In an instant, Wang Anfeng's mind was flooded with various thoughts, eventually swarming in like a flock of hunting eagles, coalescing into an enormity of unquestionable queries that kept amplifying in his mind— Wait, how did this thing end up with you?! Did I not give it to that shopkeeper? What happened in between??! In the silence, a heavy taste, deeply rooted in his memories of the simplest food, surfaced in Wang Anfeng's mind, bursting in his mouth like tiny, delicate fruits exploding on every inch of his tongue, that flavor lingering ceaselessly. It was the taste of white flour buns. Li Yinxiang's eyes sparkled brightly as she looked at Wang Anfeng and said: "Hero, it really is you, we meet again..." "Ah, right, right, here, I'll show you this thing." She extended her right hand and retrieved a jade plaque from her waist; only then did Wang Anfeng notice that his plaque not only had the inscription of a thousand silver taels worn off, but also had a small smooth hole drilled by a master at both the top and bottom ends, with a red string at the top and a light golden tassel at the bottom. There was a faint dragon and sparrow interlocking pattern visible. Hmm, the execution is fluid, indeed the work of a master hand. Wang Anfeng remained silent, as another thought emerged in his mind. This thing... can't even the Ministry of Punishment handle it? Considering that there might be situations where the reward silver couldn't be exchanged, the jade quality used for the plaque was barely of medium grade. If it were pawned, it wouldn't fetch a thousand official silver taels, but it could still exchange for eight or nine hundred taels of silver. Therefore, the plaque now appeared to be a rather ancient and exquisite jade pendant, shimmering on the girl's fair palm, without showing a trace of oddity or discordance. Li Yinxiang said somewhat sheepishly, "Hero, you said that day that once this thing was given out, there was no taking it back, so I went to the shopkeeper of that restaurant and got it, with both money and compensation from the Ministry of Punishment." "Then this jade plaque was polished into a jade pendant." "Look, is it beautiful?" The source of thɪs content is novel fire.net Wang Anfeng nearly couldn't hold back, taking a deep breath. Beside him, Huangfu Qiuyang let out a silent sigh and scrutinized Wang Anfeng while remembering that these past days he had been at home with Xiahou Jie, entertaining young female disciples from various clans and schools, leaving him no time to inform Li Yinxiang of what he had seen that day. Thus, she now mistook the knife-wielder before her as a wealthy gallant hero who freely spent his riches, unaware of his actually impoverished situation. In this way, her somewhat joyous show of admiration for the hero, akin to a challenge, made Huangfu Qiuyang consider explaining things to Li Yinxiang but hesitated, fearing it would hurt the proud heart of the blade-madman in front of him. Therefore, he gently smiled and urged: "Miss Yinxiang, didn't you want to secure a good spot today? If we go a bit late, not only will there be no good spots, but we'll also have to squeeze with others. Besides, this hero should be heading in as well." "Delaying further wouldn't be right." "Oh, right, right, I almost forgot." Li Yinxiang suddenly realized, naturally putting away the jade pendant, and looked expectantly at Wang Anfeng, saying: "Hero, are you going in? How about going together?" Feeling a slight stir, Wang Anfeng, in line with the temperament of a blade madman, did not refuse nor agreed, but simply took steps forward. As expected, a smile appeared on Li Yinxiang's face, and she hurriedly followed beside him, chattering away as when they first met. Speaking of the Jianghu, of heroes, of swordsmen stories. Saying things like crossing mountains and encountering waters, settling things with a single blade, asserting that 'acting chivalrously should be like the hero, indifferent to wealth; those who do it for fame and profit aren't true hero.' Wang Anfeng resisted the urge to rub his brows, feeling helpless, and had an impulse to speak up for the many martial artists traversing the Jianghu Young lady, even heroes need to eat... The weapons need maintenance, martial artists have big appetites, travelling miles to save people requires lodging, injuries need medicinal treatment, and regathering qi needs elixirs. All these need silver. Moreover, instead of giving flattery, it's more practical for you to return the plaque to me. Since Li Yinxiang was walking with Huangfu Qiuyang, the Huangfu Family experts guarding the entrance to the martial arts arena recognized their lady and the frequently appearing Li Yinxiang, curiously surveying Wang Anfeng but did not stop them, moving aside to let the trio pass. Wang Anfeng's expression was indifferent, his demeanor calm and composed. Beside him, Li Yinxiang's eyes were still full of admiration, while Huangfu Qiuyang, though not to the same extent, still bore a basic respect for a Jianghu master as from a family of blade tradition. At this moment, Wang Anfeng, embodying a blade madman, stood tall and imposing, with a resolute and rugged face, an extraordinary bearing, cloak billowing in the wind, and at his waist, a heavy blade, pitch-black without gloss. Except the blade edge, a slice of icy chill. To the onlookers, he appeared as a Jianghu master, with a beautiful young lady on either side, his presence awe-inspiring, allowing him to enter without the need for checks or credentials, drawing envious glances. In reality, it was two genuine heiresses accompanying an escaping blade madman avoiding entry fees. Wang Anfeng was filled with melancholy. Upon entering, his view suddenly expanded; the martial arts stage was immensely vast, more than sufficient for martial artists to engage in exchanges and tests without exerting overly powerful moves within its bounds. They entered from the north, directly facing a sleek mountain wall, several tens of yards tall. On both sides were crimson tall buildings, layer upon layer, where various top martial artists dressed in martial attire could be seen. With Wang Anfeng's ocular power, he could even see the different decorations on their clothing. In front of the performance arena stood a tall young woman. Upon seeing Huangfu Qiuyang, her face broke into a smile as she walked briskly over, then noticed Wang Anfeng beside Li Yinxiang. Her eyes brightened slightly, and she slowed down. In a few steps, she had arrived before the three of them and greeted Huangfu Qiuyang with a cheerful smile: "Ah Yang, finally you've arrived. How could you, the host, be later than us? Is this young lady the Li Yinxiang you mentioned earlier? Indeed, she looks very elegant." Li Yinxiang smiled and said: "So it's the Red Sleeve Saber of the Xiahou Family." Xiahou Jie let out a soft exclamation, surprised that her playful title was known by others, which greatly increased her good impression. She smiled slightly and turned her gaze to Wang Anfeng. Her eyes were like flowing fire as she said: "Is this the expert you mentioned, Qiuyang?" "Truly extraordinary in demeanor." Huangfu Qiuyang had seen the temperament of the Blade Madman before, realizing this was not good. He spoke gently, with a smile: "Yinxiang, this is indeed the Sixth Sister from the Xiahou Family I mentioned to you. Her elder brother is the current Young Master of the Xiahou Family, Xiahou Xuan. Because Young Master Xiahou is unwell, he couldn't come today, so Ajie is here on his behalf." Though he was introducing to Li Yinxiang, he was actually speaking to Wang Anfeng, worried that this naturally arrogant martial artist might be too haughty and cause friction with the Xiahou Family. His words, although meant to interrupt Xiahou Jie's combat will, were gentle like fine rain and left no trace, seeming genuinely like an introduction to Li Yinxiang. He finished with a slight note of regret: "Though the Young Master Xiahou is somewhat frail, he is handsome, genteel, sincere, and skilled in many arts. His martial arts are also among the top of his peers. Yinxiang, it's a rare visit for you, yet you haven't met him." Wang Anfeng suddenly understood. No wonder this girl with the red blade seemed familiar; it turned out she was a Xiahou sibling. Internally, he silently added another thought. It's better if he doesn't come, it's not regrettable at all that he's absent… Right now, I don't want to see him. He further speculated that with Xiahou Xuan's strategic mind, this so-called illness was likely self-fabricated, staying home to plot something else, and he wondered who might suffer this time. Then Huangfu Qiuyang said to Xiahou Jie again: "This is Miss Li we've talked about, she shouldn't be unfamiliar to you." After Xiahou Jie and Li Yinxiang exchanged greetings, the latter turned to Wang Anfeng with anticipation: "Hero, do you have any plans? We are going to the Huangfu Family's viewing platform, where the view is excellent. Why don't you join us?" Wang Anfeng diverted his gaze and replied coldly: "No need, I am used to being alone." With these words, he moved forward, glancing around sharply and already discerning the warriors from the Xuanyuan, Xiahou, and Dongfang Noble Clans, as well as military family martial artists, from their weapons and attire, before striding towards the level occupied by Jianghu martial artists. Li Yinxiang felt a deep sense of disappointment but did not insist. She touched the self-made jade pendant at her waist, and with Huangfu Qiuyang and Xiahou Jie, headed to the Huangfu Family's viewing platform. On the Huangfu Family's platform, many young saberists were looking around. Suddenly, one person whispered: "Here she comes, Miss Qiuyang is coming, Brother Li..." A young man in black with red wave patterns at the hem stood up on the platform, with a naturally flamboyant expression. His eyes brightened upon seeing Huangfu Qiuyang, and he smiled: "That's great, you all clear the way." "Once Qiuyang arrives, do not disturb her!" Everyone bowed and agreed, while Li Danxun patted the railing, laughed heartily, and exuded a hearty spirit. Then he noticed a white-clad saberist with a prized sword at the waist leaning on the railing, his face visibly shaken and fearful, losing his original poise. Frowning, he asked in surprise: "Brother Zhao Kuo? What are you looking at?" "Has some remarkable lady captivated your gaze so much? If so, speak up, and I'll arrange a proposal." His words were filled with teasing banter, but Zhao Kuo withdrew his gaze. His face still held fear as he gave a bitter smile, saying: "Why such assumptions?" He paused, contemplated, and said: "Brother Li, do you remember my recent defeat at the hands of a black-clad saberist?" Li Danxun frowned, slowly nodding: "Master mentioned a young martial artist known as the Fufeng Blade Madman." "What is it? Seeing your expression, could it be…" Zhao Kuo nodded, took a deep breath, and said: PS: Today's promised update is here...… Three thousand two hundred words, above~