The Xihuang Hotel, located on the east bank of Xihu Lake in Rongcheng, was built along the water. While its location wasn't as prime as Xihu Yayuan, it was still quite good.
In the past, this hotel was reserved for high-ranking officials on business trips. However, after more than twenty years, the facilities at Xihuang Hotel had become somewhat dated.
Even so, the prices at Xihuang Hotel remained high, and only the wealthy or influential could afford to stay there.
After returning to Xihuang Hotel, Fu Que Zhenren and Gao Zizhen closed the doors and windows and drew the curtains. Gao Zizhen, who had been respectfully subservient to Fu Que Zhenren, suddenly straightened his back.
Fu Que Zhenren, despite his advanced age, bowed and scraped before Gao Zizhen.
He nimbly brewed tea for Gao Zizhen and said with some delight, "Master, the Li family is now completely convinced of our abilities. It seems that Li Qing'er from the Li family also has some interest in you. It's as good as done. Your Yang-Restoring Technique can last for another three to five years!"
Gao Zizhen, unlike his former elegant demeanor, sat tilted in his chair, his head bowed, appearing frail and aged.
He rubbed the flesh on his face. His once handsome and firm skin rapidly loosened. In a short time, Gao Zizhen's face grew increasingly old, his skin becoming like tree bark, covered in wrinkles. He transformed into an old man who looked as if one foot was already in the grave!
"My Yang-Restoring Technique requires a woman whose birth date matches mine each year to absorb yin and replenish yang, thus extending my life. This time it falls upon the daughter of the Li family, which is rather troublesome," Gao Zizhen said with some distress.
The Li family was no ordinary wealthy family; they had a Ghost King ancestor behind them.
In the presence of the Ghost King ancestor, Gao Zizhen's disguise would be useless. Therefore, he had to gain the trust of the Li family as quickly as possible and consummate his union with Li Qing'er.
After the act, Gao Zizhen could maintain his youthful appearance for several more years, while Li Qing'er would rapidly age and not live for more than five years.
Gao Zizhen's true age was already over one hundred and fifty years old, whereas Fu Que Zhenren, who appeared to be of advanced age, was actually Gao Zizhen's youngest disciple, only seventy-two years old this year.
Over the years, the master and disciple had been switching roles, swindling people everywhere. Once successful, they would disappear without a trace, leaving the victimized families with no way to find them.
Of course, to walk the martial world, besides some true skills, one needed more "fake tricks."
For example, Li Peihua's youngest son had a black sole on his foot. In reality, it wasn't Yan Shouyi who did it; it was Fu Que Zhenren who smeared it there when he casually removed the child's shoe.
Gao Zizhen simply used special tribute incense and some simple chemical reactions to smoke away the black substance on the infant's foot.
In the eyes of the Li family, the master and disciple appeared to be enlightened individuals.
Fu Que Zhenren fawned, "With Master's appearance, the Li family's consent is hardly needed. As long as there's an opportunity, Li Qing'er will fall into the trap sooner or later."
"It's not that simple. Li Peizong is not a fool; he clearly has his concerns," Gao Zizhen, however, was not blindly arrogant.
"Then how do you plan to handle the matter of Xihu Lake's water?"
Gao Zizhen shot Fu Que Zhenren a glare, "If I were truly so capable, would I need to wander the martial world?"
Gao Zizhen was also puzzled by the incident of Xihu Lake's water drying up. He couldn't imagine what kind of master could cause the lake's waters to recede.
As for restoring Xihu Lake to its original state?
Gao Zizhen did not possess such ability.
He only needed to continue deceiving the Li family. Once he obtained Li Qing'er's virginity, he would pack up with Fu Que Zhenren and leave, hiding for a few years until the heat died down, and then resurface to find the next target.
Fu Que Zhenren chuckled awkwardly. Seeing Gao Zizhen finish his tea, he quickly refilled it.
Taking this opportunity, Fu Que Zhenren cautiously asked, "Master, you see, I'm not young anymore. If I don't learn the Yang-Restoring Technique soon, I'm afraid I won't have many years to live. When can you pass the Yang-Restoring Technique to me?"
Gao Zizhen drank his tea and said indifferently, "The time is not yet ripe. What you deserve, I will give you sooner or later."
Sensing Gao Zizhen's displeasure, Fu Que Zhenren immediately shut his mouth and asked no further questions.
...
Yan Shouyi, who had returned to Shanghang Art School, had no idea he had been framed so badly.
At Xihu Yayuan earlier, Yan Shouyi had admitted that he was drunk, which made his actions seem a bit impulsive.
To vindicate the inheritor of Lu Ban and to strike a blow against the arrogant Lu Jing, Yan Shouyi had directly used the art of Qimen Dunjia to cause Xihu Lake to dry up. He hadn't expected this to involve members of the Li family.
Now that he had sobered up a bit, Yan Shouyi felt some remorse. He thought he shouldn't have undertaken such a grand scheme.
However, since the deed was done, despite his remorse, Yan Shouyi did not regret it at all. This world was inherently a jungle where the strong preyed on the weak, and the Xuanmen world even more so. If he didn't display terrifying strength, everyone would be as presumptuous as Lu Jing.
In reality, causing Xihu Lake to dry up wasn't an exceptionally difficult matter. Overall, Yan Shouyi could achieve this to this extent primarily by leveraging the favorable timing and location. The art of Qimen Dunjia was merely a catalyst. Even without his intervention, Xihu Lake would have dried up eventually due to some accident. He had merely accelerated the process slightly.
After arriving in Rongcheng, Yan Shouyi, who had repeatedly hit roadblocks, felt somewhat vexed.
Especially after learning that Lin Zitong was already betrothed, he felt a pang of heartache for the first time.
If all of this was fate, then why were two destined but unsuited individuals made to meet and know each other in the vast sea of people?
Under the setting sun, Yan Shouyi walked to the school gate.
To his surprise, by the same fountain, in the same spot, the same person was waiting for him.
Lin Zitong was wearing a purple dress today and holding a camera. Although she had a sun hat, mask, and sunglasses on, Yan Shouyi recognized her at a glance.
She also spotted Yan Shouyi, raised her camera, and took a picture of him.
When Yan Shouyi approached, Lin Zitong showed him the photo she had just taken, "Do you seldom get photographed? Why the grumpy face?"
"I just wasn't smiling."
"You're lying. You don't look like this when you're not smiling; you're clearly unhappy."
Lin Zitong leaned in and smelled him, detecting alcohol on Yan Shouyi. She couldn't help but ask, "Did you drink? Who did you drink with?"
Long Feichen was on duty at the west gate. Lin Zitong had seen him when she came to the school. If Yan Shouyi lied, Lin Zitong would expose him immediately.
Yan Shouyi answered truthfully, "Your Master."
Lin Zitong was taken aback, "...What did you talk about?"
"Your Master wanted to reinforce the Nine Dragons Subduing Evil Array at Shanghang Art School and asked for my assistance," Yan Shouyi paused and said, "Also, I inadvertently learned that you are betrothed."
As he spoke these words, Yan Shouyi felt a lump in his throat. He hadn't thought about what he would say if Lin Zitong responded.
But he had to ask for clarification.
Unexpectedly, when Lin Zitong heard Yan Shouyi's words, she didn't seem inclined to explain at all.
She smiled and said, "Don't you have a fiancée yourself? What's so strange about that?"
This time, it was Yan Shouyi's turn to be stunned.
"You, you know about this?"
"You told Xiao Long, Xiao Long told Cai Wei, and Cai Wei told me."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Brothers, after all, cannot be relied upon!
Yan Shouyi defended himself, "My engagement was arranged by my grandfather years ago. I still haven't met the woman, and besides, I already have someone I like, so the engagement is naturally invalid."
Lin Zitong replied, "Although I have met my betrothed, I don't like him. I also have someone I like. If it truly comes to that day and I cannot resist, then either I die, or we leave together."
Yan Shouyi stared blankly at Lin Zitong, falling into stunned silence.
So, the little rascal had already made up her mind.
Either death.
Or leaving together.
If I hadn't made up my mind, if I hadn't given the little rascal that wooden watch, perhaps she would have left this world...
Thinking of this, Yan Shouyi suddenly felt immensely guilty.
How could he let her die?
Lin Zitong always thought one step ahead of him. This was the difference between girls and boys. Boys could be rational, but girls chose to be emotional.
If a boy liked a girl, perhaps at the moment of confessing successfully, the boy would think of his future children's names.
What girls thought of were the reluctance at parting, the joy at reunion, a lifetime of companionship, growing old together with white hair, still able to lean in each other's arms, shutting out the world's noise.
"An engagement is just paper and ink, not even a contract. Why worry about it? Come, give your sister a smile!"
Lin Zitong suddenly pulled off her mask, hugged Yan Shouyi's arm, brought her face close to his side, and held up her camera to take a picture of both of them.
Yan Shouyi looked up and showed a clear, bright smile. The worries that had recently clouded his eyes completely vanished.
*Click!*
The camera's flash went off. Lin Zitong quickly checked the photo, admiring her own beautiful appearance while also mocking Yan Shouyi for not being photogenic.
Yan Shouyi chuckled foolishly and put her mask back on for Lin Zitong.
He said seriously, "Wait for me for a few days. I'll go to the Li family to break off the engagement, and then I'll propose to the Lin family."
Lin Zitong smiled slightly, "I'm willing to wait for you a lifetime."
"A lifetime is too short; I don't want to waste a single day."