Travel · Hangzhou Arc (Twenty-One): Seeking an Old Friend in Jiangnan's Drizzle

The weather today is really not very nice.

The light drizzle once again soaked the entire Hangzhou. It was intermittent, and passersby had to carry umbrellas with them to avoid being drenched by the sudden downpour.

Honestly, staying home and sleeping would be the best option in this kind of weather, but Xiao Ling still chose to go out with the Yang Sui sisters.

At this moment, the three of them were walking towards Qingbo District, holding umbrellas.

"Xiao Yu, you look a little tired. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

When Yangyang was at home, she noticed that Xiao Ling looked unwell and had dark circles under her eyes, but there were many people around, so she didn't dare to ask.

"Was your complexion that bad...?" Xiao Ling rubbed her cheeks. "And now?"

"It's a little better, but not much," Suisui pointed out.

"You probably didn't sleep well last night..." Xiao Ling said helplessly.

He only remembered that he passed out after being punched, and when he woke up again, he was back in bed with a peeled Honey Peach next to him.

But! With his current physical condition, he was more than capable of dealing with Hajiya's offensive! As a result, he felt sore back and aching waist as soon as he got up, and almost fell back onto the bed.

He felt that he was definitely not just duoing with Hajiya; it looked like they were in at least a five-man squad.

But he had arranged to go out with Yangyang and Suisui to meet some friends today. Although he could tell them the details and then arrange a time, he was afraid time would be running out.

So, besides you, there are other people who have settled in Hangzhou?

"Of course, I originally planned to catch up with her when I came back, but after being busy for half a month, I completely forgot about it, and she hasn't contacted me either," Suisui said somewhat embarrassedly.

"If you're here to catch up, why bring me along?" Xiao Ling asked, puzzled.

"Because she wants to see you," Yangyang replied. "And you should know that person, Xiao Yu."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Whether we know each other or not, we'll know once we meet in person," Suisui chuckled. "Let's hurry up, don't keep them waiting."

The three chatted and laughed all the way until they finally arrived at a quiet courtyard inside the Qingbo District.

Before they could see the person, they heard a clanging sound. When Xiao Ling and his group were still a short distance from the courtyard, they heard a series of clanging sounds, which seemed to be the sound of a sword blade cutting through the air.

"That sound... who is practicing swordsmanship here?" Xiao Ling exclaimed in amazement.

"You've got some skills, Brother Ling, you could even tell that." Suisui stared at him with an expression that said, "You're not so simple either."

"Actually, it's because I've been reading too many novels..."

That's mainly how it's written in novels. When those powerful sword cultivators wield their swords, their aura is so magnificent that they seem to be cutting through the sea and breaking through the waves. They're practically shouting, "Who in the world can rival me?"

Without delay, the three of them rushed to the entrance of the courtyard. When Xiao Ling saw the beautiful figure practicing swordsmanship inside, his eyes were immediately drawn to her.

Her figure and demeanor, though dressed in simple blue robes, could not conceal her aloof and otherworldly temperament. A three-foot-long sword moved nimbly in her hands, a sight that was truly pleasing to the eye.

"Um?"

Qingxiao, who was inside the courtyard, noticed the gazes directed at her from outside. After twirling her sword, she turned her gaze toward the courtyard gate and found Xiao Ling and his group staring at her with great interest, indicating that they had arrived some time ago.

Her gaze swept over Yang Sui and the other person, lingering on Xiao Ling for a moment before she said in a clear voice, "Come in first. The rain has been on and off; we don't know when it will start again."

"Excuse me~" Suisui led Xiao Ling and Yangyang through the door.

It just so happened that it wasn't raining and the air was very fresh. Qingxiao and Suisui put their heads together and decided to set up a tea table in the courtyard. The four of them chatted and drank tea while enjoying Yangyang's pastries.

"Your trip to Guangzhou must have been quite enjoyable," Qingxiao said with a soft laugh. "You made new friends, saw new sights, and even reunited with someone you love. It was definitely a worthwhile trip."

"Miss Qingxiao is too kind." Suisui blushed slightly, but still maintained her dignified demeanor. "My younger sister has long admired Brother Ling, and as her older sister, I naturally cannot bear to see her suffer the pain of unrequited love."

"Sister~" Yangyang's face flushed instantly, and she couldn't help but shyly and coquettishly say.

Qingxiao chuckled twice, then spoke earnestly to Xiao Ling, adopting the demeanor of an elder.

"My disciple, Miss Yangyang is virtuous and kind, and she values matters of the heart very much. You must treat her well and never betray her sincere heart."

"I know, Sister Qingxiao..." Xiao Ling was enjoying her tea and snacks when she was suddenly called out like this. She immediately sat up straight and said, "Do I need to sign a pledge, or something like beheading if I don't keep it?"

"Xiao Yu, you're too kind!" Yangyang, no longer caring about being shy, quickly interjected, "Your intentions are enough for me; you don't need to go to such lengths!"

"I also think that using a military order to restrain his disciple is a bit too much, but since he has such awareness, I, as his master, should support him," Qingxiao said with a smile.

"Wow, Sister Qingxiao, I was just saying it casually, you actually came?" Xiao Ling said with a look of horror.

"A military pledge is not something to be taken lightly," Qingxiao said with an undiminished smile. "Throughout history, every soldier who has made a pledge has held the attitude of 'better to die than not succeed.' With such determination, my disciple, you can succeed at anything."

"Wait here a moment, and I will get you paper and pen to write a pledge. You only need to sign and affix your seal on it. If you cause Yangyang even the slightest sadness or distress afterward, I will personally come and take your head."

(Qingxiao, when did you become so cunning? Give me back my aloof and ethereal sword immortal master!)

"Caw, Sister Suisui, save me!" Xiao Ling cried out to Suisui for help.

"I think it's great!" Suisui said leisurely, holding up her folding fan. "This way, I don't have to worry about Yangyang not having a good life with you."

Suisui could tell that Qingxiao Qingxiao was joking, but that didn't stop her from playing along to scare Xiao Ling.

"Yangyang-- " Xiao Ling turned her gaze to the last straw.

"Um... I'm sorry, Xiao Yu, but this proposal is really tempting to me..." Yangyang blushed and turned her face away.

In fact, Yangyang knew that even if a military order was really given, it would not be easy for Qingxiao Sword Immortal to take Xiao Ling's head. Just the presence of Xiao Ai Kati Jin Lingyin was enough to give this sword immortal a hard time, not to mention other beings whose strength was unknown and who became stronger when facing stronger opponents.

However, seeing Hajiling staring at her pitifully, she finally softened and spoke up for Hajiling.

"There's no need for that, Sword Immortal Qingxiao. I've seen Xiao Yu's feelings for me; there's no need to bind him with military orders."

"Furthermore, I believe that matters of the heart cannot be forced. If I were to bind him with such behavior, I fear his feelings for me would only diminish rather than increase."

"Miss Yangyang is quite right. Matters of the heart are like fruits; they won't be sweet if forced." Qingxiao naturally followed the lead Yangyang offered. "You unfilial disciple, never again joke about military orders, do you understand?"

"I know, I know... I won't do it again next time..." Xiao Ling said with a sigh of relief.

This scene can truly be described as: Qingxiao cleverly devised a series of schemes, causing Xiao Ling to mistakenly end up on the executioner's block. Next time, he should be more careful and refrain from making such jokes in front of this aloof sword immortal...