Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

Seven days later.

Meihua Mountain Top.

The mountains are ablaze with red leaves, the forests a tapestry of vibrant colors.

The place was bustling with activity, and all the distinguished guests had gathered.

It was said that the Liu family was holding a grand gathering, but it was also the perfect time to appreciate the red leaves. Therefore, many people in Jinling who enjoyed being cultured came to Plum Blossom Mountain to admire the red leaves.

Today, on such a grand occasion, I can't help but come and join in the fun.

In the crowd, Xue Pan and Feng Ziying stood together, anxiously looking around.

"Brother Feng, what do you think of this Brother Jiao? Is he reliable or not?"

"Ever since the last Yunlou civil service exam, there has been no further news. I sent someone to his residence to deliver silver notes, but only one woman was home."

No matter how you ask, they just say they went to learn a skill.

"Look at this, if Brother Jiao had been late today, how could the two of us possibly beat the other three? What's that saying again?"

"Two fists can't beat three hands!"

Feng Ziying sighed helplessly.

"If he really doesn't come, we can only leave it to fate. However, the 'Double Lotus Kick' that Brother Jiao used to kick people that day shows that even if he is not a martial artist, he is a person with a very strong physique."

"And also, that's 'two fists can't beat four hands'..."

As the two were arguing, they heard a distant call coming from the mountain path.

"Brother Xue, Brother Feng, I'm late!"

coming!

Xue Pan and Feng Ziying were delighted and turned around.

Then they saw Jiao Si limping as he ran up the mountain path.

A girl with her face covered by a white veil followed behind her.

"Brother Jiao, did you... sprain your leg?"

"Is it serious? If it's really bad, you rest first. I'll send someone down the mountain to find Ming family servants to hold the fort. After all, your health is the most important thing."

Jiao Si gritted his teeth in resentment, a hint of displeasure flashing across his face.

"It's alright. It'll just hurt a little, but it won't hurt if a fight breaks out."

"Actually, I was bored a few days ago, so I went to play with a cow, and ended up getting my leg gored by it."

Xue Pan and Feng Ziying exchanged a strange glance.

"I didn't know you had this kind of fetish."

"Very well, now that the martial arts test is over, I'll send someone to deliver a few oxen to your residence so they can keep you company when you're bored."

Although Xue Dalang is arrogant, he is actually a good person!

Jiao Si smiled and was about to refuse when he felt a light pat on the back.

"Fourth Brother, I was wondering who you were on the same team with when you were at Yunlou. Turns out, it was Xue Dalang!"

With a turn of the head, a fragrant breeze wafts through the air.

The red figure that appeared was none other than Wang Xifeng.

Xue Pan was also taken aback.

He glanced at Jiao Si, then at Wang Xifeng.

"Sister-in-law, you... and my brother Jiao, do you know each other before?"

Wang Xifeng blinked her eyes, then rolled them around.

She lowered her voice and whispered.

"We don't just know each other, we're practically inseparable!"

"We've always had some business dealings. This time, when he went to Huai Shang Yun Lou to participate in the competition, I funded it so he could make a profit. I never expected that he'd end up making money off you, Xue Dalang!"

"In that case, I'll have to give you a huge discount later!"

As she was laughing, Wang Xifeng suddenly noticed the veiled girl next to Jiao Si.

Having spent so much time together over the years, she recognized him almost instantly.

"flat......"

Before she could even utter a word, the girl covered her face and ran away.

Jiao Si saw this but did not say anything to stop it.

In his eyes, Wang Xifeng had seduced and then abandoned this Miss Lu, so it was only natural that she didn't want to talk to him now.

Little did he know...

The girl Lu Yanping beside him was none other than the famous Ping'er from the Dream of the Red Chamber.

The group fell silent for a moment.

But then a mocking laugh was heard.

"Hey Xue, you big idiot, how have you been?"

Looking in the direction of the voice, the person who came... was none other than Qian Qianyi?

Xue Pan was speechless with anger.

"Qian Shuileng, wasn't the beating you got last time bad enough?"

"Weren't you removed from the selection list? What brings you here today?"

Qian Qianyi laughed heartily.

"What? Li Ao from the Li family in Hedong just broke his leg. He has no choice but to ask me to compete in his place. How could I refuse?"

Xue Pan gave him a disdainful look.

"Broken leg? You probably broke it for someone else..."

Qian Qianyi choked up, unable to speak.

After a long while, he glared angrily and pulled a boy out from behind him.

The man was about eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a burly build.

Behind him was a large, tiger-swallowing sword, its blade covered in countless scratches, a testament to its many battles.

Just by looking at the dense calluses on his hands and the numerous scars on his shoulders and back, you can tell he's a true martial arts expert.

The half-face mask covering his face added to his menacing aura.

"This Brother Liu is my companion in this martial arts competition."

"Xue Dashan, how about it? Are you confident you can win?"

"When the time comes and you really have to face them, you'd better beg for mercy sooner rather than later! If you're too late, one punch and you might not be able to make a sound again!"

Qian Qianyi was beaming with pride.

Xue Pan's face showed impatience.

Feng Ziying's expression was solemn.

Only Jiao Si noticed a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness on the face of the burly man surnamed Liu.

Xue Pan gently picked his nose.

"Qian Shui Leng, what a big mouth you have."

"Wasn't it the same boastful talk at Yunlou last time? What happened in the end?"

"Ha ha--"

As he spoke, Xue Pan clenched his fist, gently placed it next to his nose, and made a mock "ouch" sound.

Qian Qianyi's excited face suddenly turned pale.

He glared fiercely at the crowd, then led the burly man away.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to throw out the words, "We'll see."

Xue Pan laughed heartily behind him.

Only Feng Ziying's face remained etched with worry.

"That idiot Xue..."

"Stop laughing, you idiot Xue!"

"That burly man seems to have some knowledge of what he's doing."

Xue Pan was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Then I heard Feng Zi's English tinged with bitterness.

"I heard my father say that the previous champion in martial arts had his right cheek scratched when he fought with a wild wolf when he was young, so he always covered half of his cheek with a piece of iron."

"Did you see that burly man just now? He was wearing half a metal mask."

this......

Xue Pan swallowed hard.

Look at Feng Ziying, then look at Jiao Si.

After a while.

"Brother Feng, Brother Jiao, how about... we just forget about it?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Jiao Si firmly waved his hand in refusal.

This concerns the rewards for the "Tales of Love and Sin" quest... no, it concerns the freedom and happiness of Miss Lu Yanping, how can we just back out like that?

This can't be left like this!

"Brother Feng, Brother Xue, we can't back down!"

"Back at Yunlou, we already subdued Qian Shuileng. Now that things have come to this, how can we back down just because of a mere 'Martial Arts Champion'?"

"Don't let his arrogant words fool you. He might just be a paper tiger when things get tough."

Xue Pan pondered for a moment.

Clap your hands together.

"Brother Jiao, I relied on you to pass the written exam. Now for the martial arts exam, I trust you and will listen to you!"

Feng Ziying was somewhat surprised.

In the past, Xue the Fool would have definitely backed down in this kind of situation. Why is he being so tough today?

But then Xue Pan spoke again.

"When the time comes, you two will charge ahead. If I sense things are going badly, I'll immediately beg for mercy; he definitely won't kill us!"

Harmful!

-----------------

Another half a day passed.

At the top of Plum Blossom Mountain, in front of the Fallen Red Pavilion.

The crowd surged, creating a huge open space.

In the center of the open field, a series of gongs rang out.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen!"

"The first match is about to begin!"

"If you are not a participant, please move further out. Fists and kicks have no eyes; don't suffer an undeserved attack here!"

Among the crowd, a young girl was dressed in fine clothes, adorned with red tassels and precious jade ornaments.

He was protected in the middle by several burly servants.

Through the gap, you could see her ears standing up and her eyes shining.

"Hey you, the one banging the gong, tell me, who's fighting whom in the first match?"

The servant who was banging the gong gave a forced smile and pulled out a slip of paper.

"Don't be offended, don't be offended!"

"The first match: the Xue family of Jinling, Xue Pan and Xue Dalang's group, versus the Xie family of Jinling, Xie Baoqin's group!"