Chapter 322 - 165: Post Station 3
They had forgotten that he, too, was once a heroic figure.
He had once snuck into Feiyun Stronghold, fought fiercely against the bandits, and single-handedly turned the tide.
Jiang Ran had Li Tianyu go with them as well, so they could all watch out for each other.
After the three of them had departed, Jiang Ran assigned rooms to everyone.
There wasn’t much to say about that.
However, everyone was a little suspicious of the inn and the old man.
Scholar Jingtan said,
"If this place has been abandoned for so long, why has this man stayed here all this time?
"When the inn relocated, if he was one of its old staff, he should have left with it. It makes no sense for him to remain here..."
"Just now, when I pushed open the inn’s main gate, I noticed there was no dust on the door knocker, and the gate wasn’t locked.
"I thought someone had arrived before us to take shelter for the night. I didn’t expect the inn to already be occupied."
Jiang Ran spoke pensively,
"And that old man is muddle-headed—we don’t know if it’s real or just an act. We should stay on our guard in case it’s a trap."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Just then, Jiang Ran suddenly looked toward the door.
"Someone’s coming."
Not long after he spoke, the others also heard several footsteps slowly approaching. Then, a man’s voice called out softly,
"Is anyone there?
"I see a light on in the room. I’m a traveler caught in the night rain and was hoping to take shelter here. Would that be alright?"
The newcomer was clearly aware that the inn was abandoned, so it was a matter of first come, first served.
His words were polite enough.
But upon hearing the man’s voice, Jiang Ran and Tang Huayi couldn’t help but exchange a look.
Jiang Ran waved his hand.
The main gate of the inn rumbled open.
Several figures outside were instantly revealed to everyone.
In the lead was a scholar dressed in white robes.
He wore a smile, looking around curiously.
When he saw Jiang Ran and Tang Huayi, his expression stiffened slightly.
Beside him were four young men and women.
Some were dressed as laypeople, while one was in the robes of a Daoist.
Ruan Yuqing glanced at the man’s Daoist robes, and her expression suddenly shifted.
’Someone from the Dao Yi Sect.’
A flicker of recognition crossed Jiang Ran’s face, but he just chuckled softly.
"It truly is a small world. Brother Dao, long time no see."
"Hahaha."
The scholar in the lead broke into a laugh.
"Indeed, indeed. Several months have passed since we parted ways in Benma County.
"I never expected to see you here, Brother Jiang. Your spirit is as vibrant as ever—a true cause for celebration.
"Come, come... As the saying goes: sweet rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the bliss of a wedding night, and success in the imperial exams.
"These are the four great joys in life.
"To be reunited with Brother Jiang here today is truly worthy of a large cup of wine!"
As he spoke, he led his companions inside.
Then, a young woman behind him let out a soft "Huh?"
"Ruan Yuqing?"
Hearing her name, Ruan Yuqing finally turned her gaze to the speaker. She studied her for a moment, but the face was unfamiliar. She couldn’t help but ask,
"And you are...?"
At these words, the young woman’s face darkened.
"You don’t remember me?"
"...My apologies, I’m afraid my memory fails me."
Ruan Yuqing cupped her fists in an embarrassed gesture.
"Two years ago, I visited the Shuiyue Sword Sect to seek pointers on your esteemed sect’s Swordsmanship.
"We met once and exchanged three moves.
"I was fortunate enough to receive your guidance, Sister Ruan... but I never imagined that someone as important as you would be so forgetful, completely forgetting a defeated opponent like myself."
Although the young woman tried to suppress the anger on her face as she spoke, she still sounded resentful.
"Two years ago?"
Ruan Yuqing thought hard for a moment before asking with some uncertainty,
"From the Rain Listening Tower... Gu Shengyan of the Nianhua Sword? Junior Sister Gu?"
Hearing Ruan Yuqing say this, Gu Shengyan’s anger finally turned to delight.
"So you do remember me, Sister Ruan!"
"How could I forget?"
Ruan Yuqing smiled. "I’ve been through a lot recently and met so many people that my mind has become a bit muddled. Please don’t hold it against me, Junior Sister Gu. I still remember your three sword techniques from that day: ’Sound in the Night Rain,’ ’Rain on the Plantain Leaves,’ and ’Thousand Sounds as One.’
"You had truly cultivated the ’Dawn Wind, Listening to Rain’ Swordsmanship to the point of perfection.
"If I hadn’t had the advantage of a few years’ age and the Gentle Water Sword by my side, I’m afraid I would have been the one to lose."
Hearing this, the delight on Gu Shengyan’s face deepened, but she shook her head.
"You’re just flattering me, Sister Ruan. If I were really that skilled, how could I have lost in just three moves?
"The truth is, your Swordsmanship is what’s truly formidable... Sigh. I’ve honed my skills over the past two years and have made some progress. I wonder when I’ll have the chance to ask you for a few more pointers."
Listening to their animated conversation,
Jiang Ran couldn’t help but study the newcomers.
Dao Wuming then took the opportunity to introduce his companions to Jiang Ran.
The young Daoist was indeed from the Dao Yi Sect.
His Daoist name was Qingyuan. He stood tall and was humble and polite, showing none of the arrogance one might expect from a member of the Golden Cicada First Sect. Instead, his demeanor was like a gentle breeze and a soft rain—light, clean, and very pleasant.
Besides Gu Shengyan from the Rain Listening Tower, the remaining man and woman were both from Qifeng Manor.
Their statuses were quite extraordinary.
The man was Feng Wu, the son of the Qifeng Manor Master.
The woman was his senior martial sister, Ning Jiuyuan, the head disciple of Qifeng Manor.
Jiang Ran’s group, of course, also introduced themselves.
Upon hearing the names of Scholar Jingtan and the others, these members of the younger generation naturally paid their respects properly.
Some of them had also heard of Man Shengming’s name.
They knew he was a man of few words, a powerful martial artist, and no ordinary figure.
But when they finally heard Jiang Ran’s name,
the expressions on several of their faces changed.
Feng Wu looked at Jiang Ran.
"So... you’re Jiang Ran of the Shocking God Saber.
"The tea and zither gathering is to be held at Sunset Plateau on the eighth day of the tenth month... Do you realize that with the slightest misstep, this venture of yours will lead to your own destruction?"