Eternal Sword

Chapter 372 Tea Ceremony

Pingzhou Port, the largest port in Nanxia, ​​is located in Wuzhou.

There are six states in Southern Xia. Wuzhou has a vast territory and a superior location. It is located in the rich area of ​​Jiangnan. It not only has an outlet to the sea, but also has many ferries traveling from the south to the north.

This place has many lakes, vast waters and fertile land, and is known as the land of fish and rice.

In addition to the capital located here, the two famous Nanxia Pavilions are both located in Wuzhou. It is indeed a place of great natural beauty and many outstanding people.

Getting closer, standing at the bow, Chen Tang could see fishing boats and cargo ships docked near Pingzhou Port, as well as some ferries shuttling back and forth on the sea. It was a very prosperous scene.

"Brother Chen, what are your plans now that you have arrived in Nanxia?"

At some point, Ye Yushi came to Chen Tang, stood side by side with him, and asked softly.

Chen Tang thought for a moment and said, "Let's go deliver Shen Che's letter to the Shen family first. I don't have any plans for the rest of the time. What about you?"

Feeling Chen Tang's gaze, Ye Yushi did not turn his head to look, but said calmly: "I want to go back to Bashan Sword Sect to report my safety and report the Dongyi tribe's plot to the Sect Master so that we can be prepared."

On the way here, Chen Tang told Ye Yushi what Mingyue Sanren had mentioned to him.

"As it should be."

Chen Tang said.

He has no relatives and no worries.

Ye Yushi was different from him. After wandering outside for so long without any news, he had to go back and let them know.

Ye Yushi said: "From now on, I will not go with you."

Chen Tang nodded.

These days, he has noticed that something is wrong with Ye Yushi's condition. He has asked about it, but to no avail.

Chen Tang couldn't figure out what Ye Yushi was worried about.

Ye Yushi stood at the bow, facing the wind, his clothes fluttering, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.

These days, she has been feeling very upset.

In fact, it might be faster to just report safety to the sect and send a letter back.

After arriving in Nanxia, ​​she could go the same way as Chen Tang.

But after thinking about it for many days, she gave up.

Because she found that she seemed to have gotten used to staying with Chen Tang.

These days, she seemed to have developed an inexplicable feeling for this man, like a sense of brotherhood, like dependence, or something else.

She couldn't think clearly.

But Ye Yushi knew that if she continued to go with Chen Tang, she might get deeply trapped and never be able to leave.

Whenever she thinks of her deceased mother, she reminds herself that she should not act rashly with her filial piety.

There is no one in this world that you can rely on.

The only thing she could rely on and trust was the sword in her hand.

She shouldn't have any expectations of others.

Where there is expectation, there will be disappointment.

Ye Yushi subconsciously turned his head and looked at Chen Tang beside him.

The world is so big, they may never see each other again.

But, what if we meet again by chance?

she does not know.

Perhaps, on that day, she will understand her own feelings better.

"I don't know what's been bothering you these days."

Chen Tang felt Ye Yushi's gaze, turned around, smiled slightly, and said: "But, I have heard a saying, I can tell you."

“There is no doubt that good things will come, and when they come late, it is also a pleasant surprise.”

It is said that a woman's heart is as elusive as a needle in the sea. Chen Tang really does not understand a girl's mind. He can only think of some chicken soup articles from his previous life and say a few words of comfort.

Ye Yushi repeated it softly, and suddenly thought of something. Her cheeks turned slightly red, and she turned away in a panic.

"It doesn't seem to work."

Chen Tang muttered, "Try a different joke next time..."

Well... for a woman as cold and aloof as her, cold jokes are probably a killer weapon! —
Not long after, the ship arrived at Pingjiang Port.

Chen Tang and his companions got off the boat. Ye Yushi found a veil from somewhere and put it on her head, with a thin veil around it to cover her stunning face.

Some clothes with Southern Xia characteristics had already been prepared on the boat. Chen Tang casually found a coarse linen shirt and tied the bow and arrow behind him.

Ali was holding a long wooden box and following behind Chen Tang, observing the surrounding environment with some curiosity and vigilance.

Although he hadn't killed anyone in half a year, his habit as a hermit had become ingrained in his bones over the years.

Whenever she arrives in an unfamiliar place, she observes her surroundings, pays attention to everyone, and looks for possible dangers.

Even in her mind, she simulated many scenarios in a short period of time, such as how to assassinate this person, where to hide, and how to escape without leaving any trace.

Chen Tang seemed to have sensed something, turned around, patted A Li's shoulder gently, and said with a smile: "Relax, don't be so nervous, forget your original identity."

Ali nodded.

Chen Tang had reminded her of this when they were on the boat.

When you arrive in Nanxia, ​​don't kill anyone without his instructions.

Except for Chen Tang, perhaps no one knows how much damage Ali will cause to the martial arts world of Nanxia if she is not restrained!

She is the ghost of Hermit Island!
"correct."

Ye Yushi said: "Although the court here turns a blind eye to customs documents, if you want to enter the city, you should prepare one in advance to be prepared and avoid trouble."

"I have a way here."

Lao Lu asked, "What identities do you two want?"

The Shen family of Tianhuzhou has dealings with the Shen family of Langya Pavilion in Nanxia, ​​so it is normal that they are familiar with this aspect.

"It must be the hunter."

Chen Tang glanced at A Li and said, "She is my cousin."

"Reliable."

Lao Lu laughed and said, "You two wait nearby, I'll be back soon."

Chen Tang was dressed in coarse linen clothes and carrying a bow and arrow. He really looked no different from a hunter.

Moreover, he is more familiar with hunting and will not show any fear.

"cousin?"

When Ali heard this name, he was startled.

He didn't treat me like a maid.

"cousin?"

There was a gleam in Ali's eyes.

She seems to have relatives.

Although, it's just fake.

"Brother Chen, let's say goodbye now. If we are destined to meet again, we will meet again in Jianghu."

Ye Yushi said goodbye to Chen Tang. "Take care on your journey."

Chen Tang said with a smile: "What do you mean by fate? I know where your sect is. If I can't make it in the martial arts world, I will go to you."

"Okay."

Ye Yushi smiled slightly.

The sad atmosphere of parting was completely destroyed by Chen Tang's words.

Somehow, after hearing Chen Tang's words, Ye Yushi felt much more relaxed.

Under Chen Tang's gaze, Ye Yushi came to the ferry not far away and boarded another ferry heading west along the river.

Not long after, the boat sailed away and disappeared.

The Bashan Sword School is in Yizhou, the westernmost part of Southern Xia, and it is most convenient to reach there by boat.

Chen Tang took Ali for a walk around the area.

Although both are ports, Pingjiang Port seems to be much more lively than the port of Hermit Island. The market on the shore is crowded with people, and a wide variety of seafood is displayed.

Looking ahead, before entering the city, you can see teahouses and taverns on the roadside. Many peddlers and chivalrous men carrying swords are sitting among them, chatting and laughing, and the scene is bustling and prosperous.

A glimpse of the leopard in the tube can be seen.

Compared with Qian State, Nanxia was obviously much richer and more vibrant.

Chen Tang and Ali didn't walk far when their eyes swept across a teahouse not far away.

It was just a few thatched huts with open sides, but there were quite a few people sitting inside, most of them were people from the martial arts world who came here to rest.

They drank tea, ate snacks and talked loudly. There were all kinds of weapons on the table.

Such a scene is rarely seen in Qian Country.

What surprised Chen Tang was that in this teahouse, several waiters were walking back and forth in front of the customer tables with steady steps, and on the wooden trays in their hands, there were more than a dozen cups of tea, but not a single drop of tea was spilled. It was obvious that they had great skills!
"interesting."

Chen Tang murmured softly.

I didn't expect that there is such a simple teahouse on the side of the port road, and the waiters inside have already entered the market.

At this moment, Lao Lu appeared from nowhere, looked around, took out two customs clearance documents from his arms, and quickly stuffed them into Chen Tang's hands.

"Sir, it's done."

Lao Lu said something.

Then, he followed Chen Tang's gaze and said with a smile: "Mr. Chen, don't underestimate this teahouse."

"Oh, what do you mean?"

Chen Tang asked curiously.

Lao Lu said, "Behind this teahouse is a large gang in Nanxia, ​​the Tea Ceremony Clan, whose headquarters is located in Yuezhou. However, the Tea Ceremony Clan's business is spread all over the six states of Nanxia, ​​and it is considered one of the largest gangs in Nanxia."

"If there is a special mark on the sign of a tea shop, it means it is an industry of the tea ceremony."

"Many of the guys there, the waiters doing odd jobs, and even the chefs in the kitchen are talented people who have been trained so far."

In Nanxia, ​​the division of martial arts realms is similar to that of Qian Kingdom, except that there is no distinction between grades.

Things like being reborn, changing bones, changing tendons, and cutting marrow are collectively referred to as the acquired realm in Nanxia.

The subsequent inner elixir realm, acupoint opening realm, meridian opening realm, innate realm, and divine illumination realm are all the same.

This is also related to the different cultures of the two places.

In Qian State, the power of the imperial court is dominant and has absolute control over the world.

Therefore, the realm of martial arts was divided into grades according to the way officials were appointed by the imperial court.

In Nanxia, ​​it is just the opposite.

"Sir, please take care of yourselves. I'm leaving first."

Lao Lu apologized and could not wait to go into the city in a carriage to enjoy himself.

"You must be hungry."

Chen Tang looked back at Ali and asked, "Let's find a place and have a good meal."

Ali's face turned bitter.

In the past six months, the question Chen Tang asked her most often was, "Are you hungry?"

Next, it’s time to feed them like crazy.

Although those things were delicious, after eating them for half a year, her figure had become a little out of shape.

Chen Tang originally planned to go to a tavern on the other side, order a few pounds of high-quality beef, a jar of good wine, and have a big meal.

But when he passed by the teahouse, he heard the conversation of several gangsters inside and couldn't help but stop.

"Have you heard that the long-missing daughter of 'Invincible Heroes' Lady Ye was found some time ago?"

"It's really not easy. It is said that the Shen family has been looking for the whereabouts of Miss Ye's children for many years, but they have never found them. During this period, many scammers wanted to sneak into the Shen family and pretend to be Miss Ye's children, but they were all driven out by the Shen family."

"Are you sure it's true this time?"

"Of course, Miss Ye could have recognized the wrong daughter?"

Mingyue Sanren had mentioned this matter to Chen Tang once, and Chen Tang subconsciously listened to a few words.

The female hero Ye that everyone is talking about should be Ye Taoyuan.

Mingyue Sanren was full of praise for Ye Taoyuan and expressed his great admiration for him.

"Speaking of which, the battle in Kuaiji City was really tragic. Who could have thought that the governor of Kuaiji County, Shen Ningzhi, would be so absurd. Knowing that the enemy was invading, he did not set up military preparations, believed in Xuantian Immortal Venerable, and even wanted to ask for help from ghost soldiers and gods. As a result..."

"Humph!"

A man with a square face, a full beard and several obvious scars on his face suddenly snorted coldly and said, "It's not the fault of County Magistrate Shen. He was deceived by the villain and went astray!"

"Oh?"

Everyone asked, "Brother, what do you mean by that?"

The scarred man said in a deep voice: "The reason why County Magistrate Shen believed in Xuantian Immortal Venerable was because he was deceived by the treacherous minister Shen Guobao. After all, as a member of the Shen family, he was not on guard against him, and ended up being killed and his family was destroyed."

When the name 'Shen Guobao' was mentioned, the atmosphere in the teahouse suddenly changed and became quiet in an instant.

He is now a popular figure in the court and one of the most powerful ministers around the prime minister. He is ranked as the Minister of the Central Secretariat and also serves as the Central Guard General. He controls the garrison outside the capital and holds a high position of power.

Although Nanxia's status in the underworld is extraordinary, it is still somewhat taboo to call him by his name and discuss powerful officials in the court.

In the teahouse, there were four people sitting at a table next to each other, dressed in street clothes and looking exhausted.

When the four heard the scarred man's words, their expressions turned cold and their eyes flashed with chill.

One of them sneered and said, "It's just a rumor I heard from others. How do you know so much about it?"

The scarred man pointed at the scar on his face and said in a deep voice: "Because, I was in Kuaiji City back then, and I almost lost my life in the battle to defend the city. This scar was left over from that time."

Everyone in the teahouse listened in awe.

Someone asked, "May I ask your name?"

"Don't dare."

The scarred man saluted and said, "I am the Blazing Blade, Luo Shixian."

"It turns out to be Master Luo, I have heard of you for a long time!"

There was a burst of praise from the people around.

(End of this chapter)