Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

In the early morning, the streets were shrouded in a thin, cool mist.

"Hey kid, what happened?"

Ma Wude greeted Gao Yuan at the entrance of the teahouse and was quite surprised to see that he looked listless and had bloodshot eyes.

"Uh... perhaps it's because I haven't seen my brother for a few days and can't sleep because I miss him."

Gao Yuan rubbed the dark circles under his eyes, trying to fool Old Ma, and refused to mention that his poor condition was due to his intense memorization of Taoist classics at night.

However, it is not possible not to memorize them, as Taoist classics are the theoretical foundation of Taoist martial arts, and understanding their principles is of great benefit to practicing Beiming.

In short, you have no choice but to learn!

"Nonsense, we're both men, what are you talking about?"

After speaking, Ma Wude suddenly remembered the incident a few days ago when he was refused entry to "Hechunlou" by trying to persuade the other party. Seeing that what he said seemed to be true or false, his expression became strange.

At the time, I just thought he was boring, but looking at him now...

"Could it be...?"

"He's gay?"

Thinking of this, Ma Wude involuntarily shivered and took two steps back imperceptibly.

"Brother, we've always been open and honest with each other. I think you're one of the most righteous people in the world, so why not?"

Oh, I see. That scared me half to death.

Ma Wude breathed a sigh of relief, raised one hand to him, and changed the subject: "We'll set off in a few more days."

"Has the trip been postponed?"

"There's really no other way. As a businessman, I can't afford to offend big customers."

Ma Wude gestured south and said, "The third young master of Cui Donglai's family in Nianhua Villa is going to Yunnan to find some rare camellias. He said he is unfamiliar with the area and sent word to ask you to go with him. He should arrive in Jingzhao in a day or two."

"But knowing his personality, he'll probably cause a ruckus in the capital before he sets off."

"I heard that the kid fell for a widow who had lost her husband. He tried to seduce her several times but failed. Instead, he was beaten up by her nephew and was bedridden. He just recovered and is already up to his old tricks again."

Gao Yuan was curious: "What's the background of Nianhua Manor? How does the name relate to Shaolin?"

"Cui Donglai was originally a lay disciple of Shaolin Temple. He had some connection with Master Xuandu. Years ago, he was exceptionally taught a few moves of the Flower-Picking Finger Technique, which made him quite famous in the martial arts world."

Gao Yuan hummed in agreement.

I've never heard of Nianhua Manor in the original novel; it's probably just another minor character, not even as famous as Juxian Manor.

just.

A widow who loves camellias has a nephew who's quite skilled in martial arts; the story sounds familiar...

They went together to a private room in the teahouse.

Along the way, they talked about Penglai again.

"Brother, have you heard? It's all over the teahouses and taverns now. Penglai in the north has suffered a great loss. Not only were their secret manuals stolen, but more than a dozen of their disciples were also killed."

Ma Wude was a little excited.

"Good heavens, it's been a long time since such a big event has happened in the martial arts world. If we run into him, with our brothers' martial arts skills, taking him down will be a piece of cake. We'll definitely become famous throughout the martial arts world then."

Depend on!

Gao Yuan was speechless. He treated you like a brother, but you were trying to do something shady.

What happened to the promise of instant rapport?

"Is there news that this person will be coming to the capital?"

Gao Yuan prepared to sound him out.

"Of course not." Ma Wude shook his head: "We haven't found any trace of him yet, and no one can say for sure where he might go."

"But it's not impossible, after all, Jingzhao isn't within Penglai's sphere of influence." Ma Wude raised an eyebrow: "Brother, you're just kidding, don't take it seriously."

"Leaving aside the fact that they stole the secret techniques right under Penglai's nose, their strength in a one-on-one fight against more than a dozen people from Penglai is something our brothers can't handle."

"Isn't there a portrait of him? If he really comes to the capital, we won't even know what he looks like. What if we run into him..."

Gao Yuan continued with the preliminary remarks, glancing at Ma Wude's expression out of the corner of his eye, waiting for him to respond.

"I wouldn't recognize you even if I bumped into you."

Ma Wude stammered, "Do you think martial arts sects are like the government? How could they distribute portraits so widely? Aren't they afraid of being targeted by the authorities?"

"The portrait will only circulate among gangs familiar with Penglai, but..." Old Ma frowned, "I heard that Penglai is leading people to pursue them from the east and west."

"I wonder if they'll chase us all the way to the capital!"

The visitor seemed to have ill intentions. Gao Yuan sat down in the private room and eavesdropped on some rumors about Penglai.

For example, if things escalate, will a senior figure from Penglai step in to take charge?

Ma Wude was well-informed; he even revealed that the person in charge of the investigation in the western region of Penglai was Du Lingzi.

Besides him, Penglai East Road sent Juechenzi.

Both of them are highly respected seniors of the same generation as the leader of Penglai Sect, and they have some connections with certain people in the Beggar Clan and Shaolin Temple. It is estimated that they will ask both families to help keep an eye out for them.

Penglai has never been considered a top-tier martial arts destination, and it remains to be seen whether the Beggars' Sect and Shaolin Temple would seriously help them find their missing persons.

Based on the principle of natural law, the chances of the Beggars' Sect and Shaolin Temple intervening in ordinary feuds in the martial arts world are slim.

To put it simply, the top-tier martial arts gangs are powerful and wealthy; they wouldn't be interested in the meager sums offered by Penglai.

Judging from Ma Wude's expression, Gao Yuan guessed that Ma Wude was also unhappy that the Cui family's young master was hindering his schedule, but he could only keep it to himself.

Fine, let it be a few days' delay.

There are more than just Jingzhao Prefecture in the Western Route, so I shouldn't be unlucky enough to run into Turinzi.

At worst, I'll just stay in the inn and not go out...

After chatting for a while, Gao Yuan stopped rambling with Lao Ma, grabbed some lunch, and returned the way he came.

Just as I stepped out of the teahouse, I looked up and saw a "familiar face" on the street corner, and I couldn't help but feel a smile.

Across from the steamed bun shop, a ragged child stood in front of the stall, drooling as he stared at the steaming hot steamer baskets.

The stall owner, finding her an eyesore, lightly kicked her and told her to get lost.

The child shrank his neck, opened his palm, revealing the only two copper coins.

There aren't enough to buy steamed buns.

The stall owner didn't even glance at her, and when she persisted, he became furious.

Gao Yuan saw the stall owner about to hit him with a stool, so he stepped forward and pressed down the stool the stall owner had raised.

"You son of a bitch..."

He tossed ten coins onto the table and said, "Two meat buns, hot ones, please."

The stall owner's expression immediately softened, and he grumbled as he wrapped the buns and handed them over.

Gao Yuan ignored him and shoved the object directly into the child's arms.

The child recognized Gao Yuan as the person who had saved him in the alley a few days earlier.

She stared at Gao Yuan warily, recalling what her grandfather had said.

Offering unsolicited favors is either a sign of treachery or theft.

But... looking at the steaming, fragrant buns in his arms.

She swallowed again.

The dizziness from an empty stomach is so painful.

Never mind, let's eat first.

She didn't mind the dirtiness and plopped down on the ground, starting to wolf down her food.

Because she ate too quickly, she choked and pounded her chest twice before continuing to swallow.

Eat slowly.

Gao Yuan sighed and turned to leave.

There are countless homeless children and beggars in Jingzhao Prefecture, and he can't help them much.

Besides, I'm currently just a "clay bodhisattva".

The little girl stared in astonishment as he walked away, lost in thought.

Suddenly, she swallowed the rest of the bun in two bites, patted her bottom, and hurriedly chased after him.

Gao Yuan was ahead, and she followed quietly.

"I don't have any extra money for you, so don't follow me anymore. Eat your fill and go home."

"profound!"

A young, tender voice rang out.

After saying that, she ran away in a flash before Gao Yuan could chase her away.

He ran to a distance, and the little girl grinned at him, then turned and disappeared into the alleyway across the street in the blink of an eye.

She had originally intended to thank Gao Yuan, but she had initially misunderstood his good intentions.

But as she thought about it, she began to feel conflicted.

Gao Yuan even suspected that she had followed him to ask for money.

Hmph, it's not like I asked him for anything, why is he putting on such a sour face, as if he's afraid I'll cling to him?

Too nice!

Fortunately, we had a rare, satisfying meal.

She became excited again, running all the way, occasionally looking up at the children playing and laughing with their parents on the street, filled with envy.