111: Chapter 111 I apologize for this presumptuous invitation.

Chen Shanzhi jumped down from the carriage.

As soon as he stepped through the vermilion gates of the Murong Manor, an extremely dense Spiritual Qi rushed over him, even a few degrees purer than the Spiritual Qi in the Four Seas Academy.

Chen Shanzhi couldn't help but take a deep breath, sighing inwardly.

Truly worthy of being an old-established family whose Legacy dates back to the previous dynasty.

Just by feeling the concentration of Spiritual Qi flowing in the air, one could tell even with their toes.

Underneath the Murong Manor, there must be an extremely Advanced Spirit Gathering Array buried!

Compared to a family with such deep foundations.

His own Zhenguo Marquis Mansion, which relied entirely on his grandfather alone to earn glory for the whole family, indeed had a thinner foundation.

Just after passing the screen wall of the front courtyard.

Chen Shanzhi saw a figure rushing over from the corridor with extreme excitement, as if seeing his own father.

"Brother Chen! I missed you so much, Brother Chen!"

Murong Yun's eyes were teary as he opened his arms and went straight for an extremely forceful bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out of Chen Shanzhi.

Chen Shanzhi was a bit dazed by the boy's extremely exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Let go, let go. Two grown men hugging each other, where's the decorum?"

Chen Shanzhi pushed Murong Yun away in disgust, but when he looked up, he was instantly amused.

On Murong Yun's right eye socket was a fist-sized black eye, bruised black and blue.

In this capital, there was only one person who would dare to beat the young master of the Murong family, one of the Four Great Families, into such a state.

Aside from his tigress of an older sister, Murong Zhaoling, who was training in the frontier army, there was absolutely no one else!

Back when Murong Zhaoling was still in the capital, Murong Yun's appearance was practically the norm; he would go out every few days with eye circles of various colors.

Looking at Murong Yun's miserable state.

Chen Shanzhi pondered to himself.

Could it be that this kid wanted to go to the Yihong Pavilion for a drink during the holiday, but was forcibly kept at home by his sister?

So he specifically sent someone in a hurry to call him over.

Was it actually to use his title as the heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo?

To help provide cover and find an excuse to take him out?

But on second thought, given his own notorious reputation as the "Number One Useless Playboy" in the capital.

Forget providing cover; if Murong Zhaoling knew that a playboy like him had come to ask her brother out.

She probably wouldn't let him go and would instead give Murong Yun's left eye a symmetrical punch for good measure.

Thinking of this, Chen Shanzhi became even more confused.

"Brother Yun, you sent someone to the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion to call me over in such a hurry."

"What exactly is the urgent matter?" Chen Shanzhi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Murong Yun didn't explain, but instead looked around mysteriously.

Then, he grabbed Chen Shanzhi's sleeve and lowered his voice, "Brother Chen, don't ask. Just come with me and you'll see!"

After saying that, Murong Yun pulled Chen Shanzhi along.

He skillfully navigated through the labyrinthine corridors and rockeries of the Murong Manor.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The two finally stopped in front of a very quiet courtyard deep within the estate.

There were no high walls around the courtyard; instead, a dense circle of lush green bamboo was planted very elegantly.

As the breeze blew, the bamboo leaves rustled, exuding a serene and elegant ethereal aura.

Chen Shanzhi looked at the courtyard and stopped, "Brother Yun, what place is this?"

Murong Yun didn't speak but quickly pulled out an exquisite wine gourd from the Waist Token at his hip.

Without a word, he shoved the wine gourd into Chen Shanzhi's hand.

After doing all this, Murong Yun stepped back two paces and said in a low, rapid voice:

"Brother Chen, to tell you the truth, it wasn't actually me looking for you today."

"It was my big sister. She used my name and forced me to send someone to call you to the Murong Manor!"

Murong Yun sighed.

"You know, although my sister has a fierce personality, she is still an unmarried young lady."

"If she were to send someone to the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion to invite you in her own name,"

"it would likely cause some unnecessary gossip."

Murong Yun pointed to the very simple bamboo door in front of them.

"This is my sister's private courtyard."

"My sister said that once you arrive, you should just push the door and go in. She's waiting for you inside."

After saying that, Murong Yun unfaithfully backed away several steps, striking a pose ready to slip away.

"Brother Chen, I can only bring you this far."

"You two take your time chatting inside. Talk things out nicely, and whatever you do, don't start a fight."

"Even if you do... make sure to protect your face."

"I'll go to the front courtyard to have some wine and calm my nerves. Farewell!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Yun didn't give Chen Shanzhi a chance to curse.

He immediately activated his movement technique, his body turning into an afterimage.

With a "whoosh," he disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

The breeze blew, leaving Chen Shanzhi alone in front of the courtyard gate.

Holding a wine gourd in a comical manner, he stood bewildered in the wind.

Chen Shanzhi was stunned for a long while, his mind still unable to process it.

Why did Murong Zhaoling want to see him?

Counting everything up, he had only met her twice at the Academy's Martial Arts Arena!

He had even less interaction with her than with Ouyang Wanqing!

Thinking of Murong Zhaoling's fiery personality—hating evil and throwing punches at the slightest disagreement.

Chen Shanzhi felt his scalp tingle.

"Damn, could it be that this woman thinks my reputation in the capital is too foul,"

“and feels I've corrupted the atmosphere of the Four Seas Academy?"

"So she specifically used the holiday to lure me to her territory,"

"wanting to close the door and give me a few lessons in 'ideological education' with her fists?"

Chen Shanzhi guessed wildly in his mind.

But on second thought, he felt it was unlikely.

Murong Zhaoling was now a martial arts teacher at the Four Seas Academy.

If she really wanted to teach him a lesson, she could just find any excuse within the Academy.

She could openly beat him until he couldn't take care of himself.

There was absolutely no need to go through all this trouble to lure him to her private quarters.

"Damn, why think so much!"

"Soldiers will be met by generals, and water by earth."

"It's not like she can eat me, right?"

Chen Shanzhi muttered to himself, deciding to stop guessing blindly.

Since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it.

He took a deep breath and hung the wine gourd from his waist.

He stepped forward and pushed open the bamboo door decisively.

“Creak—”

Entering the courtyard, what first caught his eye was an extremely simple and elegant bamboo hut.

Beside the hut stood a simple stone pavilion carved from a single block of bluestone.

The hut and pavilion were also surrounded by lush green bamboo.

Through the swaying bamboo leaves, Chen Shanzhi could vaguely see.

In the stone pavilion, an extremely graceful green figure seemed to be sitting.

At the same time.

Melodious yet somewhat stiff zither music was slowly drifting out from the pavilion.

Chen Shanzhi stopped, closed his eyes, and listened intently for a moment.

Although he was a rough man and his understanding of music was limited to "hearing the noise,"

even a layman like him could clearly tell.

This zither music... one couldn't say it was unpleasant, only that it was extremely mediocre!

It was like a beginner plucking strings by rote.

There was absolutely no emotion or Concept to speak of.

"Is it because I don't know how to appreciate it?"

Chen Shanzhi muttered guiltily to himself.

He opened his eyes and followed the cobblestone path paved with bluestone.

He walked slowly toward the stone pavilion.

As he got closer and passed the green bamboo blocking his view.

The scene inside the stone pavilion finally opened up before Chen Shanzhi's eyes.

As soon as Chen Shanzhi looked up, he stood frozen in place as if under an immobilization spell.

In the stone-carved pavilion.

Murong Zhaoling had, quite rarely, taken off the outfit she usually wore for martial arts classes at the Academy.

That dark red martial attire which exuded a killing intent.

In its place was an extremely well-fitting, even slightly slim-fit, emerald green dress.

The fabric of this dress was extremely soft and form-fitting.

It perfectly outlined her already tall, hot, and incredibly proud curves.

Her pair of blood-pumping, top-tier long legs were faintly visible beneath the emerald hem.

What amazed Chen Shanzhi the most.

Was that today, Murong Zhaoling hadn't tied her hair into her usual capable high ponytail.

Instead, she had elegantly coiled her waterfall-like black hair into a gentle bun atop her head.

The remaining strands fell smoothly over her shoulders, reaching down to her slender willow waist.

Her originally heroic and beautiful face, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes.

Now, set off by the smooth long hair and emerald dress.

Had incredibly shed its usual sharpness and dominance.

It now possessed a rare, delicate femininity characteristic of women from the Jiangnan water towns.

Especially her Phoenix eyes, which were originally slightly upturned.

Now, as her gaze shifted, they held a heart-pounding tenderness like flowing water.

At this moment, Murong Zhaoling was sitting at the stone table.

Her long, fair, jade-like hands were earnestly plucking a zither.

Her sleeves were slightly rolled up from her movements, revealing a section of dazzling white wrist like mutton-fat jade.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, dappling her profile.

At this moment, Murong Zhaoling was indescribably beautiful, like a peerless Fairy stepped out of a painting.

“Gulp.”

Chen Shanzhi's Adam's apple bobbed as he unhelpfully swallowed a large mouthful of saliva.

Whether in the game's CG illustrations before his Transmigration or in reality afterward.

He had never, ever seen this!

This Violent Valkyrie, who once beat everyone of her age group in the capital and struck fear into the hearts of countless Genius young masters.

Actually had such a gentle, scholarly side!

This intense contrast was more blood-pumping than any suggestive content.

Seeming to notice Chen Shanzhi's undisguised, burning gaze.

Murong Zhaoling's jade hands, which were trying hard to find notes on the strings, paused, stopping her playing.

The zither music came to an abrupt halt.

She turned her head, her clear and bright eyes looking over naturally.

When she saw Chen Shanzhi standing blankly outside the bamboo grove, staring at her without blinking.

A very faint blush, quite rare, appeared on Murong Zhaoling's beautiful face.

But she didn't lower her head shyly like an ordinary woman.

Instead, she looked at Chen Shanzhi with poise, her lips curving slightly upward.

This smile was like a spring breeze brushing over a lake.

Instantly, the somewhat cold courtyard seemed to brighten up.

"Brother... Brother Chen."

Murong Zhaoling's red lips parted slightly.

Her crisp and pleasant voice, uniquely mixed with a hint of valiant spirit, carried clearly from the pavilion.

"I... I hope you can forgive my presumptuous invitation today."