Wuxia: Starting Off With 60 Years of Inner Strength

”He’ll be of some use once we get to Red Maple Manor.”

”Alright.”

Luo Qingyi readily agreed.

Only then did Jiang Ran turn to Zhang Zhihua.

”And how did you get captured?”

”I...”

Zhang Zhihua glanced at Li Tianxin and said in a low voice,

”That day, I went to the inn looking for him, but you all said he had left...

”So I went back and had my father investigate his whereabouts.

”We didn’t find much else, but we learned he was heading south.

”Then we discovered you all also left through the South City Gate, so I followed from a distance.

”I didn’t expect to run into him again.”

She pointed at Mo Tingzhi.

Jiang Ran’s brow furrowed slightly.

”You really were following from a distance. I didn’t even notice you.”

Zhang Zhihua didn’t dare say more. She just lowered her head, sneaking a careful glance at Li Tianxin.

Then, Jiang Ran spoke to Li Tianxin again.

”What should we do?”

”How should I know?”

As Li Tianxin said this, he shot Jiang Ran an indignant glare.

”If you hadn’t stuck your nose in other people’s business, would I be in this mess?”

”Don’t put it so harshly.”

Jiang Ran chuckled.

”Look at Miss Zhang. The dignified daughter of the prefect, not lacking in looks, and so devoted to you. You could at least be grateful, but instead, you’re finding fault with everything. Have you no shame?”

Hearing Jiang Ran’s blunt words, Zhang Zhihua’s face instantly turned crimson.

Li Tianxin wanted to retort, but he felt that any rebuttal would be too cruel.

For the sake of Zhang Zhihua’s pride, he swallowed his words. He took a deep breath and said to her,

”Miss Zhang, you are wonderful in every way, but I know my own place.

”I am not a good match for you. I urge you to reconsider.

”The weather is bad today, so we’ll let it be. Tomorrow, when the clouds clear, please return to Cangzhou Prefecture.

”The Jianghu is a dangerous place. If there’s another incident, I fear you won’t be as lucky as you were this time.”

Hearing this, Zhang Zhihua was neither hurt nor sad.

She simply said,

”Brother Li, you may know your own place, but so do I.

”You say you’re not a good match for me, but I think you are.

”I’ve never looked at a man this way before, so... I may have lost some of my composure.

”Even if you try to send me away now, I won’t go.

”Unless you have the heart to kill me, I’m sticking with you!”

Ye Jingshuang’s jaw dropped. ’I can’t believe this young woman can be so forward and determined!’

Jiang Ran also felt that this girl was different from the others.

Especially in an era like this.

No ordinary girl would be able to say such things in front of everyone.

It was a complete disregard for propriety, which was actually quite admirable.

Even in his past life, there weren’t many who were this bold.

While Jiang Ran was feeling impressed, Li Tianxin’s head was about to explode.

He stared intently at Zhang Zhihua for a long moment before taking a deep breath.

”Fine. If you want to follow, then follow.

”Just don’t regret it in the future!”

After saying his piece, he turned and stormed off.

Zhang Zhihua was overjoyed. Although Li Tianxin’s words were harsh, he had clearly agreed to let her follow him. This was a huge step forward.

She immediately gave Jiang Ran a slight bow and turned to chase after him.

Luo Qingyi gave them a strange look, then looked at Jiang Ran and grabbed Mo Tingzhi.

”Well... Young Master, I’ll take my leave as well.”

”Alright.”

Jiang Ran nodded.

As Luo Qingyi left, he thoughtfully closed the door for Jiang Ran and Ye Jingshuang.

The moment the door closed, Ye Jingshuang felt the air in the room grow somewhat stifling.

She glanced at Jiang Ran, coughed lightly, and said,

”Well... Brother Jiang, you should rest first.”

Jiang Ran nodded, not arguing with her.

He would rest for the first half of the night. The second half was more difficult, so it was a good arrangement for her to sleep then.

But his mind was currently aflame with gossip, and he couldn’t sleep just yet. He unfastened his outer robe, slipped into bed, and lay on his side, looking at Ye Jingshuang who was sitting at the table. He chuckled,

”I never thought a cold, stone-faced guy like Li Tianxin would be chased by a girl like that.

”I wonder what she sees in him.”

”Love’s origin is often unknown, yet it grows ever deeper.”

Ye Jingshuang let out a soft laugh.

”How can one ever explain such matters?

”Sometimes, a single glance is all it takes to bind you for a lifetime.

”You said Li Tianxin saved her that day... The debt of having one’s life saved burns even hotter in the heart...”

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer.

She didn’t dare turn to look.

She was afraid of meeting Jiang Ran’s gaze.

But after a moment, there was no reply from behind her. Instead, Jiang Ran’s breathing grew steady.

She sighed, a little disappointed, and turned to glance at him, giving him a slightly reproachful glare.

Finally, she tucked Jiang Ran in, poured herself a cup of tea, and took small sips, her thoughts drifting to places unknown.

Nothing more was said that night.

「The next morning」

Ye Jingshuang, who had been sound asleep on the bed, opened her eyes.

She saw Jiang Ran sitting cross-legged, Gang Qi rolling around his body.

The swirling energy made him look like an immortal.

She stared blankly for a moment before coming to her senses. She sat up, put on her outer robe, and spoke softly,

”Brother Jiang.”

Jiang Ran exhaled, slowly pressing his hands down. The Gang Qi around him instantly vanished.

When he opened his eyes, Ye Jingshuang felt they were incredibly bright, as if stars were twinkling within them, but they returned to their usual calm in the blink of an eye.

”Your Inner Energy seems to have grown deeper.”

Ye Jingshuang was amazed.

”Brother Jiang, what level have you reached in your cultivation of the Sutra of Creation’s True Heart?”