Chapter 47 - Family Of Three
“The envoy’s assistance has been much appreciated, and I naturally remember it,” Yang Shifei’s heart skipped a beat, but he remained composed on the surface.
Qiu Buhuan stared at his face, her eyes showing a hint of curiosity.
She had specifically asked the Duke for their location, not just to greet them, but also with some other thoughts in mind.
Yesterday, when they shook hands, there was a strange lingering warmth in her palms, as if even her body and mind had been soothed.
Having practiced martial arts for thirty years, she had never experienced such inexplicable techniques.
An inexperienced youth who had not cultivated internal strength but possessed an incredibly strong physique, actually had the ability to bypass her body’s internal energy with mysterious methods, affecting her just by shaking hands.
She pondered the reason for this and had almost not slept all night.
Now that Yang Shifei was right in front of her, she was about to speak and probe further, but caught sight of two figures inside the room from the corner of her eye.
“Sisters, I have been rude. I didn’t expect Brother Yang to bring two female companions?”
“This is my fiancée and maid.”
Yang Shifei slightly turned and introduced, “This is the Saint Envoy of Thousand Blade Forge I mentioned yesterday.”
Luo Xian’er nodded calmly, “I have long heard of the saint envoy’s reputation, and seeing you today, it’s indeed extraordinary.”
Qiu Buhuan smiled faintly, “Sister, you also look stunning and ethereal. Perhaps no woman in the world can compare. I didn’t expect Brother Yang to be so lucky, which is reassuring.”
Yang Shifei’s mind raced, and he calmly said, “Miss Qiu, would you like to come in for a while?”
“Brother already has two female companions, do you still want to add one more?” Qiu Buhuan cast a flirtatious glance and smiled seductively, “However, if this sister doesn’t mind, I don’t mind either.”
Yang Shifei felt sweat forming on his forehead.
What kind of trouble was this Saint Envoy causing?
“If it’s Young Master Yang’s choice, I will certainly agree.”
At this moment, Luo Xian’er walked over with an indifferent expression, “But, Saint Envoy, is this trip to make things difficult for Young Master Yang?”
“Hehe, sister misunderstood.”
Qiu Buhuan smiled coquettishly, “I see Brother Yang’s extraordinary talent and couldn’t help but feel amazed. In the future, if he encounters any difficulties, I want to take care of him more. Although tonight is a grand gathering of heroes, there are all kinds of people coming, and I want to ensure Brother Yang’s safety.”
As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed Yang Shifei’s right hand tightly.
“Moreover, I truly…”
But before she finished speaking, Qiu Buhuan suddenly blushed, her peach blossom eyes watery, seemingly affectionate and charming.
Yang Shifei was even more bewildered.
He hadn’t figured out why this woman had such a high level of favor towards him, and suddenly she was holding his hand again and throwing flirtatious looks.
But what followed was the even colder and more ominous gaze from Tan Xiang inside the room, piercing into his heart like a sword.
Luo Xian’er, with her beautiful eyes, just tightened her sleeves and remained silent.
“-Ah! Brother Yang, I didn’t expect you to be on the second floor too?”
From the far end of the corridor, Liang Xin came briskly with a smile on his face. However, as soon as he saw the situation at the door, three cold gazes shot at him. His smile froze on his face, maintaining the posture of waving his hand in greeting, he silently stepped back until he turned around and entered another guest room, closing the door with a bang.
“…”
Yang Shifei’s lips twitched.
This guy, was he here to liven things up?
Thanks to Liang Xin’s sudden appearance, Yang Shifei quickly cleared his throat and said, “Miss Qiu, thank you for your kind intentions. But my fiancée has a strong cultivation, we won’t get into trouble.”
“If, if this sister here can protect, it’s naturally the best.”
Qiu Buhuan blushed, her chest heaving dramatically under her tightly wrapped white robe. “Then, I won’t bother you two anymore. If anything happens, come find me on the third floor.”
Feeling the struggling strength in the grip of her fingers, she belatedly let go, smiling awkwardly.
Yang Shifei breathed a sigh of relief, clasping his hands, “The banquet is about to begin. Miss Qiu, you should go back early. I won’t see you off.”
“Mm.” Qiu Buhuan waved her hand in farewell and turned to leave.
As she heard the sound of the door closing behind her, her legs suddenly went weak, and she leaned against the corridor wall for support before she almost collapsed.
“What, what on earth is this…”
Her eyes were still moist, her hand covering her chest as she breathed gently. Even her legs under her skirt were trembling.
The warmth in her palms spread even more intensely than yesterday, quickly permeating throughout her body. If it weren’t for her strong internal force holding her up, she would have lost her composure in front of everyone.
“What kind of method did this man use?”
Was it some strange aphrodisiac she had never seen before? Or some peculiar technique that targeted her internal cultivation?
Qiu Buhuan’s mind flashed through various speculations, but they were all dismissed one by one.
With her cultivation level, she couldn’t think of anyone in this world who could secretly manipulate her without her noticing. Even the most mysterious aphrodisiac couldn’t make her feel even the slightest bit different.
This warmth seemed to emanate from the depths of her flesh and blood, like something from the bottom of her heart.
Qiu Buhuan gradually calmed the heat in her body, her breathing returned to normal, and her steps became steady again, but her complexion became even more rosy.
She couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she thought about it, leaving only one reason that she herself couldn’t understand—
“After practicing martial arts for decades, could it be that even I have moments of spring-like feelings?”
Qiu Buhuan’s heart was in turmoil, her expression extremely complicated.
…
As the door closed, Yang Shifei silently swallowed his saliva.
He turned stiffly and faced the two women inside the room again.
But unexpectedly, the extremely cold atmosphere from just now was gradually easing.
Tan Xiang just glanced over as usual and walked silently to the window.
Luo Xian’er remained calm and said, “This woman must have some ulterior motive, we can see that.”
Yang Shifei instantly felt relieved. “Miss Luo understands, that’s good.”
Luo Xian’er’s beautiful eyes blinked lightly, her expression softening. “Although this woman’s words and actions are strange, I can also see that she has no ill intentions towards the young master. There must be some hidden reason behind it.”
“After all, she is the Saint Envoy of Thousand Blade Forge. If there is a chance in the future, I’ll investigate her intentions further?”
“Mm, young master need not worry.”
Ding Ling—
At this moment, Tan Xiang shook the copper bell by the window, and soon after, attendants brought in steaming dishes one by one.
At the same time, people from the Jianghu arrived one after another. The backyard, which had seemed somewhat empty before, gradually became crowded with people, and the noisy voices filled the air.
For a while, the sounds of reminiscing and laughter were continuous, making it even livelier than the market on normal days.
“There are so many people.”
Yang Shifei sat down beside Luo Xian’er, unable to help but exclaim.
With crowds of people everywhere, martial artists from various sects were sitting together, wearing all kinds of clothing and carrying various weapons, which was truly dazzling.
Luo Xian’er glanced out the window and said, “After all, this concerns the Sacred Martial Stone, which naturally attracts attention from the martial world. Tonight not only provides an opportunity to witness the wonders of Sacred Martial Stone, but also serves as a good occasion for many martial artists to make a name for themselves.”
Yang Shifei smiled, “That’s consistent with our thoughts.”
He looked at Tan Xiang, who was standing beside him, and gently grabbed her slender wrist. “You shouldn’t keep standing. Sit down with us.”
“I…”
Tan Xiang hesitated for a moment, but seeing Luo Xian’er nod in agreement, she sighed softly and sat down beside Yang Shifei.
“The dishes are served, let’s start eating.”
Yang Shifei handed the chopsticks to the two beauties on his left and right, smiling lightly. “It’s rare for the three of us to sit down and have a meal together.”
Looking at several burly men downstairs raising their glasses and drinking heartily, he couldn’t help but be curious and asked, “If the Saint Weapon can be snatched from the Liang Empire in the Thousand Blade Forge by these martial artists, does it mean they don’t have to hand it over to the royal family?”
“The Saint Weapons repel each other. Since the royal family already has one, they won’t intervene in the dispute.” Luo Xian’er explained calmly, “Compared to giving it to another country, it’s naturally better for it to flow into our own martial arts sects.”
“Is that Elder Yan over there?” Yang Shifei squinted, “Are they also trying to compete for the Saint weapon?”
“The Saint weapon is more precious than you imagine.”
Tan Xiang had just poured wine for the two of them and said coldly, “If one can possess the Saint weapon, they can rise to the top sects of the world, and even use the power of the Saint weapon to comprehend the realm of an Earthly Immortal.”
Yang Shifei understood. This Saint weapon was an all-around cheating tool that any martial artist would want to get their hands on.
He listened carefully for a while and actually heard quite a few interesting stories.
In the courtyard, martial artists from various factions were chatting and discussing many secrets of the Jianghu.
Not only about where famous masters had duels and who made a fool of themselves, but also about certain female warriors flirting with someone, who became romantically involved with a certain thief, which enchantress clashed with the constable, and so on.
There was even a poor young swordsman who had his wife seduced away. Amidst the consolation of his friends, he cried bitterly with tears streaming down his face, then suddenly drew his sword in anger, shouting, “I swear to kill all the adulterers and seducers in the world!” This moved many people around him to applause.
Yang Shifei was about to applaud too, but applause broke out beside him first.
Looking left and right, he found that Luo Xian’er and Tan Xiang were already lightly clapping.
“You two…”
“That young swordsman spoke well,” Luo Xian’er cast a gentle glance, “Since it’s a lifelong commitment, how can one abandon their husband? Such women deserve to be criticized.”
Yang Shifei chuckled twice.
He should be happy that his fiancée had such insight. But on second thought, he himself seemed to be flirting with three girls, and it sent a chill down his spine.
Luo Xian’er’s eyes gleamed with amusement as she suddenly poked his hand, “Young master seems to have some self-awareness.”
“Cough, cough!”
Yang Shifei, feeling guilty, quickly looked out the window.
The three of them listened for a while longer before putting aside the interesting anecdotes they had just heard.
This vast martial arts world was indeed a melting pot where anything could happen. Just listening to the gossip was enough entertainment for three meals.
Yang Shifei was about to peel a shrimp for himself when two plump white shrimp were almost simultaneously placed into his bowl.
“…”
The movements of Luo Xian’er and Tan Xiang both froze.
Yang Shifei’s smile also froze on his face.
Tan Xiang pursed her lips, wanting to withdraw her hand.
But Yang Shifei was quick to act, snatching both shrimps with his chopsticks, “I’ll do it myself.”
With that, he lowered his head and swallowed both shrimp in a gulp, “It’s really delicious!”
Luo Xian’er blinked her eyes, her expression gradually softening.
On the other side, Tan Xiang’s eyes were cold, as if looking at some scum.
“Don’t just let me eat alone, you two should try it too.”
Yang Shifei pretended to be calm and smiled, handing them both several shrimps each.
Tan Xiang silently lowered her head and ate her vegetables.
Luo Xian’er tucked her hair behind her ear and took a bite of shrimp.
“The royal chef’s skills are indeed excellent.”
“Would you like to try this?” Yang Shifei brought them a lot of hot dishes.
Luo Xian’er smiled and gently held his sleeve, “Alright, we can’t eat so much. But young master, you’re training your body, so you should eat more.”
“That’s right.” Tan Xiang also spoke coldly, her delicate hands deftly peeling a crab. “These seafood delicacies were just caught, and now they’re at their peak freshness.”
Then, she picked up a piece of crab meat and stuffed it directly into Yang Shifei’s mouth. “Eat.”
“Cough!”
“Miss, and yours too.”
“Thank you.” Luo Xian’er took a piece of crab meat. Looking at the current atmosphere, a hint of a strange color appeared in her eyes.
Now, it seemed like a family of three…