Uninvited Guest

In the morning, Wang Jingyuan was diligently practicing his skills. He was practicing four secret manuals he had confiscated from Tian Boguang: two saber techniques, Gale Saber Technique and Flying Sand and Rolling Stones Thirty-Six Forms, and two movement techniques, Positive Step Three Layer Cloud and Reverse Step Three Layer Cloud.

Actually, at this stage, Wang Jingyuan could learn martial arts manuals on his own once he obtained them. But being the lazy person he was, why bother working hard when he could just "ding"?

He would hand the manuals to Yue Buqun for review, and then ask him for guidance the next day. Even if Yue Buqun hadn't fully mastered them himself, just knowing the general idea and being able to explain a few points to Wang Jingyuan would trigger the teaching function, allowing him to learn directly.

Wang Jingyuan was in his beginner's bonus period after learning these four martial arts, able to increase their proficiency just by practicing. Of course, he was willing to put in the effort. Later on, martial arts could only be improved through sparring and killing.

What Wang Jingyuan didn't expect was that his internal energy cultivation continued to increase by one point of proficiency every twenty-four hours, just like always, while he was AFK. Although the speed was very slow, it wouldn't decrease or stop yielding benefits as his cultivation deepened.

As Wang Jingyuan slowly finished his morning practice, he saw Yue Lingshan coming to his small courtyard to find him. As soon as Yue Lingshan approached, she smelled the strong masculine scent of Wang Jingyuan, who was drenched in sweat. The scent made her pretty face flush, and she took a few steps back, complaining:

"You're all sweaty so early in the morning. Go take a bath quickly, we have to leave for the Liu residence soon."

Wang Jingyuan checked his cleanliness status and casually put away his short saber, saying, "I have half a vat of water behind my room. A quick rinse will do."

Yue Lingshan liked to tease Wang Jingyuan whenever she had the chance: "A quick rinse will still leave you smelling. You need to wash thoroughly."

Wang Jingyuan glanced at Yue Lingshan sideways: "We only have pig's gall soap here. It's better to wash with plain water than use that. If you want to smell good, I'd have to use Yang Guo to wash."

Yue Lingshan frowned: "Who is Yang Guo?"

Wang Jingyuan calmly walked towards the back room: "A rare item that emits a special fragrance. Women who smell it get so excited they can't close their legs."

Yue Lingshan scolded him sharply: "Shameless." She turned and ran away.

Wang Jingyuan entered the room, casually threw his dirty clothes into a basin, and went to the backyard to get water for a shower. He scooped water from the vat with a ladle and rinsed himself a few times, washing off the sweat.

He took out a clean set of clothes from his inventory and put them on, then prepared to head out.

When he reached the main gate, he saw Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, and a group of disciples already gathered. Seeing Wang Jingyuan emerge, Yue Buqun nodded at him and led the group towards the Liu residence.

Liu Residence

Many guests had arrived early. One person in particular was so conspicuous that as soon as the passing Jianghu figures saw him, they would panic and turn away.

Those who couldn't avoid him would tiptoe and carefully skirt around him. This person seemed accustomed to their reactions, ignoring them as he casually ate the fruit in front of him.

This was because the man was wearing a silver-white flying fish robe and had a Xiu Chun Dao at his waist, clearly an Imperial Guard Centurion.

At this moment, Liu Zhengfeng entered the main hall and cupped his hands towards the Centurion, saying, "Thank you, Lord Chen, for gracing my humble abode. Please forgive me for not being able to greet you at the door due to my illness."

Centurion Chen cupped his hands towards Liu Zhengfeng with neither subservience nor arrogance: "Lord Liu and I will be officials in the same court in the future, so I must give you this courtesy. Lord Liu is quite a character. Others avoid me, yet this is the first time I've been invited into someone's home."

Liu Zhengfeng's smile became even brighter: "The Imperial Guard is ordered to monitor officials. I, Liu Zhengfeng, conduct myself with integrity and have nothing to hide."

Centurion Chen thought of a recent event that had caused a stir in Hengyang City. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards slightly, but he quickly suppressed it: "Lord Liu has worked diligently in Hengyang City for half his life. We have seen all your previous actions, and it is a blessing to be in the same place as you."

A few days prior, Wang Jingyuan had helped Liu Zhengfeng donate for an official position and worked tirelessly until it was accomplished. However, he felt that merely donating for an official position was not enough, so he stirred up trouble by finding the local Imperial Guard office.

He brought generous gifts to meet the Imperial Guard Centurion. The Centurion, upon seeing Wang Jingyuan arrive with heavy gifts, had intended to throw him out. But after learning Wang Jingyuan's intentions, he instead agreed to attend Liu Zhengfeng's Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony as an observer.

As a local power in the vicinity of Hengyang City, the Hengshan Sect was also on the Imperial Guard's records. Therefore, Centurion Chen knew quite a lot about the Hengshan Sect and its actual leader, Liu Zhengfeng.

From what he knew, the Hengshan Sect's ethos could indeed be called righteous, and the sect's role in the local area was often more significant than that of the county yamen. Centurion Chen was happy to see Liu Zhengfeng willing to donate for an official position and enter the proper path.

Especially since Liu Zhengfeng had gone to great lengths to donate for the position of a local county magistrate. Having such a person as an official in the area would also make things much smoother for the Imperial Guard.

Thus, Liu Zhengfeng and Centurion Chen chatted idly. Seeing more and more people arriving at the Liu residence, Centurion Chen proactively stated that he was feeling a bit tired and asked Liu Zhengfeng to have someone escort him to the rear hall to rest.

After all, today was an important occasion for Liu Zhengfeng, and the guests were all Jianghu figures. He was there as a guest, and if he remained in the main hall, it might make everyone uncomfortable. He would make an appearance again when the ceremony began.

Liu Zhengfeng immediately called his disciple, Xiang Danian, to escort Centurion Chen to the rear hall. After Centurion Chen left, Liu Zhengfeng let out a slight sigh of relief and touched the back of his neck, which was already damp with sweat.

Liu Zhengfeng had not lied before. Apart from his association with Qu Yang, he had lived a life of integrity and uprightness, with nothing to hide. But the Imperial Guard... could they really do nothing to a person with an impeccable record?

Thinking of this, Liu Zhengfeng gritted his teeth: "This brat is truly... truly... alas!"

"Senior Brother Liu, are you well?" Abbess Dingyi had arrived. Liu Zhengfeng adjusted his mood and went to greet her.

"Please forgive my poor reception, Reverend Mother."

With Centurion Chen's temporary departure, the atmosphere in the front hall became much livelier.

The Mount Hua Sect was the last to arrive because their lodging was quite far away. Upon hearing the disciples at the entrance report the arrival of the Mount Hua Sect, the news was relayed inside.

Abbess Dingyi, who was chatting with Liu Zhengfeng, smiled slightly: "I heard that Senior Brother Yue of Mount Hua recently gained an excellent disciple. My disciple Yilin was also saved by him from the clutches of a villain."

Liu Zhengfeng forced a smile: "Yes, yes."

Abbess Dingyi recalled: "I heard the new disciple Senior Brother Yue took in is named Wang Jingyuan. Judging by his conduct, one can tell he is indeed as his name suggests, a gentle and refined gentleman who seeks far-reaching goals..."

Crack! Crack!

Abbess Dingyi, who was praising Wang Jingyuan, suddenly heard a strange noise beside her. She turned to see Liu Zhengfeng grinding his teeth with a contorted expression.

Abbess Dingyi frowned: "Senior Brother Liu, what is wrong?"

Liu Zhengfeng's expression was like he was constipated: "An old injury flared up just now. I'll be fine if I endure it, I'll be fine."