Shangguan Yaohua was exhausted and didn't have the patience to fight with her. He said with a bit of anger in his voice, "Now that things have come to this, there are a few things I have to say. Ah Xue, we shouldn't be so inflexible. You're only meeting Li Yijie once, and I didn't ask you to apologize to him. Why are you so stubborn and unwilling to go? If you're really pushed too far, you'll have to kowtow and beg for mercy. You'll also have to suffer the humiliation of kneeling! Who told you to be so useless? You're just a few tough bones! The so-called death can be as heavy as Mount Tai or as light as a goose feather. It's all pedantic logic! A bad life is better than a good death. If you lose your life, everything is just empty talk! "
Seeing that Nangong Xue was stunned by his scolding, with tears in her eyes, he realized that he had gone too far. He hurriedly said, "It's my fault. I'm in a bad mood. I shouldn't have been so fierce to you. You're angry at Li Yijie. Now that he's living comfortably, we're the ones who are suffering. Isn't it not worth it? You have to settle this debt. You don't have to suffer because of a heartless person. "
Nangong Xue sighed. She lowered her head and stared at her reflection in the water. She said softly, "Actually, I didn't mean to be angry with Shixiong. You know, I'm not that kind of narrow-minded girl. I just don't like the fact that he knows he's in the wrong but refuses to admit it. He even wants to bite back. I also don't like the way he handles the problem. Is this how he uses his power as the Wulin Alliance Head? Status and power aren't the most important things. Not everything can be settled with these two things. If I compromise with him this time, even if it's just a small step, it'll be the same as encouraging his false arrogance. Once he's tasted the sweetness, he'll become even worse. It'll be difficult to persuade him again. "
Shangguan Yaohua said, "I understand your difficulties. How about … how about this? We'll just pretend that we've never met the two envoys sent by Li Yijie. Instead, it's because he wanted to see you that he followed you all the way here. But you still refused to forgive this heartless man. It was you who took the initiative to find him, scold him, and question him. In this way, wouldn't we be able to get back at them? Don't you feel wronged? "
Nangong Xue smiled. At the same time, she was secretly impressed. The two outcomes were clearly the same, but because of their different standpoints, the anger in their chests dissipated. Originally, going to see Li Yijie had always been an impossible thing in her heart. But now, it was gradually forming in her mind. She was even thinking about how she should ask him after seeing him.
With a bitter smile Shangguan Yaohua said, "That's right, I was able to bow and bend my knees to those people because of this. Although he was trying to curry favor with him, in his heart, he was planning to make him kneel in front of him one day when he was in power. Although in the eyes of many, I'm just a spineless clown. "Nangong Xue comforted her," No, you have to believe in yourself. This is called … tolerating what ordinary people can't. In the future, your achievements will definitely surpass others. "
The two washed themselves by the pond and tidied up their clothes. Not too far away, they arrived at another town. As soon as they passed through the city gates, they went straight to the biggest inn on the street.
As expected, the innkeeper was fiddling with an abacus. When he saw the two of them, his expression immediately changed. He pulled the account book closer to his chest and smiled apologetically, "Under the orders of the Wulin Alliance Master, this humble inn is not allowed to receive two guests … Look at the two of you, you're travel-worn and your complexions are not good. Did you just come from the previous town? Don't blame this old man for speaking out of turn. Let me give you a word of advice. The world is under the Alliance Master's control. No matter how far you hide, even if you run to the ends of the earth, no inn will dare to take you in. Everyone has to open their doors and do business. Harmony breeds wealth. The two of you shouldn't be so stubborn … "
Nangong Xue's anger rose again. She slammed the counter heavily and said angrily, "How tyrannical! Forcing the common people to not have peace, how are they different from bandits? Humph, what harmony breeds wealth? They're obviously trying to win over the rich, they'd rather offend the weak … "But how could she admit that she was weak? Thinking of this, she was so angry that she couldn't continue speaking.
Shangguan Yaohua gently pulled on her sleeve, indicating for her to calm down. He then said to the innkeeper, "Then let me ask you, where is this arrogant Alliance Master now? We'll go greet him now. Do you want us to kowtow a few times and boil a bucket of water for him to wash his feet? "
His words were laced with sarcasm. The innkeeper panicked and couldn't speak clearly. He said, "This lowly one … is only following orders. I don't even have the fortune to meet the Alliance Master. How would I know where he's staying? The Alliance Master's status is noble. He won't be interested in a small inn like ours … "
Shangguan Yaohua said unhappily, "What a joke! You keep telling us to go see him, but you don't even tell us where he is. What the hell are you going to see him for? " The innkeeper almost wanted to crawl under the counter. He said pitifully, "This … this lowly one really doesn't know …"
At this moment, a "pa" sound was heard from behind him. The sound of a folding fan opening and closing could be heard. A handsome young man walked forward with a smile like the spring breeze in March. He said, "He's just a small inn's innkeeper. He only cares about his business and doesn't know anything. If the two of you want to know, you've asked the wrong person. It's best if you don't make things difficult for him. "The innkeeper hurriedly said," Yes … yes … thank you for your understanding, Young Master. "
Shangguan Yaohua felt a wave of displeasure when he saw his refined bearing. When he was young, he was also a young master from a wealthy family. His family was the wealthiest in the capital. How impressive was that? Even when he was in dire straits, he still retained his innate arrogance. He couldn't bear to see other people being prettier than him. He also couldn't bear to see this young man's calm and collected demeanor, as if nothing in the world could enter his eyes.
This was a kind of jealousy that came from nowhere. He coldly snorted, "Oh? From what this Young Master said, you must be very clear about the Alliance Master's whereabouts, right? I'd like to ask for your guidance. " In terms of elegance, he admitted that he couldn't compare to this young man. In terms of aggressiveness, he couldn't compare to the other bandits in the Qingtian Stronghold. Both sides were about the same. Did he spend the past seven years in vain?
The young man smiled and closed his folding fan. He waved in front of him and said, "Please follow me."
Shangguan Yaohua and Nangong Xue were half-convinced and half-doubtful. However, when they heard him speak, it was as if there was some kind of magic in him. They couldn't help but follow him. They were already used to being treated like monsters on the way here. It was rare to see someone willing to interact normally with them. Instead, they found it strange.
When they reached a corner of the store, the young man leaned against the wall and casually opened his folding fan. The surface of the fan was painted with a painting of mountains and rivers. The brush strokes were extremely delicate and the ink was more of a gentle type. A faint fragrance was emitted from the handle of the fan. Shangguan Yaohua was not happy in his heart; he wanted to find some fault with him, but in his heart he said, "Humph, sissy."
The young man smiled and sized up the two of them. He said, "To be honest, I'm just a passerby. I don't know how you've offended the Alliance Leader. However, I've followed you all the way here and saw that you were treated unfairly. I feel indignant. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't be polite. I'm willing to do anything for you. "
Shangguan Yaohua said coldly, "We don't know each other. Why are you trying to get close to us? You call yourself a passerby. Do you think you can meddle in the Alliance Leader's business? You can't help us. Goodbye. " After he finished speaking, he turned to leave. Nangong Xue was stunned and didn't move. She asked, "You said you followed us all the way here? How come I didn't know? "
Shangguan Yaohua's heart skipped a beat. He said, "That's right. This is my oversight. When did he follow us? He caught us off guard. If he had any ill intentions, he could have attacked us at any time. How could I have defended against him? However … who knows if he has any ill intentions? Saying a few hypocritical words to curry favor is the most common tactic used by officials. Why don't you see who you're showing off in front of? "
The young man smiled and said, "It's not strange at all. You're focused on your own business and don't have time to pay attention to the outside world. It's reasonable that you didn't see me. It must be fate that brought us together. I have reserved a private room upstairs, with wine and meat. I wonder if the two of you would be willing to give me some face and have a chat with me? "Shangguan Yaohua said," You're too polite. We've never helped others, but we also won't accept others' benefit for no reason. Who knows what you're thinking when you're trying to curry favor with us? "
The young man's face did not show any trace of displeasure. Nangong Xue felt apologetic and hastily said, "Gongzi, please don't take offense. It's just … the Wulin Alliance Leader has issued an order. You're openly helping us at this critical moment. Aren't you afraid you'll implicate yourself? "
The young man laughed and said, "I'm very knowledgeable, but in all my life I've never known how to write the word 'afraid'." Shangguan Yaohua said, "What a big tone! If you're not afraid, why should we care? Ah Xue, let's follow him. I don't believe he's hiding some man-eating monster in his room. "
The young man said, "Xiongtai's words are very interesting. Perhaps there are monsters, but they especially like young people with soft skin and tender flesh like you. "" Humph, "Shangguan Yaohua said," Let's go! Don't tell me you want us to show you the way to your room? "The young man laughed. He looked at Shangguan Yaohua a few more times, and then walked forward on his own. Nangong Xue looked at the young man's back. Not without fear she grabbed Shangguan Yaohua's hand. The two of them, one in front and one behind, followed the young man upstairs.
The young man stopped in front of a room. He casually pushed the door with both hands. Before he even touched the door, the two wooden planks on the door opened automatically. The room's windows were bright and clean, the furnishings were elegant and clean. In the corner of the room was a dish of incense, emitting a strong fragrance. The smoke slowly rose in spirals, creating an extremely unreal illusion. In the middle of the room was a large round table, with seven or eight small dishes of different sizes on it. The bowls were filled to the brim with fine wine. The wine's light rippled like rippling waves, making people drool.
Standing in front of the table, the aroma of the food immediately overpowered the fragrance of the incense, assailing their nostrils. Shangguan Yaohua noticed that none of the dishes had been touched. It was as if they had been ordered to be left here, waiting for the two of them to arrive. Suspicion immediately arose in his heart.
The young man waved his folding fan and said, "These leftovers can't compare to the Alliance Leader's feast. I hope the two of you don't mind. Sit down." As he said this, he didn't bother being courteous to the two of them.
Shangguan Yaohua sized him up a few more times. He saw that the young man's clothes were gorgeous. His eyebrows were tied with a gilded forehead band, and his shoulders were inlaid with two jade pendants that looked like heart protectors. The top and bottom of his clothes were decorated with translucent crystal pieces. They were of different lines and colors, but they didn't appear stiff at all. Instead, they blended together, looking neat and tidy.
His waist was ramrod straight. From the side, he looked as slender as a woman. His waist was tied with an exquisite jade ring embedded with jewels. His outer garment was covered with a blue satin coat with eight embroidered patterns. His trousers were made of silver silk, and he wore a pair of gold-threaded boots. His entire body exuded the air of a wealthy young master. Shangguan Yaohua himself wasn't so outstanding before.
Nangong Xue was the first to sit down. Seeing Shangguan Yaohua still standing motionless, she pulled his sleeve. Shangguan Yaohua didn't want to give face to Nangong Xue, so he reluctantly sat down.
He picked up his wine cup and raised it in the air. He was still angry. When he saw that person smiling and toasting Nangong Xue, he couldn't help but put his cup down on the table and said, "Young Master, there's no point in being secretive, is there? Don't blame me for being direct. Along the way, when people saw us, they avoided us like snakes or scorpions. Why did you take the initiative to worm your way into being friends with us? Even if your family is particularly powerful and influential, who can guarantee that there won't be any unforeseen events in the future? Why do we need you to join in the fun? "
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