A Chance Encounter with an Old Acquaintance

Chen Xuan turned and left the Zhang Residence, a measure of resolve already settling in his eyes as he quietly decided on his next move.

How to approach Zhang Lexuan could be carefully planned tomorrow.

For now, his top priority was finding somewhere to stay and rest.

As a dignified Rank 98 Super Douluo, he had no intention of becoming so destitute that he had to sleep on the streets.

However, he had only visited Azure Mist City twice in his early years, and his memories of the place had long since blurred.

Fortunately, the city was not large. After strolling along several main streets, he soon got a rough grasp of its layout.

He vaguely recalled an old inn not far ahead called Cloud Arrival Lodge. He had stayed there for a night while passing through years ago, and the place had been reasonably clean.

Night had fully fallen.

The wind lanterns lining the streets lit up one after another, their warm yellow glow spilling across the bluestone pavement and giving it a soft sheen.

Pedestrians gradually thinned out, but all manner of late-night food stalls began opening in succession. The evening breeze carried the toasted fragrance of scallion pancakes and the sweetness of fermented rice wine through the entire street.

The tempting scents slipped into his nose, and Chen Xuan's stomach growled at the worst possible moment.

"True enough. No matter how hard things get, I can't let my stomach suffer. I'll settle in first, then come back out later to get something to eat." His pace unconsciously quickened.

Yet before he reached the entrance of Cloud Arrival Lodge, his steps abruptly halted.

Someone was watching him in secret.

Above the night sky, a faint ripple of Soul Power swept slowly across the entire district like a breeze brushing one's face.

This Soul Power was not particularly formidable, but it carried extreme patience. After probing several times, it ultimately locked firmly onto the space directly above him.

Chen Xuan did not look up, merely clicking his tongue inwardly.

"A newly advanced Titled Douluo. His aura is still unstable and hasn't fully settled. Instead of resting in the middle of the night, he's patrolling the skies and investigating. At least he's doing his duty."

He understood that this was a heavily fortified border stronghold in the southern reaches of the Heaven Dou Empire. Strict defenses and meticulous patrols were only natural.

They could each mind their own business and leave each other alone. As long as the other party did not provoke him, it had nothing to do with him.

Thinking this, Chen Xuan continued forward calmly.

Yet the Soul Power presence locked onto him remained fixed from that moment onward, staring at him without wavering.

Chen Xuan raised a brow and secretly laughed. "So I've caught his attention. Fair enough. If he couldn't even detect this little anomaly, then this Titled Douluo would have cultivated for nothing."

He had long known that his little technique for concealing his aura could not deceive an expert at the Titled Douluo level, but he had not expected it to fail in less than a second.

He still pretended not to notice and continued ahead at a steady pace.

After only a few steps, a sharp rush of wind suddenly sounded behind him.

A figure dove down from the air and landed firmly three zhang behind him.

"Elder Xuan!"

The newcomer's voice was clear, filled with startled delight and the eager respect of a junior meeting an elder.

Only then did Chen Xuan slowly turn around.

The man appeared to be in his early fifties. He was tall and straight-backed, dressed in a dark teal official robe, with a standard bronze badge hanging from his waist. His bearing was orderly and dignified.

He hurried forward and clasped his hands in salute to Chen Xuan, his smile sincere and enthusiastic.

"What brings you personally to the Heaven Dou Empire, Elder Xuan? While patrolling the city tonight, I suddenly sensed an immense and terrifying reserve of Soul Power. I thought an outside expert had entered the border without permission and was about to investigate. But when I looked closer, it turned out to be you!"

Chen Xuan examined him indifferently for a moment, a hint of vague recognition in his eyes. "You are...?"

"This junior is Lu Yun!" the man promptly replied.

"Back then, I studied in Shrek's Inner Court and was fortunate enough to receive instruction from you in wilderness survival. Later, I returned to the Heaven Dou Empire to take up office, and I am now under orders to guard the southern border. Elder Xuan, have you forgotten me?"

"Lu Yun..."

Chen Xuan carefully searched through his dusty memories. After a moment, he finally matched the name to the face and gave a slight nod.

"Oh. So it's you, brat. Among all the Inner Court disciples back then, you were the cleverest and slickest."

Lu Yun smiled awkwardly, his tone somewhat bashful. "That was just youthful foolishness. Elder Xuan, please don't expose this junior's shortcomings the moment we meet."

Chen Xuan chuckled. "No matter. It seems you're doing rather well now. You've already broken through to Titled Douluo."

"I only entered the Titled Douluo realm two years ago, and my foundation is still shallow. I would never dare compare myself to you. When I sensed your aura just now, its pressure was vast and weighty. I didn't even dare approach rashly."

"Enough with the empty flattery. Put more thought into your cultivation."

Chen Xuan waved a hand and said calmly, "I merely came to Azure Mist City to stay for two days and rest. There's no need to publicize it, nor to disturb anyone else."

How could Lu Yun possibly let him go so easily after hearing that? He immediately urged him to stay with great enthusiasm.

"Elder Xuan, inns are shabby and noisy. How could you possibly stay comfortably there? Why not let this junior host you for some drinks and music?"

Chen Xuan paused and glanced sideways at him. "Music?"

Lu Yun smiled meaningfully. "Don't underestimate Azure Mist City, Elder Xuan. Though it lies at the border, it has every refined pastime a great city should possess.

Fine wine, exquisite dishes, elegant strings and melodies—nothing is lacking.

Especially the painted pleasure boats on the Azure Mist River. After night falls, their lights sway, their reflections shimmer over the river, and the scenery has a unique charm."

Chen Xuan curled his lip in feigned disdain. "Nonsense. At my age, what business do I have joining in on music and revelry?"

His words were proper and serious, but his eyes involuntarily darted toward the Azure Mist River in the south of the city.

Yet inwardly, he was thinking something entirely different:

Hurry up and persuade me a little more so I can go along with it!

To put it bluntly, before I transmigrated, I was barely in my twenties—the perfect age to enjoy myself freely.

Then I came here and immediately became a two-hundred-year-old man, restricted at every turn.

Sorry, Little Huo.

I'll take the Life Gold for you. It's not as though you're lacking this one cheat anyway.

I don't want to spend my whole life wearing the face of an old man, unable to experience even life's greatest pleasures.

Lu Yun was a shrewd and perceptive man, his ability to read expressions and observe others already masterful.

Seeing Chen Xuan refuse with his mouth while his feet remained firmly planted, he understood at once.

Suppressing his laughter, he earnestly urged again, "Elder Xuan, since you've come from so far away, how can you return empty-handed? Have a few drinks, listen to an elegant tune, then return peacefully to the residence to rest. How leisurely and comfortable would that be? Besides, with your heaven-reaching cultivation, you needn't fear the chill of traveling at night."

Chen Xuan gave a soft snort and deliberately remained silent.

Seeing this, Lu Yun simply stepped forward and half-persuaded, half-pulled him along by the arm. "Come on, Elder Xuan, don't refuse any longer. Just sit for a moment. Consider it this junior's filial respect for his elder."

"You brat, you're stubborn and troublesome."

Chen Xuan put up a token resistance, muttering with feigned impatience. "Fine, but we agreed—only for a little while. We'll leave after just a little while."

"All right! Just a little while!" Lu Yun quickly agreed without hesitation.

The two passed through several streets and soon arrived at the bank of the Azure Mist River. The river was broad and calm, its waters murmuring softly.

Along both banks, rows of exquisite painted pleasure boats were moored in sequence.

The multicolored glazed lamps hanging from their prows lit up one after another. Their brilliant reflections scattered across the rippling emerald waters, breaking into a river full of swaying starlight.