Stranger Danger

"I'll only say this one more time. Get out, or suffer the consequences."

Judging from her harsh tone, Yu Hongluan's patience had clearly reached its limit.

"Hahaha... don't be mad, Hongluan. I was just making a joke and livening up the atmosphere, that's all."

Jin Wanliang suddenly laughed and saluted Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou. "Apologies for disturbing you two. I'll be taking my leave now."

Jin Wanliang laughed and withdrew from the tearoom just like that. He even closed the door when he took his leave.

"I apologize for what just happened."

After Jin Wanliang was gone, Yu Hongluan clasped her fists and apologized to Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou.

"It's not your fault. There's no need to feel responsible."

Ye Qing was rather curious about Jin Wanliang, so he asked, "Who is that man?"

"Hmph. He's just a spoiled and dissolute, ignorant and incompetent dandy boy."

Yu Hongluan clearly disdained Jin Wanliang as she launched into an explanation, "Jin Wanliang's father is the island lord of Gold Island, and his mother is the younger sister of the island lord of Bright Moon Island. Both of them are elite warriors who are not to be trifled with. However, Jin Wanliang is a worthless human being through and through. Poor talent is one thing, but he refuses to improve himself in skill or knowledge. He is also an arrogant and wanton troublemaker who abuses his upbringing to his advantage. He is as annoying as he is loathsome."

"What is his relationship with the son of Gold Island's island lord, Jin Qianshan[1]?" Nicknamed Gentleman Qianshan, Jin Qianshan was a peer of Yu Hongluan. Although his cultivation level was below Yu Hongluan, they weren't that far apart from each other.

Ye Qing was asking because the two men were obviously connected.

"Jin Qianshan is a collateral relative of the Jin Clan. He was later adopted by the island lord. You could view him as Jin Wanliang's younger brother."

Yu Hongluan's expression grew even more scornful. "Jin Wanliang isn't even in the same league as Jin Qianshan. The difference between them is like clouds and mud, the moon and the firefly."

Feng Qingyou abruptly opened her eyes with clear, gossipy interest. "What is your relationship with Scion Jin?"

Yu Hongluan did not try to hide it. "Island Lord Jin once helped the Yu Clan when my father went missing. Later, Lady Jin tried to match the two of us together. Although I rejected her and him firmly, Jin Wanliang refused to let go and kept harassing me. He has only been growing worse in recent years. It is terribly annoying."

Ye Qing nodded in realization. He did not realize that the two families shared such a history. No wonder Yu Hongluan was willing to tolerate Jin Wanliang to this extent. He was wondering why she hadn't just slapped him out of the room just now. That was the kind of reaction he expected from someone as fiery and unrelenting as her.

"You should be careful though, Miss Yu. Jin Wanliang is not as simple as he appears," Ye Qing warned smilingly while brushing a finger against his teacup.

Yu Hongluan looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Ye Qing explained, "I mean, that Jin Wanliang is not the ignorant and incompetent failure as you think he is, nor is he foolish or arrogant."

"For starters, he is at least a Trueman, if not higher."

"Trueman? How is that possible?" Yu Hongluan exclaimed in shock and disbelief.

"Yeah, he's using some sort of secret art to conceal his cultivation level. Most people would not notice it, but he cannot fool me."

Ye Qing declared with certainty, "Moreover, he's at least suspicious of Qingyou and my identities. I wouldn't be surprised if he already knew that we are the 'seniors' who defeated the Jewel Tree Prince's conspiracy."

Yu Hongluan's eyes widened into saucers when she heard this. "That... that can't be! How did he figure it out?"

Ye Qing replied, "Because of you, Miss Yu?"

"Because of me?" Yu Hongluan quickly figured out his meaning even though she didn't understand at first.

The incident had just passed, and there were still many things to do on Floating Island. And yet, she was accompanying a pair of strangers and roleplaying as a tour guide, taking them around Floating Island and treating them to tea and wine. It did not look normal no matter how you looked at it.

Considering what happened just a couple days ago, it wasn't difficult to figure out Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou's identities. At the very least, her actions must have garnered some suspicions.

In fact, Jin Wanliang might not be the only one who had figured out the truth either. Some people were probably beginning to suspect Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou as well.

"Hongluan was careless. Please forgive me, Warrior Ye, Miss Feng." Yu Hongluan hurriedly rose to her feet and apologized deeply.

If Jin Wanliang was the only one who knew about this, she could still shut him up somehow. But if her guess was true, then it was already too late to change things.

"It's fine. It's not your fault." Ye Qing did not take offense. In fact, he and Feng Qingyou figured that this might happen a while ago. They just didn't care that much. "It's about time we bid this place goodbye anyway."

If he and Feng Qingyou really put their minds into concealing their identities and tracks, then no one save for a Sage could find them. That was why they didn't mind it.

"You're leaving?" Yu Hongluan turned a little pale before asking regretfully, "Did my mistake disappoint you, Warrior Ye, Miss Feng?"

"You're overthinking this, Hongluan. It's not you."

Feng Qingyou consoled her. "The reason we're travelling is to broaden our horizons. Naturally, we were never going to stay in one place for too long. It's been days since we came to Floating Island, so we're going to move onto our next destination. That's all."

"I'm glad to hear that."

The guilt in Yu Hongluan's heart lessened slightly as she let out a sigh of relief. She then said in a longing tone, "Sigh, I so want to join the two of you on your adventures and broaden my horizons as well. Alas, I am but a creature of the mortal coil pinned down by an unending stream of duties and responsibilities. A shame."

Feng Qingyou smiled. "Such a day will come. When you have destroyed the Rakshasa Kingdom, the world will become your oyster."

"Hahaha... I would love that, Miss Feng."Yu Hongluan laughed heartily. "So, when are you leaving? I would like to see you off in person!"

Feng Qingyou smiled. "Now seems right. Besides, we are all sons and daughters of thejianghuhere. What need is there for superficial ceremonies? The sincerity and goodwill in your heart is the best parting ceremony we can receive!"

"Very well... I shan't keep you any longer."

Yu Hongluan did not feel sad or try to persuade them to stay. She gave them a refreshing smile, poured them a cup of Becoming Celestial Tea each, and raised her own cup in toast. "Let this tea be the wine I toast to you two. May your journey be safe, fruitful, and smooth sailing. May you attain boundless karma and complete your Daos!"

"Thank you, Miss Yu."

"Thank you, Hongluan. We too wish you good tidings and a smooth life..."

The trio raised their cups and drained their tea to the last drop.

"Goodbye..."

"Take care..."

After the tea was drunk, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou saluted Yu Hongluan and bade her goodbye as they said they would. They rose to their feet and took their leave.

Standing behind the window, Yu Hongluan watched as the duo vanished into the traffic. Lifting both hands and bowing slightly in their direction, she said, "May we meet again!"

......

On the Cloud Boat, Ye Qing stared at the boundless, pure blue sea in front of him and asked, "Should we avoid him, or?"

There was nothing on the sea surface, but there was a small, dark blue-colored fish swimming here and there underneath it.

Fishes like these were a dime a dozen in the sea. It was nothing to be surprised about.

This was not an ordinary fish though.

It was one imbued with Jin Wanliang's spirit and energies after all.

This meant that the fish was connected to Jin Wanliang. More accurately, it was something he was controlling.

To Jin Wanliang's credit, the spirit and energies imbued in the fish was extremely subtle. Another person might not have detected its oddities at all. However, his spirit was powerful, and his senses were sharp. That was why he had noticed it immediately.

That was how he knew Jin Wanliang was here.

1. Gold Thousand Mountain ☜