The stables in the backyard.
Gong Shu Wu changed the water three times before finally cleaning the beloved horse. He wiped away the water stains with a soft cloth and adorned the horse with its beautiful and delicate armor. He caressed the horse's mane and said, "Let's head back for now. When I have time, I'll call you out to run freely."
The young man obediently nuzzled his hand.
Gong Shu Wu said, "I will never go back on my word."
Reluctantly, the beloved horse transformed into martial energy and returned to the tiger token.
Looking at the mess around him, Gong Shu Wu remembered the martial arts field at the Gong mansion, remembered the military camp, and remembered a year ago when he could freely engage in battle, charging into the fray with his old comrades. Now, he could only hide his identity, bearing a face even he barely recognized...
The old comrade was not happy, and neither was he.
He spent the entire afternoon tending to his warhorse, and even with his strong physique, Gong Shu Wu was drenched in sweat. The combination of frustration and sweat made him uncomfortable all over.
Seeing that there was still a small basin of clean water in the tub, he grabbed a cloth and soaked it, wiping his bare upper body.
When the hot afternoon breeze blew, it not only brought an indescribable coolness but also blew away some of his worries. Putting on his clothes, as he bent down to fasten his belt, he heard footsteps coming from the direction of the main hall, one belonging to Qi Yuanliang, and the other, unfamiliar.
This person's footsteps were even lighter than Qi Shan's! He was either a wastrel who squandered his vitality on beauty or a quack who was hollow inside and out.
"Does Brother Yuanliang live here?"
Qi Shan wasn't very polite. "Do you not know the answer to your own question?"
He wanted to roll his eyes. If Guan Chi didn't know, how did the arrow with the letter attached hit the wooden pillar in the courtyard?
Guan Chi wasn't embarrassed at all.
Wasn't it the same whether he was invited or not?
Entering the courtyard, his first sight was Gong Shu Wu.
At this moment, Gong Shu Wu had been disguised by Qi Shan, and except for his height, his features were so ordinary that they could easily blend into a crowd.
Gong Shu Wu said, "Mr. Qi is back."
Qi Shan returned the greeting, "Mr. Gong."
Gong Shu Wu's gaze fell on Guan Chi. "And who is this gentleman?"
Qi Shan smiled and said, "Wang Chao is Mr. Shan's old friend, from the same family surnamed Gu, named Chi. Wang Chao, this is Mr. Gong Shu Wu."
He gave a simple introduction to the two.
Gong Shu Wu and Guan Chi exchanged greetings.
Guan Chi didn't know Gong Shu Wu's true identity, only knowing that he had appeared suddenly beside Qi Shan a few days ago, a martial artist with considerable skill. Although his appearance was ordinary, his aura was extraordinary, indicating that he was not an ordinary person.
Qi Shan took off his clogs and handed Guan Chi a pair of soft indoor shoes, saying, "Is it so quiet in the courtyard today?"
Gong Shu Wu replied, "Shen Wu Lang went out to set up a stall."
One person could cause such a commotion, which was quite lively.
Qi Shan naturally knew that Shen Tang had gone out to sell wine again and had a skirmish with a group of ruffians. However, she hadn't returned yet at this hour. Could it be that she had gotten into trouble again?
Guan Chi was surprised. "Shen Lang hasn't returned yet?"
Gong Shu Wu said, "Not yet, and he also took Motuo with him."
"Motuo?"
"Shen Wu Lang's mule's name."
Guan Chi seized upon the crux of the matter. "From what you two are saying, is Motuo a Ling creation? Did Shen Lang tie it up in the courtyard?"
There could only be one Ling creation of the same kind at the same time.
Gong Shu Wu pointed to the location of the stable. "Tied up over there."
"Guan Lang is generous."
Of course, this "generous" didn't mean that Shen Tang was rich.
Who didn't know that Shen Lang was penniless?
As is well known, Ling creations are quite magical. They appear to be "living beings" but are actually condensed from the qi of heaven and earth that has been refined. Few people, like Shen Tang, allow these Ling creations to exist in the world for a long time. Because they are "living beings" rather than "lifeless objects" like pancakes, green plums, and Du Kang's wine, their movements consume energy, and these consumptions are borne by the creator.
For example, warhorses have large bodies and consume considerable energy even when they are quiet, not to mention when they are in combat mode and need to wear heavy horse armor and carry their owners clad in armor. Even for Gong Shu Wu, keeping a warhorse in combat mode for two hours is the limit.
Therefore, Guan Chi teased Shen Tang as "generous."
Qi Shan took care of the cat that kept scratching at the door frame with a guilty and apologetic expression. He squatted down to pick it up, listening to its meows, and said, "Oh, poor thing, you must be hungry. It's my fault. Here, try these..."
Saying that, he took out a packet of small dried fish from his sleeve.
And he cleaned up after the cat, too.
The foul smell that pervaded the room choked Guan Chi, but luckily, Qi Shan seemed to have lost his sense of smell as he did his duty diligently, his face unchanged. "It is said, 'When entering a fish market, one often hears of but does not know its stench,' but I think it should be changed to 'When living in a raccoon's den, one does not smell its stench.'"
Qi Shan couldn't be bothered to listen to his complaints.
Unable to bear the smell, he returned to his Moonlight Pavilion.
He diligently cleaned up after the cat, disposed of its waste, and tidied up the things it had torn apart in play. He opened the window with a pole and lit the incense burner, quickly dissipating the smell. By this time, the sun was setting, and Chu Yao was busy returning, preparing to wash up and prepare dinner for Wu Lang.
Shen Tang still hadn't returned home.
Chu Yao and Qi Shan's expressions were somewhat grim.
Without keeping an eye on Fifth Brother (Shen Xiao Lang), they couldn't rest easy.
Compared to them, Gong Shu Wu was relatively calm.
He had seen Shen Tang's prowess that night when she slaughtered many enemies. With such skills, even if someone did get into trouble, it was probably someone else.
"You two gentlemen don't need to worry too much. Shen Wu Lang is clever and resourceful. Even if he encounters trouble, he can escape. Perhaps he'll be back tomorrow morning," Gong Shu Wu said, pausing for a moment before adding, "It's normal for young people of this age to stay out overnight."
Let's not forget, the biggest characteristic industry in Xiaocheng.
Young people, their curiosity is always strong.
Qi Shan understood his implication, and his expression didn't improve, but rather turned darker—his intuition told him that Shen Xiao Lang had gotten into trouble again.
When he thought back to the conflict with the thugs in the afternoon...
Chu Yao said, "Go out and inquire."
Qi Shan nodded. "Hmm."
In fact, there was no need to inquire specifically. The news that the group of ruffians who had been causing trouble in the Xiaocheng market had been defeated by two wandering swordsmen had already spread far and wide. Old women going out to buy vegetables heard seven or eight versions of it. Qi Shan knew it was Shen Tang as soon as he heard it.
Qi Shan asked, "Is there any word on where the two swordsmen went?"
The old woman said, "It is said that they are going to wipe out the bandit's nest."
Qi Shan: "..."
Chu Yao: "..."
Guan Chi: "..."
Gong Shu Wu slapped his thigh. "That's the spirit!"
Shen Xiao Lang really suited his taste!
If Shen Tang weren't such a lightweight when it came to alcohol, the two of them would be a perfect match!
Qi Shan/Chu Yao: "..."
What kind of chaos was this at this time!
Although Guan Chi wanted to stay and watch the excitement, he knew it was not the time. If he annoyed Qi Shan, fighting on someone else's turf would be dangerous.
Without the master speaking, Guan Chi took the initiative to bid farewell.
Behind him, he could still hear Qi Shan grinding his back teeth, saying word by word, "Two people going to wipe out the bandit's nest? Why doesn't Shen Youli ascend to the heavens and stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun?"
Chu Yao's tone was meaningful. "We underestimated him."
This was called lacking ambition?
If he did have ambition, how would he stir up trouble?