Chapter 1 What Is Seen Is Not Necessarily True

Jiang Chen was not an unreasonable person, so he wasn't angry at being stopped.

He looked around, pointing to the two people in front of him who didn't have invitations, and said, "Those people don't have invitations either, so why can they go in?"

The doorkeeper smiled awkwardly and said respectfully, "Young master, those are all guests invited by the organizers. They don't need to show invitations to enter."

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, a look of understanding in his eyes.

He was torn between revealing his identity to enter, or borrowing the name of one of his ministers.

Just as he was pondering, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a tall figure.

Wasn't that frail, romantic, and charming figure none other than his adopted disciple, Jia Yao?

Judging by her attire, it seemed that she was also attending this gathering. This was like sending a pillow to someone who was falling asleep!

Watching Jia Yao walk towards the main entrance of the garden with anticipation, the corners of Jiang Chen's mouth slowly curved up.

It seemed that getting in would be easily solved!

At this moment, Jia Yao, who was stepping onto the steps, suddenly felt a chill down her spine, and a bad feeling rose in her heart, causing her to subconsciously pause.

But after that fleeting feeling faded, Jia Yao quickly regained her composure and cursed herself for being paranoid.

With so many people at the gathering, what could possibly go wrong?

Just as she was about to happily head to the venue, she suddenly saw a familiar figure and was immediately startled.

"Yo... Your..."

Just as she uttered a sound, she stopped under Jiang Chen's suggestive gaze. She walked forward cautiously, wanting to salute.

Jiang Chen reached out and stopped her, whispering, "Keep a low profile. I'm here incognito this time, so it's not convenient to reveal my identity."

"You don't need to salute me for now, and be careful how you address me. Don't let the cat out of the bag!"

Jia Yao felt uncomfortable with the warm breath near her ear and lowered her head, saying, "Then, what should I call you?"

Jiang Chen said without hesitation, "Just call me Teacher. By the way, you should have the qualifications to enter, right? Take me in. I've been waiting here for ages."

Hearing this, Jia Yao widened her eyes in surprise.

In this world, there were actually places that the Son of Heaven couldn't go?

However, this emperor didn't seem so difficult to get along with, even after being turned away... Lost in thought, Jia Yao inexplicably relaxed a lot, and even her tone became more cheerful.

"Yes, I'll take you in now!"

Soon, Jiang Chen entered the gathering venue under Jia Yao's name.

Inside, scholars were talking and laughing, the atmosphere was elegant, and one felt detached from worldly affairs upon entering.

Even Jiang Chen, who had entered with an 'impure' purpose, felt a sense of spiritual cleansing.

"Teacher, you mean you came here to find someone?" Jia Yao asked with curiosity in her eyes.

Jiang Chen nodded, "Yes, I'm here to find the leader of the Taiping Dao."

"The leader of the Taiping Dao?" Jia Yao frowned in thought, then smiled and said, "Teacher, is her name Yang Muxi?"

"I've also heard of this remarkable woman. She is indeed here, invited by the Hero Li from Mount Hua, I believe."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's face darkened for a moment.

Hero Li?

This girl was secretly meeting with another man behind his back?

"Jia Yao, what is the background of this Hero Li?" Jiang Chen suppressed his displeasure.

Jia Yao, unaware of the strange atmosphere, said with a hint of admiration, "Hero Li, full name Li Zhiping, is a man who is eager to help others and eliminate evil. He has a good reputation in the martial world and among the common people. He is an out-and-out hero."

Eliminate evil?

Eager to help others?

Wasn't that exactly what Yang Muxi liked?!

Jiang Chen's face darkened, and sparks flickered in his eyes, but he eventually restrained himself.

He said calmly, "Is that so? Then I must get to know Hero Li well. Take me to find him!"

Jia Yao felt a chill down her spine for no reason, looked back cautiously, and said carefully, "Yes, Teacher, please wait a moment, I'll go ask."

At the same time, in a corner of the gathering venue.

Yang Muxi was standing under a tree in a white Daoist robe, staring blankly into the distance, her pretty face showing loneliness.

But her beautiful face, snow-white skin, and ethereal temperament turned this loneliness into a unique charm, making people unable to take their eyes off her.

"Leader Yang, I see that you look worried. Have you encountered any trouble recently?" A man in tight-fitting clothes walked over from a distance, his eyes full of concern, staring at her graceful figure without blinking.

Yang Muxi came back to her senses, put on a polite smile, and said politely, "Hero Li, didn't you have personal matters to attend to? Why are you back so soon?"

Li Zhiping was tall and had a resolute face with the air of a carefree martial artist.

Hearing Yang Muxi's caring words, he raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a hearty smile, and approached, "It's nothing important. I just came to see some old friends and catch up."

As he spoke, a greedy glint flashed in his eyes, and he quickly glanced at Yang Muxi's full figure, "Besides, how can I be at ease with you here alone?"

"Although you are quite skilled, you are still a girl. I should protect you more."

Hearing this, Yang Muxi frowned slightly, but didn't say much. She quickly adjusted her expression and showed a polite and distant smile.

This faintly resistant attitude made Li Zhiping grit his teeth secretly.

So what if she's a leader? Why is she putting on airs?

When I get my hands on you, I will definitely train you well and let you, little beauty, know what male dominance is!

Putting away the dark thoughts in his heart, Li Zhiping took a step forward and laughed loudly, "Leader Yang, it's getting late. Let's set off! If we delay any longer, the city gate will be locked, and we'll have to wait until tomorrow to leave!"

Yang Muxi hesitated, her beautiful eyes looking into the distance, with a hint of inexplicable anticipation.

"Well... Hero Li, do you have any important matters?"

"No, no!" Li Zhiping shook his head and said considerately, "Leader Yang, do you want to stay a little longer? Or are you waiting for someone?"

Yang Muxi's eyelashes fluttered, and she suddenly retracted her gaze, saying firmly, "No!"

"I, it's my first time attending this kind of gathering, and I find it novel. I want to see more."

Li Zhiping could see her strangeness, but pretended not to notice and said diligently, "Alright, a small matter, leave it to me!"

As he spoke, a hint of smugness appeared on his face, and he moved closer, "Leader Yang, I, Li, have been in the martial world for many years and have good connections. I can say a few words even in the capital!"

"If you like lively activities like this gathering, in a few days, I can also take you to the poetry meeting held internally by the Jixia Academy. It's even more interesting than this. What do you think?"

Yang Muxi was a little puzzled, "But I am a martial artist. With this identity, can I also participate in the academy's internal poetry meeting?"

Li Zhiping's smugness became more obvious, and he took on the task with great assurance, "Martial artists are naturally not allowed, but with me, Leader Yang, you can rest assured and participate!"

Obviously, Li Zhiping was very proud of his connections.

At this moment, a clear voice sounded, with a smile.

"Muxi, what's so good about poetry meetings? If you want excitement, I can take you boating on the lake!"