Chapter 105: Your Vulgarity Is Sincere

Shadowless?!

Previously, when Shadowless mentioned things like magical artifacts and divine beings, Zhao Hengyi thought the man was simply unfamiliar with firearms, mistaking the gun for some kind of mystical spell from folklore, and paid it no mind.

Now that Shadowless brought up the idea of divine slaves, it seemed the matter was far more complicated than Zhao Hengyi had imagined.

"Heh, no chance left, huh?"

"Many years ago, I met someone like you. He... he was willing to take me as a divine slave."

"Back then, I was young and reckless. That man wasn’t as capable as you; before he could show his true skills, I killed him..."

"No chance left, huh!"

"The path to transcendence... I once had a chance to squeeze through as well..."

Muttering to himself for a moment, before Zhao Hengyi could inquire further, Shadowless unexpectedly died just like that!

"He... took his own life. These wounds wouldn't have killed him so quickly."

Lu Jiuniang’s voice was calm, but her gaze at Zhao Hengyi was strange. "I think I’ve figured out who he is. Years ago, there was a notorious thief in the martial world known as Shadowless. No one ever knew his true identity."

It was hard to feel much sorrow. Having practiced inner breath techniques and stepped into the martial world, such an end was inevitable. Lu Jiuniang had seen countless masters meet such fates.

Compared to Shadowless, Lu Jiuniang was now more interested in Zhao Hengyi.

"Those divine beings and divine slaves he mentioned—have you ever heard of them?"

Zhao Hengyi was utterly confused. The assassin was fine just moments ago; how could he suddenly be dead?

Self-severed heart veins?

Inner energy reversed?

Were all masters of inner breath techniques this mysterious?

---

"My master mentioned something about them. She, too... encountered people like that back in the day."

If it weren’t for the age difference, Lu Jiuniang might have truly mistaken Zhao Hengyi for the person her master once met. "Is what Shadowless said true?"

"Impossible."

Zhao Hengyi found it ridiculous. He never imagined he’d become the protagonist in such cryptic tales.

"When you were watching me craft this firearm, you saw for yourself. Besides being more sturdy, it’s essentially the same as fireworks set off during festivals, just loaded with iron sand and steel beads."

Lu Jiuniang nodded half-believingly and said no more, but it was clear this girl would not so easily let it go.

The other guards and members of the Women’s Army had no idea what Shadowless was talking about. Terms like divine beings and divine slaves were unheard of to them.

The guards who had just left returned without finding any of Shadowless’s allies nearby. The rest of the journey would likely be peaceful.

Masters of inner breath techniques like Shadowless were rare throughout the martial world. Zhao Hengyi’s group was well-armed, and even Su Shenchang, the prefect of Jiangling, could scarcely muster enough troops to wipe out an entire convoy.

As for Prince Qi, sending Shadowless was already a huge favor; it was impossible to call upon the Ningwu Army to assist Su Shenchang.

Thus, no further incidents occurred until Zhao Hengyi and his group arrived at Jiangling City.

Along the way, Zhao Hengyi thoroughly explained the use of gunpowder to Lu Jiuniang, even letting the somewhat aloof young woman fire the gun a few times, and taught her many guerrilla tactics he’d learned from old movies.

He wasn’t worried that Lu Jiuniang mastering gunpowder would cause trouble. As long as the formula didn’t leak, losing some finished gunpowder wasn’t a big deal.

Moreover, given the conditions in the Taihang Mountains, Lu Jiuniang probably couldn’t produce much qualified gunpowder anyway; supplies were scarce, and even basic sustenance was difficult.

Upon reaching Jiangling City, Zhao Hengyi’s group stayed at an inn while the Women’s Army returned to the County Lord’s mansion to report. After settling his men, Zhao Hengyi went with the Women’s Army to pay respects to Wei Linglan.

Miao Xiaoyu and the six little ones were overjoyed to see Zhao Hengyi after many days. Even Sun Xiuying hid nearby, her eyes secretly reddening. These people had long come to rely on Zhao Hengyi as the closest and dearest.

Under Wei Linglan’s half-smiling gaze, Zhao Hengyi shamelessly confessed his longing for Miao Xiaoyu.

Unlike his wife and sisters, Zhao Hengyi had experienced much during this time, making the separation feel especially long.

“The Moon Viewing Poetry Gathering hosted by the prefect will be held the night after tomorrow. The Hibiscus Garden is already being prepared. You must perform well then, brother-in-law.”

Wei Linglan seemed to hint at something. "Many in the city are speculating whether that scruffy old Taoist you met that day recited the third poem."

"The county lord jokes," Zhao Hengyi replied, "I really don’t like poetry or songs."

Mentioning that gave him a toothache. Previously, he had sworn before Wei Linglan that he knew nothing of poetry, only to immediately recite “Green Jade Table – Eternal Glory.”

This original Lantern Festival poem, timeless across another realm, was no less impressive in the Great Yan Kingdom.

Over time, this poem praising Concubine Chen had become widely admired, eventually spreading throughout the scholarly circles of Great Yan. With it, Zhao Hengyi’s reputation soared.

Of course, not all was good. Those who heard “Green Jade Table – Eternal Glory” often first marveled at Zhao Hengyi’s talent, then despised his character.

After all, few scholars were as shameless as Su Shenchang, who grovelled to please the favored concubine of the official. Among scholars, appearances always mattered.

“It’s clear you really dislike poetry. Little Jade also said you usually spout crude slang. If those envious scholars knew the truth, they’d probably go mad with jealousy.”

Wei Linglan was too clever—so clever that Zhao Hengyi was reluctant to deal with this widow county lord.

“You’re vulgar, sincerely vulgar, unabashedly vulgar... Don’t look at me like that. Little Jade told me everything, including the bookkeeping method you devised. I’ve learned it, and it will be used in the county lord’s estates. Just letting you know.”

“Use it as much as you want! If the county lord appreciates my skills, that’s an honor in itself. No need to announce it!”

Zhao Hengyi wasn’t sure how much intelligence Miao Xiaoyu and the others had leaked to the crafty Wei Linglan in recent days. He intended to bluff.

“That’s nothing. Lately, I’ve developed a new fragrance called Nine-Flower Jade Dew. I think the scent suits the county lord. I’m sending some over for her appraisal.”

Wei Linglan looked at the shameless Zhao Hengyi in disbelief. Such gifts of cosmetics were usually exchanged among close female friends or servants. When had it ever been appropriate for a brother-in-law?

“For the poetry gathering the day after tomorrow, brother-in-law should prepare well.”

Wei Linglan decided to finish her important instructions quickly and then send Zhao Hengyi on his way. “The special envoy sent by Concubine Chen is here in Jiangling City and will surely attend... Don’t get caught up in any trouble and make Little Jade worry about you.”