Bitter Realm: A Happy Person Traveling Across China

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Butterfly-kun's tense nerves relaxed slightly. He sheathed the cleaned Butterfly Heavenly Slash with a "clang," and snorted irritably, "So it's you. Tsk, I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Is it fate or bad luck?"

"Quite a coincidence indeed." Ye Jinming stopped a few steps away, his gaze sweeping over the mess on the ground before finally settling on Butterfly Lord's displeased face. He raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "However... Butterfly Lord, you don't seem to be in a very good mood?"

"Don't even mention it!" Butterfly waved his hand, looking utterly annoyed. "Having a madman inside was already a headache enough, but then a bunch of assassins showed up and caused trouble!"

Following his words, Ye Jinming feigned just the right amount of confusion (teasing): "Oh? Assassins? Then why would these assassins want to kill you?"

Butterfly King slapped his forehead, utterly perplexed: "They say I killed their young master, but I've been at Crystal Lake lately, I haven't had time to kill anyone!"

Seeing Butterfly Lord's speechless and bewildered expression, Ye Jinming almost burst out laughing. He coughed lightly, suppressing his laughter, and asked in a probing tone, "Ha, is it possible that he was killed before?"

"Impossible, I don't have much interaction with Youyan Zhengfu." Butterfly Lord shook his head.

Gongsun Yue, who had been listening quietly, frowned slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in her clear eyes.

She gently tugged at Butterfly Lord's sleeve, her voice calm and clear: "Butterfly Lord, since you're certain you haven't recently clashed with Youyan Zhengfu, nor have you killed their young master, then there are only two explanations—either someone killed their young master and led the clues to you, or Youyan Zhengfu and the others have mistaken you for the murderer!"

Upon hearing this, Butterfly was first stunned, then his eyes widened, and he wore an expression of sudden realization mixed with disbelief: "What? I've been set up? Who's so despicable?!"

After being scolded, Ye Jinming couldn't help but think to himself, "I didn't set you up. Blame it on your cleverness with the knife and Jia Minggong!"

Butterfly cried out in despair, raising his hand to cover his forehead, his face filled with utter despair. "Ah... I've been a good person for so long! Why is anyone still thinking about me?"

It's like being caught in a trap while sitting at home!

Upon hearing Gongsun Yue's accurate analysis, Ye Jinming's eyes flashed with admiration. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Hmm, the analysis is insightful and hits the nail on the head. Butterfly Lord, you've certainly found a female strategist by your side; you're quite fortunate."

Just moments ago, Butterfly-kun had been looking sullen, but upon hearing someone praise Gongsun Yue, he immediately became like a cat whose fur had been stroked, his tail practically wagging. His face instantly brightened, and he proudly put his arm around Gongsun Yue's shoulder: "Of course! My little Yue is one of a kind in the world, smart and beautiful, gentle and considerate, and her martial arts are also quite good..."

He started counting on his fingers, completely forgetting his earlier troubles.

Gongsun Yue felt a little embarrassed by his praise, gently slapped his hand away, turned to look at Ye Jinming, curtsied, and said elegantly, "Gongsun Yue greets Young Master."

Ye Jinming returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute, his attitude casual yet refined: "I am Ye Jinming, just a commoner. As for my relationship with your master..."

He glanced at Butterfly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "So, a creditor, and... a friend?"

"I acknowledge the creditor!" Butterfly Lord immediately interjected, pointing at Nightfallen Ming and saying to Gongsun Yue, "But a friend?"

He looked Ye Jinming up and down suspiciously. "I think he's more like a bad friend! He's here just to laugh at me!"

Ye Jinming didn't mind at all, and instead smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Oh, then... how about I call you 'Senior Butterfly Lord'? After all, you have a long and distinguished history in the martial world..."

The first move was a senior's curse, which startled Butterfly-kun, who quickly dodged.

"No thanks! Stop!" Butterfly-kun looked like he'd been stepped on, his expression one of polite refusal. "What 'senior' nonsense? You're making me sound old. I'm still young!"

Gongsun Yue couldn't help but chuckle, gently shaking her head to steer the conversation back on track: "Young Master Ye, please don't tease him. Could you please tell me, has anything significant related to him happened in the martial world recently?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Jinming's lips curled into a meaningful smile. His gaze shifted between Butterfly Lord and Gongsun Yue as he slowly said, "As for major events... naturally there are some. As those assassins just mentioned, their young master has been killed. A single, clean, and swift blow."

Butterfly Lord said, quite puzzled, "I still have the same question: their young master is dead, so why are they coming to me? I haven't had any business in ages!"

"Of course, it's because the murderer is a skilled knife user, and—" Ye Jinming paused deliberately at this point, "their young master had a quarrel and argument with you."

"What do you mean? Who are you talking about?" Butterfly was taken aback.

"It's more like regret for not meeting him!" Gongsun Yue thought for a moment and instantly understood.

"Let's give them a round of applause!" Ye Jinming clapped his hands in encouragement.

Butterfly was surprised and puzzled: "That annoying guy is dead? Good riddance... No, I mean, what does his death have to do with me!"

He recalled Hen Bufeng's provocative face. He had indeed considered killing him at the time, but ultimately he didn't do it!

This is truly an undeserved disaster!

"All suspicions point to you, and given your criminal record, my friend, you'd better pray for yourself!" After gently patting Butterfly-kun's shoulder, Nightfallen walked towards Crystal Lake.

Seeing this, Gongsun Yue quickly warned, "Young Master Ye, wait! There's trouble in Crystal Lake!"

"Thank you for letting me know, I will be careful!" After saying that, Ye Jinming continued to walk inside.

Gongsun Yue wanted to say something more, but Butterfly King stopped her, "Ah Yue, don't worry about him, he values ​​his life more than anyone else! Instead, help me think of a way to solve my problem!"

.........

Inside Crystal Lake.

Yan Guiren silently gazed at the body of Princess Zhuyi, which was submerged in the water.

Just then, Ye Jinming walked in. "Friend, aren't you afraid of ruining yourself by soaking like that?"

Yan Guiren glanced at Ye Jinming, then ignored him, saying, "It's none of your business!"

Yan Guiren is currently suffering from late-stage obsession; he becomes completely irrational whenever Princess Zhuyi is involved.

To be honest, the reason Ye Jinming came to Crystal Lake was to see what mysteries the lake's waters held. (This Crystal Lake is not Jason's hometown, but rather, like the spring water in King's Highlands, it can slowly restore a person's HP.)

After sensing the unique aura of this place, Ye Jinming understood that the reason why Crystal Lake could heal wounds was the result of the combined effect of the unique earth energy and lake water.

It's unclear whether the lake water will still have any effect after leaving Crystal Lake.

Thinking of this, Ye Jinming acted immediately, unleashing a strange power in his palm that sucked up a pool of lake water.

However, just as the lake water was about to reach Ye Jinming.

Yan Guiren, who had been muttering to himself, suddenly had a stress response. He brandished the Holy Halberd and charged straight at Ye Jinming.

In that critical moment, Ye Jinming flashed across space and narrowly avoided the attack.

Is this Yan Guiren crazy? He didn't steal Crystal Lake, so he can't even take a little water to study it?

That's outrageous! Do they really think this is their own property? The Lord of the Remnant Forest hasn't even said anything yet.

"I will not allow anyone to disturb our peace!" Yan Guiren said coldly, as if he would start a fight if Ye Jinming continued.

Knowing that Yan Guiren was unreasonable and having no interest in a pointless argument, Ye Jinming secretly used his spatial power to draw some lake water and then disappeared in a flash.

Seeing Ye Jinming leave, Yan Guiren regained his composure and continued to gaze at Princess Zhuyi in the lake, muttering to himself...