Chapter 33

"Brother, are you saying that Old Black is dead, and you only managed to retrieve the Sun Sword?" Xiao Wuqing’s smile was still as warm as a spring breeze.

He lounged lazily in a wooden rocking chair, his body swaying back and forth with the chair.

The chair was wide, and beside him sat a beautiful young woman, half-reclining in his arms. Her delicate hands peeled an orange, feeding him one segment at a time.

However, this woman was neither the previous "Huan'er" nor "Ying'er." If one were more informed in the capital, they would recognize the woman lying in Xiao Wuqing’s arms, meek as a kitten, as the youngest daughter of the current Emperor of Dagan’s younger brother, Prince Li of Li, the seventeen-year-old Lady Li Xuefei.

This Lady Li Xuefei, known to the capital’s residents as a spoiled and capricious young woman, was surprisingly as obedient as a servant in front of Xiao Wuqing.

"Hmm." Xiao Wenjian replied coolly, without a hint of embarrassment.

"Is there nothing you want to say to me, Brother?" Xiao Wuqing’s tone was gentle, but there was a subtle hint of dissatisfaction.

"Sorry." There was no trace of apology in Xiao Wenjian’s voice.

"Our Xiao family is not short of Tianlun experts, but Old Black was different. His cultivation talent ranks among the top five of those I have seen." Xiao Wuqing bit into a piece of orange offered by the lady, chewed it a couple of times, and swallowed it, a drop of juice trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I am certain that within twenty years, he would have reached the peak of Tianlun and might even have had a chance to take that step."

Lady Li Xuefei carefully wiped the orange juice from the corner of his mouth with her right hand, then placed her juice-stained fingers to her delicate lips, licking them gently with her tongue, a happy smile on her face.

"The successor of the Divine Forging lineage has reached such a realm?" Xiao Wuqing continued, "To deal with both of you top experts and still kill Old Black while keeping the Moon Sword?"

"Not the Divine Forging lineage." Xiao Wenjian, feeling somewhat guilty, hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully, "It was Lin Zhiyun from the Drifting Flower Palace."

"Lin Zhiyun." Xiao Wuqing savored the name, a peculiar smile on his face. "She sounds like a beauty."

"Wuqing!" Li Xuefei couldn’t help but pinch his hand lightly.

"I will think of a way to get the Moon Sword for you." Xiao Wenjian said coldly.

"If I didn’t know your character so well from growing up together, I would have punched you." Xiao Wuqing sighed.

"You can’t beat me." Xiao Wenjian said, then turned and left, quickly disappearing beyond the courtyard.

"Has your brother always been so annoying?" Li Xuefei couldn’t help but ask.

"He was even more annoying when we were young." Xiao Wuqing smiled and shook his head. "By the way, Feifei, can you find out about this Lin Zhiyun and see if she has any connection to the Lin family in the capital?"

"What, you haven’t even met her, and just hearing her name makes you think about her?" Li Xuefei’s face changed, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

"Where are your thoughts, Feifei? Don’t you understand my feelings?" Xiao Wuqing’s eyes were filled with tenderness, making Li Xuefei blush. "You don’t understand my brother. From a young age, he has never fully spoken the name of any woman."

"So what?" Li Xuefei buried her head in Xiao Wuqing’s chest, her face flushed.

"Today, I actually heard him say a woman’s name." Xiao Wuqing gently stroked the lady’s soft hair. "Brother might not even realize it, but he has already fallen for this woman."

"That’s ridiculous." Li Xuefei shook her head, not believing it.

Xiao Wuqing’s eyes sparkled with excitement: "No one in this world understands Xiao Wenjian better than I do. Since Brother has finally taken an interest in a woman, I, as his younger brother, must help him."

At that moment, Xiao Wuqing exuded an indescribable charm, and Li Xuefei gazed at his handsome face, unwilling to look away.

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"Sanzang said, 'No, no! Since you do not eat the five pungent vegetables and the three unclean meats, I will give you another name, calling you Wujie.' The fool was delighted and said, 'I will follow your command.' Therefore, he is also called Zhu Wujie. That’s all for today. Stay tuned for the next episode."

On this day, Zhong Wen began retelling the story of "Journey to the West" to the little girl, but the mountain was now much livelier than before. The audience included not only the little girl, Liu Qiqi, and Zheng Yueying, but also Shangguan Junyi, Shangguan Mingyue, Shen Xiaowan, Qiao Erniang, and four little maids.

"Brother Chef, your story is so interesting, can you tell us more?" Shen Xiaowan, who usually only heard her father, Shen Dachui, talk about "reviving the Divine Forging lineage," was captivated by the story and couldn’t stop listening.

Since Shangguan Junyi recovered, she exuded a vibrant energy and became much more lively. She was discussing with the four little maids Qiao Erniang brought what it would be like if a Gao family daughter married "Zhu Wujie," and they were chatting enthusiastically.

"Zhong Wen, your story is completely different from the tales I’ve heard before." Shangguan Mingyue, perceptive as always, saw a business opportunity. "Have you thought about writing it into a book and publishing it? Our 'Shengyu Trading Company' can help you sell it. I have a feeling that this 'Journey to the West' will be a huge hit."

Zhong Wen thought for a moment and said, "I would like to write a book to make money, but unfortunately, I can’t read or write."

Shangguan Mingyue: "......"

She was a proud person and assumed Zhong Wen was not interested, so she didn’t press the matter.

What she didn’t know was that Zhong Wen was indeed illiterate in the Dagan Empire.

"Is this sister from the 'Shengyu Trading Company'?" Zheng Yueying, who had been silent, suddenly asked.

"Yes, I am Shangguan Mingyue, the head of the 'Shengyu Trading Company' in the southern three provinces. And you are...?" Shangguan Mingyue, impressed by Zheng Yueying’s beauty and grace, wanted to befriend her.

"I am Zheng Yueying from the Jindao Gate in Fufeng City. Speaking of the 'Shengyu Trading Company,' a steward from the 'Yin Huan Trading Company' came to see my father yesterday, wanting to team up with the Jindao Gate to suppress your 'Shengyu.' But my father refused." Zheng Yueying recalled.

"The 'Yin Huan' has come to Fufeng City?" Shangguan Mingyue and Shangguan Junyi exchanged glances, not particularly surprised.

Before coming to Qingfeng Mountain, Shangguan Mingyue had already suspected that there were spies from the 'Yin Huan Trading Company' in her convoy. The competition between the two companies had intensified in recent years, and mutual infiltration had become more frequent. It was only natural that the 'Yin Huan' would follow her operations in this area.

However, this news had a different impact on Zhong Wen: "Zheng girl, you mean your father, the Jindao Gate Master, refused the 'Yin Huan Trading Company's' offer of cooperation?"

"Yes, I saw that the 'Yin Huan' steward looked very upset. He seemed to be a petty person." Zheng Yueying pouted. "The Uncle Wang from the 'Shengyu Trading Company' has a much better temper."

"If I were that 'Yin Huan' steward, after failing to get what he wanted from the Jindao Gate, he would likely turn to the 'Jile Gang' next." Zhong Wen stroked his chin. "If he proposes to team up to eliminate the Jindao Gate and then suppress the 'Shengyu Trading Company,' given Duan Changhong’s current situation, he would likely agree."

"What!" Zheng Yueying was startled and stood up. "What should we do?"

"Miss Shangguan, I remember you mentioned that the 'Yin Huan Trading Company' is backed by the Xiao family?" Zhong Wen looked at Shangguan Mingyue.

"Yes." Shangguan Mingyue nodded. "The leader of the 'Yin Huan Trading Company' is actually a son-in-law from a branch of the Xiao family. The rise of the 'Yin Huan' is largely due to the Xiao family."

"Since they are from the Xiao family, we cannot let the 'Yin Huan' grow in Fufeng City, or the 'Qingfeng Pavilion' will not be able to operate." Zhong Wen reassured Zheng Yueying with a glance. "Although we cannot directly attack the 'Yin Huan Trading Company,' eliminating a black market gang should not attract the attention of any major figures."

"Zhong Wen, are you planning to deal with the Jile Gang?" Lin Zhiyun, dressed in flowing robes, appeared in the courtyard. "Our Drifting Flower Palace has no grudge against the Jile Gang, so we would lack a just cause."

"A small gang like the Jile Gang doesn’t warrant the involvement of Palace Master." Zhong Wen, knowing Lin Zhiyun’s strict principles, smiled. "Do you remember the friend I met at the foot of the mountain? She helped us when the Dantai family attacked."

"Is it the black-clothed person?" Shangguan Junyi asked curiously. "Is she your friend? Her cultivation is still at the Diliun stage, but her sword skills are extraordinary. Are you planning to ask her for help?"

That night, Leng Wushuang had saved Shangguan Junyi’s life, and she was naturally curious about her savior.

"There’s no need for me to ask her. Her purpose in coming to Qingfeng Mountain is to seek revenge on Duan Changhong, the leader of the Jile Gang."

"Zhong Wen, you mean..." Zheng Yueying’s eyes lit up.

"Exactly, Zheng girl. You might as well tell your father, the Jindao Gate Master, that Duan Changhong won’t last until tomorrow." Zhong Wen’s tone was full of confidence. "If you want to eliminate the Jile Gang, you should prepare in advance."

Zheng Yueying excitedly agreed and, after discussing the details with Zhong Wen, hurried down the mountain to report to Zheng Gongming.

"Brother Zhong Wen, don’t you plan to introduce us to your friend?" Shangguan Junyi’s eyes were filled with anticipation. "After all, she saved my life, and I would like to thank her in person."

"She is focused only on revenge right now." Zhong Wen shook his head. "We’ll see if she wants to come up the mountain after this is over."

"I was supposed to return after getting the 'Sai Shenshen' formula, but since the 'Yin Huan' wants to cause trouble here..." Shangguan Mingyue murmured to herself. "I’ll deal with them first."

As for whether she was also lingering because of Zhong Wen’s cooking, no one knew...