Bitter Realm: A Happy Person Traveling Across China

A brief silence fell over the Wan Hua Lou, with only the steam from the cup of tea slowly distorting in the air.

Time passed little by little.

Qin Jiaxian was restless, while Ye Tuling and Yin Shiren were slumped over the table, almost asleep.

Butterfly stared intently at the cup of tea, watching the steam rise from thick to thin until only a wisp of almost invisible smoke remained.

At that very moment—

A figure flashed by, regretting that he had already returned.

He actually brought back Se Wuji and left Ning Bi Zhou on the table.

"Don't forget what we agreed on." Hen Bufeng looked at Gongsun Yue, his tone calm but with a hint of amusement.

Gongsun Yue nodded: "Of course."

"You..." Butterfly stepped forward, as if to say something.

Hen Bufeng stopped looking at him and gestured to Fengdao, "Fengdao, let's go."

The two left as quickly as they had come, without any hesitation.

Gongsun Yue picked up Ningbi Zhou and was about to leave when she was stopped by Butterfly Lord.

Butterfly King said with some concern, "Ah Yue, do you really want to fulfill the conditions?"

Gongsun Yue carefully put away the Ningbi Zhou and said to Butterfly Lord, "A gentleman keeps his promise. I will go to Pingshui Cave and come back right away."

Butterfly King said with some worry, "I'll go with you!"

Gongsun Yue gently shook her head, raising her hand to tidy a non-existent stray hair at his temple. Her movements were gentle, but her eyes were firm: "No need. You stay with Wuji!"

After saying that, she didn't look at Butterfly's eyes, which dimmed instantly, and turned to leave.

"Little Butterfly!" Qin Jiaxian jumped out quickly, pointing at Se Wuji on the soft couch, "We agreed..."

Butterfly Lord was in a terrible mood at the moment. Upon hearing this, he gave Qin Jiaxian a cold glance, which made Qin Jiaxian shrink back.

After all, he had asked Qin Jiaxian to help him carry things, but he never expected to gain a rival in love.

At this moment, Butterfly King felt an urge to kill Qin Jiaxian...

"The color is yours, but it depends on her own wishes," Butterfly Lord's voice was devoid of warmth.

At this moment, the drowsy Se Wuji slowly awoke. Upon hearing Qin Jiaxian's words, his eyebrows shot up in anger. Although weak, his imposing manner remained undiminished: "What a joke! You noseless monkey, are you looking for a beating?"

Qin Jiaxian shuddered in fright: "Ah, you, never mind, never mind..."

Then Qin Jiaxian's eyes darted around, and he rubbed his hands together, moving closer to Butterfly Lord with a sly smile on his face. "Then... what about Yin Chuan's assets?"

Before the words were finished, a clear, cheerful voice came from outside the door, "He doesn't have much property left in Yinchuan. You're destined to lose money on this deal."

"Who?" Butterfly Lord, already seething with anger over Gongsun Yue's departure, was now being openly mocked, and his fury flared. His right hand was already on the hilt of the Butterfly Slash sword at his waist. "Want to fight?"

A figure dressed in pure white, with gold cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, slowly stepped in.

The newcomer wore a piece of warm, translucent mutton-fat jade at his waist, walked with composure, and exuded an elegant air; it was none other than Ye Jinming.

"Oh? It's been years, and you're back to your old ways?" Ye Jinming's lips curled slightly as his gaze swept over Butterfly Lord's hand on his sword. "Is this a free kill?"

"So it was you?" Butterfly Lord relaxed his tense shoulders slightly when he saw who it was, and then raised his eyebrows.

Ye Jinming said calmly, "Why are you so surprised to see a former creditor?"

About ten years ago, not long after Ye Jinming arrived in the Bitter Realm, in order to verify whether "changing the fate of important characters" could affect the trajectory of the world, he approached Butterfly Lord, who was then a top assassin, and placed a large sum of money on a commission.

Who would have thought that after accepting the order, Butterfly Lord would fall deeply in love with Gongsun Yue, break the contract and run away without even returning the deposit.

"Hmph, it's all old news, why bring it up?" Butterfly turned his face away, his ears slightly red. "But you, who used to never leave the house, what brings you to this restaurant today?"

Ye Jinming glanced towards the door, a half-smile on his face. "That girl just now, is she the one who could make the famous Butterfly Lord willingly reform? She certainly has a unique personality."

Mentioning his beloved, Butterfly Lord's face lit up, his pride evident: "Indeed. A woman who can make Butterfly Lord so infatuated must be extraordinary. Ah Yue, her..."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Qin Jiaxian, who had been left standing to the side, couldn't help but interject, pointing at Butterfly Lord's nose and shouting, "Oh, Butterfly Lord, so you have a criminal record..."

Butterfly turned and glared at him, a cold glint in her eyes. "Hmm? I've already been more than polite by sparing your life. Please—"

Then Butterfly nodded to Nightfall, "I have other things to do. Let's catch up another time!"

Ye Jinming waved his hand dismissively: "Go ahead!"

At this moment, Se Wuji, seeing Butterfly Lord leave, hurriedly chased after him, calling out, "Wait for me... Butterfly Lord..."

Qin Jiaxian watched the two disappear into the night, one after the other, and stomped her feet in anger: "You, Qian Die! You broke your promise! This deal was a complete loss!"

"You'll get used to it." Ye Jinming took a leisurely sip of tea, his tone relaxed. "This butterfly has always been about making money, fighting, and dating. As for commitments... well, that depends on her mood."

Qin Jiaxian took a few deep breaths, then suddenly turned his eyes to Ye Jinming, who was calm and composed at the table.

He sized the man up—he was dressed in white with a jade crown, and his demeanor was composed. Even sitting in a restaurant, he was as radiant as the moon reflected in water, clearly indicating that he was either rich or noble.

"Young man," Qin Jiaxian's expression instantly changed as he stepped forward with a grin, "you clearly possess extraordinary bearing, no ordinary person. May I ask what good fortune you have bestowed upon me, Old Qin, today?"

Ye Jinming looked up at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "How did you know I had something to discuss with you, instead of coming specifically to catch up with Butterfly Lord?"

"Hehe," Qin Jiaxian rubbed his hands together, his small eyes gleaming, "Butterfly Lord is gone, and you're still sitting here calmly. Isn't that obvious? I, Old Qin, have traveled all over the country for so many years, I still have this much insight."

Ye Jinming chuckled and shook his head. With a flick of his sleeve, a golden light streaked across the air, and with a soft "snap," a heavy gold brick fell into Qin Jiaxian's arms.

"As expected of the world's number one debater on the celebrity list, his insight and eloquence deserve this gold medal."

Qin Jiaxian took the gold brick. It felt solid and of excellent quality. He immediately beamed with joy, quickly stuffing it into his robes while glancing warily around. "Young master, you are so generous! What are your orders? In this small corner of the Central Plains, I, Qin, have many connections!"

"It's very simple." Ye Jinming's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "I'm new to the Central Plains and not very familiar with the local customs and culture. I'd like to ask you to help me find a merchant."

"A merchant?" Qin Jiaxian was taken aback. "What kind of merchant would warrant such seriousness from you, young master?"

"A noodle vendor." Ye Jinming took out a roll of Xuan paper from his sleeve and slowly unrolled it.

A portrait was drawn on the paper with ink lines: it was a man of about forty years old, his face was covered, he was wearing a straw hat and an apron.

"It looks something like this." Ye Jinming handed over the portrait. "Once you find it, there's no need to follow it or make contact. Just burn this portrait on the spot. I will know and come looking for you."

Qin Jiaxian took the portrait, examined it carefully for a moment, and patted his chest, saying, "Leave this matter to me, Old Qin."

Then Ye Jinming strode towards the door, his figure gradually merging into the void, leaving only a faint echo:

"The gold is a deposit; there will be a generous reward after the deal is done."

Qin Jiaxian held the portrait, staring at the empty doorway. After a long while, he smacked his lips, carefully rolled up the portrait, and stuffed it into his bosom. He patted the gold brick spot on his bulging chest, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"A noodle vendor...hehe, this business is interesting."

"Hey, we've got a big job coming up, let's go."

At Qin Jiaxian's call, Yin Shiren and Ye Tuling quickly followed.