Chapter 21. Sudden Gust (1)

When Yan Hozheng saw Zhuge Ayian, he turned his head away with a look of annoyance.

It was understandable to feel embarrassed, but Zhuge Ayian didn't seem to care at all. Instead, she wore a warm and welcoming expression.

"Have you been well lately?"

"It's only been two days."

"I'm just happy to see you."

I can't understand what kind of relationship they have that makes her so happy to see him.

Yan Hozheng said to Pang Daohu.

"Anyway, I've been rude."

"Huh? Oh? Eh? Ah! No, no, it's fine! It's not like it's going to wear out or anything."

"Alright then."

"Are you, are you leaving?"

"Yes, but—"

"…Well, take care. See you later."

With that, Yan Hozheng entered his quarters.

Just as Zhuge Ayian was about to call out to him again.

"Miss."

"Yes?"

"Let's find a place to stay now."

"Ah, but I don't have any luggage. Joon has everything, and I was just going to have a cup of tea with a friend…"

"Miss."

"…"

"…"

"Alright, alright."

The old warrior bowed deeply.

"I was being presumptuous. I apologize."

"Oh, it's fine! I remember Father's words. Hey, Joon. Find a good place to stay, okay?"

"Of course."

"Yeeek."

"Aah! Why, why are you doing that! My hair is all messed up!"

"It's all because I love you, you know."

"Love? More like mischief! Why, why are you being so mischievous?"

"…"

"…Let's go find a place to stay! Come on, come!"

Just as the Zhuge siblings were about to move, Zhuge Ayian suddenly looked at Namgung Hyun.

"Brother?"

Namgung Hyun, looking a bit awkward, said.

"It's been a while."

Zhuge Ayian bowed gracefully, a completely different demeanor from how she treated Yan Hozheng and Zhuge Joon.

"Have you been well?"

"Yes, and you?"

"Yes."

"…"

"Then, see you later."

Zhuge Ayian's manners were impeccable. Anyone would say she was a fine lady from a noble family.

However, there was an inexplicable awkwardness. It didn't seem natural for her to be so formal and polite.

The Zhuge siblings then went to find a place to stay.

Namgung Hyun's gaze deepened as he watched Zhuge Ayian walk away.

When he returned to his quarters, Lian Zhiping was already there.

"Brother?"

"You're here?"

"I came in because you didn't answer when I called."

"Good job."

"But Miss Zhuge and Joon are here too? I heard their voices from far away."

Indeed, Lian Zhiping's senses were exceptional. He wouldn't have heard voices from the main gate unless he was specifically listening.

"Yes."

"That's good. It's reassuring to have someone you know here."

"Are you nervous?"

"…A little?"

The honest kid.

Yan Hozheng smiled and nodded towards the window.

"They seem to be settling in the western building. Go have a cup of tea with them."

"What about you, Brother?"

"I'm fine."

Lian Zhiping scratched his head.

"Brother, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you dislike Miss Zhuge?"

Yan Hozheng tilted his head.

"No, I don't really have any feelings towards her."

"I see."

"Why?"

"It's just that, even before, you seemed to keep your distance from her."

"There's no reason to dislike her, but there's no reason to like her either."

Lian Zhiping's expression became blank.

It was a statement that made sense but also didn't. He had never seen someone so clearly define their relationships like this.

"Alright, I'll go then!"

"Go ahead."

As Lian Zhiping left, Yan Hozheng sat by the window.

He seemed genuinely happy. Looking down, he could see Lian Zhiping's back as he had already gone down.

'He looks so happy.'

A subtle sense of guilt crept into Yan Hozheng's face.

'He probably didn't use to be like this in the past.'

It had been too long ago to remember clearly, but when he came to the gathering of young talents in the past, he was in a period where he thoroughly hated his brother. Lian Zhiping probably didn't form close relationships with others because he was wary of his brother.

'I won't let that happen again.'

This was also why he kept his distance from Zhuge Ayian. While Zhuge Joon was intimidated by him, Zhuge Ayian wanted to break down that rigid barrier.

In a way, it was a blessing. It was a great fortune to have someone approach him so openly, even if she was his savior.

That's why Yan Hozheng was cautious.

He was cautious of himself.

'I won't fail this time.'

Lian Zhiping's back, running happily with a smile.

He didn't want to cast a shadow of fear and despair over that vibrant back, not just for his brother but for his family as well.

…At least until the chaos of the Three Teachings began.

If possible, even after.

'Enemies are everywhere.'

It was too early to let his guard down when he didn't know who the enemy was. His evaluation of the Pang family might have been premature.

Sitting on the floor, Yan Hozheng crossed his legs.

His half-open eyes looked as hard and dark as steel.

"I wish they hadn't come to the Nine Sects and One Sect."

An hour later.

"Prince, the gathering has started. Everyone is gathering in the inner courtyard."

"What about the Murong and Ming families?"

"They just arrived."

* * *

"It's been a while, Brother."

"Ha ha ha! It's been so long! Has it been a whole year?"

"Seems like it."

"Wow! You've become so beautiful in just a year!"

"Brother, you've grown even more, haven't you?"

"Of course, with all the good food."

"Hehehe!"

"You've also become quite expensive."

"…I don't want to hear that."

As he entered the outdoor courtyard, the first thing that caught his eye was the Pang brothers. Their massive builds and boisterous voices drew everyone's attention.

However, Yan Hozheng's gaze didn't go to Pang Daohu or Pang Manhu. It went to the woman they were talking to.

'Murong!'

A delicate beauty who looked like she hadn't even turned twenty. But the inner energy she concealed was truly remarkable.

Her potential was even greater than the Pang brothers. And Yan Hozheng knew well what kind of power she possessed and who she was.

'Murong Jun's daughter.'

Murong Lianhua.

A renowned heroine who led the Murong family in place of the Wulin Alliance leader, Murong Jun. Her abilities were so outstanding that even Murong Jun acknowledged her.

Yan Hozheng turned his head.

She was a woman he had clashed with many times when he led the Black City. But that wasn't important now.

'First, the Ming family…'

Just then.

"Looking for someone?"

Yan Hozheng turned around.

Zhuge Ayian stood there, smiling.

"Are you here?"

"…I already told you, your tone sounds like an old man's."

"It's fine."

"Again, again."

Yan Hozheng scanned Zhuge Ayian's attire.

"What's with that outfit?"

Zhuge Ayian smiled.

Her smile, which always seemed bright, had a hint of melancholy.

"Isn't it quite fancy?"

The first time he saw her at Choucheng Tower and when she entered the courtyard, Zhuge Ayian's attire was simple. Her beauty made even simple clothes look fancy, but in reality, they were just appropriately elegant and practical.

Now, it was different.

Dressed in a magnificent palace gown, she looked truly magnificent. The high-quality light green silk with red plum blossoms embroidered on it complemented her bright and delicate beauty perfectly.

Yan Hozheng nodded.

"It's good."

"Really?"

"Yes, it suits you well."

Zhuge Ayian looked into Yan Hozheng's eyes.

Yan Hozheng's eyes were transparent. They were so clear and emotionless that they made people feel strangely intimidated.

However, Zhuge Ayian's expression was bright.

She had heard countless compliments about her beauty since she was young, but often, those compliments came with negative emotions like jealousy and desire.

This was the first time she had received such a straightforward compliment from someone outside her family. Naturally, she felt happy.

"Right? It might be a bit too much, though…"

"Not at all."

"R-really?"

"Compared to people who dress in gold from head to toe, you're not even close to fancy. There are people who are ten times more ostentatious than you."

It was true.

In the Black Path, many people dress extravagantly beyond their means to show off their abilities and wealth and gather power. Compared to them, Zhuge Ayian's attire was quite ordinary.

A comfortable smile spread across Zhuge Ayian's face.

People who are quick-witted are also good at managing their expressions, but she couldn't hide her emotions.

"There's a seat over there. Let's go sit down."

"Alright."

"Hey, don't be so picky. Let's have a drink."

Yan Hozheng, who was about to tell her not to be so bothersome, paused.

'Right.'

If there was a family behind the destruction of the Yan family, the heir of that family would certainly know about it.

They would naturally keep an eye on him and Lian Zhiping.

'Thinking about it, there's no need to act so conspicuously.'

Yan Hozheng nodded.

"Alright."

"Hehe."

"Don't stick so close."

"You're so prickly."

"Shut up."

"Isn't it tiring to live with such a personality?"

"If it was tiring, I wouldn't live like this."

"Hmm, that's true."

"So, keep your distance. It's hot."

"It's not hot at all. Besides, with your level of martial arts…"

Zhuge Ayian coughed, realizing her mistake.

"Sorry. Was that a bad thing to say?"

She was indeed perceptive. She didn't think Yan Hozheng was hiding his martial arts, but she understood that he didn't want to reveal it.

The two of them sat down. The food, prepared in advance, was a bit cold but still delicious.

Yan Hozheng readily filled Zhuge Ayian's cup. She, in turn, smiled and filled his.

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"Sure."

"Is everyone in the Yan family so strong?"

"The Zhuge family's martial arts are no less than the Yan family's, right?"

"Ah? The important thing is not the martial arts but the person, right?"

Indeed, she was perceptive. Zhuge Ayian was good at understanding the other person's intentions.

Zhuge Ayian giggled.

"You're subtly boasting, aren't you? Well, you do have something to boast about."

"I'm not boasting."

"You're being modest?"

"I'm being sincere."

Zhuge Ayian read the sincerity in Yan Hozheng's face. He genuinely didn't think his martial arts were that great.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhuge Ayian asked.

"Do you want to become stronger?"

"It's the desire of every martial artist."

"True. So, is your dream to be the best in the world?"

The corners of Yan Hozheng's mouth curved up.

It was a slight smile, but it carried a lot of weight.

"Being the best is better than being just strong enough."

"…Right."

Muttering to herself, Zhuge Ayian nodded again.

"Right. Being the best is better than being mediocre. Rather, it's better to be the worst."

Zhuge Ayian laughed brightly.

"You're lucky. You have a dream."

Being the best in the world isn't my dream.

Yan Hozheng didn't say that.

"Do you have a dream?"

"Me? Hmm!"

Zhuge Ayian pursed her lips and pretended to think. Or maybe she was really thinking.

"You're so grown-up. I've never thought about my dream before."

"Does not thinking about your dream make you a child?"

"Um, I've never thought about it that way?"

Zhuge Ayian nudged Yan Hozheng's arm with her elbow.

"Talking to you makes me feel like a child. I've never been called stupid before, you know."

"Stop talking nonsense and give me a drink."

"Eh? When did you start drinking?"

"Give me the bottle."

"Alright! I'll pour it! You're so impatient. You didn't even toast and started drinking right away?"

One person drank with a blank expression, while the other chattered and laughed. It was a common sight, but the atmosphere between them was different.

It was a completely relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Even their drinking together seemed casual and familiar.

The young talents gathered in the courtyard glanced at them.

For some reason, a beautiful woman was laughing brightly and exchanging drinks. The young man next to her, though somewhat sharp-featured, was still quite handsome.

The scene made the young talents feel a strange sense of excitement, as if there were main characters in this gathering.

How long had it been?

"You two look so happy."

Yan Hozheng and Zhuge Ayian turned their heads.

Dang Yangxian walked over, smiling and with his hands behind his back.

"Since I don't have any friends, can I join you?"