A silent night passed, and the next morning Liu Jinyuan came to Alex, explaining th A silent night passed, and the next morning Liu Jinyuan came to Alex, explaining that he had packed his things and was preparing to leave on a long journey.
It was only their first meeting, and since Liu Jinyuan was already departing, Alex naturally had no reason to linger behind.
Still, curiosity stirred in him, and he asked where Liu Jinyuan was headed.
At the question, a faint trace of embarrassment crossed Liu Jinyuan's face before he answered:
"Having recently achieved recognition, it is only proper that I pay my respects to family. I intend to visit my relatives at Lin Manor."
"Oh, so he's going to Lin Yueru's home…" Alex thought to himself, realization dawning.
He vaguely recalled that in the original story, it was near Lin Manor that Liu Jinyuan crossed paths with Li Xiaoyao and his companions.
That thought made Alex even more eager to go. Who knew—he might even encounter the legendary Drunken Swordsman.
What interested Alex most, however, were the Shushan swordsmen. By his own standards, he was already something of a half-trained swordsman. But the Shushan path promised something greater: cultivation to the level of immortality itself. For Alex, it was impossible not to feel drawn to it.
If he wanted to make proper contact with the Shushan sect, it would be best to begin with Li Xiaoyao and his companions.
"Well," Alex said after a moment of thought, "since fate seems to point that way, I'll journey to Lin Manor as well. Let me accompany you—I can keep watch on the road."
"Oh? In that case, I am grateful, Mr. Alex." Liu Jinyuan nodded warmly without hesitation.
For most people, traveling far with a stranger they'd only just met would seem reckless, even dangerous. But Liu Jinyuan never thought that way. He trusted easily, and suspicion simply wasn't part of his nature.
Alex could only shake his head slightly, thinking, If this man had lived through the apocalypse, he wouldn't have survived more than a few days. Good men like him rarely do.
Liu Jinyuan didn't have much to pack. With a simple bag over his shoulder, he was ready. Soon after, the two of them mounted horses and set out side by side.
At one point, Liu Jinyuan glanced at Alex's empty hands, curiosity flickering across his face.
"You're not bringing any luggage?" he asked.
Alex only smiled in response.
In fact, while studying spatial magic in the Marvel Universe, Alex had learned a trick: creating a small private space for storage.
In the Marvel Universe, the endless supply of beer during Doctor Strange and Thor's first meeting was actually due to this little trick.
And when Doctor Strange and Thanos met, the Time Stone he used to conjure up was actually drawn from a form of spatial storage.
The journey from the capital to Suzhou was naturally quite long, and the world was far from peaceful. Besides the threat of bandits, there was also the possibility of encountering demons and monsters.
After all, this was a realm of immortal heroes, where demons and monsters walked openly.
On the way, they encountered a tiger demon, its maw gaping as it lunged at Alex and Liu Jinyuan. This frightened Liu Jinyuan so much that he nearly fell off his horse.
However, Alex naturally ignored a mere tiger demon, one that hadn't even reached the stage of transformation.
With a flick of his finger, a ray of sharp sword energy emanated from his fingertips, instantly piercing the tiger demon's head.
Seeing Alex's effortless display, the tiger demon, despite its nearly one hundred crystal points of strength, was reduced as easily as crushing an ant.
"Master Alex, you're amazing!" Liu Jinyuan exclaimed in awe at how easily Alex had slain the tiger demon.
Although Alex had introduced himself as a cultivator during their first encounter, it was only now, when he saw him in action, that Liu Jinyuan realized Alex was far more formidable than he had imagined.
"What do you think? If ever, Young Master Liu, you wish to learn martial arts, I'd be happy to teach you everything I know," Alex said with a slight smile, noticing the look in Liu Jinyuan's eyes.
Liu Jinyuan was a gentleman, almost saintly in character, and Alex was more than willing to help such a kind-hearted person—so long as it did not bring him unnecessary trouble.
This world was a dangerous one, and learning some self-defense skills would certainly be beneficial.
"No thanks, fighting isn't my thing..." Upon hearing Alex's offer to teach him martial arts, Liu Jinyuan shook his head and declined.
Always adhering to the principles of a gentleman, Liu Jinyuan naturally shied away from physical combat.
Alex simply smiled at Liu Jinyuan's refusal and said nothing more.
Although he refused for now, Alex knew that once he arrived in Suzhou City and met Lin Yueru—who was participating in a martial arts competition where the victor would win her hand in marriage—he would certainly beg her to teach him martial arts.
Along the journey, even though they ran into robbers and wild beasts, with Alex by his side, Liu Jinyuan was able to escape danger unharmed.
Alex always managed to defeat their opponents with ease, which left a deep and unfathomable impression on Liu Jinyuan.
After several days of travel, they finally caught sight of Suzhou City's outline in the distance.
"Suzhou City… it truly lives up to its reputation. The saying, 'Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below,' is not an exaggeration," Alex thought to himself as he gazed at the grand, bustling city from afar.
"We've finally arrived…" Liu Jinyuan's face lit up with excitement. His spirit soared as he thought of meeting his cousin Yueru.
"Little thief, don't run!"
Suddenly, several panicked figures darted in their direction. Behind them, a young man shouted loudly while giving chase.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In just a few swift moves, the man knocked the thieves to the ground with practiced skill.
Without hesitation, the young man pulled a purse from one of the fallen men's robes. After weighing it in his hand, he tucked it away with satisfaction and declared proudly, "You worthless pickpockets really don't know your limits. You dared to steal from me—Li Xiaoyao, the hero? Are you tired of living?" at he had packed his things and was preparing to leave on a long journey.
It was only their first meeting, and since Liu Jinyuan was already departing, Alex naturally had no reason to linger behind.
Still, curiosity stirred in him, and he asked where Liu Jinyuan was headed.
At the question, a faint trace of embarrassment crossed Liu Jinyuan's face before he answered:
"Having recently achieved recognition, it is only proper that I pay my respects to family. I intend to visit my relatives at Lin Manor."
"Oh, so he's going to Lin Yueru's home…" Alex thought to himself, realization dawning.
He vaguely recalled that in the original story, it was near Lin Manor that Liu Jinyuan crossed paths with Li Xiaoyao and his companions.
That thought made Alex even more eager to go. Who knew—he might even encounter the legendary Drunken Swordsman.
What interested Alex most, however, were the Shushan swordsmen. By his own standards, he was already something of a half-trained swordsman. But the Shushan path promised something greater: cultivation to the level of immortality itself. For Alex, it was impossible not to feel drawn to it.
If he wanted to make proper contact with the Shushan sect, it would be best to begin with Li Xiaoyao and his companions.
"Well," Alex said after a moment of thought, "since fate seems to point that way, I'll journey to Lin Manor as well. Let me accompany you—I can keep watch on the road."
"Oh? In that case, I am grateful, Mr. Alex." Liu Jinyuan nodded warmly without hesitation.
For most people, traveling far with a stranger they'd only just met would seem reckless, even dangerous. But Liu Jinyuan never thought that way. He trusted easily, and suspicion simply wasn't part of his nature.
Alex could only shake his head slightly, thinking, If this man had lived through the apocalypse, he wouldn't have survived more than a few days. Good men like him rarely do.
Liu Jinyuan didn't have much to pack. With a simple bag over his shoulder, he was ready. Soon after, the two of them mounted horses and set out side by side.
At one point, Liu Jinyuan glanced at Alex's empty hands, curiosity flickering across his face.
"You're not bringing any luggage?" he asked.
Alex only smiled in response.
In fact, while studying spatial magic in the Marvel Universe, Alex had learned a trick: creating a small private space for storage.
In the Marvel Universe, the endless supply of beer during Doctor Strange and Thor's first meeting was actually due to this little trick.
And when Doctor Strange and Thanos met, the Time Stone he used to conjure up was actually drawn from a form of spatial storage.
The journey from the capital to Suzhou was naturally quite long, and the world was far from peaceful. Besides the threat of bandits, there was also the possibility of encountering demons and monsters.
After all, this was a realm of immortal heroes, where demons and monsters walked openly.
On the way, they encountered a tiger demon, its maw gaping as it lunged at Alex and Liu Jinyuan. This frightened Liu Jinyuan so much that he nearly fell off his horse.
However, Alex naturally ignored a mere tiger demon, one that hadn't even reached the stage of transformation.
With a flick of his finger, a ray of sharp sword energy emanated from his fingertips, instantly piercing the tiger demon's head.
Seeing Alex's effortless display, the tiger demon, despite its nearly one hundred crystal points of strength, was reduced as easily as crushing an ant.
"Master Alex, you're amazing!" Liu Jinyuan exclaimed in awe at how easily Alex had slain the tiger demon.
Although Alex had introduced himself as a cultivator during their first encounter, it was only now, when he saw him in action, that Liu Jinyuan realized Alex was far more formidable than he had imagined.
"What do you think? If ever, Young Master Liu, you wish to learn martial arts, I'd be happy to teach you everything I know," Alex said with a slight smile, noticing the look in Liu Jinyuan's eyes.
Liu Jinyuan was a gentleman, almost saintly in character, and Alex was more than willing to help such a kind-hearted person—so long as it did not bring him unnecessary trouble.
This world was a dangerous one, and learning some self-defense skills would certainly be beneficial.
"No thanks, fighting isn't my thing..." Upon hearing Alex's offer to teach him martial arts, Liu Jinyuan shook his head and declined.
Always adhering to the principles of a gentleman, Liu Jinyuan naturally shied away from physical combat.
Alex simply smiled at Liu Jinyuan's refusal and said nothing more.
Although he refused for now, Alex knew that once he arrived in Suzhou City and met Lin Yueru—who was participating in a martial arts competition where the victor would win her hand in marriage—he would certainly beg her to teach him martial arts.
Along the journey, even though they ran into robbers and wild beasts, with Alex by his side, Liu Jinyuan was able to escape danger unharmed.
Alex always managed to defeat their opponents with ease, which left a deep and unfathomable impression on Liu Jinyuan.
After several days of travel, they finally caught sight of Suzhou City's outline in the distance.
"Suzhou City… it truly lives up to its reputation. The saying, 'Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below,' is not an exaggeration," Alex thought to himself as he gazed at the grand, bustling city from afar.
"We've finally arrived…" Liu Jinyuan's face lit up with excitement. His spirit soared as he thought of meeting his cousin Yueru.
"Little thief, don't run!"
Suddenly, several panicked figures darted in their direction. Behind them, a young man shouted loudly while giving chase.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In just a few swift moves, the man knocked the thieves to the ground with practiced skill.
Without hesitation, the young man pulled a purse from one of the fallen men's robes. After weighing it in his hand, he tucked it away with satisfaction and declared proudly, "You worthless pickpockets really don't know your limits. You dared to steal from me—Li Xiaoyao, the hero? Are you tired of living?"