People were coming and going on Azure Dragon Street.
The white horse galloped through the bustling streets, where carriages, mule carts, and cargo wagons shuttled back and forth, and the shops on both sides were filled with the cacophony of voices—the sounds of horse bells and vendors' cries almost blended together.
"Steamed stuffed bun..."
"Selling coal..."
Ye Xingge rode on horseback, his clothes impeccably dressed, and the white horse, well-cared for by the Heaven-Observing Pavilion, had a glossy coat, making him look like an ordinary young master.
Upon arriving at the newly renovated inn, Ye Xingge still looked somewhat apprehensive.
After all, it took about a month to go from taking over the inn to decorating it.
There must be a reason why his parents and uncles left him to mind the shop in Qingxi and wouldn't let him come along to help.
As it turns out, my parents and uncles were right about him.
But he only killed bad people, not the guests...
I'm very anxious because this guest is afraid to come, okay?
Seeing that the main gate was closed but the windows were open, Ye Xingge knew that his parents and second uncle were inside. He immediately dismounted, parked his horse in the stable next to the inn, and peered out the window.
As a result, it was clear that the father, mother, and second uncle were sitting on three sides of the table, all with grim expressions, the scene resembling a joint trial by three judges.
Squeak~
Ye Xingge pushed open the door, glanced around briefly, and then revealed an innocent, sunny smile:
"Dad, Mom, Second Uncle, I'm back! This inn is beautifully decorated. Look at these big pillars, they're so round! Have you picked a date for the opening yet?"
Ye Yuanshan glanced at his son out of the corner of his eye, and only after confirming that his limbs were intact and his complexion was good did his worries of the past few days finally subside.
"What other business is there? Who doesn't know in the capital now that a Tai Sui man came to Qingxi, and he beheaded more than thirty people, and even silenced them one by one in front of the Snake and Diao Temple! The inn is engaged in jianghu business, how dare you live in this kind of hotel?"
Liu Ping'er had just been the harshest in her scolding of the two brothers, but now her attitude had changed drastically, and she said unhappily:
"What are you saying? Xingge is ridding the people of a scourge, while the Return to Origin Cult is full of murderers and thieves. He's encountered some illegal activity; are you just going to let him go?"
Ye Gucheng's face was ashen, and he picked up his wine bowl and took a sip.
"In the world of martial arts, the great path conceals its sharpness, the human heart is a calamity, and swords are a cage. Even with extraordinary skills, it is difficult to withstand the undercurrents beneath the surface."
" Xingge, you're too sharp."
Ye Xingge thought that her second uncle's pose was even more impressive than Heaven-Observing Decree's, and then she sat down at the square table with her package in hand.
"I had no choice; it just so happened to be like this. As for the inn business, don't worry. With my current assets, I could easily buy a large shop in Changle Ward."
When Ye Yuanshan saw his son return carrying a package, he assumed it was clothes or something issued by the government. But upon hearing this, he glanced at the package and discovered it contained a tattered cloak, a gold bell, a file, and a copper bracelet...
Liu Ping'er had already gotten up to pour water for her son, and seeing this, she asked in confusion:
"Where did you pick up this junk?"
Ye Xingge quickly shook his head, a hint of smugness in his eyes, and picked up the bell:
"This is Gold-Chasing Bell's, Gold-Chasing Gentleman's, eating utensils..."
"Um?"
Ye Gucheng, who was about to reach out, immediately withdrew his hand and frowned as he examined the situation again.
" Dust-Returning Robe, Wind-Traveling Talisman... what have you been up to these past two days?!"
Ye Xingge didn't dare say that he had gone to the Forgetful River Mouth alone to swim with the dragon, and smiled:
"I was just ordered to do some errands at the Forgetful River Mouth and made some insignificant contributions..."
Snap--
Ye Yuanshan, who had been paying close attention to the political climate and the list of Gold List in the imperial examinations for many years, surely knew whose possessions these things belonged to. He lightly slapped the table.
"This can't be a trivial matter? You stole the Fate-Robbing Saber?"
Ye Xingge an awkward smile, pulled out a watermelon knife wrapped in black cloth from behind his waist, and placed it on the table:
"I was lucky; the divine weapon recognized its master, and the Heavenly Gate bestowed it upon me."
Ye Yuanshan opened his mouth, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Liu Ping'er was unaware of the brothers' messy affair, but she couldn't possibly be unaware of the Twelve Divine Weapons. She sat down at that moment:
"This knife is said to bring bad luck; no one who wields it ever lives past ten years..."
Ye Xingge waved his hand and said, "That's for wandering martial artists. I work for the imperial court and act according to the law. I won't incur public wrath. I also have the support of the Heaven-Observing Pavilion, so there's no risk. Mother, you can rest assured."
While he was talking, he saw his second uncle wiping the watermelon knife with his fingers, and his brows were filled with the emotion of "a hero sees a treasured knife", and he picked up the Guichen robe and handed it over:
"Second Uncle, didn't you want to see this thing before? Why don't you give it a try?"
"Hey!"
Ye Gucheng slightly raised his finger, displaying an expression that showed he regarded famous soldiers as dirt!
The reason wasn't that he didn't want to handle the divine weapons, but rather that since he started practicing martial arts, he had never dared to use his full strength in anything he did, nor did he dare to fight anyone seriously, so he really didn't know what his level was.
Once a divine weapon recognizes its master, no one can change its owner, Heaven-Observing Decree cannot detect it.
However, famous soldiers can change hands at any time, and the Heaven-Observing Decree can be seen at any moment.
If he brings over the famous soldier, if he's unlucky, the Heaven-Observing Decree accidentally discover an unfamiliar Third Rank; if he's lucky, he might become—wow, First Rank old demon!
Faced with his nephew presenting the treasure, Ye Gucheng simply said:
"Even a small blade or a three-foot blade are external things; only this body can provide for one's livelihood."
"The more you use these items, the more dependent you become, which is of no benefit to your martial arts progress. From now on, you should focus on your personal martial arts skills."
The eldest Ye Yuanshan, wasn't very skilled and wasn't worried about being Heaven-Observing Pavilion. He was examining the Gold-Chasing Bell when he handed it to his wife.
"Don't listen to his nonsense. These things are your livelihood, but having them will definitely attract unwanted attention. Be careful in the future. As long as you stay safe and don't worry your mother, we ask for nothing more."
Ye Xingge laughed and said, "Don't you know my abilities? I would never risk my life if there was even the slightest risk involved."
Ye Gucheng, however, hadn't forgotten the important matter and interjected:
"I really want to show my filial piety, and my second uncle does have some thoughts about it. I've practiced martial arts for decades, but I've never seen a single profound manual..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xingge immediately took out the " Eight Extremes Gang-Piercing Force " manual;
"By the way, this was bestowed by Lord Luo of the Heaven-Observing Pavilion. It's an outer sect secret technique of the Eight Pillars Hall. Second Uncle, would you like to take a look?"
Outer sect... ultimate technique...
Ye Yuanshan took a deep breath and realized that he had indeed neglected his son a bit in order to hide his talents over the years.
Ye Gucheng had only practiced the " Twelve Stances Art " and dared not seek out other techniques, but now he was genuinely interested and picked it up to take a quick look:
"Most external martial arts techniques are incomplete and lack substance, making it difficult to achieve great things. Your second uncle follows the internal martial arts path. If you happen to obtain the ' Twelve Stances Art ' while working at the Heaven-Observing Pavilion, you can have your second uncle examine it."
Faced with this small request, Ye Xingge smiled and said:
"Okay, I'll ask when I have the chance."
Upon hearing this, Ye Yuanshan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and added:
"Although I don't have much talent, this skill is said to be good for health and well-being. If I really find it, I'll try to learn it."
Seeing the two brothers, Liu Ping'er immediately asked her son for the cultivation technique, and lightly tapped the table, saying:
" Xingge has just started working at the yamen. Let him finish his own business first. What's the use of you two learning kung fu?"
After speaking, Liu Ping'er looked at her son again:
" Xingge, you used to have no interest in working in the yamen, but now you're suddenly so enthusiastic. Is it because of that Flower Judge...?"
Ye Xingge has definitely taken a liking to her, but since nothing's actually going to happen, I dare not say anything rashly.
"He only received some recognition."
Liu Ping'er was a little disappointed, but still encouraged him:
"The most beautiful woman in the capital, and a disciple of that living immortal from Mount Jiuhua. You're not bad in looks or skills, just a little lacking in martial arts. If you like her, just be shameless and pursue her. Don't you know what your father was like back then..."
"Eh~"
Ye Yuanshan quickly stopped talking.
Ye Xingge smiled, but after thinking for a moment, he added:
"Now that I'm making a living in the capital, I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of the old shop in Qingxi anymore. Besides, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it, so my parents and uncles will have to be more careful in the future."
Ye Gucheng picked up his wine bowl and took a sip:
"If any thieves dare to come to the inn and harm your family, then your second uncle has done you some good by shielding you from trouble."
Ye Xingge did not doubt these words.
After all, the two had been friends since childhood, and his second uncle knew everything he knew. According to his estimation, his second uncle was at least a half-step Third Rank, so he could definitely handle ordinary matters.
"That's good. I live at No. 7 Peach Blossom Lane. Parents and Uncle can call me anytime if they need anything."
"The inn isn't open yet, and even if it were, it'd be difficult. You've just started, so try to make a good impression at the yamen whenever you have free time. Aim to become Night-Walking Lieutenant in a year or two, so that your father won't have to fawn over Magistrate Shen in the future."
"Uh... okay."
On the other side, in the suburbs.
On a sweltering summer day, a ferry crosses the Yong River and slowly heads towards the dock on the Hedong.
He Lin led his horse, his sword hanging at his waist, his eyes gazing at the majestic city at the end of the plain, his eyes still filled with anger.
As the " Heart Moon Fox " of the Return to Origin Cult, the fact that both of his subordinates were killed can be interpreted as a reflection of the unpredictability of the martial world and the responsibility of one's own life and death.
But to have been forced to do hard labor on Green Snail Island and even help the enemy draw away their main pursuing force was a truly shameful disgrace!
If it weren't for the fact that the Return to Origin Cult also had spies in the River-Spanning Pavilion, who secretly took them away under the guise of assisting in the search, he wouldn't have survived even with ten lives, Forgetful River Mouth Pass.
He Lin rushed to Yongzhou without stopping, his purpose being to retaliate in kind.
He Lin originally planned to go to Qingxi County first, but in the morning he received a message from Duan Lianshan saying that Ye Xingge, that heartless brat, had broken through the encirclement before them and had even returned to the capital, bringing back the Fate-Robbing Saber!
Fearing the boy wouldn't be able to escape, Duan Lianshan even helped search the Forgetful River Mouth for a whole day and night.
It seems their concerns were indeed somewhat unnecessary.
In handling affairs, speed is of the essence.
With the Heaven-Observing Pavilion mobilized, even if the main force runs as fast as it can, they won't return until tonight or tomorrow morning.
The city patrols will likely be lax today, and the usual government support will be slow; today is the best opportunity to strike.
Therefore He Lin rushed to Yong Capital without stopping, Duan Lianshan had just set off, striving to arrive before the main force of the Heaven-Observing Pavilion turned back, and was also on his way.
After reaching the shore, He Lin took out the jade pendant to make contact:
"We've reached the outskirts of Beijing, shall we wait?"
Duan Lianshan then replied:
"Having ascertained his whereabouts, you are no match for this young man. Do not be greedy for quick success and act rashly."
As a member of the Return to Origin Cult, He Lin's corporate culture dictates that he desires to monopolize the treasures and become the second " Gold-Chasing Gentleman."
But since Ye Xingge could pull off such a ruthless feat, He Lin didn't think she could be any better than Gold-Chasing Gentleman. She suppressed her greed and hurried towards the capital...