“Haha… It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a satisfying fight! I am Ying Long, the southern gate general. May I ask who you are, noble friend? Perhaps we can become friends?” Amidst the haze of alcohol, a mysterious figure darted through the mist, a tall and imposing figure untouched by the fumes of liquor. His broad face and high nose bore a friendly smile, while thick eyebrows and bright eyes radiated a bold and heroic aura. Truly a man of imposing stature!
So it was him! Although Qiao San was a novice, he had heard from the demons of Ghost Forest about this King of the Southern Gate. Seeing that the man indeed matched the rumors of his boldness and generosity, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy.
“General Ying, you flatter me. It’s I, Qiao San, who is undeserving of such honor!”
Inspired by the moment, Qiao San no longer felt restrained and eagerly slapped the table joyfully, saying, “Since I’m a bit younger, if you don’t mind, General, I’ll call you Brother Ying!”
“Excellent! Brother Qiao, you truly suit my temperament. No wonder I felt a sudden urge to fight the moment I saw you. Haha…”
“Dear, you’re in such a good mood today—have you made a good brother again?” A particularly crisp female voice came from outside, and the demon soldiers parted to reveal a bright and graceful figure.
Qiao San’s eyes widened, as though he were seeing petals drifting through the air, with the most beautiful and radiant peony blooming toward him.
“Haha… My wife is absolutely right!” Ying Long stood up and walked forward, his satisfaction evident in his expression. He happily embraced the “peony” into his arms and proudly introduced her to Qiao San, saying, “Brother Qiao, this is my wife.”
He paused briefly, released his wife, and then pointed toward Qiao San, saying, “My dear, this is my new friend, Qiao San, Brother Qiao. We get along especially well!”
“Giggle… Probably because you both love fighting so much!” Lady Ying stood only three inches shorter than Ying Long. Her tall and graceful figure swayed gently, her round and lovely face blooming with charm. Her white teeth and red lips exuded elegance without any pretense, making her a perfect match for the bold and forthright Ying Long.
Her laughter caught Qiao San’s attention, and unprepared for the sight, he couldn’t help but be captivated. Fortunately, having long been accustomed to beauty, Qiao San’s gaze carried only natural admiration. The bright and cheerful Lady Ying didn’t mind at all, responding with a polite smile.
“Brother Qiao, it’s an honor to meet you. You and General Ying are truly a match made in heaven. I must say I envy you both greatly!”
A long dress wrapped around her graceful figure, with peonies blooming vividly on its surface. As she floated toward the table, she said, “Brother Qiao, your presence is truly impressive. No wonder my husband took to you so quickly. However…”
At the prime of her youth, Lady Ying’s beauty was at its peak. Her ample curves trembled slightly, as if scolding Qiao San for not averting his gaze sooner.
Following Qiao San’s surprised gaze, the fragrant and graceful lady continued, “However, Brother Qiao, don’t let my husband fool you. He’s a complete martial arts fanatic. Every friend he makes is just an excuse to find someone to spar with! Hehe…”
Her crisp laughter was neither as versatile as that of the Twelve nor as enchanting as the Jade Fan, yet it had its own brightness and brilliance, causing ripples of admiration in Qiao San’s heart. The rogue couldn’t help but secretly marvel: the beauties of this realm were indeed extraordinary.
“Now that you mention it, I feel a bit itchy to fight again!” True to his nature as a martial arts fanatic, Ying Long, halfway through his meal, grabbed Qiao San and wanted to go outside for another round. “Brother Qiao, let’s go. We didn’t fight enough earlier. This time, let’s go at it for three days and nights!”
“This…” A bitter smile crept onto Qiao San’s face. He never expected to meet a martial arts fanatic like the legends spoke of. His earlier enthusiasm, for a rogue like him, was just a rare moment of deviation. He had no interest in meaningless fighting and killing, so he couldn’t help but turn his pleading gaze toward Lady Ying.
Lady Ying smiled gently and, like a bright beauty, stepped forward first to block the doorway. In a crisp voice, she reminded, “Dear, don’t forget we still have the King’s orders. If we’re late, you might not mind, but I fear being cast into the cycle of hell!”
Sighing, Ying Long thought for a moment and finally, with reluctance, released his firm grip on Qiao San’s hand.
How clever Qiao San was. He quickly said, “Brother Ying, don’t be discouraged. If today doesn’t work, I’ll definitely visit the Southern Gate another day. Then, I’ll fight with you to your heart’s content!”
At this point, though his outward appearance remained unchanged, inside his heart stirred, seeing petals dancing across the sky and a peerless peony blooming.
“Brother Qiao speaks truly,” Lady Ying said with a smile, pulling Ying Long back to the table. “Dear, quickly invite Brother Qiao to sit down, or we won’t even have time to drink!”
“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you!”
Like men in the mortal world, men in this realm were often somewhat yielding to their beloved wives. Although Ying Long was convinced, he still felt a bit reluctant. Finally, he loudly declared, “Brother Qiao, it’s settled then. I’ll wait for you at the Southern Gate. Cheers!”
“Brother Qiao, I’ll also drink to you!” Lady Ying stood up with her husband, gracefully raising her cup and fully displaying the bright and heroic demeanor of a heroine.
“Cheers!” Qiao San tilted his head back and downed a large cup of fine wine, then laughed heartily with Ying Long and his wife.
Life is indeed wondrous. Though the three had just met, they felt an immediate bond and conversed joyfully. As time passed, even the lecherous rogue felt a deep sense of camaraderie, forgetting any improper thoughts.
As the sun dipped low in the west and dusk arrived, at Lady Ying’s urging, the banquet ended simply. Their meeting had been sudden, and so too was their parting.
“Brother Qiao, until we meet again!” Ying Long vaulted onto his earth steed. This creature had wings on its back, was tall and majestic, rivaling even the celestial horses. The rogue, who had only ridden ordinary horses before, couldn’t help but feel a spark of desire in his eyes, silently vowing to obtain one of these steeds for himself someday.
Women’s attention to detail often surpasses men’s. Qiao San’s fleeting glance had been caught by Lady Ying, who immediately signaled. A demon soldier promptly led a mount to Qiao San.
Lady Ying, now mounted on her warhorse, smiled gracefully and said, “Brother Qiao, I know your magical powers are profound, but for long journeys, riding a horse is still better. It will conserve your energy for any unexpected situations. We still have the King’s orders to fulfill, so we must take our leave first!”
With a collective neigh, the earth steeds took flight, their wings flapping as they soared low into the sky, carrying Ying Long and his company away.
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