Wandering Swordsman |

The moment you step into the inn, a wave of lively sounds washes over you. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the sounds of food being prepared all blend together to create a vibrant symphony of the martial world. The air is filled with the aromas of wine, tea, and cooking food—a concentrated essence of life, a warm and comforting reflection of the resting lives of these江湖 (jianghu) heroes.

Inside the hall, the martial arts figures each occupied their own corner, some drinking and singing heartily, others whispering in hushed tones, each finding their own moment of tranquility or revelry. However, amidst this boisterous atmosphere, the corner where He Yun, Zhao Xue, and Yang Muruan sat was like a tranquil lake. The three sat around a square table, their expressions focused, seemingly discussing something important.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, all our rooms have been booked. We can only serve meals at the moment. Would you like to have a meal or stay overnight?" At this moment, the waiter stepped forward and respectfully asked Shen Mo and Murong Qing.

Before Shen Mo could answer, He Yun caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned around, his eyes immediately brightening, and a delighted smile appeared on his face. "Brother Shen! Miss Murong!" He Yun stood up, his voice full of enthusiasm.

Upon hearing He Yun's voice, Yang Muruan also raised his head, a hint of relief in his eyes.

Zhao Xue stood up, her smile as bright as the winter sun: "You've finally arrived, come and sit down." She lightly patted the spot where she had stood up. Her movements were graceful and natural, exuding an irresistible warmth.

Then, Zhao Xue walked over to He Yun's side and gently squeezed in, and the two sat side by side. He Yun didn't seem to mind Zhao Xue squeezing in with him; in fact, he turned slightly to give Zhao Xue more space.

Zhao Xue's actions raised a question in Shen Mo's mind: When did Zhao Xue and He Yun's relationship become so intimate?

The arrangement at the square table now appeared somewhat crowded yet peculiar. Zhao Xue and He Yun occupied one side, while Yang Muruan sat alone on the other, leaving the two opposite sides empty. The question then arose: where should Shen Mo, Murong Qing, and Liu Xiaorong sit?

Just as Shen Mo was still pondering, Murong Qing had already taken action. She gently took Shen Mo's arm, her movements soft and swift, and pulled Shen Mo toward the empty seat opposite He Yun and Zhao Xue.

Shen Mo was slightly taken aback by Murong Qing's sudden action, and struggled a little as a reflex, but quickly gave up resisting and obediently allowed Murong Qing to lead him to sit down. Murong Qing then moved closer to Shen Mo, and the two of them squeezed together to sit opposite He Yun and Zhao Xue, forming a delicate balance.

"Isn't it nice to sit here with me?" Murong Qing whispered, her voice tinged with a playful tone and a faint smile playing on her lips. Shen Mo nodded, saying nothing more, but the question in his heart remained unanswered.

After exchanging pleasantries, the noise in the hall seemed to be isolated by an invisible barrier. The six people sat around the square table, as if time had frozen at that moment. He Yun's eyes held a hint of shyness and pride. He coughed lightly, breaking the brief silence: "Brother Shen, actually, Zhao Xue and I are already married."

Hearing this, Shen Mo's doubts vanished instantly, replaced by heartfelt blessings. His gaze shifted to Zhao Xue, whose face was flushed, yet still radiated a happy smile. "So that's how it is," Shen Mo thought, "everything makes sense now."

However, He Yun's gaze then fell on Murong Qing and Shen Mo, noticing the subtle distance between them and the unintentional touches between them. He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked with a hint of curiosity, "May I ask what the relationship is between Miss Murong and Brother Shen?"

Shen Mo was about to explain, but Murong Qing acted even faster. She looked directly at He Yun and Zhao Xue, her voice firm and clear: "He is my fiancé!" This short sentence was like a stone thrown into a lake, stunning everyone present. He Yun and Zhao Xue's eyes widened instantly, their surprise evident. Who could have imagined that this woman from one of the eight great families would be engaged to Shen Mo?

Yang Muran remained relatively calm, perhaps because she knew little about Shen Mo's past. She simply felt that the two of them, standing together, were a perfect match, and their mutual affection made such an outcome not entirely unthinkable. She looked at Murong Qing and nodded gently, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

"Qing'er, your relationship is not something you can joke about without the head of the family's permission!" Liu Xiaorong's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence. Her expression was serious, and her eyes revealed a hint of warning, as if she was afraid that He Yun and Zhao Xue would misunderstand.

Upon hearing Liu Xiaorong's words, Murong Qing's face flashed with a hint of embarrassment, but she quickly recovered and gave He Yun and Zhao Xue a confident smile: "Master, I believe Grandpa will definitely support me."

"Grandpa?" Upon hearing this address, He Yun was struck dumb, his eyes widening instantly. His mind was reeling. He had initially thought Murong Qing was a member of the Murong family, one of the eight most powerful and wealthy families, but he never imagined she was actually the granddaughter of the Murong family patriarch!

"You...you mean, the head of the Murong family is your...grandfather?" He Yun's voice trembled slightly, unable to hide his shock.

Zhao Xue was also stunned, her mouth slightly agape, clearly shocked by He Yun's performance. She turned to look at Shen Mo, trying to find some clues in his expression, but found him completely unfazed. Could it be that Shen Mo already knew Murong Qing's identity? Or was Shen Mo simply unaware of the Murong family's intelligence and their status in the world? Based on Zhao Xue's understanding of Shen Mo, he was most likely the latter.

Seeing He Yun's reaction, Murong Qing nodded in agreement.

Upon receiving Murong Qing's confirmation, He Yun felt a surge of indescribable emotions, a mixture of awe for her status and admiration for her courage. He knew very well that in such a large family, every decision was made with utmost care, especially when it came to matters of marriage. Yet, Murong Qing had dared to stand up for her feelings, a determination that filled He Yun with sincere respect. At the same time, he was also happy for Shen Mo—to have won the favor of such a woman was undoubtedly a great honor.

Before long, the noise in the hall gradually subsided, receding like the tide. The martial arts figures who had been enjoying lunch left one after another, leaving only a few tables where people were still talking quietly. Sunlight streamed through the carved wooden windows, casting patterns of light and shadow on the floor, as if time itself had slowed down at that moment.