The night was black as ink while the rain continued.
Fang Lang gripped the oil paper umbrella and followed the guard to the entertainment house.
Manager Yu was perched gracefully at the entrance of the Jade Pavilion. The raindrops fell like pearls, gradually clouding her vision.
She watched as Fang Land and the guard disappeared into the haze. She pursed her red lips and entered a state of deep thought.
Manager Yu overheard some of the conversation between Fang Lang and the guard.
Her eyebrows raised momentarily.
After a moment’s thought, she gestured for the two Jade Pavilion guards who were a distance away.
They were both second-class martial arts cultivators.
“Follow them and check what’s going on. If possible, lend a hand to Young Master Fang,” said Manager Yu. Her lips were painted red and her beautiful eyes stared out into the rain.
“Understood.” The two martial arts masters bowed and put on their bamboo hats before disappearing into the rain.
The matter was settled. Manager Yu turned around and elegantly walked to the illusion area.
She was in a good mood after selling the Meteor flight sword, hence she sent the assistance. Furthermore, she wanted to be in the good books of the mysterious girl who came from Imperial City.
Whether the assistance was needed, she did not care.
She left for the main building. Her tight-fitting qipao occasionally showed skin as her slender legs traversed the area.
Just as she left, a fourth-class spell master who was responsible for maintaining and tabulating the illusion area’s information chased after her.
“Yu Xiao! Where’s the person who used the illusion area for a test drive?”
Manager Yu was surprised. What had agitated the phantasm spell master?
He even used her full name.
“He just left. What’s wrong?” Manager Yu was curious.
“He managed to rank in the top two hundred on the sword slate! On his first attempt!”
The master’s excitement was clear from the sputtering saliva.
The news came as a shock to Manager Yu.
She took a moment to recover. She widened her eyes.
“He got onto the sword slate while riding the Jade Pavilion’s Meteor line?”
Manager Yu was dumbfounded—she could not believe it.
Impossible!
The top 200 names on the sword slate were populated by professional flight sword riders.
How did Fang Lang achieve such results on a basic flight sword model?
The Meteor was an entry-level flight sword—a professional rider would struggle to reach the top 200 with it.
Manager Yu’s breathing picked up—her ample bosom expanded and contracted.
She felt as if she was at the cusp of jumpstarting the Jade Pavilion’s flight sword business.
“Quick! Activate the recall rune. Let’s have a look at Young Master Fang’s run.”
Old Fang was Fang Lang’s only blood relation in this world, hence the old man held a special spot in his heart.
His father’s love for him was immense…like a mountain of gold.
Fang Lang knew the love was from deep within his father’s heart.
When the entertainment house guard mentioned Lin Yun was drinking with Old Fang, a cloud of unpleasant feelings gathered in Fang Lang’s chest.
Was Lin Yun threatening him with Old Fang?
Anxiety coursed through Fang Lang. He did not expect Lin Yun to appear in Luojiang City.
Undoubtedly, Lin Yun was here for Fang Lang.
Why?
The Blooming Lotus Sword?
Fang Lang was pensive in the rainy night, hand clutching the umbrella.
Perhaps it was the defeat Lin Yun suffered at Fang Lang’s hands that drew him to Luojiang City? Was he dissatisfied with the outcome of the Gathering of Swords? Was he out for revenge?
All scenarios were equally as likely.
However, regardless of the reason, the use of Old Fang to lure Fang Lang was in bad taste. Fang Lang could not ignore the threat.
A fire burned and flared in Fang Lang’s chest.
The blaze in his chest slowly became a smouldering, cold anger.
After asking the guard, Fang Lang found out Lin Yun did not come alone. Fang Lang was not surprised, this was Luojiang City after all. Luojiang Academy was based here and Lin Yun would want to have support.
The accompanying person was his backup.
Raindrops fell at a higher rate, striking the umbrella and dissipating into the mist. Their surroundings were veiled by the moisture in the air.
The entertainment house was coming up.
Fang Lang stood in front of the door. Inside the entertainment house, there were several people. Coquettish ladies dressed in revealing clothing were guiding young men who walked unsteadily.
One of the figures recognized Fang Lang. “Oh! Lang’zi!”
Yang Zhengyi had lipstick stains on his neck and his hair was disheveled. His eyes brightened when he saw Fang Lang.
There was no warmth on Fang Lang’s face. His cold eyes met Yang Zhengyi’s and the smile fell off Yang Zhengyi’s face.
“Old Yang, can I ask for a favor? Can you get Mentor Wen here?” Fang Lang said.
Something was up.
Yang Zheng had seen the stern look on Fang Lang’s face before—they were childhood friends who connected at a deep level.
Without asking for clarification, Yang Zhengyi nodded.
He grabbed an oil paper umbrella and set off into the rain.
Fang Lang was not dumb—he was preparing a backup plan.
After all, he was only a sword disciple.
Fang Lang watched as Yang Zhengyi disappeared into the rainy night. Then, he proceeded with the second line of preparation.
‘System, smash the egg.’
The Green Reward Egg appeared before him. He swung the hammer without hesitation.
‘Ding! Congratulations! You have received a 5X Amplification Card, a Power Loan Card and an Enchantment Card.’
The System notification popped up. Fang Lang looked through the inventory with a neutral expression.
The escorting guard bowed slightly and water droplets dripped from his bamboo hat. “Young Master Fang, please follow me.”
It was Fang Lang’s first time visiting the entertainment house and the circumstances were not as romantic as he had envisioned his first trip to be.
A sliver of regret niggled at his chest.
A wasted first.
‘Lin Yun, the hatred between us only grows stronger.’
The silence of the night was broken by the showering rain.
Fang Lang trailed behind the guard and arrived at Chunmei Courtyard. Lanterns and torches were lit all around but the enveloping silence was uncomfortable.
Fang Lang felt as if he was on a cliff’s edge.
The rain-soaked guard shifted and resumed his position at the entrance of the courtyard.
With Manager Yu’s oil paper umbrella in hand, Fang Lang stepped into Chunmei Courtyard.
As he entered, all the eyes were instantly on him.
In the pavilion, Lin Yun wore a wide grin as he squatted on the chair, enjoying himself. He took a bite of an oily drumstick then gulped down a mouthful of expensive wine.
Old Fang was seated across Lin Yun. There was a pretty lady companion by his side.
Old Fang tensed when he saw Fang Lang. In a deep voice, he bellowed, “Lang’er! Leave!”
He clearly knew Lin Yun was here for Fang Lang.
Seeing Old Fang unharmed made Fang Lang breathe a sigh of relief.
Lin Yun tipped his head back and drank another mouthful of wine. Then, he slammed his cup down with a bang. He tortuously chewed the meat in his mouth and smiled. “There you are. It’s been a cold, rainy day. Warm yourself with a drink?
“Don’t worry. I’m just using your father to find you, and here you are. I was chatting happily with him. I won’t hurt him, it’s against the Tang Dynasty’s law. I even got the Queen of Flowers to entertain him out of good faith.”
Lin Yun hopped down from the chair and stretched. He gave Fang Lang a tight smile.
Fang Lang let his gaze move on from Old Fang to the tall and sturdy figure who sat two seats away. The figure was tasting the wine in silence.
One glance made Fang Lang’s pupils constrict—a boundless dark haze swirled in his chest.
He closed his eyes and the haze and intensity disappeared.
Fang Lang was startled. He turned his head—avoiding the stranger—and looked straight at Lin Yun.
“Are you here for the Blooming Lotus Sword?” Fang Lang asked as he folded up the umbrella. He tossed the umbrella aside.
Then, he extended his arm over his head. Slender fingers wrapped around the hilt of the Blooming Lotus Sword which rested inside the sword box.
Lin Yun walked to the edge of the pavilion. Raindrops hit the roof and flowed down the angled surface. Rainwater struck the ground and the sound disrupted the silence.
Through the curtain of rain, Lin Yun gave Fang Lang a shake of the head.
“The Blooming Lotus Sword was given to you by Chao Xiaojian. I won’t challenge your claim.”
Lin Yun lifted a hand and stroked his chest.
“I came for a personal vendetta,” Lin Yun said with gravity.
“I’ve always thought the rules for the Gathering of Swords were bullshit. What was sword fighting without cultivation? We weren’t allowed to use spiritual energy or cultivation…
“You struck me nine times across the chest. Now, I’m back to return the favor to alleviate the knot in my chest.”
Before Lin Yun could finish, Fang Lang blurred into action. The green robes fluttered in the rain—the raindrops on the clothes turned into mist.
Footsteps pattered and kicked up splashes from the puddles.
Fang Lang’s Spirit Step left afterimages in his wake.
With a leap, the afterimages coalesced and revealed the true body. Fang Lang was standing before the pavilion!
From the sword box, he drew his sword.
The light from the sword shone like lightning.
Lin Yun was obviously looking for a fight.
He even used Old Fang to lure Fang Lang. If a fight was unavoidable, there was no point talking.
Sword drawn, the murderous intent filled the rainy night.
As if sensing the cruel and cold aura, the falling rain avoided Fang Lang.
No rain touched the youth’s body.