179: Chapter 59 Hua Zheng's Letter

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Hong Qi withdrew his hand and sighed while stroking his beard, "Talents emerge in every generation; this Old Beggar truly is getting old."

Meng Li smiled and said, "Senior, you are still in your prime. Living for another few decades won't be a problem."

This was the truth, as Hong Qi lived until the era of the Divine Eagle.

Had he not encountered Ouyang Feng and exhausted his Internal Energy in a duel against him, living even longer would not have been an issue.

Hong Qi said, "Your Martial Arts are even superior to your elder brother's. This upcoming Hua Shan Sword Conference will be quite a spectacle."

Meng Li lowered his eyes in thought. The Hua Shan Sword Conference, huh...

At that moment, Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Mu Nianci, who had been watching from a distance, ran over.

"Seven Gong, which of you won?" Huang Rong asked directly.

She knew many Martial Arts, but they were varied rather than refined, and her martial knowledge was broad but not deep. Regarding the exchange between top-tier experts, she couldn't see much for now.

Meng Li and Hong Qi had stopped just at the right moment, so on the surface, it looked like a draw.

Therefore, she couldn't determine who won or lost.

Mu Nianci and Guo Jing's insight was even less than Huang Rong's, so they could see even less.

Meng Li said, "It was just a spar, no winner or loser."

Hong Qi stroked his beard and did not refute it.

Huang Rong didn't believe it but didn't press further. Instead, she changed the subject, saying, "It's almost noon. I'll go make something delicious. You guys chat."

Upon hearing "something delicious," Hong Qi's eyes lit up slightly, and he turned his head to urge Guo Jing to practice his skills.

Unexpectedly, just as Guo Jing assumed his stance, a loud cry suddenly rang out from the sky.

The four of them looked up toward the sound and saw two majestic Great White Eagles flying toward them from the distance with wings outspread.

Guo Jing was immediately pleasantly surprised and shouted, "Great White Eagles, I'm over here!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand happily.

The two Great White Eagles came at the sound. One of them loosened its talons, dropped a bamboo tube on the ground, cried out twice, circled in mid-air, and then turned to leave.

As the two eagles flew away, Guo Jing went over to pick up the bamboo tube.

At this time, Huang Rong, who had heard the commotion, ran over and asked Guo Jing, "Brother Jing, did the Great White Eagles come?"

Guo Jing nodded, opened the bamboo tube, and took out the letter inside to read.

Huang Rong leaned in to take a look. Seeing that she didn't recognize the characters on it, she couldn't help but ask Guo Jing, "What script is this? It's my first time seeing it."

Guo Jing replied while reading, "This is the language of the Great Desert."

"What does it say?" Huang Rong asked again.

Guo Jing replied, "It says Tolui has brought an army to the Central Plains to discuss an alliance with the Great Song. I'm not very clear on the specifics. Father said girls shouldn't concern themselves too much with men's affairs."

Huang Rong's expression instantly became subtle. "This letter was written by a girl?"

Guo Jing completely failed to realize the problem and said bluntly, "That's right, Hua Zheng wrote it to me."

Huang Rong: "..."

Mu Nianci glanced at Huang Rong, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Meng Li and Hong Qi glanced at Guo Jing and shook their heads in unison.

Guo Jing, entirely oblivious, continued to recount the contents of the letter in Hua Zheng's tone: "Tolui replied saying he saw Duan Tiande in the Central Plains and wants you to hurry there to meet him. This grudge can definitely be avenged."

By the end, his expression tightened slightly.

Huang Rong immediately smiled and said, "That's great! Brother Jing, once you've mastered your Martial Arts, we'll go to the Central Plains."

However, her smile was somewhat unnatural.

Guo Jing nodded and continued reading the letter, "When will you..."

Midway through, he suddenly choked up.

Huang Rong said, "What's wrong? Keep reading!"

Guo Jing stammered.

The smile on Huang Rong's face gradually faded. "Is it too profound and you don't understand?"

Guo Jing nodded, but his eyes were somewhat evasive.

Huang Rong said, "It's okay, I'll go cook first."

With that, she turned and walked toward the kitchen.

Guo Jing watched her receding figure, thinking of the contents of the letter, and was momentarily lost in thought.

Because the part he didn't say out loud was Hua Zheng expressing her longing for him and urging him to return to get married.

But...

"What are you dazing about? Hurry up and practice!" Hong Qi walked over, patted Guo Jing, and urged him aloud.

"Oh, okay."

Guo Jing snapped back to his senses, agreed, put away the letter, and went to practice as told.

Meng Li sighed and pointed toward the kitchen for Mu Nianci.

Mu Nianci understood and went to check on Huang Rong. Seeing her busy, she said, "Ronger, let me help you."

"Sure," Huang Rong agreed with a smile, then asked as if casually, "Sister Mu, do you know who that Hua Zheng is?"

Mu Nianci's movement of drawing water paused. After thinking for a moment, she said truthfully, "She is the person Brother Jing has a marriage contract with."

"Back when Brother Jing and Yang Kang were not yet born, the two families made an agreement: if the children were of the same gender, they would become sworn siblings; if they were of opposite genders, they would become husband and wife. When my foster father first reunited with Brother Jing, he didn't know about Yang Kang, so he thought about betrothing me to Brother Jing to fulfill the old agreement."

Huang Rong was startled.

She didn't know about this.

Then, Mu Nianci continued, "Fortunately, Brother Meng mentioned that Guo Jing already had a marriage contract, so my foster father changed his mind and had Brother Jing and me become sworn siblings."

Huang Rong breathed a silent sigh of relief, then noticed a key point and asked suspiciously, "Brother Meng?"

"Weren't you calling him 'Meng Li' before?"

Hearing this, Mu Nianci thought of the progress in her relationship with Meng Li. Her fair face turned slightly red as she explained, "I've already met his elder brother, so naturally, I should change how I address him."

Huang Rong thought that made sense and didn't dwell on it, as her own situation was more troublesome.

Brother Jing has a marriage contract.

Why does he have a marriage contract?

What should I do?

"Ronger, Ronger, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Huang Rong snapped back and said vaguely, "Let's start washing and cutting the vegetables."

Mu Nianci guessed it was because of the Hua Zheng matter but didn't know what to say, so she could only remain silent.

On the other side, in the woods.

Guo Jing was also absent-minded because of the Hua Zheng matter.

Hong Qi shook his head at the sight and waved his hand, "Forget it, stop practicing!"

"Your mind isn't on your practice at all. Not only is it ineffective, but if you accidentally make a mistake and hurt yourself, the loss will outweigh the gain."

"Think things through first and get your mind back."

Meng Li smiled and said, "Having food without wine isn't quite right. I'll go with him to buy some wine."

"That sounds like a plan!"

Hong Qi readily agreed, then shook his wine gourd and added, "Buy more; I'm almost out of wine here too."

"Will do."

On the way, Guo Jing couldn't make a decision after much thought, so he couldn't help but ask Meng Li for help, "Elder Brother Meng, Hua Zheng urged me in the letter to go back and marry her, but..."

"But because of Huang Rong, you're unwilling to go back and marry her, right?" Meng Li finished for him.

Guo Jing nodded and then asked in wonder, "How did you know?"

Meng Li said, "You have everything written on your face."

Guo Jing didn't mind the teasing but scratched his head, "Then what do you think I should do?"

"It's useless to ask me about this; you have to ask yourself."

"Think carefully whether you like Hua Zheng or Huang Rong. If you like both..."

"Then see which one you like more."

Actually, he wanted to say 'why not have both' afterward, but Guo Jing clearly couldn't handle such a thing, so he changed his tune.

After hearing his words, Guo Jing fell into deep thought...