Chapter 70: Dwelling in Wan Jie Valley!
Zhong Ling, oblivious to it all, chirped: “Oh, when we came back into the valley, why were there so many people? So lively~ it’s never been like that before! Is something fun happening?”
After talking for so long without her mother answering, she pouted: “Mother~ why don’t you answer me?”
“Ah… oh. That was your father stirring up matters. Don’t worry about him,” Gan Baobao replied, returning to herself.
Wan Jie Valley was originally a secluded valley, quite spacious in terrain.
Zhong Wanchou, though eager to deal with Duan Zhengchun, absolutely dared not allow Duan Zhengchun and Gan Baobao to meet.
Naturally then, the gathering of martial figures from Dali had been at another corner of the valley.
As for where Gan Baobao resided, it was far-off and remote; without someone leading the way, it would be nearly impossible to find.
Thus, when Zhong Ling had led everyone into Wan Jie Valley earlier, they had passed right by the commotion, hence her question.
Zhong Ling gave an “oh,” then asked curiously: “So where is Father now?”
“He… has some matters…”
Clearly unwilling to discuss it, Gan Baobao brushed past the topic quickly.
Afterward, conversation flowed warmly. At noon, after they had eaten together, she instructed servants to prepare a separate courtyard, arranging for Fang Han and his wife to lodge there.
As for Mu Wanqing, since she shared a bond with Gan Baobao, there was no need for such formalities.
That night, in the courtyard room.
Fang Han sat cross-legged upon the bed, flipping through the Yiyang Zhi manual.
Whenever learning a martial art, he always preferred first to read the manual carefully from start to finish.
Once he had a clear grasp, he would then proceed to reorganize and comprehend it more deeply.
This had been his method with Beiming Shengong and Lingbo Weibu, and naturally it was the same with this Yiyang Zhi.
Finishing the last page, Fang Han contemplated the profound essence of this finger technique.
Tap tap
The door opened, and Cheng Lingsu stepped gracefully inside.
She had changed into a pale beige dress, her hair slightly damp, strands clinging to her jade-like cheeks, lending her a different charm.
Freshly bathed, a faint fragrance clung to her.
She sat down beside Fang Han, leaning lightly against him, her scent all the more subtle and pure.
Glancing curiously at the manual in his hands, Cheng Lingsu asked: “Brother Fang, when you left earlier, was it to search for this martial art?”
Fang Han easily wrapped his arm around her slender waist, nodded, and handed her the manual: “The exclusive art of the Dali Duan clan—Yiyang Zhi.”
Cheng Lingsu took the manual, just about to examine it. Hearing this, she was slightly surprised.
The Yaowang Manor was itself a notable power in the martial world.
Concerning famous sects and their signature martial arts, she naturally had some knowledge.
This Yiyang Zhi was said to be the Duan clan’s most closely guarded secret—how then had Brother Fang managed to obtain such a manual?
Could it be…
As with that Langhuan Blessed Land at Wuliang Mountain, this manual too was discovered in some hidden trove?
Brother Fang always had a way.
She shook her head gently, not pressing further, and opened the manual, reading intently.
Fang Han’s arm circled her, holding her close. Resting his chin lightly upon her shoulder, he inhaled her fragrance. Seeing her eyes lowered upon the manual, her long lashes quivering, the candlelight painting a healthy flush upon her cheeks—
Looking, and looking.
A heat slowly rose within him.
Cheng Lingsu suddenly sensed something amiss, her face flushing red.
She set the manual aside…
Half an hour later.
Fang Han, his expression somewhat solemn, pondered the meaning of life.
Where should I go, and from where have I come?
Miss Cheng was not fooled by such thoughts.
Years of marriage—who would not know their husband?
She cast him a sidelong glance, tidying herself gently.
After a pause, Cheng Lingsu recalled today’s incident with Mu Wanqing, and asked: “Brother Fang, how do you view Miss Mu?”
In truth, she had noticed for some days already.
She simply had not spoken of it.
But today, from Madam Gan’s expressions and words, she clearly saw something unusual.
“Hm?”
Fang Han blinked, not catching her meaning.
Why suddenly bring up Mu Wanqing?
He looked at Cheng Lingsu, puzzled: “What do you mean?”
Cheng Lingsu sighed softly: “Miss Mu… she seems to harbor feelings for you.”
Fang Han: “…”
So Miss Cheng was… jealous?
Fang Han blinked. Such a Cheng Lingsu was rare to see. He found her adorable, yet also puzzling: “Why do you say so? These past days, Miss Mu has barely spoken to me, hm…”
Speaking thus, his heart suddenly stirred.
Hesitation appeared upon his face: “Could it be about the veil?”
That day when Yun Zhonghe and Ye Erniang had attacked, he had already been wondering—why was Mu Wanqing no longer wearing her veil? Could it be events had deviated from the original course?
But such matters touched upon another’s privacy, and of course he could not pry into a young lady’s affairs.
And Mu Wanqing herself had shown no particular warmth toward him, exchanging only a few words before no more.
Fang Han had been focused on refining his internal energy, and thus had not thought much of it.
In the days afterward, they had scarcely seen each other.
Gradually, he had stopped giving it thought.
Yet now, hearing Cheng Lingsu bring her up in such a way…
He knew well Cheng Lingsu’s temperament—in matters like this, if she were not certain, she would never speak it aloud.
For her to say it, she must have been sure.
Would this not mean, then, that Mu Wanqing truly…
Harbored feelings for him?
🍃🍃🍃
Footnotes:
- Lingbo Weibu (凌波微步)– “Ripple-walking Light Step,” a legendary movement skill from Tianlong Babu, allowing one to drift and glide lightly across the ground.
- Yiyang Zhi (一阳指)– “One Yang Finger,” the exclusive finger technique of the Duan family of Dali; versatile, capable of combat, sealing acupoints, and healing.