Huan’yang, a ancient city where the government is merely symbolic.
As the city with the highest population flow in the entire country, it is predominantly inhabited by outsiders.
Every day, a group of people leaves here, and a group of people arrives from distant places.
Therefore, the economic prosperity of Huan’yang can rival that of the imperial capital, and it is a key place for the country to generate significant tax revenue.
Successive emperors have granted it freedom for development, as long as activities like murder and disposal of bodies do not threaten the stability of the nation, the government cannot interfere.
Lu Lili walks down the street with a sword in her hand.
Huan’yang’s market is vast, the streets are long, and pedestrians fill the streets, shoulder to shoulder.
Due to the high influx of people every day, every industry thrives. Just a few steps away, there are numerous fully occupied inns.
Finally, Lu Lili spots a newly opened inn with a sign indicating available rooms at the entrance.
Her eyes light up, and she intends to walk over, but she notices a familiar figure already striding inside.
Each step seems heavy, capable of shaking the ground.
Lu Lili involuntarily stops in her tracks, a flash of surprise passing through her pupils. It turns out to be Xu Wu, the Second Master of the bandits!
A few months passed, and he seemed to have broadened significantly. It’s evident that his physique has developed well during this time.
Xu Wu didn’t come alone. There was a handsome young lady behind him, as well as a quiet and gentle young man.
As the three of them entered the newly opened inn, Lu Lili immediately dismissed her previous thoughts and decided to continue looking at other inns.
However, just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, she suddenly locked eyes with the young man.
The quiet and gentle young man following Xu Wu, at a not-so-distant distance, smiled lightly at Lu Lili, exuding a sense of friendliness mixed with a hint of anticipation.
“?!?!” Lu Lili was immediately startled!
Shouldn’t the companion of a bandit also be a bandit? Why is he smiling at her like that?
It’s so creepy! She doesn’t want to be captured and become a concubine in the bandit stronghold!
Lu Lili quickly made her escape and distanced herself from the newly opened inn.
Meanwhile, the young man watched her disappear, and a clear sense of regret and disappointment appeared in his gentle and pure eyes.
“Xu Rui, what are you looking at?”
Noticing that her younger brother suddenly stopped and didn’t catch up, Xu Xiang turned back and followed the young man’s gaze.
She only saw a crowd of people coming and going, there was nothing special, right?
Xu Rui’s gaze on Xu Xiang was as trusting as ever, and he spoke firmly, “Fourth Sister, I just fell in love at first sight with a girl I don’t know.”
Xu Xiang burst into laughter and encouraged him happily, “That’s great, Xu Rui! Can you remember what the girl looks like?”
Xu Rui nodded, his voice as gentle as his appearance, “I remember. When I see her again, I will definitely recognize her.”
“Okay, your Fourth Sister and Second Brother will help you! Even if the girl you like is from an official’s family, we can bring her to the stronghold and make her your wife!”
As the Fourth Master of the Huiyun stronghold, Xu Xiang was full of confidence at this moment, speaking as if it were only natural and justified.
She had brought her younger brother, who had just turned sixteen and was of marriageable age, out this time specifically for him to find a future wife on his own.
Unlike his elder brothers, Xu Rui didn’t like those girls who were brought back to the stronghold by their interference.
He wanted to come down the mountain, choose someone he genuinely liked, and then bring the girl back to the mountain stronghold.
Thus, a smile of anticipation appeared on the young man’s lips, and his voice remained gentle, “That’s great. Thank you, Fourth Sister and Second Brother.”