The Sorrowmender

Chapter 24 – Under the moon

Nightfall.

The bright moon hung high, with sparse stars visible in the sky.

Xu Qingzhou sat leisurely by the window, sipping his drink. The candlelight flickered gently, and he was already slightly tipsy.

"In youth, one should strive to be the best, like the bright moon crowning the nine provinces. Cultivate oneself with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; archery, charioteering, poetry, and wine bring Xu Wuyou—"

"Wuyou, how's this poem from your master?"

Wuyou's eyes were like the moon, her face like a crescent. She shook her head slightly, smiling with a sigh, "Master's poem is naturally a good one, but it's getting late, and you should rest."

"You little girl, alright, I'll listen to you. I'll sleep, I'll sleep."

Wuyou's smile grew brighter at his words, and she skipped a few steps to gather the wine jug and cup in front of Xu Qingzhou into her arms.

"Master is so good!"

"Oh—tell me, what's so good about your master?" Xu Qingzhou teased.

Wuyou tilted her head, thought for a while, and laughed, "Master listens to advice."

With that, she ran off with her spoils, "Goodnight, Master."

Xu Qingzhou shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself that he hadn't taken on a disciple but rather found himself a little mother, nagging and managing him every day.

Yet he still said, "Run slower, don't fall."

"Got it—ouch."

"Are you alright?"

"Master, I'm fine. You should sleep soon; staying up late is bad for your health, as you said."

Xu Qingzhou smiled knowingly, "This little girl."

He then extinguished the candle, stepped lightly, and in the darkness, turned into a fleeting shadow, leaping out the window onto the rooftop.

He sped like the wind, running several hundred meters away from the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries, landing in a quiet, sparsely populated alley before coming to a stop.

He smoothed the creases on his pants, the smile on his face gone, the slight drunkenness vanished, replaced by a solemn demeanor, as if he had become a different person.

A hint of coldness unknowingly crept into his eyes as he softly spoke to the empty alley.

"There's no one here now. You've been waiting all day; you can come out."

At the end of the dark alley, before the echo had faded, a figure appeared, bowing to Xu Qingzhou from several meters away.

"I am Ning Feng, greetings to Mister Forgetting Worries."

Xu Qingzhou glanced at him and said calmly:

"Ning Feng—you're much more courteous than that brute from the morning, not as annoying."

"Thank you for the praise, sir."

"Why have you been waiting for me all day at the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries without showing yourself?"

Not long after parting with Lin Shuang'er, Xu Qingzhou had detected this person's presence through the system.

And it wasn't just him; there were over a dozen auras following him, but this person's aura was the most substantial, suggesting he was the leader of the group.

He could easily guess why they were here; they must be associated with the brute he had killed that morning.

What puzzled him was why this person had followed him all day without revealing himself. Out of personal concern, he didn't want to disturb Wuyou, so he chose to ignore it until nightfall.

Hence, he voiced his confusion.

The man replied in a calm tone:

"I saw that you were busy during the day, and you had company. Ning Feng didn't want to disturb you unnecessarily, so I didn't show myself."

Xu Qingzhou couldn't help but furrow his brows. The man before him was at the Innate Stage, Ninth Layer, a top-notch expert below the Foundation Establishment.

Such an existence was first-rate in city.

To possess such strength and yet remain humble and courteous was impressive, earning Xu Qingzhou's respect.

"This Ning Feng is quite a character."

He was nothing like the brute from earlier.

"You truly understand etiquette, making me see you in a new light." Xu Qingzhou praised without reservation, then shook his sleeves and continued:

"In light of your courtesy, I'll give you face and accompany you to meet your master."

Xu Qingzhou's words left the man momentarily stunned.

The chiseled face hidden in the darkness showed surprise in his eyes.

Clearly, he hadn't expected Xu Qingzhou to agree to meet his master without being asked.

The sudden good fortune left him feeling both honored and surprised.

"Is there nothing you wish to ask me, sir?"

Xu Qingzhou slowly approached him, continuing to speak.

"What difference would it make if I did?"

Faced with Xu Qingzhou's rhetorical question, Ning Feng was even more perplexed.

"Aren't you afraid I might harm you?"

By now, Xu Qingzhou had unknowingly come within arm's reach of Ning Feng. From this angle, they were of similar stature, their gazes level.

Xu Qingzhou said nonchalantly, "Harm me? You're just an errand runner; why would you harm me? You wouldn't."

He smiled knowingly, a hint of cunning in his eyes, "Besides, even if you could, you wouldn't be able to hurt me, so why should I be afraid?"

His confidence and boldness were evident, his tone calm, which made Ning Feng shudder slightly. Looking at Xu Qingzhou, his gaze grew more serious, tinged with admiration.

Admiration for the young man's courage and audacity.

Yet the seriousness also stemmed from the same courage and audacity.

An Acquired Realm, First Layer youth, just stepping into the path of cultivation, a scholar seemingly lacking physical strength—Ning Feng couldn't fathom where Xu Qingzhou's confidence came from.

To dare speak such words before someone at the Innate Stage, Ninth Layer.

The gap between them, though not as vast as the moon compared to a firefly, was like a towering tree compared to a blade of grass—a chasm nonetheless.

Yet Ning Feng dared not underestimate Xu Qingzhou. Firstly, there was the precedent of the Innate Stage, Second Layer individual who had mysteriously died at Xu Qingzhou's hands.

Secondly, the pressure Xu Qingzhou exerted on him was immense, and he was not one to act recklessly.

So, in his view, Xu Qingzhou was either a hidden expert or possessed a life-saving trump card, allowing him to remain so composed.

"Sir, you truly are a remarkable person. I admire your courage. Then, if you would, please accompany me."

"Of course, please!"

"Sir—after you!"

The two of them, one after the other, walked out of the dark alley.

For Xu Qingzhou, there was nothing to fear.

Since the other party had repeatedly sent people to invite him, they must have a request.

If he refused, it would only cause more trouble, so he might as well meet this person.

Since it couldn't be avoided, there was nothing to fear.

With the system, he could help them solve their worries, earning their gratitude and making them useful to him.

If necessary, he could rely on his two sword techniques, the Worry-Free Book, and other trump cards to eliminate them.

Even if there were Foundation Establishment experts among them, he wouldn't fear them. An RPG could blow them away, or he could summon Thunder Judgment to reduce them to ashes.

"Ning Feng?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Is it far?"

"The inn outside the city, ten miles from here."

Xu Qingzhou raised an eyebrow slightly, "Outside the city?"

"That's quite far. Walking there is too tiring." He regretted it a bit; it was indeed too far.

"Sir, there are horses; it'll be quick," Ning Feng quickly said.

Xu Qingzhou looked troubled, "I don't know how to ride a horse."