73: Chapter 73 Visiting Relatives

"Poison King Heroes Gathering?"

"That's right," Su Ying confirmed, then asked with some puzzlement, "Young Master Meng hasn't heard of it?"

Meng Li replied, "Of course I've heard of it. The Poison King Heroes Gathering is a grand event where practitioners of the poison arts exchange skills, held once every three years. As far as I know, the preliminary matches for this session just ended not long ago. There's still quite a while before the finals begin, and the venue isn't far from here either."

"Miss Su, isn't your arrival a bit early?"

Unexpectedly, Su Ying said, "The finals for this session of the Poison King Heroes Gathering have been moved up. Didn't you know?"

"I've been traveling and enjoying the scenery all this time, so I really didn't know," Meng Li explained, then asked, "Why was it suddenly moved up?"

Su Ying shook her head. "I'm not too clear on the reason, but it's definitely true."

"Moved up to when?" Meng Li asked.

This wasn't any secret, so Su Ying replied directly, "The fifth day of next month."

"Thank you for informing me."

Meng Li expressed his thanks, chatted a couple more sentences, and then parted ways with Su Ying.

"Husband, you seem very interested in that Poison King Heroes Gathering."

After the four of them walked out of the Inn, Jiang Yuyan, recalling Meng Li's earlier conversation with Su Ying, couldn't help but ask.

Meng Li nodded. "I am indeed somewhat interested."

Actually, he was interested in the Spotted Silkworm that had appeared in the original story at the Poison King Heroes Gathering.

Hearing this, Jiang Yuyan said, "Then perhaps we should postpone the matter of going to Jiang Manor. We can wait until after you participate in the Poison King Heroes Gathering."

Meng Li waved his hand. "No need. Although I have some interest in the Poison King Heroes Gathering, I don't plan to participate. At most, I just want to join the crowd and broaden my horizons. Besides, the timing of the two matters doesn't conflict much. We can proceed as usual."

Seeing this, Jiang Yuyan said no more and began looking at the street lanterns and jewelry with Tie Xinlan and Xiao Xiao.

Meng Li stood by with a smile, watching them, but his mind was pondering the matter of the Poison King Heroes Gathering finals being moved up.

Because he suddenly remembered something. In the original story, this session of the Poison King Heroes Gathering was hosted by Little Red Leaf. Judging by how easily she could have those poison practitioners tease and play tricks on Xiao Yuer, it seemed likely that the Red Leaf Pavilion played a role similar to a sponsor.

And in this lifetime, the Red Leaf Pavilion headquarters had been burned down by Yao Yue and Lian Xing.

The advancement of the Poison King Heroes Gathering finals might be related to this.

But this was just speculation. Whether the truth was so, Meng Li couldn't determine and didn't delve deeper.

...

The next day, Meng Li and Tie Xinlan's group packed their luggage, bid farewell to Xiao Yuer, Su Ying, and Jiang Yu Feng whom they happened to run into, and then set off on their return journey.

The journey was uneventful. Two days later, the group returned to Meng Family Village.

Meng Li first learned about the recent situation of the estate from Uncle Fu who had stayed behind, then accompanied Tie Xinlan to see Tie Ruyun. He recounted the events at Mount Huang and some experiences from the road. Afterwards, he went with Jiang Yuyan to see Xiao Baiyan to discuss the matter of going to Jiang Biehe's home.

Tie Ruyun was somewhat angry about the matter of 'the tea cooling before the person even left,' but not excessively so. He had probably already been mentally prepared.

Xiao Baiyan was hesitant about going to Jiang Biehe's residence, but unable to resist the anticipation in her heart and Jiang Yuyan's persuasion, she ultimately agreed.

Thus, after resting at home for two days, Meng Li took Jiang Yuyan and Xiao Baiyan to Jiang Biehe's home.

Tie Xinlan and Xiao Xiao stayed behind at home, citing the reasons of cultivating Martial Arts and handling household affairs. In reality, it was because it was inappropriate for them to get involved in this matter.

Upon reaching the area where Jiang Biehe's mansion was located, the three of them did not go directly to the door. Instead, they found a place to stay and inquired whether Jiang Biehe was home. Confirming that Jiang Biehe was home, Jiang Yuyan and Xiao Baiyan made slight preparations and then went together to visit.

...

Jiang Manor, Jiang Biehe's study.

Jiang Biehe stared at the Liu Ren Divine Dice in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed, a look of irritation on his face.

He had possessed this legendary artifact, said to conceal a peerless martial art, for some time now. He had tried every method he could think of, yet he simply couldn't open it.

This situation of having a treasure mountain but being unable to enter was quite tormenting.

Just as he was about to attempt it again, the study door was knocked.

Jiang Biehe was startled. He hurriedly put away the Liu Ren Divine Dice, then asked, "What is it?"

The servant who knocked replied, "Master, there are two young women visiting. They say they are old acquaintances of yours and wish to see you."

"Do you wish to see them?"

Two women?

Jiang Biehe was surprised and puzzled.

Due to his legitimate wife, Madam Jiang Liu, being domineering and jealous, he had always had little involvement with other women, let alone having them come to his door.

Now, two women suddenly came asking to see him. Who could they be?

His heart full of doubt, Jiang Biehe opened the door to inquire, "Do you know their origins?"

The servant answered, "They didn't say. They only said that Master would know upon seeing this object."

As he spoke, he handed the ornament in his hand to Jiang Biehe.

Jiang Biehe took it and looked. In an instant, he was assaulted by a memory he thought long dead. His expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly asked, "Where are they now?"

The servant replied, "The main hall."

Jiang Biehe immediately wanted to go to the main hall. But after taking a few steps, as if remembering something, he turned back and instructed the servant, "I have matters to attend to here. Please escort them to the study."

"Yes."

Not long after, the servant brought the visitors to the study, closed the door, but did not return to his post. Instead, he turned and headed for the rear courtyard.

In the study, Jiang Biehe saw the visitors.

They were none other than Xiao Baiyan and Jiang Yuyan, though their appearances had been adjusted to look somewhat destitute.

The moment he saw Jiang Yuyan, Jiang Biehe felt she looked somewhat familiar, but couldn't recall where he had seen her for the moment. He didn't dwell on it.

Because at the same time, he saw Xiao Baiyan, and then was violently assaulted by that dead memory. He subconsciously called out, "Xiao Baiyan?"

Seeing that he recognized her at a glance, Xiao Baiyan immediately teared up and responded, "Biehe!"

As she spoke, she wanted to step closer to Jiang Biehe but was pulled back by Jiang Yuyan.

Only then did Jiang Biehe notice Jiang Yuyan again.

He glanced at Jiang Yuyan, vaguely guessing a certain possibility. With a mind to confirm, he asked Xiao Baiyan, "Xiao Baiyan, who is she?"

Xiao Baiyan wiped her tears and said with a smile, "She is our daughter. Her name is Yu Yan. Jiang Yuyan."

After speaking, she said to Jiang Yuyan, "Yu Yan, call him father."

Jiang Yuyan found it somewhat difficult to open her mouth.

At that moment, a mocking, arrogant voice came from outside. "Call him father? An illegitimate child cast outside is worthy?"

As soon as the words fell, Madam Jiang Liu pushed the door open and strode in, head held high.

Jiang Biehe's expression instantly changed.

Xiao Baiyan's excited expression froze.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.

Immediately after, Xiao Baiyan put on a slightly ingratiating smile. "Baiyan pays her respects to elder sister."

Madam Jiang Liu glanced at her sideways and said in a sarcastic, strange tone, "Elder sister? I am the only daughter in my family. Where would a younger sister come from?"

The smile on Xiao Baiyan's face stiffened. She instinctively looked toward Jiang Biehe.

Jiang Biehe felt awkward. Steeling himself, he explained to Madam Jiang Liu, "Xiao Baiyan and I had a past... and she bore me a daughter..."

Before he could finish, Madam Jiang Liu interrupted.

She glanced at Xiao Baiyan, her face showing disdain. "A mere singing girl? What is she worth?"

"If it weren't for my godfather valuing you back then and persuading me to tolerate it, I would have had her killed long ago."

Xiao Baiyan's heart turned cold.

Killing intent surged secretly in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.

And Madam Jiang Liu's words continued, "Jiang Biehe, you made an oath to me back then. Have you forgotten it all?"

...