A Misunderstanding in Luoyang

Ye Di drove northward for several days, soon reaching the region of Luoyang.

This ancient city had served as the capital for numerous dynasties, boasting prosperity, wealth, and countless historical sites. The travelers he encountered along the way spoke with the accent of the Central Plains, a dialect notably more direct and straightforward than the soft, lilting tones of Jiangnan he was accustomed to.

He arrived at a large town just as dawn was breaking, the crowing of roosters echoing in succession. Ye Di strolled casually, finding an inn.

After securing a superior room at the counter, he settled Xu Niantang inside. Having traveled day and night under the stars, enduring a long and arduous journey, he now felt a gnawing hunger in his stomach as he finally relaxed.

Spicy soup and pan-fried buns were local specialties. Ye Di descended to the inn’s first floor, ordered one of each, and carried them to a corner table, ready to eat.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and a group of martial artists entered, shouting as they stepped inside:

“Innkeeper, steam more buns and bread! We’ll eat some now and take some for the road; we still have a journey ahead.”

The innkeeper quickly responded:

“We have steamed buns ready, but judging by your appetites, esteemed guests, they might not be enough. Please bear with us and wait a little longer.”

Ye Di paid them no mind, their words flowing in one ear and out the other. He picked up a pan-fried bun with his chopsticks, thoroughly soaking it in the spicy soup.

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept past him.

This was immediately followed by the soft scrape of a chair being pulled out. Ye Di popped a bun, thoroughly soaked in the savory broth, into his mouth.

As he chewed vigorously, his cheeks bulging, he subtly raised his gaze. A young girl sat directly opposite him, clad in a goose-yellow dress; her features were delicate and refined, exuding an endearing and spirited charm.

Ye Di merely glanced at her, then lost interest. After a few chews, he swallowed the bun and reached for another, intending to repeat the process.

At that moment, two men in black robes approached. After bowing to Ye Di with clasped fists, they spoke:

“Esteemed brother, as you can see, the inn’s common hall is full, and with our large group, we have no place to sit. Would you be so kind as to move and yield your seat to us?”

Ye Di nodded.

“Of course. I’ll yield my seat to you once I’ve finished this breakfast.”

One of the men paused, taken aback.

“We meant right now…”

Ye Di simply raised his bowl, took a sip of spicy soup, and ignored them. Seeing Ye Di act as if they weren’t even there, the group felt helpless.

After casting resentful glances at Ye Di, one of them deliberately spoke in a loud voice:

“It’s rare for some to dine at the same table as our junior sister. Having seen her beautiful face, they’ve become rooted to their spot, unable to move. There’s nothing to be done. Senior Brother Fang, let’s just squeeze in with the other disciples and make do with a meal.”

The man addressed as Senior Brother Fang gave a wry smile.

“Junior Brother Ding, there’s no need to speak like that…”

Yet, in his tone, there was not the slightest hint of rebuke for Junior Brother Ding. ‘Are sects so lax in their moral education for disciples these days?’ Ye Di wondered.

‘Those from the Lei Clan Martial Arts School, seeing Lei Ling’s conduct, one could at least attribute it to a crooked beam leading to a crooked pillar.’ ‘This group, however, was well-dressed and carried themselves with a certain elegance, clearly from a reputable, orthodox sect.’

‘How could they be out in the martial world, yet immediately offend people with their words, showing such a lack of discernment?’ Ye Di was already preoccupied with Xu Niantang’s situation, and now he felt even more vexed.

He quickly finished his large bowl of spicy soup and rose to leave. The two remaining pan-fried buns lay untouched in the dish, forgotten.

Seeing him ascend to the second floor without a backward glance, the disciples were first stunned, then one of them spoke:

“Junior Brother Ding, could it be that this person’s little scheme was exposed by you, and he left in a fit of pique? Haha!”

“I thought he had thick skin and wouldn’t leave our junior sister’s side. Who knew he was such a sensitive ‘young lady,’ so thin-skinned? Why even venture into the martial world?”

Senior Brother Fang, however, did not join in the others’ discussion. He walked over to the junior sister in the goose-yellow dress and spoke gently:

“How was it? That person just now didn’t make you uncomfortable, did they?”

The junior sister cupped her teacup with both hands, brought it to her lips, and took a delicate sip. Then she shook her head.

“No. He was perfectly proper, just eating his breakfast there.”

Senior Brother Fang said:

“That’s good. Junior Sister Ji, we must set off immediately after breakfast, or we might not make it within the time limit set by Alliance Leader Fang.”

Junior Sister Ji nodded obediently.

“I’ll listen to all my senior brothers and sisters.”

The moment she spoke, her voice was clear and tender, like a golden oriole emerging from a valley. All the disciples present couldn’t help but blush, their hearts seemingly fluttering.

It turned out that this girl in yellow was Ji Yuchang, the only daughter of the Ji Family Sword Manor’s master. Since childhood, she had been cherished as the apple of their eye.

Her senior brothers and sisters adored her, surrounding her like stars orbiting the moon, showering her with boundless affection. This time, Fang Jiezi had summoned all sects to Luoyang to attack the Zhaixing Pavilion’s main branch, and Ji Family Sword Manor was among them.

Originally, Ji Yuchang, being young and lacking sufficient skill, was not meant to join. However, the Manor Master couldn’t resist her persistent pleas; she claimed she was going mad from boredom within the manor and yearned to see the martial world.

He could only repeatedly caution his disciples. He instructed them to ensure their junior sister was well-watched while traveling, preventing her from getting carried away and running wild.

They already doted on their charming and adorable junior sister. Now, with the Manor Master’s command, they became even more unrestrained.

Their overprotective instincts made them wish they could simply crush her into their arms. Ji Yuchang had a small appetite, eating only one dark steamed bun for breakfast.

She rose from the table, intending to ask the innkeeper for more tea at the counter. Just then, the man who had previously sat opposite her descended from the second floor.

He had ordered a bowl of millet porridge and was carrying it, seemingly intending to return upstairs. Ji Yuchang wrinkled her nose, thinking, ‘Didn’t this man just eat?’

Her thoughts shifted, and she suddenly understood. ‘Ah, he must be exactly as my senior brothers and sisters said, his intentions exposed, too embarrassed to sit beside me any longer.’

‘That’s why he left, hungry.’ ‘Now he’s secretly taking a bowl of millet porridge to fill his stomach.’

Ji Yuchang couldn’t help but find it amusing. ‘This man clearly likes me, yet his pride is too fragile; he can’t even endure a few teasing remarks.’

Seeing his tall, slender figure and rather handsome face, she had, in truth, secretly developed a slight fondness for him. Unconsciously, she quietly followed him.

She watched him stop before a ‘Heavenly-rank’ room on the second floor and enter with his bowl. Being naturally unrestrained and impulsive, she was utterly lawless within the Ji Family Sword Manor.

She saw nothing wrong with intruding into someone else’s room. Immediately, she approached and pushed the door open.

Yet, her gaze swept the room, finding it completely empty. Where was any trace of a person?

Ji Yuchang was utterly bewildered. ‘How could a living person simply vanish like that?’

She tiptoed into the room, curiously peering around. Suddenly, she noticed the bowl of millet porridge placed by the bed, still faintly steaming.

Ji Yuchang approached to take a closer look. Only then did she realize that a blanket covered the bed, and someone lay beneath it.

It was also a young girl, but her complexion was pale, her thin lips pressed together, and her eyes tightly shut. Even though Ji Yuchang prided herself on her beauty,

upon seeing the frail girl on the bed, even without a trace of color in her face, she was so stunning that Ji Yuchang couldn’t help but hold her breath, feeling a sudden sense of inferiority.

As she was marveling, a sudden chill pierced her heart, and a sword was pressed against her neck:

“What are you doing in here?”

Ji Yuchang was instantly terrified, her mind a blank. Slowly, she turned her head, only to see the man who had vanished moments before.

He held a sword across her neck, his gaze fixed on her as he spoke:

“If I wished to kill you, you wouldn’t even have time to conceive the thought of escape. I’ll ask you one last time: what exactly do you intend to do by coming in here?”

Ji Yuchang was utterly stunned by the sheer killing intent emanating from him. She parted her lips slightly, her body frozen in place, unable even to cry.

‘Why? Didn’t this person like me? Why does he suddenly seem intent on killing me?’ Fortunately, after observing her for a moment, he seemed to confirm she posed no threat, and only then did he sheathe his sword.

He walked to the bedside, picked up the bowl of millet porridge, and scooped a spoonful to test its temperature. Then, as if no one else were present, he began to feed the sleeping girl in the bed.

For some reason, Ji Yuchang felt infuriated by his dismissive attitude. Once she had calmed down, she regained her composure.

Glancing sideways at him, she spoke with a hint of jealousy:

“Is she your sister?”

The man ignored her, stopping after only a few spoonfuls. He gently wiped the remnants from the girl’s lips with a handkerchief and then carefully tucked her blanket around her.

Carrying the empty bowl, he rose and, as he passed Ji Yuchang, said:

“Please step aside.”

Ji Yuchang heard no trace of emotion in his voice, only a hint of disdain. She hadn’t cried even when a sword was held to her throat moments before.

Now, however, she sniffled hard, feeling a subtle urge to cry. She declared loudly:

“I won’t move. What can you do about it?”

Ye Di froze at her words, stopping to scrutinize her. Ji Yuchang stared back fiercely, tears welling in her eyes.

‘If I can’t provoke her, can’t I at least avoid her?’ Ye Di thought. So, he decisively turned sideways, intending to squeeze past her.

Unexpectedly, his action only solidified Ji Yuchang’s conviction. She indignantly called out to Ye Di’s retreating back as he reached the door:

“You like me but don’t dare to say it aloud, instead pretending to hate me? What kind of hero is that?”

The moment she spoke, Ye Di was utterly petrified. Seeing his expression, Ji Yuchang assumed she had guessed correctly and became triumphant.

With a sniff, she coldly snorted again. “My fellow senior brothers and sisters are far more responsible than you; they never hide their affection for me. Even if I don’t return their feelings, they still treat me exceptionally well—those are truly passionate and genuine individuals!”

Ye Di almost lost his composure; if his hand had trembled and he dropped the bowl, he’d have to compensate the innkeeper. He sighed.

“Miss, are you finished speaking? If so, I’ll be leaving.”

With that, he strode away, his figure vanishing in an instant, leaving only the creaking sound of the staircase behind him.