In the end, they rode for several more hours to reach a nearby city.
Sleeping in an inn was indeed much more comfortable, Hua Yan thought as she rolled around in the guest room.
After changing into new clothes bought by the inn’s servant and redoing her hair, Hua Yan wandered out just as dawn broke. Before she could order breakfast, she saw Lu Chengsha already climbing out of the window.
Do all heroes prefer taking the unconventional path?
Hua Yan waved at him, “Good morning, Great Hero Lu!”
This time, Lu Chengsha could calmly look at her after landing and said, “Wait here for me.”
“Let’s eat breakfast before leaving. The inn’s servant said the soup dumplings here are delicious, and they’ll be ready soon.”
At this point, Hua Yan couldn’t help but sigh. It’s still better outside!
The food in their sect wasn’t bad, but it was always simple and rough—just roasting or boiling. There were no delicate and delicious dishes like these, which Hua Yan couldn’t stop praising and wanted to buy more.
But Lu Chengsha clearly had no intention of waiting for the soup dumplings.
Regretfully, Hua Yan thought that there would be other opportunities to order them later, and followed Lu Chengsha outside.
“Where are you going, Great Hero Lu?”
Having nothing better to do, Hua Yan resumed her daily questioning.
Perhaps finally annoyed by her constant inquiries, Lu Chengsha replied stiffly, “If you want to follow me, then don’t speak.”
“Oh.” Hua Yan nodded, then suddenly realized, “So you’re agreeing to let me follow you? Great Hero Lu, you’re so kind!”
Lu Chengsha seemed momentarily speechless.
Hua Yan immediately noticed, “What’s wrong?”
“……”
“Alright, I won’t talk anymore! Don’t be upset!”
Hua Yan shut her mouth and followed behind Lu Chengsha, watching him head straight outside. Not long after, they arrived at a pagoda.
It was a three-tiered red pagoda with intricate carvings and paintings along the beams and columns. The pagoda’s body was entirely made of red lacquered wood, with gold paint at the joints, and glazed tiles covering the top. Two stone Pixiu stood guard at the entrance, and a string of blood-red lanterns hung under the eaves, swaying gently in the wind. The vibrant red was both flamboyant and dazzlingly beautiful. She looked up at the characters written above.
Dongfeng Buye Tower.
Country bumpkin Hua Yan: “…?”
Could this be that chain inn?
Is it really necessary to build an inn so extravagantly?
“Move aside, move aside! If you’re not entering the inn, don’t block the way!”
“First time seeing it, little girl? The Dongfeng Buye Tower is known for this Immortal Red Pagoda. This three-tiered one is considered small. The one outside the Tingjian Manor reportedly has seven tiers, with its tip piercing the clouds…”
Hua Yan wanted to listen more, but she saw Lu Chengsha about to step inside.
With the flamboyant red pagoda as a backdrop, Lu Chengsha’s simple black attire seemed to outshine the pagoda’s splendor.
Hua Yan paused for a moment, and in the blink of an eye, Lu Chengsha had already disappeared at the entrance. She hurriedly followed.
The lobby of the Dongfeng Buye Tower was vast, spacious, and opulently decorated. At the far end was a row of counters with uniformly dressed attendants, some behind the counters and others welcoming guests in the front hall.
In the center was a stage surrounded by delicate veils, with musicians playing and performers singing operatic tunes.
The visitors were either martial artists or richly dressed merchants and nobles. The two groups sat separately, with the contrast appearing somewhat comical.
Are all martial artists this wealthy?
As Hua Yan was pondering this, she noticed a sign in the lobby reading, “Martial artists enjoy a 50% discount. The five major sects have separate areas.”
She touched her silk fan, feeling a moment of pride, only to spot a smaller sign below it.
The sign read, “Demonic Sect members and dogs are not served.”
“…”
What’s the big idea! What’s the big idea!
Hua Yan sniffed silently, consoling herself that she was a good person!
When she came back to her senses, she noticed that a space had formed around Lu Chengsha again. People from both sides kept their distance, and she could hear murmurs.
“Isn’t that a disciple of the Lu family from Tingjian Manor? It’s my first time seeing a blue sword tassel.”
“Blue sword tassel? A direct disciple of the Lu family? Who could this be? It can’t be Lu Chengsha, can it?”
“Judging by his demeanor, it might really be him. Apart from him, which direct disciple of the Lu family travels alone without a crowd of admirers? Should we go up and greet him?”
“I advise you not to take that risk. It’s said that Lu Chengsha is extremely cold and unapproachable. Anyway, the Lu family doesn’t care about small sects like ours.”
Lu Chengsha seemed accustomed to the widespread discussions wherever he went.
The manager behind the counter came forward with a smile, his posture and attitude very respectful. “Young Hero Lu, please proceed to the second floor.”
As Lu Chengsha stepped forward, Hua Yan instantly followed suit. The manager was momentarily stunned, looking at Hua Yan with a very surprised expression, then at Lu Chengsha. “And this young lady is…?”
Hua Yan gestured with her fingers, “We’re together!”
The manager: “…!!!”
Hua Yan: “Is there a problem?”
Everyone in the world knew what kind of person Lu Chengsha was!
Not to mention women, even men who dared to get close to him were few and far between.
However, not only did Lu Chengsha not oppose it, but he even acquiesced!
Is it going to rain red from the sky?
Ever since Lu Chengsha became famous from the battle at Mudan Tower, he had frequently undertaken righteous acts to eliminate demonic sect evildoers. Following that, he won the championship of the Sword-seeking Tournament for two consecutive sessions with overwhelming strength. In just a few short years, his fame soared, not only becoming the strongest among the new generation of young heroes but also being comparable to the masters of established sects.
The chief writer of the Dongfeng Buye Tower’s Jianghu Handbook, Baiguzi, once praised him as the strongest force in the righteous path in a hundred years.
Those who did not acknowledge this had already been defeated by Lu Chengsha, so they could only tearfully accept it.
Such a once-in-a-century young hero, born into a prestigious family, young and handsome, naturally attracted admiration from the female heroes of various sects. However, unfortunately, the only romantic incident involving Young Hero Lu was when he plucked a peony for Qin Muyan, a girl from the Qiqin Tianxia, at Mudan Tower… and even the authenticity of this incident was questionable.
The Dongfeng Buye Tower once conducted an anonymous interview with several female heroes regarding their views on the three most famous young heroes in recent years. When Lu Chengsha was mentioned, the female heroes’ attitudes were surprisingly consistent.
“Very strong and very scary.”
“Hard to approach.”
“Admired from afar but not to be toyed with.”
“Although I greatly admire Young Hero Lu, I really can’t get within three steps of him.”
“Ahem, if Young Hero Lu were willing to pluck a peony for me, this female hero might be willing to overcome herself to try to approach him…”
Of course, in the end, Lu Chengsha still remained solitary and alone.
But now! By his side! There was actually a woman!
The manager silently repeated to himself, “I am professional, I am professional,” and quietly reattached his dropped jaw. He respectfully said, “No problem. Please, this way…”
Lu Chengsha lifted his long leg and stepped towards the second floor, with the beautiful girl following closely behind him without feeling that there was anything wrong.
On the second floor, someone led Lu Chengsha into a private room, where a person sat behind a curtain.
“I wonder what brings Young Hero Lu here this time?” The voice was ageless and genderless.
Lu Chengsha briefly said a few words to the person inside. After a moment, the person handed over a piece of paper.
“Young Hero Lu, the person who sent a message to your Tingjian Manor is at this address.”
Lu Chengsha opened the paper, read it, and then casually crumpled it into paper shreds.
The person inside said, “The payment for this information has already been covered.”
Lu Chengsha responded with a simple “Mm.”
Hua Yan was astonished.
Is this how people in the martial world gather information?
The person inside chuckled and added, “This isn’t really about gathering information. Someone sent a message requesting the help of the heroes from Tingjian Manor. Of course, Dongfeng Buye Tower can also provide information. If the young lady has any inquiries, you are welcome to ask. Since you are a friend of Young Hero Lu, we will offer a discount.”
Just as Hua Yan was about to ask something, she realized Lu Chengsha had already stepped out the door. Regretfully, she held her tongue. “…I’ll go now! I’ll come back next time with more questions!”
Lu Chengsha seemed ready to mount his horse again. Hua Yan’s face fell at the sight of the horse. After riding all day yesterday, she hadn’t felt much at the time, but her legs were sore and chafed painfully by the time she went to bed.
She couldn’t help but say, “Young Hero Lu, can I pay for a carriage instead?”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Hua Yan continued, “A carriage travels quickly too! It won’t be much slower than riding a horse! I’ll arrange everything, and it won’t trouble you. It will be ready in no time!”
Lu Chengsha held the reins, weighing his options, seemingly ready to mount his horse at any moment.
However, he eventually said, “Fifteen minutes.”
This time, Hua Yan reacted quickly!
“Alright! Wait for me for fifteen minutes!”
She had brought enough silver with her when she left the sect. Thanks to the power of money, she swiftly arranged for a fine carriage and even had time to buy some snacks.
This was Hua Yan’s first time riding in a carriage.
The lavishly hired carriage was spacious and comfortable, with a small table in the middle equipped with a tea set and the snacks she had bought.
Lu Chengsha sat in the carriage, expressionless, like a statue.
In contrast, Hua Yan was brimming with excitement.
She felt like she was living in a real martial arts legend, her big eyes darting around, gleaming with enthusiasm.
Hua Yan looked around, poured herself a cup of tea, trying hard to contain her excitement, then opened the snack box and asked if Lu Chengsha wanted any.
“…”
“They’re all freshly bought! Don’t you really want to try some?”
Lu Chengsha remained expressionless.
So, heroes don’t like snacks?
With a hint of suspicion, Hua Yan took a bite herself.
The sweet, crispy osmanthus lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice, the soft sugared water chestnuts, and the few small pieces of refreshing and sweet osmanthus cakes were all delicious!
Hua Yan devoured everything in one go. She cupped her face and couldn’t help but lick her fingers, feeling utterly blissful.
Finally, she picked up her teacup and drank a few gulps. The warm, refreshing tea flowed down her throat, clearing away the sweetness and soothing her throat. Hua Yan sighed contentedly and even let out a small burp.
She then noticed Lu Chengsha had been staring at her the whole time.
“Mm? What’s the matter?” She blinked twice.
Lu Chengsha silently averted his gaze.
A question mark slowly floated above Hua Yan’s head.