I'm here in the martial arts world just to find love.

Just like human affairs, which are complex and not simply black and white.

In Jiang Chao's view, there are certainly not only things that can be seen by human eyes in this world.

Nature's artistry is truly remarkable; it must have created many other wonders and wonders unknown to most people.

Just like the nameless mountain where their Snowstorm Temple is located, the foot of the mountain is like spring all year round, but the mountain is covered in snow all year round, a wonder of which.

The world that the human eye can see is limited, but the human imagination is limitless.

One day, he will have seen all the wonders of the world and will have no regrets in this life!

Jiang Chao quickly composed himself and rode away along the official road.

After dark.

Jiang Chao walked a short distance further, following the direction of the lights, and finally saw signs of human habitation.

It was an inn, about two or three miles from the loess post road.

There are many other houses built around the inn, and you can see the dim yellow lights flickering inside through the doors and windows.

As the river tide approached, a slightly noisy chorus of voices emanated from the rows of houses.

Outside, in the open space, there were many carriages and horses, including several that looked quite luxurious.

Jiang Chao dismounted and strode towards the inn.

Upon arriving at the inn's entrance, a waiter from inside came out to greet him. Seeing Jiang Chao, who was covered in dust from his journey leading his horse, the young waiter's eyes lit up, and he greeted him warmly:

"Sir, you must be tired from your journey. Please come inside!"

As he spoke, he stepped forward to lead Jiang Chao's horse.

  

Jiang Chao chuckled and handed the reins to the waiter, asking:

"Waiter, are there any rooms available?"

The waiter hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, sir, you've come at just the right time. We happen to have a room left."

Jiang Chao nodded and smiled, "That's quite a coincidence. Also, please give my horse extra hay, thank you."

With that, Jiang Chao flicked his finger, and a piece of silver flew out and landed in the waiter's arms.

The waiter's smile widened, and he became even more enthusiastic.

"Don't worry, sir, I've got it covered!"

As the waiter led the horse toward the faintly visible stables to the side, Jiang Chao stepped into the inn.

The inn was quite lively.

Looking out from the entrance, there were at least ten tables of guests inside.

Among these guests were wealthy merchants dressed in fine clothes, as well as rough-looking wandering swordsmen. Jiang Chao's arrival did not attract much attention from these people.

The guests at the tables near the entrance only glanced at Jiang Chao, a young man who looked quite young and obviously had a background in the martial arts world, before continuing to chat and laugh with their companions, drinking and eating.

Before leaving Qingzhou City, Jiang Chao had carefully dressed himself up from head to toe.

The scarlet brocade robe he wore at home, which his mother had commissioned to be made to complement his temperament, was replaced with an inconspicuous outfit worn by a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person who travels the martial arts world).

He wore a plain-colored, narrow-sleeved blue robe, with his legs bound at the ankles and black cloth shoes with multiple layers of soles. A three-foot-long sword sheath hung at his waist. He looked quite ordinary.

He was dressed like an ordinary young man from the martial arts world.

Jiang Chao glanced around the inn's lobby and walked straight toward the interior.

There was a small square table there, and only one person was sitting at the table.

The man was wearing a straw hat with the brim pulled down so low that his features were obscured.

His clothing was just like his—plain blue robes, extremely ordinary, without any highlights, and even somewhat shabby.

"Brother, is this place taken?"

Jiang Chao asked as he approached the man.

Upon hearing this, the person at the table didn't even look up, and said in a muffled voice:

"no."

Jiang Chao smiled and said, "I hope you don't mind if I share a table with you?"

Before the man could answer, Jiang Chao sat down on his own.

I glanced at the food and drinks on the table opposite me...

It just felt even more shabby.

There was only a plate of peanuts, a small pot of wine, and a bowl.

The peanuts in front of him remained untouched; he only occasionally picked up his wine bowl and took a sip.

After sitting down, Jiang Chao was able to see the other person's face clearly.

Beneath the straw hat was a face with a sallow complexion but sharp, angular features.

This person has a rather pointed chin, a high nose bridge, and thin, slightly upturned lips, but his eyes are not visible as they are covered by a straw hat.

"Where are you planning to go, sir?"

Seeing that the waiter hadn't come to feed the horse yet, Jiang Chao took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him as if they were old friends:

"Yunzhou".

The person opposite Jiang Chao did not ignore his words, nor did he hide anything, and spoke frankly.

"Hey, what a coincidence! I'm also heading to Yunzhou. How about we travel together?"

Jiang Chao sized up the other person and asked.

Jiang Chao noticed that the person opposite him was gripping the rim of the bowl tightly with their fingers, and he discovered that the hand under the other person's sleeve was exceptionally fair and slender, with delicate, jade-like fingertips.

A slight stirring occurred to my heart.

Thinking back to the deep, muffled voice the other person had used earlier, which sounded androgynous, could it be a woman disguised as a man?

"No, no need."

After a moment, the other party refused, saying, "I'm used to traveling alone and don't like traveling with others."

The voice was still hoarse and deep, but Jiang Chao could detect something different in it.

Looking again at the throat area that the other person deliberately covered with their clothes, Jiang Chao immediately confirmed his previous guess.

The person in front of me is indeed a woman!

Yunzhou...

Judging from their attire, they must be there for the upcoming martial arts tournament in Yunzhou!

This delighted Jiang Chao. A female knight-errant disguised as a man, what a great start...

"Hey, I've always believed in fate. It's fate that we met here and are even deskmates. Since it's fate, why not get to know each other and become friends?"

Who wants to be friends with you?! Do I even know you?

Chu Ning thought to herself, her eyes, hidden behind the bamboo hat, slightly rolled upwards, but she remained silent.

Hopefully, this guy will be smart enough not to talk to her anymore.

Jiang Chao noticed that the other person's breathing was noticeably rapid, and he chuckled inwardly.

This girl is probably like him, a newcomer to the martial arts world, thinking that by disguising herself, others will not recognize that she is a woman.

Anyone with a decent eye could tell that she was a woman.

However, since it was their first meeting, Jiang Chao didn't want to say anything out of the ordinary, lest he upset the other party.

Still feigning ignorance, he said in a rather regretful tone:

"Alas, what a pity. I thought our meeting was fate, and that I could participate in the martial arts tournament with you, but I never expected..."

Hearing Jiang Chao say this, Chu Ning finally couldn't help but look up at the boy opposite her.

"Are you also going to participate in the martial arts tournament?"

Jiang Chao felt a slight tremor in his heart when he met the eyes beneath the straw hat.

What beautiful, long, bright eyes!

Jiang Chao saw the eyes beneath the bamboo hat and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

Ignore the sallow face that, like his own, had been disguised.

Jiang Chao could tell from just looking into the other person's eyes that she was definitely a beauty!

Some people, no matter how much they try to hide it, cannot conceal their beauty.

Chu Ning felt somewhat displeased as Jiang Chao, who had an ordinary appearance, stared intently at her.

What's wrong with this kid?

Who judges people like that?

Seeing the displeasure in the other person's eyes, Jiang Chao quickly looked away and nodded calmly.

"Naturally, I heard that the martial arts tournament in Yunzhou is extremely grand, with many disciples from famous sects who rarely appear in public attending. I plan to take this opportunity to go and see it for myself and broaden my horizons."

Then, Jiang Chao changed his tone and asked, as if pressing a nerve:

"May I ask how you are addressed?"

"...Chu Liuxiang."

Chu, Chu Liuxiang?

Jiang Chao was momentarily stunned upon hearing the name.

They immediately realized that this must be an alias the other party used to conceal their identity while traveling the world.

Without hesitation, he also gave his name, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:

"My name is Jiang Lang, Jiang as in Jianghu, Lang as in a wanderer. I greet you, Brother Chu."