Super System in the Early Tang Dynasty

Everyone stared in horror at Li Xingzhi's gaunt figure, while 'Crazy Old Ma' looked flustered and remained silent.

Although Li Xingzhi was Li Shun's nephew, he was not actually taken seriously by these men who had been through thick and thin in the martial arts world. It was only when Li Xingzhi revealed this skill that they were shocked and realized that they had been blind to his true worth.

After preparing the meal, Li Shun noticed a complete change in everyone's attitude towards Li Xingzhi. He didn't understand what had happened, only that Li Xingzhi had tamed the strange horse, which made everyone look at him differently.

The caravan continued its journey. Li Xingzhi remained lying on the swaying roof of the carriage, letting the sun shine on him. Below, the cool comfort of the carriage was occupied by two little girls, tired from riding horses.

Heading south, they reached the Han River ferry before nightfall. Without resting, they ate some dry rations and immediately found a boatman to board, embarking on their journey along the Han River.

The green hills are faintly visible, and the waters stretch far into the distance. Amidst the verdant hills and clear waters, an endless coolness arises.

Li Xingzhi and the two girls sat by the gunwale, dipping their feet into the water, feeling the gentle waves and rippling blue water caressing their toes—it was incredibly comfortable. Under the blazing sun, a refreshing coolness seeped straight into their hearts.

The Han River is a major thoroughfare, bustling with merchants and travelers. In this peaceful and prosperous era, the army is strong and there are no worries about bandits or disasters. Everything goes smoothly, and in just a few days, they arrive in Jingzhou.

Jingzhou is a strategic pass in the south. Upstream along the river are the many lakes of Shu; downstream are the prosperous Wu and Yue; if you go straight south, across Dongting Lake, you will reach the southern Chu and Xiang rivers.

Li Shun planned to sell the horses here and then travel to Mianzhou in Sichuan to visit his old friends and relatives. Although his family was now in the area outside the Great Wall, he had grown up in Mianzhou.

While Li Shun was selling horses, Li Xingzhi took the two women for a stroll around Jingzhou.

At this moment, two carriages entered Jingzhou city gates one after the other.

The curtain of the carriage behind was lifted, revealing the face of a veiled girl. Through the thin veil, one could vaguely see that the girl had a fair and rosy complexion, a slightly pointed chin, and willow-leaf eyebrows. She was indeed charming and lovely, making the young scholar who caught a glimpse of her blush.

The girl curiously surveyed the outside world, her eyes sparkling, yet an unavoidable hint of melancholy flickered in their depths. Occasionally, her brows would twitch slightly, revealing a touch of spiritedness that seemed incongruous with her delicate features.

Bored, she rested her chin on her hand and looked around. Suddenly, she saw something, and her eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, widened to the size of almonds and sparkled. "Stop the car!" she shouted, and the carriage jolted to a stop.

Just as the coachman sitting in front of the carriage was about to ask something, the girl got off the carriage without even taking a screen, and ran straight in one direction. Her agile figure made many young talents who were secretly watching feel ashamed and surprised. While drooling over the girl's beautiful figure, they also sighed: the world is going to the dogs and people's hearts are hard to restore.

Li Xingzhi, his legs weak, followed behind the two, staring at the cosmetics and perfumes, his nostrils filled with their fragrance. Even with his unparalleled martial arts skills, he couldn't help but let his mind wander. Just then, he suddenly tensed up, feeling a gust of wind strike his right shoulder from behind. He was about to retaliate when he realized the attacker's blow was weak, and he simply let the hand pat his shoulder.

"Brother Li, what are you doing here? Where have you been these past few years?" The girl looked at Li Xingzhi with a face full of surprise. Her eyes, however, held a hint of something that Li Xingzhi couldn't quite understand.

Li Xingzhi turned his head and saw Hu Qing'er, whom he hadn't seen for several years.

Not long after Li Xingzhi left, Wang Xiucai discovered Hu Qing'er's true identity. Given this unsettling situation, Wang Xiucai naturally wanted to find a way to send her away as soon as possible. So, within two days, Hu Qing'er's two uncles went to the Li family to claim kinship. Now that they knew Hu Qing'er's mother was the younger sister from years ago, they naturally wouldn't allow her to continue living under someone else's roof. As for Hu Qing'er's bandit father, the two Hu brothers were being lenient by not digging him up and whipping his corpse; upon learning of his death, they clapped and cheered, clearly filled with extreme hatred.

Hu Qing'er has been inquiring about Li Xingzhi's whereabouts for the past few years.

Under the tutelage of her two uncles, she gradually came to understand the ways of the world and no longer harbored so many naive thoughts about Li Xingzhi. She was no longer the Hu Qing'er who had locked herself in the dungeon.

Although the so-called 'hatred' was gone, she couldn't forget the boy who always smiled lazily; she wanted to forget, but his image became clearer, and she felt an indescribable emotion. This led her to drive away all the matchmakers who came to propose marriage because of her beauty, causing her two uncles, who doted on her, great anxiety.

Looking at Hu Qing'er, whose chest was gradually swelling and whose figure was slender, Li Xingzhi could only sigh at how quickly time had passed. He didn't answer her, but asked instead, "Didn't Wang Dalang say that you lived in Yueyang City with your uncles? How did you end up here? Are your two uncles treating you well?"

"Yes, my uncle is very good to me. What about you? Where can I find you in the future?"

Just as Li Xingzhi was about to answer, a stern-faced middle-aged man suddenly appeared beside him. The man walked to Hu Qing'er's side, a rare hint of kindness in his eyes. "Qing'er, you've been naughty again. Come with me!" Without even looking at Li Xingzhi, he forcefully pulled Hu Qing'er's hand and began to walk back. Hu Qing'er, caught off guard, was led several steps by the man. Just as she was about to pull her hand away, she heard the man say, "Do you like that young man?"

Hu Qing'er was startled and flustered when she heard the middle-aged man's question—could it be that I really like Brother Li? Thinking this, her fair face flushed red.

The middle-aged man's heart sank upon seeing him. He said, "I see that he is handsome, dressed differently from others, and accompanied by two women whose appearances are not ordinary. I'm afraid he is not a good match for you! You should trust your uncle. I will find you a satisfactory marriage in the future."

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Hu Qing'er turned around and saw Li Xingzhi talking to the two women. A hint of sadness flashed through her heart. She looked at the silver whip tied at her waist, her almond-shaped eyes flickering, and her face turned slightly pale.

When the two turned around again, the man and two women who had been standing not far away had vanished without a trace...

Li Xingzhi didn't think much of his chance encounter with Hu Qing'er; perhaps he never had any romantic feelings for her from the start. Seeing an old friend again, however, evoked some感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, including nostalgia and reflection).

The two women beside her, however, seemed lost in thought as they watched Hu Qing'er being dragged away. Immediately, they disregarded the good things at their feet and pulled Li Xingzhi along. Li Linzhi's two fingers were still lightly resting on a certain sensitive spot of Li Xingzhi's, making him both amused and exasperated.

After staying in Jingzhou for several days, they still did not encounter Hu Qing'er again.

After the entourage that had been following them dispersed, the group set off lightly, traveling by passenger boat towards Sichuan.

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Two chapters tomorrow