At the entrance of the Autumn Water Pavilion, several carriages pulled by exotic beast colts were parked, with the chief disciples of various peaks already gathered there.
Truth be told, Observation Divine Realm martial artists could travel faster on foot than by carriage. However, enduring wind and sun along the way would inevitably leave one covered in dust, which would be unbecoming. For an occasion like the Martial Arts Summit, everyone preferred to maintain their dignity...
"Senior Brother Ouyang, you’re carrying all this stuff with you?"
Li Mo stepped out of the Autumn Water Pavilion, unburdened. Among the senior brothers and sisters present, he was only familiar with Ouyang. If that one disciple from the Rare Beast Peak were still around, he might have had another acquaintance.
"Storage treasures are expensive—how could I afford one?" Ouyang sighed.
"Cough, so you’ve already spent all the money you earned recently?"
"You know how it is with my small business—it wasn’t much to begin with."
"Have you considered finding a bookstore to mass-print your work? Senior Brother Ouyang, your illustrations could sell like hotcakes."
"I wouldn’t mind, but I doubt the Great Yu’s laws would approve..."
"Oh? Junior Brother Li, do you have any brilliant ideas?"
The two chatted idly as they boarded the carriage.
Ouyang’s thirst for knowledge was overwhelming.
Li Mo was more than happy to impart his advanced storytelling expertise. After all, if Ouyang made money, it would count as his investment.
Meanwhile, by the other carriages, everyone exchanged pleasantries.
"Senior Brother Shen Yunfei, last time you went to Hengyun Sword City, you secured a seat. This time, it’s practically a sure thing, right?"
"How could I presume? Junior Sister Xu Zhiqing, on the other hand, has been in seclusion for years—she must have nurtured an extraordinary sword intent by now."
"Ah, this time, a few prodigies from the Hidden Dragon Ranking might also come to test their swords against the world. Just getting a glimpse of their brilliance would make the trip worthwhile."
Suddenly, everyone fell silent.
Because not far away, a young woman walked toward them, cradling her sword.
For some reason, the disciples instinctively quieted down. Facing Ying Bing felt even more nerve-wracking than facing the sect master.
After all, the sect master, despite his lofty cultivation, wasn’t their peer.
They had just been talking about the Hidden Dragon Ranking prodigies.
Yet now, with her mere presence, she made them feel as if the Hidden Dragon Ranking was nothing special...
Once Ying Bing arrived, the carriages slowly set off.
Along the way, Li Mo even left the convoy briefly to visit a hotpot restaurant.
Jiang Chulong was so overjoyed at the news that she could travel the martial world with "Big Brother Li" that her mind went blank.
She immediately grabbed her little backpack, not even bothering to change her clothes.
Just as the two were about to leave the restaurant, Li Mo felt his sleeve being tightly gripped by the little princess.
Rubbing the back of his head, Li Mo finally noticed.
Mei Yun was frowning, her gaze stern as she stared at them.
The words "Do I not exist?" were practically written on her face.
"How’s the hotpot business been lately?" Li Mo asked awkwardly.
"Not bad. Twenty taels of profit a month."
Mei Yun’s frown remained.
Li Mo glanced around the bustling restaurant, puzzled. When he had opened the place, he’d never bothered with accounts.
Was the profit really that low?
"Following your recipe, we have to use the finest ingredients, and after all the government taxes..."
Mei Yun shook her head, not dwelling on the matter. She sighed softly.
"Truthfully, I don’t want Chulong going to Yunzhou with you."
Lately, Chulong’s progress in swordsmanship had been staggering—far beyond what she’d imagined.
Even her late mistress, a once-in-a-generation talent who had trained in the sacred grounds of Tianshan Sword Manor, hadn’t matched Chulong’s pace.
If Chulong went to Hengyun Sword City, it would be impossible for her not to stand out.
"Once you enter the martial world, many things are beyond your control."
"Where there are people, there is the martial world."
Li Mo reflexively finished the saying.
Mei Yun chewed on the words, narrowing her eyes.
Jiang Chulong bit her lip, her grayish-white eyes pleading even through the cloth blindfold:
After a long silence, Mei Yun seemed to resign herself. She sighed.
"Fine, go if you must. But you have to promise me a few things."
She gave many instructions before finally letting them leave.
The carriage rolled along the broad official road.
The understated yet luxurious interior muffled the outside noise, making the cabin feel even quieter.
Li Mo set down his teacup, his gaze landing on the flawless jade-like face of the "ice block" (Ying Bing) and, not far from her, Jiang Chulong curled up nervously, as if afraid of dirtying or breaking something.
Senior Brother Ouyang, busy sketching, was unconsciously ignored.
"Ice block, can we discuss something?" Li Mo suddenly spoke.
Ying Bing glanced sideways, her delicate brows lifting slightly.
Jiang Chulong tilted her head in confusion.
Ever since boarding the carriage, Big Brother Li and this cold elder sister hadn’t exchanged a single word.
Li Mo sighed. "When we spar in swordsmanship in the future, can we skip the... restricted zone strikes?"
In an instant, Ying Bing’s fingers curled reflexively.
That tingling sensation at the base of her spine seemed about to surge up again.
"I’ve already... forgotten about it. Why would I hold a grudge?"
If that’s the case, my backside begs to differ.
Forgotten, but still vengeful—got it.
"By the way, Junior Brother Li," Ouyang suddenly interjected.
"Hm?" Li Mo turned, nearly forgetting there was another person in the carriage.
Ouyang hugged his sketchboard, troubled.
"You know I’m only good at drawing. When it comes to storytelling, I’m hopeless."
Li Mo’s suggestion had been to create illustrated books.
The literacy rate in the Great Yu Dynasty wasn’t high, which limited the spread of written stories.
Illustrated books, however, could be understood even by commoners—it was practically an unfair advantage!
Li Mo thought for a moment, then glanced at the "ice block."
"How about I write them for you?"
The ice block seemed to enjoy storytelling performances.
This way, Ouyang would have material, and Ying Bing would be entertained—a perfect arrangement!
"Ah?" Ouyang blinked.
Li Mo grinned. "This junior brother is no master, but I once wrote a work that was quite beloved by readers."
"The Empress Returns."
Jiang Chulong blinked, intrigued.
Big Brother Li’s story sounded different from her teacher’s tales.
She realized, to her dismay, that she remembered the plot.
Career and love, both flourishing...
Just the title alone sounded promising!
"However, the story I’ll share today is not that one."
Li Mo’s theatrical side took over as he instantly transformed into a storyteller.
He already knew what to narrate.
In modern times, it might be a cliché.
But here and now? Earth-shattering!
Ouyang eagerly handed him tea.
Li Mo cleared his throat.
"This story is called... The Tyrannical Empress Falls for Me!"
Her teacup slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.