Chapter 44: Blocked

Su Jun turned to look at the steward and said, “While I was out socializing, I heard people spreading rumors that someone got into a fight in front of the Su Mansion yesterday.”

The steward did not understand why Su Jun’s expression was so grim just because some people had fought.

The Su Mansion was hosting a martial arts marriage competition, and many figures from the martial world had flocked here. Wasn’t it perfectly normal for them to start fighting over a single disagreement?

The Su Mansion wasn’t located in some remote area, and those people didn’t care where they fought. It wasn’t a rare occurrence for a brawl to break out before their gates.

If it weren’t for the fact that there had been far too many fights recently, the Su Mansion wouldn’t have gone so far as to close its doors to guests.

Seeing the steward’s clueless expression, Su Jun said angrily, “Do you know why they fought?”

The steward shook his head. “This…”

Su Jun said, “Yesterday, two disciples claiming to be from Drunken Dream Island said they were invited to our Su family by my father. In the end, they were given the cold shoulder. The onlookers outside made a joke of it and directed lewd remarks at one of the youths. He then defeated them. The other man in black, who carried a blade, didn’t make a move, but his aura was extraordinary.”

The steward was horrified.

Su Jun continued, “I remember my father mentioning long ago that he had invited experts from Drunken Dream Island to oversee the event. He wanted to resolve that hidden threat while the martial arts marriage competition was taking place.”

“As a result, the experts arrived, only to be shut out by us.”

“Even the people outside heard them announce their sect. Could it be that the person opening our gates didn’t hear them clearly?”

“This… this…” the steward said. “I gave instructions to the gatekeepers long ago. If anyone claiming to be from Drunken Dream Island arrived, they had to be welcomed in immediately and treated with the utmost hospitality. Where are they now?”

The steward had been with the Su Mansion for many years, and Su Jun knew he wouldn’t be negligent in such matters. That meant the subordinates were the ones slacking off.

However, he was in no mood to investigate which specific person had bungled it. He simply said, “We don’t know where they are now. We must find them immediately and offer our apologies.”

The steward nodded repeatedly and said, “I will arrange for people to go out and gather information right away. I’ll also conduct a thorough investigation to see exactly where the error occurred and who was being careless.”

The two immediately split up to take action. They didn’t inform Master Su or Madam Su of the matter, fearing the anger might harm their health.

The steward immediately summoned all four gatekeepers.

Three of them looked puzzled, especially the one who had been on duty the previous night, who was yawning incessantly but still forced himself to stay alert in the courtyard.

Seeing the steward standing there with a dark expression, the three looked at each other. Only one man kept his head lowered, his hands trembling slightly inside his sleeves.

The steward asked, “Who was on duty during the day yesterday?”

Three of them pointed at the gatekeeper with his head lowered. That gatekeeper took a step forward, still trembling with his head down, and said nothing.

The steward asked, “Yesterday during the day, did two experts claiming to be from Drunken Dream Island knock on the door, saying they were invited by the Master?”

The other three gatekeepers all looked surprised and glanced at one another.

Several days ago, the steward had told them about this, and he had emphasized it again this morning. They had been paying close attention while guarding the gate these past few days, fearing they might miss the experts invited by the Master.

Looking at the situation now, it seemed the experts had arrived when they weren’t on duty.

While the three were thinking, the gatekeeper who had been on duty yesterday suddenly knelt down and said, “Two young heroes did come to knock yesterday, but they didn’t say they were from Drunken Dream Island…”

“You’re still lying!” the steward barked sternly. “The Eldest Young Master heard about it outside! Even the passersby heard those two young heroes announce their sect. Are your ears deaf?”

The gatekeeper opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the steward didn’t want to hear any more. “If those two young heroes can be invited back, then fine. If they cannot, there’s no need to even dock your wages; just leave the mansion.”

After saying that, the steward turned and left.

Before he had gone far, he heard the other three gatekeepers whispering behind him: “That day when the steward mentioned this, I saw him nodding off with his head down. I reminded him several times, but he just rolled his eyes at me.”

“Exactly. He’s always slacking off and playing tricks. Even when it’s time for the shift change, he always delays it by fifteen minutes to half an hour, forcing us to stay on guard longer.”

Hearing this, the steward’s brow furrowed again. It seemed that once those two young heroes were found, this man would have to be properly punished.

***

Lian Li and Yun Huizhou stayed at the inn for three days. They heard that the martial arts marriage competition would begin the day after tomorrow. The participants were basically confirmed; unless someone joined midway after it started, the roster wouldn’t change much.

Both of them thought that since the other had not spent any time with Miss Su, even if they wanted to go up midway, there would be a reason to dissuade them. Both felt a sense of relief.

With their moods improved and no longer needing to hide, Lian Li wanted to go out for a stroll.

Although there were no first-rate experts in Fengyi City, its geographical location was excellent, and it was indeed very prosperous. It would be a pity not to explore.

Yun Huizhou had the same idea. The two hit it off immediately, packed up, and prepared to head out.

Just as they went downstairs, they saw a man in a blue brocade robe walking toward them.

Lian Li glanced at him but didn’t pay much attention, simply moving to the side to make way for the man to pass.

However, the man stopped in front of Lian Li, cupped his hands toward Lian Li and Yun Huizhou, and asked, “Are you two the young heroes from Drunken Dream Island? I am Su Jun of the Su Mansion.”

Lian Li’s gaze met this man dressed like a young master of a prestigious family, and only one thought crossed his mind.

Crap! I still couldn’t dodge it. They’ve come looking for us. I shouldn’t have come out.

He instinctively covered his face, wanting to deny it.

Yun Huizhou, however, spoke first: “Young Master Su, please do not block the way.”

Su Jun gave a bitter smile and bowed deeply to the two of them. “I represent the Su Mansion in offering our apologies to you both.”

Lian Li was so startled he jumped to the side, and Yun Huizhou also stepped aside to avoid the bow, saying, “There is no need for this, Young Master Su. We will fulfill what our Martial Uncle promised Master Su.”

Su Jun slowly stood up and said, “We have neglected our honored guests. I do not know how to express my apologies. Why don’t you two come stay at the Su Mansion for a while and let us host you properly?”

Yun Huizhou immediately waved his hand, wanting to refuse.

He didn’t really want to go to the Su Mansion. What if that kid met Miss Su and the Su Mansion gave him a “back door” to win?

Lian Li didn’t want to go either, fearing that after all this circling around, they would end up back at the starting point.

Seeing their refusal, Su Jun looked anxious. After a moment of thought, he spoke again: “Have you two had lunch yet? The dishes at Fengyi City’s Huixiang Pavilion are truly unparalleled. Why don’t I play the host and invite you to taste the cuisine of the most famous restaurant in Fengyi City?”

Since he had put it that way, it would be somewhat rude to refuse again. It would make them seem as though they truly held a grudge over the previous incident.