Chapter 358: Visitor from the South Sea

**Chapter 358: Visitors from the South Sea**

That tender call made Su Mo’s heart flutter.

He exhaled softly, suppressing his excitement, and asked in a low voice:

“Have you eaten?”

Yang Xiaoyun shook her head gently:

“You weren’t back yet, so I naturally stayed here waiting. How could I eat without you…”

“We martial folk aren’t sticklers for formalities.”

Su Mo tapped her nose lightly with his finger:

“Since when are you this well-behaved?”

He took her hand and led her to the table.

The table was laden with a feast—every dish imaginable.

Though by now, most had gone cold.

Su Mo picked up an empty bowl and selected some dishes to her liking, serving them to her.

Yang Xiaoyun lifted the wine pot and poured a cup for each of them.

“Eat something first. Having food in your stomach makes it harder to get drunk.”

Su Mo placed the bowl and chopsticks before Yang Xiaoyun.

Her eyes sparkled as she nodded, taking dainty sips and bites.

Su Mo rested his chin in his hand, watching her quietly.

Yang Xiaoyun’s cheeks grew redder under his gaze.

“Xiao Mo… husband, why are you looking at me like that?”

“After scheming for years, I’ve finally succeeded. Now that you’ve entered the Su family, you’re the prized catch now in my bowl—surely I’m allowed a few extra glances?”

Su Mo’s theatrical tone oozed smug satisfaction.

Yang Xiaoyun blushed furiously, shooting him two sharp glares. The tension between them lightened.

She then asked:

“Did everything go smoothly at the banquet today?”

“The wedding brought together the Eastern Wilderness’s finest—the top sects, gangs, escort agencies, and their leading experts.

“No one would dare make a scene today.”

“That’s true,” Yang Xiaoyun nodded. “But yesterday’s commotion was something else. Even holed up at the Iron Blood Escort Bureau, I caught wind of the news. The Eastern Wilderness Escort Alliance—Alliance Leader Su…”

With a faint smile, she cupped her hands in salute, saying...

"My apologies, my apologies."

Su Mo slightly raised his head. "No need for formalities."

At this, the couple exchanged a smile.

Yang Xiaoyun mused:

"The East City Seven Sects and Southwest Three Gangs have co-signed our standing."

"Since the Eastern Wastes Escort Alliance was formed, Ziyang Escort Agency has finally put down permanent roots in the Eastern Wastes."

"Husband, when shall we sail for the Southern Seas?"

"We can't rush this," Su Mo replied.

He picked up his chopsticks and ate a bit—drinking nonstop had left him famished, with the flood of guests demanding endless rounds of toasts.

The great Su Mo, hailed as the Eastern Wastes' finest swordsman, had hardly touched his food at his own wedding feast.

"Hmm..."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded. "The Escort Alliance is still in its infancy. We must stay nearby to oversee matters. Leaving now might invite trouble."

"Once everything stabilizes, that will be the right time to make sail."

"Exactly so."

A faint smile crossed Su Mo's face. "Besides, we should consult thoroughly with the Fallen Phoenix Alliance about the voyage. They run maritime trade and know the ropes far better than we do."

"In any case, before setting out, we must make proper preparations."

"However—" He paused, a frown creasing his brow.

"What is it?"

"That *Great Manager*... may already be at sea as well."

Su Mo then recounted to Yang Xiaoyun all he had discussed the previous night with the leaders of the seven sects regarding Da You Bank’s Great Manager.

After hearing this, her brow furrowed deeply.

"The South Sea is vast beyond measure. Once he vanishes into the waves, where would we even begin to search?"

"So this matter can’t be rushed either."

Su Mo rolled his shoulders and glanced outside at the night sky.

"Let’s not speak of this business tonight. It’s late already… Time we retired."

With those words, Yang Xiaoyun blushed once more.

Flustered, she hurriedly finished her meal and lifted her cup:

"Ganbei!"

"???"

Su Mo stammered, "Wedding wine? Who drinks it like this?"

Only then did Yang Xiaoyun extend her arm, linking arms with Su Mo as they shared a meaningful glance and drank from the same cup.

The next moment, Su Mo swept Yang Xiaoyun up into his arms. She, like a flustered bird, buried her head completely against his chest.

When Su Mo laid her on the bed and tried to rise, he found her arms locked tightly around his neck, holding him in place.

He paused, startled:

"Wife, let me get up to draw the bed curtains."

But Yang Xiaoyun refused stubbornly. With a sudden tug, she pulled Su Mo down beside her:

"After years of waiting, my plan succeeds. Husband, you're finally the prize I've caught."

"!!!"

Su Mo gaped in shock. What was this?

Had she shown her true colors at last?

Do the cleverest hunters not disguise themselves as prey?

Su Mo weakly objected, "Wait, wife... there are maids listening outside."

"We should give them something worth hearing."

Yang Xiaoyun suddenly flipped over, pinning Su Mo beneath her. She lifted her head, inhaled deeply, then exhaled sharply—the red candles flickered violently before extinguishing with a soft puff.

The bridal chamber was swallowed by darkness.

Only soft, indistinct murmurs broke the silence. Moments later, the eavesdropping maids turned bright red, stealing scarlet-faced glances at each other before quietly slipping away.

The night had begun starlit and beautiful.

Yet, an autumn rain crept in silently at midnight.

At first, a gentle, windblown drizzle—then a fierce downpour.

But near dawn, the clouds parted and the rain ceased.

By midmorning, the sky was cloudless, a perfect day of clear skies and fresh air.

Since arriving in this martial world, this was the first morning Su Mo hadn't risen early to practice his kung fu.

He slept until the sun hung high before finally opening his eyes.

Reaching out, he found her gone from his side.

Turning, he saw Yang Xiaoyun seated at the dressing table, putting on her jewelry.

Propping himself up on one elbow, he lay watching her with sleepy contentment.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, making Yang Xiaoyun fidget. She couldn't help but turn around and glare at Su Mo:

"Come help me already."

"Hahaha."

Su Mo laughed, then got out of bed and walked behind her. He leaned down slightly, looking at the woman in the bronze mirror:

"What do you need me to do?"

"...I just can't get these things right."

Yang Xiaoyun stared at the cosmetics in front of her, clearly completely baffled.

Su Mo was at a loss for words. She was used to swinging swords and spears, so dealing with makeup and cosmetics was truly a challenge for her.

Seeing her grab a handful of rouge and about to smear it on her face, Su Mo quickly stopped her and smiled helplessly:

"You never bother with this stuff normally. What’s the occasion today?"

"A new bride can't go without makeup."

Yang Xiaoyun gave Su Mo a sideways glare:

"Yesterday, the maidservants helped with the makeup. Today, I wanted to try it myself, but it turns out much easier said than done. They make it look so simple—why can’t I do it? It's really strange."

"Let me try."

Su Mo immediately volunteered.

Yang Xiaoyun trusted him completely and nodded in agreement at once.

She turned around, closed her eyes, and waited quietly. But moments later, she felt his warm breath against her face.

Newlyweds were quick to passion.

After waiting a while without feeling any movement on her face, Yang Xiaoyun suddenly found herself being picked up by Su Mo.

Startled, she panicked and struggled:

"Husband, we can’t..."

"You weren't saying that last night."

"But it’s daytime now..."

"So what?"

"The great master is still in the manor. How can we be doing this?"

"We should rise early and greet our elders."

That was a good point.

Su Mo had no choice but to put her down. He picked up the cosmetics and tried to apply them for her.

But it soon became clear that Su Mo had overestimated his skills.

He quickly realized he was even worse at it than Yang Xiaoyun.

After his handiwork, Yang Xiaoyun’s stunning looks were instantly transformed beyond recognition.

The two of them stared at each other in the bronze mirror before bursting into laughter.

Yang Xiaoyun gave Su Mo a few good pinches in mock annoyance, prompting him to dip a cloth in water and wipe her face clean before calling in the maids to reapply her makeup.

A bride didn’t just need makeup—her hair had to be done up properly too.

From this day onward, she was no longer a maiden confined to the inner chambers but a married woman.

After a hard-fought session at the vanity, the two finally stepped out to pay their respects to the elders.

In fact, it wasn’t just the elders—they also had to greet the martial heroes who’d traveled from afar.

Outside, the festivities were still in full swing, as the feast would run for three straight days and wouldn’t end so quickly.

However, Li Zhengyuan could no longer stay.

This included members of the East City Seven Sects, who had carved time out of packed schedules to rush here for the wedding banquet.

As for others from East City, some had already departed last night.

After all, a two-month round trip was no small commitment.

So, after paying their respects to Li Zhengyuan early in the morning, the old man brought up his departure.

Unable to persuade him to stay, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun had no choice but to escort him out of the city.

They saw him off all the way to the Ten-Mile Pavilion before finally pausing for a brief farewell.

Li Zhengyuan told Su Mo that upon returning to East City, he would return to the battlefront.

Currently, the eastern factions of East City were pressing their attack on Eternal Night Valley, racking up victory after victory, with reports of their triumphs keeping coming in.

However, regarding the matter of the Night Monarch—which Su Mo had secretly relayed to him through Duan Song—there had been no news whatsoever.

He also assured Su Mo that if he caught even a whisper of any discovery, he would send word to the Ziyang Escort Bureau.

Finally, Li Zhengyuan urged Su Mo to live well, now that he had married, and to quickly expand the Su family lineage—the same old advice.

Among the Seven Sects, apart from Li Zhengyuan, the Second Palace Master and the Third Palace Master also left together, accompanied by Xia Xuanran, Yuchi Meng, and Luo Changsheng.

Only the young monk Xuanzhen and Xuanyuan Xiaoshan did not return to East City.

Instead, they planned to set sail to gain experience.

Young as they were, it was time they saw the world and learned the ways of the martial world.

Their trip to attend the wedding banquet had originally been intended as a chance to depart directly from Sunset City by sea.

When words failed them, the couple stood there, watching the group shrink into the horizon.

Only once they’d vanished from sight did hoofbeats approach from behind.

Turning around, they saw Wei Ziyi arriving late.

She swung down from her horse and bowed to Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, then gazed after them and stamped her foot in exasperation.

"Why didn't Master wait for me?"

"Maybe he couldn't handle saying goodbye."

Yang Xiaoyun comforted softly, then took Wei Ziyi's hand:

"Ziyi, will you be staying in Sunset City permanently now?"

Wei Ziyi glanced at her, then instinctively looked toward Su Mo before gently nodding:

"That's right. The Fallen Phoenix Alliance has already reassigned personnel duties.

"While you were busy preparing for the wedding, I completed the transfer of my responsibilities in Heavenly Feather City.

"Now, I'm about to become vice-leader of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

"Accordingly, Leader Wu will soon assume the position of city leader in Heavenly Feather City."

This was to be expected, so there wasn't much more to say. As they spoke, the group made their way back to Sunset City.

In the days that followed, Su Mo's main occupation became hosting and bidding farewell to guests.

The dignitaries from East City departed first, followed by the head escorts from various escort bureaus who also left Sunset City one after another.

Those who had joined Su Mo's Eastern Wilderness Escort Alliance all prepared to return home and start fresh, and with their departure, word spread far and wide.

Next came the southwestern contingent.

However, not everyone left—Feng Baichuan from the Heavenly Blade Sect and Wan Zangxin from Wusheng Hall remained.

They all knew that after the wedding would come Su Mo's disciple initiation ceremony.

So they simply decided to stay and wait.

Sure enough, just a few days after the wedding, Su Mo held the ceremony for accepting disciples.

Of course, this event couldn't match his wedding in grandeur.

Only several dozen tables were set up within the Ziyang Escort Bureau, inviting nearby friends, family, and martial artists to witness the occasion.

On that day, Su Mo took the seat of honor, with Yang Xiaoyun seated beside him.

Previously, when Xu Lu addressed her as "Shiniang," it had felt a bit premature—but now, it was entirely proper.

Two individuals were to be accepted as disciples: Xu Lu and Zhaodi.

As the appointed hour arrived, both knelt and performed the formal rites, then served tea to their master.

The spectators couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"That older one seems roughly the same age as Chief Escort Su?"

"Age doesn't matter when it comes to Chief Escort Su—he is the First among Donghuang martial artists."

"But what's the story with the younger one? How did she have the honor of becoming Chief Escort Su’s disciple?"

"You probably don’t know. She’s an orphan girl Chief Escort Su came across and rescued while passing through Zhongfu City."

"Bandits massacred their village, leaving only this child, who was taken in by Chief Escort Su."

"Ah, I see... Now that she can become Chief Escort Su's disciple, her suffering has finally paid off."

Amid the chatter, a voice suddenly cut through.

"Look at this so-called Chief Escort—still wet behind the ears and already playing at taking disciples?

"First of East City...

"East City, one of the four realms under heaven—yet they let some brat with milk still on his lips claim the top spot.

"I told you touring East City’s a damn waste of time.

"But you wouldn’t listen."

"You actually buy their hot air?

"Scholars debate rankings, but martial arts brook no second place.

"Across the entire martial world, who dares to call themselves number one?

"This kid’s young, arrogant, and stuck at the bottom of a well.

"Enough. This is clearly some backwater nowhere—don’t bother mocking them.

"But East City’s nothing like its name implies. I expected wastelands, yet even a podunk town like this has such a mighty city? Hell of a surprise."

Their conversation wasn’t even whispered—it carried loud and clear.

Not just those nearby could hear; Su Mo heard every word too.

He was mid-sip when he froze, glancing toward the speakers.

It wasn’t that he’d grown too proud to take criticism—he just noticed right away these two weren’t from East City.

That made him prick up his ears.

Looking up, he saw a man and a woman standing in the crowd, both armed with blades.

Their clothes were no different from local martial artists', but he hesitated—should he haul them in for a chat after the ceremony?

Though Sunset City lay near the South Sea, South Sea folks rarely set foot in East City. These two were nothing like that Zhan fellow from earlier.

Clearly, they were martial artists from the South Sea, here on their martial pilgrimage—but what exactly were they?

They talked big, but were they the real deal, or all talk?

As these thoughts crossed his mind, his glance was taken as a provocation.

"Hah. Staring me down—got a problem?"

The man glanced at the woman beside him.

She frowned slightly. "Don’t start shit. Master said we came to East City to study their techniques and hone our own—not to pick fights."

"Hahaha!"

The young man let out a loud laugh: "He's the Chief Escort of this agency, naturally a martial artist. If he's taking disciples, he must think his skills are formidable.

"Today’s the perfect chance to test his skills."

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed many around him shooting him angry looks.

Here they were, in the middle of recruiting disciples, and these two wouldn’t stop yapping endlessly.

Now they even wanted to test Chief Escort Su?

No matter whose disciples these two young men were, their behavior was way out of line.

The young man basked in the attention. With a smirk, he said nothing more but channeled his finger force and sent it flying outward.

*Hum!*

A low hum rang out as the force shot forth—not aimed at Su Mo himself, but at the teacup in his hand.

Clearly, he intended to shatter Su Mo's teacup with a flashy entrance, showing off his skills.

This would not only make a bold statement but also cause Su Mo's tea to break before he could drink, proving he wasn't fit to teach.

Seeing this, Su Mo just shook his head silently.

These two from the South Sea—judging solely by this finger technique—were no amateurs.

But their conduct was way too full of themselves, like a couple of hotheaded idiots.

Their actions were laughable, making the South Sea look bad for no reason.

Su Mo couldn’t care less. Sipping his tea, he casually flicked his finger back.

Silently, the two forces collided midair and instantly canceled each other out.

Yet the young man's face abruptly paled. He staggered back a step, blood trickling from his lips, his eyes wide with shock.

Without another glance at Su Mo, he grabbed his companion’s wrist:

"We screwed up—he’s a real master! Let’s get out, fast!

"Otherwise, we might not get another chance."

……

……