Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 652 - 257: Worked Hard, Huh... (2/2) (Thanks to the Second Dimension Sister Saigao Alliance Leader for the Reward)

Yuchi Jie's mouth twitched slightly, almost cursing out loud.

As a cunning man who had embraced more beauties than Wang Anfeng had ever seen, the brothels and painted boats were often frequented by delicate ladies dressed as Jianghu swordsmen for amusement; how could he not recognize the poor costume? He spread his hands in a gesture of innocence.

Gong Yu noticed their silent exchange and couldn't help but be curious. He looked sideways, and the handsome young master froze for a moment, then greeted Gong Yu with a smile and a nod. Naturally, Gong Yu nodded back in return.

Yuchi Jie's actions ceased abruptly, and Wang Anfeng grew silent, turning to look at Lin Qiaofu.

Lin Qiaofu looked completely baffled.

Meanwhile, the handsome young master's eyes already revealed a hint of joy. After hesitating for a moment, he directly approached the table where Wang Anfeng sat. When he was five steps away, he lowered his folding fan and tapped it against his palm, speaking softly,

"Miss... do you still remember me?"

Yuchi Jie nearly sprayed out his tea, feeling as though the beautiful woman in front of him spoke with a directness rivaling the sons of noble clans who linger daily in the alleys of the Capital City, enamored with their flowery pleasures.

Wang Anfeng was uncertain whether Gong Yu actually knew this woman dressed as a scholar, or was simply responding instinctively to anyone who greeted him, and didn't know how he should react.

In the midst of this silence, Gong Yu suddenly asked,

"Can you play the zither?"

Zhu Yunmeng, disguised as a man, smiled and said, "I can play a little."

"Would the lady like to listen?"

Gong Yu was silent for a moment, then nodded silently.

Thrilled at the thought of getting to know Gong Yu, Zhu Yunmeng maintained her composure on the surface. She sent her maidservant to the nearest instrument shop to buy a zither, and then played it for Gong Yu right in the inn.

With the first pluck, the music emanated without the slightest harshness, soft and melodic.

Wang Anfeng was slightly taken aback, immediately recognizing the melody, and by extension, deducing the identity of the woman. Lv Baiping, however, didn't understand the nuances of zither music; he found the tune played by the handsome youth to be very pleasing and couldn't harbor any ill will toward the musician.

With a strange expression, Wang Anfeng signaled to Lin Qiaofu to follow him outside.

Standing outside the inn, Wang Anfeng looked at the woman playing the zither and the composed Gong Yu, lowering his voice to ask:

"Does Miss Gong recognize this lady?"

Lin Qiaofu shook her head in bewilderment and said:

"I don't know, my martial uncle won't tell me."

"Brother Wang, is this lady very formidable..."

Wang Anfeng said, "She is the celebrated Oiran, Zhu Yunmeng, who is renowned throughout the thirteen pathways of Jiangnan that Yuchi Jie mentioned earlier. I had heard her playing the zither before, so I was able to recognize her."

"Zhu Yunmeng?"

"The zither maestro?"

Lin Qiaofu's eyes widened as she murmured, "My martial uncle, she couldn't possibly know her."

"But just now, Miss Gong Yu looked as if she recognized her."

"Ah, I understand now."

A realization dawned in Lin Qiaofu's eyes. Seeing Wang Anfeng's puzzled expression, she explained softly:

"Well, Brother Wang, all the disciples from our Qingfeng Edge wear white, right..."

"My martial uncle doesn't recognize people, so from the beginning, the Sect Leader told my martial uncle to identify everyone by their distinctive traits and skills, and to make it seem like making small talk when asking questions."

"For example, asking whether one can play the zither or how one's paintings are coming along, such friendly inquiries..."

Wang Anfeng was taken aback for a moment, thinking back to the recent events, he was somewhat flabbergasted.

Lin Qiaofu sighed deeply, with an air of maturity beyond her years, she looked up at the sky and murmured:

"My martial uncle, she has been working very hard..."

Wang Anfeng turned to look at the Oiran playing the zither and the flawlessly composed Gong Yu, recalling the Fairy Sword's outward composure, he racked his brain searching for anyone he might recognize.

He had to maintain an appearance as if everything was normal. Sighing, he nodded earnestly and said, "Miss Gong Yu, she has been working very hard indeed..."

Inside the room, Zhu Yunmeng played the zither with the sound reminiscent of flowing water over green pebbles, while Gong Yu remained serene and composed, as if truly immersed in the rare zither music. Yuchi Jie, who had guessed the woman's identity, looked at Gong Yu and then at Zhu Yunmeng with full skepticism on his face.

Outside, the two exchanged a glance and simultaneously sighed:

"She has worked very hard indeed..."

Zhu Yunmeng left after playing three pieces today, and the usually aloof Gong Yu surprisingly escorted Zhu Yunmeng out of the inn before returning.

And tomorrow would be the day she had arranged to duel with Qianshan Si.

Tomorrow, at the third quarter of Chen hour, at the foot of Yu Floating Mountain.

Seated cross-legged before the candlelight, Qianshan Si opened his eyes and his right hand brushed over the longsword resting on his knees, murmuring lowly.

"Gong Yu."

PS: Here's the second update for today.........

Thanks to the leader of the Two-Dimensional Girls for the reward, which is greatly appreciated. I should have produced a longer chapter, but I only realized it was too late after finishing this part... Tomorrow should witness the outburst of a long chapter, yes.