"What's going on? Could it be because of the evil energy at the river bottom?"
After eating, An Jing felt somewhat fatigued and, lying on the bed, he felt drowsy.
"Husband, why did you agree to it today?"
Zhao Qingmei walked in and saw An Jing lying on the bed and asked.
"Wasn't it you who told me to agree?"
"I didn't mean for you to agree!"
"Forget it. I already agreed. One more person, one more pair of chopsticks."
Zhao Qingmei wanted to say it wasn't as simple as just an extra pair of chopsticks...
"Go to sleep early. We've been busy all afternoon."
An Jing yawned and then took off his outer clothes.
"Going to bed this early?" Zhao Qingmei licked her lips, her eyes constantly glancing at An Jing.
"A bit tired."
After returning from Qinghe Dock, An Jing felt somewhat worn out. It was probably due to the evil energy entering his body, though it was expelled by the Bodhi Bead, it still made him feel very fatigued.
"Brother~!"
Zhao Qingmei crawled over, her long legs clamping around An Jing's thigh, her small hand skillfully reaching into An Jing's inner clothes.
"My lady, tomorrow, really, I'm a bit tired today."
An Jing felt like he was about to fall asleep.
"Brother, I learned a new trick you know."
Zhao Qingmei bit An Jing's ear and breathed hot air into it.
"Alright, show me tomorrow," An Jing said weakly.
"I want to show you today."
Zhao Qingmei was relentless, her small hand continuing to explore downward.
"Mmm..."
An Jing felt very comfortable but still lay there like a dead person.
"You ate dinner for nothing," Zhao Qingmei complained as she patted An Jing's cheek.
But An Jing had already fallen asleep, with only a faint sound of breathing.
"An Lazybones, wake up!"
......
In a quiet courtyard in Yu State City.
On both sides stood several men in rough clothing, each holding an orange-red lantern, lighting up the entire courtyard as if it were daytime.
The Cao Gang wore rough clothing, which was well known across the land.
In the center of the courtyard, an old man with a limp was waving the knife in his hand, his clothes fluttering in the fierce wind. He held a pair of curved knives, and the sound of the knives was eerie, like the wailing of ghosts, sending chills down one's spine.
"Tie Brother!"
A hearty laugh sounded, and Hong Yuanwu in a heavy cloak walked into the courtyard.
"Master Hong!"
The old man with the limp who was practicing his knife paused and clasped his hands to Hong Yuanwu.
Hong Yuanwu sighed, "I didn't expect this to alarm Brother Yunshan..."
This old man was none other than one of the seven Vajras of the Cao Gang, Tieyun Mountain.
The Cao Gang's thirty-six helmsmen were in charge of various regions, while the seven Vajras always stayed at the main headquarters and were even more fearsome, being top-notch experts.
Some said that among the thirty-six helmsmen, some might not be very famous in the Jianghu, but any one of the seven Vajras was a master renowned in their own right in the Jianghu.
Any one of them could establish a sect and dominate an area.
Tieyun Mountain had roamed the Jianghu for decades with a pair of curved knives on horseback, and countless experts had died by his hand. Later, he offended the head of the Su family in Taixu Ming City and was chased down. In the end, he killed dozens of the Su family's experts, including the head, causing the Su family's elder to act personally. To save his life, he cut off one of his legs and joined the Cao Gang for protection.
The Cao Gang was powerful, and Liu Qingshan was extremely tough, so the Su family had to swallow this loss.
It was very rare for the Cao Gang to mobilize the seven Vajras.
Speaking of their friendship, it was quite deep.
Initially, Hong Yuanwu wasn't with Xuanyi Guard but was a man of the Jianghu, arrogant and swaggering. The two of them roamed the Jiangnan Dao area, and he and Tieyun Mountain became friends through fighting.
Later, Hong Yuanwu joined the Divine Eagle and became a Xuanyi Guard, wearing an official uniform and living on the court's salary.
When Tieyun Mountain was being hunted by the Su family, Hong Yuanwu mediated and tried to help, although in the end, he couldn't resolve the enmity, it deepened their friendship.
Tieyun Mountain took a deep breath and said, "This matter is no small thing. Haoping and I were close. You know my character; I couldn't not come."
Hong Yuanwu nodded slightly. Tieyun Mountain was very loyal, and he knew this well.
Liu Haoping was his close friend and was killed in Yu State City, so he couldn't remain indifferent.
Hong Yuanwu said solemnly, "That mysterious swordsman is not ordinary. In my opinion, he's at least at the peak of the Second Grade..."
"I observed the sword skill; it's impressive,"
Tieyun Mountain sneered, "But my Moonlight Flying Arrow is no nobody, especially with Brother Hong here."
Moonlight Flying Arrow Tieyun Mountain, that was his name in the Jianghu.
"The two of us working together has a good chance," Hong Yuanwu nodded slightly.
Not only the Cao Gang but the court was also hunting for that mysterious swordsman.
Tieyun Mountain nodded slightly, then said, "I have three purposes in coming to Yu State this time, and I hope Brother Hong will aid me."
"With our friendship, there's no need to say more. Naturally, I'll help you."
Hong Yuanwu asked, "What are the purposes?"
"To capture two people alive."
"Which two?"
"Jiang Sanjia and Mu Xiaoyun."
"Mu Xiaoyun?"
Hong Yuanwu frowned, incredulous, "Her? Is there a mistake?"
The Cao Gang wanted to capture Mu Xiaoyun!?
"No mistake."
Tieyun Mountain remained silent for a long time before speaking.
.......
The next day, An Jing got up early.
"My lady, didn't you put any medicine in this porridge today?"
An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei, who was busy sorting herbs, and asked in confusion.
Usually, Zhao Qingmei would put some Chinese medicine like walnuts, lotus seeds, and ba ji tian in the morning porridge, but today there was none, just plain white porridge.
"It has no effect on you, so I didn't make it."
Zhao Qingmei raised her head and said lightly.
"Indeed, the taste when those medicines are mixed is somewhat strange. Plain white porridge with some pickles tastes the best," An Jing nodded and continued to act recklessly.
"Then I won't make porridge anymore."
"Alright, change it to something else."
Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing and stormed off to the backyard.
An Jing didn't know what had happened, and just then, a little black puppy ran to his feet.
"Little thing, it seems you've become rounder in just two days," An Jing reached out to stroke the puppy.
"Woof...woof!"
The puppy, hearing An Jing's words, swiftly ran away.
"This little thing! I've fed you well, making you black and chubby."
The afternoon was very pleasant. Under the dense green shade of the trees, the old houses with black tiles in Jiangnan, their slightly mottled gray walls, facing the unchanging small bridges and flowing water, with countless golden willows gently swaying and shadows rippling, orioles singing and wooden boats gliding by.
On Yu State River, boat shadows drifted, and the water sparkled with golden light.
An Jing picked up a pipe and a small stool from the wall, planning to go to the teahouse next door to listen to storytelling and drink tea.
Before he reached the door, he was told by the teahouse servant that Zhou Xianming wasn't there.
"What's going on with Mr. Zhou?"
An Jing thought it was strange, "He rarely goes three days without coming to the teahouse. His cold should have improved by now. Could something have happened?"
"Shua!"
The Earth Book emitted a golden light and a new prompt appeared.
An Jing's heart stirred and his thoughts entered the Earth Book.
"Prompt: Zhou Xianming may have an unknown opportunity."