The Melon-eating Swordsman In The Ancient Dragon World Chapter 54: Shopping with the Blue Scorpion - Novel Cool

Chapter 54: Shopping with the Blue Scorpion

Chapter 54: Shopping with the Blue Scorpion

You Longsheng shook his head, "You really don't know how to tell a story."

You Longsheng looked at Lan Huapo with sympathetic eyes, "Your tribe was destroyed, and you believe that all kind-hearted people come to a bad end."

Lan Huapo narrowed her eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Isn't that the truth?"

You Longsheng continued, "After the age of thirteen, everyone you met had ill intentions."

Lan Huapo replied nonchalantly, "To be honest, I don't really mind."

You Longsheng nodded, "And so you've become the feared Blue Scorpion."

Lan Huapo nodded, her face once again breaking into a seductive smile, happy and enticing, "And so I'm doing quite well for myself now."

"I suppose so."

You Longsheng smiled as well, "Although your story is a bit muddled, I can understand why you want to avenge Yi Ku now."

Lan Huapo sighed, "You're quite handsome, but you killed Yi Ku, and I couldn't find Li Xinhuan, so I had to settle for you."

You Longsheng poured another cup of wine for both himself and Lan Huapo, and raised his cup, "If you don't mind, would you accompany me for a walk in the city?"

Lan Huapo's eyebrows arched, "What do you have in mind?"

You Longsheng stroked his face, "As you said, I am quite handsome. Walking with me in the city won't be beneath you, right? I recall that sometimes before you kill someone, you don't mind playing with your prey, ensuring they die without regrets?"

"But they didn't die willingly. However, if it were you..."

Lan Huapo smiled alluringly, "Don't just talk about walking with me, even if you asked me to share your bed, I would be willing!"

You Longsheng smiled bitterly, "Then I'll die a romantic death beneath the blooming peonies, a dashing ghost."

Lan Huapo's eyes sparkled, "Are you willing?"

You Longsheng gave an ambiguous reply, "Let's take a walk in the city first. It's spring, and the flowers are blooming."

Lan Huapo didn't understand You Longsheng's intentions.

But as the only person willing to chat with her, she didn't mind letting You Longsheng live a little longer.

Even she hadn't realized that her desire to kill You Longsheng had diminished significantly, and she was willing to let him buy some time.

You Longsheng carried his sword and walked ahead, turning his back to Lan Huapo, staying within two feet of her, his muscles relaxed and his right hand far from the sword hilt, completely at ease.

Duan Qian and Feng Wan were terrified.

If You Longsheng had been confident of reacting in time to Lan Huapo's attack earlier, his current behavior was tantamount to handing his life over to her.

They heard Lan Huapo's light laughter, and with a twist of her slender waist, she appeared by You Longsheng's side.

"Where do you want me to accompany you?"

"To see some people, and observe some things." You Longsheng waved at Duan Qian and Feng Wan, "You two, stay here and book two rooms for the night. Return to the Sword-Hiding Villa tomorrow."

"Villa Master!"

You Longsheng turned and glared at them before leaving with Lan Huapo.

Duan Qian and Feng Wan looked at each other.

"The Villa Master must have other plans."

"We should trust the Villa Master."

"Even if we don't trust the Villa Master, we should trust Senior Snow Eagle, right?"

"Wait, the Villa Master just told us to book two rooms? We usually share a room."

"He's hinting that we shouldn't worry about his safety?"

"Pfft! What qualifications do we have to worry about the Villa Master's safety?"

"Let's book the rooms and wait here until the Villa Master returns!"

...

You Longsheng and Lan Huapo didn't walk far from the inn before they reached the city's largest brothel.

"You want me to accompany you to a brothel?"

"Look at this place. Women pretending, men feigning emotions. Isn't it similar to the people you've encountered?"

"Look at this place. Brutish bouncers, greedy gamblers, and cunning cheats battling wits with the house. Isn't it similar to the underworld you've encountered?"

Lan Huapo turned to face You Longsheng, and he met her gaze.

"Is this what you see when you look at the jianghu?" You Longsheng asked gently.

With a slight smile, You Longsheng turned and led her down another street to a secluded alley.

There, they saw a peddler who had returned home after selling his goods. A plainly dressed woman hurried out to meet him, wiping the sweat from his brow as she took the carrying pole from his hands.

The couple exchanged a glance, their faces softening into happy smiles.

"Do you know who they are?" You Longsheng asked quietly.

"Do you?" Lan Huapo replied.

"That woman used to be the top courtesan at Chunfeng Tower three years ago, and that man was a regular at the gambling den." You Longsheng explained. "But the woman spent all the money she earned in the first half of her life to buy her freedom, and the man paid off his gambling debts with three of his fingers."

Lan Huapo's eyes narrowed as she noticed that indeed, the man was missing three fingers on his left hand.

You Longsheng gestured with his hand, drawing Lan Huapo's attention to the alley as the sun began to set. The once quiet lane was now bustling with activity.

There were wives welcoming their husbands home, daughters greeting their parents, and parents embracing their returning sons. The air was filled with the aroma of cooking and the sound of laughter.

You Longsheng turned to Lan Huapo, "Here, there is family, friendship, and love. Here, there are smiles, laughter, and the warmth of human connection. This, too, is the jianghu."

Lan Huapo remained silent.

"When you were thirteen, your life took a drastic turn, and during your escape, you encountered people who took advantage of you. From then on, you viewed everything in the world with hostility." You Longsheng continued, his gaze intense. "You hid behind layers of deception, protecting yourself but also trapping yourself. Your seductive allure and ruthless demeanor are just a means to keep others at bay because you would rather hurt others than be hurt again."

Lan Huapo's pupils contracted, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she snapped, "Shut up!"

You Longsheng's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his smile as he said, "Then let me say one last thing."

Lan Huapo gritted her teeth. "Go on."

"I don't know if you're using this persona to test others." You Longsheng said, "But you've become so convincing that you've attracted only those with malicious intentions, while the virtuous keep their distance. Over time, the only people surrounding you are those you deem worthy of death, further distorting your view of the world. The only solace you find is in Yi Ku, perhaps because he was the only one unafraid of you, treating you like a normal person."

You Longsheng looked directly at Lan Huapo, "You are already a highly skilled practitioner in the jianghu, and you have the power to choose your own path. Yi Ku is gone, and after you kill me, the last mental shackle should be broken. I hope you can return to being your true self—not the seductive and ruthless Lan Huapo, but the young girl hidden deep within your heart, the one before you turned thirteen."

You Longsheng pointed to the couple who had retreated into their home, "It's never too late to turn back as long as you realize your mistake."

You Longsheng turned to face Lan Huapo, "I've said what I came to say."

Lan Huapo turned to look at You Longsheng, her expressionless face belying the icy coldness in her eyes.

"Is that it?" she asked.

(End of Chapter)

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