Chapter 115 Side Story: Tian Dabiao & Xu Yunfei

Ever since Tian Dabiao became the leader of the Lotus Society, his days had been increasingly satisfying. He felt like he was truly meant for the world of martial arts.

Indeed, Tian Dabiao’s personality and skills were destined to make a name for him in the martial world.

As the Lotus Society’s membership grew larger, Tian Mi’s land development and acquisition of estates also expanded. Uncle Xu Yunfei’s Yi Pin Xian (Premium Fresh) shops opened in more locations, and Bai Wei’s shops sold in every city, significantly increasing the society’s income.

Tian Dabiao reopened the Zhenwei Escort Agency, which was now managed by the Lotus Society. To improve the martial skills of the members, Spring San personally conducted daily training sessions.

Thus, a nationwide logistics chain was formed, with both water and land routes connecting various locations, creating a massive commercial empire. The society had tens of thousands of members, forming a key information network. When Bai Dongyuan and the second prince rebelled, the emperor decided to wipe out the Gui Feng Pavilion once and for all.

Bai Mucheng personally led the mission, and Tian Mi took their three children south on the Lotus Society’s ship, partly to test the society’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Once the messages from various regions were gathered at the Lotus Society’s headquarters, the locations of Gui Feng Pavilion’s forces were revealed.

Bai Mucheng and Tian Mi, along with Yanzu, conducted a thorough investigation, using the Qinling headquarters as their target. The area was surrounded by steep mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Bai Mucheng analyzed the situation carefully, knowing that even a direct attack would result in significant losses, and even that wasn’t guaranteed to succeed.

But the Gui Feng Pavilion had to be eradicated; they had been causing trouble for the people for too long, and now they posed a direct threat to the court.

Bai Mucheng had always known that Tian Mi had secrets she hadn’t shared, and he respected her discretion. Especially after interrogating Bai Dongyuan, he was more certain than ever and had a strong suspicion that her secret ability was to rapidly store things.

For example, Bai Dongyuan had mentioned the Qinghe County office and the Jia family’s mansion. The Jia family had accumulated wealth for generations, but when they moved, there was nothing left behind. Everyone else was puzzled, but Bai Mucheng knew that Tian Mi had already taken everything from the Jia family and stored it away.

Now, at this critical juncture, Tian Mi’s mysterious power could be put to use. If she could store all of Gui Feng Pavilion’s weapons, it would reduce the losses.

“Mier, can we sneak in and take all their things, then send in the troops to attack?”

Tian Mi looked at him in surprise, her eyes wide. “Brother, what are you talking about? You know too much, don’t you?”

Bai Mucheng laughed softly at her stunned expression.

“Little fairy, why don’t you show me your magic and let me see?”

After years of being together, their mutual affection had become ingrained in their souls. Tian Mi had no secrets left from him, but she preferred to avoid unnecessary complications.

With a playful glance, she asked, “How did you know?”

Bai Mucheng smiled and replied, “I’m not stupid; I’ve had this feeling for a long time.”

Tian Mi explained, “I can indeed store things, and I can take them out whenever I want, including myself. So I’m always safe, no matter the situation.”

As she spoke, she entered her space, and Bai Mucheng, who had just seen Tian Mi standing before him, suddenly panicked when she vanished without a trace. His face changed in an instant.

Mier had disappeared!

“Mi’er, Mi’er!”

Tian Mi reappeared in front of him out of thin air, and Bai Mucheng immediately pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“Mi’er, Mi’er, why did this happen?”

Tian Mi explained that it was just a portable space, and she could store and take out things, including people, at any time.

Bai Mucheng seriously looked at her and asked, “Mi’er, you won’t disappear again, right?”

Tian Mi hung onto his neck and kissed him, saying, “No, my husband and my babies are here with me. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay with you both.”

She could only exist in this space—where else could she go?

Bai Mucheng let out a sigh of relief.

He then started to revise their plans. With Mi’er’s mysterious powers, there were so many things they could accomplish.

Bai Mucheng and Yanzu could also sneak into the Gui Feng Pavilion with Tian Mi. Once inside, Bai Mucheng pretended to be unconscious in the space, but when he exited the space, he was fully alert, albeit in a different place.

Tian Mi began to use her tranquilizers again, and with Bai Mucheng, they killed their way through the pavilion while Yanzu kept watch.

Within just one day and night, they had destroyed Gui Feng Pavilion from the inside. The remaining survivors fled, but the army had already surrounded them outside.

Other factions were also wiped out by the army. The Gui Feng Pavilion, which had dominated the martial world for nearly a century, was completely eradicated within six months by Bai Mucheng. The Lotus Society quickly took over their territory and positions, becoming the most powerful faction in the martial world.

Tian Dabiao also became the top leader in the martial world.

Xu Yunfei, on the other hand, was a man of integrity and kindness.

Many fathers, when educating their children, tell them, “You must be kind, but always carry a sharp edge.”

You should be kind to others, but never let your guard down.

He had grown up learning alongside Xu Yunzhao. Their teacher had always thought that he was more steady, with a better grasp of things. He was more serious about martial arts, more focused, and his health was better too.

However, when he and Xu Yunzhao went to take the imperial examination, he fell ill. He never really thought about why this happened to him.

Often, you can be kind, but you must first protect yourself. Not everyone around you will be the same.

After the Grand Tutor Jia retired and returned to his hometown, the capital was in chaos. The Jia family was in a panic, worried about being implicated, so they started looking for new opportunities. The Lin family sisters, Lin Yixue and Lin Yujing, went from being looked down upon to becoming highly sought-after, especially Lin Yixue.

Lin’s wife was walking on air now! Every day, other noblewomen invited her to offer incense or go on outings.

But Lin Yixue remained silent, coldly rejecting everyone.

At this time, Xu Yunfei shone in the imperial examination, earning the title of “Xiucai” (a successful candidate in the examination).

Compared to the Lin family’s second-ranked officials, he was like the heavens and the earth apart.

At one banquet, Xu Yunfei overheard Lin Yixue and Xu Feiyan talking about how their family was arranging matches for her. Their eyes met, and everything was understood without a word.

All the affection was expressed in a single glance.

Although their social standings were vastly different, Xu Yunfei couldn’t help but wonder: if she were to marry someone else, would that person treat her well? Would he take multiple wives and bully her?

Xu Yunfei couldn’t shake off his worries.

For now, he was just a “Xiucai,” but he would keep striving. No matter when it was, he would protect her and make sure she didn’t suffer.

Thinking about this, he felt a sudden sense of clarity.

He had made up his mind—he would discuss with his family to propose to the Lin family.

Just then, he heard a panicked cry: “Someone has fallen into the water! Someone has fallen into the water!”

Xu Yunfei was a man of justice. Seeing hands struggling in the pond, without a second thought, he jumped in and rescued the person.

Jia Yuntang, once proud and cruel when the Jia family was at its peak, now saw her family in decline, and many people who had bullied her were still around.

A group of young ladies had been causing trouble, and one of them accidentally fell into the pond. Jia Yuntang, soaked to the skin, was saved by Xu Yunfei, who had come to her rescue. She felt both cold and terrified as she tightly clung to him.

In this era, such physical contact between men and women in public was devastating for a woman’s reputation.

Many fathers, when educating their children, tell them: “You must be kind, but always carry a sharp edge.”

You should have good intentions towards others, but never let your guard down.

He had grown up learning alongside Xu Yunzhao. Their teacher had always believed he was more grounded, with a better understanding. He was also more serious about martial arts, more focused, and in better health.

However, when he and Xu Yunzhao went to take the imperial examination, he fell ill. He never really thought about why this happened to him.

Often, you can be kind, but you must first protect yourself. Not everyone around you will be like you.

After Grand Tutor Jia retired and returned to his hometown, the capital was in chaos. The Jia family was nervous, afraid of being implicated, and started searching for new paths. The Lin family sisters, Lin Yixue and Lin Yujing, who had once been looked down upon, suddenly became highly sought after, especially Lin Yixue.

Lin’s wife was walking on air now! Every day, other noblewomen invited her to offer incense or go on outings.

But Lin Yixue remained silent and coldly rejected everyone.

At this time, Xu Yunfei shone in the imperial examination, becoming a “Xiucai” (a successful candidate in the exam).

In comparison, the Lin family officials were like heaven and earth apart.

At a banquet, Xu Yunfei overheard Lin Yixue and Xu Feiyan discussing how her family was arranging matches for her. Their eyes met, and everything was understood without a word.

All the emotions were conveyed in a single glance.

Although their social standing was vastly different, Xu Yunfei couldn’t help but think: If she were to marry someone else, would he treat her well? Would he have multiple wives and bully her?

Xu Yunfei couldn’t shake off his worries.

For now, he was just a “Xiucai,” but he would continue to work hard. No matter when it was, he would protect her and make sure she wouldn’t suffer.

Thinking about this, he felt a sudden sense of clarity.

He decided to discuss with his family about proposing to the Lin family.

Just then, a panicked cry rang out: “Someone has fallen into the water! Someone has fallen into the water!”

Xu Yunfei was a man of justice. Seeing hands struggling in the pond, without a second thought, he jumped in and rescued the person.

Jia Yuntang, once cold and arrogant when the Jia family was thriving, now saw her family in decline. Naturally, many people who had bullied her were still around.

A group of young ladies had been causing trouble, and one of them accidentally fell into the pond. Jia Yuntang, drenched, was saved by Xu Yunfei, who had come to her rescue. As she clung to him, feeling both cold and scared, she looked at him like a hero descending from the heavens.

In this era, such public contact between men and women could destroy a woman’s reputation.

Xu Yunfei didn’t immediately realize what was happening. It wasn’t until he saw the crowd whispering and pointing that he realized the situation.

Just then, his gaze met Lin Yixue’s pained eyes.

There are many people with fate but no chance, and those who have fate but no chance are often the most suffering.

Xu Yunfei didn’t want to marry anyone else, but he also couldn’t go to the Lin family to propose. He couldn’t drag her into the web of gossip and scandal.

The fall of the Jia family only mattered to the Jia family; to the Xu family, they were still highly esteemed. Marrying Jia Yuntang would still be seen as him climbing up in status.

The Jia family was, of course, willing to marry their daughter to him. After all, things had reached this point, and Jia Yuntang blushed and nodded in agreement.

Jia Ge understood his daughter’s feelings, which were quite clear. She was willing.

Although the Xu family’s social standing had lowered a little, their ties with the Princess of Ding were strong. Xu Yunfei’s character and talent were beyond reproach.

Jia Ge then spoke to Aunt Zhuo, saying it was to thank Xu Yunfei for saving his daughter’s life. He suggested that in front of everyone, given that both families had children of suitable age and no engagements, Xu Yunfei was talented, and perhaps a marriage between the two families would be a good match.

Aunt Zhuo was willing, but she knew that in matters of marriage, the children’s opinions mattered most.

Xu Yunfei rejected the proposal. He explained that when he saw someone drowning, it was a life he couldn’t leave to perish, regardless of gender or age. He would save anyone, but marriage was a different matter. Right now, he only wanted to study, with no other thoughts on his mind. His stance was firm.

This engagement did not happen, and Jia Yuntang found herself caught in rumors.

Lin Yixue’s marriage was also delayed time and time again until her family finally arranged for her to marry the eldest son of the Wang family.

If it snowed in that year, it could be said that it was the end of the road for her.

Three years later, Xu Yunfei passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest degree), yet he remained unmarried and chose to take a position in a remote region.

Jia Yuntang, whose reputation was ruined, never married. She also noticed that Xu Yunfei, despite not marrying her, had returned to his hometown.

Leaving behind endless regrets.