Blue Wine Lake, known as one of the few famous places within Clear Jade Province.
The lake was enormous, extending for tens of miles, which also became the habitat for various exotic plants and spiritual aquatic life.
Numerous cultivators and scholars would come to this place at the end of every month.
The day of the full moon!
During this period, a pleasant fragrant of wine would emanate from the lake. Attracting many Aurora Wine fish to show up, one of the best aquatic products could be caught in this place.
It was unknown why there was such an odd occurrence.
Numerous people have tried to explore the mystery behind the novelty of the Blue Wine Lake throughout the years, yet none have succeeded to this day.
...
Night arrived, there was a translucent layer of mist drifting on the surface of the lake.
Once the moonlight glow on its crystalline water, just like the most delicate mirror, its lustrous surface reflecting the starry sky.
The magnificence of nature is uniquely starting to unfold at this moment.
Since Blue Wine Lake attracted quite a bit of attention every full moon, all the five prominent families have taken the opportunity to make preparations in advance.
Of course, the Rainbow Auction takes the most significant piece of this cake. They build a huge gathering point next to the lake, and all the cultivators would gather there to trade, forming a bustling night market.
After all, with the reputation of the Rainbow Auction, rarely would anymore dare to cause a scene; hence the trade would be much safer.
Currently, the lakesides was light up by thousands of campfires, filled with numerous people, mortals, and cultivators alike. However, this is not the limit as many more people were still coming.
The number of campfires was growing by the minutes!
...
Inside the night market, people were chilling and gossiping as the atmosphere reaching its peak.
"Bro, did you hear the rumors? The town mayor's son passed away from a mysterious illness." Squatting behind a stall, a skinny man was chatting with his acquaintances.
"Why are you even believing that bull craft? How many times has it been? I bet you that in a few more days, that bastard would just swaggering around normally like always." Poking his ear, a man with a mustache said exaggeratedly.
"This talk is getting too old. Ol Hei, you should think of something different." A different man walked over and joined the talk.
"F*CK, believe me, dude! I'm serious!"
"The servant of Wei has even worn mourning clothes these days."
"Yeah, from what I know. A few days ago, a group of mysterious people tried to release poison gas near the slum."
"What? are you sure?"
"Of course, my house was near that deserted alley; the sound of heavy collision almost scared me to death."
"From what I know, although grieved at his son's death, the town mayor Wei Li said that he nevertheless heroically battle with the bad guys. He didn't even go to the monthly auction, missing the chance to bid for the Rank 2 Qi Condensation Pill!"
...
While walking amidst the mixed crowd of people, Zhu Dingxiang's eyes were glittering. He realizes that this place is way more popular than he initially expected.
"Brother Dingxiang, you should be cautious at this night market. My mother said there was a clash between higher realm experts in the town a few days ago. From the traits left behind, there are many corpses belongs to multiple Qi Condensation cultivators..."
Looking at Zhu Dingxiang's carefree manner, Qiao Qiuyue paused for a second then continued.
"Although I believe that you are strong, brother Dingxiang, many experts gathered here this time of the month; please be alert..."
Having known each other for some time already, she has long noticed that he has an easy-going attitude. Casually, she explains to him many things to take note of before they entered the night market.
Treading next to Zhu Dingxiang, Qiao Qiuyue wore a cream-colored cherry blossom print kimono dress and an all-white stocking. She looks like a bright and valiant heroine walking out from an ancient painting with the longbow carrying on her back.
Although she had covered her face with a veil, he could still detect the worries hidden in her eyes.
"Umm, I will be careful." With a nod, Zhu Dingxiang could feel his heart beating erratically, like a war drum. While the relationship between them wasn't clear, inside, he already considered this to be a date!
Be it in his past or his current life, this was the first time he has gone out with anyone. Thinking about all the possibilities he could make after, his face blushed as red as a ripened tomato.
"Let's hurry." He suddenly exclaimed, couldn't resist the feeling of wanting to be closer. Zhu Dingxiang sneakily grabbed her dainty hand in a smooth movement before speeding up to the night market.
"You..." Following him, Qiao Qiuyue was speechless. Although they have gotten notably closer, holding hands intimately like this still comes as a surprise for her.
But...
Feeling the warmth of their hand touching, a sweet smile bloomed on her face as she didn't say anything and only silently letting him do whatever he wants.
After a while, seeing that she didn't resist his advance, Zhu Dingxiang smiles gleefully as they continue to stroll around the market.
__________
[Side story.]
The evening of the previous day
Inside her courtyard, Qiao Qiuyue was silently practicing her archery skill. She was tired from days of constant training, droplets of sweat flowing down from pretty her face.
Once in a while, the sound of an arrow soared through the air would break the quiet atmosphere.
Sighs~
Seeing that her arrow kept failing in hitting the straw dummy target, Qiao Qiuyue felt frustrated and disheartening.
"What is wrong?" Suddenly, she hears a familiar voice, its carried full of tenderness and affection.
"Mother..." Turning around, Qiao Qiuyue looking at Xue Yuying.
It was unknown when Xue Yuying has arrived, sitting there on the stone chair, patiently watching her daughter's practice. After putting away the longbow, Qiao Qiuyue walks over, sitting down and resting her head on her mother's shoulder.
"Yue'er, you seem distracted..." Xue Yuying said, looking at the missed arrow.
"I... I don't know. It's confusing, this strange feeling inside me."
"Yue'er...Are you, perhaps thinking about him?" Turning her head, Xue Yuying looks at her daughter in the eyes. For all these years, she has never seen her daughter act like this before.
'Strangely, this familiar scene...'
Hearing her mother's question, Qiao Qiuyue pursed her lips. However, no matter how much she wants to deny it, the images of a particular green-haired fellow gradually appeared in her mind.
"This... Mother, d-don't tease me." Qiao Qiuyue said, looking flustered.
"Hahaha, Mom is not teasing you." Seeing her daughter's reaction, she giggled then continued; her tone was serious this time.
"Yue'er... Just do what your heart tells you to do, no matter what, I will always support your decision..."
From years of experience dealing with all types of people as the head of the Qiao family, Xue Yuying was good at judging people.
Since the first time she has seen Zhu Dingxiang, Xue Yuying has a hunch that he is a good-natured man, and after observing him these few days, it has further reassured on her evaluation.
But for a man as talented as Zhu Dingxiang. He was bound to be surrounded by many women in the future. Thinking of this, Xue Yuying couldn't help but be concerned for the future.