After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 474 Tingtao Residence

"This..." the woman hesitated.

Guiyunfang has existed for so many years, and the young man in front of us is the first person to leave before even checking in, and he hasn't even walked halfway through Guiyunfang.

"Do you intend to force me to stay?" Shen Xu's voice turned completely cold.

"No, it's just that the guests' choice was a bit unexpected."

“Aunt Duan, Guiyun Pavilion will not force guests. Since the young master wants to leave, please take him out of Yinyun Creek.” A voice as beautiful as heavenly music reached his ears from the depths of Guiyun Pavilion.

It makes one wonder what the owner of that voice must look like.

"Yes, Miss Ji."

"That's good, please!" Shen Xu gestured for the woman to turn around and lead the way.

Although Guiyunfang didn't seem to have any ill intentions towards him, he figured it was better to avoid trouble. He just wanted to find a place to rest and there was no need to go to such a special place.

"Young master, please follow me."

"Thank you!" Shen Xu said, then followed the woman out of Guiyun Boat.

"I never thought there were such fools in the world, coming to the best pleasure boat in Hundred Flowers City only to leave." A mocking voice rang out behind him.

Shen Xu turned around and saw a handsome young man in a black brocade robe holding a wine glass and looking at him provocatively.

"Young Master Yang, this gentleman has not yet left Guiyun Pavilion and is still considered a guest of Guiyun Pavilion. Moreover, Guiyun Pavilion respects the choices of every guest, and there is no such thing as leaving Guiyun Pavilion being foolish."

Please respect the Guiyun Pavilion, Young Master Yang.

A woman of extraordinary temperament and appearance stepped lightly from behind the young man to his side, and gave him a serious reminder.

Shen Xu didn't want to waste time. It was already late at night, and he hadn't found a suitable place to stay yet. So, after nodding to the woman, he walked straight out of Guiyun Pavilion.

The middle-aged woman glanced at the young woman helplessly and then followed Shen Xu.

"Thank you, Young Master Yang, for your willingness to participate in this play with us," the woman said, bowing to the young man in gratitude.

"It's alright, it seems my acting skills still need improvement."

However, I am very curious as to why you want to keep him here. He seems to me to be just an ordinary rogue cultivator, with no more than a hundred Qi Nourishing Pills on his body.

Besides, even if we wanted to keep him, having Miss Ji handle it would be far more effective than me.”

"I was just following the boat owner's orders; as for other matters, that's beyond my knowledge," the woman said with an apologetic smile.

"Fine, just like you promised me, come with me for a stroll along Jinxiu Avenue!"

"Since Young Master Yang is so interested, Yingyue naturally has no reason to refuse."

……

"Young master, there is an illusion array outside Guiyun Pavilion to prevent outsiders from accidentally entering. Please stay close to me, otherwise you may get lost," the middle-aged woman warned.

"Hmm! I'd like to find a quiet place that's also inexpensive to stay for a few days. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Young master, why don't you go downstream and look for some? Most of the pleasure boats there are small and exquisite, and there's bound to be one that meets your requirements."

"for example?"

"Moyunfang is a flower boat in a study, where many literati like to go. Baicaofang is famous for its medicinal cuisine and baths. They say that Master Qingmu once learned medicinal cuisine there and it has become quite famous recently..."

And those flower boats named after various flowers, though somewhat old, each have their own unique characteristics.

Is Aoki-ho also downstream?

"Yes! It's still there, but it no longer receives guests, and no one dares to visit it."

Moreover, outsiders are no longer allowed to approach that area, and everyone speculates that Lord Aoki has already arrived in Hundred Flowers City and is currently staying at the Aoki House.

"What do you people of Hundred Flowers City think about Lord Aoki receiving a title?"

"Of course we are proud of Lord Aoki. What even the geniuses of those major sects couldn't do, Lord Aoki accomplished. Everyone has more confidence when talking to outsiders now."

Fewer and fewer cultivators and disciples of powerful forces dare to cause trouble in Hundred Flowers City.

Most importantly, with Lord Qingmu's protection, Hundred Flowers City gained autonomy and no longer had to pay so much tax to the Crimson Yuan Sect.

In addition, Lord Aoki has been very kind to Hundred Flowers City, and the tax rate he collects is very low. Hundred Flowers City has become significantly more prosperous in the past two years.

The people of Hundred Flowers City are very grateful to Lord Aoki.

"Is Baihua City already Lord Qingmu?" Shen Xu asked in shock.

"That's not entirely true. Hundred Flowers City has never belonged to anyone; it's just that the person in charge has changed."

"I see!" Shen Xu stroked his chin.

It's likely that a portion of Hundred Flowers City's revenue will go to Qingyun, and Qingyun will then protect Hundred Flowers City on behalf of the Crimson Origin Sect.

Hearing the woman's words, Shen Xu couldn't help but feel a little sentimental. The little girl who used to hide in the corner of the room and cry secretly is now a famous figure.

The entire City of Flowers will be thrown into turmoil by her arrival.

He remembered that Qingyun had told him that her dream was to join the Four Directions Sword Alliance, to make her master proud, and to make those in Hundred Flowers City who looked down on Qingmu Fang bow their heads to her.

Without a doubt, she has already achieved it.

I wonder what that girl's next dream is?

As Shen Xu was lost in thought, the middle-aged woman bowed and apologized, saying, "Young master, we have already left the illusion array. Please forgive me for not being able to accompany you on the rest of the journey."

Looking at the lights in the distance, Shen Xu smiled and said, "It's alright, I know the way I came."

……

after a while.

Shen Xu arrived downstream, where the river was clearly much wider.

Numerous small flower boats, like dazzling orbs of light, are densely moored on the river, their light reflecting off the water in a dazzling display.

But the place was not as quiet as the woman had described.

Perhaps due to the grand flower festival, the place was still teeming with people and bustling with noise.

Many tourists on the shore shouted loudly, vying for every empty seat on each of the flower boats.

Many exquisite riverside pavilions had already hung up "fully booked" signs, and the windows were crowded with people who had come early to reserve good spots.

The flying boat streaked through the low sky like a shooting star, carrying guests heading to the painted boat.

Inside the flower boat, the sounds of string and wind instruments were high-pitched and stirring, while the graceful projections of dancers swayed in the night sky through the gauze windows.

The restaurants and teahouses on the shore were noisy all night long, with people playing drinking games and engaging in lively discussions.

Numerous voices converged into a massive, relentless torrent of sound, which, along with the rich fragrance of flowers permeating the entire city, heavily assaulted his senses.

Helpless, Shen Xu could only randomly choose a tributary and slowly search for it.

After an unknown amount of time, the buildings on both sides of him gradually disappeared, and the lights and noise also gradually faded away.

The latter part of this tributary seems to have gone undiscovered and has no value, so it was abandoned by the people of Baihua City, thus preserving the original appearance of the Jade Belt River.

Without any human traces, wildflowers and grasses enveloped the riverbank in a lush green, and the trees and flowers grew freely without any trimming, filling the air with the fresh fragrance of flowers and grass.

Having been surrounded by the rich floral fragrance of the Hundred Flowers City for so long, this refreshing scent actually made him feel relaxed and happy.

A gentle breeze rippled across the river's surface under the moonlight, creating silvery waves.

"After eating too much meat and fish, I always crave some wild vegetables." Shen Xu took a deep breath.

Just when Shen Xu thought he would have to camp out in the wild that day, he suddenly saw a light in the distance.

Are there any pleasure boats or fishing boats around here?

Shen Xu hesitated for a moment, then walked towards the light.

"It really is a pleasure boat!"

The small pleasure boat rested quietly on the shore, without any fancy decorations or even many flowers, and was very elegant and simple.

"Wu Qi was right, the best food is always hidden in secret places. I just wonder if they still accept customers?"

Thinking of this, Shen Xu approached the pleasure boat and shook the golden bell hanging at the bow.

A moment later, a young woman in a light blue dress with an elegant demeanor emerged from the room.

Upon seeing Shen Xu, she was visibly surprised, but still gracefully bowed and said, "Greetings, esteemed guest. May I ask what brings you here?"

The cold voice reminded Shen Xu of Li Xiaoyi.

"I'm so sorry to bother you, young lady."

I've wandered into this place by mistake; I wonder if you still accept guests here, young lady?

"I'm sorry, Tingtao Residence is closed. It's a remote place, so please leave as soon as possible," the girl in the green dress said without hesitation.

"In that case, I have been presumptuous."

However, this place is indeed quite far from the main ridge. If I walk back, it will probably be past midnight. I wonder if you would allow me to rest here on the shore for the night? With someone to keep me company, I won't be too afraid.”

"Qingning, please let the guests in! It's getting chilly at night." Another gentle voice came from inside the boat.

"But what if he's a bad guy?"

“If he is really a bad person, we two weak women probably can’t stop him.”

Another woman stepped out of the cabin. Her skin was radiant, her white dress was as white as snow, and she had an ethereal air about her. Her black hair swayed gently in the breeze under the moonlight.

In Shen Xu's opinion, she was undoubtedly a stunningly beautiful woman.

"I only arrived in Hundred Flowers City today. I only wandered into this place because I disliked the hustle and bustle of the Jade Belt River's main vein. I am by no means a person with malicious intent," Shen Xu explained earnestly.

“Words are no proof!” the woman in the green dress said mercilessly.

"Then there's nothing I can do."

"Young master, please come in!" the woman in white said with a smile, her gentle smile making him glance at her a few more times.

"Sister, look, even if he didn't have any bad intentions just now, he definitely has ulterior motives towards you now."

"Everyone has a love for beauty. Even if you ask me to look at you, I won't!"

"What did you say!"

"Qing Ning, I believe this young master is not a bad person." The woman in white chuckled.

"All right!"

"Just asking beforehand, how expensive is it here? I might not have many Nourishing Essence Pills," Shen Xu said.

"Please rest assured, young master, Tingtao Residence is just a small painted boat," the woman in white said with a smile.