Re-encounter (1)

Ancheng, A Small City at the Border of the Yan Kingdom

Ancheng, a small city at the border of the Yan Kingdom, is located at the crossroads of Xuanyuan, Feng Kingdom, and Yan Kingdom. It serves as the closest route for Feng Kingdom, Xuanyuan, and Lan Kingdom to Pandu. Although the martial arts tournament is still several months away, this place has already gathered a considerable number of martial artists.

At noon, the lobby on the first floor of the Lin'an Inn was bustling with activity, with every seat occupied.

"Gentleman, we have arrived."

A carriage came to a stop in front of the Lin'an Inn, its horse pure white and clearly a high-quality steed. The carriage gleamed in the sunlight, exuding luxury. The young innkeeper at the door was immediately delighted and greeted them enthusiastically, saying, "Welcome to Lin'an Inn!"

As the carriage curtain was lifted, the person inside stepped out. The innkeeper, who was bowing, looked up just in time to see a young man in purple clothing. His eyes widened in surprise, and the other guests in front of the inn, whether leaving or entering, as well as the attendants busy with their tasks, suddenly halted, their gazes fixated on the newcomer.

He was a young gentleman, adorned with a jade crown and dressed in a flowing purple brocade robe. A delicate white belt accentuated his waist. His handsome face, reminiscent of beautifully carved jade, wore a relaxed and elegant smile as he gracefully jumped down from the carriage. Bathed in sunlight, he seemed like an immortal stepping down from the clouds, approaching with a leisurely demeanor.

"Hey, you're blocking my master's path!" A clear voice sounded, a hint of discontent evident.

The startled innkeeper looked down to find a similarly handsome young man in gray pulling at his sleeve. Realizing his mistake, the innkeeper scratched his head awkwardly and quickly stepped aside. "I'm sorry, sir!"

The young man in purple shook his head slightly, showing no signs of annoyance. With a faint smile, he said, "It's just a rude servant; don't take it to heart. Please guide us, if you would."

The sound of stones clinking together was clear and pleasant, like the blooming of fragrant orchids.

"Of course, of course!" The innkeeper nodded eagerly, his attitude exceptionally warm. "This way, please!"

Standing at the entrance, Lan Yixuan observed as all the martial heroes dining in the lobby turned to look at the newcomer. They all thought in unison: This gentleman must have walked out from the Nine Heavens; though only a step away, he seemed utterly unattainable.

Martial artists love to make friends, and heroes cherish one another. However, with so many people present, not a single one dared to approach and start a conversation. It wasn't that they didn't want to befriend him; rather, they feared that their rough backgrounds would tarnish his nobility.

Lan Yixuan stood at the door, with the innkeeper bowing to guide them and Leian and Leiyun behind him. He wore a slight smile, and the brilliant sunlight suddenly seemed to dim in comparison.

"Thank you, innkeeper," the young man in purple said politely.

"No need! No need!" The innkeeper's smile nearly reached his ears as he waved his hands repeatedly, suddenly realizing that his exuberance felt out of place before such an elegant noble. He hurriedly covered his mouth, which seemed unable to contain his grin.

"Leian, Leiyun." The two young men in gray stood out as well, their appearances striking, complementing the noble presence of the young man in purple.

As the young man in purple stepped into the Lin'an Inn, everyone's attention shifted to him. The lively and spacious lobby fell silent, becoming narrow and suffocating. Those rough and boisterous martial artists, who had been loudly drinking and talking, seemed to be bewitched and abruptly quieted down. The innkeeper, holding a tray of food and drinks, felt an urge to toss the tray aside, wishing to wipe the sweat and grime from his face.

In the room, only he radiated brilliance, making it impossible to look away. It was as if the world truly had such an outstanding person.

"Sir, are you dining in or taking a room?"

### The Arrival at Lin'an Inn

The innkeeper, sharp-eyed, had already noticed Lan Yixuan and his party. Putting down the abacus he had been fiddling with, he smiled widely, his face full of flattery.

This young man must be a generous spender; he could almost see the gold beckoning him.

Leian stood at the front desk, turning to scan the room. His brows furrowed deeply, like a small mountain range.

"Sir, there are private rooms available on the second floor, ensuring a quiet atmosphere," the innkeeper suggested.

For such a distinguished gentleman, even a celestial being would feel ashamed in his presence. How could he sit with such a crowd?

"We'll take the whole floor. Have those people leave right after their lunch," Leian declared, pulling a silver note from his pocket and slapping it down on the counter, pointing to the second floor.

The innkeeper looked down, picking up the silver note Leian had placed on the table. His small, narrowed eyes suddenly sparkled with bright golden light. "Please, sir, upstairs. I'll have those people leave immediately."

With a cheerful demeanor, the innkeeper pocketed the silver note and personally led the way.

"Innkeeper, we only need one private room; please don't disturb those heroes who are dining," Leian added.

The patrons nearby were even more impressed by the presence of the young man in purple—his handsome demeanor, elegance, and the respectful way he treated everyone, regardless of status. Such a person would easily surpass the five great young lords of the Zhou Dynasty.

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all!" the innkeeper assured, leading the way with a courteous attitude. With so much silver involved, how could he possibly be a bother?

"Lin'an Inn," a young woman in pure white clothes said as she looked up at the sign, softly reading the words.

She was a very young girl, dressed in simple white attire, with no hair ornaments. She appeared unrefined, like uncarved white jade, completely different from the heavily made-up young women in the city, who vied for attention.

Her features were delicate and exquisite, with a small dot of cinnabar between her brows. In the sunlight, there was no trace of seduction; her eyes were clear and deep like a serene pool, and when she blinked gently, it felt like a breeze in the mountains, bringing a spiritual essence that lightly brushed over one's heart. Though she might not be exceptionally beautiful, the innkeeper thought that after seeing this girl, all the other women he had encountered seemed like mere painted dolls, no longer able to compete.

"Your innkeeper is called Xu Lin'an, right?" Xianyue asked, pointing to the inn's sign and smiling slightly at the approaching innkeeper.

The warm breeze felt comforting, as if she were in an open mountain field, with the wind gently carrying her away.

"Welcome to Lin'an Inn!" the innkeeper said, his mind blank as he failed to comprehend what Xianyue had said. Instinctively, he repeated the words he often recited.

"Ha ha!" Her laughter was clear as silver bells in the wind, and her eyes curved into crescent moons. It was the first time he had seen a girl smile so joyfully.

Carefree and unpretentious, only this girl in white could match the elegance of the young man in purple.

"Are you back to your senses?" Xianyue waved her hand in front of the innkeeper's eyes.

"What can I do for you, miss?" the innkeeper finally snapped out of his daze and replied.

"Thank you," Xianyue said, turning her back to the innkeeper, raising her hand in farewell. She took two quick steps and dashed toward the Lin'an Inn.

"Old Xu, your inn is quite lively!" Her voice, clear and bell-like, arrived before she did, drowning out all the noise in the hall and carrying a hint of gunpowder's essence.