Chapter 119

Chapter 119: The Invitation from Yulu Mountain Manor

After settling on a meeting time with Leng Cangqiong and his sister, Lou Yun took his leave. Though reluctant to part, neither of them pressed him to stay, knowing they would meet again in three and a half months.

Leaving the snow mountain, Lou Yun pushed his movement speed to its limit, hastening back to Granny Bai Cao. His heart overflowed with excitement and disbelief. He still struggled to believe he had actually formed a sworn brotherhood with Leng Cangqiong, the world-renowned White-haired God of Death. Life was like a dream, truly unpredictable!

Meanwhile, Chang Xiang thought to himself, "This trip to the Great Snowfield was definitely worth it for Lou Yun. First, he encountered Skypride members, and now he’s become sworn brothers with Leng Cangqiong. With the support of these two forces, his path forward will be somewhat safer. Once his own strength grows a little more, I can reveal some truths to him, and then it’ll be up to him what he does!"

On the return journey, Lou Yun once again found himself at the foot of Yulu Mountain. He thought to himself it was fortunate he hadn’t sought out the master of Yulu Mountain earlier; otherwise, he’d owe an unnecessary favor.

As that thought crossed his mind, a figure suddenly flickered before his eyes, appearing right in front of him!

Lou Yun hastily halted and looked up at this abrupt arrival. The man was unremarkable in appearance, around fifty years old, wearing a friendly smile. He proactively spoke, "Excuse me, are you Lou Yun?"

Lou Yun’s heart stirred. He didn’t know how the other could know his name. Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he had been waiting here intentionally. Could he be someone from Yulu Mountain?

This clearly showed Lou Yun’s quick reflexes; he made an accurate deduction based solely on the other’s single question.

Nevertheless, for caution’s sake, Lou Yun didn’t immediately confirm his identity, instead counter-questioning, "Who are you?"

The other smiled and replied, "My name is Dai Rong. I am the steward of Yulu Mountain Manor, sent by my master to invite you, young master, to the manor for a discussion!”

Dai Rong’s invitation baffled Lou Yun. However, a sudden realization hit him: "Did Granny Bai Cao notify your master?"

Dai Rong nodded with a smile, "Indeed. Some time ago, my master received a notice from Granny Bai Cao that Lou Gongzi would likely be visiting our manor soon. Consequently, my master sent us to wait here, but we didn’t see you. Judging by your appearance now, you must have already returned from the Great Snowfield. Since that is so, please accompany me to our manor so my master can fulfill his duties as host!"

Since the man was clearly a friend, not a foe, Lou Yun’s attitude naturally softened. He smiled, "I appreciate your master’s kind intentions, but this time I’ve already obtained what I needed. Moreover, I have urgent matters to attend to. Therefore, I won’t impose today. If the opportunity arises another day, I will certainly come to pay a visit!"

After speaking, Lou Yun watched Dai Rong, hoping he would withdraw willingly. Yet, Dai Rong remained standing there, smiling genially, and added, "Lou Gongzi, well, the thing is, Granny Bai Cao instructed us to relay that it is imperative you come to our manor for a visit. This is related to whether your sister’s injuries can be completely cured."

These words instantly hit Lou Yun’s weak spot. The moment he heard it concerned Wan Huier’s injuries, even if he had the greatest reluctance, he had to agree to the invitation now.

Lou Yun did not know that nearly three months had already passed since he left Granny Bai Cao. Wan Huier’s appearance had recovered by about seventy to eighty percent under the old woman’s careful nurturing. By the time he got back, Wan Huier would have long since recovered!

Granny Bai Cao had made this arrangement precisely because she anticipated Lou Yun’s character might prevent him from seeking out the master of Yulu Mountain Manor. Therefore, not long after Lou Yun departed, she immediately sent news to Beichen Ming, informing him of certain matters. Beichen Ming regarded Lou Yun quite highly. Upon receiving the message, he promptly arranged for people to wait for Lou Yun around Yulu Mountain. Unexpectedly, they missed him then and only managed to intercept him now.

Following behind Dai Rong, Lou Yun began climbing Yulu Mountain. As he ascended, his thoughts churned: Hadn’t Granny Bai Cao said collecting the Qi Cai Xue Lian was enough? Why were there suddenly additional complications, forcing him to meet the master of Yulu Mountain Manor?

Carrying this heavy load of confusion, Lou Yun finally arrived before the gates of Yulu Mountain Manor. Gazing at the manor’s utterly breathtakingly magnificent presence, Lou Yun couldn’t help but gape in astonishment!

In all his life, Lou Yun had only ever seen two buildings he considered truly luxurious: Ancient Weapon Academy and Wan Huier’s family home.

However, both structures paled in comparison to the majestic Yulu Mountain Manor now before his eyes. They simply were not on the same level. Lou Yun was quite unable to find words adequate to describe the manor’s grandeur and scale. The most overwhelming feeling was simply one of incomparable boldness and might!

Who on earth is the master of this Yulu Mountain Manor? Lou Yun thought, dumbstruck. By all appearances, he is certainly a hugely famous personage, and immensely wealthy to boot. Otherwise, how could he possibly build such an imposing manor?

While Lou Yun stood there stupefied, Dai Rong had been silently waiting beside him. Only when Lou Yun snapped out of his daze did the steward smile and say, "Lou Gongzi, please follow me inside the manor!"

"Alright!"

Walking behind Dai Rong, Lou Yun stepped through the manor gates. Along the way, he encountered countless servants. Upon seeing him, they immediately offered respectful bows before deferentially stepping aside, resuming their tasks only after he had passed by. Clearly, the manor’s master imposed strict discipline upon his household.

They proceeded through three elegant courtyards before finally arriving at a vast reception hall.

Dai Rong guided Lou Yun to a chair and invited him to sit. "Please have a seat, Lou Gongzi. I shall fetch my master immediately."

With that, Dai Rong withdrew. No sooner had he left than servants entered, bearing fresh fruit and fragrant tea.

Lou Yun was indeed quite thirsty. He picked up a teacup and took a sip. As the tea entered his mouth, a soothing aroma instantly flooded his entire body, making him feel incredibly comfortable.

Truly excellent tea!

Within moments, Lou Yun had emptied the entire cup. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps came from outside the door. Lou Yun knew the manor’s master was arriving. He promptly stood up, straightened his robes, and prepared to receive his host.

When the figure of the master appeared at the entrance of the hall, Lou Yun couldn’t help but freeze: "It… it’s you?"

The newcomer was none other than that old man who had acted as the judge when Lou Yun competed in forging weapons against Xu Baichuan in Tianrang City!

The old man laughed heartily and said: "What, are you surprised to see me? Didn’t you expect it might be me?"

Lou Yun thought to himself: I don’t even know you, I have no idea who you are, how could I have anticipated it was you!

However, Lou Yun was genuinely extremely startled and dumbfounded. He truly had not imagined that the master of Yulu Mountain Manor would be such a seemingly ordinary old man! Just what was his actual status?

Scratching his head, Lou Yun spoke rather awkwardly: "Senior, I haven’t properly thanked you for the ice crystal jade weapon you gifted me!"

The old man acted as if he were extremely familiar with Lou Yun. Laughing loudly, he grabbed Lou Yun’s arm. He led him into the hall. He settled him back into a seat. Then he instructed servants to replace the tea and fruits. Only then did he chuckle and say: "Kid, you’re quite the runner! Granny Bai Cao asked me to pick you up, yet the people I sent didn’t catch you at all; it was lucky they intercepted you on your return journey. I heard you obtained what you sought from your trip to the Great Snowfield. How did it go? Was it smooth?"

The old man’s manner and tone radiated a completely natural enthusiasm. Additionally, since he had previously given Lou Yun an ice crystal jade weapon, Lou Yun now dropped his guard in his presence. He nodded and said: "Yes, I acquired the Qi Cai Xue Lian, and I was ready to deliver it back. But earlier, I heard from your steward that I absolutely had to visit you here, as it relates to whether my sister’s injury will fully heal."

The old man chuckled heartily, waving a hand dismissively as he said: "No need to fret over your sister’s injury—I guarantee there will be no problems whatsoever! Actually, she wanted you to come to me for your own matter!"

Lou Yun grew even more bewildered upon hearing this: "The Qi Cai Xue Lian is still with me, so how can my sister’s injury not be a concern? What sort of issue could I possibly have?"

"Hehe, don’t rush. I’ll explain in due time. By the way, I bet you still don’t know who I am, right?"

"I don’t!" Lou Yun shook his head, though he could surmise that this elderly figure must hold a hugely renowned status; otherwise, how could he own such an enormous manor and treasures like the ice crystal jade weapon?

The old man smiled faintly and stated: "My name is Beichen Ming!"

That name made Lou Yun jolt upright from his chair in shock. Compared to Leng Cangqiong, Beichen Ming appeared even more famous, because he happened to be Spirit Weapon Star’s highest-ranking seventh-grade skilled weapon maker. Furthermore, regarding strength, it was said he had attained emperor rank. While not as lofty as Ao Wushen or Leng Cangqiong, he was unequivocally a top-ranked figure!

Plus, his prestige as a skilled weapon maker meant his status on Spirit Weapon Star easily ranked in the top three if not the top spot!

It never crossed Lou Yun’s mind that this unassuming fellow who had handed him the ice crystal jade weapon could actually be Beichen Ming!

Lou Yun’s reaction clearly met Beichen Ming’s expectations. Grinning, he gestured with his hand as he remarked: "No need to get so worked up—sit down!"

Lou Yun rubbed his head sheepishly, yet he remained standing. On the other hand, Chang Xiang mocked bluntly: "He’s merely a seventh-grade skilled weapon maker. Why such astonishment? In just a few years, you’ll surpass him!"

Lou Yun paid zero attention to Chang Xiang’s words, because for Chang Xiang, a seventh-grade skilled weapon maker might be insignificant, but to Lou Yun or the entire population of Spirit Weapon Star, it represented a near-insurmountable feat!

Lou Yun bowed respectfully to Beichen Ming and declared: "Elder Bei, I was blind and failed to recognize your eminent self. If I’ve been discourteous in any way, kindly be forgiving and overlook it."

"Haha, ignorance isn’t a crime, and besides, you’ve shown no disrespect. Alright, sit down at once—I still have matters to discuss with you!"

Lou Yun finally sat back down, and Beichen Ming promptly inquired: "Lou Yun, who taught you forging skills? How many years have you been learning?"

"Uh…" Lou Yun rolled his eyes and confessed: "It was from a mysterious person. I’ve been learning for almost two years!"

"A mysterious person?" Beichen Ming’s brows knitted briefly, but then they smoothed over: "Only two years? So was that mysterious fellow your master?"

"Not!"

Hearing that reply, delight instantly lit Beichen Ming’s face: "In that case, would you be willing to become my disciple?"