32: Chapter 32: Visitors from Outside the Island

Yang Yuan finished practicing his blade work in the morning light and was just sheathing his blade when a low horn sound suddenly drifted across the sea.

The sound came from afar, long, deep, and steady.

Yang Yuan frowned.

This was not a signal from Peach Blossom Island.

He walked to the shore and looked up. A small boat appeared on the sea, sailing towards Peach Blossom Island. A person in black stood at the bow, their Face indistinguishable.

Yang Yuan gripped his blade handle tightly, but did not move.

The small boat docked, the person jumped off, and took off their bamboo hat.

He was in his early twenties, with regular features and a sharp, Jianghu air between his brows.

He cupped his hands toward Yang Yuan: "May I ask, is this brother Young Hero Yang, Yang Yuan?"

Yang Yuan's heart stirred. This person had come for him.

"I am. And you are?"

"I am Lu Youjiao, a Disciple of the Beggar Sect." The man took a letter from his bosom and handed it over with both hands. "Island Master Huang wrote to Xiangyang the other day and mentioned you. Hero Guo learned that Young Hero Yang was on Peach Blossom Island and specifically ordered me to deliver this letter."

Yang Yuan took the letter and opened it to read.

There were only three lines on the letter: "The Mongolia are making unusual movements, targeting Xiangyang. If you are willing, please come to assist. —— Guo Jing."

He finished reading the letter and remained silent for a few seconds.

For Guo Jing to personally write to invite him, this was giving him a lot of Face. But Cheng Ying had just conceived their second child, and he could not leave right now.

Lu Youjiao did not rush him, standing to the side waiting.

Yang Yuan put the letter away: "Brother Lu, you have traveled a long way. Come inside and have a cup of tea first."

Lu Youjiao waved his hand: "No rush. I still have something to say."

"What is it?"

"The Mongols have been massing troops near Xiangyang recently, and the commotion is significant." Lu Youjiao lowered his voice. "Furthermore, I heard on the road that someone discovered an Ancient Tomb ruin in the vicinity of Zhongnan Mountain, and the location of the Nine Yin Manual might be inside."

Yang Yuan's heart tightened.

Zhongnan Mountain. It was Zhongnan Mountain again.

Huang Yaoshi had said that the mysterious Qi, which originated from the same source as his, was in the Zhongnan Mountain area. Now, an Ancient Tomb ruin had appeared too.

He did not reveal his thoughts and nodded: "Many thanks for informing me, Brother Lu."

Lu Youjiao glanced at the single blade at his waist, then at the wooden stakes in the courtyard, which were covered in blade marks.

"Young Hero Yang's blade technique does not look like Central Plains style," he said. "It looks more like the Yue Maiden Sword Technique of the Ancient Tomb Sect, but modified."

Yang Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

This person had keen eyes.

He smiled: "Brother Lu has a sharp eye. Previously, when I was being hunted by Li Mochou, I accidentally entered a ruin and saw a few sword moves on a stone wall. I just fumbled through it myself."

Lu Youjiao did not press further, but took a yellowed booklet from his bosom: "This is a remnant of the 'Hunyuan Gong' I accidentally obtained on the road. If Young Hero Yang is willing to do me the honor, we could spar a few moves and make friends through martial arts."

Yang Yuan glanced at the booklet, then at Lu Youjiao.

This person hadn't just come to deliver a letter; he had come to test his depth.

He did not decline and drew his single blade: "Then I shall offend you."

The two exchanged over a dozen moves on the beach.

Lu Youjiao's martial arts were not weak; his palm technique was steady and solid. However, Yang Yuan had Nine Yang Inner Energy to support him, along with the agility of the Yue Maiden Sword Technique, and after a few moves, he forced Lu Youjiao back.

Lu Youjiao withdrew his move and cupped his hands: "Young Hero Yang has excellent martial arts. My trip was not in vain."

He shoved the 'Hunyuan Gong' remnant into Yang Yuan's hand: "It's yours. Consider it a token of friendship."

Yang Yuan accepted the booklet without declining.

Before leaving, Lu Youjiao took a bamboo token from his bosom: "If you decide to go to Xiangyang, take this bamboo token to the 'Youjian Inn' in the east of Xiangyang City, and someone will meet you there."

Yang Yuan put the bamboo token away and cupped his hands to thank him.

Lu Youjiao jumped onto the boat, and the small boat soon disappeared into the night.

Yang Yuan stood by the sea, watching the boat's shadow drift further away, calculating in his mind.

Guo Jing's letter, the Mongols massing, the Ancient Tomb ruin on Zhongnan Mountain.

One thing after another, everything was pushing him forward.

He walked back to the courtyard and put the letter and bamboo token away.

Cheng Ying walked out from the house: "Who was here?"

"Someone from the Beggar Sect, delivering a letter," Yang Yuan said. "It's nothing, nothing bad."

Cheng Ying glanced at him and did not press further.

Yang Yuan touched the bamboo token in his bosom, having made up his mind.

Xiangyang, it seemed, was a place he would have to go to sooner or later.

But not now.

At least wait until the child is born.

At night, Yang Yuan sat by the bed, still thinking about today's events.

Outside the window, the moonlight was bright, and the sound of waves lapping against the shore continued rhythmically.

He let out a soft breath, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.

Tomorrow's matters can wait until tomorrow. First, improving his current strength was the most important thing.

(End of Chapter 32)