Chapter Thirty-Five: Strolling the Night Market of Blackwater Town

After spending half a day in the mountains practicing the Dog-Beating Staff Technique, he refrained from using his internal energy, focusing solely on the movements themselves. He worried that too much commotion might destroy the vegetation on the small mountain. After all, these hills were the livelihood of the local farmers; the villagers still relied on them to forage for wild vegetables and fruits, dig for medicinal herbs, and occasionally hunt small game.

For this reason, Luo Changning was especially eager to see just how destructive the Dog-Beating Staff Technique could be when coupled with the proper internal method. As midday approached, he made his way to the small hundred-household village he had visited the previous day, buying two more chickens and several pounds of yellow wine, along with some white rice. This time, though, he avoided the middle-aged couple from before, knowing that if he appeared again, they would surely insist on returning the extra silver he had given them.

The two—neither master and disciple, yet closer than most such pairs—enjoyed another hearty meal in the mountains. Besides beggar’s chicken and rice, several plump bamboo pit vipers, caught by He Guanzhong in the bamboo grove, were added to the feast, simply roasted with salt and pepper.

Truth be told, the taste was not as delicious as Luo Changning had imagined, but He Guanzhong ate with great relish, teasing him for not knowing how to appreciate it. Luo Changning managed less than half of one; the rest quickly disappeared into He Guanzhong’s stomach.

It was his first time, in both his lives, eating such a mysterious and beautiful creature, and Luo Changning could not understand what made others so fond of them. To him, snakes possessed an undeniable allure—the more venomous, the more beautiful. Especially the bamboo pit viper: emerald scales, haunting red eyes, dangerously enchanting.

Wiping his oil-slicked lips, Luo Changning knew it was time to leave. With a hint of reluctance, he turned to He Guanzhong. “Brother He, who knows when we shall meet again after today’s parting?”

He Guanzhong, however, took it all in stride, laughing easily. “No banquet lasts forever—if fate wills it, we will meet again. Our bond will not end here. Next time, I’ll teach you more techniques. By then, I hope you’ll have reached the Innate Realm!”

Luo Changning smiled faintly. “I’ll take your kind words to heart.”

With a final round of farewells, Luo Changning set off down the mountain, making his way toward Heishui County.

Once out of the mountains, he used his lightness skill to speed swiftly toward his destination. At last, before sunset, he arrived at the Evergreen Inn.

The Evergreen Inn was expansive and grand, far surpassing the likes of the Gaosheng Tavern. The main building rose five stories high, with the first two floors dedicated to dining—one a bustling hall, the other private rooms. The upper three floors were guest quarters, and beyond the main building were separate, luxurious courtyards for distinguished guests—accommodation only the wealthy could afford. Most occupants were local notables or merchants passing through Heishui County en route to procure goods from the wild forests.

The inn also boasted stables for dozens of horses, as well as quarters for the servants, porters, and cooks.

In the main hall on the first floor, around the central table, sat Ma Qingyun and his companions. Ma Xue’e listlessly picked at her bowl of white rice, frequently glancing at the street outside as dusk deepened, boredom written all over her face, her little head drooping.

“Why hasn’t Brother Changning come to find us yet? He’s been gone all day. Oh no, did something happen? Could he have run into that ugly brute Gao Haitian and gotten into trouble?”

Xiang Yinglong: Envy. Such envy—it’s unbearable! If I’d known, I would have gone with him...

“Don’t worry, Changning’s a decisive boy. He’s likely just delayed by unfinished business,” Xiang Tong reassured her.

As Xiang Ao’s trusted friend and most valued subordinate, he knew his young lord’s friends well.

“Exactly. That kid’s got more lives than a cat—last time Gao Haitian tossed him into the sea and he still made it back alive,” Xiang Yinglong added. “Who knows, maybe he’s stumbled upon some great stroke of fortune…”

At the teahouse earlier, Ma Qingyun had already suspected He Guanzhong’s position within the Beggars’ Sect. The news quietly relayed to him by the owner had confirmed his suspicions. Few in the world had seen the Beggars’ Sect leader’s true appearance, but the teahouse owner was among the lucky ones, having glimpsed He Guanzhong once. Even covered in mud, he was unmistakable—he had always looked like that, unchanged for over a decade: filthy, yet impossible to ignore.

Ma Qingyun naturally recognized He Guanzhong as no ordinary figure. Befriending him would bring great benefits, yet his own noble status made him unwilling to become too familiar with beggars. Moreover, he knew the Beggars’ Sect’s martial arts were never taught to outsiders; joining them just to learn their peerless techniques was impossible. His pride would not allow it; nor would his family name.

The moment Luo Changning appeared on the street outside the Evergreen Inn, Ma Xue’e spotted him. Her almond-shaped eyes lit up, and she gathered her skirts and ran straight into his arms.

A sweet girl in pink clung tightly to the young boy’s waist; they were not far apart in height—her head reached just under his finely chiseled chin, so that a mere glance upward met his gentle gaze.

The radiant smile of the girl and the handsome, spirited youth made a striking picture, captivating both those dining and the passersby on the street. For a moment, everyone held their breath, afraid to disturb the beautiful scene. No one harbored any ill thoughts; only a warm tenderness seemed to flow from heart to heart.

The youth’s doting gaze, the girl’s innocence.

“Brother Changning, you’re finally back! I was so worried you might have run into trouble,” she said.

He chuckled. “Nothing could happen to me. It’s my fault for making you worry. Later, I’ll drink three cups as a penalty.”

Seeing the mix of pride and concern on Ma Xue’e’s face, he was suddenly reminded of the only girl who had ever given him happiness in his previous life. At the memory of her body—naked, bruised, and lifeless—Luo Changning’s brows drew together, and he tightened his arm protectively around Ma Xue’e’s waist.

He would never let such a tragedy happen again.

He would shield her.

Ma Xue’e’s eyes curved in a smile as she looked up at him earnestly. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Brother Changning. You’re the first person I met besides my brother, and my very first friend. I’ll protect you!”

Luo Changning couldn’t help but laugh—a girl vowing to protect him? It felt strange. Yet he knew she meant it.

Little did he know how prophetic her words would be; recalling this moment in the future would bring him heart-wrenching pain, the past turning bittersweet in memory...

With an affectionate tousle of her hair, they walked side by side into the inn and took the two empty seats.

“You finally showed up! Xue’e’s been talking about you the whole time and barely touched her food,” Xiang Yinglong complained to his friend.

He liked Ma Xue’e, but knew full well a girl like her would never look at someone like him—especially with someone like Luo Changning around: sword brows, star-bright eyes, noble nose, and thin lips. Not only was the boy handsome, he was well-read and from a respected family.

Xiang Yinglong was just a rough fellow, awkward and tongue-tied around her—a typical case of muscle outweighing wit. The sight of the two embracing earlier had been so harmonious: a handsome youth and a beautiful girl, as if made for each other.

Besides, even the way Ma Xue’e addressed them told the tale: “Brother Changning,” but “Big Brother Xiang.”

He lowered his gaze, bitterness in his heart: Perhaps she only befriended me because of Changning...

But he was open-hearted by nature, never one to begrudge a friend over a girl.

He grinned broadly, pushing aside his tangled thoughts. Pouring Luo Changning a cup of wine, he called out, “Come now, if you’re a man, drink this cup in one go—no excuses!”

“Big Brother Xiang’s right—you need to be punished!” Ma Xue’e chimed in, hands on her hips, her small face turned up expectantly, determined not to let him off.

“Very well,” Luo Changning replied, downing the cup in a single gulp.

The meal was a cheerful affair for everyone except Ma Qingyun, who sat with a cold expression, lost in thought. No one minded, as he was always like that.

After dinner, Ma Xue’e suggested a stroll through the night market.

Unlike the Dilong Continent with its curfews, Yaohua Continent grew even livelier at night. Countless nightwalkers prowled about, some engaging in petty theft or more daring escapades under the cover of darkness.

It was a night of moonless sky and high winds—the perfect time for murder and arson.

“I stayed in all day to make sure Brother Changning could find us at the inn—I nearly died of boredom! Tonight, we must explore Heishui County’s night market properly!” Ma Xue’e declared, unable to contain her excitement.

So, with silver in hand, the group set off in high spirits. Ma Qingyun and Xiang Tong had little interest in the night market, but resigned themselves to playing bodyguards for the others.

It was early autumn; the night air cool as water, a chill already creeping into the wind. Luo Changning glanced up at the moon—after the competition, it would be Mid-Autumn Festival.

This year, with one less maternal uncle but the addition of the Ma siblings and the big oaf, the Su family’s little courtyard would feel more lively, less empty when admiring the moon.

He was determined to win first place in the upcoming contest, to gladden his aunt’s heart, to show her that her Ning’er had grown up and could shoulder the sky for her.

He longed for all this to end soon, so he could return to Qingyang County and spend Mid-Autumn with his aunt.