"Hurry up and fetch water..."
"Be careful, the roof beam is collapsing..."
Whoosh whoosh...
The fight had already subsided, but the town still wasn't quiet. The constables and laborers in the town were running back and forth to put out the fire.
The Silver Hook Horse Face was holding the little girl and comforting the young couple. Tu Jiujin, whose body was as huge as a hill, although there was still a head with eyes wide open hanging from his waistband, had lost the brutality of smashing the man into minced meat just now. He was standing in the collapsed house where the flames hadn't been extinguished, lifting the roof beam alone and searching for those who were trapped underneath.
After observing from the entrance of the town for a while, Ye Jingtang picked up Third Miss, who was pretending to be injured, in a horizontal position. Turning his back to the town where the flames were soaring, he walked towards the dark night with a somewhat complicated expression.
Pei Xiangjun leaned on Ye Jingtang's shoulder and looked back at the messy town. She said softly:
"Do you think the martial arts world isn't that great?"
"Hehe, I was born a martial artist. I'm not qualified to say that."
"After wandering in the martial arts world for a long time, everyone has this feeling. There's an old saying in the world that 'if one day there's only fine wine and no stories in the martial arts world, it must be an unprecedentedly enlightened and prosperous era.' It's never the people in the martial arts world who are wrong, but those who turn people into what they are in the martial arts world."
Ye Jingtang carried Third Miss out of the city gate and looked down at the charming woman who was still looking back. He said:
"Third Miss, your words are quite philosophical."
Pei Xiangjun let out a soft "hum~". She raised her eyes to look at Ye Jingtang and found that his handsome face was very close, from an angle she had never seen before. Those bright black eyes were like stars in the night sky, making her heart tingle.
"Alright, put me down."
There was a strange look in Pei Xiangjun's eyes. She turned over and landed on the ground, patted the dust on her skirt, and rubbed her shoulder:
"Sizzle... He really struck hard..."
Ye Jingtang had already returned to normal. Seeing this scene, he came to her side again and held her arm:
"Is the injury serious?"
"It's not a big deal, just a bit painful."
Pei Xiangjun was a martial artist with a strong physique. But she didn't practice the kind of martial arts that made her invulnerable to weapons. It was inevitable that she would feel pain when she was hit by a flying hammer without any defense.
Ye Jingtang reached out and touched her fragrant shoulder. He found that the skin under the cloth seemed to be swollen. He frowned and said:
"You could have just dodged it. Why did you take the hit?"
"Chen Miao is no small figure. His martial arts are even better than Song Chi's. He was already rushing over to mediate just now. If I dodged too obviously, it would be easy for him to see something was wrong."
When Pei Xiangjun said this, she gave Ye Jingtang a嗔怨 (resentful) look:
"You know my background. Why did you rush over in such a hurry? If others saw that, wouldn't they think that our relationship is ambiguous..."
Ye Jingtang shook his head helplessly and took out the medicine for bruises and sprains from his bosom:
"Let's go back to the ship quickly. Although it's a minor injury, with Third Miss's body, it doesn't look like it can take a beating. It would be troublesome if you got a scar."
Pei Xiangjun was a bit absent-minded. She glanced at Ye Jingtang's profile and didn't say anything. She walked towards the riverbank unhurriedly, and then...
Where was the ship?
Ye Jingtang came to the stone beach by the river and looked around. He saw that the river surface was sparkling under the moonlight. Except for the scattered fishing lights, there was no sign of the ferry.
"Uh..."
Pei Xiangjun also remembered at this moment that when they were in a hurry to watch the excitement and rushed out, the ship was moving.
The two of them watched the battle situation on the city wall and also helped to rescue the hostage. It took about a quarter of an hour for a round trip.
The passenger ferry was very light and was sailing with the wind and current. According to the normal sailing speed, it had already sailed more than ten li away.
Ye Jingtang looked at the empty river surface and suddenly felt like a fool in the story of "marking the boat to seek the sword". He said awkwardly:
"It seems we stayed there a bit too long... Should I carry Third Miss and chase after it?"
"Chasing a downstream boat along the river is too tiring. Let's just rest here. There are many boats coming and going on the Qingjiang River. When the next ferry passes by, we can just get on it. Xiuhe will definitely wait at the next dock."
Pei Xiangjun looked around and found a stone for washing clothes by the river. She walked over and sat down gracefully sideways, gently massaging her shoulder with her hand.
Ye Jingtang stood by the river and looked around. Not seeing the ferry, he picked up several pieces of dry wood and hay from the river beach. He used a flint to light a special fire starter and started a small bonfire.
Pei Xiangjun saw Ye Jingtang's skillful and somewhat pitiful appearance and said softly:
"You have all the necessary things. Did you suffer a lot in the past?"
Ye Jingtang sat beside Pei Xiangjun, placing his saber flat on his knees:
"It's not really suffering. The border areas are very poor. Being able to eat and drink to your fill is already considered being among the upper class. Since I was a child, I followed my adoptive father on escort missions. Along the way, I enjoyed the scenery, drank wine, and listened to stories from all over. It was quite carefree."
Pei Xiangjun blinked her eyes, moved closer, and said meaningfully:
"Shouldn't there also be a line like 'looking at girls from all directions'? Are you too embarrassed to say it?"
Ye Jingtang nodded with a smile: "There is indeed such a line. But I was still young at that time and didn't understand these things. I was just looking at the acrobatics and opera performances and really didn't pay attention to the girls on the way."
"Do you understand now?"
"..."
Ye Jingtang was at a loss for words.
Pei Xiangjun let out a "puff~" laugh and didn't tease the innocent Young Jingtang like a naughty elder sister anymore. Instead, she said:
"I wasn't as carefree as you, Third Miss. When I was very young, I was taken to the Pei family to be a disciple and a young lady. I stayed at home all day, learning martial arts and literature. I didn't know about Honghua Tower until I was fourteen or fifteen years old. Then, a few years later, your master passed away. Not long after my eldest brother took the position, the burden fell on my shoulders..."
Ye Jingtang stirred the bonfire with a firewood stick:
"Third Miss, have you never wandered in the martial arts world?"
"I've never gone out alone. The capital has always been peaceful, and there aren't many martial artists to be seen. After becoming the leader of Honghua Tower, with my strength not being strong enough, I didn't dare to show my face at all. There have been very few times when I came out alone to watch the excitement like today. It's quite a pity. Hmm..."
Pei Xiangjun recalled the past for a moment, then furrowed her brows slightly and rubbed her shoulder with her hand.
Seeing this, Ye Jingtang hesitated for a moment and asked:
"Do you want me to take a look at it?"
?
Pei Xiangjun blinked her eyes. Her eyes, which were originally full of charm, took on a somewhat different meaning. She turned her head and looked Ye Jingtang up and down.
Ye Jingtang raised his hand slightly: "I'm just worried that it might affect the muscles and bones. If it's delayed for too long, there could be problems. If Third Miss thinks it's inappropriate, then forget it."
Pei Xiangjun hesitated for a moment and didn't say much. She looked around and, seeing that there was no one around, turned her back, loosened her belt a bit, and then pulled open the light yellow upper garment along her neck.
Rustle rustle...
The silver moonlight and the firelight intertwined.
Pei Xiangjun, with her back to him, slightly pulled open the collar of her right shoulder, revealing her fair neck and round shoulder. Her skin was as white and tender as jade under the light.
Half of a beautiful shoulder was exposed from the back. It wasn't really revealing much. The only thing that could be seen was the string of the light yellow bellyband, which was also blocked by her hairpin.
But with the plump and alluring back and her charming temperament, the impact of this slight disrobing was indescribable, as if she were a charming fox luring people under the moon.
Ye Jingtang instinctively sat up a bit straighter and didn't dare to look around casually:
"Uh... I just said it casually, Third Miss..."
Pei Xiangjun gently turned her head back. Her chin and the rosy lips that were the color that could attract men were almost touching her fair shoulder. She looked at Ye Jingtang with a serious and dignified expression:
"Jingtang, you know who I am to you. It's just a shoulder. It's not like I'm taking off my clothes. If you have improper thoughts, then I've misjudged you..."
Ye Jingtang let out a sigh. He sat closer with a normal expression and examined her shoulder.
The place where her shoulder was hit by the sledgehammer clearly had a bruise, like a spot of ink on a flawless piece of jade. Although it wasn't serious, it was very noticeable.
In addition, when his gaze crossed her shoulder, he could see her collarbone. But Pei Xiangjun was covering the collar with her hand, so he couldn't see anything spectacular.
Ye Jingtang's expression remained normal, showing no hint of desire. He took out the Yulong Ointment and applied it to the bruised area with his fingers.
"Ouch~..."
As soon as he touched it, Pei Xiangjun's shoulder shrank. She turned her head back:
"Be gentle~ Do you think I have thick skin like you?"
"Oh."
Ye Jingtang's fingers became gentler and applied the ointment slowly.
Pei Xiangjun's face turned a bit red. Maintaining the dignity and calmness that a female leader should have, she turned her head to look. Seeing that Ye Jingtang's expression was solemn, as serious as if he were offering incense to his ancestors, she felt at ease and also found it a bit funny.
Ye Jingtang was a true gentleman and knew not to look around casually. Naturally, Pei Xiangjun relaxed and looked at the river view. She casually asked:
"Jingtang, where is the girl you like from?"
Ye Jingtang was carefully applying the medicine to the bruised area and smiled:
"Why are you asking this, Third Miss?"
"Just curious. You will be the young leader of Honghua Tower in the future. You're half my disciple. If you're lured away by some wild flower outside, of course I'll be heartbroken. Is it okay for me to ask?"
"Hehe, she's a female martial artist from the Tiannan area."
"What kind of person is she? Is she good to you?"
She's very fierce to me!
When Ye Jingtang talked about this, he couldn't help but think of Luo Ning's appearance of a "humiliated chivalrous woman" with her head tilted and tears in her eyes. He smiled and said:
"Um... She's usually cold and keeps people at a distance, and she's quite innocent. But in front of me, she's more lively. She's very quick at tidying up the house and cooks delicious food. She's very virtuous..."
Pei Xiangjun quietly turned her head and glanced at him. She could clearly see the nostalgia in Ye Jingtang's eyes and the joy when he mentioned his "sweetheart", which was exactly in line with the saying "the eyes that like someone can't be hidden".
Pei Xiangjun blinked her almond-shaped eyes. After the medicine was applied, she pulled up her collar and adjusted her clothes. She let out a soft sigh:
"Such a good girl. You must cherish her. Try to find a way to let her come and live in the capital. Come to the Pei family, and I'll have a companion. A beautiful female martial artist wandering alone in the martial arts world, to be honest, I'm not at ease. You're also rather careless."
How could Ye Jingtang be at ease? But Luo Ning was so stubborn in her attitude. He had no choice but to say:
"She'll be back by the end of this month. By the way, Third Miss, you don't have a sweetheart either. Have you ever considered getting married?"
Pei Xiangjun turned around and slightly puffed out her chest, indicating her substantial family background:
"I'm the leader of Honghua Tower. I can't marry outside. I can only take a husband into my family. I'm wealthy, highly skilled in martial arts, and not bad-looking. I also have a considerable status in the martial arts world. What kind of man do you think I should take in as a husband? I look down on those who are below my level, and men with ability and status won't endure the humiliation of marrying into a woman's family..."
Ye Jingtang thought about it and frowned: "Then what should we do?"
"What else can we do? When there's really no other way someday, I'll just marry a suitable disciple from the Azure Dragon Hall. It's better to keep the benefits within the family. Your aunt actually has a candidate in mind. Do you want to hear about it?"
"..."
Ye Jingtang didn't really want to hear it and shook his head: "Marriage is a major matter and can't be草率 (hasty). Third Miss should still make the decision herself."
"What decision can I make by myself? In matters of marriage, one should listen to the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers..."
When Pei Xiangjun said this, she saw a large brightly lit ship floating upstream on the Qingjiang River. She stopped talking, let out a soft sigh, and stood up:
"The ship is here. Let's go."
Seeing this, Ye Jingtang extinguished the bonfire and accompanied her as they leaped into the water and sped away on the water's surface...