"Brother Yan, I heard you're going down the mountain?!"
Not long after Yan Chou and the others had left, while Yan Shouyi was still studying the roster, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard.
Looking up, quite a few people had entered the courtyard, all disciples from various sects who had interacted with Yan Shouyi at the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony.
Yan Nanfei and Yan Guchao of the Yan family.
Chang Shan of Hanshan Temple.
Yuan Jianxin of Laoshan Sword Sect.
Zhao Chengxiang of Wudang Mountain.
Han San of Maoshan Sect.
And Ling Xiaoxiao of Emei Mountain, who lived in the adjacent courtyard.
The courtyard, which had just quieted down, immediately became lively again.
Yan Shouyi quickly got up to greet everyone. Long Feicheng cheerfully shouted, "You've come, why bring gifts!"
Everyone was stunned, then exchanged glances. They had come empty-handed, how could they have gifts?
But since Long Feicheng had said so, it would be awkward if they didn't show some token of appreciation.
Zhao Chengxiang patted himself all over, finally resolutely pulling off the necklace from his neck and saying, "I came in a hurry and wasn't well-prepared. This chain isn't particularly special, but it's pure gold and worth tens of thousands. If Brother Yan doesn't mind, please take it!"
Yan Shouyi quickly declined, simultaneously glaring at Long Feicheng, "I don't accept gifts. Don't listen to Xiao Long's nonsense!"
Everyone chuckled awkwardly and then moved past the topic.
"Brother Yan, after leaving Longhu Mountain, what are your plans? If you don't have anywhere to go, why not come and visit my Kunlun Mountain?" Yan Nanfei extended an invitation.
Ling Xiaoxiao said anxiously, "If you're going somewhere, it should be Emei Mountain first! Master has been wanting Brother Yan to visit!"
"Brother Yan, don't listen to them. They have no sincerity, they just want you to travel!" Han San shouted, "I'm different. If Brother Yan doesn't mind, please take me home with you!"
Han San's remark immediately drew a barrage of criticism from everyone. Yuan Jianxin cursed, "Do you really want to go home with Brother Yan? I'm too embarrassed to point it out, Han the sycophant!"
Lin Zitong was amused and chuckled. These guys had fought each other fiercely in the Wanfa Sect altar, but in private, they were even more amusing.
Facing everyone's enthusiastic invitations, Yan Shouyi could only politely decline, "I appreciate everyone's kindness, but I still have some matters to attend to and cannot return to your sects for the time being. However, there will definitely be opportunities in the future, and I will visit each of you then!"
Everyone still didn't buy it, clamoring that if Yan Shouyi had any difficulties, they would help him solve them together, and then take him back to their sects.
Yan Shouyi was helpless, so he casually flipped through the roster, found a name, and said:
"I need to go to Qiantang to find someone."
Qiantang was not far from Rongcheng, about an eight-hour drive. From Longhu Mountain, it was even closer, only a six-hour journey.
Hearing that Yan Shouyi was going to Qiantang, everyone checked their own schedules and found that they had no connection to Qiantang at all.
Unexpectedly, it was the sycophantic Han San who stepped forward and said, "What a coincidence! I'm also heading to Qiantang next!"
Zhao Chengxiang sneered, "Do you really plan to go to Qiantang, or do you just have an idea in mind?"
Han San angrily retorted, "Zhao 'Iron Egg', I advise you to be kind! I am genuinely going to Qiantang!"
"Then tell us why you're going?"
"Something strange has been happening in Qiantang recently. My master asked me to stop by Qiantang on my way back to resolve the strange occurrences."
"Lie, keep lying!" Everyone clearly didn't believe Han San's nonsense.
Han San, unable to defend himself, finally said helplessly, "Believe it or not, I'm going to Qiantang anyway."
Yan Shouyi smiled, "If we're going to Qiantang, we can travel together."
He didn't mind interacting with these disciples from famous sects, and after this period of understanding, Yan Shouyi had a grasp of the characters of those present; they were all friends worth befriending.
The others' plans didn't align with Yan Shouyi's, so they couldn't join.
Han San, who had successfully formed a team, was smug and couldn't help but chuckle.
Just as Han San was feeling pleased, another group of people arrived at the gate.
It was the group from Lushan Sect, led by Lu Jing.
As soon as Lu Jing appeared, he called out, "Zitong, it's time for us to go back. Have you packed your things?"
Lin Zitong replied, "I packed them long ago."
"Good, then let's head down the mountain," Lu Jing said.
Han San was a bit confused. He looked at Lu Jing, then at Yan Shouyi, "Brother Yan, isn't Sister-in-law going to Qiantang?"
Yan Shouyi smiled, "I didn't say she was going. Zitong is about to succeed Lu Shan Sect's leader, so she needs to go back to prepare for the succession."
Han San stared blankly, "Then I..."
Zhao Chengxiang laughed, "Han the sycophant, your intentions are revealed!"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Han San said, "Although it's a bit of a pity, I still have to go to Qiantang!"
Of course, Zhao Chengxiang and the others still didn't believe him.
Yan Shouyi had already known about Lin Zitong's return to Rongcheng a few days ago.
Lin Zitong was a little unhappy that she couldn't accompany Yan Shouyi on his adventure, but she wasn't just a pretty face by Yan Shouyi's side; she had her own aspirations, so it was understandable for her to go back. Moreover, Yan Shouyi never wanted Lin Zitong to accompany him on dangerous adventures.
The separation of the two for their respective ideals was, in fact, a mutual journey.
Lin Zitong pulled out her suitcase from the room, and it was time to part ways with Yan Shouyi.
Although Yan Shouyi didn't say it out loud, he was very reluctant in his heart. Fortunately, Lin Zitong understood him and saw everything in his eyes.
In front of everyone, Lin Zitong gave Yan Shouyi a sweet kiss, which elicited a chorus of wails from the crowd.
Yan Shouyi also naturally put his arm around Lin Zitong's waist and said, "Wait for me in Rongcheng."
"Okay, I'll wait for you," Lin Zitong said softly.
Han San's legs went weak, and he could barely stand steady thanks to Yuan Jianxin beside him, "Revenge for my stolen love, we shall never rest until it is avenged, never!"
Lin Zitong smiled and walked towards Lu Jing and the others. Lu Jing also waved goodbye to Yan Shouyi.
"Be careful on your journey," Yan Shouyi waved back.
Just like that, Yan Shouyi saw Lin Zitong off again.
With Lin Zitong gone, Han San felt dejected. He no longer anticipated the upcoming journey to Qiantang as much.
Long Feicheng said to Han San with a lewd grin, "I despise sycophants the most in my life. When we get to Qiantang, I'll take you for a foot wash and massage, get a good pampering, and you'll be enlightened then!"
Han San snorted, "I am a cultivator, how can I go to such places with you?"
"They can have young ladies wear black stockings!"
"As cultivators, we should enter the world and experience all walks of life!" Han San said sternly, "Please enlighten me, Brother Long!"
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but cover his forehead.
The original Long Feicheng was already quite a character, and now with Weng Qianxiang and the even more eccentric Han San added to the mix.
Who knows what kind of trouble this trip to Qiantang will stir up!