Chapter 57

A scholar dressed in tattered clothes, with a flushed face and a tipsy demeanor, held a red lacquered gourd and swayed as he walked forward, reciting, "To the west of Taibai there is a bird path, which can cross the summit of Emei... uh... the peak of Emei... uh..."

As he passed by the two men, he suddenly stumbled and lost his balance. Liang Wenjing, feeling a surge of warmth, quickly reached out to support him. However, the scholar flicked his tattered sleeve, pushing Liang Wenjing away, and continued singing, "The earth crumbled and the mountains collapsed, and the brave men died, then the sky ladder and stone steps were linked... ha... above, the six dragons turn back at the high mark, below, the surging waves reverse and the rivers wind... even the crane cannot fly over, and the monkeys and apes worry about climbing... ha ha... worry about climbing, worry about climbing." He sang as he walked.

"Father, ahead is the Immortal Crossing. How can he get across in this state?" Liang Wenjing said.

"Hmph, a failed scholar, a boring literati. The Song Dynasty has nothing else, but too many poor and weak scholars, truly annoying." Liang Tiande frowned deeply, and when he and Wenjing turned to look, they were taken aback. The winding mountain path was empty, with not a single person in sight.

Although the two did not see clearly, Li Wuqing saw everything clearly. After the man passed, his large sleeves fluttered, and with just one leap, he vanished without a trace.

"Indeed, he is worthy of being the poor scholar Gongyang Yu, the iron-blooded hero and the top expert of the Kunlun world. Such lightness skills, I cannot match." Li Wuqing secretly compared in his heart.

Comparing his martial arts with Gongyang Yu, Li Wuqing was not so arrogant as to think he could match. The only thing he could compare was his lightness skills. However, seeing Gongyang Yu's effortless flight through the air, Li Wuqing had to admit that his own lightness skills were inferior.

Of course, it's not that the Lingbo Weibu was inferior, but Li Wuqing had not cultivated to that level, and his internal strength was not as great, so he could not match.

Gongyang Yu's martial arts were indeed high, but his character was somewhat unappealing to Li Wuqing, neither heroic nor graceful.

"Father... father, I... we... did we... encounter a ghost?" Liang Wenjing's voice trembled.

"Nonsense, he has a ruddy complexion, how could he be a ghost from the netherworld?" Liang Tiande scolded, but his heart was pounding.

"That's right, this brave man is correct. There are no ghosts in this world, and even if there are, they are in people's hearts."

Li Wuqing interjected at the right moment, speaking loudly, "Furthermore, the two of you have misjudged. The person just now was not a poor scholar, but a top expert in the martial world, the poor scholar Gongyang Yu."

"Ah, you... how did you get here!"

Liang Wenjing was surprised.

Liang Tiande also noticed Li Wuqing. After a moment of surprise, his expression turned serious, and his gaze became more guarded.

"Sir, we need to hurry on our way, so we'll take our leave."

Saying this, he pulled Liang Wenjing and hurried away.

The Shu Road was already a place where many strongmen roamed. Li Wuqing's unknown origin and sudden appearance behind them, without Liang Tiande noticing any movement, made him even more cautious, fearing that he had ill intentions.

Liang Wenjing, however, was quite interested in what Li Wuqing had said, and wanted to ask something, but was forcibly pulled away by Liang Tiande.

The two walked in silence for a while, crossed a mountain ridge, and suddenly saw a clear stream flowing, with a single-log bridge spanning the two banks.

On the other side of the bridge was a mountain hollow, with a few green peaks surrounding a few households, and wisps of smoke drifting in the wind.

"There's an inn there!" Liang Wenjing cheered, pointing to a cluster of green-tiled houses.

Outside the green-tiled houses hung two strings of lanterns, with the eight clerical characters "Bashan Inn, Guests Welcome" written on them. Liang Tiande couldn't help but smile slightly.

The two approached the inn, and before they entered, a waiter came out, sizing them up and said, "Sorry, someone has booked it."

Liang Wenjing was greatly disappointed and said to Liang Tiande, "Father, I'm so hungry."

Liang Tiande frowned and said, "We'll eat and leave. Can you make an exception, sir?"

"This..." The waiter was hesitant.

"We are all travelers, why be so petty." A clear voice came from inside the inn, "Waiter, let them in."

"Yes, yes." The waiter stepped aside, and Wenjing was overjoyed, rushing in.

"Brat, you get excited about eating more than anyone else." Liang Tiande was somewhat helpless.

"Waiter, they can come in, I should be able to as well, right?"

The waiter felt a blur before his eyes, and a young man appeared, smiling warmly.

"Ah, you... when did you come?!"

The waiter was startled, rubbed his eyes hard, and said in confusion.

Fortunately, it was broad daylight, otherwise the waiter would have thought he had encountered a ghost.

Li Wuqing asked again, "Can I come in?"

The waiter nodded repeatedly, "Ah, yes, yes."

At a table inside the inn, three people were sitting. The one at the head of the table was a scholar in white, holding a folding fan, with a slender and fair face, black hair and beard, and a very refined appearance.

On the right sat a robust old man with a purple-black face, a beard reaching his chest, and half-opened phoenix eyes, looking extremely dignified.

There was also a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and tiger eyes, bare arms with bulging muscles, and a nine-ring great saber on his back.

"Three pounds of beef, three pounds of rice, um... one pound of rice wine, a dish of vegetables..."

Perhaps Liang Wenjing was really very hungry. As soon as he entered the inn, he eagerly recited a list of dishes.

However, the waiter, looking down on Liang Tiande and his son for their rough clothing, used the excuse that there was an unwritten rule in the inn that one must pay first before eating, and asked Liang Tiande to pay in advance.

The two's travel funds were on Liang Wenjing. He reached into his pocket and found that his money bag was missing.

The father and son began to argue, but the waiter, with a stern face, issued an eviction order. Liang Tiande, who had never experienced such humiliation in his life, his face turned purple with embarrassment, and he stomped his foot, ready to leave.

Suddenly, the scholar laughed, "If you do not mind, Bai Pu will treat you. Why not join us for a drink?"

Liang Tiande was slightly taken aback and had not yet replied when he saw Liang Wenjing rubbing his neck and muttering, "What about tonight?"

"Starve and drink the wind!" Liang Tiande's eyes bulged with anger.

"Father, I'm really hungry." Liang Wenjing's stomach growled loudly.

Bai Pu smiled, "In this life, who does not have difficult times? Besides, I have something to ask. Please do not refuse."

Liang Tiande sighed in his heart, bowed his head, and clasped his hands, "Sir, such kindness, Liang cannot bear it!"

At this moment, a clear voice came from outside the inn, "Brother Bai is truly generous. Such warm hospitality, may I join in?"

With the voice, a young man in a green robe stepped in, exuding a heroic aura without being overly aggressive.

"Ah, how... how is it you again!"

Seeing Li Wuqing, Liang Wenjing was surprised.