A Different World - Chapter 19: Fireworks

“Is it raining?”

Amid the crowd, someone suddenly felt raindrops falling on their face and noticed that the rain was growing heavier. The mountain peak began to experience strong winds.

Ye Cichuan reached out to catch the raindrops, abruptly remembering that Ye Yin would suffer from his poison acting up every time it rained. Without further delay, he quickly dislocated his opponent’s joints, declaring the final result of the Qian-stage martial arts competition.

A disciple of the Xuntian Sect announced loudly, “Qian-stage champion: Ye Cichuan of Zhe Yue Tower!”

Afterward, Ye Cichuan glanced lightly at the others on the stage. Compared to the bloody battles on other stages, this Young Hero Ye seemed to have no intention of killing. To prevent resistance, he merely dislocated their joints.

Should Young Hero Ye’s actions be considered kind? Or foolish? After all, in today’s world, if one does not act for oneself, the heavens and earth will turn against them.

Ye Cichuan deftly crossed the iron chain and returned to the summit of Lian Mountain unharmed. Amid the puzzled and wary gazes of the crowd, he walked straight toward the mountain gate.

Jiang Yunxiu was just about to lead people to meet him when the “famous merchant” from Qingdu, who had sent them an invitation earlier, suddenly squeezed out from the crowd and followed Chang’an.

Jiang Yunxiu secretly instructed his subordinates, “Send someone to keep an eye on him.”

“Yes!”

Min Chengzhe chased after Ye Cichuan for a while but couldn’t catch up. Out of breath, he called out to him, “Young Hero Ye!”

Ye Cichuan, eager to return to Zui Xian Tavern, turned back at the voice, puzzled. Seeing it was the “merchant” from Qingdu who had been tailing him a few days ago, he stopped and asked, “What is it?”

Min Chengzhe jogged forward and respectfully bowed. “Young Hero Ye, I am Min Jun, a silk merchant from Qingdu. I wish to discuss a business deal with your Zhe Yue Tower. Unfortunately, though I sent an invitation, I have yet to receive a response. Could I trouble you to make an introduction?”

Previously, he had found this Young Hero Ye’s appearance somewhat familiar. Now, standing closer, the arrogance in Ye Cichuan’s brows, mixed with indifference and aloofness, diminished that sense of familiarity.

Ye Cichuan recalled that Jiang Ziyun was still secretly investigating this person. Since he rarely involved himself in the affairs of Zhe Yue Tower and considered protecting Ye Yin his primary duty, he refused, saying, “Manager Jiang is behind me. Speak to him.”

With that, he continued walking down the mountain.

Unwilling to give up, Min Chengzhe followed closely behind Ye Cichuan, speaking persuasively, “Young Hero Ye, our Great Qi is a land of talented and blessed people. As the capital, Qingdu is especially prosperous, with its citizens living in peace and abundance. For those with ambition, Qingdu offers a stage to make a name for themselves and achieve great things.”

Seeing that Ye Cichuan remained unresponsive, Min Chengzhe persisted, “You may not know this, but in Qingdu’s Zhuque Alley, lanterns shine as bright as stars in the rain. Shops line the streets, offering exquisite wines, delicacies, and rare treasures. There are even graceful dancers under the moonlight and fragrant steeds parading along the roads.”

“Such a scene is not something you would find in the two provinces of Jian and Yue. Once coastal trade ports open, Qingdu and Jianzhou will have a seamless exchange of goods. At that time, the prosperity of Great Qi will surpass that of any other nation.” Min Chengzhe smiled, confident that this Young Hero Ye, whether driven by fame, fortune, or personal desires, would surely be tempted.

As expected, Ye Cichuan, who had been striding forward, suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze lowered, silent, as if in deep thought.

“Zhuque Alley.” Ye Cichuan’s eyes, hidden under his lashes, rippled with emotion. He seemed to have heard of this place before…

“Mother, it’s so lively outside.”

A well-dressed and dignified woman was holding a child gently as she gazed at the fireworks in the sky. She said softly, “Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. The lantern festival at Zhuque Alley will last through the night. Of course, it’s lively.”

“Zhuque Alley? What is that?”

The woman gently stroked the child’s hair at the back of his head. “Zhuque Alley is the most bustling street market in Qingdu. Your favorite butterfly pastries are from Bai Xiang Pavilion there. Before I got married, I once snuck out of the mansion to visit Zhuque Alley. That’s the day I met your father.”

As she spoke of the past, her face couldn’t hide her smile, and her love for the child in her arms grew even deeper.

“If you’re interested, once you’re a little older, your father can have someone take you out of the palace to play. How about that?” A man’s voice came before his figure arrived.

Even with his head tilted upward, the child could barely make out the man’s features.

The man carried an aura of authority, which transformed into gentleness as he stepped into the hall. He opened his arms and embraced the child, then signaled the palace attendants behind him to bring something forward. “I know you miss the carefree days outside the palace, so I had people bring these from Zhuque Alley—your favorite snacks.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the woman said with a bright smile. She picked up a butterfly pastry and handed it to the child. “Try it, Zheng’er.”

The child accepted the butterfly pastry with curiosity, broke it in half, and offered it to the two adults. “Father, Mother, you eat first!”

“Zheng’er is so obedient!” The man beamed with a smile, wrapping his other arm around the woman at his side. The three of them looked up at the sky together, admiring the dazzling fireworks.

Ye Cichuan momentarily lost focus, unable to determine where these memories had come from. They felt so unfamiliar, yet it seemed as though he had witnessed them firsthand.

Who was the woman in the memory? And who was the man? Was the child in their arms him? Were they in the royal palace? But why couldn’t he remember any of it? What had happened back then?

“Zhuque Alley.” Ye Cichuan murmured the name again, doubts growing in his heart. Then he turned to Min Chengzhe and said, “If you have anything to say, you can tell me, and I’ll relay it to the Tower Master.”

Seeing an opening, Min Chengzhe quickly replied, “Then I’ll trouble Young Hero Ye. I’ve reserved a private room at a restaurant—shall we move there to discuss the details?”

“Wait here.” Ye Cichuan walked to the side, putting some distance between himself and Min Chengzhe. In a low voice, he spoke to the shadows, “Ge Sui, the Master will be in too much pain to sleep on a rainy night. Head back to Zui Xian Tavern and ask Doctor Zuo to look after him for me.”

He had always known that Ye Yin had assigned people to secretly protect him, but he deliberately never acknowledged it, wanting Ye Yin to feel reassured.

Though Ge Sui did not reveal himself, the slight rustling of the low bushes signaled that he had received the order.

The weather had been clear for days, but today, for some reason, heavy rain began pouring down, filling roadside ditches and leaving mud and sand across the streets.

Ye Yin gently pushed open the window and looked outside, waiting for Chang’an and the others to return. But the cold wind seeping through the window frame’s cracks pierced his body like a swarm of biting insects.

He coughed weakly for a while before slowly moving back to his bed, supporting himself on the cabinet. The bed was piled high with quilts, but even tightly wrapped up, he still felt like he was in an icy cavern.

He trembled as he raised his right hand, which was pale and bloodless. The deep purple veins on the back of his hand seemed ready to burst at any moment.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. The fleeting joy in Ye Yin’s eyes disappeared when he realized the footsteps outside didn’t belong to Chang’an. He called out, “Come in.”

Ge Sui had just come from the foot of Lian Mountain. Even with a rain cloak, he was drenched. Not wanting to bring the chill any closer, he knelt a few steps away and reported, “Master, he’s been taken by Min Chengzhe. Do you need me to bring him back?”

He had searched the tavern but couldn’t find Doctor Zuo, so he had come to report first.

Ye Yin sighed lightly, shaking his head slightly. “It can’t be stopped. Just keep following them.”

He trusted Chang’an’s earlier promise not to act recklessly.

However, Ye Yin had a habit of preparing for all contingencies. He added, “If that Lord Min tries anything, just focus on protecting Chang’an.”

Ge Sui, who had always seen the Tower Master as a cold and detached figure, felt something shift. Normally, the Tower Master seemed to have everything under control, yet also seemed indifferent to it all, as if he were above worldly matters.

But whenever the Tower Master spoke of Ye Cichuan, his attitude was entirely different. He would feel joy, relief, worry, and even sorrow. It might sound odd, but Ge Sui thought that the Tower Master only seemed like a truly living person when it came to Ye Cichuan.

Thus, everyone in Zhe Yue Tower knew that Ye Cichuan held a special place in the Tower Master’s heart.

“Yes, I’ll go immediately!” Ge Sui responded, withdrawing from the room and quickly disappearing into the shadows.

—

Author’s Note:

#The entire Zhe Yue Tower is shipping this pair#

In the next chapter, we’ll have something sweet.

Thank you for reading!