Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 291 Depressed Little Jiang

"Hello...

Jiang Churan stared at the exceptionally beautiful young woman before her, her expression slightly taken aback.

Why could she call his name so naturally?

Why... am I so close to him?

These thoughts, like tiny vines, silently coiled around my mind.

Jiang Churan's face remained as cold and aloof as ever.

A hint of hesitation, which she herself was unaware of, flashed across her eyes, which were as calm as still water.

She was a reborn empress with a clear and pure Dao heart, and should not be bothered by such trivial matters.

But at this moment, seeing the girl smiling radiantly as she took Li Wudao's arm, she felt inexplicably uneasy.

She couldn't quite explain what that strange feeling in her heart was, but she felt that the word "Wu Dao" was too intimate, so intimate that it made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Chu Ran, come on, don't stand here alone!"

Before she could even process her thoughts, Li Nanzhi had already taken her arm and led her toward the crowd.

Jiang Churan subconsciously tried to pull her hand away, but it was held by that warm and soft palm, and she forgot to break free for a moment.

"Alright, alright! Stop standing there!"

Wang Zhao rubbed his hands together, squeezing in excitedly:

"Today is my godfather's big day! Come on, let's go to Zuixianlou down the mountain, it's my treat! We must celebrate properly!"

The green-haired turtle poked its head out, its beady green eyes darting around:

"Drunken Immortal Pavilion? I've heard their 'Eight Treasures Spirit Bird Stew' and 'Ice Jade Nectar' are absolutely amazing! Young Wang, you'd better pay up today!"

"Don't worry, Master Turtle!" Wang Zhao patted his chest, "Enough is enough! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Li Nanzhi smiled and agreed, "Okay, okay, I'm actually hungry!"

Jiang Churan lowered her eyes and softly hummed in agreement.

The group chatted and laughed as they slowly descended the mountain along the bluestone path.

Wang Zhao sidled up to Li Wudao, chattering incessantly: "Godfather, tell me! Is it particularly exciting outside? What have you been up to all this time?"

Akiko Minoru also cast a curious glance at him.

Li Wudao smiled and briefly recounted his experiences during his trip to the Great Yu Kingdom, without making a fuss.

Jiang Churan walked quietly a step behind, listening to Li Wudao's story, a thoughtful look flashing in her cool eyes.

But whenever Li Nanzhi interrupted with a smile, her gaze would unconsciously shift to the hazy mountain shadows in the distance.

"Cousin, try this."

Li Nanzhi took out a spiritual fruit from her storage bag and held it to Li Wudao's lips. "This is a 'Moonlight Fruit' that I brought from Dayu. It's very sweet."

Li Wudao naturally took it, took a bite, and said, "Hmm, it's really good."

"Cousin? We both have the surname Li..."

Jiang Churan was taken aback.

It turns out I misunderstood.

Her face remained calm, but her ears were slightly warm, and she felt a little embarrassed.

not far away.

Wu Shaotian stood alone in the shadows, surrounded by others, watching the group chatting and laughing, and his mood couldn't be worse.

His knuckles were clenched so tightly they turned white, and the resentment in his eyes almost solidified.

A moment later, he snorted coldly, flicked his black robe, and turned to leave quickly.

Just as it departed.

Li Wudao paused, his gaze sweeping over the area, his eyes darkening slightly.

Today, he took the initiative to help Wu Shaotian out of a predicament, which may make the other party lower his guard, but he will never let him go so easily.

The next time they strike, it will likely be with a vicious, deadly move.

He must make thorough preparations before the other party makes a move.

"Brother Li, what are you looking at?"

Akiko looked in the direction of the gaze with suspicion, but there was no one there.

Li Wudao snapped out of his daze and smiled nonchalantly: "It's nothing, just taking a look around."

.......

Zuixian Tower.

Before even entering, the aroma of steaming food and the cacophony of voices immediately greeted me.

"Young Master Wang! You've finally arrived!"

The quick-witted waiter, with sharp eyes, greeted them from afar with a beaming smile, "Haven't seen you in a while! Same as usual?"

"That's right!"

Wang Zhao puffed out his chest, adopting the air of a seasoned guest:

"Bring out our signature dishes: 'Eight Treasure Poultry Stew,' 'Steamed Dragon Carp'... I'm treating our distinguished guests today, so we have to bring out the best!"

"Finally, arrange a larger private room."

As he spoke, he rattled off a list of dishes with practiced ease, clearly indicating that this wasn't his first time there.

Li Wudao looked at him with a half-smile: "Looks like you come here quite often, you're living a pretty comfortable life."

Wang Zhao gave an awkward smile.

The waiter's smile froze for a moment, and he rubbed his hands together, forcing a smile:

"Well... Young Master Wang, I'm really sorry, but I don't know what day it is today, all the private rooms are full."

How about that private booth by the window in the lobby? It's quiet and has a good view. I'll give you a 20% discount!

Wang Zhao frowned.

"Money is not a problem. Could you... make an exception? I'm willing to pay three times the price to treat a table of guests to this."

He glanced at the noisy hall, his brows furrowing even more.

He had gone to great lengths to invite his "godfather" to a meal, but there wasn't even a private room available, which made him feel incredibly embarrassed.

The waiter looked distressed and lowered his voice:

"Young Master Wang, it's not about money. There are several tables in the private room today occupied by senior disciples from the sect, as well as two elders... It's really difficult to bring it up."

Before Wang Zhao could say anything more, Li Wudao patted him on the shoulder.

"A large hall is a good place; a lively atmosphere makes it more welcoming."

He said casually, glancing at the group, "What do you think?"

Li Nanzhi immediately shook his arm and said with a grin, "I'll listen to my cousin."

Jiang Churan remained silent, staring at the hand that Li Nanzhi was holding onto Li Wudao with a complicated expression.

Even she herself didn't realize that there was a barely perceptible hint of bitterness in her gaze.

Although this girl was Li Wudao's cousin, their closeness and the unspoken familiarity in their words only intensified the annoyance in Li Wudao's heart.

Once Li Wudao spoke, the others naturally stopped objecting.

The waiter, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly led everyone to a window seat in a corner of the hall.

Although located in the lobby, the location is indeed excellent, with views of the streetlights outside the window, offering a quiet retreat amidst the hustle and bustle.

Everyone took their seats, and the dishes Wang Zhao ordered were quickly served, filling the table with a rich aroma.

The main hall of Zuixianlou was bustling with noise, and dozens of tables were fully occupied.

There were richly dressed merchants toasting each other, burly martial artists engaging in lively discussions, and groups of wandering swordsmen chatting in hushed tones—a scene brimming with the vibrant atmosphere of the martial arts world.

Just as everyone was about to pick up their chopsticks, the loud conversation of several江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) men at the next table drifted over on the breeze.

"Have you heard? A few days ago, something earth-shattering happened in the capital of the Great Yu!"

A burly man with a full beard slammed his fist on the table, his voice booming like a bell.

Someone at the table chimed in excitedly, "You mean... that battle in the wasteland on the outskirts of the city?"

"Exactly!" The bearded man spat as he spoke.

“I have a brother who was there at the time and saw it with his own eyes!”

My goodness! The scene... it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the heavens and earth shattered! Two unparalleled geniuses clashed, leaving the area within a radius of several miles completely devastated, a hundred miles of scorched earth!

"Just who is this person? How can they possess such power?"

"Their specific names are unknown, but one of them is known to be the renowned candidate for Holy Son of the Tianxuan Holy Land!"

The man lowered his voice, which only aroused more curiosity.

"The other one is even more mysterious. It is said to be an extremely young boy in a blue robe, only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet he was able to fight the Holy Son of the Holy Land to a draw!"