You're Sick, and Not Just a Little

In his past life, Lu Wu-bing had read many stories.

He knew that in a world with a less-than-perfect order, ordinary roadside stalls were often accident hotspots.

Once you entered, trouble would find you even if there was none.

But then again.

It was precisely in these small shops, where travelers stopped, that they couldn't help but chat about everything under the sun.

They would talk about the fresh events that had been happening recently.

This helped them understand the current situation.

Although Senior Sister Xiaolan didn't say it out loud, she just complained of being thirsty...

Lu Wu-bing knew that his Senior Sister was actually worried about the Battle of Tiger Ridge Pass, wondering what had happened to Aunt Guanghan and the others at the Bright Moon Palace, and if her own father was alright.

With the Northern Zhou Demonic Sect's experts heading south, no one could guarantee that they wouldn't be top-tier experts.

What if...

Also, had the Celestial Star Sect received the news and sent more reinforcements?

Had his mother, who was guarding the mountain gate, also come down the mountain?

The two had walked for seven or eight days deep in Hengshan.

They were completely cut off from any news.

Lu Wu-bing was fine. When he was hungry, he hunted wild game; when he was thirsty, he drank mountain spring water; when he was tired, he lay down and slept with the wind...

He even managed to find time to cultivate the [Dripping Water Force] and open up a second meridian.

The [White Rainbow Pierces the Sun] technique had been practiced for 183,000 sword strikes.

Only 17,000 more strikes and he would glimpse the magnificent state of perfection for the sword stab technique.

The [Inch Step] had also been performed 27,000 times.

Although it was still in the proficient stage, he had taken a significant step forward.

However, lightness skill and internal energy cultivation were not like a single sword stab technique. Each repetition took more time, and the cultivation speed was slightly slower.

As long as he wasn't in immediate danger, he would quietly practice and improve himself, not worrying about anything.

Ouyang Lan was different. Perhaps it was because a girl's heart was more sentimental. For the past two days, she couldn't eat or sleep well.

As soon as they left Hengshan and saw people, she became as excited as could be.

"If you want to go, then let's go. We're not far from home anyway. The most important thing is to eat quickly and then hurry on our way."

Lu Wu-bing had always been considerate.

He didn't try to dissuade Senior Sister Xiaolan.

"Mhm."

Ouyang Lan nodded heavily. As she walked to the door, she saw that the shop was bustling with customers and business was surprisingly good, with no empty seats.

Her face showed difficulty. Just as she was thinking of turning away, she heard someone call out.

"Two young heroes, a chance encounter is better than a planned meeting. I happen to have an empty seat here. Why don't you squeeze in with us?"

The speaker was a scholar in a blue robe, about thirty years old, with a smiling face, delicate features, and a gentle, likable demeanor.

Beside him sat a woman. She didn't look very old, but her face was covered in pockmarks, her eyes were cold, and she sat there motionless.

The atmosphere between the man and the woman seemed a bit off.

The wine pot and dishes on the table were no longer steaming, yet neither of them had touched their food.

"Then we'll trouble you."

Lu Wu-bing's gaze swept over the pockmarked woman, and he smilingly agreed.

This was because he saw that Mao Mao, who had been sickly all the way, had actually followed the scent and run over on its own.

For some reason, the little fellow seemed very interested in the pockmarked woman, jumping onto her and meowing incessantly.

This was strange.

Lu Wu-bing secretly exchanged a glance with Ouyang Lan and saw that his Senior Sister was also full of surprise.

He then pulled out a stool and sat down.

"Shopkeeper, add a few more hot dishes."

The scholar in the blue robe rolled up his sleeves, took two cups from the side, and poured wine enthusiastically. "You two have extraordinary bearing, like orchids and jade trees. You can tell you are young heroes from a prestigious sect. It is a great fortune to be able to drink at the same table with you."

This person looked good and had a good attitude.

Although his invitation was presumptuous, it was not annoying.

Even Lu Wu-bing had to admit that the other party had an extraordinary presence.

He had a strong affinity and infectious power.

"We'll pass on the wine. We're traveling, and my master has instructed me not to touch this stuff."

Lu Wu-bing declined, but his eyes scanned the various dishes.

There was meat and fish, as well as soup and wild vegetables.

As he sat closer, the aroma assailed his nostrils, truly whetting his appetite.

Ouyang Lan also paused slightly upon hearing this, remaining silent.

However, the pockmarked woman suddenly spoke up.

"Oh ho, you pretty boy are quite cautious, aren't you? What's the point of pretending like this?

When you're out in the world, the more defensive you act, the more people will see your lack of experience in the martial arts community. Besides that pretty face, you're completely useless."

"Hmm?"

Lu Wu-bing and Ouyang Lan suddenly turned their heads, looking strangely at the pockmarked girl beside them.

The reason for calling her a girl was that although this pockmarked woman was not a sight for sore eyes, her voice was extremely pleasant.

Like pearls falling on a jade plate, clear and melodious.

However, no matter how pleasant the voice, paired with that face, it wasn't very enjoyable.

Especially when she was cursing.

"What are you looking at? And you too. With that lovesick look on your face, completely infatuated by this pretty boy, aren't you?

There will come a day you regret it. Pfft... Looking at the two of you makes me uncomfortable. You're making me so angry!"

"Please don't be offended, my friend. My wife has encountered a tragic event at home and was stimulated, causing some issues with her mind.

For some reason, she particularly dislikes seeing young men and women."

The blue-robed scholar pointed to his forehead, his face full of apology.

After saying this, he immediately became gentle, carefully scooped a small bowl of soup, and said softly, "Don't be angry, my dear. It's bad for your health to get so worked up. Have some soup.

The shopkeeper said this lamb bone soup was simmered for three hours, making it the most nourishing."

Although the man's movements were gentle, the spoon was precise and steady.

A mouthful of meat soup was fed, silencing the pockmarked girl's mouth.

Of course, only temporarily.

After taking a sip of the meat paste soup, the pockmarked girl turned her head and started cursing again.

However, this time, it was directed at the blue-robed scholar.

"Don't pretend to be a good person with me. Didn't you just sell your ass and learn a set of saber techniques from the Eastern Barbarians?

With your oily face and powdered skin, you hooked up with a disciple from Spirit Butterfly Valley and stole their lightness skill..."

"Stop it, stop it, I know. That's just the kind of person I am. If you really dislike the food here, my dear, I'll go kill a couple of chickens later and cook for you myself."

"Alas, my wife's illness is getting worse. She will imagine all sorts of absurd stories, truly making you two laugh."

The blue-robed scholar's face darkened, but he was surprisingly not angry, maintaining a very stable mood.

He still enthusiastically entertained Lu Wu-bing and the other, even thoughtfully scooping a bowl of soup for each of them.

He fully embodied the role of a hospitable host.

"I actually think she's not sick, but rather, you are sick, and quite seriously at that."

Lu Wu-bing said with a chuckle.

He looked at the two bowls of lamb soup in front of him and shook his head.

As soon as he said this, Ouyang Lan's muscles tensed, and her hand rested on her sword hilt.

No matter how bizarre his words were, if Junior Brother said them, they were true and must have a reason.

Although, she didn't think the pockmarked girl was not sick at all.

She was clearly beyond saving.

Especially when the other party called her a "lovesick fool," which almost made Ouyang Lan lose her temper. Did you drink your soup and get drunk?

The surrounding diners suddenly fell silent.

They looked towards the table near the door.

Clearly, the commotion at this table had also piqued the curiosity of these onlookers.

Especially since such a bizarre dispute was happening to a handsome man and a beautiful woman, it drew even more attention.

Of course, the pockmarked girl's insults had also attracted considerable attention.

Her curses were fresh and vicious.

Whether it was intentional or not...

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