Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 85 First Encounter with Ten Thousand People
The next day, early in the morning.

After waking up, Zhang Xiaofan and Lu Xueqi straightened their somewhat disheveled clothes and continued on their way.

As noon approached, the two walked along the road and saw a small tea stall not far away. Zhang Xiaofan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he gently squeezed Lu Xueqi's hand.

Lu Xueqi immediately understood and became alert. She gripped Tianya tightly with one hand, and the two walked hand in hand toward the tea stall.

Upon entering the tea stall, Zhang Xiaofan saw that there were two small tables, one of which was occupied by a middle-aged scholar and a pale-faced young man, who were drinking tea.

After Zhang Xiaofan helped Lu Xueqi sit down, he saw the tea stall owner come over to inquire. Zhang Xiaofan raised his hand and said with a smile.

"We don't drink tea, we'll just sit down and rest for a bit before leaving."

"Young man, it's so hot. Why don't you have a bowl of tea? This tea is refreshing and thirst-quenching, it's really good. If you don't mind, I'll treat you two to a bowl."

The middle-aged scholar seemed to sense someone approaching and turned to look. Seeing Zhang Xiaofan wave his hand in refusal, he immediately spoke up warmly.

However, Zhang Xiaofan chuckled lightly upon hearing this and replied quite politely.

"No need. My elders have taught me that when traveling, it's best not to trouble others, and even more so, not to accept kindness from strangers. So, thank you for your kindness."

Wan Renwang's thin eyebrows furrowed slightly, and the gentle smile in his bright eyes disappeared, replaced by a somewhat aggressive gaze as he scrutinized Zhang Xiaofan.

After a while, Wanrenwang still couldn't figure it out. Seeing Zhang Xiaofan still smiling at him, he smiled again and asked softly.

"I'm curious, how did you figure that out, young man?"

"This place is remote, far from any villages or towns, yet a tea stall has appeared here. Shouldn't we be wary of this?"

Zhang Xiaofan smiled upon hearing this and asked Wan Renwang in return.

Wanrenwang nodded in agreement, but was still not quite satisfied. He kept a close eye on Zhang Xiaofan and continued to press for answers.

"That's certainly one reason, but I think there must be more than just that, right?"

“I’ve walked this road myself before, and I’ve never seen a tea stall here. Could that be one reason?”

Faced with Wanrenwang's persistent questioning, Zhang Xiaofan spoke again, which surprised Wanrenwang, who then burst into laughter.

"Okay, okay, that's a reason I can't refute."

After chuckling, Wanrenwang waved to the tea stall owner and asked him to brew a pot of iced tea.

Wanren picked up the teapot, poured a bowl for himself and Qinglong first, then placed it on Zhang Xiaofan's table, smiling as he spoke.

"Since I promised to treat you to tea, young man, I can't go back on my word. So, can you drink this tea with peace of mind now?"

"In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Zhang Xiaofan smiled and agreed. After taking the teapot and washing the teacups, he poured a bowl of cold tea for himself and Lu Xueqi.

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan's caution, Wanrenwang, though still smiling, narrowed his eyes slightly. After walking for so long, a bowl of cool tea was indeed refreshing. After putting down the teacup, Zhang Xiaofan, seeing Wanrenwang still staring at him, chuckled and spoke.

"We've had the tea, but why have you stopped us? Could it be that you intend to escort us all the way to Qingyun Mountain?"

"Young brother, you jest. We are both disciples of the Holy Mother King, and our relationship is like that of brothers. How could we do something like killing each other, causing pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies?"

Wanrenwang naturally understood Zhang Xiaofan's implied meaning. He glanced at Zhang Xiaofan in surprise and saw that the latter looked calm and not worried at all. His eyes flashed slightly, and he shook his head with a smile.

After a pause, Wan Renwang saw that Zhang Xiaofan's expression had not changed, but his smile widened and his tone became much more enthusiastic and sincere.

"Moreover, young brother, you may not know this, but my daughter is deeply in love with you. We only parted yesterday, and she kept talking about you for half a day. You have no idea how much she was talking about you; it gave me a headache."

Wanrenwang looked like an ordinary father, overwhelmed by his daughter's constant pestering, with a troubled expression on his face, yet also a faint smile.

As he spoke, Wanrenwang seemed to finally remember something and quickly apologized to Zhang Xiaofan.

"Look at me, I forgot to introduce myself to you, young brother. My surname is Wan, and my given name is Renwang. This is the elder brother of the Vermilion Bird Envoy, the Azure Dragon Envoy."

Qinglong smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhang Xiaofan, who returned the salute before addressing Wanrenwang.

"Ten thousand people go, ten thousand people go, though there are millions, I will go. Sect Master Wan, what a spirit you have! Compared to you, my name seems rather vulgar. My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Xiaofan. I suppose Miss Biyao has already told Sect Master Wan about it?"

"It's not just Biyao, even the Vermilion Bird Holy Envoy of my Holy Sect has praised you highly, and seems to be looking at you differently."

Wan Renwang spoke with a smile, his words full of enthusiasm. Although Zhang Xiaofan responded with a smile, he remained vigilant. Lu Xueqi, who sat at the same table as Zhang Xiaofan, kept a cold face and remained silent.

Lu Xueqi finally understood that these matters only needed to be handled by Zhang Xiaofan, while she, the beautiful Lu Xueqi and the fairy of the Hehuan Sect, only needed to maintain her aloof fairy appearance.

Seeing that Lu Xueqi had no reaction, Wan Renwang was also startled. But then his gaze sharpened and fell on Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan's hands. Although the two were not holding hands, Lu Xueqi did not pull her hands away.

People have subconscious behaviors. If someone suddenly gets angry, she will definitely do some subconscious things.

"I've heard that there's no place for you in the Qingyun Sect, so why not come to my Holy Sect?"

After turning his gaze away from Lu Xueqi, Wan Renwang stopped hiding his intentions and got straight to the point.

Zhang Xiaofan showed little reaction, and Wan Renwang was not surprised to see this, but simply put forward his conditions again.

"If you are willing to join my Ghost King Sect, I am willing to marry my daughter to you, act as matchmaker for you and You Ji, and even make you the vice sect master of my Ghost King Sect. What do you say?"

"What if I don't agree?"

Faced with the overwhelming offer of help, Zhang Xiaofan chuckled and asked in return.

Upon hearing this, Wan Renwang's face darkened, his eyes filled with anger as he stared intently at Zhang Xiaofan. Qinglong, standing beside him, also lost his smile and narrowed his eyes as he looked at Zhang Xiaofan.

The atmosphere at the tea stall instantly became tense and confrontational.

(End of this chapter)