The night was as gentle as water, yet no longer cold; it was May, and the spring scenery was just right.

Lady Yan was strolling aimlessly on Silver Creek Street, arm in arm with her husband.

In this bustling market, the atmosphere was thick with smoke and the rich aroma of meat and wine wafted out in waves.

Looking up, there were open-air food stalls at every corner, mostly selling noodles, wontons, and pancakes.

Apart from that, shouts and calls could be heard everywhere.

"Passing by, let's not miss the finest silk powder~~"

"Top-quality brocade, the most popular patterns in the Jade Capital Palace, come and have a look~~"

"Fatty Wang's new signature dish, fruit wood smoked roast goose, with half a pound of spirits, guaranteed to satisfy and delight you..."

Lady Yan giggled, "It's so lively here, unlike the Little Ink Workshop, where all the doors are closed as soon as it gets dark..."

Li Yuan affectionately patted her head and said, "What do you want to eat? Or should we make a new dress? It's getting hot, you'll need a new silk skirt."

Lady Yan smiled and said, "I'll treat you to a drink, a new cherry refreshment. You'll never guess where we're going to have it."

"Alright, I'm waiting for your surprise," Li Yuan replied with a smile.

Soon, the two arrived in front of an elegant pavilion.

The signboard read "Full Moon Tea House."

Inside, some young girls were gracefully serving tea, moving like they were dancing.

At the front desk was a pretty young lady, and upon meeting Yan Yu's gaze, her eyes lit up and she called out, "Sister Yan, the proprietress is waiting for you upstairs."

Lady Yan responded with a smile and led Li Yuan upstairs.

Upstairs, in an elegant room, a tall, leggy beauty draped in a white gauze outer garment over a red skirt was fiddling with a tea bowl. Upon seeing the two enter, she gracefully stood and greeted them.

Li Yuan returned the greeting.

This beauty was the proprietress of Hengwu Restaurant and an old acquaintance.

For a woman to go out alone at night was indeed improper, but widows were an exception.

This proprietress of Hengwu Restaurant was a widow.

"Sister Xue," Lady Yan ran over and held the proprietress' arm.

Lady Yan was petite, while the proprietress was quite tall; if beauties were to be compared to flowers, they would be two different kinds.

The proprietress glanced at Li Yuan with a smile, "I'm afraid not..."

Li Yuan said, "You two chat as you wish."

Lady Yan returned, pulling Li Yuan to sit down, then the proprietress poured three glasses of drinks and called for some candied fruits.

The window was open, and the moonlight and starlight seemed to quiet the night considerably.

Li Yuan sipped his drink, which reminded him of drinking fruit tea in a milk tea shop in a past life. He remarked, "Sister Yan said she'd surprise me, and indeed, this drink is a surprise."

Yan Yu said, "It's not just that—this Full Moon Tea Pavilion was opened by Sister Xue and me."

Li Yuan was taken aback for a moment.

The proprietress smiled and said, "Young Master Li, you're a man of influence.

It's nice to rest in the shade of a big tree; I just want to do business peacefully under your shade.

Plus, Sister Yan and I really hit it off, so we decided to open this shop together.

The earnings, we split evenly..."

Li Yuan smiled and asked, "Where are you from, proprietress?"

"From Lianglong Mountain. We fled from sea bandits and escaped here with my husband's family.

My husband's health was weak, and he passed away soon after, leaving some money and loyal servants, so I started the restaurant.

Here, I pay regular fees to Master Wu, and will continue to do so.

If someone else comes, the fees go to the new official... But I have no personal connection with Master Wu, and likely won't with any new official either.

Being a woman, I know how these connections work with those officials...but I don't want to."

The proprietress lowered her eyelashes, smiled self-deprecatingly, and said, "Though I seem a little prominent, I'm ultimately just a woman, with hidden sorrows... who can know?"

She seemed lost in some memory and said, "As it happens, I share a connection with Young Master Li, knowing him before his rise, and now I hit it off so well with Lady Yan, so I thought I'd lean on you, Young Master Li."

Speaking, she propped up her chin and said cheerfully, "It's said Young Master Li is only eighteen this year, while I'm already twenty-three. If Young Master Li desires me, I really wouldn't mind."

Then, she glanced at Lady Yan, and the two women laughed together, indicating that they were very close and often talked about such things, and certainly weren't shy about them.

Li Yuan said, "But soon, I'm going to have a contest with Zhao Zimu... He's a genius with blades at the Evergreen Martial Arts Academy, while I use a bow.

I've only been learning the blade for over three months."

The proprietress nodded slightly and said, "If we haven't weathered hardships together with Young Master Li, how can we share the sweet?"

Lady Yan coquettishly said, "Sister Xue, are you so sure my husband will lose?"

The proprietress said, "It's not my belief; it's what almost everyone thinks... so I chose this time to tell Young Master Li my intentions."

Her move was to invest at a low point, but post-events she'll also have to bear considerable risk.

But it was also a way to prove her sincerity.

...

...

Back home.

Li Yuan held Lady Yan as they lay together whispering.

"Husband, you see, even though I'm close with Sister Xue, I never told her how amazing you are, hehe... Isn't your wife virtuous?"

"Then... continue with the reward!"

"Oh no, what's going on? No doing naughty things, no way~~"

The sound of playful laughter came from under the thin blanket.

Outside the window, the apricot blossoms had bloomed and withered again, but Lady Yan had planted some peonies, irises, and lilacs, which were in full bloom at this moment.

...

...

Seven days later.

At the Wangxi Building, the stream rippled, reflecting the sky's light and showing dazzling golden waves.

The building was already full of people, and because of the proprietress, Yan Yu had a decent spot on the third floor. Although it was at the corner, she could still see the battle on the arena.

This was the first time she watched her man fight.

But the arena was still empty.

The proprietress grabbed two handfuls of sunflower seeds and two drinks, chatting with Yan Yu as they ate.

Behind the two women were two burly men carrying swords, who were the proprietress's own bodyguards.

The security at Silver Creek was excellent, and such a large gathering wouldn't encounter any trouble.

Moreover... the proprietress glanced at the Noble District on the high platform at the edge of the arena across from Wangxi Building.

Sitting in the center was the true local emperor of Silver Creek, Wutong, and Zichong, the Sect Leader of the Blood Saber Sect — Tie Sha.

With Tie Sha here, what danger could there be?

She brought bodyguards just because there were many people today, just in case.

On the arena, a man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes was already sitting cross-legged. The breeze blew, tousling his hair, revealing his handsome face.

The Long Blade lay across his knees, unsheathed yet brimming with fighting spirit.

This man was Zhao Zimu.

The proprietress cracked a sunflower seed and whispered, "The opponent is already on stage, where's Young Master Li?"

Lady Yan mouthed quietly, "I don't know either."

From downstairs came some laughter and noise, faintly hearing things like "Is he scared?" or "He knows he's going to lose, so he didn't show up."

Lady Yan said angrily, "They can really talk, who would run away in such a situation?"

The proprietress whispered, "They're not stupid; they're just sucking up. Hey, who do you think is more handsome, Zhao Zimu or Young Master Li?"

"Of course, it's Young Master Li, no question," Lady Yan said proudly, with her hands on her hips.

As the two women were talking, another commotion arose in the distance.

The crowd parted creating a path, from which a young man emerged, head lowered, dragging a Long Blade.

The Long Blade dragged on the ground, making a grating "creak, creak" sound.

Li Yuan arrived at the edge of the arena, lightly leaping onto it, glanced at the floating "38~40" around the opponent, and clasped his fists, "Brother Zhao, I'm late."

"It's no matter, you've traveled a long way and must be weary; I've been waiting here, fully refreshed... Do you need a rest?" Zhao Zimu asked indifferently.

Li Yuan nodded, "You speak the truth, then I'll rest for a moment."

Zhao Zimu: ...

Everyone: ...

A moment later, Li Yuan grasped his sword's handle, Zhao Zimu also drew his blade from its sheath, and the two figures intertwined, instantly closing the distance.

Exchanging blows back and forth, they found themselves in a deadlock.

Amidst the interplay of life force, the Broadsword swung open and shut, each clash sounded like a profound thunder, causing a bang only a mighty force could produce.

The spectators watched in awe, then heard a sound like an explosion.

The two separated, staring at each other from a distance.

Zhao Zimu said, "Junior Brother Li, your strength is impressive. Having only practiced the blade for three months, you have such skill; and I heard you come from a humble place like the Little Ink Workshop, which makes it all the more remarkable.

I acknowledge your strength.

But unfortunately... you're engaging too early. Next, I will not hold back."

Li Yuan, panting heavily, said, "Please enlighten me."

With that, he shouted fiercely and charged again.

In an instant, they fought hundreds of rounds.

Finally... Zhao Zimu let his guard down, and Li Yuan seized the opportunity to strike him squarely on the back with the flat of his blade, causing him to lose balance and fall off the arena.

Shocked as he was, Zhao Zimu tried to use his sword tip to regain his position on the arena.

After all, falling off the arena meant a direct loss.

But Li Yuan, quick as lightning, swung his Long Blade, pressing down on Zhao Zimu from mid-air, preventing him from returning.

Thud!!

Zhao Zimu fell to the ground, rolling twice, and turned his head bitterly and reluctantly, only to see the young man on the arena bowing courteously, breathlessly saying, "Brother Zhao, it was sheer luck."

Zhao Zimu couldn't get angry at the moment, so he returned the gesture, saying, "Brother Li, you've won."

Yet, his heart was deeply discontented, feeling that he could have won, but lost by just a tiny margin.

Perhaps he shouldn't have let the other rest.

Or maybe, it was because the other's blade was longer than his.

Dammit...

Dammit all...

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