Chapter 255
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Zhang Xiaohua stood alone, guarding the horses, but his divine sense was spread out, observing the movements inside the tea stall. By now, he was highly proficient in using his divine sense, effortlessly multitasking—his eyes watching, his divine sense scanning, and his hands continuously absorbing Yuan Qi without any delay.
Suddenly, the horses grazing nearby let out long neighs and retreated several steps. Startled, Zhang Xiaohua quickly stepped forward, grabbed the reins, and calmed the slightly frightened horses. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the grazing spot was right next to a field, and a field mouse had suddenly darted out from a burrow in the field, startling the horses.
A flash of insight struck Zhang Xiaohua’s mind, as if he had just thought of something.
At that moment, Ying Fei rushed out of the tea stall and asked what had happened. Zhang Xiaohua replied with an indifferent expression. Ying Fei chuckled and said: “Very well, Ren Xiaoyao, keep a good watch on the horses. Tonight, you’ll suffer a little less.”
With that, he turned back and re-entered the tea stall.
Zhang Xiaohua spat in the direction of Ying Fei’s departing figure, then stood there silently, retracting his divine sense and ceasing his absorption of Yuan Qi, focusing solely on the fleeting thought that had just crossed his mind.
A field, a field mouse, a burrow—what exactly had he realized?
As his eyes locked onto the small mouse hole, Zhang Xiaohua’s mind suddenly cleared. Wasn’t this escaping through the earth? Yes, Earth Escape! Though he didn’t fully understand what Earth Escape entailed, just from the name, it seemed to be about tunneling through the ground and escaping. If he could truly dig a tunnel and flee from within, even someone as powerful as Qin Daren might not be able to find him!
Hahaha! Zhang Xiaohua almost burst into laughter, but before he could, his excitement came to an abrupt halt. If digging a tunnel were that simple, all he needed was a hoe. But how could he possibly dig a hole under Qin Daren’s watchful eyes? Could the Earth Escape Technique recorded in that mysterious jade really just be teaching him how to use a hoe more efficiently?
Growing impatient, Zhang Xiaohua immediately recalled the mnemonic chants of the [Earth Escape Technique] and began carefully comprehending them.
Inside the tea stall, Ying Fei whispered the details of the incident to Qin Daren.
Qin Daren nodded slightly and turned to Kong Rang, saying: “May I ask what difficulty you’re facing that requires assistance?”
Kong Rang cupped his hands and replied: “Sir, may I take a seat before explaining?”
Lord Qin furrowed his brows slightly before nodding. Kong Rang awkwardly took a seat and said: “To be frank, this is a rather embarrassing matter, so I’ll keep it short. My two brothers and I had a minor dispute with the Five Heroes of the Xiao Clan from Nanmou Mountain. We came to seek out Old Master Ma, hoping he could mediate between us. However, we didn’t expect to arrive just as he was celebrating his grand birthday. The gifts we had prepared would normally be sufficient, but as birthday presents, they’re far from impressive.
Furthermore, we’ve heard that Old Master Ma has recently formed an alliance with the Heaven’s Way Alliance through marriage, and his status has risen accordingly. The price for requesting his intervention has also increased time and again. So…”
Qin Daren chuckled and said: “So, you’re looking to borrow some silver from me?”
Kong Rang was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly replied: “It’s not quite what you think, Brother. I have enough silver notes with me, but I just haven’t been able to find an appropriate birthday gift in such a short time. I can’t very well just hand over silver notes, can I? While we might not care about face, Old Master Ma certainly does. So, if Brother happens to have an extra gift prepared, would you be willing to share a portion with me? Of course, I would pay you the full value in silver notes. You wouldn’t suffer any loss.”
Qin Daren was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter.
Seeing Qin Daren laugh so loudly, Kong Rang’s face turned red with embarrassment. He grew annoyed and said: “Brother, if you don’t have any extra or simply don’t wish to help, just say so. Why must you mock me like this?”
After finishing his laughter, Qin Daren spoke kindly: “Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s just that we haven’t prepared any gifts at all, so there’s nothing to share with you.”
“You’re heading to the Ma Residence, aren’t you?” Kong Rang was visibly surprised, feeling as if he had misjudged the situation.
Qin Daren replied with interest, “Yes, we are going to the Ma Residence. However, we are not going there to celebrate a birthday.”
Kong Rang, now concerned, kindly advised: “Brother, from what I can tell, you are also a man of the martial world. The Ma Clan is a renowned martial family in Xinji Town. If you intend to visit them at this time, it would be best to prepare an appropriate birthday gift first. Otherwise, being turned away at the door wouldn’t be ideal.”
Qin Daren cupped his hands and said: “Many thanks for your advice. We will take a stroll around town later—perhaps we will come across something suitable.”
Realizing that Qin Daren clearly wasn’t taking his words to heart, Kong Rang sighed, turned back to his table, quickly settled his bill, and hurried out, likely continuing his search for a proper gift.
After all, money wasn’t an issue for them. Surely, they could find something appropriate.
Qin Daren and Ying Fei remained seated for another short while before finally rising and leaving the tea stall. Outside, they saw Zhang Xiaohua staring blankly at the fields, lost in thought. Qin Daren scolded: “Ren Xiaoyao, daydreaming about women? Hurry up and bring the horses over for us!”
Zhang Xiaohua, who was currently comprehending the [Earth Escape Technique], was abruptly awakened. However, he did not get angry. Instead, he untied the reins and led the horse over. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s obedient demeanor, Qin Daren was somewhat surprised. He sized him up, as if not recognizing him. How could this be the same person who, just two days ago, had been desperately trying to escape? Even after mounting the horse, Zhang Xiaohua remained somewhat dazed, following behind them with vacant eyes. Qin Daren couldn’t help but wonder: Could this brat have been turned into an idiot by the Soul Search Hand? The sect’s records certainly made no mention of such an effect.
Regardless of Qin Daren’s doubts, Ying Fei led the way, and the three of them leisurely rode along the main road into Xinji Town.
Ying Fei seemed to know the location of the Ma Manor. Without asking for directions, he simply urged his horse forward. After passing through several streets, the distant sound of drums and gongs rang out, accompanied by opera singing—it was likely the lively commotion of the Ma Manor. As they rode, a sudden clamor arose behind them. “Move aside! Quickly move aside! Make way for the young master!”
The road Zhang Xiaohua and the others were traveling on led directly to the Ma Manor. It had long been renovated by the Ma family into an exceptionally wide avenue, spacious enough to accommodate four horses riding side by side with ease. Since the three of them were not walking in the center of the road, there was no real need for them to make way. However, in the distance, eight towering, fiery-red horses galloped toward them at high speed. Their riders shouted loudly as they advanced, and those who failed to move in time were ruthlessly struck with horsewhips.
Zhang Xiaohua, lost in thought, was still contemplating ancient scripts and hadn’t even registered the commotion behind him. Qin Daren and Ying Fei, both naturally arrogant individuals, certainly had no intention of paying heed to such ruffians. As a result, while the rest of the street’s pedestrians and riders had tactfully retreated to the sides, the three of them and their horses remained conspicuously in the middle of the road. Riding at the head of the oncoming group was a young man of about twenty, with delicate features, red lips, and white teeth. His expression carried an air of extreme arrogance. He wielded a small horsewhip with practiced ease, striking people without hesitation. Seeing that three riders dared to remain unmoved before him—even though they were not blocking the path—his temper flared. As he closed in on Zhang Xiaohua, he glanced sideways. The boy’s attire was plain, his expression haggard, and he appeared vacant and dull—likely some lowly servant.
And yet, such a person dares not to make way for me?
The young man instantly grew furious. He raised his horsewhip high and, with a sharp flick, lashed it toward Zhang Xiaohua’s face.
Under normal circumstances, Zhang Xiaohua would have easily avoided the strike. However, he was currently deep in comprehension and unaware of his surroundings. Just as the whip was about to land on his face, a shadow swiftly intercepted from the side. A crisp snap rang out. The whip aimed at Zhang Xiaohua had been entangled by another whip. The young noble turned to look and saw that the one who had stopped him was none other than Qin Daren, the older man with snow-white hair, riding just ahead of Zhang Xiaohua.
In Qin Daren’s eyes, Zhang Xiaohua was his captive—however he chose to torment or dispose of him was entirely his prerogative. Yet this young noble dared to raise a whip without so much as a greeting? It was clear he did not regard him at all. Even when beating a dog, one must consider its master—let alone a person! The thought alone infuriated Qin Daren. With a flick of his wrist, he effortlessly entangled the young noble’s whip. Then, with a slight exertion of force, an immense strength surged through the young man’s arm. His palm went numb, and the whip was instantly wrenched from his grasp. Qin Daren then gave a slight shake of his wrist, sending the stolen whip flying far into a filthy roadside ditch.
The young noble was utterly enraged. He immediately reached for the sword at his waist, about to charge forward. However, an elderly man riding behind him swiftly moved up, grabbing his hand and whispering in a low voice: “Young Master, we’re already in front of Old Master Ma’s residence. Judging by their direction, those three are likely here to pay respects for Old Master Ma’s birthday. If you act rashly now, you might end up offending his guests.”
The young noble gritted his teeth and said: “But they refused to make way first! And they even took away my whip!”
The elderly man advised: “Even so, remember this man’s face. After the banquet, you can settle the matter at your leisure. If you act now, you risk embarrassing Old Master Ma, and people will say we lack decorum.”
Hearing this, the young noble finally nodded, casting a vicious glare at the three riders before reluctantly urging his horse forward. From beginning to end, Qin Daren, Ying Fei, and Zhang Xiaohua did not spare him a single glance, their expressions utterly indifferent.
When the young noble arrived at the entrance of the Ma Manor, someone inside had already announced his arrival. Soon, an elderly man with silver hair, a ruddy complexion, and a spirited presence personally stepped out to greet him—it was none other than Old Master Ma Rulong himself. The young noble promptly dismounted and respectfully saluted: “Your grandson-in-law greets Grandfather. Wishing Grandfather a long life of a hundred years, with blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea.”
Ma Rulong quickly stepped forward to help him up, saying: “No need for such formalities, grandson-in-law. We’re family—quickly, rise.”
The young noble seized the opportunity to stand, then smiled and said: “It has been some time since I last saw Grandfather, but your health seems even sturdier than before—truly, age has only made you stronger.”
His words were somewhat blunt, but Ma Rulong did not take offense. Instead, he chuckled: “It’s all thanks to the fine things your master provided me—my body has improved quite a bit.”
The young noble continued: “For Grandfather’s grand birthday, Master has also sent many fine gifts through me. Butler, bring out the gift list for Grandfather.”
The elderly man behind him quickly stepped forward and presented a large red scroll. Ma Rulong unrolled it for a glance, and his expression subtly shifted before he passed it to the ceremony official at the gate.
Under the young noble’s slightly smug gaze, the ceremony official raised his voice and proclaimed: “The Heaven’s Way Alliance’s Qiu Xidao sends congratulations for Grandfather’s grand occasion, presenting…”
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