Bitter Realm: A Happy Person Traveling Across China

The wedding banquet was in full swing, and the guests were bustling with noise.

As soon as Ye Jinming and Tan Wuyu stepped into the brightly lit and bustling main hall, they were greeted by a wave of heat mixed with the aroma of wine and a festive atmosphere.

Everywhere you look, there's a lively scene of clinking glasses and boisterous laughter.

Just as the two paused briefly to look around, a familiar voice with a mocking laugh came from the side: "Hey, Lao Tan, I didn't expect you to join in the fun too."

Mu Shaoai, holding a wine glass, swayed as he walked through the crowd, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Tan Wuyu and Ye Jinming.

Upon hearing this, Tan Wuyu's temple throbbed with a faint blue vein. He glanced helplessly at Mu Shaoai, his tone tinged with annoyance: "You, Mu Shaoai, it's only been a few days, how come you've already started calling me whatever you want, just like that brat Ye Jinming?"

He emphasized the words "brat" and glanced at Ye Jinming beside him.

Mu Shaoai didn't mind at all. Instead, she moved closer and gently touched Tan Wuyu's arm: "Hey~ You can't say that. 'Old Tan' is such a friendly and natural way to address someone!"

As he spoke, Mu Shaoai gave Ye Jinming a wink.

Ye Jinming, who had been singled out, immediately stepped forward and stood next to Mu Shaoai. He then accused Tan Wuyu, "You old Tan, I'm still here, and you dare to speak ill of me? Is this how you repay me for saving my life twice?"

"The world is truly going to the dogs; people's hearts have lost their traditional values!"

Tan Wuyu was both amused and exasperated by the two's back-and-forth banter. Pointing at Ye Jinming, he said, "You, Ye Jinming! You're allowed to keep calling me 'Old Tan, Old Tan' all day long, but I'm not allowed to complain a little?"

Ye Jinming immediately adopted an innocent yet self-righteous expression, shrugging and saying, "The pharmacist already said that calling me that makes it sound more intimate!"

Mu Shaoai, suppressing a laugh, nodded repeatedly in agreement: "That's right, that's right, Jinming's words resonate deeply with me!"

Looking at the two accomplices in front of him, Tan Wuyu felt a headache coming on.

He rubbed his forehead, finally letting out a helpless sigh, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly: "...Fine, fine, you two are in cahoots to humiliate me, aren't you? It makes me seem petty."

The three of them exchanged a glance and then burst into laughter at the same time.

The laughter revealed an unspoken understanding between them, a relaxed and intimate bond between friends that needed no words.

In this treacherous world, such a brief moment of banter is truly rare.

After laughing, Ye Jinming waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop fooling around. You two old friends must have something to say to each other, so I won't get in the way. I'm going to take a walk over there, find a place to have a drink at the wedding, and by the way... give Lao Tan some space so you can say all the 'bad things' about me without worry."

He winked mischievously at Chao Tanwu and turned to blend into the crowd.

Tan Wuyu laughed and scolded, "Your mouth really doesn't hold back at all!"

Although he had only met Ye Jinming a few times, he had already experienced his mischievous personality firsthand.

Holding a wine glass, Ye Jinming strolled casually among the bustling guests, his gaze sweeping over familiar and unfamiliar faces.

Finally, he found an empty seat in a relatively quiet corner.

Even more coincidentally, sitting next to that empty seat was a middle-aged man with a melancholy demeanor and a faint sense of sorrow and weariness between his brows.

He drank alone, completely out of place amidst the festive atmosphere around him, as if he had created his own quiet world.

Ye Jinming's heart stirred, and he recognized the person.

Isn't this none other than the unlucky second-in-command of the Remnant Forest, Huangfu Xiaochan?

(The number one is naturally today's groom, Ghost Liang Feiyu; perhaps number three could be Lin Wushuang; in addition, characters like Lao Wuyan, Yu Renfeijing, and Mu Shaoai also have their own tragic stories...)

Actually, if Gui Liangfeiyu hadn't been killed at his wedding banquet, the Lord of the Remnant Forest would have been the unluckiest guy; very few could surpass him.

The line, "Where can one retreat to before one is no longer part of the martial world?" perfectly encapsulates his fate and sorrow as the orphan of the Huangfu family, with nowhere to escape.

Since we've spotted this unlucky fellow, let's give him a little pointers. After all, that massive sand dune in the Universe Treasure Trove is really asking for a beating.

Instead of seeking revenge himself, he plotted against his own younger brother. After the Lord of the Forest died, he didn't even bother to visit him. He also betrayed the Deer King, one of his brother's few good friends.

Such behavior is truly despicable.

In a flash, Ye Jinming naturally walked to the empty seat and sat down. He raised his cup to Huangfu Xiaochan, who was drinking alone beside him, and took the initiative to speak, his tone calm and polite: "Master Lin, my name is Ye Jinming. I have long admired you."

Huangfu Xiaochan was lost in his thoughts when the sudden greeting pulled him back to reality. He was slightly taken aback and looked up at the distinguished-looking, gentle-smiling young man in white beside him.

Upon hearing the name Ye Jinming, Huangfu Xiaochan was slightly surprised, clearly having heard of his deeds. "So you are Young Master Ye. It's a pleasure to meet you. May I ask what advice you may offer?"

"I dare not presume to offer my guidance." Ye Jinming smiled, poured himself a cup of wine, and said casually, "It's just that today is a joyous occasion at the Gui Liang Mansion, and all the guests are having a good time. However, Master Lin is sitting here alone, seemingly preoccupied. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of disturbing you."

His words were gentle, carrying just the right amount of concern, and did not seem abrupt.

Huangfu Xiaochan remained silent for a moment, then gently shook his head, clearly unwilling to discuss further: "These are just old matters, not worth mentioning. I'm sorry to trouble Young Master Ye."

Ye Jinming didn't press further, but instead started talking about some anecdotes from the martial arts world, his tone relaxed and his knowledge extensive.

Huangfu Xiaochan initially responded politely, but gradually he was also attracted by some unique insights revealed in Ye Jinming's words. The two got along well and became acquainted.

After a few rounds of drinks, seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Ye Jinming casually brought up the topic: "Speaking of which, I overheard some rumors in the martial arts world the other day, it seems... Master Lin has been secretly searching for the whereabouts of the disciple of 'Crossing the Seas Divine Foot'?"

He spoke in a flat tone, as if it were just a casual remark.

Huangfu Xiaochan's hand tightened almost imperceptibly on his wine glass, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes for a moment, but he quickly concealed it.

He looked at Ye Jinming, his gaze filled with scrutiny and doubt: "Indeed. How... how did Young Master Ye learn of this?"

Ye Jinming smiled slightly, took a sip of wine, and avoided the main point: "The martial world is both vast and small. Some news will always spread unintentionally. How one learns of it is not important; what is important is..."

He put down his wine glass and looked calmly at Huangfu Xiaochan. "I may have some clues here that may interest Master Lin."

"What?" Huangfu Xiaochan's breath hitched, his body leaning forward slightly. His previously calm eyes erupted with barely suppressed excitement and longing. "Young Master Ye, is what you say true? You... you know his whereabouts?"

He had been searching for his elder brother Huangfu Shuangren for many years and was almost in despair. How could he not be excited when he suddenly heard a clue?

He even instinctively gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Okay, another one has lost their composure...