Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

After saying goodbye to Fu Yaoqin, Xie Xiaoyi returned to the inn. Before he could even sit down properly, he suddenly remembered Mu Pingting's invitation.

With a swift movement, he darted out of the inn and headed straight for "Yushengfang".

The moonlight was like a ribbon, and the Jade Flute Pavilion was so quiet that only the chirping of insects could be heard.

The window of the attic in the backyard was half-open, and the misty water vapor mixed with the faint fragrance of flower petals wafted out.

Mu Pingting was soaking in a carved bathtub, her black hair loosely tied up, with a few wet strands sticking to her neck, making her skin look as white as snow.

Two maids stood guard outside the door, one holding a lamp and the other carrying an incense burner.

"call--"

A night breeze blew by, the window screen swayed gently, and the copper bells on the eaves tinkled.

The maid holding the lamp frowned and looked around: "That's strange, there was definitely no wind just now."

The maid carrying the incense burner peeked through the window. The sound of flowing water could be heard, but Mu Pingting behind the screen showed no unusual behavior.

"Perhaps it was a sudden gust of cold wind. Keep a close watch and don't disturb the young lady's bath."

No sooner had the two finished speaking than a figure suddenly appeared behind the screen.

A gaze swept over the figure in the misty steam of the bathtub, and an uncontrollable smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Mu Pingting turned her head at the sound and saw a figure moving behind her. Before she could see the face clearly, she was about to shout.

As a result, the man covered her mouth with one hand and put the other hand into the bathtub.

"Sister Mu! Do you want your two maids to see what we're doing?"

Upon hearing Xie Xiaoyi's voice, Mu Pingting instantly relaxed and patted his arm.

"Young Master Xie, are you planning to become a notorious womanizer?"

Xie Xiaoyi was stunned.

Haha, she actually guessed my old profession.

"So, does Sister Mu want to be 'picked' by this flower thief?"

"Hmph! Get your hand off me. I invited you during the day, but you wouldn't come. Now you're trying to provoke me."

"Sister Mu, do you know?"

"Ugh! You, you better behave your hands for a second... What do I know?"

"I can take off other people's clothes quickly, but I can take off my own even faster."

With a muffled "plop," water splashed from the bathtub, its splashes particularly clear in the quiet night.

The maid holding the lamp outside the door suddenly stood up straight, listened intently, and asked in a loud voice:

"Master? Are you...are you alright?"

"Um...no, it's nothing! I just...I accidentally knocked over the soap dish!"

The maid carrying the incense burner frowned, her voice growing more urgent:

"Master, would you like us to come in and take a look? If you can't reach it, we'll help you pick it up!"

"No! No need! This is such a small matter... do you really need to do this? All of you, guard the door!"

But the sounds coming from inside the house were becoming increasingly strange.

The two maids frowned.

What's wrong with the brothel owner today?

Taking a bath in such a "thrilling" way.

Mu Pingting let out a soft moan, then spat out a curse: "Xie Mo, you're so mean! How could you do this?"

Xie Xiaoyi leaned close to her ear and deliberately blew a breath of air through her nose onto her reddened earlobe:

"Sister Mu, speak louder, or they'll really come in."

"You're really bold! Outside... oh dear! There are people outside."

"That's exciting, like having an affair."

Mu Pingting rolled her eyes at him and dug her nails hard into the back of his hand.

Turning his head to face outside, he deliberately kept his voice steady:

"What are you all standing there for? Go and light the lanterns under the eaves; it's cool at night, make sure they're blown out!"

The maid outside the door responded with a "Yes," and the sound of her footsteps gradually faded away.

Mu Pingting finally breathed a sigh of relief.

......

On a chosen day, Fu Yaoqin invited Mu Pingting to perform "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" together.

The harmonious sounds of the zither and flute caused a sensation in Qingjiang City.

Ya Yin Fang and Yu Sheng Fang became famous and made a fortune.

After hearing this song, Xie Xiaoyi recalled Hua Youwu's words: "The martial world is the training ground for honing one's swordsmanship."

I've been in Qingjiang City for quite some time now; it's time to head to "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer".

So he returned to the inn to pack up and immediately decided to leave Qingjiang City and embark on a journey through the martial world.

The next day.

They then found Fu Yaoqin and Mu Pingting and said goodbye to them one by one.

Although the two beauties' eyes lingered with reluctance, they also knew that no matter how much they longed to leave, the journey of life was long and they would eventually have to part ways.

......

In the humble alley and thatched hut, Xie Xiaoyi respectfully presented the two hundred taels of silver notes.

"Grandmaster Uncle, I've decided to listen to you and not go to the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect. I want to hone my sword skills in the martial world."

Hua Youwu's eyes gleamed as he held the silver note, his mouth stretching to his ears in a wide grin, yet he still feigned profundity:

"Yes, the vast world is the true training ground for martial artists."

One month from now, the "Number One Manor Under Heaven" on Wangjianghu Mountain will hold a grand gathering of the world.

Once a year, the Heavenly Dragon Ranking and the Hidden Dragon Ranking are announced.

There are lots of promising new talents there. Go check it out first; it'll broaden your horizons a lot.

Xie Xiaoyi's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the Tianlong Ranking listed the "Top Ten Masters of the Martial World".

So he bid farewell to Hua Youwu and went to the number one manor in the world.

......

Xie Xiaoyi's "Viewing the Vast Ocean" was a gift from City Lord Bai Letian. After bidding farewell to Hua Youwu, he went to the City Lord's Mansion to say goodbye to Bai Letian.

Bai Letian wanted to keep him for a few more days, but Xie Xiaoyi insisted on setting off as soon as possible, so he didn't insist anymore and opened the city gate to see him off personally.

Before parting.

Xie Xiaoyi bowed to Bai Letian with his hands clasped, his brows revealing the sharpness of a young man:

"I am deeply grateful for the Lord's hospitality. I take my leave now."

Bai Letian stroked his short beard, smiled, and nodded.

"The road of the martial world is full of twists and turns. It just so happens that the Honglin Escort Team from the west of the city is heading to the 'Wangjianghu' mountain area to escort goods."

I've already spoken to them; you can stay with them and have someone to look after you.

Xie Xiaoyi thanked him and turned around to see the escort agency's carriage parked under the city gate, with a total of twenty or thirty people.

Three figures stood beside the carriage; they were the leaders of the caravan.

The group consisted of three people, two men and one woman.

The man was burly and had dark skin; his name was Zhao Hang.

The other man was short but sturdy, and his name was Liu Heng.

The woman, dressed in a black镖服 (bodyguard uniform), with a dashing and spirited look, and a willow-leaf knife hanging at her waist, was none other than Lin San Niang, the female head镖师 (bodyguard leader) of the镖队 (bodyguard team).

After introducing themselves, the three bowed to Bai Letian in farewell.

At that moment, the sound of a zither rose from the city wall. Looking up, one could see—

Fu Yaoqin, wearing a veiled hat, was bidding farewell with a song called "Broken Hearts," the music drifting and telling the story of gatherings and partings in the martial world.

A sorrowful farewell, a sorrowful farewell, the bright moon shines upon the fleeting world. Mortal life is but a jest, youth fades easily, and you are nowhere to be seen.

Xie Xiaoyi stood in front of his horse, raised his hand in a distant bow, turned around, spurred his horse, and disappeared into the dust.

......

The group traveled for most of the day.

Along the way, Lin San Niang's gaze kept lingering on Xie Xiao Yi, then suddenly she smiled.

"The city lord was right after all; he is indeed a handsome young man with regular features."

He looks so dashing. Follow us on the road, and I'll protect you, sister."

Xie Xiaoyi was secretly pleased upon hearing this:

"Thank you very much, Sister Lin. I am not familiar with 'Wang Jianghu', so I will really have to trouble you to look after me in the future."

"You have such a sweet tongue, you're so charming."

Just as Xie Xiaoyi was about to banter with the female bodyguard a few more times, he suddenly caught Zhao Hang and Liu Heng staring intently at him.

Damn it.

Those two look at me like they want to eat me alive. Are they jealous because Lin San Niang is flirting with me?

But now that we're under their roof, we'd better not offend those two big men.

He closed his eyes to rest, letting the horse roam freely.

The Number One Manor Under Heaven?

The Heavenly Dragon Ranking!

The Hidden Dragon List!

The heroes on both lists are all at the pinnacle that everyone in the martial arts world aspires to reach!

Thinking about this, Xie Xiaoyi began to yearn for it.