Chapter 25: The Art of Acting Begins

Chapter 25: Time to Show Off My Acting Skills

Upon hearing this, Yue Lingshan felt an even deeper pang of bitterness in her heart. So, her senior brother and this woman were already so close, able to talk about anything and everything?

Luckily, in the next moment, Zheng Jian cut in. “Hey, don’t talk nonsense! I never mentioned Little Sister, not just her—even Linghu and Dayou, I didn’t talk about them either!”

Ruan Qiuqiu: “...”

Resentment value from Ruan Qiuqiu: +100.

In contrast, Little Sister’s mood instantly improved. Senior Brother was still the same as ever—his sharp tongue actually now felt somewhat endearing to Yue Lingshan.

At the very least, Senior Brother hadn’t been captivated by the beautiful woman before him, right?

Yue Lingshan felt that she hadn’t lost her senior brother after all, and her spirits lifted at once.

“Nonsense, you’re truly the beautiful one, Sister...”

With her mood improved, she no longer felt so hostile towards Ruan Qiuqiu.

Ruan Qiuqiu instantly saw through the girl’s thoughts. Realizing that this girl was the beloved daughter of the Huashan Sect leader, she couldn’t help but feel a little bitter inside, yet her face remained radiant with a smile.

After a few exchanges, the two girls, one older and one younger, became much friendlier, their laughter filling the air.

Zheng Jian was utterly baffled by all this!

But he didn’t care. He waved to Lu Dayou and Linghu Chong, who immediately came over.

“Senior Brother!” they said in unison.

“Good, good! After this journey, Linghu, you’ve clearly matured. Here, Linghu, you take over driving the carriage,” Zheng Jian said cheerily, pushing Linghu Chong up onto the driver’s seat. Damn, he’d been driving the whole way and was already sick of it!

Linghu Chong looked bewildered, about to say something, but Yue Lingshan had already leapt onto the carriage, calling Ruan Qiuqiu to join her.

Immediately, Linghu Chong swallowed his words. To drive for Little Sister? I’m happy to!

Zheng Jian gave Linghu Chong a big thumbs-up. What a gentleman!

As for Zheng Jian himself, he mounted Linghu Chong’s horse and rode alongside Lu Dayou at the front. “Monkey Lu, tell me, where did you guys go for your training?”

The usually quiet Lu Dayou immediately perked up and began recounting their adventures to Zheng Jian in great detail...

...

By the time they returned to Mount Hua, it was already the afternoon of the following day.

Seeing the familiar Huashan gate, Zheng Jian felt a sense of coming home. This, truly, was his root in the world of Smiling Proud Wanderer.

As soon as they began the ascent, the mountain was abuzz with excitement. Disciples had already reported to the Master and Mistress Yue. Madam Ning was busy preparing a feast, while Master Yue stood on the practice ground, his face full of anticipation, gazing down the mountain path, waiting for Zheng Jian and company to return.

Catching sight of Master Yue from afar, Zheng Jian felt a thrill of excitement. He immediately broke into a brisk stride, even using his lightness skills to race ahead. “Master, I’ve missed you so much...”

No sooner had the words left Zheng Jian’s lips than Master Yue’s face darkened.

Resentment value from Yue Buqun: +100.

Zheng Jian: “...No, wait, I mean, I missed you terribly.”

Master Yue couldn’t do anything about his senior disciple—he was both annoyed and amused. “Alright, enough nonsense. This trip down the mountain went well, didn’t it? Returned as the Swordsman Who Restores Life?”

He put extra emphasis on the last four words.

Zheng Jian was surprised that Master Yue even knew his nickname. “Ahaha, it’s just a silly name, nothing compared to your title as the Gentleman Sword...”

“Oh? Really? I’ve also heard you’re called ‘The Thief’s Bane’?” A gentleman’s revenge is swift—Master Yue retaliated at once.

Zheng Jian’s face froze—he knew even that? Damn, Master, you’re so petty!

“No, no, not me! My nickname is ‘Swordsman Who Restores Life.’ As for ‘The Thief’s Bane,’ never heard of it!” Zheng Jian immediately denied it. No way was he going to let that stick—how could he show his face otherwise?

I just refuse to admit it!

Master Yue smiled slightly, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze falling thoughtfully on Yue Lingshan and the others as they approached. “Jian’er, I’ve heard you brought back a young lady?”

Zheng Jian’s heart skipped a beat, detecting Master Yue’s displeasure—though he had no idea why. “Master, please, allow me to explain...”

“Explain what? Get to the point!”

Blah blah blah...

After a while, Master Yue finished listening, and said in surprise, “You say you killed Tian Boguang? ‘The Lone Wanderer of Ten Thousand Miles,’ Tian Boguang?”

Zheng Jian nodded. “Yes, it took me ages—nearly wore me out.”

Master Yue looked at Zheng Jian, lost for words. You killed Tian Boguang and you’re complaining you were tired—would you only be satisfied if you’d finished him in a single blow?

For a fleeting moment, Master Yue felt himself growing old. That little boy from before had grown up, now able to handle things on his own.

“Very well. The girl you brought back, leave her to your mistress. Though Huashan isn’t large, there’s room enough for her.” With that, Master Yue turned and walked away, a trace of melancholy in his gait.

Watching his master’s departing figure, Zheng Jian felt relieved. He’d managed to muddle through, and still hadn’t figured out how to explain the Evil-Resisting Sword Manual...

...

After a sumptuous feast, Ruan Qiuqiu followed Madam Ning to settle in.

Master Yue sat alone in his room, brow furrowed. “Did I forget something today?” He thought hard, but couldn’t recall what it might be...

Meanwhile, Zheng Jian had returned to his room early and taken out the monk’s robe, hiding it carefully. Next, he needed to find a chance to have Lao Denuo deliver it.

“All is ready except for the final push!” Zheng Jian muttered to himself.

“Senior Brother? Senior Brother?”

Hearing that voice, Zheng Jian nearly burst out laughing. Speak of the devil—wasn’t that Lao Denuo?

“Ah, Third Brother, come in!” Zheng Jian called out with a wide grin. He’d thought Lao Denuo and his group hadn’t returned yet—this was perfect.

Sure enough, Lao Denuo entered, his familiar, smiling face leading the way. “Senior Brother, I heard you were back and came to see you at once.” As he spoke, he noticed Zheng Jian seemed a bit tense, his eyes darting frequently to the bed behind him. Lao Denuo’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure.

Zheng Jian realized his performance had caught Lao Denuo’s attention and silently praised his own acting. Sure enough, acting with smart people was so much easier. If it had been Lu Dayou, that blockhead, all his meaningful glances would have gone to waste.

“Ah, Third Brother, you’re always so thoughtful. Come, come, I brought something good back this time—take a guess, what is it?” Zheng Jian said with a beaming smile.

Lao Denuo’s heart leapt. He probed, “What is it?”

Zheng Jian reached behind and pulled something out. “Here, look, it’s some fine tea from Fujian. I meant to give it to Master, but I forgot. Here, have a taste, brother.”

Lao Denuo’s mind raced. “Fujian? Master?” He immediately latched onto those two words, and waves of speculation surged within him. “Judging from Senior Brother’s glances, there’s something hidden under the bed... brought back from Fujian... could it be??? No way...”

Lao Denuo’s heart burned with excitement...

...

The first update is delivered—votes, please! More to come tonight.

(End of this chapter)