Young Song: The Hidden Sword God, Han Yi and Her Child Arrive at the Door.

Time flows like water, silently passing by in this bustling, moonlit city.

Xiao Se, the once high and mighty Prince Yong'an, is now a wine vendor in a corner of the market. Initially, his stall attracted no customers. His air of nobility, still evident despite his new simple clothes, made passersby instinctively keep their distance. Furthermore, he was inept at hawking his wares and didn't know how to bargain. In the first few days, he didn't even recoup the cost of the cheap wine he sold.

Every night when Lei Wujie saw Xiao Se return with an empty money bag, he couldn't help but mock him: "Xiao Se, are you even capable? Why don't you come back and settle the accounts? I think your talent for selling wine is worse than mine as a waiter!"

Even Wushuang, while sharpening her cleaver, would add a sarcastic remark: "Exactly! Why give up being a proper accountant to sell wine? Are you crazy for money, or have you gone mad from wanting to experience life?"

Faced with ridicule, Xiao Se neither refuted nor got angry. He simply smiled faintly, and the next day he still got up early, carrying his wine jars to set up his stall.

He learned to observe.

He observed how the vegetable vendors would argue with customers over two coins until they were red in the face, but then generously give them a bunch of scallions; he observed how the butchers would slaughter pigs while boasting to others about the braised pork their wives made; he observed how the peddlers carrying their wares would attract children's attention with their long, drawn-out calls.

Gradually, he understood.

Although this bustling city is full of petty squabbles and vulgarity, it is also brimming with genuine human warmth and vitality.

He began to try to fit in.

He learned to smile and explain that the wine was homemade and wouldn't give him a headache when customers complained that it was too weak; he learned to offer a free bowl of herbal tea to a sweaty laborer passing by; he even learned to chat with the old man selling pancakes next door and listen to him complain about how flour prices had gone up again these days.

His stall gradually became more lively.

"Brother Xiao, a bowl of wine, please! That aged vintage one, please!"

"Alright! Uncle Wang, drink slowly, this liquor is strong."

"Boss Xiao, please save two jars for me; we have guests coming over tonight!"

"No problem, Aunt Li, I'll take it to you."

Xiao Se's smile grew increasingly natural and genuine. The gloom and defensiveness that had once been hidden deep in his eyes melted away little by little in the daily comings and goings, like snow meeting the warm sun.

His heart calmed down.

He no longer thought about the turbulent changes in Tianqi City, nor about the unattainable throne. In his eyes, there was only the bowl of wine before him, and the myriad faces of people coming and going.

This change in mindset also subtly affected his physical health.

When he practiced mental arithmetic according to the method taught by Su Changqing, the splitting headache gradually lessened, and the numerical maze he constructed with his soul became more and more stable and vast.

Although his hidden meridians had not fully recovered, he could feel that the chilling aura that had once made him wish he were dead was being replaced by a new, vibrant power.

That is the spirit of the mortal world, and also... the righteous spirit of humanity!

……

at the same time.

In the backyard of Changqing Tower, another special "spiritual practice" is also underway.

"Lei Wujie! You idiot! You missed again!"

Little Nuomi sat on a tall osmanthus tree, swinging her two short legs, holding half an apple in her hand, munching on it while acting as a "referee".

Under the tree, Lei Wujie was sweating profusely as he waved his...fire poker.

Yes, a fire poker.

Su Changqing confiscated his terrifying sword and threw him this dark, even sparking wooden stick, telling him, "When you can use this stick to catch your sister's sword, you'll be close to the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm."

Standing opposite him was Li Hanyi, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, who had suppressed his cultivation level.

Instead of using the Iron Horse and Ice River technique, Li Hanyi casually plucked a peach blossom branch. Dressed in pure white, she stood there like a breathtakingly beautiful painting.

But when she started moving, the painting instantly transformed into a deadly killing formation!

"call out!"

The peach blossom branch was gently swayed.

A pink sword aura, like a serpent emerging from its hole, aimed straight for Lei Wujie's brow!

"Fire Scorching Technique! Block it for me!"

Lei Wujie roared and swung his fire stick out, creating a scorching wave of wind.

however.

"Snapped!"

That seemingly delicate peach blossom branch, however, strangely pierced through Lei Wujie's defenses and gently struck his wrist.

"Ouch!"

Lei Wujie loosened his grip, and the fire poker fell to the ground, instantly turning his wrist red.

"Too slow."

Li Hanyi shook her head, her tone cold, "Your sword is too straightforward. A swordsman's skill lies in taking unconventional approaches to achieve victory. You only know how to use brute force, but you don't understand how to adapt. With such swordsmanship, even if you practice until you die, you'll never even reach the threshold of a sword immortal."

"Sis...you're not being that blunt, are you?"

Lei Wujie picked up the fire poker, looking aggrieved. "I've tried my best! Besides, this fire poker isn't very handy!"

"Excuse."

Li Hanyi sneered, "A true swordsman can turn anything into a sword. Look at Wushuang, he can now unleash sword energy even with a kitchen knife. And you? Even if you were given a famous sword, you'd still be nothing more than a woodcutter!"

Lei Wujie was rendered speechless by the rebuttal.

He glanced subconsciously at Wushuang, who was sharpening a knife and chuckling to herself by the kitchen door, and his competitive spirit resurfaced.

"Again!"

Lei Wujie gritted his teeth and gripped the fire poker tightly. "This time I'm sure I can catch it!"

"Okay, let's do it again."

Without wasting words, Li Hanyi flicked her wrist, and the peach blossom branch once again transformed into countless sword shadows, enveloping Lei Wujie.

"Bang bang bang!"

The courtyard echoed with a series of impacts and Lei Wujie's screams once again.

Su Changqing lay on a rocking chair not far away, holding a book in his hand. He seemed to be reading, but in reality, he was observing the movements on both sides.

Watching Lei Wujie get knocked down time and time again, and get back up again and again; watching Xiao Se gradually transform in the city.

A satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

"That's good, they've all made progress."

"Although Lei Wujie is a bit slow-witted, he has a pure and innocent heart. This kind of resilient character is best suited for cultivating that kind of fierce and unparalleled swordsmanship. As long as we can temper his impetuousness and teach him to combine strength and gentleness, breaking through to the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm will be just around the corner."

"As for Xiao Se..."

Su Changqing's gaze seemed to pierce through the wall, landing on the figure serving drinks to a customer.

"Mental illness requires mental medicine. He has been trapped in the shadows of the past for too long. Only by letting him feel the warmth of life again and understand what true strength is can he completely break free from his inner demons and rebuild his hidden strength."

"It seems this game is about to reach a crucial moment."

……

Days passed by like this.

In the blink of an eye, a month has passed.

A lot happened in Snow Moon City over the past month. Changqing Tower's business remained booming, with countless people going crazy for a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup every day. Song Yan Hui still went to buy vegetables every day without fail, rain or shine, and even became familiar with several of the vegetable vendors, learning how to pick the best watermelons.

The biggest change is undoubtedly the desolation.

At this point, he had completely immersed himself in the role of the liquor vendor.

He no longer wore that expensive fox fur coat, but instead put on a clean and neat cotton outfit. His hair was no longer loosely draped, but was neatly tied back.

He always wore a gentle smile. That smile was no longer the fake smile he used to wear a mask, but a genuine, sunny smile from the heart.

He even learned how to brew wine.

Under Su Changqing's guidance (of course, only occasionally), he brewed a wine called "Forget-Me-Not" using the most ordinary grains.

This wine is neither strong nor expensive, but it has a subtle sweet aftertaste that can instantly make you forget your troubles and bring peace of mind.

As soon as this wine was launched, it became an instant hit with the people of Snowmoon City. Every day, his stall was packed with people, even more popular than Changqinglou (after all, Changqinglou was too expensive for ordinary people to afford).

"Boss Xiao, a jar of Forget-Worries, please!"

"Okay!"

Xiao Se skillfully poured the wine, collected the money, and gave change, his movements fluid and efficient without the slightest hesitation.

Looking at his busy figure, who would have thought that this was the once arrogant Prince Yong'an?

That evening.

Dark clouds gathered and thunder rumbled.

A sudden downpour swept through the entire Snowmoon City.

Pedestrians on the street scattered to avoid the area, and the once bustling market instantly became deserted.

Xiao Se did not close up shop.

He sat quietly under the awning, watching the torrential rain pouring down outside and listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the ground.

"Splash—"

Rainwater gathered into rivers and flowed through the streets.

Looking at the murky rainwater, Xiao Se suddenly felt a strange sense of realization.

"water……"

"Water has no fixed shape; it follows the flow. It takes the shape of a square when it encounters a square, and the shape of a round when it encounters a round one."

"It can be a gentle rain that nourishes all things, or it can be a flood that washes everything away."

"The human heart is like water."

"My inner demon is actually my obsession. I have always wanted to fight against it and eliminate it, but I forgot... water cannot be suppressed, it can only be channeled."

"If you can't forget the past, then accept it. If you can't let go of the hatred, then carry it with you as you move forward."

"This is not weakness, but... tolerance!"

boom!

A bolt of lightning ripped through the sky, illuminating Xiao Se's calm face.

In that instant, some kind of constraint within him seemed to shatter with the sound of thunder!

He slowly closed his eyes.

In my mind, that enormous digital maze suddenly came to life at that moment!

Those cold numbers have transformed into vibrant musical notes, converging into a mighty, ever-flowing river!

This great river washed over his sea of ​​consciousness, his meridians, and the withered and broken hidden meridians within his body!

pain!

It's still that kind of excruciating pain!

But this time, Xiao Se did not back down, nor was he afraid.

He opened his arms, letting the force rage within him, letting the pain spread throughout his body.

Because he knew that this was the pain of rebirth!

"bring it on!"

Xiao Se suddenly opened his eyes, and two dazzling golden lights burst forth from them!

"Destruction precedes construction; without destruction, there can be no construction!"

"Open the hidden meridians...!"

Rumble—!!!

The thunder in the sky grew even louder, as if responding to the boy's shout.

An immense, suffocating aura erupted from Xiao Se's body!

That was no ordinary internal force, but a terrifying power that carried the majesty of an emperor and the aura of a true dragon!

This force shot straight into the sky, actually dispersing the dark clouds overhead!

The rain has stopped.

A golden dragon shadow appeared and disappeared behind Xiao Se, letting out a dragon roar that shook the heavens and the earth!

"hold head high--!!!"

Inside Snowmoon City.

Li Hanyi, who was practicing swordsmanship in the backyard of Changqing Tower, suddenly raised her head and looked in the direction of the vegetable market, a look of shock flashing in her eyes.

"This aura...is it from the Free and Unfettered Heavenly Realm?!"

"And...it carries dragon energy?!"

"Could it be... Xiao Se?"

Wushuang, who was cutting potatoes, also nearly cut his finger because his hand trembled.

"Holy crap! That lazy cat... broke through to a higher level?!"

The second floor.

Su Changqing stood by the window, watching the golden light soaring into the sky in the distance, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

"Finally...it's done?"

He stretched and turned to Little Nuomi, who was playing with her toys, saying, "Nuonuo, come on, Daddy will take you to see the dragon."

"See the dragon? Yay!" Little Nuomi jumped up excitedly.

Su Changqing picked up his daughter, and in a flash, he disappeared from the spot.

next moment.

He had already appeared under the small awning in the vegetable market.

At this moment, Xiao Se stood there, his body radiating a faint golden light. His coarse linen clothes had long been shattered, revealing his strong upper body. His skin, which had once been covered in scars, was now smooth as jade, faintly glowing with a precious light.

He slowly turned around, looked at the suddenly appearing Su Changqing, and a genuine, confident smile appeared on his face.

"gentlemen."

Xiao Se bowed respectfully, his voice calm yet exuding an indescribable air of dominance.

"I'm back."

Su Changqing looked him up and down and nodded.

"Hmm, so-so, it's watchable."

"Although you're still a little short of your true peak, at least... you're now qualified to go to Apocalypse City to collect debts."

"Collecting debts?"

Xiao Se was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Hahahaha! That's right! Collecting debts!"

"I will take back everything that is owed to me!"

"But before that..."

Xiao Se changed the subject, looking at Su Changqing, "Sir, my clothes are torn. Could you perhaps give me an advance on my wages so I can buy a new set?"

Su Changqing: "..."

He rolled his eyes and casually tossed over one of his spare long robes.

"Put it on, don't catch a cold. Also, my wife sewed this dress by hand, she'll pay ten times the price if she ruins it."

Xiao Se took the clothes and put them on. Although they were a bit big, the warmth they gave him warmed his heart.

"Thank you, sir."

Just then.

"Wow! Big brother is surrounded by golden light! He's so beautiful!"

Little Nuomi pointed at Xiao Se and asked curiously, "Did you turn into gold? Can I sell it for money?"

Xiao Se: "..."

The domineering aura he had just built up instantly crumbled.

"My little ancestor, this is dragon energy, not gold!" Xiao Se explained helplessly.

"Dragon energy? Can you eat that?" Little Nuomi asked, tilting her head.

"I can't eat this!" Xiao Se was devastated.

Seeing this, Su Changqing couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright, stop teasing him. Let's go home for dinner! To celebrate Boss Xiao's new lease on life, let's have a good meal tonight!"

"Yay! Time to eat!"

"I want to eat too! I want to eat meat!"

Lei Wujie's loud voice came from afar. He was dressed in red and ran over in a hurry, followed by Wushuang, who looked on with envy.

"Xiao Se! You're something else! You actually broke through secretly! I worried for nothing!"

Lei Wujie rushed up and punched Xiao Se. "How about that? Can you beat me now?"

"Would I hit you?"

Xiao Se raised an eyebrow and gently swung the Wuji Staff (which had appeared in his hand at some point).

"Bang!"

Before Lei Wujie could react, he was blasted away by a gentle yet irresistible force and landed on the pork stall next to him.

"What do you think?" Xiao Se said calmly.

"Holy crap! That's intense?!" Lei Wujie crawled out of the pile of pork, not angry at all, but even more excited. "Hahahaha! Great! From now on, I won't have to fight alone anymore!"

The group exchanged smiles.

After the rain, a rainbow stretched across the sky.

A new chapter for these teenagers has just begun.

The story of Changqinglou will reach a new climax at the upcoming "Hundred Flowers Gathering".