Why do I have so many masters?

The waves of Qi roiled and ascended.

The young man in a green robe stood on one foot atop the sword hilt, his hands clasped behind his back. Perhaps due to the rapid descent, his clothes billowed slightly, perfectly accentuating the wide sleeves of his robe. His black hair fluttered lightly, with the bright moon hanging behind him, casting a silvery white glow all around.

The youth's smile lingered, a hint of cold radiance in his eyes.

His robe fell back into place, lifting two strands of hair at his temples.

He straightened up.

The longsword under his feet sang sharply, the visible ripples of Qi spreading out in all directions.

The middle-aged man dressed in a cross-collared robe, who bore the air of a bohemian scholar, caught his breath, nearly overcome by the sight. Yet, due to the pride of his noble clan, he managed to maintain his composure.

Immediately after, a loud laugh came from the carriage behind; turning back to look, Yuchi Jie, who always seemed carefree, had lifted the carriage curtain, spread his arms wide, and laughed loudly,

"Hahaha, Anfeng."

"Why are you so late!"

Thinking of this son of the Yuchi family, who had displayed such fearless behavior all along the way, Wen Hongyun's face showed a subtle change. Then, looking at Wang Anfeng, he spoke in a calm voice,

"So it was a good friend of Young Master Yuchi."

"Earlier when I went to the inn, I did not see the young master, so please forgive any negligence or disrespect."

Having said this, he clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.

The wild wind in the sky dispersed, and only now did Lv Baiping, who had been tossed up into the air by Wang Anfeng, gently land on the ground with the winds, stirring up Qi like a tidal wave, causing Wen Hongyun's eyes to reveal a dynamic change.

Wang Anfeng landed on the ground and the broad sword stuck in it let out a long cry, leaping upwards and returning to its scabbard. Wen Hongyun extended his hand in a guiding gesture, taking on a very humble posture, and said, "Since the young master has arrived, why not join us in the carriage?"

This was the entrance to the grand courtyard of the Wen Mansion, where the imposing central gate was usually shut tight and not even the viceroys of Wanling City could enter through it but had to use the side gates instead.

In the thirteen districts of Jiangnan Road, the Wen family was ranked first, and if visitors did not have a status high enough, they could not even enter through the side gate and would be turned away.

If Wang Anfeng accepted the invitation now, it would barely be a few steps before he would have to get off again, which would make a mockery of the imposing demeanor he had just established.

He shook his head and spoke in a moderate tone, "There's no need. I have long heard that Wen Mansion boasts a sea of flowers stretching over ten miles. Having come here, it is only right to appreciate the flowers."

Wen Hongyun replied, "But it's not ideal to view them at night."

Wang Anfeng smiled and said,

"Flowers under the moon, beauty beneath the light, both make for refined pleasures.

"If Master Wen cannot wait, please feel free to go ahead..."

Wen Hongyun smiled slightly and said no more. Yuchi Jie and the others had already alighted from the carriage. Lv Baiping ran up to Lin Qiaofu, relieved to see that Lin Qiaofu was unharmed. Lv Baiping whispered questions to her, pulling her close.

Wen Hongyun led the way forward. Yuchi Jie walked beside Wang Anfeng, without any sign of concern. He twirled his folding fan leisurely, looking left and right as if truly just enjoying the view, but casually remarked with a laugh,

"Master Wen extended such a gracious invitation because the head of the Wen family is most fond of swordsmen. He heard that an expert from Qingfeng Edge was in Wanling City and insisted on inviting him to visit the mountains for a meeting."

"My father, although thousands of miles away, has never met the two masters of the Wen family, yet they have long been kindred spirits. As a junior, it is only natural that I should visit, especially with the sea of flowers that stretches down from the mountain top, changing with each of the four seasons."

"I have spent some time in Heaven Capital City as well, yet even with its prosperity, there are few endeavors as grand. How could I miss such an opportunity? Wouldn't you agree, Anfeng?"

He winked at Wang Anfeng.

Wang Anfeng merely smiled and responded, "The ten-mile flower sea indeed interests me greatly."

Yet in his heart, he had already guessed from Yuchi Jie's words that the Wen family had invited the disciple of Qingfeng Edge under the name of their noble clan, and Gong Yu had to come due to his sect obligations.

And Yuchi Jie, worried that Gong Yu and the others might be at a disadvantage in the Wen family, had also found an excuse to follow, directly bringing along Uncle Ji and Lao Lu, both Sixth Rank martial artists.

Wen Hongyun either failed to detect the intent in Yuchi Jie's words or, after understanding, chose to play dumb. He simply continued to lead the way with a smile.

The Wen family's mansion, built over two dynasties in more than three hundred years,

contained thirty-five courtyards, each with an ancestral hall. Embroidered buildings flanked to the left and right, and because the estate was situated on a hill, it resembled a fortified city, with tall walls and strategically placed gates.

The interconnected courtyards, fifty-five in total, each had its own coherent theme. Despite being in Jiangnan Road, there was little of the region's gentleness. Instead, a sense of heavy solemnity that came with clan traditions seemed oppressive.

As they advanced uphill, one could survey all the other courtyards below if they turned back. It was possible to see gardens, pavilions, private schools, and gazebos in the distance and an indistinct flower sea under the moonlight, resembling a small city.

Yet, within this small world, hierarchies of rank and status were starkly defined.

At the front of the main hall, two guards with swords stood with stern expressions, their breathing slow and deep. Wang Anfeng's keen sense for killing intent and aura of menace swirled around their palms and blades as if they were two lurking beasts.

The unrestrained release of their Qi Mechanism was more powerful than that of Lao Lu and Uncle Ji, marking them as Middle Third Rank martial artists.