I, the wanderer of the universe, love making friends

Chapter 177 Master Lu, why don't you give your daughter to me?
Following that scolding.

The sound of horse hooves could be heard from behind.

Looking back, I saw a group of horsemen coming towards me quickly from behind.

The big men riding the horses were all dressed in grey tights with a Pegasus with wings embroidered on their lapels. There were ten of them in total, and the other ten or so horses were wild horses without saddles, tied together with ropes.

The leading knight was a middle-aged burly man, blind in one eye, with an old-fashioned face, but his one eye still sparkled with spirit. Seeing a carriage blocking the road, he shouted "Whoa", signaling the people behind him to rein in their horses and slow down.

Seeing this, the others reined in their horses, and the entire team stopped just three or four feet behind the carriage.

Ten people, twenty-one eyes, fell on the carriage like twenty-one arrows, and even the horses under them cast a vigilant look.

The person who was asking questions about four or five meters ahead was a young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old. He was tanned, but his teeth were white and neat, which made his not-so-good-looking appearance much more pleasing to the eye.

At this time, he raised his chin and stuck it forward, squinting his eyes and making a mocking expression.

Seeing Shen Lang's carriage stop, the one-eyed man behind drove his horse forward.

He said politely, "I am Liu Zongdao, the second steward of Pegasus Ranch. I wonder what brings the distinguished guest in the car to my Pegasus Ranch?"

The young palace maid could not handle such a situation.

Shen Lang lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, bowing and greeting. "It turns out to be Deacon Liu. I am Shen Lang. I originally wanted to go to Luoyang, but because I am unfamiliar with the place, I have come to your precious place. I apologize for my intrusion."

"May I ask if it's Shen Lang who single-handedly calmed down the duel between Ba Fenghan and Ouyang Xiyi, and also took care of the funeral of Emperor Sui in Yangzhou?" Liu Zongdao asked.

Shen Lang said: "It is me."

"So it's a distinguished guest." Liu Zongdao's expression changed slightly, and he smiled again, "To think that Mr. Shen would get lost and come to our Pegasus Ranch, this is quite fate. Since he's already here, Mr. Shen might as well come and stay as a guest at the ranch."

"Thank you, Deacon Liu." Shen Lang said with a smile, "My two beloved wives and I are also very hungry, so I'll bother you for a while."

"Mr. Shen, you are too polite. I will inform the others." Liu Zongdao said with a smile and turned back to discuss with his companions.

Then everyone went together, with the carriage leading the way.

Liu Zongdao walked side by side with him, and Shen Lang asked him about the situation of the ranch.

The first owner of Pegasus Ranch who built this castle, Shang Xiong, was a military general in the late Jin Dynasty. At that time, Liu Yu replaced the Jin Dynasty and changed the country's name to Song, and the world was divided.

To avoid the war, Shang Xiong led his men and clansmen southward, and by chance found this hidden valley, where he settled down and established a ranch.

In the 160 years from the establishment of the ranch to the unification of the world in the Sui Dynasty, the Pegasus Ranch experienced seven owners, all of whom were inherited by the Shang family, possessing supreme authority.

The others are Liang, Liu, Tao, Wu, Xu, Luo and other ethnic groups. After more than a hundred years of reproduction, they kept migrating to the surrounding areas and formed nearby towns. As for the two big cities of Yuan'an and Dangyang on the Ju River, more than half of their residents came from Pegasus Ranch.

Pegasus Ranch is also the economic lifeline of this region. The high-quality horses it produces are world-renowned. However, because the owner adheres to his ancestors' teachings, he never gets involved in the affairs of the underworld or the imperial court. He maintains a low-key style and always keeps business as business.

Therefore, it is not very famous in the martial arts world, and only organizations such as the rebel army or the imperial court that need a large number of military horses know about Pegasus Ranch.

The first generation owner, Shang Xiong, was a military general. He understood the principle of "fists are the best", so he encouraged his people to study martial arts and promote martial spirit. As a result, everyone on the ranch was brave and good at fighting, and was not afraid of bandits.

Become a force for regional security and earn the respect of residents of nearby towns.

Apart from customers who come to buy horses, Pegasus Ranch rarely has any idle guests.

But this time the situation is special, because Shen Lang is famous, and the world has long known that he resolved the duel between Ouyang Xiyi and Ba Fenghan in Dongping County.

Another thing was to collect Yang Guang's body. Although Yang Guang was a tyrant, both the Li family and the rebel army such as Dou Jiande praised Shen Lang's behavior, calling it righteousness. At the same time, these rebel army criticized Yu Wenzhi and planned to posthumously honor Yang Guang.

If such a young talent could be invited as a guest, it might make the young female owner Shang Xiuxun happy.

There is a tower at the exit of the gorge. In front of the tower, a tunnel three meters wide and five meters deep is dug, which runs across the gorge. The bottom is covered with spikes and the passage must be made by a suspension bridge. It is indeed a situation where one man can block the pass and ten thousand men cannot cross.

After entering the farm ranch, Liu Zongdao and others were visibly relaxed. Everyone talked and laughed loudly as if a huge stone had been lifted from their hearts. They got back on their horses and galloped towards Pegasus Castle along the gravel road.

Different types of livestock are separated by wooden fences. Herdsmen run back and forth between the wooden fences, shouting and shouting, while farmers work silently in the fields. The cattle bray from time to time, blending in with the braying of horses and sheep.

Viewed from the front, Pegasus Mountain City is even more breathtaking.

The city wall was built along the mountain, with ridges and piles, winding along the undulating terrain, and the situation was steep. Behind the city, the rocks were exposed, the caves were steep, and it was difficult for birds to cross.

The team crossed the river into the city via the suspension bridge. The people guarding the bridge were all friendly and warm, and the atmosphere was harmonious, giving people the feeling of being a big family living in harmony.

After entering the city, there is a wide slope extending upwards, leading directly to the inner castle where the highest owner of the city lives. There are houses on both sides, and branch roads connect them to the slope, which is a typical feature of a mountain city.

The streets were bustling with people and cars, just like a bustling big city. Children were playing in groups, which opened the eyes of Empress Xiao and Nanyang. They were amazed and could not believe that such a blessed place could exist in such a chaotic world.

All the buildings are rough and simple, built with stones and have a magnificent shape.

Along the way, there are numerous bell pavilions, archways, and gates, which are simple and unpretentious, showing the heroic spirit of the city builders.

The inner fort is even larger in scale, with the main building consisting of five-story halls and pavilions, as well as side halls and corridors.

Large and small houses are neatly arranged in the fort, decorated with gardens, flowers and trees, small bridges and waterfalls, which are elegant and pleasant.

After entering the castle, Liu Zongdao led Shen Lang and his party to meet the owner.

Not long after we had been drinking tea in the hall, a young lady in tight clothes walked in. She was very graceful and had beautiful black hair cascading down her sculpted shoulders like two small waterfalls. She was extraordinarily beautiful.

The elegant outfit only served to accentuate her striking face and tanned, glowing skin, radiating a glowing youthfulness and enviable health.

Her beautiful eyes are deep and unfathomable, and her thick eyelashes add to her mystery, as if her eyes are filled with the fragrance of celestial wine.

Liu Zongdao hurriedly stood up and saluted: "Greetings, host. This is Mr. Shen and his two beloved wives whom I met on the road."

"My name is Shen Lang. I have come to visit you without permission with my wife. Please forgive me, host." Shen Lang clasped his fists and bowed.

Empress Xiao and Nanyang also stood up and saluted, but their identities were not disclosed.

One called herself Xiao Niang and the other called herself Xiao Mei.

Although Princess Nanyang would rather abandon her husband and kill her son and serve the same husband with the queen in order to avenge the national and family hatred, she still had to retain some face.

Shang Xiuxun smiled and said, "Mr. Shen, you are too polite. Your name is now known to everyone in the world. I have known you for a long time. It is my honor to have you and the two ladies visit my ranch today. Please take a seat."

Liu Zongdao took his leave first.

Just after the greetings, a maid hurried in and whispered a few words into Shang Xiuxun's ear.

Shang Xiuxun nodded and said to Shen Lang, "Mr. Shen, it's a coincidence that you've come to the ranch. Someone just happened to want to see you."

Upon hearing this, Queen Xiao and Nanyang immediately looked curious.

Not only were they curious, Shang Xiuxun was also curious about why that person wanted to meet this person.

Because that person has lived in seclusion here for nearly thirty years, but has never seen outsiders.

"Oh?" Shen Lang asked, "Is that person's surname Lu?"

Shang Xiuxun nodded slowly and said, "That's right."

Then he said to Empress Xiao and the other two, "Please sit down for a moment, Madam. I'll take Master Shen to see him and then come back to greet you two."

"Mall owner, please help me." Queen Xiao said hurriedly.

Shang Xiuxun asked the maid to greet Queen Xiao and the other two, then took Shen Lang away.

After leaving the hall, I walked towards the back, turning left and right, and going around and around.

Shang Xiuxun asked curiously, "That old man has lived in seclusion at Pegasus Ranch for many years, unknown to outsiders. I didn't expect Master Shen to reveal the truth. It really surprised Xiuxun."

"Although I haven't been in the martial arts world for long, I know a few things." Shen Lang smiled and asked, "Mall owner..."

Shang Xiuxun smiled and said, "Mr. Shen, there's no need to be so formal. According to the rules of the martial arts world, if you don't mind, I'll call you Brother Shen, and you can call me Xiuxun."

"I couldn't ask for more."

"Xiuxun has something I'd like to ask Brother Shen. I wonder if you could help me solve it?"

"Excuse me, Miss Xiuxun."

"Brother Shen, are you a loyal Sui Dynasty man?" Shang Xiuxun asked. "Yang Guang's perverse actions have caused the people to suffer and complain bitterly. Countless people want to leave his body hanging for days to vent their anger. You're actually willing to collect his body. It's truly unexpected."

Shen Lang explained: "Yang Guang had merits and faults, was a wise ruler and a tyrant, he is dead now, and before he died, I promised to let him rest in peace, and I must do it." Burying Yang Guang and hunting down Yu Wenzhi were all done for the living.

If any rebel army invaded Yangzhou and dug up Yang Guang's tomb and whipped his corpse, they would surely be surrounded and suppressed by other rebel armies.

It's just because everyone wants to save face, and it can also help them recruit the remaining officials of the previous dynasty.

In the final analysis, it's just a face-saving project.

What's more, Yu Wenzhi was also heading to Luoyang, and they all had the same destination, so it was just a matter of convenience.

"I see." Shang Xiuxun nodded and said, "Xiuxun is shallow. Brother Shen, please."

After they walked a few steps, she smiled again and said, "Brother Shen, since you've come to our ranch this time, you must stay for a while and let Xiuxun do her part as a good host."

"Then I'll bother you, Miss Xiuxun." Shen Lang said with a smile, "My favorite thing about traveling the world is making good friends."

There are corridors with endless beautiful scenery on both sides of the road. After passing through a bamboo forest, there is the sound of rushing water. At the end is a square pavilion, facing a hundred-meter-high cliff, and a waterfall cascading down the opposite cliff, which is very imposing.

There is a gravel path on the left, connected to the square pavilion, extending along the edge of the cliff into the depths of the forest, which makes people want to explore the secluded and beautiful places.

The two walked along, turning left and right, and suddenly the view in front of them opened up. On the platform next to the cliff, there was a two-story building in a dangerous situation.

Shang Xiuxun was about to speak.

An old man's voice came from upstairs, saying, "Since you are a distinguished guest, please come up and meet me. It has been three years since the owner of the farm has stepped into my comfortable home. Why don't you come up and have a cup of six-fruit juice with me?"

Shang Xiuxun said coldly, "The owner is not interested."

As soon as he finished speaking, an old man suddenly appeared in front of the window, looked down and stared at him blankly.

That is a very special face, simple and unique.

His long, thick black eyebrows extended all the way to his spotted temples, but the other end connected to the bridge of his ears, forming a sharp contrast with his deep, eagle-like eyes.

The sad wrinkles at the corners of his mouth and under his eyes made him look indifferent to the world, tired and sad.

His nose was straight and powerful, and his tightly-set lips that naturally revealed his arrogance, and his slender and clean face made him look like a prince who had once enjoyed all the wealth and glory in the world but was now heartbroken.

This person is Lu Miaozi who lives in seclusion here.

It is said that he is an all-round genius, proficient in martial arts, medicine, gardening, architecture, military tactics, disguise, astronomy, calendar calculation, mechanical devices, etc.

The "Yang Gong Treasure House" in Chang'an City, which is full of mechanisms, was created by him, and he was known as "the best craftsman in the world."

And he is Shang Xiuxun's father.

However, the person Lu Miaozi loves in his heart is Zhu Yuyan, the leader of the "Yinkui Sect" and the "Queen of Yin". However, he was plotted against by Zhu Yuyan and was hit by her palm. Disheartened, he lived in seclusion at the "Pegasus Ranch".

At Pegasus Ranch, he met Shang Xiuxun's mother, Shang Qingya, the former owner of Pegasus Ranch, and gave birth to his daughter Shang Xiuxun.

However, Lu Miaozi loved Zhu Yuyan in his heart, so he let Shang Qingya down, making Shang Xiuxun hate him.

Shang Xiuxun said angrily: "Don't look at me!"

Lu Miaozi sighed, his eyes shot up to the sky, and he said with a sigh, "You really look like your mother."

Shang Xiuxun's tone returned to calm, and she said coldly, "You are not allowed to mention Mother again. People like you are not worthy of talking about her. To this day, I still don't understand why Mother would defend you to the death. Alright! The person you want to see is here."

When you're done, turn around and leave.

After watching her go away, Lu Miaozi turned to look at Shen Lang: "Dear guest, please go upstairs."

Shen Lang walked upstairs.

Shiya is so big, there are not many flowers.

There is a plaque engraved with "Comfortable Wo" on the main gate, and a couplet written on a wooden plaque is hung on the two beams facing the entrance.

It is appropriate to tune the zither in the morning and to play the harp in the evening; the old rain has just arrived and the new rain has just come.

The font is elegant, vigorous and powerful.

This hall is a four-sided building. Through the lattice windows on all four sides, the steep cliffs covered with plants at the back and the swaying bamboos around it can be faintly seen into the hall, making the mahogany furniture displayed there seem thick, unpretentious, leisurely and natural.

There is a staircase made of nanmu wood at the corner of the house, leading to the upper floor.

Lu Miaozi's voice came down again: "Dear guest, please come upstairs!"

Shen Lang climbed up the stairs.

The upper floor is divided into two rooms by a screen. One side has a round table and square chairs, and the other side should be the owner's bedroom.

There were also wine jugs, wine glasses and other wine utensils on the table, and the aroma of wine was everywhere.

Under the illumination of two hanging palace lanterns, there are only a few necessary pieces of furniture besides tables and chairs, all made of rosewood, with an elegant and noble style.

Lu Miaozi stood in front of the window, facing outside, and said softly, "Little brother, please sit down and try the six-fruit liquid I brewed."

He was tall, wearing a tall hat and a wide belt, and he was wearing a loose robe, which made him look like a hermit.

Shen Lang smiled and said, "Great! Let's get drunk while we can, what a short life!"

Hearing this, Lu Miaozi also sighed, "This sentence is right, when there is wine, get drunk, life is short."

Shen Lang picked up the wine jug and poured two cups. Seeing that there was still no movement, he picked up one cup and took a sip first.

He praised: "This is a good wine. As soon as it enters the throat, you can feel the mellow taste, soft and refreshing. The most rare thing is that the fragrance is rich and harmonious, leaving a long aftertaste."

Lu Miaozi said calmly, "This wine is made from six kinds of fresh fruits: pomegranates, grapes, oranges, mountain ash, green plums, and pineapples. After going through a tedious process of selecting the fruits, washing them, rinsing them, crushing them, discarding the pits, and so on, it's then packed into wooden barrels and aged underground for three years. It seems you like it very much."

Shen Lang praised sincerely: "Not bad, this wine is not only delicious, but also very creative."

Lu Miaozi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I have lived here for nearly thirty years. Aside from Xiuxun, I rarely see anyone. It was only this time that I saw you."

Shen Lang smiled and said, "Originally, I went there to hunt down Yu Wenhuaji, but there were wars everywhere and there was no one to ask for directions. I wandered around and ended up here."

Lu Miaozi laughed heartily and said, "This is fate. Although I have regarded this comfortable nest as my home for the past thirty years, I have been away from home more often than I have been here. Meeting you this time is truly wonderful."

Then he turned around, sat down slowly, took the Six Fruits Liquid and drank it all, saying: "This is indeed a good wine. If it weren't for this thing hanging on to my life, I might not see you again today."

"Old Lu, it seems that Zhu Yuyan's blow thirty years ago nearly killed you." Shen Lang said, "Am I right?"

When Lu Miaozi heard him mention Zhu Yuyan, she was stunned.

He said in astonishment, "I, Lu Miaozi, travel the world. Even Ning Daoqi, when he sees me, has to respectfully address me as 'Teacher Lu'. But when you speak of me, it becomes Old Lu."

He sighed again, "You're not a simple person. You actually knew about this evil spirit. Alas! I've done two things in my life that I'll regret forever. One of them was falling in love with this woman. I, Lu Miaozi, have always been conceited, but I've made one mistake after another. It's fate that plays tricks on me. What else can I say?"

"I never expected you to know that it was Zhu Yuyan who injured me. I was indeed injured thirty years ago. Even though that witch's Heavenly Demonic Skill is hailed as the most evil, it still can't kill me. Take advantage of the mountain terrain and escape a thousand miles away and hide here."

He sighed again and said, "For the past thirty years, I have devoted all my energy to this, building the garden. If it weren't for this kind of sustenance, I would have died from my injuries long ago. However, these past few days, I have been constantly recalling my old hatred. This is a sign that my injuries are recurring. I am afraid that my time is running out."

"Time is running out?" Shen Lang asked immediately, "Should you tell me the clues on how to open Yang Gong's treasure house? It's a pity that the mall owner and you don't have a good relationship. Otherwise, you can betroth her to me and you can go with peace of mind."

Then he sighed, "Master Lu, what you did is not authentic. You are greedy while eating from the bowl. If it were me, I would never let this happen."

Lu Miaozi stared at him intently for a long while before changing the subject: "If it were you, why wouldn't this happen?"

"Because I will pour what's in the pot into the bowl and eat it together." Shen Lang said, "If we all sleep in the same bed, this kind of thing won't happen."

Lu Miaozi was stunned when he heard this.

Then he burst into laughter, patted Shen Lang's shoulder vigorously, and said with a laugh: "Your idea is really unique. No wonder Qingxuan lost her virginity to you. In the past thirty years, I have never felt as happy as I do now. Maybe I can even prolong my life for a few more days."

After a pause, he continued, "Qingxuan is right. You are truly extraordinary. I heard that you killed Xiang Yutian's four disciples, so I have a favor to ask of you."

"Do you have a favor to ask?" Shen Lang pondered for a moment. "Can you betroth Xiuxun to me first? Lao Lu, to be honest, for a master like me, marrying Xiuxun, I really don't know what to say except congratulations."

……

(End of this chapter)