Chen Ping's Sword

Since ancient times, Jiangnan has been prosperous.

Although the Great Li Dynasty is filled with conflicts and refugees are everywhere.

In Xingqing Prefecture, with its thirteen counties, order has not yet collapsed.

It is unclear whether this is the merit of the noble families or King Jinghai.

This is something Hua Lian’er does not actually know.

Before she escaped from Jinghai Prince’s Mansion, she was not very concerned about the economy or the distribution of local powers, only interested in the people and the peerless skills of the Jianghu, just like her mother.

When Chen Ping entered the city, he noticed something unusual.

Yuanxi County was originally a small city, with no rare treasures or strategic importance, so it should have been relatively peaceful.

However, entering through the north gate, he had only walked a few hundred feet before he saw three instances of Jianghu fighting and witnessed constables arresting thieves twice.

The frequency was somewhat excessive.

Fortunately, the two were currently disheveled, covered in dust, not drawing much attention, and didn’t delay their journey.

Following Hua Lian’er’s suggestion.

Chen Ping went to a clothing shop, bought new clothes, then found an old-established Ping’an Inn, and rented two rooms.

After washing off the dirt thoroughly and feeling refreshed, he went downstairs to the hall.

He found that Hua Lian’er had cleaned herself faster than he did.

By then, she was already impatiently calling for food, filling up a whole table.

"Delicious."

Hua Lian’er’s hair was still damp, slightly wet...

Her face was washed clean, and the moon trace between her brows added a touch of ethereal beauty to her already charming appearance.

Even while puffing her cheeks eating heartily, she was mesmerising to watch.

So when Chen Ping descended, he found that the entire hall of Ping’an Inn had become excessively quiet.

The servers moved quietly and politely.

The Jianghu travelers eating were not as coarse or unrefined as usual, chewing slowly and speaking as quietly as whispers.

Pairs of eyes, like knives and sharp arrows, darted towards Hua Lian’er.

Either in amazement, fascination, or greed...

When Chen Ping sat down to eat, he could even hear the synchronized deep breaths around him.

"How can you eat here? Why don’t you paint your face again?"

Chen Ping glanced across the hall, gaining some understanding.

But he was puzzled by Hua Lian’er’s choice.

Wasn’t the little girl the most cautious and suspicious one?

With such a strange atmosphere in the inn, she couldn’t possibly be unaware...

Why was she so bold this time?

Could it be that she was too hungry to think much?

It didn’t seem like it.

Back when they were begging, being hungry for several days was common.

"Earlier, I saw a wanted poster at the city gate."

Hua Lian’er spoke, her mouth still busy, "Seventh Brother, it wasn’t easy crossing Youx Mountain... You fought dozens of battles with Hu People experts along the way and even retreated unscathed from under the Sword Elder’s hand. This news cannot be hidden from the Jianghu people.

But, isn’t it strange? The wanted poster is still neatly posted there."

Saying this, Hua Lian’er became quite angry.

This underestimates them.

No one knew better than her that Seventh Brother couldn’t possibly be a Sea Robber, all those he killed deserved death.

Were those in Xingqing Prefecture blind, deaf, or pretending to be ignorant deliberately?

The wanted posters were absurdly pasted.

But in Yuanxi County, they’re also just copying, posting Tian Qi’s wanted list all over the city.

Even removing words like ’suspect,’ directly treating him as a big thief.

So many Jianghu martial artists and constables moving back and forth around them, thinking they don’t notice?

"Since you saw the wanted posters, aren’t you afraid of being surrounded by revealing your true appearance?"

Chen Ping didn’t drink any wine; after gnawing through two chickens, he finally slowed down his eating speed.

"I’m not convinced, besides, I don’t feel any danger... With Seventh Brother here, I’m not afraid. In fact, no matter how we dodge, we can’t escape the eyes and ears of these local powers. Unless we never enter a city, just keep wandering in the forests."

Hua Lian’er said with reason.

In the realm of lurking tigers and wolves.

As long as he’s present, even the most dangerous path seems smooth.

If there was one major takeaway from this journey through Youx Mountain, it was her vastly improved psychological endurance.

Ordinary challenges, she completely disregarded.

"I don’t even have as much confidence in myself as you do."

If she had said this upon arrival, Chen Ping would have felt immense pressure.

Now, however, he felt nothing.

What must come will eventually arrive.

With increasing strength comes not just fame, but also troubles.

In the Jianghu, many risk it all, seeking fortunes overnight.

Moreover, their thoughts are often the same; unless they try it themselves, no one believes they’re worse than others.

The wanted posters are nothing remarkable.

Being on the Hidden Dragon List alone makes many ignorant new talents in the Jianghu drool with envy.

In Jianghu, people are not always in control of their destinies.

With fame comes opportunity.

To confront someone so young like Chen Ping at the bottom of the Hidden Dragon List, everyone wants a try.

To make a name, and casually profit.

"Tian Qi, I’ve heard your Fist Technique and Swordsmanship are both extraordinary, Lih Qiuyu of Wushan Sect’s Wandering Dragon Sword comes to seek pointers."

A young swordsman dressed in a white Sword Shirt, carrying a Pine Patterned Treasure Sword, flashed forward to the entrance, stepped into the shop, cupped his fist in salute, and unsheathed his sword.