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The days after leaving Yuelai Inn were ordinary yet fulfilling. Gu Liufeng didn't rush on his way, but instead headed south, treating it as a leisurely trip.
With the [Treading Snow Without Leaving a Trace] technique and his refined internal energy, the journey of several thousand miles was not an ordeal for him. Seven days later. Zhangjiakou is located at the border between the Ming and Song dynasties. This was a vital trading hub between the two countries a melting pot of merchants and a diverse mix of people. It was home to Ming Dynasty imperial guards, Song Dynasty beggars' spies, and countless (jianghu heroes) traveling from place to place.
Gu Liufeng led the black horse that he had "borrowed" from the underground river and strolled along the bustling street. After seven days of rest, his snow-white brocade robe was spotless, his long hair was casually tied up, and the ancient sword [Jinghong] hung at his waist. His handsome features, combined with the relaxed feeling unique to modern people, made him a head-turner on the street.
"Have you heard? Something big has happened in Beili. It's said that the Snow Moon Sword Immortal Li Hany is in seclusion at Lei Family Fortress, and it seems he was injured." "Really? Who could possibly harm a sword immortal?" The chatter from the roadside tea stalls drifted into his ears, and Gu Liufeng's lips curled into a slight smile. Injured?
It's probably a combination of heartbreak and overwork. He found the most impressive-looking restaurant— Taibailou—handed the horse over to the waiter, and went straight up to a window seat on the second floor. "Sir, how many are in your party? What would you like to eat?" The waiter smiled broadly at the distinguished young man. "Just one person. Bring me a few of your signature dishes and a pot of good wine."
Gu Liufeng casually tossed out a piece of broken silver, his movements elegant. Just then, a commotion arose at the bottom of the stairs. "Go away! Where did this little beggar come from? Don't dirty our place!" "Hey, I was just looking, I wasn't stealing anything from you, why are you being so fierce?" A clear, melodious voice, like that of a nightingale, rang out. Although the tone was somewhat roguish, it wasn't unpleasant to listen to. Gu Liufeng glanced at him sideways. The waiter was seen stopping a ragged little beggar.
The little beggar looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. His face was smeared with black paint, as if he had rolled in a coal pile, making it impossible to see his features. Her clothes were patched upon patched, but her figure was petite and delicate. What is most striking is "his" eyes. It was clearly black and white, and incredibly agile.
At that moment, it was tumbling around wildly, exuding a mischievous and clever energy. [Ding! Character detected in the "Peerless Beauty" character list!] [Name: Huang Rong (Young Girl/In Disguise)] [Identity: Daughter of Huang Yaoshi, the master of Peach Blossom Island] [Current status: Runaway from home, penniless (pretending), looking for a "fat sheep".] [System Evaluation: SSS-level potential, quirky and unpredictable, extremely difficult to win over.] Gu Liufeng raised an eyebrow. So that's how we met? Sure enough, being handsome and rich makes it easy to attract trouble in the underworld.
The little beggar, though stopped by the waiter, wasn't angry. Instead, he glanced around the lobby on the second floor. Her gaze brightened noticeably when it fell on Gu Liufeng. He was dressed in fine clothes and had an extraordinary air about him. Most importantly, the silver ingot he had just tipped the waiter was quite substantial. He's a total sucker who's "foolish and rich"! Huang Rong's eyes darted around, and a plan came to her mind. She suddenly swayed and, taking advantage of the waiter's inattention, headed straight for Gu Liufeng's table. "Ouch... big brother!" Huang Rong plopped down in the chair opposite Gu Liufeng, even putting one of her muddy feet on the stool, acting as if they were old friends.
"Big brother, I see you have a radiant forehead and a rosy complexion; you look like a very kind person!" Huang Rong grinned, revealing two rows of neat, white teeth, a stark contrast to her dark complexion. "I haven't eaten for three days, could you please give me some food?" Gu Liufeng held his teacup and looked at her through the rising steam. This acting is a bit exaggerated, but it's certainly enough for the honest people in ancient times. He didn't speak immediately, but instead looked her over with great interest.
If it were an ordinary person, seeing such a dirty little beggar sitting across from them, they would have already shooed him away in disgust. But Gu Liufeng was not angry at all; instead, a smile appeared in his eyes. "Haven't eaten for three days?" Gu Liufeng put down his teacup and pointed to her hand: "A person who hasn't eaten for three days still has pretty clean wrists." Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, I forgot to wipe off the dirt when I washed my hands! She instinctively withdrew her hand, hiding it in her sleeve, but her face remained calm and composed, even showing a hint of grievance. "Oh dear, big brother, you don't know, I'm naturally beautiful. It's unavoidable that my body is dirty, but these hands are my 'tools of the trade,' so of course I have to wash them clean." "Eating utensils?" Gu Liufeng asked with a half-smile. "Are you eating with chopsticks, or are you just taking advantage of the situation to eat?" Huang Rong was startled.
This guy has a sharp eye! She did have a thought just now: to take advantage of the meal to steal the jade pendant that looked very valuable from the guy's waist. "Ahem, big brother is really joking." Huang Rong decided to try a different approach.
Since stealing wouldn't work, she'd just rob... oh no, outright plunder! She blinked her big eyes and said pitifully: "Since you don't want to invite me, then I'll leave. Alas, it wouldn't sound good for a poor beggar like me to starve to death in this Taibai Tower..." As she spoke, she made a move to get up, her movements slow and deliberate, clearly waiting for Gu Liufeng to stop her. "sit down." Gu Liufeng tapped the table, his voice gentle: "Who said I'm not paying? Waiter!" Seeing this, the waiter in the distance quickly ran over: "Young master, this..." "This young man is... well, a friend I just met." Gu Liufeng toyed with the wine cup in his hand, looking at Huang Rong with a hint of mockery in his eyes: "Since you've been starving for three days, then don't be polite. Waiter, bring me your most expensive dishes, dried and fresh fruits, cold appetizers, and delicacies from land and sea, and fill this table to the brim." "Huh?" The waiter was stunned. "Cover...cover it?" "What? Are you afraid I can't afford it?" Gu Liufeng casually took out a hundred-tael silver note and slapped it on the table. "Alright! Please wait a moment!" The waiter's eyes widened, and he ran off with the silver notes in hand. Huang Rong, on the other side, was also stunned.
She originally planned to order some expensive dishes to rip him off, but she didn't expect this guy to be even more ruthless than her. Is this person truly foolish or genuinely wealthy? "What? Not enough?" Gu Liufeng looked at the dazed Huang Rong and smiled: "How about another two jin of aged Shaoxing wine?"
Huang Rong snapped out of her daze and looked at Gu Liufeng's handsome face, which held a hint of amusement. Suddenly, a strange competitive spirit welled up inside her. Hmph, so what if you're rich? Since you dare to treat me, I dare to eat! I'll eat you out of house and home! "Not enough! Of course not enough!" Huang Rong slammed her hand on the table and shouted with boundless pride: "Give me another beggar's chicken! If it's not authentic I... I'm going to smash this place up!" Gu Liufeng couldn't help but laugh when he saw her smug look.
Of course, he saw through her disguise. This is no little beggar; it's clearly a runaway wildcat, prickly yet irresistibly cute. "Okay, whatever you say." Gu Liufeng picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and poured one for Huang Rong as well. "However, now that we've eaten my meal, shouldn't we get to know each other?" Gu Liufeng raised his glass, his gaze fixed intently on her bright, expressive eyes: "My name is Gu Liufeng." "May I ask your honorable name, young man?" Huang Rong glanced at the wine glass pushed in front of her, her eyes darted around, she grabbed the glass and drank it all in one gulp, then wiped her mouth with a hearty laugh: "No problem! I'll keep my word and not change my name!" "My name is... Huang... Huang Ritian!" Huang Ritian?
This girl, even her pseudonym exudes such
domineering aura?
Republic of China:
What use is this
Heavenly Ranking to me?
Crossove
tea residu
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Seeing Gu Liufeng's speechless expression, Huang
Rong shook her head smugly, secretly pleased with herself.
How about that? Intimidated by my name, aren't you?
That'll teach you a lesson for your sharp gaze just now!