Blue Card Starry Sky

Chapter 221 Mad Mat

Long Yi, Si Nan Yunxi, and Batu continued to enjoy themselves along the ten-mile-long embankment, their hands brimming with snacks and toys until Long Yi could barely carry them all. Si Nan Yunxi, however, remained enthusiastic, pulling Long Yi through the various stalls, occasionally letting out excited cheers.

"Brother Longyi, look over there!" Si Nanyunxi suddenly pointed to a bustling stall in front of her and said excitedly.

Long Yi looked in the direction she pointed and saw a group of people gathered around a stall, seemingly watching something interesting. The two squeezed into the crowd and found that the stall was filled with all sorts of antiques and strange trinkets. The stall owner was an elderly man with white hair, wearing a tattered robe, with a somewhat cynical smile on his face, leisurely fanning himself with a worn-out fan.

"Old man, where did you get all these things?" Si Nanyun asked curiously.

The old man narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Young lady, these are all treasures I've collected from all over the world. Each one has its own story. If you're interested, why don't you pick one out, and I'll tell you its origin."

Si Nanyunxi began selecting items with great interest, while Long Yi stood to the side, his gaze casually sweeping over the items on the stall. Suddenly, his eyes fell upon an antique bronze ring. The ring appeared ordinary, but Long Yi sensed a strange aura emanating from it, a fluctuation of energy.

“Uncle, this ring…” Long Yi picked up the bronze ring and examined it carefully.

A strange light flashed in the old man's eyes, and then he smiled and said, "Young man, you have a good eye. This ring has a history. It is said to have been left by a hermit master, and wearing it can ward off evil and disaster."

Long Yi's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to ask something else when he suddenly heard a commotion behind him. He turned around and saw several burly men dressed in black roughly pushing through the crowd and walking towards him.

"Old man, your stall is encroaching on our Black Wolf Cult's territory. Pack your things and get out of here!" the burly man in the lead shouted, his tone full of threat.

The old man remained smiling, seemingly unconcerned: "Brother, I've been setting up my stall here for years, and I've never heard of anyone owning this place. Besides, we're all just trying to make a living, why make things difficult for an old man like me?"

"Stop talking nonsense! If you don't get lost, don't blame us for being impolite!" the burly man said, reaching out to overturn the stall.

Long Yi was stunned for a moment, and was about to step forward to stop him, but then he saw the old man gently wave his broken fan, and the strong man's hand stopped in mid-air, as if blocked by an invisible force.

"Young man, don't get so hot-tempered." The old man still smiled, but his tone carried an undeniable air of authority.

The burly man was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage: "Old man, you're asking for death!" He suddenly drew the knife from his waist and slashed at the old man.

Just when things were in crisis, Long Yilu came to the rescue!

Long Yi could no longer restrain himself. He flashed forward, blocking the old man's path and easily deflecting the burly man's attack. The burly man was forced back several steps, his face changing drastically: "You...who are you? How dare you interfere in the Black Wolf Cult's affairs? Are you tired of living?"

Long Yi coldly said, "So what if it's the Black Wolf Cult? Bullying the elderly, what kind of skill is that? If you've got the guts, come at me."

Seeing Long Yi's extraordinary skills, the burly man felt a bit apprehensive, but unwilling to lose face in front of his men, he gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Brothers, let's attack together!"

Several men in black immediately surrounded him. Long Yi was unafraid and was about to make a move when he heard the old man sigh softly, "Young man, there's no need to get entangled with them." Before he finished speaking, the old man waved his tattered fan lightly, and the men in black seemed to be pushed away by an invisible force, staggering back a few steps and almost falling.

"What...what kind of sorcery is this?" The burly man looked at the old man in horror, his face pale.

The old man still smiled and said, "Young man, go back and tell your leader that Madman has set up a stall here, and tell him not to bother him."

"Crazy...Crazy Xizi?" Upon hearing this name, the burly man's face turned deathly pale, as if he had heard something terrifying. He hurriedly led his men away in a sorry state, not daring to utter another harsh word.

Long Yi and Si Nan Yunxi exchanged a glance, both surprised. Long Yi turned to the old man and cupped his hands, saying, "Senior, please forgive my rudeness just now."

The old man waved his hand and laughed, "It's alright, it's alright. Young man, you have a kind heart. Thank you for your help earlier."

Long Yi quickly replied, "Senior, you're too kind. I just couldn't stand seeing them bullying people."

The old man nodded, his gaze falling on the bronze ring in Long Yi's hand, and said meaningfully, "This ring is destined for you, so I'll give it to you."

Long Yi was taken aback, and quickly said, "How can this be? How can a junior take a senior's things for free?"

The old man laughed heartily: "Fate is a thing that can't be explained. Our meeting today is fate. You should accept this ring; it may come in handy in the future."

Seeing the old man's resolute attitude, Long Yi stopped refusing, solemnly put the ring on his hand, and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, senior."

The old man nodded, then packed up his stall, slung a tattered bundle over his shoulder, and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back and said to Long Yi, "Young man, the journey of the martial world is long, until we meet again."

Watching the old man's departing figure, Long Yi had a vague feeling that this old man was no ordinary person. Si Nanyun tugged at his sleeve and asked softly, "Brother Long Yi, who was that old man? He seemed so powerful."

Long Yi shook his head: "I don't know either, but he is definitely not an ordinary person. Perhaps we will see him again in the future."

Si Nan Yunxi nodded, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes: "This Youzhou City is truly full of hidden talents; even an old man who sets up a stall is so capable!"

Long Yi smiled, but in his heart he felt a deep respect for the old man who called himself "Crazy Mat." He looked down at the bronze ring on his hand and faintly felt a warm power emanating from it, as if reminding him that today's encounter was no accident.

"Let's go, let's continue our stroll." Long Yi took Si Nan Yunxi's hand and continued walking along the ten-mile-long embankment.

Batu followed behind and saw the whole thing clearly. He didn't say anything, only that he was glad the young lady was alright. However, he was moved by Long Yilu's act of helping the injustice he encountered. This was the spirit of a true man!
The setting sun cast its last rays upon the river, and lanterns along the riverbank lit up one after another, illuminating the figures of the two walking side by side. The distant clamor gradually faded away, leaving only the ancient bronze ring on Long Yi's finger shimmering faintly, as if foreshadowing an unknown destiny quietly unfolding.

(End of this chapter)