On the day of departure, everyone gathered at the city gate early in the morning, almost blocking the official road completely.
Among the martial arts sects, there were those who emphasized grandeur. Even the lowest-ranking disciples rode fine horses from the northern deserts, dressed uniformly with long swords at their waists, presenting a chic and dashing appearance. The carriages at the rear of the procession were crafted from blackwood from the southern seas, sleek and valuable.
The onlookers couldn’t help but envy, gathering together to whisper and gossip. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the back, prompting them to curiously stretch their necks to see what was happening. What they witnessed nearly left their jaws dropping.
The cavalry from the Zhu Family of Jiangnan marched in a vast and imposing formation, appearing at the city gate in a grand and breathtaking manner.
The sheer enormity of the procession rendered all the martial arts heroes present momentarily speechless.
Ordinary folks often use red sandalwood for making beaded bracelets, affluent households employ it for crafting furniture, and as for the Zhu Family, they directly use it to build carriages. The carriage was pulled by a team of purebred horses, each resembling a night jade lion—snow-white and robust. The saddle was finely embroidered with golden threads and silver lines, shimmering in the sunlight. The household servants and guards, distinguished by their different roles, wore different-colored garments, standing in neat formation, displaying an imposing presence that did not fail to pale in comparison to any martial arts sect.
The carriage that Zhu Yanyin rode in was even more luxurious and exquisite. The interior was made of huanghuali, emitting a refined medicinal fragrance known to soothe the mind and uplift the spirit. The exterior was covered with a layer of hollowed-out white pomelo wood, with a detachable layer that could be moved. During sweltering heat, ice could be placed in it, and during bitter cold, warm jade could be placed, ensuring comfort in both summer and winter. The interior space was also spacious, allowing for sitting or lying down, ensuring that even during long journeys, fatigue would not be too overwhelming.
With this large wave of people, the road was thoroughly blocked off.
After the carriage came to a stop, Zhu Xiaosui lifted the curtain and helped Zhu Yanyin down.
Immediately, a crowd swarmed up with a “whoosh” sound.
If the previous “encircling” was aimed at using Zhu Yanyin’s influence to establish a relationship with Wanren Palace, then this time’s encircling, outside of Wanren Palace, added another layer of admiration for the wealthy in Jiangnan. If one hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, who would believe that there could be someone so damn wealthy in this world?
Zhu Xiaosui had figured it out. Since they have to mingle with martial arts sects along the way, it was inevitable to interact with them. As long as they didn’t lay a hand on our Young Master, it’s fine to stand together and have a chat. Besides, these sects weren’t like he had thought they would be, drawing their swords and slashing at each other at the slightest disagreement. Except for that Palace Master Li, who seems a bit like a bloodthirsty maniac, the rest seemed relatively normal.
The four words “bloodthirsty maniac” were something Zhu Xiaosui picked up while helping his young master sort out his scripts from ‘The Butcher of the Martial World: He Eats a Person Every Day”. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed fitting to use them on Wanren Palace.
Zhu Yanyin exchanged a few pleasantries with everyone, preparing to find Li Sui. However, before he could do so, a breeze brought a wave of floral fragrance.
Elegant and lingering, refreshing the heart and soul.
Upon catching a whiff, one could tell that a beauty was approaching.
“Ah!” someone in the crowd slapped their thigh, “It must be the senior sisters from the Clear Flower Pavilion.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Li Sui rode his horse through the city gate.
The smiles on the martial heroes’ faces froze.
Coincidentally, at this moment, the rising sun also disappeared, blocked by a patch of floating clouds that seemed to have come from nowhere, leaving only a thin layer of light.
In Li Sui’s eyes remained the unchanging “You are all going to die soon” that had persisted for eighty thousand years.
The martial heroes never dreamed that, accompanying the fragrance of flowers, it would be the appearance of the Wanren Palace. Who could withstand this? The timid ones had already started trembling, but they couldn’t turn around and run, so they forced themselves to maintain their initial expressions, looking pleased.
As for the effectiveness of the “pleased” expressions, at least when Zhu Xiaosui saw it from a distance, a layer of cold sweat emerged on his back.
Is this going to turn into a corpse transformation or something? It’s really frightening.
Li Sui was in an extremely bad mood.
The major sects were either cautious, trembling with fear, or avoiding the situation altogether, none feeling particularly pleased.
Looking across the entire scene, the only one who might be in high spirits was probably Zhu Yanyin.
The reason he chose to gift Enchanting Orchid Beauty to Li Sui was because of the Xiang Jun Sword. It was said that when Lady Xiang rode a cassia boat on Dongting Lake, the boat had fragrant herbs such as sweet flag, orchid grass, bryony, and magnolia on board. Enchanting Orchid Beauty was made using these herbs, combined with flower oil, not only for incense but also for wiping the sword blade. Young Master Zhu had carefully written in the letter about how to use it, a full two pages, showing sincerity.
He was initially a bit anxious, wondering if the other party would find his words too much to bother reading. Even Zhao Mingchuan, upon hearing about it, tactfully expressed, “Why did Young Brother send such a thing? Lord Li doesn’t seem like someone who likes fragrances. It’s probably going to be discarded.”
Young Master Zhu responded listlessly: “Oh.”
Well, if he wants to discard it, then so be it. Next time, I would give something else.
But who could have expected that Palace Master Li not only didn’t discard it but also used it?
Not only did he use it, but he also didn’t use it to wipe the sword. Instead, he used it to fill the entire Wanren Palace, including himself, with an incredibly pleasant fragrance.
Zhu Yanyin was overjoyed and dashed all the way to the city gate: “Palace Master Li.”
Today, because of the long journey ahead, Zhu Xiaosui changed him into a lighter and more practical outfit. Whir remained white, but the fluffiness was slightly restrained. When the hem of the clothes fluttered, it no longer resembled an exaggeratedly large flower, but rather, snow swept up by the wind.
However, Li Sui still found the other person extremely displeasing.
Zhu Yanyin looked at him with joy and sincerity: “Palace Master Li, if you like this fragrance, I still have a lot of it at home.”
Veins bulged on Li Sui’s forehead, and with a flick of his thumb, the sword hummed.
“Palace Master Li, Young Master Zhu!” At this critical moment, Jiang Shenglin descended from above.
Several medicine attendants followed him, panting heavily.
Because of the aggressive fragrance of the Enhancting Orchid Beauty last night, Jiang Shenglin immediately packed up and fled back to the Xuanlin Tower. Fortunately, his luggage was also in the tower, allowing him to escape unscathed. Unlike the others in the Wanren Palace, who had their clothes and bedding thoroughly scented.
“Doctor Jiang,” Zhu Yanyin greeted and inquired with concern, “What’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well last night?”
Jiang Shenglin replied casually, “Checked the herbs a few more times, and before I knew it, it was already dawn.” In fact, after returning to the tower, he remembered the Enchanting Orchid Beauty and Lord Li lying in the grassy pile, and he laughed for almost half an hour, becoming more awake as he laughed.
Thinking that the other party was delayed in resting due to preparing medicine for him, Zhu Yanyin quickly said, “I’ve prepared a separate carriage for the esteemed doctor. You can take a short rest during the journey.”
Jiang Shenglin smiled and said, “Thanks a lot, Master Zhu, but I have my own.”
Zhu Yanyin glanced behind him and insisted, “Still, you should take mine; it’s more spacious.”
“Really, I don’t—” Before he could finish declining, the servants from the Zhu Mansion were already driving the carriage over with a rumble.
Compared to the doctor’s carriage, it was about three times larger, adorned with fragrant herbs and lined with soft brocade. Even the door curtain was embroidered with the scenery of the Southern Rivers and Lakes.
Jiang Shenglin said, “Alright, alright, I won’t decline then.”
Li Sui was extremely dissatisfied, emitting a cold snort.
Jiang Shenglin: “What are you snorting for? Why didn’t you arrange a big carriage for me?”
Zhu Yanyin turned his head, embracing anticipation, and said, “Actually, I have also prepared a carriage for Palace Master Li.”
Li Sui and he locked eyes in silence, and Li Sui’s expression clearly conveyed, “Take your carriage and leave immediately.”
Zhu Yanyin: Alright then!
From the northwest to the northeast, the journey was long and arduous.
Some martial artists were initially thinking that this journey was about suppressing the demonic sect, and having to bring along the pampered young master from Jiangnan might likely cause delays, causing some dissatisfaction among them. It wasn’t until they set off that they realized the delay might be due to themselves, other sects, or even the Alliance Master Wan, but definitely not Zhu Yanyin.
Leaving aside other matters, just the large wheels of the yellow rosewood carriage had already left other carriages far behind. The Night Jade Lion pulling the carriage ran fast and steady, like lightning threading through the clouds, easily outpacing other horses.
It goes to show that martial skill was not the crucial factor; being wealthy was sufficient.
In the afternoon, Zhu Yanyin instructed, “Uncle Zhong, take it slow and wait for the others.”
“Master, we’re not considered fast,” the coachman slightly slowed down the speed, smiling as he said, “Master Li is even further ahead, and he’s also riding a good horse.”
Zhu Yanyin put down his book and snacks, wiped his hands, and lifted the curtain. Sure enough, he saw Li Sui at the end of the road, his figure flashing by like a black electric light.
“What kind of horse is that?”
“It’s a Snow-Kicking Black Roan.”
“So, that’s the Snow-Kicking Black Roan,” Zhu Yanyin exclaimed, “I’ve only read about it in books before.”
“If the young master wants to see the horse, let’s speed up and catch up with them,” the coachman said, “There’s a tea pavilion halfway up the mountain, and I reckon Palace Master Li will rest there.”
The sun in the northwest was scorching, with dense shade but few trees, so the tea shop did good business.
The proprietress warmly greeted them and brought up tea. Freshly boiled spring water was used to steep the yellowed, aged tea leaves, offering a genuine bowl of coarse tea.
The disciples of Wanren Palace found this stuff too hot, so they went together to buy cold tea elsewhere. Li Sui also felt a bit parched. He placed the Xiangjun Sword on the table, closed his eyes, and was about to meditate for a moment when another group of carriages and horses came to a continuous stop by the roadside.
“Esteemed guests, please have a seat,” the proprietress urged, directing the waiters to set up stools.
“No need,” the steward of the Zhu residence pulled out a handful of silver, his attitude gentle. “My young master is tired from riding in the carriage. He just wants to take a break here, no need for tables, chairs, or tea.”
The proprietress was momentarily slow to react, but she absentmindedly took the silver. In the next moment, several house servants were already busy. They first unloaded a massive chair from the luggage carriage and placed it neatly in the shade. Then, they sprinkled water on the ground around it to suppress the dust. Afterward, they concocted two transparent jade teapots from the carriage, along with a pair of white porcelain teacups, and added a bowl of cooling ice cubes. All of it was arranged on a tray, respectfully held by a servant standing beside the chair.
Only after all this was done did Zhu Xiaosui help Zhu Yanyin out of the carriage.
Li Sui: “…”
Zhu Xiaosui inquired, “Young Master, would you like plum soup or cold tea?”
“Plum soup,” Zhu Yanyin rolled up his sleeves, wiped the fine sweat from his forehead with a damp silk handkerchief. Seeing this, the servant promptly added an extra piece of crushed ice to the cup, making a crisp and refreshing sound.
The plum soup came in a large pot, actually enough for two or three people to enjoy heartily.
Young Master Zhu was clever and sneakily glanced at Palace Master Li in the next seat.
Coincidentally, Li Sui was also locking eyes with him.
The usual cold and indifferent demeanor of a killer.
Zhu Yanyin thought, “Okay, I understand, I’ll leave right away with the plum soup!”
So, Palace Master Li just watched as someone held the cup with both hands, slowly twisted their body, and shifted their gaze elsewhere.
Never paid any attention to him again.
The translator has something to say:
I forgot how many times I doubled over laughing during this one chapter in the novel. Every third scene had me in stitches! My sides still hurt from all the guffawing.
I’m totally with you here, dear translator 😂🤣😅…thank you for the update 🌺
While reading this novel, I’ve been laughing more than while reading any other novel.
Very funny refreshing novel..
My first thought was: Will Li Sui have enough black cloth to cover up all the shiny white horses and carriages? 😆