Halfway there, Yi Lin woke up. Realizing she was on Hao Shuai's back, she said, "Brother Hao, I'm fine now. Let me down so I can walk by myself!"
"No. You've only just woken up. I'd better keep carrying you," Hao Shuai refused, motioning for her to stay put on his back.
Seeing that she couldn't talk Hao Shuai out of it, Yi Lin blushed and let him carry her.
Noticing how shy Yi Lin was, Hao Shuai asked her why Tian Boguang had captured her again.
Yi Lin told him how she'd been captured. Seeing that she was willing to talk, Hao Shuai chatted with her about all sorts of things. Yi Lin had grown up on Mount Heng, surrounded by the Buddha and the lamp's quiet glow. But she was still a young girl at heart, and before long, Hao Shuai's stories had captivated her, making her forget her predicament.
By the time Yi Lin came back to herself, they had reached the city gate. Hao Shuai had planned to carry her into the city, but this time Yi Lin stubbornly refused, so he had to let her down.
Even so, Hao Shuai took her hand and led her into the city. At first, Yi Lin resisted, but he said he was afraid she'd get lost and needed to hold her hand while he took her to find her master.
Yi Lin had no choice but to go along with Hao Shuai.
The two of them wandered around Hengyang City hand in hand. Yi Lin was, after all, a girl of fifteen or sixteen, and there wasn't a girl who didn't like shopping.
Along the way, Hao Shuai stopped with Yi Lin at all kinds of stalls. Whenever she gave something a second glance, he bought it for her. At first, Yi Lin refused every time, but in the end, Hao Shuai made her accept the gifts.
Hao Shuai was making full use of the "Pan Lu Deng Xiao Xian" qualities of wealth and leisure! Yi Lin wasn't materialistic, but there was probably no woman who could resist a handsome man unconditionally accompanying her on a shopping trip and buying her anything she wanted—even if she was a nun.
So, although Yi Lin said she didn't want the things, the delight in the corners of her eyes gave her away.
After wandering around for a long time without finding anyone from the Hengshan Sect, Hao Shuai suggested, "Yi Lin, let's find an inn and stay the night. Tomorrow, we can go straight to Liu Mansion for the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony, and you'll be able to see your master."
"I'll do as you say, Brother Hao!" Yi Lin didn't have much of an opinion of her own, so she could only follow Hao Shuai's suggestion.
When Yi Lin agreed, Hao Shuai took her to an inn and ordered a table of vegetarian dishes and two first-class rooms.
After dinner, Hao Shuai walked Yi Lin back to her room. At the doorway, he suddenly hugged her and said, "Yi Lin, I think I'm starting to like you. What should I do?"
"Huh? You..." Yi Lin was angry and flustered. Tears welled in her eyes, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh.
"You're so cute!" Hao Shuai held her without letting go. For a while, neither of them said a word.
It was a long time before Yi Lin came to her senses. She pushed Hao Shuai away and hurried back to her room.
Early the next morning, Hao Shuai knew Yi Lin hadn't slept well the night before, so he bought her breakfast to apologize. "I was too forward last night. I shouldn't have hugged you without your consent. I really like you, and I couldn't help myself. This breakfast is my apology."
Hao Shuai's words made Yi Lin blush, but seeing how sincere he looked, she decided not to dwell on what had happened the night before. "It's good that you know you were wrong! I've already repented to the Buddha Ancestor on your behalf. Be more careful from now on!"
This girl was so adorable and innocent. Hao Shuai realized he was falling for her more and more.
After breakfast, Hao Shuai took Yi Lin to Liu Mansion.
Liu Mansion was decked out with lanterns and decorations, and colorful flags fluttered everywhere. It was a lively scene.
Since Liu Zhengfeng had invited all the righteous heroes of the jianghu to witness his Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony, people from all walks of life were streaming toward Liu Mansion.
Liu Zhengfeng came from the Mount Heng School. He was passionate about music and skilled at playing the flute, and despite his youth, he already held a certain amount of influence in the jianghu.
As a result, many people in the jianghu held him in high regard.
Hao Shuai let Yi Lin go in first to find her master. After waiting for a short while, he followed the crowd into Liu Mansion.
When he reached the courtyard, Hao Shuai found a corner to stand in and waited for the show to begin.
Dozens of people from the jianghu were already gathered in the courtyard, but what drew the most attention were the figures seated on either side of the hall.
They were the leaders of the Five Great Sword Sects and their disciples.
Hao Shuai swept his gaze across the hall. When he saw that Yi Lin was with her master, he turned his attention to Old Yue. Old Yue still had his little mustache, so it seemed he hadn't yet decided whether or not to castrate himself!
When it looked as though nearly everyone who was supposed to attend had arrived, Liu Zhengfeng rose from the main seat. He wore a brown silk robe and looked like a wealthy landowner. He clasped his hands toward those gathered and said, "I'm truly grateful to all the elders and fellow members of the jianghu for coming from afar."
"I'm sure you all know that I've accepted the imperial court's favor and taken a minor government post. As the saying goes, 'Eat the ruler's food, serve the ruler's interests.' In the jianghu, people value loyalty, while in the service of the state, one must obey the law. If the two ever come into conflict, I would find myself in a difficult position. So, from this day forward, I, Liu Zhengfeng, will wash my hands in the golden basin and leave the jianghu. I will no longer concern myself with its feuds and grievances..."
Hao Shuai shook his head from his corner. Liu Zhengfeng was already in his forties. Why was he still so naive?
Wherever there were people, there were grievances. Where there were grievances, there was the jianghu. People themselves were the jianghu. How could anyone leave it?
At that moment, Liu Zhengfeng knelt before the ancestral tablets and said solemnly, "Your disciple, Liu Zhengfeng, was accepted by my honored master and taught martial arts. I'm deeply ashamed that I failed to bring glory to the Hengshan Sect. Fortunately, Senior Brother Mo is in charge of the sect..."
Seeing Liu Zhengfeng swear his oath before the ancestral tablets, the leaders of the various sects exchanged glances, their faces full of regret.
"Today, I, Liu Zhengfeng, will wash my hands in the golden basin. I will absolutely not use the martial arts passed down by my master to pursue rank and wealth. If I break this oath, may I end up like this sword!"
With that, Liu Zhengfeng drew the long sword from before the ancestral tablets and struck it with his palm. A crisp snap rang out, and the sword broke cleanly in two.
Before long, as everyone in the courtyard watched, a maid carried a golden basin filled with clear water and gently set it on the wooden table by the entrance.
"Hold it!"
A sharp shout startled everyone present. Liu Zhengfeng stopped his hand just as he was about to reach into the basin.
A man in a red martial outfit entered slowly, holding a brightly colored triangular flag. Two men in matching red clothes followed him.
"Senior Brother Liu, I'm here on the orders of Alliance Leader Zuo to ask you to postpone the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony for the time being!" Fei Bin of the Songshan School said expressionlessly.
"Alliance Leader Zuo is right to do this. We martial artists value loyalty above all else and enjoy our freedom in the jianghu. Why take an official post? It would be a real pity if Junior Brother Liu washed his hands in the golden basin. I urge you to think it over," Abbess Dingyi said, believing that Zuo Lengchan also didn't want Liu Zhengfeng to leave the jianghu.
Poor Abbess Dingyi had no idea what was really going on. Liu Zhengfeng was just the chicken Zuo Lengchan had picked to kill as a warning to the monkeys.
Zuo Lengchan was planning to kill one to warn the rest, all to establish the Five Great Sword Sects as supreme.
After a heated exchange with Fei Bin, Liu Zhengfeng still insisted on washing his hands in the golden basin.
Fei Bin suddenly kicked out. His powerful internal energy split the table beneath the golden basin in two. Then he lunged forward and struck Liu Zhengfeng with a palm, knocking him back.
Just as Liu Zhengfeng was preparing to fight back, Songshan School disciples brought his wife and son before him, holding them at swordpoint.
Watching this, Hao Shuai sighed. So this was what they called the righteous path! They would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. They could even openly threaten someone by holding his family hostage.
Fei Bin then revealed the matter between Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang, and demanded that Liu Zhengfeng kill Qu Yang.
But what was Liu Zhengfeng's relationship with Qu Yang? They were lifelong close friends! In the original story, Liu Zhengfeng was willing to sacrifice his whole family for his dear friend. How could he possibly agree to kill Qu Yang? Once again, negotiations broke down.
After Fei Bin killed Liu Zhengfeng's disciple Mi Weiyi, Liu Zhengfeng attacked in a rage, took Fei Bin hostage, and seized the command flag.
The atmosphere immediately grew tense. A battle was about to break out.
But then Ding Mian took Liu Zhengfeng's son hostage as well. The two men launched into another heated argument, while Abbess Dingyi, Old Yue, and the others joined in to try to mediate.
But Ding Mian, determined to protect the Songshan School's reputation, refused to back down. He raised his long sword and sent it flying straight at Madam Liu.
Before you continue