Wandering Swordsman |

Night had fallen, and the moonlight was like water. The three of them walked out of the county government office. He Yun looked up at the sky and saw that the moon was already quite high. He suggested, "Brother Shen, it's getting late. Why don't we find an inn in this town to stay for the night and set off again tomorrow?"

Shen Mo nodded in agreement, and Zhao Xue silently followed behind the two. There was still a trace of unease in her eyes, as if she had not yet recovered from the previous experience, but she was more grateful to He Yun and Shen Mo.

The three of them quickly found a bustling, brightly lit inn. The waiter, seeing that guests had arrived, hurriedly came out to greet them.

After some arrangements, they checked into a spacious two-bedroom suite. The room was decorated warmly and elegantly, with clean bedding on the beds in both bedrooms and hot tea served on the tables.

Not long after they sat down in the room, He Yun suggested, "It was no easy feat to resolve the bandit matter so smoothly today. How about the three of us have a few drinks tonight to celebrate?"

Shen Mo and Zhao Xue exchanged a glance and both nodded.

The waiter quickly brought over a jar of fine wine and several small dishes. The aroma of the wine filled the air as the three sat around the table. He Yun raised his glass and said, "Brother Shen, young lady, come, this first cup of wine is to toast our meeting today."

The girl took a small sip; the liquor was slightly spicy, but she still swallowed it, and a blush immediately appeared on her face.

Seeing this, Shen Mo also picked up his wine glass. Although he had never tasted wine before, he still followed He Yun's example and drank the wine in one gulp.

"Cough..." Shen Mo coughed lightly. The strength of the alcohol made his throat feel a little uncomfortable, but he was surprised to find that he was not drunk. Instead, he felt warm all over.

Seeing this, He Yun laughed heartily and said, "Brother Shen, your drinking capacity is truly impressive! Come on, let's have another drink."

Zhao Xue also spoke up, "Young Master Shen, Young Master He, thank you both for saving my life today. My name is Zhao Xue, and I will definitely repay your kindness if I have the opportunity in the future."

Shen Mo then downed another cup of wine, and quickly waved his hand, saying, "Miss Zhao, you're too kind. If Brother He hadn't intervened in time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have escaped this calamity either."

He Yun nodded in agreement: "That's right, that's right. It's our duty as江湖儿女 (jianghu children, people of the martial world) to help those in need. Miss Zhao, you don't need to take it to heart."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xue felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She tried drinking a second glass, but after this glass of wine, her cheeks became even redder, and she appeared languid. Soon after, she lay down on the table and fell into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, He Yun glanced at Shen Mo, who remained unfazed, smiled slightly, and said to Shen Mo, "Brother Shen, your drinking capacity is truly astonishing. I, He Yun, am impressed. Come, let's chat for a while longer."

With the help of alcohol, Shen Mo felt very happy, and then immediately nodded and continued to chat with He Yun.

During their conversation, He Yun seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "Brother Shen, I took it upon myself to say that you were going the same way and decided to take Miss Zhao to Liaocheng. I am truly sorry."

After listening, Shen Mo pondered for a moment and replied, "Brother He, you are overthinking it. I have no objection. Besides, my destination is not far from Liaocheng, so it can be said to be on the way."

Upon hearing this, He Yun's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Oh? What is Brother Shen's destination?"

Shen Mo answered frankly, "Changbai Mountain."

Upon hearing this, He Yun's spirits lifted, and he slapped his thigh, laughing, "What a coincidence, Brother Shen! My destination is also Changbai Mountain. It seems we are truly destined to meet!"

Shen Mo was also delighted and said with a smile, "That's excellent. With Brother He traveling with us, this trip will definitely be much smoother."

He Yun raised his glass in celebration: "Good, Brother Shen, let's drink to our destiny and go to Changbai Mountain together!"

The two raised their glasses and clinked them together, the crisp sound echoing in the night. Zhao Xue slept soundly amidst the aroma of wine, a serene smile on her lips, as if she too was experiencing this rare peace and warmth in her dreams.

In the stillness of the night, moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silvery glow on the eaves. Inside the inn's suite, candlelight flickered. Shen Mo and He Yun's conversation deepened, their intoxication intensifying, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

Shen Mo's curiosity finally couldn't be contained, and he asked, "Brother He, may I ask what brings you to Changbai Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, He Yun looked at Shen Mo with slight confusion, seemingly puzzled as to why he would ask such a question. Then, his face flushed from drinking, he laughed and said, "What else could it be? Isn't Brother Shen going to participate in the martial arts tournament for choosing a husband held by Jing Tian Pavilion on the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month?"

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat. He was on his master's orders to deliver the "Formless Scripture" to Changbai Mountain. He immediately remembered that his master had instructed him that this mission was of great importance and should not be easily revealed to others. So he pretended to be a little drunk, shook his head, and said as if he had just realized something, "Drinking really does lead to mistakes. Now that you mention it, I do remember that I came here for this very reason."

In truth, Shen Mo's heart was already in turmoil. He knew he had to be careful to avoid revealing any flaws. He secretly warned himself to remain vigilant, while also considering how to continue the conversation without exposing his true intentions.

He Yun was already somewhat drunk and didn't notice Shen Mo's subtle changes. When he heard that Shen Mo had the same goal as him, he excitedly said, "Brother Shen must also want to see the legendary beauty Situ Meng, who is said to be so beautiful that she could eclipse the moon and shame the flowers."

Although Shen Mo was unaware of the various rumors circulating in the martial arts world, he felt a sense of relief when he realized that He Yun had steered the conversation elsewhere.

He immediately nodded in agreement with He Yun's words, feigning a longing look: "Yes, that's true."

Fueled by his drunkenness, He Yun seemed even more excited. He raised his wine glass to Shen Mo and said, "Brother Shen, when we meet on the arena, you'd better be prepared. I won't hold back!"

Looking at He Yun's slightly drunken face, Shen Mo thought to himself: A martial arts competition in the arena? What kind of situation is this? But he still echoed him with a smile, "Brother He, don't worry, I will definitely do my best."

As soon as he finished speaking, He Yun tilted his head back and downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, laughing heartily, "Good! Brother Shen is indeed a man of honor! To show my disrespect, I will punish myself with another cup."

As night deepened, the conversation at the table gradually subsided, broken only by occasional bursts of laughter. Zhao Xue remained fast asleep at the table, seemingly oblivious to the commotion outside. Shen Mo and He Yun exchanged a smile, savoring this rare moment of tranquility and friendship.

After downing the last glass of wine, He Yun finally succumbed to drowsiness and slumped onto the table, emitting soft snores.

Shen Mo quietly tidied the table, then sat by the window, gazing at the bright moon, lost in thought…

Shen Mo recalled his pleasant conversation with He Yun. He Yun's forthright personality and sincere friendship gave him a long-lost warmth. He secretly rejoiced that he had met such a friend so early in his life.

At the same time, Shen Mo closed his eyes and recalled the scene of drinking the first glass of wine. The spiciness of the wine when it entered his mouth, the sweetness that followed, and the pleasantly tipsy feeling that came with it all left a deep impression on him.

Shen Mo realized that the wine he drank tonight was not just a taste experience, but also a symbol of growth.

From this moment on, he was no longer the bullied young beggar, but a true江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world).

A night breeze swept by, carrying a hint of autumn chill. Shen Mo took a deep breath, savoring the fresh yet slightly cold air. As the night deepened, Shen Mo's eyelids grew heavier and heavier. He slowly closed his eyes, nestled against the window, and quietly drifted off to sleep. Outside, the moonlight continued to stream gently down, adding to the tranquility and beauty of the night.