The female lead thought she had a "proud and arrogant" character script.

After a month-long journey.

They finally reached their destination.

Inside the City of Sword Inquiry.

"Wow, it's so lively!" Hongdou exclaimed, her mouth agape.

Looking around, people were coming and going in an endless stream, and all kinds of stalls were set up on the street.

"Fellow Daoists, don't miss out! Second-tier Gale Talisman, on sale at a bargain price!"

"Essence pills! Essence pills of all grades, at rock-bottom prices!"

"A calligraphy brush that can do its own homework is a must-have for everyone, and it only costs fifty spirit stones!"

……

Besides these, there are many ordinary people selling food and trinkets.

Luo Qingcheng's right wrist still occasionally aches, but it's almost completely healed.

Those following behind them were astonished.

Upon hearing Hongdou's voice, Huiyin smiled and explained, "It's the once-in-a-decade recruitment ceremony of the Wenjian Sect. People from all over the cultivation world who want to join the Wenjian Sect have come here, so it's naturally lively."

Wenjian Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the number one sword sect!

Li Zhiming added, "I heard that Wenjian Sect won second place in the last sect competition, which was a great success, so even more people have signed up."

Hui Yinsui said, "Brother Li, that 'second place' is unnecessary."

They're only second overall! They're first in many other areas! First place, understand?!

Li Zhiming was taken aback, looked at Hui Yinsui, and then smiled knowingly as he thought of something.

"I apologize for speaking out of turn."

Seeing that Hui Yinsui seemed somewhat unwilling, Luo Qingcheng asked in confusion, "Are you perhaps asking about the Sword Sect fans?"

By the way, Huiyin Sui said that he is a sword cultivator, and he always takes a sword to show off when using talismans. After all, Wenjian Sect is the number one sword sect, and he is a fan of Wenjian Sect. It is reasonable for him to be indignant that Wenjian Sect did not win the first place.

Huiyin then asked in return, "What does 'fans' mean?"

Luo Qingcheng organized his thoughts, "It's someone who really likes something."

Huiyin smiled and said, "Then I am indeed a fan of the Wenjian Sect."

He continued, "I haven't told you yet that I am a disciple of the Sword Inquiry Sect. I came down the mountain to complete a mission. Now that I have arrived, I have to return to the sect to hand in the mission. Farewell."

The task was too simple, and the sect still had a long deadline. He wanted to collect some materials to sell when he passed by the small secret realm, which is why he met Luo Qingcheng and the others.

Apart from Li Zhiming, Luo Qingcheng and Hongdou both seemed very surprised.

Luo Qingcheng realized that Hui Yinsui had indeed never said that he was not a disciple of the Sword Inquiry Sect, and he himself had never asked him.

He immediately expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, senior brother, for showing us the way."

Hongdou followed suit, saying, "Thank you, senior brother, for showing us the way."

The two looked at Li Zhiming.

Li Zhiming: ? ? ?

A moment of silence.

He, who had been observing from the sidelines, bowed slightly and hesitated before saying, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Grey, for showing us...the way?"

Seeing Luo Qingcheng and Hongdou turn their heads, Li Zhiming straightened up, completely bewildered.

Huiyin couldn't help but smile. "Pfft, cough cough, no need to be polite. I'm also looking forward to having two lovely junior sisters."

Red beans should be fine.

but--

Hui Yin glanced at Luo Qingcheng, ultimately not intending to undermine the child's confidence. He sighed inwardly, then raised the corners of his mouth and said, "I'll be there to cheer you on at the admissions ceremony. Farewell."

Watching Hui Yinsui's retreating figure, Luo Qingcheng subconsciously raised his right hand, which was still wrapped up, and waved.

Ugh, it still hurts a bit.

Speaking of which——

Luo Qingcheng looked at Li Zhiming, "Are you leaving too?"

He had previously said that he would leave once he was fully recovered, but now he is almost fully recovered, no longer needs medication, and has reached his destination.

Li Zhiming: Use it and then throw it away?

He glanced quickly at Hongdou, who was staring at the candied hawthorns by the roadside with his mouth watering, and said, "After all, this is the First Sword Sect's once-in-a-decade recruitment ceremony. I would like to stay here to watch the ceremony and leave after it ends."

Luo Qingcheng said happily, "That's wonderful."

She called to Hongdou, "Hongdou, go buy some if you want to eat, and let Li Zhiming pay for it!"

She was just worried that the ceremony hadn't even started yet, but she and Hongdou didn't have a single spirit stone on them. If Li Zhiming were to leave, she and Hongdou would only be able to survive by eating fruit.

Li Zhiming: ...

Hongdou was also very happy to hear that she could buy food.

The expectant gaze unconsciously shifted to Li Zhiming.

Li Zhiming's heart warmed at Hongdou's gaze, and he waved his hand, "Buy! Buy the large portion!"

In the end, Hongdou had both hands full of various snacks, eating as she walked.

His face was covered in oil from eating fried skewers.

Luo Qingcheng, utterly dejected, helped Hongdou carry a bunch of small bags filled with various snacks.

Who is whose mistress?

She asked, "Red Bean, do you know what you'll lose if you eat so much?"

Red Bean swallowed the food in her mouth and innocently replied, "Loss makes me sad."

Luo Qingcheng: ...

Pshaw, I mean I've lost my slim figure!

"What do you get from eating too much?"

Without hesitation, Hongdou exclaimed, "I'll find happiness!"

Bah! It's more like getting covered in fat!

Luo Qingcheng remained silent.

Seeing that she looked unwell, Li Zhiming chuckled and said, "If Miss Hongdou wants to eat it, then let her eat it."

Luo Qingcheng looked at him with a complicated expression, like looking at an old father who only knew how to spoil his child.

Unable to bear it any longer, she shoved all the bags in her hands into Li Zhiming's hands, who was already carrying a lot of things.

He pulled out a handkerchief and said sternly, "Red Bean, stop right there!"

Hongdou paused in her steps.

Luo Qingcheng stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and used a handkerchief to wipe away the oil and food residue from Hongdou's face and mouth.

He patted Hongdou's head and said, "Why doesn't this little girl care about her appearance at all?"

Hongdou blushed and lowered her head shyly.

What's going on? Suddenly I feel like the young lady is so cool and doting!

Seeing this, Li Zhiming turned green with anger.

While fasting, he took a bite of the extremely spicy grilled sausage he was holding in a fit of anger.

"Ugh!" Why is it so spicy?!

His face turned red.

Luo Qingcheng and Hongdou turned their heads and saw that Li Zhiming looked constipated.

Hongdou glanced at the half-eaten sausage. "Young Master Li, are you alright?"

She has been able to eat spicy food since she was a child; most people can't stand the taste.

Luo Qingcheng, on the other hand, hadn't thought of this and said, thinking himself considerate, "If you need to use the restroom, go ahead and do so. Don't worry about us."

Li Zhiming: ...

He managed to utter two words with difficulty: "No."

Oh, no?

Let's just ignore him then.

Luo Qingcheng pulled Hongdou along, saying, "You've bought enough. Let's find a place to stay."

Hongdou secretly watched Luo Qingcheng holding her hand, her face still flushed.

"This servant will obey Miss's every command!"

Li Zhiming, who witnessed everything: ...

I took another bite of the super spicy grilled sausage in my hand!

Damn it! It's so spicy!

Since Zhao, oh no, Young Master Li, was paying for everything, the three of them found an inn that looked expensive.

The name is also very expensive.

It's called "Wealthy Inn".

Luo Qingcheng exclaimed happily, "This is the place!"

It suits their temperament!

She looked at Li Zhiming and asked for his opinion.

Li Zhiming, with his swollen sausage lips, followed and indicated that he had no objection.

Because we had been wandering around the food street for too long, it was already getting late.

As the three stepped into the inn, a handsome man with a sword at his waist came to greet them.

His tone was very enthusiastic, "Fellow Daoists, are you here for a meal or to stay at an inn?"

Li Zhiming had now returned to his elegant demeanor. He stepped forward and said, "Reserve three superior rooms."

"Fellow Daoist, you've come at the perfect time. There are just three superior rooms left."

Just as the three were about to register, one woman and two men arrived.

"Waiter, reserve three superior rooms for me!"

Luo Qingcheng turned his head and looked.

She was a beautiful woman dressed in a white gauze dress, who looked quite young, with a dark blue-black whip hanging from her waist.

The two men following her looked exactly alike; they must be twins. Both were dressed in black, but one had a flute at his waist and the other a xiao (a type of vertical flute).

Oh wow.

Luo Qingcheng could already foresee what would happen next.

That's right, this is the inevitable face-slapping process that every arrogant protagonist has to go through.

This is one of the classic storylines: room grabbing.

She looked at the fellow Daoist who was in charge of booking the rooms, her eyes filled with encouragement.

It's your turn to perform, bro!

The brother did not disappoint her, and said with difficulty, "I'm sorry, fellow Daoist, the last three rooms in this inn have just been booked. Before it gets late, the three of you should find another place."

The woman was indeed unhappy upon hearing this!

He looked at Luo Qingcheng and the other two standing to one side.

He said in a less than friendly tone, "So, the three of you booked the last three rooms?"

Luo Qingcheng was excited; it was her turn to go on stage!

It's finally her turn to show off!

Just as Li Zhiming was about to speak, she stepped forward and said, "That's right."

Seeing that the one speaking was an ordinary person among the three, the woman said disdainfully, "In that case, I will compensate you with ten times the room rate. You can give up the room and go find somewhere else."

Luo Qingcheng: ? ? ?

Wow, so generous!

She was shocked.