The Wangbei Teahouse returned to its peaceful state after the heavily injured Long Po took Qi Dingjiang away.
Afterward, Zhou Wenjun approached Shen Lang with immense gratitude, saying, "Mr. Shen, it's fortunate you were present today; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Because Shen Lang had intervened, he not only saved Zhou Wenjun's life but also prevented Zhen Mi from being captured by Long Po. Zhou Wenjun was profoundly grateful to Shen Lang.
"You're too kind; it was just a small effort," Shen Lang replied. He looked at Zhou Wenjun and smiled, "I didn't expect you to be the legendary Southern Fist King, Zhou Wenjun. My apologies for my earlier ignorance."
Southern Fist King Zhou Wenjun was a renowned master for many years. His fists were the most formidable and domineering in the world, striking fear into the hearts of martial artists everywhere. Shen Lang had not anticipated that the refined elder before him would be Zhou Wenjun, nor that he would be accompanying Zhen Mi. In the legends Shen Lang had heard, Zhou Wenjun's iron fists could kill anyone who stood in their way, and he was a veritable killing machine. However, the current Zhou Wenjun exuded no killing aura, and the power of his iron fists did not seem to match the legends. To be honest, this left Shen Lang somewhat disappointed, though he kept his thoughts to himself. After all, it was not his affair, and Shen Lang had no intention of prying.
"Mr. Shen flatters me. There is no Southern Fist King in this world anymore, only a declining Zhou Wenjun," Zhou Wenjun said, smiling at Shen Lang. "Mr. Shen, you are in your early twenties, yet your martial arts cultivation is already close to the mid-Earth realm. You are a true prodigy with boundless potential for the future. We old folks are insignificant in your presence."
"Elder Zhou is too modest; I don't deserve such praise," Shen Lang replied with a smile. "Although Long Po was fierce just now, if she hadn't concealed poisonous snakes within her dragon-head staff and caught you off guard, you would have been able to handle her with your strength."
"Alas... I'm old... my heart has softened... my fists have weakened... I'm no longer useful," Zhou Wenjun said with a wry smile.
"Grandpa Zhou, you're not old at all! You will always be the strongest Southern Fist King in Mi'er's heart," Zhen Mi said with a smile, hearing Zhou Wenjun's self-deprecation.
"Haha, you clever girl, you know how to coax me. But I know my own condition; you don't need to comfort me."
After Shen Lang removed the Taiyi Divine Needles from Zhou Wenjun's neck, Zhou Wenjun said to Shen Lang and Zhen Mi, "Mr. Shen, Mi'er, please chat among yourselves. I have some matters to attend to." With that, Zhou Wenjun respectfully took his leave.
"Mi'er, why is the Southern Fist King Zhou Wenjun accompanying you?" Qin Lianyue asked Zhen Mi with curiosity after Zhou Wenjun had departed.
"Grandpa Zhou was sent by my father to protect me. I don't know much about him, but he treats me very well," Zhen Mi replied with a smile.
"Your dad?" Hearing Zhen Mi's words, Qin Lianyue thought of her own meek and harmless brother-in-law, a flicker of wariness involuntarily crossing her eyes. Everyone said her brother-in-law was someone who played the pig to eat the tiger, and now it seemed this was not unfounded.
"Yes, it was my father who asked Grandpa Zhou to protect me," Zhen Mi said with a smile. "Aunt, my father often mentions you. Since you're here in Nanling, why don't you come home with me? He'll be very happy to see you. Besides, since you're looking for my uncle, my father's help will make things much smoother for you, as he has many connections in Nanling."
"No need. I don't want anyone else to know about my search for your uncle," Qin Lianyue said to Zhen Mi, "Mi'er, promise me you won't tell your parents about this, understand?"
"Oh..." Zhen Mi didn't understand Qin Lianyue's intentions, but seeing her aunt's firm stance, she said, "Aunt, don't worry, I definitely won't tell them. But you should at least come home for a meal, right?"
"Perhaps another time. I have some urgent matters to attend to right now." Qin Lianyue stroked Zhen Mi's head affectionately and smiled, "Your teahouse is doing very well. It seems you truly inherited the Qin family's business acumen. Don't worry, I'll visit often when I have time, and we'll see each other frequently."
"Alright, since you have your own plans, I won't insist." Zhen Mi smiled, "The doors of Wangbei Teahouse are always open for you, Aunt. You're welcome anytime."
With that, Zhen Mi walked to a zither chair and slowly sat down. She placed her hands on the guqin, gently caressing it as if stroking the face of a beloved. Moments later, Zhen Mi looked at Shen Lang and smiled, "Brother Shen, my performance was interrupted earlier. Now, I'll play for you."
As she finished speaking, Zhen Mi began to pluck the guqin. As Zhen Mi's slender fingers danced across the strings, a heavenly melody filled the air. Zhen Mi's playing was soft and moving, like playful sprites in a secluded valley forming a complete musical composition, making the listener's heart soften. Simultaneously, Zhen Mi's sweet singing voice followed the melody.
"Mandarin ducks fly in pairs, butterflies dance together, the garden of spring enchants the soul. Quietly I ask the holy monk; is the maiden beautiful, is the maiden beautiful? Why speak of royal wealth, and fear the rules of discipline? I only wish for eternal love, to be closely followed by the one I adore..."
Zhen Mi's guqin playing had already captivated Qin Lianyue and Shen Lang. Hearing her singing, they were utterly entranced. Two minutes later, Zhen Mi's playing and singing ceased simultaneously, yet Shen Lang and Qin Lianyue still felt the lingering resonance, their gazes on Zhen Mi filled with shock. This was a gentle and delicate girl; her person, her music, and her singing all radiated her inner beauty and tender spirit.
Shen Lang, enveloped by the melodious music and singing, couldn't help but wonder what kind of man in this world could possess such a gem.
"Brother Shen, what are you thinking about?" As Shen Lang pondered, Zhen Mi slowly stood up from her chair and smiled at him.
"I was thinking, why is a girl so beautiful, and yet her playing and singing are so captivating?" Shen Lang looked at Zhen Mi and smiled, "Zhen Mi, your music and singing are the most beautiful I've ever heard. I may understand the guqin and music theory, but I can't produce such a gentle and moving melody as yours. So, there's no need to compete; you've won."
"I won?" Zhen Mi said with a smile, "Brother Shen isn't one to admit defeat easily, how can you concede so readily?"
"Because I don't wish to spoil this beauty," Shen Lang smiled. "My own nature is fierce and dominant, and my music is filled with killing intent and violence. If I were to play, it would disrupt the beautiful atmosphere you've created. Therefore, I have indeed lost." Shen Lang looked at Zhen Mi and smiled, "As the victor, you can make one request. As long as it's within my power, I will do my utmost to fulfill it."