Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 391 Homing Pigeon

On the return journey, they occasionally slept outdoors, but most of the time Xu Sheng stayed in remote inns, saying that he couldn't let Luo An suffer.

Not only that, Xu Sheng took meticulous care of Luo An throughout the journey, ensuring Luo An had the best food, lodging, and supplies. He also addressed Luo An as "brother" and "sister-in-law" in a very affectionate manner.

As the innkeeper saw them off, he gave Xu Sheng a thumbs up: "Everyone says that the eldest brother is like a father, but how come you, as the younger brother, care about your elder brother and sister-in-law even more than your own father?"

Xu Sheng felt a pang of sympathy. He grasped the shopkeeper's hand, his face filled with sorrow: "My parents passed away early, and my brother is a bookworm. All these years, I've worked myself to the bone to raise him.

Two years ago, I finally helped him get married, and I thought my good days were finally coming. But who knew he wouldn't know how to please his wife? My sister-in-law was arguing with him and threatening divorce every other day.

"Sigh, I have no choice! If I don't pay more attention to my brother and sister-in-law, I'm afraid that after they divorce, my brother will be a bachelor for the rest of his life, and I won't be able to face our deceased parents."

No one expected that Xu Sheng, who had been extremely sensible throughout the journey, would act so irrationally at this moment. Luo An was about to mount his horse, about three zhang away from him, when he heard this and stopped and turned around.

Seeing that Xu Sheng was very handsome and responsible, the innkeeper pulled Xu Sheng aside and said, "Young man, how old are you? Are you married? You see, although my inn is a bit out of the way, it's the only one for miles around, right at the crossroads, and business is so-so."

I'm getting old and have no children, so I run the inn with my daughter. You've met my daughter; she's pretty, hardworking, and capable, a perfect match for you in your prime. If you're willing, I'll give her to you in marriage, without any dowry.”

The innkeeper thought it over and over again and found it to be true. Ignoring Xu Sheng’s struggles, he pulled his hand tightly and said, “You have no parents, and your brother is married and has his own family. You are all alone now. After you two get married, you can take over the inn and won’t have to run around making a living.”

The shopkeeper's daughter stood by the door, peeking out to look at Xu Sheng with a shy and timid expression.

Conch stepped forward and forcefully pushed the shopkeeper: "What do you mean he's all alone? He has me! Aren't I a person too?"

The innkeeper was pushed back two steps and had to let go of Xu Sheng's hand: "I've saved up some money over the years and plan to renovate and expand the inn, so I'll definitely need to hire more people. I feel more at ease with you, young man, working with him; we're family."

As Xu Sheng backed away, he said, "Thank you for your kindness, Manager, but my parents arranged a marriage for me when I was little, and they're just waiting for me to earn money so I can come home and get married. We have urgent business to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."

Xu Sheng leaped onto his horse and galloped away, disappearing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

When Nianyao and the other two caught up with Xu Sheng, he was sitting by the roadside waiting for them, holding a carrier pigeon in his hand. Xu Sheng raised his hand, and the carrier pigeon took flight.

Nianyao wouldn't miss the chance to mock him: "You reap what you sow."

Xu Sheng didn't care at all: "Sister-in-law, I'll be free after tomorrow, I won't have to work myself to death serving you two anymore, hahahahaha..."

Tomorrow we'll be in the territory of Southern Yue. But tomorrow hasn't even come yet, and it's already revealed itself like this?

Luo An's tone was calm as he stopped Luo An's exaggerated laughter: "Whose carrier pigeon?"

Xu Sheng said, "Looking across the world, who else is the most famous for training carrier pigeons besides me, the master of Guanyin Pavilion?"

If Xu Sheng hadn't mentioned it, Luo An would have almost forgotten about the Guanyin Pavilion Master in the martial arts world. There was a Guanyin statue enshrined in the riverside pavilion, and a flock of pigeons were kept there to deliver messages from north to south.

This was an ordinary matter, but somehow rumors started circulating that the Master of Guanyin Pavilion knew all the secrets of the world.

Luo An asked, "What is it?"

Xu Sheng said casually, "Wu Ming asked us when we would arrive, and he came to pick us up... Senior Sister."

Luo An seemed intrigued: "Anything else?"

Xu Sheng spread his hands: "That's all."

He looked like he was lying. Luo An floated down from his horse to him, grabbed his collar with one hand, and pulled harder and harder as he raised his hand.

Xu Sheng hadn't expected Luo An to act so suddenly. He grabbed Luo An's hand and managed to utter, "Let...go..."

Just as Hailuo was about to rush to save Xusheng, Nianyao grabbed him. Hailuo yelled and kicked Nianyao, but Nianyao stepped back to avoid it and flipped her wrist, sending Hailuo crashing to the ground.

Xu Sheng caught a glimpse of the conch shell lying on the ground out of the corner of his eye. Just as he was about to gather his strength, he saw Luo Ping's calm demeanor revealing a hint of ruthlessness, and his resolve instantly weakened.

Luo An only let go when Xu Sheng's face turned blue. Xu Sheng couldn't stand and collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

The conch shell crawled over and straightened his clothes, its eyes brimming with tears: "Are you alright?"

Xu Sheng coughed and waved his hand, indicating that he was fine. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Sheng finally recovered completely. He pulled Hailuo to his feet, the two mounted their horses, and rode away without looking back, their backs looking desolate.

This made her and Luo An seem like a devilish couple, and Nianyao felt a little ashamed, asking softly, "Isn't this a bit too... much?"

Luo An looked back at the urn on the horse's back: "His kung fu is better than mine."

If Xu Sheng had wanted to resist, he would have acted long ago. Luo An didn't think it was a good thing that he could resist but chose to endure it.

Nianyao speculated: "Is this because we are in Dongyang, so he dares not resist?"