Song Dahu said, "Young Master Wen is hosting, so I naturally cannot refuse. Let us then proceed to Nan Jing Lake!"
Although he looked down on Wen Ningyang.
The Wen family's influence in the capital of Dong Sang was immense.
Moreover, they had nobles in the court.
He was unwilling to offend such a person easily.
And so it was.
The group boarded a luxurious carriage and headed towards Nan Jing Lake.
It was a tourist spot in the capital of Dong Sang, especially at this season, with the lake water being emerald green and clear to the bottom.
Many lotus flowers were in bloom in the lake.
Innumerable scholars, poets, and talented individuals enjoyed the scenery and recreation there.
In the carriage.
Wen Ningyang asked curiously, "Sect Leader Song, I heard that your sect has produced a super ruthless individual who infiltrated Piaoxiang Courtyard, beheaded Jiang Zhuo, and retreated with merit."
"Will I have the honor of meeting this ruthless individual?"
Wen Ningyang had also heard of matters in the martial world.
He was deeply curious about it.
He also wanted to meet that super ruthless individual.
Song Dahu replied, "That person is not a member of my Fierce Tiger Sect. As for his specific origins, I am also unaware. It was merely a transaction between us!"
Wen Ningyang felt a little regretful but said nothing more.
------
Nan Jing Lake.
A solitary boat drifted on the rippling emerald waves.
Chen Nan and Xuan Qingniao sat in the small boat, gently paddling. Koi fish could be seen playfully chasing each other around the boat in the water, showing no fear of humans.
From the distant shore, the sounds of zither and flute music occasionally drifted,
Refreshing the mind and spirit.
"I seem to understand why the ancient divine races were unwilling to interfere in the affairs of the Three Realms."
Xuan Qingniao said softly, "They were doing their best to protect their people."
She had never witnessed such a scene before.
People could do as they pleased without fear of the sudden appearance of demon beasts.
This kind of peaceful, happy life made her feel unaccustomed.
It felt very unreal.
Chen Nan nodded in agreement, "The ancient divine races did indeed protect their people, keeping them away from war, smoke, and slaughter!"
"No one can deny their contributions."
"But."
"Will this happy life continue indefinitely?"
"If we fail!"
"Will the demon beasts continue to tolerate the existence of the ancient divine races?"
Xuan Qingniao suddenly asked, "What is your dream?"
"Dream?"
A simple question left Chen Nan speechless and lost in thought, before he let out a bitter smile, "Let me tell you a story!"
Xuan Qingniao smiled brightly, "Okay!"
"In our mortal realm, there is a social networking software called QQ. When registering an account, one not only needs to fill in a password but also security questions."
"The purpose of security questions is to prevent your account from being stolen or to retrieve your account if your password is lost."
Although Xuan Qingniao did not understand what software was, she grasped the meaning of security questions.
"A security question is an answer. You can set your birthday, the name of your first love, or your dream."
"I set my dream at that time."
As he said this, a hint of bitterness appeared on his face, "But when I lost my password and wanted to use the security questions to retrieve it, I found that..."
"I forgot the answer to the security question."
Xuan Qingniao said with a hint of heartache, "No, you didn't forget the answer, you forgot your past dream."
"Yes, I forgot my past dream." Chen Nan said with a wry smile, "So, dreams... change with time, with certain people, and with certain things."
"My dream used to be to find a stable job after graduation, find someone I loved, get married, have children, and be filial to my parents."
"But."
"This dream is too far from me."
Xuan Qingniao asked again, "Do you miss your past dream?"
"No, why would I miss my past dream?" Chen Nan was amused, "In my dream, there was only one woman, but in reality, I have over twenty confidantes!"
Xuan Qingniao looked surprised, "I didn't expect you to be so frivolous in matters of love."
"No, no, no!" Chen Nan shook his head, "Mainly, I can't refuse women as outstanding and beautiful as you!"
These simple words.
Instantly touched the softest part of Xuan Qingniao's heart.
Making her heart race and her face flush.
Chen Nan was too good at this.
She couldn't refuse.
After a moment of contemplation, Xuan Qingniao asked with a blush, "Then what is your current dream?"
Chen Nan tilted his head forty-five degrees to the sky, a trace of longing appearing in his eyes, "To drive out the demon beasts from the Three Realms as soon as possible, to restore peace to the Three Realms, and then return to Earth."
"Yes."
"Buy a deserted island and live a life facing the sea and blooming with warmth with the woman I love."
Although he had his own created world.
He was the lord of the immortal realm, the mortal realm, and the underworld.
But no matter where he was.
It was not as important as Earth in his heart.
No matter where he was, it felt as if invisible roots connected him to the mortal world.
Xuan Qingniao said, "I thought you would say you wanted to become a Saint."
"However, I am very satisfied with your answer."
"At least I... we still hold a significant place in your heart."
Chen Nan replied, "Although many people dream of becoming a Saint, it holds little appeal for me. Because when you gain certain things, you are bound to lose others."
"Furthermore, being a Saint is not the end."
"We don't need to ignore the people we love by pursuing a realm with no end."
"It's like a journey."
"If your mind is always focused on the destination, you will miss the beautiful scenery along the way."
If he were not shouldering the heavy responsibility of saving the Three Realms.
He would not have been separated from the people he loved.
This torment.
No one could understand.
Xuan Qingniao changed the subject and said softly, "I'm a little hungry!"
Chen Nan asked, "Want to eat sausage?"
"Ah?" Xuan Qingniao looked confused.
But when she saw Chen Nan's suggestive smile, she instantly understood his meaning and said with a blush, "Even if I wanted to eat, would you dare to let me eat it in public?"
Chen Nan laughed heartily, and the two paddled their boat towards the restaurants along the shores of Nan Jing Lake.
Nan Jing Lake was famous.
Not just for its scenery.
But also for the restaurants along its banks.
It was said that the lake delicacies here were a signature dish of Dong Sang, bringing out the fresh flavor to its fullest.
Upon reaching the shore.
Chen Nan took Xuan Qingniao to a lively restaurant.
"There are too many people here, why don't we find a quieter restaurant?" Xuan Qingniao disliked crowded places, which was related to her background.
After all, there were very few people in the Second Heaven.
"This is where you're mistaken. When you eat out, you must choose a crowded restaurant; these restaurants will never be bad." Chen Nan, without further ado, led Xuan Qingniao into the restaurant. However, there were no empty tables on the first floor, so they had to go to a private room upstairs.
However, the private rooms upstairs had a minimum spend, with a meal costing at least a hundred taels of silver.
Chen Nan did not say anything about this. After all, he had exchanged a few divine stones earlier and had plenty of silver to spend.
At the same time.
Wen Ningyang and Song Dahu also arrived at the same restaurant.
"Young Master Wen, that guy and his woman have gone to the Hundred Flowers Hall upstairs," a young man who had been tracking Chen Nan informed Wen Ningyang of the situation.
Wen Ningyang smiled and looked at Song Dahu, "Sect Leader Song, shall we go and meet that guy?"