However, before he could sort out his thoughts, the dishes were served.
The aroma wafted into his nose, and the words “want to eat” instantly occupied his mind, leaving no room for anything else.
Although Yun Huizhou didn’t show it on his face, Lian Li, who had been keeping a sliver of attention on him, saw his hand resting on his thigh twitch slightly.
Having lived and eaten with Yun Huizhou for the past few days, Lian Li understood—Yun Huizhou was hungry.
Thinking that he had been shamelessly tagging along and sharing Yun Huizhou’s food expenses, Lian Li waited until a few dishes were served and then deliberately put on an expression of being hungry and craving the food, yet too embarrassed to start.
Yun Huizhou cooperatively shifted his gaze toward him, which caused Zhao Honglan to notice Lian Li’s expression as well.
He teased, “I haven’t seen Brother Yun in a long time, so it was inevitable that I got a bit too caught up in our conversation and neglected Little Brother Lian. Little Brother Lian, you must eat more today; consider it my apology to you.”
Lian Li’s eyes instantly lit up. He gripped his chopsticks and looked from Yun Huizhou to Zhao Honglan, the questioning look in his eyes obvious.
Can we start? Zhao Honglan gave a light chuckle and invited them both to dig in.
As he ate, Lian Li mentally categorized Zhao Honglan as a wealthy, generous, and overall great person.
After the meal, Zhao Honglan took Lian Li and Yun Huizhou for a stroll around Xianglai City.
Because he was a disciple of the Qinghong Sword Sect, many people in Xianglai City recognized Zhao Honglan. By following him, Lian Li and Yun Huizhou were even able to get a few discounts on their purchases.
This time, it was Yun Huizhou who paid. After all, having freeloaded an expensive meal, it wouldn’t do to be completely stingy while out shopping.
However, Lian Li knew Yun Huizhou’s current financial situation, so he just looked around and didn’t plan on buying anything.
The three hadn’t been walking for long when a disciple from the Qinghong Sword Sect found Zhao Honglan.
“First Senior Brother, Senior Sister Qu has returned. Master is calling for you to go back.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Honglan’s smile, which was already as warm as a spring breeze, softened even further. He cupped his fists toward Lian Li and Yun Huizhou and said, “Brother Yun, Little Brother Lian, please excuse me.”
Lian Li followed Yun Huizhou’s example and bid farewell to Zhao Honglan.
As the two walked back toward the inn where they were staying, hearing the Qinghong Sword Sect disciple mention a “Miss Qu” reminded Lian Li of the sense of familiarity he felt when he heard Zhao Honglan’s name at the restaurant earlier.
However, he still couldn’t figure out where that familiarity came from. Even as they reached the entrance of the inn, Lian Li was still lost in thought.
Suddenly, Yun Huizhou reached out and gave him a tug. Lian Li turned to look at him, his eyes filled with confusion.
Yun Huizhou pointed at the ground in front of his feet and said, “Watch where you’re going.”
Lian Li looked in the direction he pointed; it was the threshold. If he had continued walking absentmindedly as before, he likely would have been tripped by it.
The two went upstairs to their room. Yun Huizhou opened the window and moved a chair over to sit by it, while Lian Li continued tidying the beds.
Suddenly, Yun Huizhou spoke up, “If you truly want to learn martial arts, the Qinghong Sword Sect is an excellent place. If I mention it to Zhao Honglan, there shouldn’t be any problem with you joining them.”
Lian Li turned to look at him in surprise. When Yun Huizhou hadn’t given him a straight answer about learning martial arts before, he had already prepared himself mentally.
He feared his aptitude was poor and that he was past the right age, meaning he likely wouldn’t be able to learn.
He didn’t know what level Yun Huizhou’s martial arts reached in this world, but seeing that he was an acquaintance of Zhao Honglan and that the two had much to discuss regarding martial arts, he knew Yun Huizhou’s skills must be among the best of the younger generation.
After all, Zhao Honglan was the First Senior Brother of the Qinghong Sword Sect, and the current leader of the Martial Arts Alliance was the Sect Leader of the Qinghong Sword Sect.
It stood to reason that Yun Huizhou’s sect or master must also be extraordinary. When such masters took on disciples, they always had certain requirements for aptitude.
“Great Hero Yun, what sect are you from?” Lian Li thought a lot, but in the end, he only asked this one question.
He wasn’t familiar with these sects. The only person he could say he was close to now was Yun Huizhou, and he felt very comfortable around him.
Zhao Honglan was also a good person; despite being a martial artist, he had the air of an elegant young gentleman.
During dinner, Zhao had taken good care of him, but ultimately, it wasn’t as comfortable as being with Yun Huizhou.
“My sect cannot compare to the Qinghong Sword Sect,” Yun Huizhou said casually.
Lian Li didn’t know how to respond to that. He scratched his head, wanting to say he didn’t care about that and mainly just wanted a place to stay.
But the words died in his throat. He felt that saying so might make his resolve to learn martial arts seem weak.
Fortunately, Yun Huizhou also knew it was a difficult topic to follow and knew that Lian Li was completely ignorant of the affairs of the martial world, so he continued on his own: “My place is very far from here. After the Martial Arts Assembly ends, it will take another ten days to half a month of travel to get there.”
Lian Li replied, “Then… we’ll just travel.”
“Alright,” Yun Huizhou said.
With those words from Yun Huizhou, the heart that Lian Li had been holding in suspense finally settled.
“By the way, don’t keep calling me ‘Great Hero’ this and ‘Great Hero’ that. Although being a ‘Great Hero’ depends on fame and reputation rather than age, hearing you shout it in my ear every day makes me feel like I’ve aged several decades,” Yun Huizhou said suddenly.
Lian Li asked him, “Then should I call you Young Hero?”
“Just call me by my name,” Yun Huizhou said.
Over the next few days, Zhao Honglan did not visit again, and the two did not go out either. Instead, they stayed in the inn—partly because they had nowhere specific to go, and partly to save money.
If they ran out of money, Yun Huizhou would have to find a way to get more.
However, Lian Li hadn’t exactly been doing nothing while staying at the inn. The original host had been educated and had practiced calligraphy; since Lian Li was using his body, he still possessed some muscle memory.
So, he took on some work transcribing books.
Educated people were few to begin with, and those with the leisure and patience to transcribe books were even fewer.
Most people in the martial world were merely literate; they could write if they had to, but they certainly couldn’t handle the task of transcribing books.
Consequently, after Lian Li took his first job, a steady stream of business actually came to his door, and the prices offered weren’t low.
Lian Li, of course, didn’t take every job that came his way; he selectively chose those that weren’t too long but paid well.
When he finished the last book and went to the bookstore to collect his payment, the bookstore owner even asked if he would take more.
Lian Li thought for a moment. The tedious preliminary procedures of the Martial Arts Assembly were over, and tomorrow would begin the part he looked forward to most: the martial arts matches between disciples of various sects.
Yun Huizhou would also be participating, and he wanted to go watch the fights.
Thus, he cupped his hands to the shopkeeper and said, “I won’t be taking any more for now. I want to go watch the matches.”
The shopkeeper knew that young men of this age loved watching martial arts matches. Yun Huizhou had also come by twice before to help Lian Li deliver books.
