115: Chapter 115 Peace and Chaos

The wind on the martial arts field blew Shangguan Wan's blue skirt and the hem of Chen Fan's clothes.

Chen Fan did not look at her; his gaze fell on a willow leaf pinned to a tree trunk by an arrow in the distance.

"The Dragon and Tiger Ranking is nothing more than a hollow title to me." His voice was calm, revealing no emotion. "On the contrary, Young Miss Shangguan surprises me even more."

He turned his head and, through his mask, met those bright eyes.

"A woman of your age with Seventh Rank cultivation... looking across the world, you are as rare as phoenix feathers."

This was not flattery, but a fact. In Luo Hengsheng's memory, women who could reach the Seventh Rank at this age were all Core Disciples from top sects, groomed to be future Sect Heads.

A faint blush appeared on Shangguan Wan's cheeks. The high regard she felt from being completely defeated was diluted by this well-timed compliment, turning into a bit of feminine reserve.

She smiled softly and lowered her eyes, her overbearing and sharp aura receding along with them.

"Brother Luo overpraises me. I only study martial arts to strengthen my body and ensure I am not bullied."

There was a hint of indescribable loneliness in her voice.

"Being born into the Shangguan Family may seem glorious, but in reality, one is not in control of their own life. These martial arts skills ultimately cannot protect me for a lifetime. When I reach the right age, I will eventually have to marry; a Family alliance is my destiny."

She looked up and smiled calmly.

"At that time, I will be supporting my husband, teaching my children, and managing household affairs. This martial cultivation will likely be completely abandoned. For me, the Martial Dao is destined to be out of reach."

These words brought a silence to the crowd at the edge of the field.

The noble youths looked at her with a bit more sympathy and understanding. Born into a great Family and enjoying immense wealth, they naturally had to bear corresponding responsibilities.

Chen Fan did not speak.

His twenty-first-century Soul made him feel that this was a tragedy. A gifted woman having to give up her pursuits because of her birth.

But the instincts of this body told him that this was the norm of this world.

How contradictory.

He thought of Shu Province, where he had seen women sell their bodies for half a biscuit. He also thought of Hong Shao and Qing Luo, who followed him and treated him as their entire world.

Was their fate any better than Shangguan Wan's?

At least Shangguan Wan did not have to worry about her next meal or drift like duckweed in a troubled world.

"Sister!"

Shangguan Yun stepped forward quickly, breaking the somewhat heavy atmosphere. He first looked at his sister with concern, then turned to Chen Fan with a beaming smile, his enthusiasm several times more intense than before.

"Brother Luo's divine skill has truly opened our eyes! Today I finally understand that there is always a heaven beyond heaven and people beyond people! Being at the top of the hero ranking list, your reputation is well-deserved indeed!"

He clapped and laughed, prompting the surrounding crowd to join in.

"Yes, yes, Master Luo's archery is simply divine!"

"I have traveled the Jianghu for many years and have never seen such terrifying control! This is no longer martial arts; it must be immortal arts!"

The fat Young Master who hadn't thought much of Chen Fan earlier was now red-faced, waving his arms excitedly as if he were the one who had fired those two earth-shattering arrows.

The tall, thin youth looked on with awe, muttering to himself, "This level of strength is beyond what an ordinary Sixth Rank can compare to. I fear he is only a step away from the Fifth Rank."

For a moment, the sounds of flattery and praise were endless.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo straightened their backs, their faces full of pride as they enjoyed the envious gazes of the crowd.

"Alright, alright!" Shangguan Yun waved his hand and said loudly, "Being able to witness Brother Luo's divine archery today has made this trip worthwhile! Talk is cheap; let's head into the mountains and hunt some game! The evening banquet will depend on everyone's skills!"

At his command, everyone responded. They picked their horses and bows and, led by servants, headed grandly toward the hunting grounds in the back mountains.

For the next half-day, Chen Fan fully experienced the decadent lifestyle of top ancient nobility.

They rode precious horses worth a thousand gold pieces, galloping freely through their own mountain forests. Specialized servants were responsible for driving the prey; all they had to do was draw their bows at the right distance.

Chen Fan did not show off his divine archery again.

He only took a shot occasionally, and each time, he fired only one arrow.

With one arrow, an unlucky wild boar or elk would fall to the ground.

He never fired a second arrow and never missed.

This crisp efficiency and his return to simplicity in archery made an expert like Shangguan Wan feel even more alarmed than his previous two shots.

At noon, the group stopped by a scenic stream in the mountains.

Servants had already laid out luxurious carpets, set up low tables, warmed fine wine, and even set up grills to clean and marinate the freshly hunted game with spices before roasting it over the fire.

The sound of sizzling oil and the rich aroma of meat filled the valley.

Chen Fan sat on a green stone by the stream, watching the noble youths talk loudly and discuss grand affairs.

They talked about the shifting winds in the capital, the division of interests in Jiangzhou, and which Family's daughter had composed new songs.

Meanwhile, the hundreds of thousands of rebels and millions of refugees in Shu Province were merely distant, inconsequential symbols in their conversation.

Chen Fan picked up his wine cup and took a sip.

The wine was good, and the scenery was beautiful.

But in his mind, the image of a child eating Guanyin clay, with a distended belly, eventually collapsing by the roadside, appeared vividly.

He also saw scenes of people exchanging children for food and the suffering of all living beings.

Separated by a single wall were two worlds: peace and troubled times.

How absurd, yet how real.

As night fell, Cuiwei Villa was brightly lit.

The banquet was held in the manor's largest hall. The game hunted during the day was prepared into various delicacies and served to the tables in a steady stream.

During the meal, Shangguan Yun frequently toasted Chen Fan, addressing him as a brother in his speech.

Shangguan Wan had also changed her clothes, no longer wearing her martial attire but a magnificent palace dress.

She did not speak much, but her clear eyes gave off a sense of nobility.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet concluded.

Shangguan Yun personally escorted Chen Fan and the two girls to an independent small building deep within the manor.

"Brother Luo, I must trouble you to rest here tonight." He pointed at the exquisite two-story pavilion and smiled. "This is the quietest place in the manor; ordinary people are not allowed to approach."

He led Chen Fan to the door of the most spacious room on the second floor and pushed it open.

"This is Brother Luo's room."

The room was elegantly furnished and fully equipped, with soothing incense burning in a beast-headed bronze burner in the corner.

He then pointed to the room next door.

"The two young ladies will stay next door. The rooms are connected; if you have any needs, Brother Luo, you can head over at any time."

After saying this, Shangguan Yun winked at Chen Fan, revealing a smile that only men understand, before taking his leave.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo's faces instantly turned bright red.

Chen Fan ignored them, walked straight into his room, and closed the door.

He walked to the window and pushed it open.

Outside was a silent courtyard, with a bright moon hanging high, casting a cold glow.

The night breeze blew in with a hint of coolness.

He stood quietly, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

After an unknown amount of time, rustling sounds came from the room next door, as if the sisters were bathing.

Then came a very low conversation, filled with shyness and tension.

"Sister... do you think... Master Luo will come over?"

"I... how should I know..."

"Then... should we... lock the door?"

A brief silence followed.

Then, Hong Shao's voice came with a hint of playful scolding.

"Lock what! You silly girl!"