217: Chapter 97 Congratulatory Gift

A ferry Market Town along the East Sea coast.

Meng Li and Mu Nianci, feeling somewhat tired after their long journey, found an Inn with the intention of resting briefly before taking a boat to Peach Blossom Island the next day.

After settling in, the two planned to rent a boat.

However, just as they reached the doorway, they were stopped by a messenger.

"Excuse me, are you Young Hero Meng Li?"

Meng Li glanced at the person, realizing he didn't recognize him, but still answered truthfully, "That's right, I am Meng Li."

The messenger nodded, then looked towards Mu Nianci, "And this lady is?"

Meng Li replied, "My wife, Mu Nianci."

The messenger immediately said, "Then it is correct. I am a courier here. A few days ago, I received an urgent letter from Shanyin County addressed to you both."

With that, he pulled a letter from his robes and handed it to Meng Li.

Meng Li took it and glanced over it, recognizing the handwriting on the envelope as Madam Quan's, instantly knowing the matter was likely genuine. He then said to the courier, "Thank you for your trouble."

"It is my duty, Young Hero, no need for pleasantries. The letter has been delivered, I shall take my leave."

"Travel safely."

After the courier left, Meng Li inspected the letter slightly, confirmed the envelope had not been opened, then walked to a nearby spot to sit down, opened the envelope, and read the contents.

When he finished reading the letter, his expression instantly darkened.

Seeing this, Mu Nianci quickly asked, "Who wrote the letter, and what does it say?"

Meng Li said, "The letter is from Mother. She says that the day after we left, Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Ke suddenly showed up, trying to hold her hostage to extort a book from me."

"The Nine Yin Manual?" Mu Nianci guessed suspiciously.

Meng Li nodded, "It should be."

"How is Mother now?" Mu Nianci asked with concern.

Meng Li replied, "She is fine. Mother's Martial Arts skill is not below Ouyang Feng's, and moreover, Uncle was at the residence at the time. Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Ke were driven back. Afterward, Mother asked the yamen staff for help in searching, forcing them to leave Shanyin County."

"That is good."

Mu Nianci breathed a sigh of relief, then became indignant, "The rules of the Jianghu state that family members should not be involved in conflict."

"For them to try and harm Mother, they are too shameless!"

Meng Li remained silent, a cold glint surging in his eyes.

He had some understanding of Ouyang Feng's character.

The reason he hadn't made a move against him before was simple—it didn't concern him!

Although he was sometimes called Young Hero, he only took it as politeness and had no intention of becoming a righteous hero who punishes evil.

There were countless bad and wicked people in the world; they could never all be eliminated or killed.

Even in the peaceful era of his first life, this was the case, let alone in the unstable world of Wuxia.

Therefore, even if someone was a great villain, as long as they didn't provoke him, Meng Li generally wouldn't seek to kill them outright.

If possible, he preferred to solve problems in a relatively peaceful manner.

For example, Mei Chaofeng and Ouyang Ke back then.

But now, Ouyang Feng and his son had sealed their own doom!

However...

"Ouyang Feng is hypocritical and evil, and Ouyang Ke is no good person either. The concept of 'face' is optional for them," Meng Li said a couple of sentences following Mu Nianci's words, then continued, "This matter is not over; I will settle the score with them sooner or later."

"It's just that their whereabouts are currently unknown, and Guo Jing and Huang Rong's wedding date is approaching, so we can't easily break away for the time being."

Saying this, he pondered for a moment, then continued, "Let's first go to Peach Blossom Island for the wedding, and then have Senior Hong contact the Beggars Sect Disciples to help keep an eye out for Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Ke's movements."

"Good."

...

A few days later, Meng Li and Mu Nianci arrived at Peach Blossom Island.

As soon as they reached the ferry crossing, Guo Jing and Huang Rong, having received prior notice, came to greet them.

After a brief greeting, the group entered the island together.

Soon after, Meng Li and Mu Nianci saw a large group of acquaintances.

Medicine Master Huang, Li Ping, Lu Chengfeng, Lu Guanying, Silly Aunt, Hong Qi, Old Imp, Yang Tiexin, Bao Xiruo, Yang Kang, Li Mochou, and the Jiangnan Six Monsters.

Among them, Meng Li was somewhat surprised by the arrival of Lu Chengfeng, Lu Guanying, and Silly Aunt. Later, after inquiring, he learned that the last time at Guiyun Village, because Huang Rong spoke up for him, Medicine Master Huang had taken Lu Chengfeng back into his sect.

Now that Huang Rong, the Junior Sister, was getting married, Lu Chengfeng, the Senior Brother, naturally had to come.

Lu Guanying was permitted by Medicine Master Huang to study the Peach Blossom Island Martial Arts, thus counting as a member of Peach Blossom Island, so he followed along.

Silly Aunt did the same.

Medicine Master Huang learned of her situation from Lu Chengfeng, and out of guilt towards Qu Lingfeng, not only allowed Lu Chengfeng to bring Silly Aunt along but also decided to let her stay on Peach Blossom Island.

After some casual chatting, Meng Li took out a book and handed it to Guo Jing, "A wedding gift for you."

Guo Jing took it and exclaimed softly, "The Records of Yue Fei's Military Achievements?"

"Correct," Meng Li nodded, then explained, "After you get married, you will often live on Peach Blossom Island and won't worry about food or drink. In terms of Martial Arts, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms suits you extremely well and is enough for you. Learning too many others might lead to abandoning the fundamental for the trivial."

"So, after thinking it over, I felt this book was the most suitable as a wedding gift."

"This records Yue Fei's memorials, inscriptions, letters, and poems from his lifetime."

"Really?!" Guo Jing's expression lit up with joy. He quickly flipped it open and began reading aloud, "Since the Central Plains were ravaged by turmoil and invaded by the barbarians, I was roused in Hexi, starting from Xiangtai, commanding troops from the beginning, fighting over two hundred battles. Although I have not been able to penetrate deep into the barbaric lands and wipe out their lairs, I have at least avenged a fraction of the nation's shame."

"Now I have led a lone army, rallied forces in Yixing and Jiankang, and crushed the barbarians in one battle. I regret not being able to ensure not a single horseman returned!"

"Therefore, I am currently resting the troops and recuperating the soldiers, storing up strength to await the enemy. Soon I shall inspire the soldiers, aiming for another battle, crossing the desert to the north, treading on the blood of the barbarian court, slaughtering all the Yi tribes, welcoming the two Emperors back to the capital, reclaiming the old territories, ensuring the imperial court is free of worry, and the Emperor can rest peacefully—this is my wish."

"Hexi, inscribed by Yue Fei."

After reading this short inscription aloud, Yang Tiexin, the Jiangnan Six Monsters, Hong Qi, and Medicine Master Huang nearby were attracted by the attention and all cast their gazes over.

Medicine Master Huang spoke, "This is Yue Fei's 'Pledge of the Five Sacred Mountains Alliance'."

Immediately afterward, he extended his hand to Guo Jing, "Let me see the book in your hand."

Guo Jing handed the book over without hesitation.

Medicine Master Huang flipped through a few pages, becoming more delighted the more he read, and said, "Lend this book to me to copy a version, and I will return it to you after I'm done."

"Okay."

Guo Jing agreed without hesitation.

Huang Rong, accompanied by Mu Nianci and Li Mochou, had just finished trying on her wedding dress and came over, only hearing the tail end of the conversation. She asked curiously, "Father, what book is it? It actually made you say the word 'borrow' to Brother Jing."

Medicine Master Huang glanced at her but didn't reply.

Guo Jing truthfully explained, "It's the wedding gift Brother Meng gave me, called the 'Records of Yue Fei's Military Achievements.' It records General Yue's memorials, inscriptions, letters, and poems from his lifetime."

Only then did Huang Rong realize. Medicine Master Huang's temperament was aloof, and the people in the world he respected were few; Yue Fei was one of them.

She remembered he often said he regretted not being born decades earlier to meet Yue Fei in person.

Now that he saw a book recording his idol's life, his reaction was understandable.

Just then, sounds of fighting drifted in from outside...