Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 339 The Prodigal Son Returns
The news that the spear leader had issued a declaration of war to Wei Ming Hou spread throughout Jiangnan and Donghai at an extremely fast speed, and then continued to spread to all parts of Jianghu, causing an uproar in the martial arts world.

But what was more of a confusion was…Why were these two people going to fight?
The sword master, Yangshe Congyun, had made enemies because he had sent his own disciples to cause trouble in the capital. Tong Congdao was the number one flower thief in the underworld and everyone wanted to kill him... But was there any grudge between Wei Minghou and the spear master?

If we talk about the only grudge... perhaps it is that the gun leader and Xiao Yuanmu have a blood feud for killing their father, and Zhao Wumian is suspected to have a close relationship with Xiao Yuanmu.

But there was no evidence from the beginning to the end regarding the matter between Zhao Wumian and Xiao Yuanmu. Except for the initial encounter between the two in Longquan, the two had never been seen together in the world again.

As for casually discussing the collusion between the court princes and the rebel leaders, it is not a big deal, but it is not a small matter either.

If the imperial court was serious about it, it would be normal to arrest a few typical people and put them in jail. However, Luo Chaoyan did not want to launch a large-scale "literary inquisition". In addition, this move might seem like he was angry out of shame and had a guilty conscience, so he did not care much about public discussion.

However, the reason Chen Qiyuan gave was to defeat Wei Ming Hou first and then kill Xiao Yuanmu. Rather than seeking revenge, it was more like he saw Wei Ming Hou, the most powerful man in the martial arts world, coming, so he suddenly had the urge to compete with him.

This is in line with the character of the spear master. Spear masters like him were fighting before they became famous, and after they became famous they almost challenged all the ten martial arts masters... Of course, whether he could win or not is another matter.

Zhao Wumian is one of the only two masters who have killed Wu Kui alone in the past twenty years, so it is inevitable to compare him with Xiao Yuanmu.

It's just that Chen Qiyuan said this in order to use Zhao Wumian as a test stone and a stepping stone.

Who in the martial arts world doesn't know that this Wei Ming Hou who suddenly appeared is at the point of transforming into a real dragon?
If Chen Qiyuan could suppress the force of the dragon transformation with one spear, the power of the spear would naturally be high... and it would not seem to be a problem to fight Xiao Yuanmu again with one go.

This is not metaphysics. For warriors, after defeating a strong enemy, they will only become faster and stronger. The momentum is like a raging fire swelling in the wind, or like a meteor waiting to streak across the night sky. There is absolutely no reason to stop.

In fact, in the eyes of the people in the martial arts world, Zhao Wumian is like a raging fire and a shooting star.

Anyone who dares to stand in his way would probably be considered to be "going against the will of heaven".

But Chen Qiyuan was determined to stop Zhao Wumian with his gun.

If he loses, it means he is not as skilled as others, and nothing he says will be of any use. If he can't even beat Zhao Wumian, how can he kill Xiao Yuanmu?
But if he wins... then he will be the meteor that will streak across the night sky and shine brilliantly.

Rustle, rustle————

A light rain came unexpectedly, like smoke and fog, like a veil covering a small town outside Lin'an city.

The town is not big, with only a thousand people. The only thing worth mentioning is the only brothel and a few taverns. But in the night, the town is still full of lights, dimly visible in the mist.

The buildings in Jiangnan are not as rich in historical charm as those in Shu, but they are scattered and scattered, with small bridges and flowing water, giving them a unique water town charm.

An unknown hill lies outside the town, and a stream flows down from the hill, running across the town.

The waterwheel stood at a small waterfall in a stone stream outside the town, turning with a gurgling sound.

Outside the town is a clear lake with mist floating on the surface. A flat wooden bridge nearly a hundred feet long leads directly to the street outside the town.

Tap tap tap————

The sound of horse hooves on the wooden bridge came from far outside the town.

The fisherman who was sitting cross-legged by the bridge heard the noise and looked sideways. He saw a handsome white horse jogging on the bridge with the clatter of its hooves.

This town is the only way from Donghai to Lin'an. They are knowledgeable and have good eyesight. At first glance, they can tell that this horse must be a priceless good horse.

Looking up, one can see a saddle of fine texture and fine workmanship that fits snugly on the horse's back, with a nine-foot-long spear wrapped in black cloth hanging on the side.

Sitting on the saddle was a man in a dark blue robe and a black cloak. He was wearing a bamboo hat, so his face could not be seen clearly. Only his white chin with little beard could be seen. He seemed to be very young.

The most eye-catching thing was the little girl sitting in front of him. She was very pretty and delicate. Although she had a stern face, her face was so delicate that her cold expression was actually cute in contrast.

Zhao Wumian held the reins and looked around, and for a moment he thought he had come to some hermit's retreat.

Look at these mountains and this water, they are so beautiful.

He rode his horse across the wooden bridge and stopped in front of an inn.

Zhao Wumian got off his horse, raised his hat with his fingertips and looked at the inn. He was tired after running around for days. He said:
"We'll stay here for one night and enter the city tomorrow. We've been riding on horseback for several days and our buttocks are sore."

Xiao Yuanmu jumped off the horse easily without saying much. He just walked slowly into the inn with his hands behind his back.

"Take a good bath later, and don't go to see the master dirty."

This place is less than fifty miles away from Lin'an. According to the walking distance, we can actually enter the city tonight, but it was Xiao Yuanmu who suggested staying here.

Zhao Wumian also thought that since he was going to meet his mother-in-law now, he couldn't travel around in a hurry.

Before entering the door, I could hear noisy laughter and chatting inside.

"Madam, bring another pot of Tinglan wine!"

"Hey, your face is as red as a monkey's butt. Can you really drink more?"

"It's a rare trip to Tinglan Manor, so you must bring a few pots back."

When Zhao Wumian came, he asked Xiao Yuanmu. This town is called Tinglan Village. It has a small population and is famous for its winemaking. The most famous one is Tinglan wine.

Well-known in the world.

When Zhao Wumian was in the capital, he occasionally got excited and had a drink with the Queen Mother and Luo Chaoyan. He heard the female official Zhongli introduce it when she got the wine.

When Lan was captured alive at the International Banquet, he also mentioned that his favorite drink was Tinglan wine.

Zhao Wumian's interest in wine was just so-so, and he wouldn't leave his bottle unless the mood was right. But his master liked it, so he thought about bringing a few more bottles for his master when he returned.

The inn was built in the lake, connected by wooden bridges everywhere, and its layout was somewhat similar to Zeng Lengyue's.

After Zhao Wumian handed the horse to the horse boy, he walked across the wooden bridge into the lobby of the inn. The lights were on inside, and a strong aroma of wine, warm air, and the unique smell of earth on a rainy day hit his face.

There were jars of fine wine piled up in the corner of the lobby, most of which were unopened. They were probably the famous Tinglan wine.

Xiao Yuanmu had obviously been to this place before. He took the clean wine bowl very skillfully and stood in front of the altar to scoop himself some wine.

Xiao Yuanmu grew up in Lin'an and probably drank the wine here often.

The young waiter stood beside Xiao Yuanmu, weighing a silver ingot in his hand, showing a smile of surprise and astonishment, and nodded to Xiao Yuanmu.

"This guest... No, little ancestor, please drink as much as you want, drink as much as you want."

Zhao Wumian always felt that Xiao Yuanmu was like returning home. He did not feel the tension of traveling in a foreign country at all. Instead, he felt a slight sense of relaxation.

"Hey, Master, you're not home all year round, and tonight isn't a special day, so why are you back?"

A gentle female voice sounded, and when I looked sideways, I saw a well-maintained female shopkeeper wearing a red dress standing behind the counter, looking at the account book and pushing the abacus beads without even raising her head.

That's what she said just now.

Zhao Wumian didn't know who she was talking to. He came to the counter, tapped the table lightly, and said:

"One room upstairs, two buckets of hot water, some food, and tomorrow morning I'll bring two pots of Tinglan wine for you to taste..."

Before Zhao Wumian finished speaking, the female shopkeeper raised her charming and mature face and looked at him puzzledly.

"Young Master is in such a hurry. It's rare for you to come back to Tinglan Manor. Why don't you stay long?"

Young Master? Who? Me?
Zhao Wumian was stunned. He looked at Xiao Yuanmu first and asked her with his eyes, how does this shopkeeper know me?
Xiao Yuanmu held the wine bowl, put her pink lips on the edge and sipped the wine, then glanced at Zhao Wumian...with no intention of explaining at all.

Zhao Wumian had no choice but to look away, looking at the puzzled proprietress, and asked directly: "Do you know me?"

The proprietress paused as she pushed the beads on the abacus, her expression becoming even more bewildered.

"Young Master is Young Master. This huge Tinglan Manor belongs to your Aunt Lengyue. How could we not know each other?"

Zhao Wumian knew that Xiao Yuanmu's master was Xiao Lengyue, but... according to Xiao Yuanmu, Zhao Wumian was away from home all year round and seldom came to Lin'an. Compared to Xiao Lengyue, he was obviously closer to Jiu'er.

Zhao Wumian always thought that he and Xiao Lengyue were not very familiar with each other.

Seeing Zhao Wumian's stunned expression, the proprietress frowned slightly and continued:
"Everyone in the area knows that Fairy Leng Yue has a rich family and is extremely beautiful. Every year, there are probably at least 500 people who come to propose marriage to her, if not thousands. However, Fairy Leng Yue is still unmarried and has only one young master..."

"This is your home."

After saying that, the proprietress thought Zhao Wumian had a high fever, and she raised her hand and placed it on Zhao Wumian's forehead without any concern, saying:

"Young master, don't think that you won't catch a cold just because summer is approaching. It's raining outside and the weather is getting cooler. You'd better take care of yourself, otherwise it will be your Aunt Lengyue who will feel sorry for you..." After listening to what the proprietress said, Zhao Wumian couldn't help but look at Xiao Yuanmu.

Xiao Yuanmu had already found an empty table and sat down. Her embroidered shoes were off the ground. She knocked on the table to call the waiter and was ordering food.

Zhao Wumian was afraid of saying something wrong, so he said a few perfunctory words and sat down next to Xiao Yuanmu, lowering his voice and asking:

"What's going on? Why didn't you inform me in advance? Do many people here know me?"

Xiao Yuanmu sipped the Tinglan wine, his face showing a slightly satisfied expression, and he said casually: "Do you think my master is a wooden stake, living only in the small piece of land in Lin'an?"

"...Let's not talk about your master first. Why does she call me Young Master?"

"You are the young master of Tinglan Manor. Logically, she can call you Young Master, Young Master, or Young Master. But when this inn was on the verge of bankruptcy, you helped it and often came to her place for dinner and drinks.
She calls you Young Master Gong, it seems more intimate this way, when she comes later, remember to call her Aunt Zhu, don't be impolite."

"I'm not asking this...but why she thinks I'm your master's, um, adopted son? Shouldn't it be you?" Zhao Wumian lowered his voice and whispered to Xiao Yuanmu.

Of course Xiao Yuanmu knew what Zhao Wumian was asking, but she just liked the way Zhao Wumian asked her everything and looked for her.

"Young Master, come and have a bowl of mutton soup."

As soon as Xiao Yuanmu finished speaking, the proprietress, Aunt Zhu, personally brought a small basin of steaming mutton and placed it on the table. Then, she directly pulled open Zhao Wumian's hat and cloak with her small hands, and said:

"It's raining outside. Look, your clothes are all wet. I'll keep them for you and wash them tonight. Don't leave tomorrow morning. Come to your aunt's place to have a meal and get your clothes, okay?"

"Um... Thank you Aunt Zhu." Zhao Wumian thanked her. Seeing that Xiao Yuanmu also knew the proprietress, he felt less suspicious and said truthfully:
"I was injured a few years ago, so I don't remember much... Aunt Zhu, please forgive me."

"Ah?" Aunt Zhu was frightened upon hearing this, and she raised her hand to touch Zhao Wumian's forehead, "You don't remember anything?"

Zhao Wumian nodded helplessly.

"Ten years ago, I fled to the village. I had nothing, and it was the young master who gave me money to support me..." Aunt Zhu looked flustered and confused, and continued:

"Seven years ago, a thief stole the wine and left a note saying he would come to molest me the next night. The next day, the young master chopped off his head and hung it in front of the manor... Don't you remember?"

Zhao Wumian nodded helplessly again, "I really don't remember."

Aunt Zhu took her hand away from his forehead and stood beside the table. She was a boss lady after all, but at the moment she looked at a loss and fidgeted. "Then, then I'll go find your Aunt Leng Yue to take a look?"

"She's in the village too?"

"Yes, I came here to eat last night."

Zhao Wumian glanced at Xiao Yuanmu and shook his head again, "No need, I'll go see her in person later."

It turns out that Xiao Lengyue is here in Tinglan Manor. No wonder Xiao Yuanmu is not in a hurry to return to Lin'an.

"Oh……"

Aunt Zhu tied the cloak around her forearm, and her crimson dress was slightly wet by the water stains on the cloak. She stood there thinking left and right, not knowing what to do about Zhao Wumian. She could only sigh softly and touched the side of Zhao Wumian's face intimately.

"I'll always remember it. Remember to come to my place to get your clothes tomorrow morning."

After saying that, she turned and left.

The warmth of the female shopkeeper's palm still remained on Zhao Wumian's face. After watching her leave, he looked at Xiao Yuanmu, "What happened?"

Xiao Yuanmu took a small bowl and poured himself a bowl of mutton soup, then picked up the sesame cake and tore it into pieces, dipped it in the mutton soup, and slowly put it between his lips and chewed it, his cheeks slightly puffed up, and he whispered into the secret channel:
"A small hermit hides in the wild, a great hermit hides in the city. When Master was the Palace Master of Taixuan Palace, he did a job that was like building a towering building from the ground up. His main job was to stabilize the basic base of Jiangnan... martial arts, money, food, disciples, branch offices, intelligence networks, and so on, most of which had to be started from scratch."

"The emperor at that time was the founder of the Luo family. He was swift and decisive. If the news of our rebellion against Li Fuchen leaked out, he would probably come from the capital to kill us personally. Master is naturally low-key. This Tinglan Manor is her public foundation, mainly to conceal her tracks."

Zhao Wumian knew how much the Emperor Taizu Gao valued the royal bloodline of the Chen Kingdom. If it weren't for him, Xiao Lingyun wouldn't have been so cautious in navigating the world.

"Then why did I become your master's adopted son?"

"So what? Is there any difference between Sister Jiu'er and Master?" Xiao Yuanmu rolled his eyes at Zhao Wumian very cutely.
"You are Jiu'er's adopted son, so you are also Master's adopted son. Similarly, it's not like I haven't called Jiu'er mother before, but they just don't want to, thinking that it makes them look old and ugly..."

As he spoke, Xiao Yuanmu picked up the small bowl, took a sip of the hot mutton soup, frowned slightly, covered his face with his sleeves, covered his pink lips with a handkerchief, and spat out chopped green onions.

She is also a picky eater.

After doing this, she continued:

"Master has already laid a good foundation for Taixuan Palace. When I take over, I will definitely make a name for myself in the martial arts world. If the court knew that I was Master's adopted daughter and the young master of Tinglan Manor, then this manor would surely be destroyed. That's why Master secretly raised me in Lin'an to conceal my identity."

"But you are different. You have been traveling around the world with Sister Jiu'er for many years, just to find the wrong Jinboshan furnace and occasionally help us develop a branch. Your identity is clean, so you are naturally suitable to be the young master of the manor."

Xiao Yuanmu paused for a moment, then hesitated for a moment, stirred the mutton soup with a spoon, and said:

"But you definitely wouldn't become this young master for no reason... When Sister Jiu'er disappeared, Master was afraid that you would be sad, so he often brought you to Tinglan Manor. Although he didn't say it explicitly, everyone in the manor knew that you were the family member of Fairy Lengyue."

Zhao Wumian was stunned for a moment. Hearing this, he seemed to see a boy moving into Xiao Lengyue's house. He climbed trees and played with birds during the day and got scolded when he returned home at night.

Of course, he actually had no idea what Xiao Lengyue looked like, and from what Aunt Zhu said, he was away from home all year round and obviously would not stay in Tinglan Manor for long.

He comes back a few times a year to rest and help with miscellaneous matters in the farm.

But Zhao Wumian still had a first impression of Xiao Lengyue...she was very kind to him from the bottom of her heart.

Zhao Wumian silently poured himself a bowl of soup, took a few sips, and then said to Xiao Yuanmu:
"When I find the person who stabbed me in the back, I will chop off his head with a single blow. It's because of him that I forget you, Xiao Lengyue, and Aunt Zhu..."

Xiao Yuanmu dipped the soft sesame cake into the mutton soup and stuffed it into Zhao Wumian's mouth.
"Who allowed you to call my master by her full name? Calling her auntie... that's disrespectful."

As the two of them were talking quietly, they heard the guest at the next table talking to his friend with great interest:

"Hey, this spear master seems to be a little bit disrespectful of Wei Ming Hou. He killed Gui Shou Zhenren before the New Year, and broke through Shu Dao Nan after the New Year, and killed Tong Congdao alone. In just less than a year, his strength is like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, and he beats people more fiercely than the last one...

Although the Spear Master is stronger than the Sword Master and Tong Congdao, I think that if you want to use Wei Ming Hou as a stepping stone... I'm afraid it's still a little bit lacking."

"Hey, don't be too sure. Before Wei Ming Hou defeated Yang She Cong Yun, who could have thought that he could break through the Shu Dao Difficulty? Who could have thought that he would win the plaque of Sword Champion? When warriors fight, especially top warriors like them, no one dares to say that they will definitely win unless they have fought each other."

"It's also..."

"I heard that Wei Ming Hou has a spear technique, which was taught by the spear master. This time they will fight in Poyang Lake, and they will inevitably use spear skills to compete."

"Then let's see whether Wei Ming Hou is better than his master, or the spear master is better..."

Zhao Wumian's confident expression just now disappeared, and he silently picked up the bowl and ate the mutton from the basin.

Xiao Yuanmu was also holding a bowl, but his eyes, which were as clear as the autumn sky, moved to the sides of his eye sockets and he stared at Zhao Wumian silently.

The two of them were busy on their way, and Xiao Yuanmu didn't know about this until now.

"Eat quickly, and then go find your aunt after you're done." Zhao Wumian raised the bowl and ate in big mouthfuls. The bottom of the bowl blocked his face and also blocked Xiao Yuanmu's sight.

Xiao Yuanmu withdrew his gaze indifferently, "It would be better if Chen Qiyuan knew you were nearby and took the initiative to challenge you, rather than you secretly colluding with him..."

"Don't make it sound like I'm having an affair with him. Besides, I don't plan to go directly to Poyang Lake... I have to at least finish dealing with Lin'an first. That way, I can still visit the grave in good health."

The two talked while eating mutton, and Aunt Zhu came over from time to time to add some dishes for them.

"By the way, who is this little girl? She is very pretty and will definitely be as good as Fairy Leng Yue when she grows up..."

"My girlfriend..."

Xiao Yuanmu kicked Zhao Wumian with his short legs under the table.

If Zhao Wumian had a daughter, then in the eyes of the people in the manor, Fairy Lengyue would have to become her grandmother... Xiao Lengyue would definitely be furious when she found out about this.

Zhao Wumian had no choice but to change his words, "This little girl I met on the road has a very pitiful life story..."

He spoke at length, making up a story for Xiao Yuanmu.

Gululu————

The mutton in the basin was still steaming. Aunt Zhu also sat down at the square table, propping up her chin and listening to Zhao Wumian talking...

(End of this chapter)