Chapter 46

The visitor was Nie Beihu's son, Nie Teng.

This valiant young man had once met Su Yi at the Juxian Pavilion.

Although he had some of the bad habits common to young people, his passion was still strong, and he knew how to repay kindness.

It was this quality that earned Su Yi's approval.

"Brother Su, Father asked me to deliver this invitation."

Walking into the courtyard, Nie Teng solemnly bowed, holding a gold-embossed invitation in both hands.

"This invitation is specially prepared for you by Lord Fushan, hoping that you can attend the Longmen Banquet as a VIP."

Su Yi was somewhat surprised, pondered for a moment, and then put away the invitation, saying:

"I have received the invitation. Whether I can attend or not depends on whether I am free at that time."

Nie Teng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said, "Brother Su, there's one more thing. The City Lord's residence and the Wen family's forces have already taken action last night, searching the entire city for clues about the ghost corpse worms."

"Two places where ghost corpse worms were being raised have already been found and completely eradicated."

He paused and then continued, "Within three days, they should be able to investigate all suspicious places in the city. Father asked me to tell you not to worry too much about this matter. If there is any news, he will send me to report to you."

Su Yi was taken aback, looking at the respectful and restrained young man before him, and suddenly smiled:

"Your father has thought things through thoroughly. Alright, if there's nothing else, go back and report to your father."

Nie Teng hesitated, seemingly finding it hard to speak.

After a long while, he steeled himself and said in a low voice, "Brother Su, my father also said that he wants me to learn and seek advice from you more often. I hope you... can forgive my impolite behavior at the Juxian Pavilion."

At the end, he felt somewhat embarrassed and awkward.

"Parents' love for their children is boundless."

Su Yi couldn't help but sigh.

However, when he thought of his father in this life, Su Hongli, a deep-seated anger and hatred welled up in his heart.

"This obsession is too deep, rooted in my heart. I must cut it off one day, or else my state of mind will be flawed, and I may suffer a great change."

Su Yi shook his head, dispelling his杂念, and casually asked, "What do you think about your father's arrangement?"

Nie Beihu had indeed helped him a lot, even though it was all initiated by Nie Beihu. Su Yi couldn't ignore his efforts.

Moreover, without Nie Beihu's cooperation yesterday, it would have been impossible to resolve the Wen Jieyuan murder case so easily.

Therefore, Su Yi wanted to test Nie Teng to see if he was worth his "attention."

"I..."

Nie Teng fell silent, his inner conflict and struggle evident.

After a long time, he gritted his teeth and said, "I don't want to follow my father's arrangement. I am still young and don't want to rely on others' strength to cultivate. Even if the path ahead is bumpy and I end up with a bloody head, I will still dare to venture out!"

The young man's words were resolute and determined.

Then, he took a deep breath, his eyes bright and firm, filled with longing, "At least, I am following my heart. Even if I end up achieving nothing in the future, I will never regret it."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Su Yi's eyes.

A young man should have such lofty aspirations!

The older generation might sneer, but they have long lost the fiery passion and sharpness that once burned within them.

"Beautiful women are young, and heroes are in their youth. How many great figures in history have not had a glorious youth?"

Su Yi sighed lightly, his eyes somewhat dazed.

Seeing Nie Teng's youthful and spirited appearance, he was reminded of his own youth in his previous life.

Back then, he was dressed in a green robe, sword in hand, riding a horse by a slanted bridge, with red sleeves waving from the upstairs, living a life of adventure and romance!

Nie Teng was stunned, somewhat puzzled.

The Su Yi before him was not much older than himself, yet why did he seem so old and nostalgic?

"Go back and tell your father that I appreciate your decision."

"Within ten years, as long as I am still in the Great Zhou Dynasty, if you encounter problems you can't solve, you can come to me. I will help you three times."

Su Yi said this, hands behind his back, and turned to walk into the room.

He muttered to himself, "There is no hierarchy between swallows and geese, a cup of wine for the commoner and the noble. You are a great bird in the clouds, but you are unwilling to fly because the sky is too low..."

"Today, I am a young man, and I should have the spirit of 'When the sea reaches its end, the sky becomes the shore; when I climb to the peak, I am the summit!'"

Nie Teng stood there, staring at Su Yi's figure as he walked into the room. After a long while, he suddenly waved his hand and excitedly turned to leave.

He could finally report back to his father.

...

Guangling City, Li Family.

Reception Hall.

"Brother Zhou, with you presiding over the Longmen Banquet, you will surely be the center of attention. After all, with Brother Zhou's status, even City Lord Fushan must show respect."

Clan Leader Li Tianhan smiled and flattered.

On the other side of the seat, Zhou Huaiqiu waved his hand and said calmly, "I just happened to be here, hoping to take this opportunity to see the young martial artists of Guangling City and Luoyun City. As for the Longmen Banquet, it is up to Lord Fushan to decide."

He was dressed in a simple robe, with gray hair and a somewhat aged appearance, but his eyes shone with a piercing and intimidating light.

"Ha ha ha, Brother Zhou is too modest. You are an inner elder of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, and your 'Qingfeng Thirteen Swords' are unparalleled, renowned throughout Yunhe County!"

Li Tianhan laughed heartily, "Moreover, Brother Zhou is in his prime and will surely have the opportunity to reach the Master realm and achieve even greater breakthroughs in the future."

He wasn't just flattering.

Zhou Huaiqiu's status among the twelve elders of the Qinghe Sword Mansion was fourth, and his sword skills were highly proficient and exquisite, earning him the title of "Qingfeng Sword Elder" in Yunhe County.

"Master realm..."

Zhou Huaiqiu's eyes were slightly distant as he sighed, "This realm is as difficult to reach as ascending to the sky. I have been stuck at the Great Perfection of the Qi Gathering Realm for nineteen years. Now, I have only touched the threshold of the Master realm. It will take a long time to break through..."

As he spoke, a tall and handsome man in a golden robe, Ni Hao, and a gentle and elegant woman in a white dress, Nan Ying, walked in side by side.

"Have you seen Su Yi? How is he doing now?"

Zhou Huaiqiu asked.

"Reporting to Master Uncle, we have seen him."

Nan Ying's eyes were obedient, and she bowed before speaking, "Master Brother Su has lost his cultivation and has become a赘婿 in the Wen family, making his status quite awkward, which is truly heartbreaking."

"Ah."

Zhou Huaiqiu's expression was complex, his eyes filled with sorrow, "Su Yi, this child, had a remarkable talent for swordsmanship. When he became the head of the outer disciples, I predicted that his achievements would not be inferior to Master Brother Ni Hao."

"Who would have thought that heaven envied his talent, cutting short his martial path!"

He sighed deeply.

"That waste of a person can't be compared to Master Brother Ni Hao!"

Nan Ying muttered to herself but quickly consoled, "Master Uncle, these things are in the past. There's no need to worry too much about Master Brother Su. Although he is now an ordinary person, his life is still decent."

Zhou Huaiqiu nodded and said, "That's why I didn't go to see him, afraid that it would bring up his past and make him dwell on the loss of his cultivation."

Suddenly, Ni Hao spoke, looking at Li Tianhan, "Uncle Li, is Junior Brother Muyun not at home?"

Li Tianhan's eyes flickered, and he laughed, "It's indeed unfortunate. Muyun set off for Yunhe County yesterday."

Ni Hao nodded and said, "That makes sense. With Junior Brother Muyun's current status and cultivation, there's no need for him to participate in the martial arts competition at the Longmen Banquet."

Speaking of Li Muyun, Zhou Huaiqiu couldn't help but smile and praised, "Muyun is indeed a very good child, with outstanding physical attributes and exceptional martial talent. I believe that within a year, he can attempt to break through to the Qi Gathering Realm."

"Ha ha ha, Brother Zhou is too kind!"

Li Tianhan laughed heartily.

"Master Uncle, Master Brother Ni Hao is also excellent, but you rarely praise him. You are being too biased."

Nan Ying's voice was sweet, and she playfully complained on behalf of Ni Hao, making Zhou Huaiqiu laugh.

"Master Nephew Ni Hao is indeed a dragon among men, a young elite, there's no doubt about that."

Li Tianhan continued, "However, I believe that Su Yi's future will be very difficult."

Zhou Huaiqiu's brows furrowed, "What do you mean?"

Li Tianhan's eyes gleamed, "As far as I know, his wife, Wen Lingzhao, is about to become a disciple of Master Zhu Guqing. Moreover, Wen Lingzhao is extremely beautiful and has many admirers in the Kaiyuan Academy. Some noble young men have even declared that they will kick Su Yi away from Wen Lingzhao in the future."

He paused and sighed, "In this situation, how can Su Yi have a good future? I believe that even the Wen family will increasingly dislike Su Yi, and it's not impossible that something bad will happen."

Zhou Huaiqiu's pupils narrowed, falling into silence.

Although he sympathized with and pitied Su Yi's situation, he was powerless to help.

This made him feel a bit guilty, but that was all. He couldn't stand against a Master's disciple.

Nor could he get involved in the Wen family's affairs.

One, it would be troublesome, and two, it would be overstepping, potentially inviting trouble.

"This can't be blamed on anyone; it can only be blamed on Su Yi for not being qualified to be Wen Lingzhao's husband."

Ni Hao said calmly.

"Let's not talk about this."

Zhou Huaiqiu was somewhat annoyed and waved his hand.

Li Tianhan smiled slightly, thinking to himself, it seems everyone has a premonition and realizes that after Wen Lingzhao becomes a Master's disciple, Su Yi, the waste, will inevitably have problems.

This is enough!

Next, it's just a matter of when Junior Brother Muyun will take action!

From that day on, Zhou Huaiqiu, Ni Hao, and Nan Ying stayed at the Li residence, planning to leave after attending the Longmen Banquet.

The next morning.

Wen Clan Leader Wen Changjing, his wife Wen Changtai, and Wen Lingxue set off from Guangling City to visit Wen Lingzhao at the Tianyuan Academy.

Throughout the process, except for Wen Lingxue, who had mentioned it to Su Yi, everyone else ignored him, the husband of Wen Lingzhao.

Su Yi didn't care about these things.

Outside the city, by the Dacang River, in the mulberry forest.

When Su Yi's tall figure arrived, bathed in the faint morning light, he was surprised to see two people waiting there.

---

PS: 1. No extra chapter today, as I need to carefully design some plot points.

2. The upcoming Longmen Banquet will be a major climax, and I need to lay some groundwork first.