Volume 3: Can You Hold On? Chapter 8: Departure

  Pan Yu's heart was hesitant, she really didn't want to go on a trip to the Red Cliff at this time... Compared to that, she would rather linger with the person by her side amidst the mountains and waters. Moreover, those were things that Hua Jiu was very used to in his daily life, but now no matter how he thought about it, he felt uncomfortable in his heart.

  However, he is not a lecher either. He also said that he wanted to have four wives and concubines, and that Cai Feng was such a beauty. Pan Yan, who had always been bold and decisive, hesitated for a while after taking out these two invitations.

  But responsibility is responsibility The son of this wealthy Jiangnan family cannot be ignored.

  Spring day, the willow sprouts are tender and green, hanging down from the thousands of branches, like a starry green painting. The boat is moored under the willow shade, its vermilion hull painted with clouds, waves, and mist, and the dragon-shaped bow makes it look extremely majestic.

  A group of young men dressed as scholars were discussing two recent celebrities rather than the usual poetry.

  "Xia brother, you said that phrase is really well done by Xu Xian, he doesn't seem like a refined and elegant person at all!"

  Xia Zi nodded but didn't want to say more. During this time, Xu Xian and Pan Yu went on excursions together, and the one who felt most uneasy was him. He often gritted his teeth thinking that if he were with Pan Yu in private, he would be chatting and laughing with her now. Now everyone can see that Pan Yu treats Xu Xian as a close friend.

  Another scholar said, "What's so great about sucking up to the young master of the Pan family?" As soon as he spoke, he himself could smell a sour taste, but if he didn't say it, he would feel suffocated. Who doesn't want to rise to prominence overnight? But if the person who rises to prominence is someone by your side or originally someone you looked down on, then the feeling becomes very complicated.

  Several people suddenly started discussing how Xu Xian had recently become the subject of much attention. Wang Xuezheng's disciple, Pan Gongzi, was a close friend and acquaintance who had received favors from the wealthy Jiangnan family and had written poetry that had reached the ears of the nobles. Any one of these good things would have made people envious and eager, let alone all of them falling to one person.

  Goods

  "Gentlemen, please stop. Is the literary talent and character of this person not superior to ours? Such gossiping behind one's back is unbecoming of a gentleman." Ning Caichen furrowed his brow, unable to listen any further. He too had been invited inside. After exchanging a few words with Xu Xian, who had saved the life of someone she dearly loved and whom she considered an old friend, she finally spoke out to stop them when they went too far.

  Jin Shengjie, who was usually lively, had been frowning and silent. The old man had given him an order this time. These two people must be invited to leave the boat now. It's already been over an hour since they were supposed to leave, but neither of them has come yet. How could he not be angry? His temper was already at its limit, and then he heard a few scholars chattering on and on, which made him even more impatient. He said directly: "Let's not wait any longer! Set sail!" Chapter VI

  Cai Feng leaned against the windowsill, her face bearing a lazy expression, but her slender phoenix eyes darted back and forth without losing any of her noble demeanor, instead making her look even more beautiful and composed. "Has Qing Luan, Pan Gongzi arrived?"

  Miss, you've asked for the fourth time now. It's already past the appointed hour, I'm afraid Pan Yu won't be coming anymore," said Qing Luan unhappily. She didn't know why Pan Wang was so good at reciting those sour poems that sounded so elegant. But she had heard enough to know that they weren't just any ordinary poems. And saying that Pan Yu's poems were only elegant was also a lie. He simply didn't like the effeminate Pan Yu.

  Cai Feng yawned and said, "That Jin Gongzi is also a reckless son. He spent so much money organizing this river trip, more than half of it was to get close to that Pan family's young master. If Pan Gongzi didn't come, his old man would definitely scold him until he spat blood."

  The cost of this river tour is not something that a rich young master like Jin Gongzi can afford, and there must be the figure of Jin Wancheng in her already clear sight.

  "Here comes, here comes, Mr. Pan!" A shout that made everyone perk up their spirits. Xia Ziqi's face already had a sincere smile on it. Jin Shengjie looked at him with a cold laugh, but also managed to hold back his anger.

  The two figures in the distance were both tall and imposing. Pan Yu was from the north, so it was to be expected, but Xu Xian was a southerner, yet he too was unusually tall and large, which was truly unpleasant.

  Jin Shengjie first looked at the only son of Pan Yulan, the famous Jiangnan First Genius, who had heard his name for a long time. Since the Ou Wangfu was destroyed, as one of the few surviving kings, although Pan Yulan did not compare to Liang Wang in terms of holding the position of Shangshu, he also held real power as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and had woven a large network of interpersonal relationships with Liang Wang, fighting a fierce battle that was hard to distinguish between victory and defeat.

  "Good fellow, what a fine gentleman!" Jin Shengjie couldn't help but praise. With a calm and composed demeanor, even someone as arrogant as Jin Shengjie couldn't help but call him a "noble son of the mundane world". A person like this, whether or not he is Pan Yu's son, is certainly no ordinary person.

  He looked at Xu Xian again and was even more shocked. He finally understood what it meant to look at someone with new eyes after three days apart. He had seen Xu Xian twice before, the first time during the Lantern Festival when he still had some disdain in his heart. But their chance encounter in the snowy wind at Lake Heart Pavilion, where Xu Xian's dragon claws were briefly revealed, made him dare not underestimate him again.

  But in less than a month, he had an air of maturity. His face was still the same, his clothes were still the same, but the way he carried himself was radiant and confident, like the sun and moon shining brightly. Even if he stayed in this humble abode, it couldn't conceal his noble demeanor and divine aura. Unbeknownst to him, his twenty-two years of cultivation had made him naturally majestic and dignified.

  If the state only had those rumors that made Jin Shengjie suspect Xu Xian was lucky, but now he has to say that I make friends and also want to make such a friend, and I should receive Mo Sheng as well.

  Just then, Jin Shengjie stepped forward and said: "Jin Shengjie has seen Mr. Pan Ya."

  Pan Yu hastily returned the courtesy, "Brother Jin, please don't mention it. We came down from the mountain and rushed all the way here, but we're still late. Please forgive us." In fact, the two of them were strolling leisurely, and whenever Pan Ya saw a teahouse, she would go in to drink a cup of tea before continuing on their way. Xu Xian urged her to hurry, but she wasn't in a rush, thinking to herself that even if they didn't make it, it wouldn't matter.

  Two men boarded the ship. As soon as Xiān saw Níng, he smiled and said loudly: "Brother Níng, long time no see! How's your wife?" Níng patted him on the shoulder without saying any words of gratitude.

  On the boat, there was a round of greetings, but this was all Pan Yu's job. Xu Xian just chatted with Ning Caichen for a few words and then gazed at West Lake on this spring day. The sparkling water rippled in waves, and the warm spring breeze made it an ideal time to go out for a stroll.

  The boat sailed across the rippling waves in circles, and this time the Red Cliff trip finally began.

  A man on the willow bank gazed at Xu Xian with gritted teeth. The woman he had a crush on was going to go to Chibi together with this man who made him feel humiliated, which made his anger burn even more. But he coldly laughed and thought that in Hangzhou, he might not be able to do anything to Xu Xian, but once they were at the Great River, it would be a different story.

  "Let's just forget it, okay?" Chu Shi said. The monk next to him was startled and his face was filled with hesitation, completely unlike his usual decisiveness. It was that night when the monk Shihe didn't make a move, after that incident he was shaken for a long time, even going to visit Shen Tu's burial site, intending to dig it up to verify the truth, but in the end, he just kowtowed three times and left. What he saw was unclear whether it was a living person or not, and he couldn't tell either.

  Chu Jianxiong furrowed his brow and didn't speak. A nearby scholar had already said, "Shihe Shang, you usually have a temper like this, I can swallow it, but I won't." He didn't understand martial arts, so that night he was in charge of setting the fire, but in the end, they failed to achieve their goal and even lost several lives. Especially when he heard the name Xu Xian, he vowed to report this revenge.

  As for what evil spirit killed him, he didn't believe it at all. According to his analysis, Shen Tuo Xiang must have also practiced an unknown and unparalleled martial art, and that night was just a chance encounter, not recognizing Xu Xian. These days, relying on Chu Jianxiong's reputation, people scattered in Jiangnan, without any signs of his activity. This can only prove one thing: either Shen Tuo Xiang is already dead or has left Jiangnan. When the time comes, the great river will clean up these people, who knows who did it? Even if Shen Tuo Xiang returns to avenge, he won't be afraid.

  This is a well-thought-out and reasonable analysis, living up to the reputation of a Jianghu Gonggui Xiaocai. This is also the way for this scholar who doesn't know martial arts to survive among these wolves and tigers in the Jianghu world. Chu Jianxiong also made up his mind to take revenge after hearing his analysis, because he didn't have the guts to face Shen Tu again.

  Shi Yeshang's face turned red, but he didn't retort. Since he used an iron rod to kill three bullying senior brothers and escaped from the temple, he no longer believed in the nonsense of "Buddhist compassion". Later, relying on his innate divine power and martial arts skills, he made a name for himself in the Jianghu world.

  But as he fled, the scene of his master frowning under the moonlight in front of the temple gate, saying "the sea of bitterness is boundless, turning back is the shore" kept lingering in his mind. He couldn't turn back now, he gripped the iron rod tightly, its surface unknowingly stained with the blood of many people, and all around him was a bloody sea. Putting aside this worry, if he didn't kill to his heart's content, it would be hard to feel clean again.

  Chu Jianxiong gazed out at the distant boat, his heart longing for the independent woman who had captivated him. He had tried to find her again, but was told that she had been taken in by a young master named Jin. Chu's anger flared up when he heard this, and he nearly struck down the old procuress who had spoken the words. He knew exactly who this Young Master Jin was - a spoiled rich boy who didn't deserve to speak to his beloved, let alone play music or drink with her. The thought of it made Chu's blood boil. But if he succeeded in winning her over this time, she would be his at last. The mere thought sent a thrill through his heart.

  Everyone in the painting boat was unaware of these, only Xu Xian furrowed his brow and felt a little uneasy.

  A pair of golden eyes as big as bronze bells stared straight at the painted boat like a hunting wild beast in the depths of West Lake.

  I heard those people opposite us are all perverts

  The wolf should be edible, right?

  I'd love to eat that person up, but Grandpa said I couldn't just eat anyone. But that's a pervert, I've heard they're really bad people. And besides, that person has said before that good people are delicious to the death.

  My heart is entangled, and my body sways, stirring up a ripple in the calm lake. By this time, the painted boat has sailed away, and no one notices the surging and rolling of the water behind it.