both banks of the Great Cang River grew excited. Once the drums sounded, it meant the Dragon Gate Tournament was about to begin!

At the main banquet grounds, all conversation stopped, and every gaze turned toward the Dragon Gate Arena.

They saw Guangling City Lord Fu Shan and Fallen Cloud City Lord Li Jianyu both ascend the arena, becoming the two focal points of all eyes.

Su Yi also looked over.

Li Jianyu wore a silver-patterned python robe, his figure tall and imposing. Though he was already advanced in age, his might was extremely intimidating.

As the drumbeats stopped, Li Jianyu swept his gaze around and spoke in a deep voice:

"Today's Dragon Gate Tournament is unlike past ones. Lord Fu Shan and I have already discussed it: whichever city's young talents seize first place this time, Spirit Bamboo Island will come under that city's control for a period of ten years!"

At once, an uproar rose throughout the grounds, and everyone was astonished.

Clearly, they had not known this major news beforehand at all, and had been caught completely off guard.

Only when the clamor weakened did Li Jianyu smile and say, "As it happens, Elder Zhou Huaiqiu of Green River Sword Mansion has graced us with his presence this time, and can bear witness for us."

In the honored guest seats, Zhou Huaiqiu rose and said with a smile, "It is Zhou's honor."

"Hahaha, Brother Zhou, please, take your seat."

Li Jianyu let out a bright, heroic laugh, then looked toward Fu Shan and said, "Lord Fu Shan, there's no problem with me saying that, is there?"

"No problem."

Fu Shan spoke with a smile, calm and composed.

"Good!"

With a wave of his broad hand, Li Jianyu said, "Since that is so, there is no need to delay any longer. Let this Dragon Gate Tournament begin now!"

As he spoke, he and Fu Shan each withdrew, leaving the arena open.

Almost at the same time, over on Fallen Cloud City's side, a figure had already swept out and charged onto the arena.

"Among Guangling City, who is willing to fight me in this first match?"

This was a Silver-Robed Youth, a long saber in its sheath at his waist, as elegant as a jade tree in the wind, his bearing dazzling.

The moment he appeared, he drew every gaze present.