The Rouge on Your Lips

In the Chu Dynasty, in Tiankang County, Chen Wang appeared in an inn. He had booked a private room, and upon returning, he spread his Divine Sense to confirm that there were no problems around.

"Perhaps... once one achieves the Golden Core and attains this Dao, one will no longer concern oneself with ordinary disputes."

Chen Wang thought to himself.

When he left the Ethereal Immortal Sect, Old Ancestor Dao Yuan never showed up and did not target him.

Chen Wang traveled to a secluded, Desolate Mountain mountain before finally arriving at the Chu Dynasty.

The Spiritual Qi in this place is relatively abundant. Although it is not as good as some blessed lands for cultivation, it is still much better than ordinary places.

The next day

The still-attractive Madam Xu invited him to come over.

Chen Wang was invited to the Xu Family.

Even though the Xu Family was only temporarily staying in Tiankang County, their house was still extremely grand.

After Chen Wang arrived here,

Madam Xu said apologetically, "We are leaving tomorrow, so I invited the young master here today. I hope you don't find it presumptuous."

Xu Miaoyin had not yet entered the room; apart from the maidservant, it was just the two of them.

Seeing Madam Xu's serious and reserved demeanor, Chen Wang couldn't help but smile as he recalled that passionate night.

Little did anyone know that Madam Xu would see this smile, and her face would turn red.

Chen Wang said, "I understand, Madam, you don't need to worry."

If Chen Wang hadn't smiled just now, the atmosphere wouldn't have become so romantic and ambiguous.

Although Chen Wang didn't know what was going on with Madam Xu, he didn't think much of it.

Soon, Miss Xu Family pushed open the door and entered. She was overjoyed to see Chen Wang.

"Young Master Chen!"

Chen Wang greeted her with a smile.

Xu Miaoyin said softly, "Mother, I want to take Young Master Chen to play in the garden."

Madam Xu frowned and said, "What's there to do in this garden? Can't we do it when we get to Quyang?"

Xu Miaoyin's face was rosy and extremely fair. She smiled and said, "Small places have their advantages."

She turned to look at Chen Wang, her face full of hope.

Chen Wang said, "Alright, I'll go with you."

The two of them then walked hand in hand into the garden.

She kept talking to Chen Wang, full of youthful energy and vitality.

In the garden, Xu Miaoyin suddenly stopped and said softly, "Young Master Chen, please wait here for me for a moment while I go change my clothes."

Chen Wang was taken aback. "Change clothes?"

Xu Miaoyin said in a low voice, "This dress is a bit dirty, which is very impolite. I'll be back soon."

Chen Wang chuckled to himself.

She sat down in the pavilion, and one of the maids went back with Xu Miaoyin, while the other quickly brought tea.

Chen Wang recognized the maid clearly; it was none other than Chun Tao from that day.

Chen Wang said with a smile, "Chun Tao, we meet again."

Chun Tao blushed, almost spilling the tea.

Chen Wang found it somewhat amusing. "What's wrong? Do you think I'd eat people?"

Chun Tao chuckled foolishly, "Even if Young Master Chen eats people, I'm not afraid. I'm just afraid... I'm just afraid that Young Master Chen won't eat me."

So blunt... Chen Wang laughed, "You're much bolder than you were that day."

Chun Tao smiled charmingly, "I am already content to serve Young Master Chen, and I dare not have any improper thoughts."

Her expression was extremely obedient, but her eyes unconsciously drifted towards Chen Wang.

Chen Wang smiled and put a piece of pastry in his mouth, savoring the taste. "Unreasonable desires?"

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao blushed even more.

It's quite amusing to tease such a cute little maidservant from time to time.

Chen Wang chatted and laughed with her, and soon Xu Miaoyin returned.

Chen Wang's eyes lit up immediately. The girl had changed into a lake-green dress with a low neckline, which was a strapless top. Her face was very fair and her skin was so white it was almost dazzling.

Her youthful energy is tinged with a touch of allure.

Both innocent and alluring.

Chen Wang's admiring gaze made Miss Xu blush.

Chun Tao withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the pavilion.

The two chatted for a while, and then Miss Xu took Chen Wang's hand.

"Young Master Chen, let me take you for another stroll through this garden. Actually, although the garden is quite large, the scenery is really just average."

Chen Wang nodded.

Having such a young and beautiful girl chattering away beside you makes it never boring, even if you spend the whole day talking.

Before we knew it, it was dark.

Xu Miaoyin told Chen Wang many interesting stories, and Chen Wang learned some things from them. Indeed, there have been more and more violent incidents in the world in the past two years.

"It is said that there are Innate Martial Warrior in Quyang City who are going to hold Martial Arts Assembly, and several major sects will be going to participate."

Xu Miaoyin said with a smile.

Chen Wang's heart skipped a beat. "When?"

Seeing his interest in this matter, Xu Miaoyin became even more open and forthcoming with her knowledge.

Chen Wang learned more detailed information from her than from the Master Fang.

Above the Meridian Opening Realm in martial arts lies the Innate Realm.

The next realm after the Innate Martial Warrior is Martial Saint.

Chen Wang learned from Xu Miaoyin that there was a Wu Family in the Chu Dynasty, Wu Family Sword Master seemed to be at the Martial Saint realm.

She didn't know anything beyond that; it was all hearsay.

Chen Wang exclaimed, "You really know a lot."

Xu Miaoyin's eyes crinkled into crescent shapes as she smiled, clearly enjoying herself.

Xu Miaoyin said softly, "I've heard my mother say that our branch is surnamed Xu, and it seems to be a branch of the Lanling Xu Family, but it's too far away and we don't have any contact with them."

Chen Wang raised an eyebrow. "The Lanling Xu Family?"

Xu Miaoyin said, "Yes, what's wrong?"

Chen Wang laughed and said, "It was just a bit of a surprise."

He couldn't help but scoff inwardly. What on earth were those mountain bandits, outlaws, and even Master Fang Instructor Hong? He had thought he understood this world quite well, but now it seemed he was still lacking.

His gaze fell on Xu Miaoyin, hoping to learn more about this young girl and open a new avenue for understanding her.

Xu Miaoyin blushed under his gaze, lowered her head and said softly, "The Lanling Xu Family is a powerful Aristocratic Clan. They have officials in the imperial court, influence in the martial arts world, and are also involved in the canal transport business. They own their own merchant ships and are an extremely powerful Aristocratic Clan."

"At first I didn't believe it either, I thought Mother was just bragging, but Mother spoke with such conviction. However, I have never met anyone from the Lanling Xu Family in all these years, nor have I ever been to Lanling."

Chen Wang nodded.

"You know a lot. You speak with such expertise that you're even more experienced than Old Jiang."

His words made Xu Miaoyin's eyes light up, and she said softly, "He's not Old Jiang at all!"

Chen Wang laughed heartily, and Xu Miaoyin suddenly leaned in, hugged his face, and kissed him.

Chen Wang was stunned.

Xu Miaoyin's face was flushed, and her breathing was a little rapid.

A young girl's heart is always filled with poetry.

Chen Wang descended from the sky; young and handsome, with a heroic spirit, he naturally left a deep impression on Xu Miaoyin, who secretly fell in love with him.

Chen Wang was taller than her, and at that moment, he could see right through her neckline.

Xu Miaoyin was a little shy. She hugged Chen Wang and kissed him again, like a chick pecking at rice.

Chen Wang laughed heartily, put his arm around her slender waist, pulled Xu Miaoyin into his arms, and then kissed her, only separating after a long time.

Xu Miaoyin's face was so red it looked like it could drip blood. Her body felt a little weak, and she leaned lazily against Chen Wang, saying languidly, "Young Master Chen, in the time I've spent with you, Miao Yin 've felt more relaxed than ever before, and I'm very happy."

However, remembering that she was in a man's arms, Xu Miaoyin blushed, broke free, and hurriedly left the garden.

Chen Wang touched his lips and smiled slightly.

Xu Miaoyin has a youthful vibe, tinged with a shyness, which is quite charming.

The next day

As they departed, several carriages and a few fast horses accompanied them, while the guards watched them intently, their eyes like those of hawks.

The Xu Family mother and daughter rode in one carriage, while Chen Wang sat in the carriage behind them, enjoying his leisure.

Xu Miaoyin wanted to go to Chen Wang several times, but Madam Xu stopped her each time.

She didn't want her daughter to get into the man's carriage in front of everyone.

But in reality, she didn't know.

In the garden, Xu Miaoyin had already taken the initiative to kiss Chen Wang, and the two engaged in a passionate embrace.

Chen Wang had already tasted the Yan Zhi on Xu Miaoyin's lips.

The journey was peaceful and uneventful.

Although encountering bandits is possible in the Desolate Mountain and wilderness, it's not a frequent occurrence.

Those ghosts, demons, and evil spirits are not something you encounter often, otherwise it would be too dangerous to go out.

The group arrived in Quyang City.

From a distance, Quyang City is indeed a magnificent city.

This place is blessed with outstanding people and talents from all walks of life.

Upon entering, one immediately senses the extraordinary nature of this place; it is bustling with traffic and the roads on both sides are very wide.

The houses are built exactly the same, which shows that the people who designed this city back then put a lot of effort into it.

Chen Wang had some knowledge of feng shui. After the carriage drove around the city, he could tell that Quyang City must have had some feng shui arrangements in the past.

Although there are no people in this world who specialize in feng shui, some powerful martial artists, through their ability to sense the heavens and the people, naturally come to understand things about mountains, rivers, feng shui, and matters of fortune and misfortune after cultivating to an extremely high level.

Chen Wang arrived at the Xu Family's residence in the carriage.

The Quyang Xu Family was truly magnificent, more than ten times larger than the residence in Tiankang County. Two stone lions stood there, looking extremely majestic.

After Madam Xu and her party arrived, they were quickly greeted by someone.

The leader was a very thin middle-aged man, accompanied by a woman with fair skin and a seductive figure, though she seemed a bit shrewd.

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you're back."

Madam Xu nodded. "Second Uncle, is everything alright at home?"

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, everything is fine."

The middle-aged man is named Xu Sheng, and next to him is his wife, Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi also spoke warmly with Madam Xu.

However, they ignored Chen Wang Chen Wang, even though his appearance and demeanor were striking when he stepped down from the carriage behind them.

Madam Xu then formally introduced them.

"This is Young Master Chen. We encountered bandits earlier, and it was thanks to Young Master Chen that our lives were saved!"

The middle-aged man then said enthusiastically, "So that's how it is. Young Master Xu is the savior of my Xu Family. Please, please come in!"

Chen Wang followed them inside.

In the evening, the Xu Family hosted a banquet, and the standard of the banquet was much higher than that in Tiankang County.

The Xu Family is indeed a wealthy family; a single dish from them can cost as much as an ordinary person's expenses for one or two years.

After a satisfying meal, Chen Wang was led to a guest room, a quiet and secluded small building.

There were four maids serving her, and two old women.

The old woman was quick and skillful, meticulous in her work, and more experienced than some of the maids.

However, Chen Wang still felt more affectionate towards the young maid.

Upon arriving in Quyang City of the Chu Dynasty, Chen Wang immediately felt a surge of excitement.

"There must be even more powerful martial artists in Quyang City. I will inquire about them carefully tomorrow."

Chen Wang thought to himself.

Before falling asleep, he practiced the Niwanzhen Preservation Art one more time, and his mind immediately calmed down, and he fell into a deep sleep.

He maintains good habits, does not Grain Avoidance, and does not use meditation to replace sleep, making him very down-to-earth.

The next day

Chen Wang then asked Madam Xu to help him gather information in the city.

Originally, Madam Xu wasn't particularly interested in martial arts matters; in fact, she was less interested in the details that Xu Miaoyin had heard about.

At this moment, Madam Xu said demurely, "I'll leave this matter to her."

Chen Wang instructed, "There is one more thing: to seek out and purchase the Innate Secret Manual."

Madam Xu nodded. "I understand, Young Master Chen, please rest assured."

Chen Wang smiled and said, "Okay!"

After they finished discussing business, the two fell silent.

Madam Xu felt a little embarrassed and always treated Chen Wang with courtesy, but for some reason, Chen Wang treated her the same way.

Madam Xu was somewhat disappointed at this moment, but even more so, she found it difficult to express her feelings.

She felt a little envious that her daughter could invite Chen Wang to play every day.

After Chen Wang left Madam Xu's place, Xu Miaoyin found Chen Wang and said happily, "I'll take you for a walk around the streets. There are many interesting stories to hear in the streets and alleys of Quyang City. You can hear a lot about the Jianghu (martial arts world)."

You're much more efficient than Madam Xu... Chen Wang laughed and said, "Alright, let's go out for a stroll together."

At this moment, Xu Miaoyin was not wearing that strapless top, but rather a more conservative outfit: a plain white long dress.

However, even without makeup, she possessed a charming and innocent air about her age, making her an extremely beautiful young lady.

She and Chen Wang, and she instructed the maids not to follow them either.

Unfortunately, the two of them bumped into her second uncle as they were walking out.

The middle-aged man said sternly, "Miao Yin, what kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging at a man?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Miaoyin immediately released Chen Wang's hand and stuck out her tongue.

Xu Sheng said in a serious tone, "Young Master Chen, please forgive my rudeness. This little girl doesn't know any manners."

I advise you not to meddle in other people's business... Chen Wang smiled slightly, "It's alright, let's go for a walk in the street."

Xu Sheng immediately summoned two people and instructed them, "Follow Miss out and make sure she doesn't get hurt."

The two guards agreed and followed Xu Miaoyin outside.

At this moment, Xu Miaoyin was like a wilted eggplant, suddenly losing interest.

Chen Wang joked, "Your second uncle treats you well. He's afraid you'll go astray and be led astray by some random man."

Xu Miaoyin was taken aback, shook her head gently, and whispered, "If only he really cared about me that much."

She glanced at the two guards indifferently and said nothing more.

Chen Wang raised an eyebrow.

Judging from this, is there some internal strife within the powerful family? Could it be that Uncle Xu is just outwardly honest and enthusiastic?

Chen Wang immediately became curious.