It was snowing lightly. This year in the south, there were snowflakes as big as a child's hand that were rarely seen.
Under the heavy snow, it was difficult to travel on the courier road. There was still a day's journey to Shangyin Academy. The two carriages traveled at a fast pace. The heavy snow blocked the road. When they arrived at a manor near a lake, they took a detour a few li to find a lodging. Looking at the heavy snow, it seemed like it wouldn't stop for two or three days. If they didn't stay for one night, they would have to continue their journey. This was because the path from the official courier road to the private residence was particularly bumpy. In fact, with the cultivation of the Zhu Pao otherworldly item and Wang Xiaoping of Wudang, they could easily melt the several feet of snow on the road. However, that would be too shocking. Hsu Fengnian also didn't want to act so ostentatiously. Five or six li of snow actually took nearly two hours to travel. There was a plaque with golden words hanging at the entrance of the manor. Hsu Fengnian was a knowledgeable person. With one glance, he could tell that this plaque was written by Dong Fu, who wrote the fourth line of the world, "The Sacrificial Text for Deer Reaping". Youyan Mountain Manor was a big manor that had produced a father and son Wulin Alliance Master. Their family had a long history. It was one of the few sects in Jianghu that had dominated Jianghu with the strength of a single family. They cultivated both internally and externally, and were good at qi cultivation and sword forging. Youyan Mountain Manor's Dragon Rock Incense Burner was once as famous as the Tangxi Sword Furnace that forged the Ba Xiu Sword, but the Tangxi Sword Furnace was now in ruins. Although the Dragon Rock Incense Burner did not follow in the footsteps of the Dragon Rock Incense Burner, it was a pity that it had been closed for twenty or thirty years. In the past sixty years, this manor had never produced any outstanding talents. It was only supported by the accumulated kindness of its ancestors. However, within the boundaries of a province, it was still worthy of being called the leader of Jianghu and could not be underestimated. Hsu Fengnian got off the carriage. The manor was sweeping the snow in front of its door. Even though it was snowing heavily, the manor still had servants diligently sweeping the snow every few hours. This caused the snow on the ground to be thin, which was enough to show its foundation.
When the two carriages came to visit the villa under this kind of heaven-defying circumstances, the gatekeeper, who was warming himself with the fireplace in the side room near the gate, hurriedly ran out, for fear of neglecting the guests. Youyan Mountain Villa had always had a good reputation, and was considerate and meticulous to the servants. After winter, before it snowed, they had already sent out mink hats and thick clothes, as well as an extra bag of silver to keep out the cold. As the gatekeeper of the main gate, Zhang Mu could be considered a small leader, and was also the face of the villa. The quality of his mink hat was exceptionally good, and he was also able to wear a fox fur coat. Even an ordinary official of a county may not have such an imposing manner. Zhang Mu welcomed and sent off people, and had seen many people of the government in the martial arts world. The two carriages were not out of the ordinary, and were the handiwork of a small family. But the men and women really made Zhang Mu, who had trained his fiery eyes, jump in fright. The young man in the lead had white hair, white fur, and white boots. There was a simple blade hanging from his waist, and a pair of red phoenix eyes. He was so handsome that it was out of control. The young master of the villa could already be considered a rare handsome man, but seemed to be inferior to him. Beside the white-haired young man stood the purple-clothed woman. Not to mention her appearance, that strange and deep aura, why was it like the old villa master he had seen when he was young? Why did he feel fear and dread from the bottom of his heart? After just one glance, he did not dare to look anymore. Behind the young man and woman, there was a robust young man, as well as a withered man whose depth could not be determined. There was also an old Confucian scholar who was shivering in the cold and stamping his feet.
Zhang Mu muttered in his stomach. They were all unfamiliar faces. Could it be that it was almost the new year, and they had come to the villa to borrow a sword to observe the sword? Youyan Mountain Villa had a lot of hidden swords, and all of them were extraordinary. Many famous swordsmen in Jianghu liked to borrow swords here to feast their eyes. The current villa master had a generous personality and had friends all over the world. It was fine to observe the sword, but if you met someone who wanted to borrow a sword, you would not be able to return it. This caused the number of hidden swords in the villa to dwindle day by day. The old villa master had passed down more than ninety famous swords, but now there was less than half left. This was because the virtuous madam did not hesitate to quarrel with the villa master several times, and with great difficulty, she sealed a few of the sharpest peerless swords into the old sword furnace. Otherwise, they would have been ruined by the people of Jianghu.
Hsu Fengnian lightly clasped his fists and said with a little guilt, "It just so happens that the snow is blocking the road, so I am unable to continue south. I am Hsu Fengnian, and have long heard of the great name of Youyan Mountain Villa. I have shamelessly come to stay here for a day or two. I hope you can forgive me."
Zhang Mu heard the accent of Great Peace City, and did not sound like someone who had deliberately come to ask for a famous sword. He felt relieved. The villa master liked to welcome guests from all over the world. Zhang Mu had been influenced by him, and the servants had also been influenced by him. As long as it was not those so-called swordsmen who liked to fish for compliments and take advantage of others, Zhang Mu was not disgusted. In addition, these people in front of him had an extraordinary aura, and their words and mannerisms did not have the arrogance and conceit of an aristocratic family. Zhang Mu was also a little closer to them. He was hesitating whether to ask them to wait for a moment so that his subordinates could go and report, but he felt that it was inappropriate for these guests who had come from afar to wait outside in the snow. If they were really the children of aristocratic families, then it would attract unnecessary trouble to Youyan Mountain Villa. But if he took the initiative to lead them in, and if something happened, then he, as a little gatekeeper, could not afford to be offended. Just as Zhang Mu was in a dilemma, the young master surnamed Xu had already smiled and said, "I will trouble mister to inform the villa master that I will wait here quietly. If there is any inconvenience, then it is fine. Xu Qi was able to see Dong Fu's semi-cursive, so he came in high spirits. Even if he did not enter, he would still leave in high spirits."
Zhang Mu did not dare to speculate about the personality of this young master, but he paid attention to the details and was very sensible! Zhang Mu felt comfortable in his heart, and respectfully clasped his fists in return. Taking advantage of the situation, he said with a smile, "If I may be so bold as to ask young master Xu to wait for a moment, Zhang Mu will personally go and inform the villa master."
Hsu Fengnian stretched out a hand, indicating that the gatekeeper did not need to pay attention to them. Then he quietly stood in the wind and snow, looking up from afar to admire the golden words "Youyan Mountain Villa" on the plaque. It was smooth and full, and deeply understood the realm of neutrality and peace. About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Mu trotted out. His pace was quick, light, and not impatient. It was obvious that he was a martial artist who had come to visit, and was not comparable to those people in Jianghu who randomly made up a few sets of skills and called themselves heroes. Behind him was an old man who looked like a housekeeper. After seeing Hsu Fengnian and the others, he clasped his fists and said in a clear voice, "Young master Xu, please come in. This time, Youyan Mountain Villa has been disrespectful. I am Zhang Han, and I will lead the way for young master. The house has already set up a stove and warmed up a few pots of yellow wine. "
Hsu Fengnian smiled and returned the greeting, "Hsu Fengnian has disturbed you in advance. Let me first thank you for your kindness in lodging at Youyan Mountain Villa."
The housekeeper hurriedly led the way and waved his hand with a smile, "Young master Xu, there is no need to be so polite. It is just that we have not received you well. I hope young master can speak freely. Although Youyan Mountain Villa is not an aristocratic family, as long as an important guest comes to visit, we have never been stingy with our hospitality."
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