Chapter 784: Are There No Normal People in This Alley?

"Where do you live, Mister?"

"Qingshan City."

"Oh..."

"That seems a bit far," Fang Miao said after a moment's thought. "I don't know if you'll be able to make it back before dark."

"That shouldn't be an issue for This Chen," Chen Changsheng said.

Fang Miao caught herself. "True."

After all, Mister knew Immortal Arts. Perhaps he could return in the blink of an eye.

Fang Miao thought about it a little more. "In that case, it's still quite early. Why don't I treat you to a meal, Mister?"

Chen Changsheng glanced at her. "Let us make it another day. I may have a guest coming to look for This Chen shortly."

"Is that so..."

Fang Miao paused. She opened her mouth again. "Then where do you live in Qingshan City, Mister? Which alley?"

"Chuanfeng Alley. Go inside, turn right, and it's the house at the very end," Chen Changsheng said. "You can come visit when you have the time."

"All right."

Fang Miao smiled. "Then I will come find you another day, Mister."

"Mhm."

Chen Changsheng nodded, bidding her farewell. "Then I'll take my leave."

"Mhm."

Fang Miao watched Mister leave. In that green robe, he possessed the same easygoing air she remembered from Water's End City.

She pursed her lips. She felt that Mister was a very good person.

But she felt he was somewhat out of her league.

She couldn't help but wonder if her standards had simply gotten too high. Truthfully, ever since she began walking the jianghu, she had met quite a few men who caught her eye, but she always felt they were lacking something. Perhaps...

Perhaps it was because that breathtaking glimpse of Mister saving her all those years ago had made him impossible to forget. She always found herself subconsciously comparing others to him.

Sigh...

Fang Miao found it quite a headache.

But thinking it over carefully, it wasn't all that bad.

Either she wouldn't marry at all, or she would marry the man she had always held in her heart.

The sons and daughters of the jianghu never settled.

.

.

In the morning, Prince Wei had said he would send someone to fetch the portrait.

But as night fell, he decided to go in person instead.

This time, he didn't bring any guards. He came to Chuanfeng Alley all by himself.

"Well, well."

The moment Prince Wei entered the alley, a slightly mocking voice drifted over.

"If it isn't Prince Wei."

Sitting by his doorway weaving straw sandals, Ouyang Feng looked at Prince Wei with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Prince Wei cast a glance at him, stepping forward to ask, "Does a man with your skills really need to weave straw sandals here for fun?"

Ouyang Feng shot him a look. "You're a prince, so what would you know about the cost of rice and oil? This old man has to earn every single penny by his own two hands. How could I ever compare to you?"

"That is the work of commoners," Prince Wei said. "You were able to slaughter a dozen of my guards single-handedly, and now you want to say something like that?"

"This old man left the jianghu a long time ago," Ouyang Feng said with a laugh.

Prince Wei stared at him. "That is truly a pity. How about this: you come work for me, and I will guarantee you a life of wealth and splendor."

Ouyang Feng merely gave him a flat look. "You?"

Prince Wei paused, shaking his head. "Not a single person in this alley has an ounce of respect for me. It is genuinely baffling."

Ouyang Feng chuckled. "You aren't wrong there."

Prince Wei took a step forward and sat down on the threshold.

"I'm serious. I really do want to recruit you."

"Not interested."

Ouyang Feng waved his hand. "Too restricting. You never end up with a good fate working under someone else."

"What about Chen Changsheng?"

"I owe him. He saved my life."

"I could save your life too."

Ouyang Feng paused and looked at the prince. "Do you know about the Fiend Blood Path?"

Prince Wei replied, "The most chaotic place in the jianghu?"

"Exactly."

This so-called Fiend Blood Path was, in truth, a completely lawless domain.

In the past, it was a Black Market exclusively for those of the jianghu. Because it sat squarely on the borders of several prefectures, making it exceedingly difficult to govern, it became famous.

Later, the Rebellion of the Seven Kings turned it into a truly ungoverned territory.

Such a lawless land became a haven for those of the jianghu and various outlaws. Almost no faction dared to lay a finger on it.

Back when Prince Jin destroyed Prince Xiao, his army had stopped right outside the Fiend Blood Path. It wasn't because he couldn't defeat them, but because it simply wasn't worth the cost. Fighting them would have been tantamount to killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of his own men.

Ouyang Feng nodded. "If you can conquer that place, I will follow you."

Prince Wei blanked for a moment upon hearing this, but then he laughed. "Is that a promise?"

"You actually dare to accept."

Ouyang Feng said, "Let me put it this way. You would need three more princes just like you, attacking from three different sides, just to have a chance of taking it down. Stop having these pipe dreams in broad daylight."

"You aren't scared, are you?" Prince Wei challenged.

Ouyang Feng waved him off. "Don't try to goad me. Anyway, I won't work for you. I have a perfectly good life here, and I have no desire to wade into muddy waters."

Prince Wei smacked his lips. "Does this Fiend Blood Path have some connection to you?"

Ouyang Feng paused, then shook his head. "No relation..."

"Is that so..."

Prince Wei clearly didn't believe him.

But in truth, Ouyang Feng's connection to the Fiend Blood Path was deep indeed.

Back when it was still just a Black Market, he had built it up single-handedly to fund the majority of his faction's expenses. It had only recently changed owners.

Years ago, that was also the very place where he had acquired the Nine Yin Manual. Everything had started there. It was a distant memory now, and one he felt more than a little nostalgic for.

Prince Wei said, "Well, you already said the words, and there is no taking them back. But I am a magnanimous man, so I'll take a step back. If I truly do conquer the Fiend Blood Path one day, you will owe me a favor and must do one thing for me. How about that?"

Ouyang Feng didn't answer. He simply lowered his head and continued weaving his straw sandals.

Prince Wei grinned. "Then it's settled."

"Who promised you that?"

Prince Wei stood up and dusted himself off. Ignoring Ouyang Feng's protest, he walked toward Chen Changsheng's courtyard.

Ouyang Feng cast a glance at him and shook his head, paying it no further mind.

He merely treated it as a joke spoken in passing.

Prince Wei arrived at the gate of Chen Changsheng's courtyard and reached out to knock.

But there was no response from within.

Then he suddenly heard approaching footsteps.

Chen Changsheng's voice drifted in from outside the alley.

"Weaving straw sandals?"

Ouyang Feng looked up and smiled with a nod. "I'll take them to the street to sell another day, earn myself a bowl of noodles."

"That sounds nice," Chen Changsheng said with a smile.

Ouyang Feng pointed out, "Someone is here for you."

Chen Changsheng turned to look and saw Prince Wei waiting for him at the door.

Prince Wei looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "You've returned at a good time."

"A good time indeed," Chen Changsheng replied.

Chen Changsheng stepped forward and unlocked the gate, with Prince Wei following him into the courtyard.

Seeing him simply take a seat, Prince Wei couldn't help but complain, "I am the Prince of Wei, after all. Aren't you going to serve me a cup of tea to entertain your guest?"

"You'd be better off opening the door and drinking the northwest wind."

Prince Wei felt he had truly never suffered such indignity. In all his years, everyone he'd met had given him at least some measure of respect, if not outright reverence.

But ever since he came to Chuanfeng Alley, there hadn't been a single time he hadn't been thoroughly deflated.

"Sooner or later, I'll burn this Chuanfeng Alley of yours to the ground."

Chen Changsheng blinked. "What does this have to do with Chuanfeng Alley?"

"I have never suffered such indignity."

Chen Changsheng chuckled at that. "Burn it, then. Do it if you have the guts. But if you dare burn this alley, This Chen will be burning grave paper for you next time."

Prince Wei paused slightly, shooting him a glare. "You'd actually dare to kill me?"

"Take a guess."

"I wasn't raised to scare easily."

"Uh-huh, right, right."

"You're looking down on me."

"Oh, is it that obvious?"

"..."

Prince Wei was utterly exasperated. Having lost all face, he felt more than a little disgruntled.

"I really can't be bothered to argue with you..."

Prince Wei sighed, then turned his gaze back to Chen Changsheng. "Give me the portrait, and I'll leave at once."

Chen Changsheng glanced at him. "Is this the attitude Prince Wei takes when asking for a favor?"

Prince Wei froze at those words.

He stared at Chen Changsheng in pure disbelief.

"You...!"

"You promised to give it to me earlier today," Prince Wei sputtered.

"Did I?" Chen Changsheng asked.

"You're going back on your word? You're going back on your word!"

"You, you, you..."

Pointing a trembling finger at Chen Changsheng, Prince Wei suddenly came to a realization.

This man was just like him—an utterly shameless rogue.

What was he supposed to do now?

He had no fear of dealing with reasonable people, but against someone this unreasonable, he was genuinely at a loss.

Chen Changsheng let out a long sigh. "This Chen's neck is feeling a bit stiff..."

Prince Wei blinked, his finger still aimed at Chen Changsheng. "What is that supposed to mean? What do you mean by that?"

"There's no need to repeat everything twice," Chen Changsheng said. "This Chen hears you perfectly well."

"You want me to massage your shoulders?!"

"This Chen never said that."

Yet in the next breath, Chen Changsheng inhaled sharply. "Haa... my mouth is a bit dry, too. A cup of tea would be nice..."

Prince Wei's eyes widened in outrage, his finger shaking. "I have never met anyone as brazen and shameless as you!"

"Ah!"

Chen Changsheng sighed again. "This Chen's legs are aching... oh, and my stomach is feeling a little empty too. Whatever shall I do?"

Prince Wei trembled with rage. "I... I..."

"Sigh." Chen Changsheng shook his head. "Aching all over... It seems I'm truly unwell. Perhaps Prince Wei should come back another day. Once This Chen is feeling a bit better..."

"You son of a bitch..."

"Prince Wei, such language is hardly becoming of a gentleman."

"You act this shamelessly, yet you dare lecture me about being a gentleman?"

"Oh, now my head is starting to ache too..."

"You..."

Prince Wei gritted his teeth. After a brief moment of hesitation, he finally bowed to reality.

With a sharp flick of his sleeves, he stormed forward.

He reached out and planted his hands firmly on Chen Changsheng's shoulders.

"Ah..."

Chen Changsheng let out a sigh of deep satisfaction. "Much better."

Prince Wei held his breath, stifling his temper for the moment.

"And the tea? Where is the tea? This Chen needs some tea to soothe his throat."

"Right! A! Way!"

Prince Wei gritted his teeth, forcing the words out one agonizing syllable at a time.

"Judging by your tone, Prince Wei," Chen Changsheng noted, "it sounds like you aren't very willing."

"I! Am!"

Today, Prince Wei was exceedingly "willing."

...

When night fell, Prince Wei finally walked out of Chen Changsheng's courtyard, gripping the Painted Scroll in his hands.

He took a deep, steadying breath.

He lifted his gaze to the bright moon overhead.

As luck would have it, a stray cloud drifted over at that exact moment, obscuring half the moon.

Prince Wei cursed, violently kicking the small stone by the gate into the distance.

Even the moon was against him today.

What was the point of it all? He simply couldn't live like this anymore.

Right in the midst of his fuming, he noticed the courtyard door across the street crack open.

Creak...

Yu Hongjin poked her head out, glancing left and right.

The sight of Prince Wei nearly scared her half to death.

"You scared the life out of me..."

Yu Hongjin patted her chest to soothe her racing heart. Stepping forward, she demanded, "What are you doing out here in the middle of the night? Why are you lurking by my door to scare me?"

Prince Wei blinked in disbelief. "I was lurking to scare you?"

Yu Hongjin peered closer at him. "Huh. You look a bit familiar."

"Oh!!"

A light of recognition dawned in Yu Hongjin's eyes. "Aren't you that... that prince guy?"

Prince Wei cleared his throat. "Indeed I am."

"Do you have any silver taels on you?"

"Hmm?"

"Lend me some! Just a little."

"Lend... you some?" Prince Wei was taken aback by her sheer audacity.

Yu Hongjin blinked at him. "What? Are you broke? You don't even have any money, yet you dare to lurk outside people's doors pretending to be a ghost and scaring them?"

"What did you just say?!"

But the moment the words left Prince Wei's mouth, he regretted them.

'Damn it...'

'This girl came out of that particular courtyard.'

'She's Miss Yun's younger sister, isn't she...'

'It seems I can't afford to offend her, either...'

Forced to swallow his pride yet again, Prince Wei asked, "How much do you need?"

Yu Hongjin fluttered her eyelashes. "How much do you have?"

Prince Wei fished out his money pouch and peered inside.

"Just lend it all to me."

"Can you even spend that much?"

"Easily."

Though it physically pained him, Prince Wei handed the money pouch over to Yu Hongjin.

Yu Hongjin looked pleasantly surprised. She hadn't expected him to be so straightforward about it.

'He must be a little slow in the head,' she reasoned.

'He actually handed it over.'

"You're a good man."

Tossing those words behind her, Yu Hongjin skipped off toward the main street.

She clearly had no desire to waste any more words on Prince Wei.

Most likely, it was because Sister Yun had taught her never to play with fools.

Prince Wei had noticed the odd look she gave him. Frowning, he couldn't shake the feeling that Yu Hongjin had been looking at him like he was an absolute idiot—but he had no proof.

He could only attribute it all to the blunt innocence of a child.

How utterly classic.

With another heavy sigh, Prince Wei resumed his trudge toward the exit of the alley.

"Yo."

A voice drifted down from above.

Prince Wei turned his head, only to see Ouyang Feng sitting lazily on a rooftop pavilion, tipping a wine pot into his mouth.

"Climbing that high in the middle of the night just to drink," Prince Wei snorted. "Aren't you afraid you'll fall to your death?"

Ouyang Feng chuckled. "I suppose I don't have Prince Wei's thick skin and heavy flesh to cushion the blow."

Prince Wei stood in stunned silence for a moment before finally speaking.

"Are there absolutely no normal people in this Chuanfeng Alley of yours?"

"Can't you show me even a shred of respect? I am a prince, for heaven's sake!"

Ouyang Feng just laughed. "Sure, sure, sure. Next time, absolutely."

Prince Wei let out a cold snort and snapped his sleeves.

"Want a sip?" Ouyang Feng offered.

"I'm not drinking!"

Boiling with anger, Prince Wei didn't pause for another second. He stormed toward the exit, absolutely refusing to spend another moment in this cursed place.

Yet as he finally stepped out of the alley, he couldn't help but cast a glance back over his shoulder.

Looking down at the Painted Scroll in his hand, he let out a long, weary sigh.

He swore to himself that, sooner or later, he was going to burn this alley to the ground.