C12 Meeting

It wasn't until around three in the afternoon that a servant came to fetch Yu Wen and Jie Mu, leading them toward the main hall. Yu Wen felt a sense of dissatisfaction, but she knew better than to make a scene. This wasn't the academy, and there was no one here to back her up. Even she wouldn't dare to lose her temper in this place.

If their abilities had been formidable, the Zhang family would surely have treated them with due respect. But as it stood, Yu Wen and Jie Mu were scarcely more significant than ants in the family's eyes.

Jie Mu, on the other hand, was unfazed. He had thrived amidst the ruffians in the tavern, not just because of his connection to Guan, but also due to his keen ability to read the room and adapt as necessary.

Upon reaching the main entrance, they found the door closed. The imposing black iron gate exuded an aura of solemnity, as if it could separate them from the world outside. The guide, dressed in black, stepped forward and effortlessly pushed the gate open, revealing his surprising physical strength.

Yu Wen leaned in and whispered to Jie Mu, "Stay close to me once we go inside. If you're asked anything, just answer—no rambling. Remember, speak cautiously and follow my lead."

Jie Mu nodded in understanding.

Inside the courtyard, Jie Mu was struck by its vastness—it was more like a small plaza than a yard. It was filled with the typical trappings of an ancient household: an array of flowers, trees, and other assorted items. Most strikingly, in the very center, stood a spear rack holding more than a dozen spears, each one radiating a sense of formidable strength.

"This must be what a martial skill family's estate feels like," Jie Mu mused internally, "so different from Fragrance Light Valley."

Upon entering the main guest hall, Jie Mu's eyes were immediately drawn not to the lavish decorations or the antique treasures, but to a man seated on the left side of the room. The man, though middle-aged, had an air of otherworldly grace about him, making it impossible to discern his true age—much like Chenmu, whom Jie Mu had encountered before.

As their eyes met, a resonant dragon's roar echoed in Jie Mu's ears, a sound that lingered long after the moment had passed.

Although the man's dragon roar was subdued and modest, it still left an indelible impression on those who heard it.

Yu Wen appeared unaffected by the sound. Upon seeing the man, she bowed slightly and respectfully said, "Student Yu Wen, at your service, sir!"

Jie Mu, however, remained rooted to the spot, still overwhelmed by the recent dragon roar, unable to focus on anything else.

Yu Wen, noticing his state, frowned in concern. "Why is he falling apart at such a crucial moment? What if he offends Zhang Loong?" she thought.

She hurried over to Jie Mu, gave him a firm pat, and infused a surge of energy into him, which snapped him back to reality.

Realizing his lapse, Jie Mu quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Student Jie Mu, at your service, sir! Please forgive my earlier indiscretion. I've never encountered someone of your stature before, which led to my reaction. I ask for your understanding."

The man chuckled, "There's no need for concern. You two are students from the academy, and I'm on good terms with your dean. There's no blame on you."

Jie Mu nodded and gave the man an embarrassed smile.

Initially, he had been struck by the man's imposing presence and hadn't taken a good look at his face. But upon closer inspection, Jie Mu was taken aback by the man's appearance.

Dressed in a black suit with golden trim and handcrafted details, the man exuded luxury. His clothes were clearly bespoke, not something found in any store.

Moreover, the man's looks were striking, and he exuded an air of authority as he sat in his chair.

Zhang Loong continued to smile and asked, "Earlier, you mentioned you had never seen 'such a person.' What exactly do you mean by that?"

Yu Wen's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. She knew Jie Mu was on thin ice. A poor response could negatively impact the man's perception of them both.

She glanced at Jie Mu, her eyes conveying a silent plea for him to be careful with his words.

But Jie Mu was neither rushed nor panicked. Despite the man's intimidating presence, he maintained a serene smile.

He then calmly replied, "I was referring to your sage-like demeanor and the persistent, yet subtle dragon roar."

Yu Wen's brow furrowed once more. What was he talking about? Dragon roar? Where was this dragon roar coming from?

Upon hearing the remark, Zhang Loong was momentarily taken aback before bursting into hearty laughter. "Truly, the caliber of someone from the academy. Excellent!"

Yu Wen was perplexed once again. She didn't grasp the conversation between the two men, but she couldn't very well ask. Instead, she maintained a polite smile.

Zhang Loong was clearly pleased with Jie Mu's response, his smile lingering as he addressed Yu Wen. "Your teacher sent you here to oversee the transport of the goods, correct? Rest assured, the goods are loaded, though we are still finalizing the delivery preparations."

"You both should settle in for the next couple of days. As soon as the goods are ready, you can escort them on your way."

With a respectful gesture, Yu Wen replied, "Thank you very much, sir."

Zhang Loong clapped his hands, turning to the pair. "You two haven't had a chance to eat yet, have you? Follow Zhang Fan; the meal is ready."

With that, a shadowy figure emerged behind them—the same guide as before. He gestured invitingly, "This way, please."

Both Yu Wen and Jie Mu responded with a fist salute, expressing their gratitude.

After the trio departed from the main hall, the man seated at the head of the room squinted his eyes and sipped his tea, his thoughts inscrutable.

...

The following day, bright and early, Yu Wen roused Jie Mu from his slumber. He was still groggy, giving her a look of confusion.

After days of relentless travel and little rest, he finally had the luxury of a comfortable bed—why not savor it? He couldn't fathom what was on her mind.

Yu Wen and Jie Mu had been inseparable for three years, so there were no secrets between them. It was commonplace for them to enter each other's rooms in the morning.

But regardless of who intruded on whom, it was always Jie Mu who ended up on the receiving end of a scolding.

Yu Wen was brimming with excitement. She quickly freshened up after waking Jie Mu, leaving him even more bewildered.

Puzzled, Jie Mu inquired, "Why are you up so early? We're not scheduled to head back to the academy just yet."

Yu Wen cast a disdainful sneer at him, "Hmph, you lying there doesn't exactly scream 'martial artist.' Let me be straight with you—I want to drag you out shopping."

Jie Mu gasped in shock, "What? Shopping? Have you lost your mind? If you want to go, be my guest, but count me out. It's utterly tedious."

He couldn't help but recall his teacher's words after a shopping trip with his wife, "For a man, one of the most excruciating experiences is accompanying a woman on a shopping spree!"

Though Jie Mu didn't quite grasp it, seeing his formidable teacher worn out by such an outing convinced him it was among the most dreadful activities imaginable.

Yu Wen, sensing his reluctance, tugged at Jie Mu's ear, "Hey, you little rascal, I go through the trouble of taking you shopping and that's the face you make?"

"Get out of bed this instant, or your head will suffer!"

Jie Mu, noticing the fist poised above his head, gulped, "Okay, okay, I'm getting up—just don't hit me."

With that, he grabbed his clothes and dressed swiftly.

As Yu Wen waited for Jie Mu to get ready, she remarked, "You really are clueless."

"My mother once told me that upon arriving in Duross City, one simply must visit the largest mall in Region No.1."

"It's a shopper's haven with everything from makeup and daily goods to martial skills, treasure artifacts, and Essence Crystals. Whatever you desire, they've got it."

Jie Mu, observing her eager look, challenged, "Really? They even sell the items we make with Machine Arts?"

Yu Wen paused, then with conviction, nodded, "I recall my master's wife mentioning it. Apart from the academy's main headquarters and branches, there are only three public outlets for Machine Arts technology, and one is indeed the grand mall in Duross."

This piqued Jie Mu's interest. A place that sold Machine Arts technology was worth exploring. His exposure to such items in Fragrance Light Valley had been limited, but now he might truly expand his knowledge.

He quickly gathered his things and hopped into a car that the Zhang family had arranged for their use. The driver, also provided by the Zhang family, handled the vehicle with impressive stability and speed.

Soon, they were navigating the streets of Duross. Upon entering the city, Jie Mu was nearly dazzled by the sights. Duross might not rival the Silent Sea in sheer opulence, but when it came to cultural richness and openness, it outshone its counterpart by miles.

As they moved from the city gate into the heart of Duross, Jie Mu was bombarded with an array of architectural styles, each more captivating than the last. Yet, even these marvels paled in comparison to the sight of young ladies and married women strolling the streets in short sleeves and miniskirts, embodying a fashion sense from beyond their region.

Such sights were unheard of in the conservative Zither Island, leaving Jie Mu feeling as if he were in a trance. Although he wasn't particularly drawn to women, being a young boy in the throes of adolescence, he couldn't help but feel a heightened sense of curiosity towards the opposite sex.

Unbeknownst to him, Yu Wen had been watching him intently the entire time, her piercing gaze almost as if she was ready to carve a piece of him away with her eyes.