Another man emerged from behind the city gate.
Jun Ye, clad entirely in black gauze, frowned in the direction of Qingzhou.
He had never found an opportunity to approach Nian Jiaojiao. She had first been captured, and then taken away by the old female rogue of the Miscellaneous Studies faction. He could only observe from afar.
However… which of the four was Uncle Xu’s son? More than thirty years ago, Uncle Xu was rumored to be the Black Lotus Sect’s most handsome man. Even if his appearance was unremarkable now, it was because he had taken their Black Lotus Sect’s Veil-Concealing Pill.
Thinking of this, Jun Ye’s thoughts stirred. Two possibilities now aligned. One was that Uncle Xu had also made his son take this pill, turning him into someone of ordinary appearance. The second possibility was that the most beautiful man among them was Uncle Xu’s son.
Jun Ye brushed aside these distractions. Regardless, he had to meet Nian Jiaojiao. Then, everything would become clear.
At this moment, Jun Ye noticed Bai Qingqing, who looked dejected. He walked over and, looking directly at the other person with his phoenix eyes, said, "Man, join the Black Lotus Sect, and you will gain freedom and power."
Originally, Bai Qingqing wanted to ask if the other person was insane. But when he heard the word "power," his words turned: "Can I truly possess power? Even as a man?"
Jun Ye’s lips curved into a smile, and he tempted, "Of course. Power is the most useful thing in this world."
Upon hearing this, Bai Qingqing nodded without hesitation. "Then, I want to join your sect."
A fleeting flash of wicked light appeared in Jun Ye’s eyes. "You will not regret your decision today."
What Bai Qingqing didn’t know was that he had just walked back from the brink of death. Seeing Bai Qingqing agree, Jun Ye relaxed the soft sword that had been poised at his waist.
...
Qingzhou.
Qingzhou was named "zhou" not only because of its area, equivalent to over ten prefecture-level cities, but also because numerous rivers separated it from the mainland. Looking down from the sky, Qingzhou resembled an island.
After three days of "riding the clouds and mist," Nian Jiaojiao and her entourage finally arrived above Qingzhou. The carriage landed slowly. It was morning, and many people were entering and exiting the city gates.
After alighting from the carriage, Nian Jiaojiao gazed at the ancient city before her. Despite being a vast "zhou," its city gates were more archaic than those of Fengcheng. The city walls were covered in mottled marks, and it was impossible to tell if these marks were from natural disasters or human hands.
"Jiaojiao, we've reached Qingzhou! I'll host a welcome feast for you!" Lei Juan pointed at the Qingzhou city gates and declared loudly.
During these three days, Nian Jiaojiao had already discussed with Elder Qiu. It was too conspicuous to join the sect as a mere scholar at this time. Therefore, she would first enroll in an academy in Qingzhou and then participate in the imperial examinations. Once she became a juren, she would be specially recruited into the sect under the guise of "exceptional talent." Of course, Elder Qiu would also privately teach Nian Jiaojiao some basic cultivation methods of the Miscellaneous Studies faction as a form of "deposit."
After entering the city, Elder Qiu returned to the sect first. Watching his departing back, Nian Jiaojiao couldn't help but ask Lei Juan, "Where is the Miscellaneous Studies faction located?"
Lei Juan shook her head. "You don't have a pass yet, and ordinary people cannot enter." The Miscellaneous Studies faction currently had sixty disciples, making it the smallest faction in Qingzhou. The Poetry faction had the most disciples, numbering 128. These individuals, through extraordinary means, lived in seclusion amongst the populace, and ordinary citizens were unaware of their existence.
As they spoke, Lei Juan pointed to a courtyard. "This is the house I lived in when I first arrived in Qingzhou. You and your husband can temporarily settle here."
Nian Jiaojiao was taken aback. "How could we impose? We can rent a place ourselves."
Lei Juan laughed heartily. "You will be my junior sister in the Miscellaneous Studies faction from now on. Don't be so formal. Moreover…" Lei Juan paused slightly, her eyes revealing a knowing expression. "Moreover, for people like us, wealth is easily obtained and not worth mentioning. You will understand this in the future."
Seeing Lei Juan say this, Nian Jiaojiao no longer refused. "In that case, thank you, Senior Sister Lei!"
"You're welcome. If you truly want to thank me, you must have a good drink with me!"
"Certainly, certainly!"
After Lei Juan left, Nian Jiaojiao and the four of them, including Xuan Yi, began tidying up the courtyard. The courtyard had everything, but it had not been lived in for a long time, so there was some dust. The five of them spent most of the day cleaning until the entire house was spotless.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the four people who had followed her far from home, their faces covered in sweat, and said apologetically, "Have you all felt any discomfort following me this far?"
Unexpectedly, it was Yu Chuan who spoke first after hearing her words. "Wife, following the wife's path is our Great Yue tradition. Please don't worry about it."
Nian Jiaojiao felt touched and a little amused.
At this moment, Nan Qing also said, "Wife, do you think living in Qinghe Village was more comfortable or here?"
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the elegant courtyard and replied, "Naturally, it's here."
"Which do you think has more new things to see, Qingzhou or Shanshui Town?"
"Naturally, Qingzhou."
Nan Qing smiled, but his voice was incredibly serious. "Therefore, everyone is very happy to come here. Thank you, Wife, for letting us see a more exciting world!"
Nan Qing's words filled the other three men's eyes with anticipation for the future. Nian Jiaojiao, however, felt a little uncomfortable with their words and felt awkward all over. She glanced at their smiling eyes and, unable to bear it any longer, ran back to her room.
Inside the room.
Nian Jiaojiao leaned against the door, covering her rapidly beating heart, which was stimulated by the sight of the various handsome men.
Oh my goodness! Although she wanted to be a dominant female, facing four men at once! This was against the rules!
Then, she patted her head. What a silly girl! Couldn't she deal with them one by one?
...
Late at night.
"Wife, you're drunk…" Tonight, Nian Jiaojiao had been drinking with Lei Juan at the restaurant. But even though she had transcended the mundane, she was no match for Lei Juan, who had been cultivating for a long time. The two of them drank cup after cup. After more than ten jars of wine, Nian Jiaojiao could no longer hold on and began to feel dizzy.
The tall and robust Xuan Yi naturally took on the responsibility of carrying her. After entering the room, it was supposed to be Nan Qing who accompanied her to sleep. However, Nian Jiaojiao refused to let go of Xuan Yi's neck, her legs tightly wrapped around Xuan Yi's waist like an octopus.
"Handsome men! I want handsome men!"
Nan Qing was amused by Nian Jiaojiao's behavior. This was the first time he had seen her lose composure since… They say that what is said in drunkenness is the truth, and now her womanizing nature was exposed… Heh heh…
Xuan Yi, being held by Nian Jiaojiao and called a handsome man, felt incredibly shy. If it weren't for the darkness, a blush could be seen spreading across his wheat-colored skin, connecting his face to his neck.
"Second brother, what… what should we do?" With Nian Jiaojiao's current strength, no one could pry her off as long as she didn't let go.
Nan Qing glanced at the utterly drunk woman who was acting up a little and snorted, turning to leave. Just as Xuan Yi was feeling bewildered, Nan Qing's leisurely voice came from outside the door, "Big brother will serve the Wife tonight…"