Some people chose to search for Kuo Zhong on their own while others followed the evil cult elites.
In a moment, the majority of the martial artists on the riverbank left like a swarm of locusts. Only a few people stayed back and continued to watch the river.
Happy was one of them.
He stood at the riverbank, and his normal long robes fluttered loudly in the face of the wind from the river. He looked just like a normal scholar who did not have any qi.
"Brother."
Perhaps it was due to Happy's temperament and elegance, but he attracted the attention of the few remaining people on the riverbank. One of them walked over to him without any hesitation.
He wrapped his fists in his palm.
Silence fell among the people.
They looked at each other dumbfounded, but it was too late for them to regret their decision.
*****
Even though the elites of the evil cult had left the big p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boat, there were still countless elites guarding them. When Happy showed up outside the formation, he quickly attracted the attention of the guards.
"Who are you?!"
"This is the place where Artisan Shi shows her talents. Those who are not on the list of guests are not allowed to come near this place!"
Two black shadows shot out from the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boats. They were incredibly fast, and when they attacked, they released aggressive sword qi with an astonishing momentum. They did not hold back at all.
Flying in the air used up a lot of qi, and the user had to circulate their qi continuously, which would use it up. But Happy, who had already mastered Nine Yang Divine Skill, could instantly replenish whatever he used up.
When he saw two people come to meet him, he snorted in his heart and rushed toward the duo without holding back.
Seize and grab.
Two weapons landed in his grasp.
The duo's qi came to a screeching halt while they were still airborne. They cried out in surprise and fell into the river in an incredibly pathetic manner.
As for Happy, he looked as if he had something very easy. He sheathed his sword, held his breath, tapped against the mast of a boat, and shot to the boat in the center above the heads of flabbergasted people on the boats.
Chapter 692 - Li Shiming, Xu Zhiling
Before Happy could enter the large p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boat, the second wave of attacks came at him in an aggressive manner, and it made him even more certain that there was something strange about the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boat. The quest had not ended yet.
Shifting Stars!
When he faced the second wave of evil cult elites who came to attack him, Happy was no longer as relaxed as when he faced the elites from the righteous path. He used Shifting Stars straight away, and the two sword waves crashed violently into each other in the sky.
Thud!
Bloody flowers bloomed on the bodies of the two evil cultists at the same time. They grunted and fell near the large p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boat.
When the sounds of water splashing rose, Happy stepped on the deck of the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boat.
"How dare you, you maniac! How dare you enter Artisan Shi's boat? Don't you think you're disregarding the heroes of the world too much?"
The evil cult and righteous path elites surged forward. They drew their weapons and pointed them at Happy.
Despite facing all of them, Happy smiled faintly and said calmly, "You speak too seriously. I am Happy of the Murong Clan, and I have come because I admire Artisan Shi a lot. Why don't you allow me to fulfill my wish and let me go inside to watch her performance?"
If he had to face such a lineup of Inaction Realm martial artists in the past, he would have definitely ran to escape, but now, with Shifting Stars and his Arhat Body with Silver Light Arhat, which was the tenth realm, Happy had the power to protect himself even against Myth Realm martial artists.
At that moment, he had no fear.
"I don't care that you're a damned disciple of the Murong Clan! Get lost, or die here!"
"This is Artisan Shi's boat. Since when have evil cultists like you have the right to make the decisions in a situations like this?!"
A group of people walked out with a majestic gait from behind the crowd.
Most from the group were generals dressed in armor. The person in the lead was a young man, and he was dressed in nice clothes, had an imposing air about him, and his black cloak displayed his elegance.
When he spoke, a sincere, charming, and cordial smile was on his handsome face. He wrapped his fist in his palm and walked over. "You're the famous disciple of the aristocratic clan, Gusu's Blue-robed Hero. I, Shimin, have heard of your name for a long time."
"I see, you're the young master of the Li Family. I've heard of your name for a long time as well."
Happy did not have any sort of aversion or liking for Li Shimin, but he was indeed very good when it came to treating people, or else, it would have been impossible for him to gather a group of brave warriors and strategists for Heaven's Scheme Mansion.
When Happy cast a glance at the warriors and strategists behind Li Shimin, his heart trembled.
There were quite a few presences there that were already at the peak of Inaction Realm. The last one, an old man who looked a little like a butler, gave Happy quite a lot of pressure.
'Li Shimin, what a man.'
Li Shimin naturally did not know what Happy was thinking about. He walked over in a great show of hospitality.
"During the battle at Hero's Mountain Villa, the soldiers of the imperial court were denied entrance, but I heard that you managed to defeat the abbot of Shaolin Temple with a clever strategy even though you are still so young, and you fought against many of the top elites from various sects head-on.
"You also gained the title of the strongest hero of the young generation. I am filled with admiration toward you, and I've wanted to meet you for a long time. Now that I saw you today, you do live up to your name."
Li Shimin had personally witnessed the entire process of Happy getting on the boat in a relaxed manner, and he naturally knew that there would only be a few among his warriors who could fight against Happy.
If he could draw such a young and outstanding hero to his own camp, it would be incredibly advantageous for him!
"Young Master Li, you praise me too much. I am just a normal disciple from the Murong Clan, and I do not deserve praise."
"You're too humble!" Li Shimin's smile did not fade. "If you don't mind, please come in with me, and I will introduce you to Artisan Shi."
"I would love to!"
Even though Happy did not want to be involved with Li Shimin too much, when he heard him mention Artisan Shi, he was instantly tempted, and he wrapped his fist in his palm to agree to it.
Due to the commotion outside, the feast in the boat seemed to have come to a brief halt.
When Li Shimin brought Happy into the front hall, more than one hundred gazes filled with various emotions gathered on his face.
There were some who were shocked, some who were puzzled, some were delighted and gratified, some surprised and bewildered, and there were also some who were contemplative.
Most of those who were shocked were amazed by the display of Happy's strength.
They knew very clearly that a lot of qi was required to fly over the river, along with a great understanding of body movement and lightness skills.
At the very least, the power of those at the peak of Inaction Realm was required to break through the encirclement of the elites guarding the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boats.
But Happy, a normal teenager, had easily cleared the guards situated in two boats, so it was no wonder why Li Shimin had rushed out of the hall to welcome him.
"Murong Clan's Gusu's Blue-robed Hero, I've heard of your name for a long time."
Quite a number of imperial court and righteous path elites greeted Happy from their seats.
The players who had been brought by their seniors felt as if they were sitting on pi
ns and needles.
To normal martial artists, Happy was only a very famous Murong Clan disciple and a young outstanding hero of the current generation, but to the players, he was a competitor.
More importantly though, Happy was not just the widely accepted strongest player in the game, but also the only player who had reached Moksha Realm. If that wasn't enough, he was also one of the leaders of the strongest player sect, Mu Clan.
Happy's arrival put great pressure on them, and he became a large variable in their quests.
"Come, Happy, allow me to introduce you to another young and outstanding hero in the world of martial artists, Xu Zhiling!
"Zhiling!"
Li Shimin cordially walked in front of Happy and let him in front of a man in green robes. He looked rather gentle and bashful, but there was a clear heroic presence shining in his eyes. When he heard his name being mentioned, he stood up stiffly.
"I am Xu Zhiling. I've heard of your name for a long time."
"I have also heard of your names for a long time, Brother Zhiling, Brother Kuo Zhong. Today, it is an honor for me to be able to meet you."
Happy's sincere tone and earnest actions shocked Li Shimin slightly.
Xu Zhiling's face turned red. "You praise me too much."
"Since you've struck such a cord with each other, why don't I move some seats over here so that we can drink together at one table?" Li Shimin suggested.
"I'll show my respect by accepting your offer."
Naturally, it was a wish come true for Happy.
If he could speak to Xu Zhiling, he might have the chance to see Shi Qingxuan's real face, and it was exactly what Happy wanted.
However, a man who had been standing cautiously behind Xu Zhiling smiled in anguish when he heard Happy's reply and found Xu Zhiling agreeing to the suggestion.
But something even more tragic followed immediately after. When Xu Zhiling and Li Shimin ordered him, he had to put on a bold front and run off to bring the seats over.
Chapter 693 - Attack, Clash
There was one condition that made Happy incredibly happy.
Since there was no way to determine time, the quests in the game never wasted it. Even though they could not be considered too straightforward, they often gave the player the chance to go straight to the point during chats with the NPCs.
After the trio drank some wine, Li Shimin opened the conversation and told Happy that Shi Qingxuan and Xu Zhiling shared a rather special relationship, and in a short while, Artisan Shi would definitely come over to meet them for a brief moment.
Xu Zhiling's handsome face was completely red.
"Brother Shimin, you're teasing me. Qingxuan and I are just normal friends. Brother Happy, you mustn't misunderstand."
"A misunderstanding? Could it be that Kuo Zhong's relationship with my younger sister is also a misunderstanding?" Li Shimin calmly pointed at Kuo Zhong while he drank wine with his head lowered and a smile on his face.
Happy did not disappoint Li Shimin. He raised his head to survey the area around him.
"By the way, Brother Zhiling, I've heard of the great name of Yangzhou's Twin Dragons since a long time ago. They say that you are very close to each other, so I wonder if Brother Kuo Zhong is also on the boat."
He did not reveal his thoughts at all through his words, but a hint of wariness appeared on Xu Zhiling's face.
"He has certain matters to attend to, and he can't leave for the time being." People who were not used to lying had a lot of tells when they lied.
"Is that so? That's a real pity," Happy said. "Next time, when there is a chance, you will definitely have to introduce us, Brother Zhiling."
"Of course!" Li Shimin could not hold back anymore. He did not wish for Happy to meet with Kuo Zhong, so he immediately laughed and interrupted the conversation. "You'll have plenty of chances to meet Kuo Zhong. Happy, do you recognize the warriors sitting here?"
"Not really."
"Let me introduce you to them. To the west is Empress Yin and her beloved disciple, Wan Wan. Brother Happy, you mustn't be charmed by her adorable appearance. That one's a witch, and she's even harder to deal with than Empress Yin."
Even though Li Shimin had lowered her voice, he clearly underestimated Wan Wan and Empress Yin's strength.
Empress Yin's expression darkened. She looked down, dipped her finger into the wine cup, swirled the liquid, and flicked her finger.
Whoosh!
The old butler who had been standing behind Li Shimin coughed in a seemingly unbothered manner, and the liquid that shot through the air instantly lost its might.
But even though he managed to fend off Empress Yin, he did not notice that Wan Wan had also attacked. A thin hair shot toward Li Shimin.
No one knew whether the old butler intentionally missed it or truly did not notice it, but he did not do anything to block the attack.
Happy sighed helplessly in his heart.
Even though he did not want to get mixed up in the mess, since Xu Zhiling did not seem to have noticed Wan Wan's actions, he had no choice. He curled a finger of the hand hidden under the table and sent an invisible gust of finger-generated wind.
The thin hair was instantly crushed in the air.
"Empress Yin!"
The proceedings had caught quite a number of people's attention. The generals not too far away took hold of their swords and stood up. They glared at Empress Yin's table and looked ready to attack her with one word from Li Shimin.
"Young Master Li, next time, don't gossip about others behind their backs."
Empress Yin was completely unbothered by her failed attack. She cast a faint glance at the old butler, whose expression was rather unpleasant, and spoke in a nonchalant and dismissive voice. Her words were calm and did not contain any anger. "Consider this a warning."
"Uncle Li, are you alright?"
Li Shimin's face was full of worry. There was no way he could not tell that the old butler had suffered a little from the duel just now, and he was slightly apprehensive in his heart.
"I'm fine." A faint blotch of red rose on the old butler's face. He shook his head slowly, but the wrinkles on his face became even deeper.
They were both Myth Realm martial artists, but Empress Yin was clearly stronger!
"Thank you for helping me just now, my young friend."
"It's what I should do."
Happy's answer displeased the Witch Wan Wan.
"Are the people from the Murong Clan also interested in Eunuch Yang's Warehouse, or have you already become the Li Family's lapdogs? You helped Shi Feixuan earlier, and now you're helping Li Shimin. Do you really intend to go up against me and be enemies with the holy order?"
"Since ancient times, those of the righteous path and evil path have never mixed well. I do not have any intention to help either side, but when I see injustice, I will definitely help the oppressed. This is simply a duty that the people of my generation have and that I cannot cast aside."
Happy spoke in a neither arrogant nor humble tone.
"Haha! Help those being oppressed when you see them? Well said! Brother Happy, you are indeed a straightforward person."
Li Shimin's affection toward Happy increased by leaps and bounds.
There was also a smile on Xu Zhiling's face.
Happy's words did not show any flattery nor bias toward Li Shimin, and he did not reveal any ambitious d.e.s.i.r.es either. It was in accordance to how he usually conducted himself.
"I, Zhiling, toast to you."
"So, the one who helped Miss Shi during the day was you? Brother Happy, I will also toast to you." Li Shimin's eyes lit up.
'I didn't come here to drink.'
But Happy soon sensed a cold gaze on his face.
"Young Master Happy." An elegant fragrance drifted into his nostrils, and Shi Feixuan came over to the trio in a snow-white robe.
At that moment, it seemed like Happy's table had become the center of attention of the entire p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e boat. Everyon
e's eyes were trained on their side.
Each faction of power paid attention to them.
"Miss Shi, it's you."
"I have been incredibly thankful for you saving us from the encirclement during the day in Yangzhou City. Allow me to use this cup of tea as wine and toast to you."
"Miss Shi, you praise me too much. My generation is full of chivalrous people, and when we see evil cultists harming those who share the same path as us, we help them. I was just there at the right time."
When Happy said those words, he noticed that Xu Zhiling's gaze on him had become a little abnormal.
"Brother Happy, I will toast to you again." There was gratitude and determination under his bashful expression.
"I really don't deserve this." Happy threw his head back and finished his wine in one gulp.
He drank a few cups of strong wine in succession, and his insides began burning up, but Nine Yang Divine Skill soon got rid of quite a lot of the drunkenness in him and expelled it from his body, which was why Happy could remain energetic.
"How is Master Qing Yuan, and how is Brother Xibai?"
"Master Qing Yuan was wounded heavily and has already passed away. Xibai's injuries were lighter, and Young Master Li's subordinate is taking care of him. He is already fine."
Shi Feixuan's expression was slightly bleak.
Happy heaved a long sigh. "If I had acted sooner, perhaps I could have saved Master Qing Yuan…"
"Young Master Happy, you do not need to blame yourself. Master Qing Yuan mentioned before he died that he wanted me to thank you. He is already resting in peace. It's just a pity…" She stopped talking for a moment and quickly cast a glance at Xu Zhiling. There was regret in her voice. "It's a pity that I didn't manage to protect the key in the end."
"Immortal Shi, I am to blame for being careless." Li Shimin's face was full of anguish. "I believed in others too readily, which was why I was set up and lost the key."
When Happy heard that, he frowned slightly in shock. 'I didn't expect that she would lose the key in the end and it will not go to Li Shimin. Judging by Shi Feixuan's expression, could it be that the key is really in Kuo Zhong's hands?'
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