Chapter 55: The Golden Lotus

  Wang Yu Yan said: "It's the middle of the night, where are you going? Besides, you're not familiar with the waterways of Taihu Lake. If something happens, it won't be good. Why don't we rest here for the night and leave early tomorrow morning instead?"

  Duan Yu felt slightly better, but hearing Wang Yuyan's words, although she was trying to persuade him to stay, her mind seemed elsewhere and her thoughts were probably already with her cousin Murong Fu. He couldn't help feeling uninterested and cold-hearted. As the prince of Dali, he had been pampered since childhood, and his personality was also quite arrogant. Although he had recently experienced many dangers, in his heart, he felt that he had never been treated so coldly before. He couldn't help but say: "Whether it's today or tomorrow, I'll be leaving anyway, there's no difference, farewell."

  Wu Ming naturally understood Duan Yu's thoughts, mainly because of the vinegar-eating reason, plus Bao Different intentionally targeting, which made this born-in-Dali-royal-family Duan Yu confused.

  Because of the "Six Pulses Divine Sword" mission, Wu Ming naturally didn't want Duan Yu to leave so quickly. He was about to speak up to persuade him when he heard Ah Zhu say: "Since you really must go, I'll send someone to escort you out of the lake."

  Duan Yu heard that Ah Zhu didn't even try to persuade him, and he became even more displeased. He couldn't help but mutter to himself: "What's so great about Murong Gongzi? Is it just because his martial arts skills are a bit higher? He's not some kind of heavenly phoenix." Thinking this, Duan Yu immediately shook his head and said: "Thank you for your kindness, Ah Zhu. I think it's not necessary to trouble you anymore. Just lend me a boat and an oar, and I can row out myself."

  At this time, Wu Ming suddenly remembered a plot in Tian Long, it seemed that after Duan Yu left the Listening Fragrance Pavilion, he would meet Qiao Feng next, and then the two would become sworn brothers.

  In the past, when reading books, Duan Yu's impression of Wu Ming was just ordinary, but Qiao Feng was a man he had always respected in his heart. If Tian Long let Wu Ming choose the person he most wanted to be friends with, it would definitely be Qiao Feng.

  "Ding Dong!"

  "Congratulations, you have triggered the Book Immortal System task [Golden Lotus Bond]."

  "Mission content: Form a sworn brotherhood with Qiao Feng and become brothers for life and death."

  "Quest Reward: One Mysterious Book Spirit Treasure Chest."

  Upon hearing this hint in his mind, Wu Ming suddenly became very excited.

  After Tianlong, I also received several tasks. Except for 【Yu Yan Gui Xin】, which can get a zodiac book sign, the other tasks are all martial arts related rewards.

  Although these rewards are tempting, they cannot make him leave Tianlong quickly and go to the next book world. Only the mysterious Book Spirit Treasure Box can open up Book Spirit Fragments, which can be synthesized into a Book Spirit Transmission Gate, one of his most coveted items. Therefore, he slightly moved in his heart, planned carefully, and decided not to persuade Duan Yu to stay any longer, even preparing to take advantage of the situation to leave first himself.

  Wu Ming knew that now Wang Yuyan's heart was thinking of Murong Fu, even if he himself was guarding her side, it would be useless, so he might as well wait for a more suitable opportunity in the future.

  Wu Ming was lost in thought, when he heard Ah Bi advising: "Young Master Duan, you're not familiar with the waterways of the lake, this isn't good, what if you run into that monk again?"

  Duan Yu panted and said: "Don't persuade me anymore, it's better to hurry up and meet with Murong Gongzi. Even if I accidentally bump into that monk again, at most he'll just scold me. I'm not your cousin or younger brother, why bother worrying about me?" With that, he strode out of the hall in big steps.

  A Zhu and A Bi looked at each other in dismay, shook their heads and sighed, seeing Duan Yu off. Wu Ming had not spoken a word, but also followed them out.

  After going out, Ah Bi said while walking: "Duan Gongzi, our young master loves to make friends, and you may become good friends if you meet again in the future."

  Duan Yu couldn't help but sneer: "This is beyond me."

  Abi heard his tone was quite indignant, and she was very surprised. She hastily asked: "Duan Gongzi, why are you angry? Is it because we were remiss in some way before?"

  A Zhu thought that Bao was being different and had offended him, so he quickly said: "Duan Gongzi, my third brother's temper has always been like this, you really don't have to be too concerned about it. I and Ah Bi will apologize for you."

  After finishing speaking, Ah Zhu smiled and bowed her head to make a courtesy, Ah Bi also followed suit.

  Duan Yu felt slightly better in his heart, but since the words had already been spoken, it was naturally not good to take them back. He could only make a bow and return a courtesy, then quickly walk towards the water's edge, step onto the small boat, pick up the oars and push off, and the boat immediately started moving, heading out into the lake.

  "Azhu sister, I'll send Brother Duan off for a bit. We'll meet again soon." Wu Ming gave a slight bow with his fist, and before Azhu could respond, he had already taken to the air, spreading his arms like a great roc taking flight, and landed lightly on the small boat where Duan Yu was.

  It was only after Guo Jing boarded the ship that Wu Ming proposed to take his leave, as he did not want to get entangled in a prolonged farewell with the three women, which would have been somewhat tedious, unlike the casual manner now.

  Wu Ming's lightness and agility were very elegant and pleasing to the eye, and with his own sunny and handsome appearance, Ah Zhu and Ah Bi were stunned, even Wang Yu Yan, who was standing far away, couldn't help but secretly admire him.

  "Azhu shouted loudly: 'Wu Gongzi, after sending off Duan Gongzi, remember to come back quickly.'"

  Wu Ming clasped his fists and said loudly: "Don't worry, Sister Zhu, I'll be back soon."

  After Wu Ming boarded the boat, Duan Yu rowed the small boat by himself and didn't speak to Wu Ming at first. It wasn't until the boat was a short distance away from the shore that he panted and said: "You're not going after your beauty, what are you doing getting on the boat?"

  Wu Ming smiled faintly and said: "You and I have met once, it's also a fate, so naturally I'm here to see you off."

  Duan Yu's heart warmed up, and he suddenly remembered that he had promised earlier not to compete with him for Wang Yuyan. However, his previous behavior clearly did not live up to this promise, and apart from feeling secretly ashamed, he also suddenly thought that Wu Mian's martial arts skills were very strong. If he could defeat Murong Fu and win the beauty's heart, it would also help him vent his anger.

  Upon thinking of this, Duan Yu suddenly felt much better. He stopped rowing and clasped his fists together in a gesture of respect, saying: "Thank you, Brother Wu. Just now my mood was bad and I spoke somewhat rashly. Please forgive me."

  Wu Ming smiled slightly and said, "Brother Duan, you're being too polite. Although we only met by chance, we've been through a storm together, and I've always considered you a good brother in my heart. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to see you off on the boat."

  After listening to Wu Ming's words, Duan Yu felt a little ashamed and quickly said: "Actually, I have always regarded Brother Wu as a friend in my heart. Moreover, you can rest assured that a gentleman has the beauty of others, since you mentioned that you like Wang Gongzhu, I naturally will not intervene, if there is an opportunity, I will even help you win the beauty." Although he spoke with ease, thinking of the goddess's voice and smile, Duan Yu's heart was extremely sour.

  Without Zhu Yuyan and Wang Yuyan, Wu Ming and Duan Yu's conversation became much more casual. The two of them rowed the boat while chatting idly about everything under the sun.

  Wu Ming was a man from modern times, and having read many books, he knew far more than Duan Yu, that bookworm. He quickly gained Duan Yu's respect in their casual conversation.

  The two of them were completely unfamiliar with the waterways in Taihu Lake. At first, they could still locate themselves according to Xiangshui Bay, but as they went further away, they gradually lost their direction.

  Fortunately, both of them were people with strong internal strength. Although Duan Yu didn't know how to utilize it, they rowed for a long time but neither of them felt tired at all.

  The sky gradually brightened, and Wu Ming and Duan Yu soon encountered fishermen who had risen early to fish. With their guidance, and the fact that daytime was not as dark as nighttime, with many visible reference points, the two men quickly found the correct direction.

  It was almost noon when Wu Ming and Duan Yu arrived at the foot of a small hill, and upon inquiring with local people, they immediately understood that this hill was called "Matixi Hill", which is very close to Wuxi.

  When the two of them returned to the boat and continued paddling northward, they finally arrived at the outskirts of Wuxi City in the late afternoon.

  Duan Yu had long been hungry and his stomach was growling, so he said: "Brother Wu, let's go, I'll treat you to a meal at the wine tower."

  Wu Ming arrived in the world of books, with no silver in his pocket, so he didn't hesitate, nodding and smiling: "Alright, let's go, I'm almost starving to death."

  After entering the city, Wu Ming saw that the streets were bustling with people coming and going, but unlike modern cities, there was no fast pace, making him feel exceptionally comfortable.

  Suddenly, Wu Ming smelled a delicious aroma coming from afar. He looked up and saw a wine shop not far away with the three large characters "Song He Lou" written on it.

  The building is grand in scale and elegant in decoration, obviously a well-known restaurant in Wuxi.

  At this time, Duan Yu also saw the Pine Crane Pavilion and said: "Brother Wu, this Pine Crane Pavilion looks good, let's eat here."

  Wu Ming smiled faintly and said, "Alright, anyway it's you who's treating us, so we'll just follow your lead."

  After the two entered the wine building, the waiter immediately came over to greet them, with a very enthusiastic attitude, and welcomed the two upstairs to sit down.

  Duan Yu asked Wu Ming what he wanted to eat, Wu Ming actually wasn't picky about food, so he smiled and said "you order whatever you like", Duan Yu smiled slightly and said: "In that case, I'll take the liberty of ordering for us."

  Soon, Duan Yu ordered a table of dishes and the two began eating on the second floor, chatting and laughing as they ate, unable to hold back their loud guffaws.

  Suddenly, a big Han on the west table turned his head, and two cold electric-like gazes quickly swept across Wu Ming's face.

  Wu Ming was startled, turned around and saw that the man was about thirty years old, with a robust build, wearing an old grey cloth robe with many holes on it.

  However, this man has thick eyebrows and big eyes, a high nose and a wide mouth. On his square face, there is a strong sense of dignity and authority, and at first glance, he doesn't seem like an ordinary person.

  "What a robust and majestic figure! Could this be Qiao Feng?" Wu Ming secretly applauded, and such speculation arose in his mind.