122: Chapter 120: Ripples Stir, The Silent Cold Moon 122: Chapter 120: Ripples Stir, The Silent Cold Moon Originally, Yue Hongling did not want to see Zhao Changhe embarrass himself, nor did she want to watch how he pursued.

What’s there to see in that?

Although she seemed to be sitting there silently waiting, in her heart she was incredibly anxious because she just didn’t know how to end the situation.

She always felt that if she were to stop him, Zhao Changhe would lose face.

Ever since Zhao Changhe debuted, his reputation had been a mess: if not rebellious, then bloodthirsty, if not dumped, then chased away—like a pig undaunted by boiling water, and not one or two incidents short.

But as a chivalrous woman who valued reputation and his friend, Yue Hongling truly did not want to see her friend constantly tarnish his name carelessly, becoming the butt of jokes over tea and dinner.

Since he had turned his so-called secret admiration into an open pursuit in front of everyone, then let him pursue, for it’s only right to chase after the opposite sex one fancies.

Yue Hongling, with her appearance, had encountered various open and secret pursuits during her days wandering the Worldly Society; there were not a hundred, then at least eighty.

Having one more was not strange, as long as it wasn’t a public rejection that humiliated her.

There would be nothing laughable then.

So “I originally had no objections”.

Anyway, you won’t really chase, I know how timid you actually are when it comes to these matters…

Three years later, perhaps he would rank on the Human List and then become a son-in-law of the Cui Family.

Wouldn’t this so-called scandal, in others’ eyes, come to a natural end, all resolved?

Others were stirring up trouble to see him pursue, yet he wouldn’t do it.

Isn’t that lovely?

Yet when pushed to the brink, he really did make a move…

A twenty-year-old young woman, no matter how bold or mannish, how could she completely lack imagination about her future husband?

It would be to brandish swords together, support each other, and wander the world side by side.

Unexpectedly, the reluctant words he was prodded into saying directly hit her expectations.

Yue Hongling was momentarily bewildered, and for a good while, she didn’t know how to respond, with a dumbfounded look in her eyes.

Not until she saw Zhao Changhe’s expression change from one with eyes closed and red cheeks to one of surprise and eyes wide open did Yue Hongling suddenly realize what was happening.

She looked around at the circle of people, whose drinks were paused in their hands, forgotten as they held their breath—each looking every bit like a bunch of stunned birds.

Then Yue Hongling suddenly burst out laughing, “It’s quite good, maybe one day it might really happen.”

What?

The entire audience was shocked, almost spilling their drinks.

Zhao Changhe was also shocked, almost stupefied.

But Yue Hongling spoke leisurely, “I have the confidence to rank on the Human List in the near future.

I suppose there aren’t many who would question this?”

Everyone said, “Miss Yue should be of Human List strength already.”

Yue Hongling shook her head, “I need a bit more tempering…

The reason Chi Li has not truly challenged the Grandmasters of the Human List, is also because he feels something lacking, although he might be able to barely make it on the list.

What he wants is a satisfying and decisive victory, to ascend the list in the most dazzling manner, and perhaps his target isn’t the bottom…”

Tang Buqi was startled, “How do you know?”

Yue Hongling said coolly, “Because I do too.”

Tang Buqi: “…”

Wan Dongliu said, “So a year or two more, no big problem?

Hiss…

Miss Yue is only twenty this year!”

“I set a goal of two years for myself,” Yue Hongling said, her eyes inadvertently filled with a bit of defiance—her goal was Xia Longyuan’s age, and to enter the list directly before, or even higher than, the seventieth rank, rather than clinging to the seventy-second rank by a thread.

The heroes of Worldly Society do not respect the Emperor; they have no notions of overstepping bounds, but they have great respect for Xia Longyuan’s martial arts achievements and hope to be similar to him, or even surpass him.

Xuan Chong sighed, “Two years, twenty-two, good ambition.

I am already twenty-two this year…

having achieved nothing, nothing at all.”

Wan Dongliu looked at him sideways, “I am twenty-three, ranked much lower than Brother Dao, so are you laughing at me?”

Xuan Chong, raising his cup in apology, said with a laugh: “I misspoke, we do not judge heroes by their rankings.”

“It’s not that…” Tang Buqi wondered, “Weren’t we talking about Miss Yue and Brother Zhao’s topic just now, how did we suddenly switch to this?”

Zhao Changhe, who had been playing dead the whole time, thought to himself, rotten nephew, I’ll remember this.

It was hard enough to shift the embarrassment away, and you’re looking for trouble, right?

But Yue Hongling did not see it as disobedience, and with a faint smile, she said, “This is the topic we were discussing.

Though I’ve said before, my spouse doesn’t have to be very strong…

But to brandish swords and join hands, he can’t be much weaker than me, right?

Otherwise, how could we act together?”

Everyone nodded in agreement, “That’s true.”

Yue Hongling said, “If I truly rank on the Human List within two years…”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head, “Would the gap be very big?

I feel like I’d be impressive in two years as well, probably not too far behind…”

Yue Hongling glared at him, what are you doing, getting serious now?

Zhao Changhe coughed and sat down obediently.

Yue Hongling snorted softly, “I do believe Brother Zhao will make rapid progress, maybe even becoming stronger than Hongling in the future…

But if Brother Zhao isn’t far from the Human List in two years as well, then what exactly do you want to pursue?

Hongling, or to push further, rank on the Human List and chase after Cui Yuanyang?”

Grass?

Zhao Changhe was once again stupefied.

“You took a detour and actually waited here?”

Yue Hongling said expressionlessly, “Therefore, Brother Zhao, please go back.

Think it over and then tell me.”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Is being a Chaotic Scene a natural talent for women?

You were clearly just looking for an excuse, yet it was so precise, as impenetrable as her sword.

He glanced around, seeing a crowd whose faces all showed professionally trained expressions that absolutely wouldn’t laugh, their struggle to suppress laughter was almost theatrical.

“Pfft…” Tang Buqi finally couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter, followed by pounding the table in hysterics, “Hahaha…”

Zhao Changhe glared furiously.

However, the infectious laughter proved too powerful, even Wan Dongliu and Xuan Chong couldn’t help but laugh out loud, and Zhao Changhe’s idea of punching his grandnephew had to be abandoned.

His face turned the color of a liver due to the laughter.

Yue Hongling looked at Zhao Changhe’s liver-colored face, wanting to laugh herself, but quickly thought oh no, she initially intended to prevent him from becoming the laughingstock.

Yet, what now?

Was it even funnier?

To say it wasn’t… the underlying implication seemed…like she really acknowledged that Zhao Changhe might choose her in the future…

Fortunately, these people didn’t seem like the kind who would twist words and spread rumors.

If it were some shameless people, by tomorrow, the Wordly Society might spread the tale that Yue Hongling and Cui Yuanyang were competing for a husband!

Yue Hongling bit her lower lip, her face unconsciously flushed as red as her dress, whether due to the effect of the wine or something else remained uncertain.

…

This banquet ended in jovial spirits for everyone, except for one liver-faced individual.

In reality, aside from the enjoyment of rousing each other, there wasn’t much of a banquet mood, everyone had the matter of Chi Li on their minds, pondering their thoughts.

Thus, the banquet was as brief as a quick meal and soon came to an end.

But everyone was quite satisfied; today’s melon was sweet.

Leaving the Moonlit Tower, the moon shone brightly above.

Not far ahead was the Twenty-Four Bridge Zhao Changhe had long anticipated, with the gentle flow of water beneath, ripples lightly dancing, and the silent cold moon.

Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling naturally ended up walking together, casually strolling onto the bridge.

Wan Dongliu and the others found it quite normal and not worth a second thought, each going their ways to handle their own affairs.

Wasn’t this the lady giving the man a chance to make a move, who would be so foolish as to become a third wheel at this time?

Standing together on the bridge, they gazed down at the railings, watching the fragmented reflections shimmer with the ripples, and for a long time, no one spoke, both preoccupied with their muddled thoughts.

After a while, it was Yue Hongling who broke the silence, “It was just a step.”

Zhao Changhe hummed in response, indicating his understanding.

Yue Hongling exhaled, suddenly feeling much more relaxed.

She rotated her shoulders, chuckling, “Your medicine for wounds isn’t bad, I can almost move without it affecting me.”

Cui Yuanyang’s medicine… Zhao Changhe felt that her words were still about the Chaotic Scene.

So, Bloodthirsty Asura refers to the Asura battlefield covered inch by inch in blood?

That truly hits the nail on the head.

Actually, Yue Hongling wasn’t thinking about this anymore.

She tested her shoulder injury and spoke in a low voice, “When night deepens, I plan to search for Chi Li’s trail again, perhaps at the Magistrate Mansion.

What do you think?”

It was expected, it’d be strange if Yue Hongling didn’t want to completely eliminate Chi Li herself.

Without a multitude to take him down, the only one who could kill him was likely Yue Hongling.

Previously, Tang Buqi extended an invitation, but who in the right mind would follow that fool?

Considering Yue Hongling’s injury, Chi Li’s wounds were probably not severe and maybe even lighter.

Was he seeking death…

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment and hesitantly said, “We surely can’t confront them head-on, right?

Are you planning a surprise assassination?

But my skills in stealth are not too good…”

So indeed, to roam the world together, one must have comparable cultivation.

Yue Hongling’s requirement was not incorrect.

Yue Hongling smiled, “You’re not that sort of person, no need to force yourself.

Normally, when I sneak and scout around, I’m always worried no one will be there to back me up.

Often, even when opportunities arise, I dare not act rashly, watching chances slip by.

Now, with you supporting from the outside, I can be much more at ease in my actions.”

Zhao Changhe turned to look at her profile.

Yue Hongling didn’t look back, her eyes fixed on the cold moon beneath the bridge.

Could this be considered an invitation to join hands?

He didn’t know.

Suddenly, Zhao Changhe said, “You all still respect my thrown knives; you haven’t gone too overboard.

I’ll go find a good bow.

I reckon I can do more than just provide support.”

Yue Hongling’s head tilted even more, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper, “What you do is none of my concern.”