Chapter 100: The Extraordinary Old Fellows

Waves of heat seeped through the fabric over her chest.

Lu Liao Liao’s pale face remained unmoved. She straightened her posture and coldly fixed her gaze on the poised, elegant middle-aged man before her.

Jun Nanfeng sheathed his long sword and smiled gently.

“If I hadn’t stopped your sword, my son’s arm might have been lost. I believe no father in this world would tolerate such a tragedy unfolding before his eyes.”

Gu Xihua, having rushed over, tore a piece of cloth and tightly wrapped it around Lu Liao Liao’s chest, her eyes burning with hatred as she glared at Jun Nanfeng.

“Your son’s arm is precious—does that mean other lives aren’t?”

“Given your lover’s skill and experience in swordplay, if he hadn’t underestimated his opponent, my son’s strike could never have harmed him. Young one, confidence can empower, but pride only leads to injury. You must learn to discern the balance between confidence and pride.”

Jun Nanfeng immediately saw through Gu Xihua’s disguise as a man. He glanced at her indifferently before turning to Lu Liao Liao, beginning a heartfelt lecture.

“Pride? Compared to you, what pride do I have to speak of?”

Lu Liao Liao’s face was resolute as she retorted sarcastically.

“Heh!” Jun Nanfeng laughed without concern, pointing to his chest. “If your inner strength were truly immense, would you still need such shallow pride?”

He then casually scanned the surroundings.

“You come from humble origins but stood out in the marriage selection competition, naturally stirring envy. They look down on you and cheer for my son to defeat you. This is the innate malice of human nature, unchangeable by anyone.

“You are angry at them, but consider this: do you yourself disdain your own origins? Birth is a gift from heaven, unchangeable, but we can transform ourselves. If you could face everything about yourself with serenity, where would this furious rage come from?”

Lu Liao Liao knew Jun Nanfeng’s words were profoundly true, yet she remained defiant.

“Heh! Is that all just reason? When I, Jun Nanfeng, married into the Qin family and became the husband of Chang’an’s most beautiful woman, how many scornful looks and insults did I endure? Yet all those years have passed. What matters is that I live my life with the woman I love. What does being a son-in-law matter?”

Jun Nanfeng’s smile was like the gentle spring breeze.

Lu Liao Liao opened her mouth to speak but fell silent.

Jun Nanfeng walked over to the dazed Jun Ruocheng and patted his shoulder reassuringly. Then, turning back to Lu Liao Liao, he pointed to his chest and, with Jun Ruocheng, floated away.

The setting sun bled into a dazzling evening glow.

Gu Xihua and Lu Liao Liao, huddled close, quietly stared at the crimson horizon, neither speaking a word. They had finally confronted the killer of Gu Xihua’s father—a power so overwhelming it bred despair.

Regret gnawed at Gu Xihua’s heart. Suddenly, she felt the burden of avenging her father placed on Lu Liao Liao’s shoulders was selfish.

As if sensing her thoughts, Lu Liao Liao gently stroked her head in a soft voice.

“Don’t think so much. We’re still young, aren’t we?”

A soft knocking suddenly came. Gu Xihua went to open the door.

Usually brusque in his entrances, Lu Jiu surprised them by knocking politely this time.

His cold gaze lingered long on Lu Liao Liao’s bandaged chest. Silently, he retrieved the IOU that Lu Liao Liao had sealed with a handprint and let it burn slowly in the candlelight.

Lu Liao Liao smiled with complicated emotions, but there was no relief in her heart. Compared to other heavy shackles around her neck, this IOU, which had bound her to Lu Jiu for years, was insignificant.

“Gu Xihua, serve another year as the Night’s Arrival at Tianxian Tower, and I’ll grant you freedom.” Lu Jiu didn’t look back as he watched the IOU’s ashes drift in the candlelight.

“Five years reduced to two—when did Ninth Young Master grow so merciful?” Gu Xihua teased, a trace of sarcasm curling her lips.

“No matter the reasons, you once disguised yourself as Young Master Xihua and stole countless precious treasures from many families. If not for your fixation on my family’s dragon-skin fan, would you have been caught by me? Do you really think the paintings and ceramics you smashed were all fakes I supplied? Don’t play innocent in front of him.

“I halved your debt because I promised back then. Now, seeing him injured, I’ll reduce it by another year. If you’re still dissatisfied, pay what you owe now.”

The seemingly calm Lu Jiu’s sudden fury silenced Gu Xihua instantly.

“Heh heh!” Lu Liao Liao smiled proudly. “Who would have thought a sword wound would buy Xihua a whole year off? Looks like I’ve profited.”

Gu Xihua’s heart ached; tears slipped down as she turned away. Lu Jiu glanced at Lu Liao Liao with a complex expression and sighed softly.

“I’ve blocked all the suitors for you. I remember you said there’d be a generous reward afterward. What kind of reward? I want to see just how generous.”

Lu Liao Liao’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Lu Jiu.

“Do you think such a grand marriage uproar would end so simply? Rest well and heal your wound. Tomorrow, my father will meet you personally. We’ll talk after you get through that.”

Glancing at Lu Liao Liao’s chest, Lu Jiu left without lingering, leaving the two alone in the room.

“I’m going back to Tianxian Tower tomorrow. Be careful, don’t act rashly and get hurt again,” Gu Xihua said, holding Lu Liao Liao’s arm tightly. A heavy sorrow weighed down her heart.

“Don’t worry. There’s no mountain too high or river too wide to cross. Come, let me see a smile,” Lu Liao Liao gently lifted Gu Xihua’s chin and smiled faintly.

Gu Xihua smiled—a bitter, helpless smile.

The next day dawned bright and cloudless. In the rice fields, farmers toiled, harvesting golden stalks, sweat pouring as they plunged back into the amber sea.

Though reluctant to admit it, Jun Nanfeng’s advice the day before had brought a profound change in her. Walking calmly through the Wang family courtyard corridor, her mood was steady and serene.

In the reception hall, only a tall, pale, stout man in a blue robe stood before a painting. Lu Liao Liao did not rush to greet him but discreetly scrutinized him.

“What are you staring at? Are you wondering how such a fat man like me could have given birth to such a stunning daughter as Liuli? Let me tell you, I was much better looking when I was young. Otherwise, how could my nine daughters each be more beautiful than the last?”

Wang Yuanbao seemed to sense Lu Liao Liao’s gaze and glared at him angrily, clearly annoyed.

Lu Liao Liao’s lips curled, and his cautious mood instantly relaxed.

Casting a jealous glance at Lu Liao Liao’s tall, slender figure, then back at his own bulky body, Wang Yuanbao shook his head and sighed deeply.

“Alas! I don’t want to be this fat, but I must. If I weren’t fat, no one would believe I’m wealthy. If I weren’t fat, how could I be the richest man in Chang’an?”

“Just a few days ago, I saw Elder Yang and Elder Guo—they’re not fat at all,” Lu Liao Liao replied with a smile, dismissive of the argument.

“That’s why they’re only rich, and I am the richest,” Wang Yuanbao said with self-satisfaction.

Lu Liao Liao was taken aback. Meeting the renowned richest man of Chang’an, he already won the first round. Pretending to glance around the guest room, he casually asked,

“I’ve heard the Wang estate is called the Wang treasure trove, extremely luxurious. The walls are layered with gold and silver; the guest hall is framed with sandalwood; floors are tiled with brocade-patterned stone; the garden paths are paved with copper coins to prevent slipping. But to me, the estate is exquisitely arranged, serene and elegant, with not a trace of vulgar ostentation.”

“Heh heh! The rumors are true. My Wang family’s Chang’an mansion is indeed lavish and gaudy. If I weren’t fat and vulgar, how could I fit the image of Chang’an’s richest man? Tarnishing myself calms their discontent. The Wang Yuanbao in their minds isn’t the real me. Let them think what they want.”

Wang Yuanbao squinted and smiled slyly, resembling a plump fox.

Lu Liao Liao stared at him thoughtfully.

“Don’t you feel that this fat man is worlds apart from your fabricated Wang Ergou?”

Wang Yuanbao’s teasing gaze pinned Lu Liao Liao, making him feel awkward, suddenly regretting his earlier childish behavior.

“My dear daughter Liuli speaks of you as a rare gem, unparalleled in the world. Now, I want to test you, see if you truly are that outstanding.”

Wang Yuanbao returned to his desk, sipped tea calmly, and watched Lu Liao Liao with a serene smile.

“Sir,” Lu Liao Liao no longer dared belittle this stout richest man but bowed respectfully.

“The sage at the Imperial Han Yuan Hall, gazing southward, saw a white dragon stretching across the mountains. When asked, none of his attendants saw it. He urgently summoned Wang Yuanbao, who said, ‘I see a white form lying atop the mountain but cannot discern its shape.’ The dignitaries asked, ‘Why can’t we see it?’ Emperor Xuanzong replied, ‘I heard the richest can rival the noblest. I am the noblest in the realm, Yuanbao is the richest, hence only he can see it.’”

Wang Yuanbao recited this legend about himself in a refined tone, exactly as the rumors said—not an ordinary man. Smiling, he looked at Lu Liao Liao: “What do you think?”

Lu Liao Liao shook his sleeve and smiled confidently.

“All under heaven belongs to the sovereign; all lands along the borders belong to his subjects. Everything under the sky belongs to the supreme sage. The Wang family is simply too rich—so rich even the sage must take notice. That rumor is both a great honor and a great crisis for the Wang family.”