"Sudage, you're amazing! You really brought Xiaoran back!"
Not far away, Fei ran over, shouting with delight.
He had been anxiously waiting, filled with unease, but now seeing Feng Xiaoran on Su Yi's back, he was overjoyed.
"Let's go home."
Su Yi patted the young boy's shoulder.
In the depths of Willow Lane,
The night here felt desolate, with only sporadic lights shining from different residences. Fortunately, the moonlight accompanied them, preventing them from stumbling in the darkness.
In a dilapidated courtyard made of mud bricks, a bonfire burned.
Feng Xiaofeng sat in a wooden wheelchair, anxiously waiting.
"Brother, with me, Su Ge, here, you can rest assured."
Huang Qianjun squatted by the bonfire, casually saying, "You may not believe it, but I'm willing to stake my life on it. With Su Ge's intervention, killing a Martial Dao Grandmaster is as easy as slaughtering a chicken or monkey, effortless."
Feng Xiaofeng sighed deeply. "If that's the case, then it's good."
Of course, he didn't believe it. He thought Huang Qianjun was just comforting him.
"Huang Xiong, how did you get to know Senior Brother Su Yi?" Feng Xiaofeng asked softly.
"Me?"
Huang Qianjun scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and said, "It's quite embarrassing to talk about it. Hmm... How should I put it? I was considered a charismatic figure among the younger generation in Guangling City. Although I wasn't widely known, my reputation spread far and wide. Therefore, I always held myself in high regard..."
He first praised himself for a while before getting to the point, describing the conflict between himself and Su Yi when they first met as a case of enemies becoming friends, heroes admiring heroes...
Feng Xiaofeng had no reason to doubt, and he listened intently.
Until Huang Qianjun mentioned Su Yi's astonishing performance at the Dragon Gate banquet, where he took the limelight, Feng Xiaofeng listened with fervor, his eyes shining.
"Senior Brother Su Yi truly deserves to be the top disciple of the Outer Sect. Despite falling from grace, he remains steadfast and determined. Now that he's returning to the path of martial arts, his brilliance surpasses his past!"
But soon after, a sense of desolation clouded Feng Xiaofeng's gaze.
My legs are crippled, and my cultivation is as good as wasted. I fear I will never be able to reenter the martial path like Senior Brother Su Yi...
"Brother, don't be disheartened. What is martial arts? It is having the power that ordinary people can't possess, seizing the fortunes of heaven and earth, transforming decay into miracles!"
Sensing Feng Xiaofeng's despondency, Huang Qianjun quickly spoke up to comfort him.
"You must understand that there are still innate Martial Masters in this world, as well as even more formidable land immortals. They surely possess marvelous methods that can revive your legs effortlessly."
"Reviving my legs with marvelous methods?"
Feng Xiaofeng murmured, "But such methods, can a cripple like me dare to hope for them?"
"Why wouldn't you dare to hope?"
Suddenly, a faint laughter sounded from outside the courtyard.
Feng Xiaofeng abruptly looked up and saw Su Yi carrying Feng Xiaoran on his back, walking in with Fei, pushing the door open.
In an instant, it felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart, and he relaxed, excitedly asking, "Xiaoran, are you alright?"
"Brother, I'm fine, not a scratch on me!"
Feng Xiaoran answered loudly, her voice full of vigor.
As if to prove it, she jumped down from Su Yi's back and gracefully stretched her slender and delicate body, saying, "Brother, look, I'm completely unharmed."
Feng Xiaofeng's eyes turned red, and his voice trembled, "Good, that's great! Senior Brother Su Yi..."
He picked up his crutch and was about to struggle to his feet to express his gratitude.
Su Yi couldn't help but shake his head and walked up to hold him back, saying, "Back at the Qinghe Sword Sect, we never had to be so polite with each other. Let it be the same as it was before, both then and in the future."
Feng Xiaofeng grinned, "I'll follow your lead!"
"Xiaofeng ge, I'll go home for dinner first."
Fei on the side said.
"Don't leave yet, let's go eat together."
Su Yi said.
Speaking of food, he was starting to feel hungry too.
There was no other way. In the realm of martial arts, one needed to replenish a huge amount of food every day to sustain the vigorous blood and energy throughout the body.
If one could step onto the path of the Primordial Dao, then they could abstain from eating and subsist on the essence of the heavens and the dew of the earth.
"Great! Let's go to 'Fengyuan Pavilion' in the city."
Huang Qianjun rubbed his hands together; he was also starving.
"Fengyuan Pavilion?"
dude was stunned, "But...isn't that a restaurant that only the upper class can afford? Each dish costs hundreds of taels of silver, which is equivalent to several years' worth of my family's harvest."
Huang Qianjun burst into laughter and said, "Hahaha, let's go. Today, Brother Huang will treat you to a satisfying meal!"
Although this spoiled scoundrel was not academically inclined in the past, he was well-versed in matters of eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling.
Feng Xiaofeng quickly said, "That would be too extravagant. Let's..."
"Let's go."
Su Yi didn't give him a chance to refuse. He pushed the wheelchair and headed outside, instructing Huang Qianjun, "Go and find a carriage first."
Huang Qianjun exclaimed and hurriedly went off.
He was very happy, feeling that it was finally time for him to show his abilities...
"Xiaoran, Fei, follow behind me."
Su Yi instructed.
Both Fei and Feng Xiaoran agreed and followed closely.
When they arrived at the entrance of Yuchun Lane, they saw a spacious and exquisite carriage waiting there, driven by Huang Qianjun.
"Everyone, get on the carriage. I'll be the coachman today."
Huang Qianjun said with a cheerful smile.
Fei couldn't help but marvel, "Brother Huang, can you perform magic? You found a carriage so quickly, that's amazing!"
Huang Qianjun casually replied, "Little guy, remember this saying: anything that can be solved with money is not a problem."
Seeing that everyone was already seated in the carriage, he shook the reins like an experienced coachman and said, "Hold on tight, let's go!"
...
Fengyuan Pavilion.
Located in the prosperous eastern area of Yunhe County, it was known as the golden den of the city's elites, frequented by the wealthy and influential.
The night was perfect, with the lights just beginning to illuminate the surroundings.
Fengyuan Pavilion, towering nine stories high, was brightly lit. Neat and tidy waiters welcomed and bid farewell to guests with politeness.
"I'm sorry, we currently don't have any spare private rooms available for dining."
When the male waiter saw Su Yi and the others approaching, he respectfully bowed and said, "Would you like to wait a little longer, or perhaps go to another restaurant?"
Huang Qianjun sneered, "Don't fool me. Do you think I don't know that Fengyuan Pavilion sets aside some private rooms every day for unexpected guests?"
The male waiter paused for a moment, then explained, "Since young master knows, you must also understand that those reserved private rooms are only opened when receiving extremely esteemed guests."
His attitude was polite and courteous.
The male waiter occasionally cast a peculiar look at Feng Xiaofeng, Feng Xiaoran, and Fei.
"You mean our status isn't qualified enough?" Huang Qianjun was somewhat angry.
The male waiter smiled bitterly, "Young master, please don't say that. I'm just a lowly servant, how would I have the qualification to say such things?"
Suddenly, a surprised voice came from the side, "Su Yi?"
A man and a woman walked over, the man exuding a heroic aura and a dignified appearance. He looked at Su Yi with astonishment, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
Su Yi looked up and immediately recognized the person.
Yan Chengrong.
One of the outstanding outer disciples of Qinghe Sword Mansion.
This person had a sharp temperament and high standards. Like Wei Zhengyang, he was also a member of the aristocratic families in Yunhe County.
In the past, they had been at odds with each other at Qinghe Sword Mansion, until Su Yi became the leader of the outer disciples. Yan Chengrong still refused to accept it.
He once said a famous saying within Qinghe Sword Mansion:
"So what if I can't defeat Su Yi? Am I not allowed to look down on him?"
Even if he couldn't win, he still looked down on the other person. It was like a ruffian in a stone pit spouting off, regardless of whether they could win or not, they would vent their frustrations.
For Yan Chengrong and the others, although Su Yi was indeed strong when he was the leader of the outer disciples, his status was far inferior to theirs. That was why they dared to disdain Su Yi without any scruples.
Of course, these were all things of the past.
Since Su Yi lost his cultivation and became a discarded disciple of Qinghe Sword Mansion, he had long become an old joke among the disciples.
However, Yan Chengrong didn't expect to see Su Yi again in front of the gate of Fengyuan Pavilion.
"Oh, and Feng Xiaofeng, the junior brother. Tsk tsk, the two of you difficult brothers have reunited again."
Yan Chengrong also noticed Feng Xiaofeng, his words filled with mockery and a strange tone.
"Ah, why am I even bothering to say these things to you? One cripple and one useless person. If I bully you again, it would appear as if I am bullying the weak, and that wouldn't sound good if it spread."
Immediately, Yan Chengrong shook his head, seeming to find it uninteresting. He put his arm around the slender waist of the woman next to him and headed straight into Fengyuan Pavilion.
"By the way, Nian Yunqiao is here tonight too. He brought Yu Qian and they are in the 'Exquisite Hall' on the seventh floor of Fengyuan Pavilion."
Yan Chengrong's voice came from afar.
Feng Xiaofeng didn't care about the mockery earlier.
But when he heard the last sentence, his face immediately turned gloomy. He clenched his fists tightly, his expression revealing pain, anger, and bitterness.
Su Yi patted his shoulder and said calmly, "Why bother getting angry with someone who is on the brink of death? It's not worth it."
Feng Xiaofeng's voice was low and bitter, "Senior Brother Su Yi, why don't we go back? If Nian Yunqiao finds out that we're here, he will definitely come looking for us."
"Why go back? I actually think that we've come at the right time tonight."
Su Yi spoke casually, and a cold light flashed in the depths of his profound pupils.
Half a year ago, it was Nian Yunqiao who had broken Feng Xiaofeng's legs, turning him into a cripple!
And Yu Qian, who was originally the girl Feng Xiaofeng liked the most, was also the one who stabbed him the hardest, even though she was the one he liked the most.
Huang Qianjun said, "That's right, we must have this meal at Fengyuan Pavilion, and we must make it a satisfying one!"
At this moment, the male waiter couldn't help but say, "Gentlemen, currently Fengyuan Pavilion doesn't have a place available for you to dine. In my opinion, you should go to another restaurant."
Just now, he witnessed the whole process of Yan Chengrong's sarcasm and mockery towards Su Yi and Feng Xiaofeng. Now, when facing Su Yi and the others, his eyes carried a hint of impatience, and his tone became cold.
Huang Qianjun immediately became annoyed. Yan Chengrong's arrogant behavior just now had already made him quite angry.
Now, even a lowly doorkeeper dared to look down on them. How could Huang Qianjun tolerate it?
However, just as he was about to speak up...
Su Yi casually tossed out a token, "Take a look at this, is it qualified enough?"
Taking the token, the male waiter couldn't help but feel confused.
The token was carved from purple jade, heavy in weight, and shimmering under the light.
The back was engraved with a simple and ancient character, "Xiao."
"Please wait a moment, I will go and consult with the manager."
The male waiter couldn't fathom the origin of this jade token, but he realized that it was not an ordinary object. He quickly turned around and hurriedly walked into Fengyuan Pavilion.
Not long after, a group of people rushed out of Fengyuan Pavilion, causing the nearby waiters and maids near the entrance to be stunned.
What's going on?
The shopkeeper and the eight managers all came out?
Who are they welcoming, some distinguished guest from the city?
The gazes of some nearby guests were attracted, showing surprise.
In Yunhe County, the owner of Fengyuan Pavilion, "Madam Cuiyun," was a well-connected figure with deep ties to many powerful figures.
Ordinary important figures could be received by one of the managers. They were not qualified to have Madam Cuiyun personally greet them.
Not to mention, now Madam Cuiyun and all eight managers were mobilized!
For a moment, all the nearby gazes gathered.
"Sir, it's... it's this young master who presented the token."
The male waiter was sweating profusely, bowing his head and standing to the side, trembling and not daring to take a breath.
After he presented the token to the managers, their expressions immediately changed, and they went to see Madam Cuiyun without hesitation.
Then, the scene before them happened.
The male waiter couldn't believe that a mere token could have such incredible power, causing the esteemed Madam and all the managers to be alarmed and personally come out to greet them.
Swish!
Madam Cuiyun's gaze fell on Su Yi and she was momentarily taken aback, seemingly surprised that the owner of the token was so young.
Immediately, she bowed respectfully and smiled, "Young master, your presence is a great honor. Please forgive us for not greeting you properly."
The woman's hair was elegantly arranged in a high bun, and she wore a perfectly tailored black dress. Her face was dignified and beautiful, with fair and delicate skin. Her every movement exuded a mature and graceful charm.
Behind her, the eight managers also bowed in unison.
The scene left the nearby waiters and guests stunned.
The male waiter's knees went weak, almost kneeling on the ground, feeling helpless and on the verge of tears. He had thought they were just a group of insignificant young people. Who could have imagined... that they would have such great influence!
At this moment, Feng Xiaofeng, Feng Xiaoran, and Afei were all a bit dizzy. How could such a commotion be caused by a mere token?
"We want to dine here. Please arrange a room for us."
Su Yi said casually.
His calm and composed demeanor made Madam Cuiyun silently nod.
Anyone who could possess the most precious "Purple Auspicious Token" of the Lanling Xiao Clan, regardless of their age, was definitely extraordinary.
Compared to the young man in front of her, the attire of the others seemed strange, and some of them were clearly from humble backgrounds.
But Madam Cuiyun was tactful and did not inquire. Neither her gaze nor her attitude showed any trace of surprise.
She turned to one of the managers next to her and instructed, "Go and arrange 'Shanhe Hall' on the ninth floor, prepare the tea in advance, and remember, provide the highest standard of hospitality."
"Yes!"
The manager quickly carried out the order.
"You go and fetch a cask of 'Biyun Distilled Spirit' that I have stored in the wine cellar, and deliver it directly to Shanhe Hall. Consider it a token of goodwill from our Fengyuan Pavilion."
"You go and have the kitchen prepare the banquet with the finest ingredients, personally overseen by Chef Wang."
"And you, wait in Shanhe Hall, be ready to serve at all times, and don't show the slightest negligence."
Madam Cuiyun spoke rapidly, giving a series of instructions, and the managers immediately went into action.
After giving the orders, she smiled gently, slightly turning to the side, and made a welcoming gesture, saying, "Young master and esteemed guests, please follow me."
With that, she led the way ahead.
The nearby onlookers were astounded by the first-class treatment and grandeur of the scene.
Until Su Yi and his group disappeared inside Fengyuan Pavilion, the male waiter who had received them could no longer stand. He plopped down on the ground, his face pale.
He had realized that he was probably finished.