Sword drawn from the constellations, poison as its edge.

Chapter 207 A Great Storm in the Martial World

The Beggars' Sect, Shaolin Temple, Xiao Feng, Murong Fu, the heroes of the Central Plains, Yipintang, and now Lingjiu Palace...

Jiang Mingzhe realized that he had unintentionally stirred up a real storm in the martial arts world.

—If he hadn't defeated the Four Evils, they would likely have followed the original story and joined the Western Xia First-Class Hall.

With Duan Yanqing in charge and the support of the other three villains, Yipintang was incredibly powerful. Li Qiushui wouldn't have personally come to the Central Plains to coerce the Beggars' Sect into distorting the truth and putting Xiao Feng's trip to Shaolin in the spotlight.

If Yipintang had failed as it did in the original story, Lingjiu Palace would not have launched a full-scale attack.

Jiang Mingzhe sighed, thinking to himself, "My experiences, if written down, could be a book: 'Rewriting Tianlong: Starting with Defeating the Four Evils'..."

Shaking his head to stop thinking about it, he smiled at Sang Tugong and said, "Speaking of blocking the road, I am quite good at it. However, please wait a moment while I settle my little sister and then I will come to take over for you."

With that, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around, mounted his horse, and rode away with Wang Yuyan, leaving Sang Tugong firmly embedded in the bronze cauldron.

After spending the night together, Wang Yuyan and Jiang Mingzhe truly became familiar with each other.

Wang Yuyan, unlike her usual quiet and demure self, chattered incessantly. Fortunately, she didn't encounter any more trouble or obstacles along the way, and in just two days, she arrived in Dengfeng.

Dengfeng is located on the southern slope of Mount Song. It was formerly within the territory of Yangcheng, the capital of Yu. Later, Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty visited Mount Song and established Songgao County. During the Sui Dynasty, it was renamed Songyang. During the Wu Zhou period, Empress Wu Zetian visited Mount Song and conferred the title of Zhongyue (Central Peak). To commemorate this event, it was renamed Dengfeng.

Wang Yuyan, who was used to a life of luxury, looked haggard after these past few days of hard work. As soon as she entered the city, she said in a coquettish tone, "Ah, I'm so tired."

Jiang Mingzhe smiled and said, "Once we arrive in Dengfeng, it will feel just like home. I'll take you somewhere."

Wang Yuyan was greatly surprised, and then she saw Jiang Mingzhe amiably stop a passerby and ask, "Greetings, sir. May I ask where the Longyuan Treasure Shop in this city is? ...Alright, alright, thank you very much!"

Bao Si refers to a jewelry store.

He asked for directions, then led the horse on its way. Wang Yuyan followed behind, blushing, and said, "Hey, we're not going to stop for a meal. What are we going to the shop for? I have everything I need at home, so... so you don't need to give me anything..."

Jiang Mingzhe glanced at her and thought to himself that this girl was really interesting. He had been paying for her meals and lodgings for the past few days, so why would she think that he was going to buy her jewelry?
But then I thought, if I eat and drink at someone else's house, and don't give them a small gift, am I just a freeloader?
He chuckled lazily, "No matter how much you have at home, none of it is anything I've given you."

Wang Yuyan's face turned even redder. She lowered her head and remained silent, obediently following behind Jiang Mingzhe. They turned through streets and alleys, and soon arrived at a magnificent building. Looking at the signboard, it was Longyuan Baosi.

Jiang Mingzhe led Wang Yuyan in. The shopkeeper looked up and, seeing their appearance and demeanor, quickly put on a smile to welcome them. Before he could speak, Jiang Mingzhe said casually, "Whatever this young lady takes a fancy to, whatever she likes, you keep it for her. I'll pay you the money all at once."

After saying that, he took out a blood-red swallow-character flag that was crumpled up in his bosom and stuffed it into the shopkeeper's hand. The shopkeeper didn't even need to open it; just by touching it, his expression changed slightly, and he laughed, "Good, good, Laifu, Xiaocui!"

Two beautifully made-up young men and women responded in unison, "Yes."

The shopkeeper instructed, "Laifu, go and fetch the distinguished guest's horse, and serve it with the best water and feed. Xiaocui, accompany this lady, show her the shop's displays, and then lead her to the treasure vault. Anything that catches the lady's eye should be collected and packed away."

The store's displays are truly extraordinary. Everywhere you look, there are sandalwood display shelves of varying heights, with large gold platters placed on top, and candles lit in front of them, creating a dazzling golden glow.

In front of the large plate were sandalwood bases of various sizes, some holding beautiful jade, some gemstones, and some exquisite ornaments and small items, all shining brightly under the golden light.

Wang Yuyan was already overwhelmed by the sights, and upon hearing that there was also a treasure vault, she became even more eager to go, and couldn't help but look at Jiang Mingzhe.

Jiang Mingzhe laughed and said, "Let this little Cui girl accompany you around. If you like anything, don't be shy, and don't try to save me money." Wang Yuyan beamed and skipped over to examine each item carefully.

The shopkeeper leaned close to Jiang Mingzhe and whispered, "Judging from your age and bearing, could you perhaps be the Master Zhaixingzi that the boss mentioned?"

Jiang Mingzhe smiled and said, "That's right, it is I. May I ask if my brother Yan is here today?"

The shopkeeper said, "The master hasn't come these past few days, but he instructed me to inform him immediately if Master Zhaixingzi comes. He will definitely come to see me within a few days. He also told me to make sure to keep Master Zhaixingzi here and treat him well."

Jiang Mingzhe waved his hand and said, "Shopkeeper, you are too modest. I am still young. Although Brother Yan is kind to me, how can I be worthy of being called a master? Well, my family name is Jiang. You can call me Xiao Jiang."

The innkeeper smiled and said, "Young Master Jiang is too modest. Please come upstairs and have some tea."

Then he led Jiang Mingzhe upstairs, where pretty maids served fragrant tea and delicious snacks. The innkeeper sat down at the lower end of the table and said with a smile, "Today, there is turmoil at Shaolin Temple, and Dengfeng is not peaceful either. Young Master Jiang, have you arrived at this time to participate in this excitement?"

Jiang Mingzhe nodded and said, "Shopkeeper, you have a good eye. I came here for two reasons: first, to visit my brother Yan, and second, to join in the fun. The Miss Wang we just met is the only daughter of the Wang family, which is related to the Murong family by marriage. We will all go our separate ways, and my brother Murong Fu will arrive soon."

The shopkeeper's expression shifted, and he forced a smile, saying, "That would be wonderful. I haven't seen what the young master looks like yet. Our shop has a large, clean courtyard in the back. Young Master Jiang, please stay here with Miss Wang. I will send men to wait for my young master at the city gate. Please tell me, Young Master Jiang, what is the young master dressed like now?"

Jiang Mingzhe informed him of this, and then added, "There is also a man and a woman who will arrive soon. The man is also a good brother of the Murong family, namely Duan Yu, the heir of the Dali Kingdom. The woman is a maidservant of Young Master Murong, and she has now been betrothed to Heir Duan."

The shopkeeper was overjoyed to hear that he had befriended the prince of Dali. He immediately summoned several capable men, gave them some instructions, and the men nodded repeatedly before hurrying away.

Jiang Mingzhe drank some tea and then went to look at the back courtyard. Sure enough, it was tidy and luxurious, a feast for the eyes.

More than an hour later, Wang Yuyan returned satisfied. Besides Xiao Cui, there were three or four more maids beside her, each carrying a tray piled high with brocade boxes.

Wang Yuyan blushed slightly and asked Jiang Mingzhe in a sweet voice, "Isn't that too much?"

Jiang Mingzhe shook his head and said, "No, as long as you like it."

Wang Yuyan was overjoyed. She looked around and asked, "Why did you end up in someone else's house?"

Jiang Mingzhe smiled and said, "I am a big customer, and the manager is afraid of being neglected, so he specially invited us to stay. If you want to eat or drink anything, just tell that Miss Xiao Cui."

That evening, the old shopkeeper indeed treated them with great hospitality. For the two of them alone, there were twenty or thirty dishes served, all of which were famous dishes from the Central Plains region, such as lychee white kidneys, quail soup, lamb tongue skewers, ginger and vinegar snails, oyster-stuffed lamb tripe and so on.

After the meal, a large tub of hot water was boiled for the two of them to bathe, and brand new clothes were also prepared for them.

Wang Yuyan, smelling wonderful after her bath, pulled Jiang Mingzhe into her room and took out the jewelry she had chosen, one piece at a time, for him to appraise. Jiang Mingzhe praised her without hesitation, and Wang Yuyan was overjoyed. However, after a while, fatigue gradually crept over her.

Seeing this, Jiang Mingzhe took his leave and returned to his room. He slept for two hours, and when he opened his eyes, it was the middle of the night.

He calmly got up, changed into a new blue outfit, and carefully placed his sword case, sword, poison, and other items. He opened the window, lightly leaped into the garden, then tiptoed up the wall. His cold gaze swept over the area, and with a leap, he raced swiftly towards Shaolin Temple.

Not long after Jiang Mingzhe left, a window on the second floor of a small building directly opposite his house was gently pushed open, and in the darkness, a pair of old eyes gleamed with shrewdness.

(End of this chapter)