Li Banfeng put away the newspaper. Yan Hong’er was a bit reluctant to part with it, but Li Banfeng consoled her, "There will be plenty of newspapers from now on. Next ti I co, I’ll bring you more rouge."
After a al in Fool’s City, it was ti for Li Banfeng to leave. The people at the Book Residence were reluctant to see him go; in all these years, no one had ever treated them so kindly.
Li Banfeng smiled and said, "Everyone, continue your cultivation diligently and learn more skills. In the future, I’ll need to seek your guidance."
Tang Changfa said, "Shopkeeper, you’re being too formal. We’re family, so there’s no need to talk about ’seeking guidance.’ I can teach you the essentials of the challenging technique right now. It’s just that I don’t have the City Lord’s abilities, so I don’t know if you’ll be able to learn it."
While the essentials of techniques could be learned, Li Banfeng wasn’t of the Foolish Cultivation of the Taoist Sect and did not possess the Foolish Cultivation level. Without Sun Tiecheng’s personal instruction, no amount of essentials would be helpful, and he wouldn’t be able to grasp any technique. Li Banfeng had already discovered this when he tried with Yan Cui’er.
What special thods Sun Tiecheng possessed, Li Banfeng had no way of knowing. Besides, he wasn’t interested in learning the challenging technique, which relied on self-harm to deter enemies.
Returning to Zhengjing Village, Li Banfeng found Ma Wu and showed him the newspaper.
Ma Wu was preoccupied with business, running back and forth between Qi Qiu City and Loess Bridge. He had paid attention only to business news and scarcely anything else.
"Thousand Pearls Mountain was flattened by Zhao Xiaowan? Is Zhao Xiaowan still alive?" Ma Wu thought for a mont, then shook his head. "That must be soone acting under Zhao Xiaowan’s banner. Whether their deeds are truly heroic, however, still needs to be verified."
Li Banfeng said, "I’m planning to investigate this. Have you had any contact with this author nad San Zhui?"
Ma Wu nodded. "I’ve had contact with her, but not extensive. San Zhui’s real na is Shan Zhui. She’s from the Ink Shop and one of Shen Rongqing’s capable subordinates. She has an aloof personality and is difficult to get along with. She accompanied Shen Rongqing and dined with twice. We barely exchanged any words."
If even Ma Wu found it hard to converse with her, what kind of woman was she?
Li Banfeng said, "When we return to Greenwater City, arrange for Miss Shan to et with us. I just want to see her once."
Ma Wu shook his head. "I really don’t want to see her. You’d better not go either, lest you get snubbed."
"We won’t approach her directly. I’ll find soone else to do it."
Back in Greenwater City, Li Banfeng booked a feast at the Peace Hotel, and Ma Wu went to the newspaper office to invite Shan Zhui.
The first ti Ma Wu invited her, Shan Zhui declined, saying she was too busy lately for social engagents.
The second ti, Shen Rongqing personally extended the invitation. Shan Zhui reluctantly agreed but insisted that Shen Rongqing accompany her.
Shen Rongqing, worried Ma Wu might feel awkward, tried to persuade her, saying, "They invited you specifically, so I don’t need to go."
Shan Zhui responded right in front of Ma Wu, "I’m a woman. Attending a banquet alone might damage my reputation."
Ma Wu frowned. "How would that damage your reputation?"
Shen Rongqing diated, "Don’t bicker over such a small matter. I’ll go with Ah i, and that’s settled."
When the day arrived, the host and guests took their seats—five people in total. Shan Zhui offered no greeting, nor did she spare Li Qi or Ma Wu a glance. Inviting her to this al felt as if they owed her money.
Although Shen Rongqing was aloof by nature, she understood social etiquette, and her conduct was impeccable.
She recognized Li Qi and was very familiar with Ma Wu. She exchanged greetings and small talk with them. There was also another woman at the table whom she did not know, waiting to be introduced.
This woman was strikingly beautiful, with a delicate and unworldly charm that compelled one to look twice.
Upon closer inspection, one would find her face flawless. However, her figure was even more stunning, captivating the gaze and making it impossible to look away.
"Who is this young lady?"
Li Qi introduced, "This young lady is You Xue Tao, a woman of talent. We invited Miss You today specifically to discuss literature with the two of you."
Shen Rongqing nodded and smiled. "Excellent. Then tonight, let’s only discuss literature and nothing else."
As they spoke, Shan Zhui glanced first at Ma Wu, her eyes filled with undisguised disgust.
Shen Rongqing kept gazing at Oil Peach. "Miss You, which kind of literature do you prefer the most? Have you brought any of your works with you?"
Oil Peach slightly lowered her head. Her cheeks were tinged with a blush that carried a hint of shyness. Within that shy expression, there was also a touch of unease, mingled with excitent and joy.
Though Ma Wu had a higher cultivation level than Oil Peach, even he couldn’t replicate such an expression.
"In the presence of two teachers like you, how dare I speak of my own work," Oil Peach first looked towards Shen Rongqing. "I am a loyal reader of both of you, especially fond of Teacher Shen’s prose and Teacher Shan’s poetry."
Shan Zhui, who had been silent all this ti, suddenly spoke, "I am hardly a ’teacher.’ You mustn’t compare with Teacher Shen."
Oil Peach bowed her head. "I was presumptuous."
Shen Rongqing chuckled. "Let’s not call each other ’teacher’; it makes us sound old. Miss You, which of Shan Zhui’s poems is your favorite?"
This was a test; she wanted to see if You Xue Tao was rely offering empty flattery.
Oil Peach raised her head, gazing at Shan Zhui and said, "When my body plunges into the abyss, forever trapped in the dungeon of demons, I will still gaze upon you, for you are my only salvation in this life."
As she spoke, Oil Peach’s eyes sparkled. A faint glimr of tears, reflecting the candlelight, vividly conveyed the adoration, affection, and longing in her heart.
Shan Zhui stared blankly for a long ti, marveling that such an innocent and adorable girl could exist in this world.
Li Banfeng took a sip of his wine. Who could have imagined that such an innocent and adorable girl had once vigorously shaken peaches at him on Kuwu Mountain?
Different people require different thods. Ma Wu understood this principle, but his skill in applying it was truly no match for Oil Peach’s.
Yet, despite such talent, Oil Peach had only barely reached the Second Layer, and that was with He Yuxiu’s help.
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