Lou Yi once again refused Wang Yukaiâs invitation to share the bed.
He asked the waiter to prepare a thick blanket and made a bedding on the floor beside the bed, while Wang Yukai squeezed onto the bed with his old servant.
The next morning, the three of them arrived outside a lavishly decorated mansion.
A large red iron gate, adorned with two big copper rings. The black plaque above the gate was engraved with the golden characters âWu Residenceâ, glistening brilliantly under the sunlight.
There were also two stone lions at the entrance, carved with exquisite craftsmanship.
Next to each stone lion stood a middle-aged guard, standing straight, with protruding temples and bright eyes, clearly martial artists.
Seeing Wang Yukai, Lou Yi, and the old servant approaching, the guards cast querying glances their way.
Wang Yukai pulled a visiting card from his bosom and handed it over: "I am a descendant of the Wang Family from the East Ridge, here under my late fatherâs command to visit Uncle Wu. Please, kindly pass on the message."
However, the two guards merely glanced at him indifferently and made no move to accept the card.
Seeing this, the old servant hurried over, discreetly slipping some copper coins to them, which finally prompted one guard to speak, his voice still aloof.
"Wait here."
After speaking, the guard took the visiting card and turned to enter the Wu Residence.
Wang Yukai saw this and cursed inwardly: "Just a doorman, so arrogant?"
A moment later, the guard walked out with large strides.
He pinched the card between two fingers and, with a âwhooshâ, tossed it back to Wang Yukai, whose expression changed dramatically.
"My master said he doesnât know anyone from the Wang Family of East Ridge, please leave."
"This... could there be some mistake?" Wang Yukaiâs face turned a bit pale as he hurriedly said, "Or did you not show the card to Master Wu at all?"
"How dare you!" The faces of the two guards suddenly turned hostile.
At this time, the old servant rushed over again, stuffing a handful of copper coins to the guard.
"Gentlemen, please convey the message again.
Back then, Master Wu made a matrimonial arrangement with my master, and we have a handwritten letter from him. It cannot be a mistake..."
Upon hearing the youngster in front of them had a marriage contract with their young lady.
The guardsâ eyes looked at him with more seriousness.
"Wait here, I will be right back."
Under the hopeful gaze of Wang Yukai and the old servant.
Shortly after, more than ten armed servants rushed out from inside the gate, all of them glaring at the three of them with unfriendly expressions.
Leading them was a young man dressed in white brocade, who sternly shouted: "Where do these frauds come from!
My father says he has never had any friend from the Wang Family of East Ridge.
Dare to come to deceive us, taint the name of our Wu Family, someone come, beat them away with clubs!"
After saying this, the group of servants rushed over, their eyes fierce, clubs at the ready.
Fortunately, both Wang Yukai and the old servant were skilled in martial arts, and Lou Yi had also recovered some of his cultivation, so they werenât hurt by the clubs too much, just embarrassingly fled.
Having escaped to a safe place, Wang Yukai, his servant, and Lou Yi looked at each other.
They had been overly optimistic.
The other party didnât have any intention of breaking the engagement, they simply denied its existence.
Since they didnât acknowledge the engagement, none of the ideas Lou Yi suggested could be used.
"Shameless, utterly shameless!" The old servant trembled with rage, "Back then, my master saved that Wu Renâs life, risking the ruin of our family... How could Wu Ren repay kindness with ingratitude?!"
Wang Yukai said dejectedly: "Forget it, I knew they might not acknowledge us, letâs return."
The old servant advised a couple of times, but Wang Yukai, disheartened, was determined to leave.
As they were about to return to the inn to pack their luggage.
When they walked to a street wall, they saw someone putting up a notice and shouting: "The Manor Master of Yunjin Mountain Villa, in three days, will hold a martial arts competition in front of the manor to select a husband for his daughter, inviting heroes from around the world to attend!"
âIs this a martial arts contest for marriage?â Lou Yiâs eyes lit up upon hearing this.
He looked at the sullen Wang Yukai and asked: "Is this Yunjin Mountain Villa quite renowned?"
"Of course, the Manor Master of Yunjin Mountain Villa, Li Weizhou, is a famous top master, known as âOne Palm Riverâ, his hand technique is as fierce as a thunderstorm.
He once killed the notorious bandit from Gourd Mountain with three strikes, shaking the entire martial world." The old servant said.
"And how does that compare to Master Wu?"
"Master Wu is merely a local tycoon, how could he compare with One Palm River?
One Palm River is a genuinely first-rate master, with tremendous influence and a vast network.
Master Wu can at best touch the edges of second-rate, only slightly stronger than ordinary third-rate experts..." The old servant said disdainfully.
"Since Brother Wang brought the betrothal gifts, why not attend this martial arts contest for marriage, instead of letting the trip be in vain?"
After Lou Yi finished speaking, Wang Yukai shook his head repeatedly.
"No, no."
"Why is Brother Wang so stubborn, could it be that you still have feelings for Miss Wu?
The Wu Family doesnât even acknowledge the marriage document, yet you want to remain pure?" Lou Yi said in puzzlement.
"Brother Liu, you are mistaken, I am not that kind of inflexible person.
I inquired about Miss Wu before coming, and she has a reputed beauty.
But the Manor Masterâs daughter from Yunjin Mountain Villa, I have no information about her at all. What if she is a fat lady... wouldnât that be a great loss for me?" Wang Yukai explained.
Lou Yi almost burst out laughing, this guy is really something.
He retorted: "Even if she doesnât look good, arenât you supposed to uphold the reputation of the Wang family, canât you sacrifice a little?
As a dignified seven-foot man, canât you bear such a hardship?"
Listening to Lou Yiâs nonsensical reasoning, Wang Yukai was taken aback.
"Indeed, if I want to bring glory to the Wang family, how could I not endure hardship?" Wang Yukai murmured.
Suddenly, he straightened up: "Brother Lou is right; then letâs go and see what kind of grand event it is."
Lou Yi: ...
Old servant: ...
Lou Yi originally intended to tease Wang Yukai, just joking, unexpectedly, the latter took it seriously.
Suddenly, he felt a surge of intuition.
He activated his divination talent and discovered that the whereabouts of the Three-Hearted Exquisite Pearl are related to Yunjin Mountain Villa.
âIt seems this martial arts contest for marriage is a must-go.â Lou Yi thought.
...
"A brilliant move, the swallow returns, Young Master Liuâs swordsmanship has truly inherited his fatherâs skills!"
"Attack, attack quickly, why does Xu Song keep retreating, how can he win like this? Too timid!"
"Damn, if you know so much, why donât you go up and compete?"
"Pah, canât I critique a chefâs cooking if I donât know how to cook?"
In front of Yunjin Mountain Villa, a five-foot-high bluestone stage was surrounded by crowds, layer after layer, packed tightly.
The crowdâs eyes followed the competitors on stage, occasionally shouting.
Many were so excited their faces turned red, spitting as they talked.
On stage, two young men were competing at this moment.
One wielded a sword, the other fists.
The swordsmanâs attacks were fierce, the long sword dancing like a storm, forcing the one using fists to retreat step by step.
Seeing him almost at the edge of the stage, about to fall down.
And just when the swordsman revealed a smile of assured victory.
The one who had been using fists suddenly advanced instead of retreating, crashing into the otherâs arms!
The swordsman intended to block with his sword, but the opponentâs punch was much faster than before, striking the sword and sending it flying.
Then the second punch hit the swordsmanâs abdomen, causing him to kneel in pain on the ground.
With the crowdâs enthusiastic cheers roaring, an elderly voice announced: "In this match, Xu Song wins."
Xu Song raised his arms, facing the multitude of spectators below the stage, a smile of excitement appeared on his face.
...