Chapter 46: The Maiden of Water City

Thunder roared as torrential rain poured down from the heavens. On the rugged mountain path, Chu Feng carried Xiao Li on his back, striding swiftly, covering three yards with each step, moving as if he were flying.

A man’s spirits rise with joyful events, and though drenched by the downpour, Chu Feng’s mood was nothing short of exuberant.

“It seems I am but a common man after all! Before this, I thought Xiao Li was troublesome, a persistent little thing, but now I find her utterly adorable! Perhaps it’s just the guilt of accepting her precious gift that’s stirring my heart,” Chu Feng mused silently.

He was filled with emotion. Back on the street, when he saw Xiao Li being bullied by two martial artists from the House of Great Wealth, had he ignored it or stood by, he would never have had the chance to obtain the “Military Flying Dragon Dance Manual.”

Indeed, fate was fickle. Who could have guessed that such a destitute girl, unable to repay a debt of a few thousand silver coins, possessed a secret manual of incalculable value?

“Uncle, what are your plans next? How will you arrange for me?” Xiao Li, lying on Chu Feng’s back, asked.

“My sister and brother are at an inn in the Outer Town of Hengshan. We’ll meet them first. Then, you’ll accompany me to the Tianji Mu Family. I’ll ask a friend there to take you in for a while,” Chu Feng replied, having already planned their route. He couldn’t bring Xiao Li along to the Wind and Thunder Martial Pavilion, and apart from the Tianji Mu Family, there was nowhere else suitable for her.

Mu Qiaoxue lived in the Green Bamboo Lodge, with only Mu Yun’er by her side. Since she had requested Xin Lian to stay with her, perhaps she wouldn’t mind having Xiao Li as well.

“Tianji Mu Family? Uncle, isn’t that a place where people are swallowed whole? That incident with the Amethyst Flower has left me terrified of them—I dare not go!” Xiao Li said anxiously.

“The Amethyst Flower affair was just bad luck on your part, not intentional deceit. Besides, it was the Mu Family that made you lose everything, but now it’s also the Mu Family offering you shelter. You should count yourself lucky that your misfortune turned into a blessing,” Chu Feng answered, his steps swift as they raced towards Hengshan’s Outer Town.

…

Half an hour later, Chu Feng, still carrying Xiao Li, arrived in a whirlwind at the Outer Town, heading straight for the Nebula Inn.

It was midday; in one of the inn’s rooms, Chu Xinlian and Xiao Dao were having lunch. When Chu Feng suddenly pushed open the door, both were ecstatic, and he promptly introduced Xiao Li to them.

They were all young; after a few words exchanged, they quickly became acquainted. When Chu Xinlian asked about Chu Feng’s experiences over the past fortnight, he only shared the most important matters.

When it came to Mu Qiaoxue’s invitation for Chu Xinlian to learn under her wing, Chu Feng spoke earnestly and explained the situation in detail.

“Brother, I have no objections—I’ll follow your arrangements! If you think it’s good, I’ll go to the Mu Family and learn from Miss Mu,” said Chu Xinlian.

“Yes, Miss Mu is interested in you and wants to guide you. This is an opportunity—you must treasure it,” Chu Feng nodded, then glanced at Xiao Dao, who was eating and drinking heartily. Shaking his head with a smile, he said, “Xiao Dao, don’t you ever tire of eating and drinking all day? I have a deep connection with the Mu Family, and I plan to send you there as well, so you can learn martial arts and formally embark on the path of a martial artist. What do you think?”

“Brother Feng, this…” Upon hearing this, Xiao Dao became troubled. “Brother Feng, don’t be fooled by my tough exterior. When it comes to martial arts, I fear I’m not cut out for it. If I fail, it would waste your favor and bring you no honor!”

“Heh, who’s asking you to bring me honor? Enough, it’s decided. Once the rain eases, we’ll head to the Mu Family together!” Chu Feng concluded the matter without hesitation.

Before this, his sister Xinlian and brother Xiao Dao were the most important people in his heart. Now, he had added Xiao Li.

Chu Feng wouldn’t claim to be a gentleman, but he valued loyalty. Xiao Dao had first helped him escape from the Terror Sect by setting a fire, then endured their torture, refusing to betray him even unto death. For such loyalty, Chu Feng would surely repay him.

Rather than let Xiao Dao idle away his days eating and drinking, it was better for him to walk the martial path. Though it was arduous, the life of a martial artist was vibrant and long, incomparable to that of ordinary folk.

Considering Xiao Li, Chu Feng felt that for her to entrust the “Military Flying Dragon Dance Manual” to him showed heartfelt trust, perhaps she truly regarded him as her uncle. When she was sent to the Mu Family, he would ask Mu Qiaoxue to take special care of her.

Taking advantage of the rain, Xiao Li bathed thoroughly in the inn’s bathhouse, changed into new clothes purchased there, and after a little grooming, reappeared before Chu Feng and the others.

“Wow, Xiao Li, incredible! After a bath and some grooming, you’re a true beauty! I bet even the noble young ladies of Hengshan’s Outer Town can’t compare to you!” Chu Xinlian exclaimed, nearly applauding.

“Brother Feng, Xiao Li didn’t stand out before, but now, after a bath and dressing up, she’s a real beauty, haha!” Xiao Dao laughed as if discovering a treasure.

Chu Feng nodded with a smile, studying Xiao Li closely.

Her skin was white as snow, crystal clear like snowflakes. Her jet-black hair was fashioned into two lamb braids, making her face look both beautiful and delicate. Her small lips, like cherries, invited one to gently bite them at first sight.

“Xiao Li, you truly are a little beauty!” Chu Feng smiled, but when he looked at her eyes, he was surprised—they were blue?

“Xiao Li, your eyes are blue? And why is your skin so fair?” he asked out of curiosity.

Her sapphire eyes, like gemstones, were unlike anyone in the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Ridges, and her skin was whiter than white snow.

“I… I’m not a native of the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Ridges,” Xiao Li explained after some thought. “I was born in Water City, North Yue, tens of thousands of miles away. People there are like me—skin as white as snow, eyes sapphire blue.”

“So that’s it! I never expected you to be from Water City, North Yue!” Chu Feng was astonished.

During his days at the Mu Family, his knowledge had grown. He knew that above Nine Mountains and Eighteen Ridges lay Hengshan’s Outer and Inner Towns, then the Great Wilderness Prefecture. Beyond that were the main cities Xiao Li mentioned.

The Great Yue Dynasty’s territory was vast and boundless, spanning hundreds of thousands of miles, with five major cities: East, West, South, North, and Central.

Beneath South Yue Mountain City, the Great Wilderness Prefecture was the lowest among South Yue’s seventy-two prefectures, and within its thirty-six towns, Hengshan’s Outer and Inner Towns were likewise among the least.

Below Hengshan’s Outer Town was the region of the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Ridges.

In other words, from South Yue Mountain City where the Nine Mountains lay to Xiao Li’s hometown in Water City, North Yue, countless rivers and mountains separated them. The distance was beyond the imagination of ordinary martial artists.

Because of this vastness, customs, skin tones, and races varied greatly across the dynasty. The farther apart, the more pronounced the differences.

South Yue Mountain City and Water City, North Yue—one at the southern border, one at the northern—were opposites not only in skin tone and features but also in martial traditions.

“All right, the rain has almost stopped. Let’s be on our way!” Chu Feng smiled. “In two days, you’ll begin a new chapter of your lives!”