Chapter 79 - Conversation In The Carriage (1/2)

The next morning after Ou Yangming awoke, he practiced the martial-art squad in the courtyard as usual, and cultivated his fist art and blade technique.

Before Zhang Yinfan visited, he had always been like an inapparent mountain on Ou Yangming’s head, a constant pressure that urged Ou Yangming to work hard at all times. Now, although Zhang Yinfan had personally visited with a gift of apology, for some reason, not only did Ou Yangming not feel relaxed at all, but he also gained a sense of urgency.

Perhaps it was because Zhang Yinfan had not openly talked about Zhang Hanyu, hence Ou Yangming was dubious and wary.

The practice of the martial-art squat, the fist art, and the blade technique had almost become a habit that was imprinted in Ou Yangming’s body. He did not find the processes tiring, and was eager to carry them out instead. Similar to smithing art, he had invested a lot of pa.s.sion in them.

Just as he was was.h.i.+ng up after being drenched in sweat from his training, a knock was heard from the door.

Ou Yangming sighed. Back then, he barely had visitors looking for him at his courtyard, but after yesterday’s challenge, he was already visited twice within a couple of hours.

As Ou Yangming went to open the door, he was expecting a blacksmith master from the Armament Camp, but ended up being surprised again by his visitors.

Head Shopkeeper Lin Yichen from the Yi Pavilion was standing outside with a smile. Beside him stood Zheng Ziwen, who was embarra.s.sed and looked rather guilty, especially when he looked at Ou Yangming.

Ou Yangming naturally understood why. Since Zheng Ziwen had left halfway yesterday, it only made sense that he did not feel too good when he met one of the parties involved after that.

“Head Shopkeeper Lin, Master Zheng, please come in.”

Ou Yangming treated the two visitors differently. He welcomed them and said, “I met a Shopkeeper Lin when I previously visited the Yi Pavilion, and another Shopkeeper Lin is paying me a visit at my residence now, what a coincidence.”

Lin Yichen grinned. “It’s not really a coincidence, that Shopkeeper Lin is my junior and nephew. He’s not very sensible, so please excuse his poor manners.”

“That’s really a coincidence.” Ou Yangming was stunned. He pondered and asked, “I’m guessing that you’re here because of the appraisal?”

“Master Ou, you’re right. According to the Yi Pavilion’s rule, every piece of equipment must be appraised by three appraisal masters before a conclusion is drawn. As for those that have greater doubts and disagreements from the appraisers, the appraisal art will be used,” Lin Yichen said with a serious face, and continued after a pause, “We transferred more pieces of equipment this time, and we have to pick some Fine Grade ones to be sent to the prefecture, so we must confirm every piece’s grade and rank.”

Ou Yangming nodded and responded, “Three appraisal masters, but we… Eh? Did you invite Ni Yinghong too?”

Lin Yichen laughed. “Master Ou, to have guessed it right, you’re amazing.”

Ou Yangming wondered, ‘I’ve never heard of appraisers from the town. So far, there are only two appraisers if I include myself and Zheng Ziwen, so Ni Yinghong is the only candidate left. If I can’t even guess that right, am I not an idiot?’

Zheng Ziwen bowed at Ou Yangming. “Master Ou, I’m sorry about what happened yesterday.”

“Master Zheng, you don’t need to be so polite, I would’ve done the same if I was in your shoes,” Ou Yangming quickly replied to him.

Though Zheng Ziwen knew that Ou Yangming was only comforting him, he still felt rather glad.

“Master Ou, I’ve been away from home for quite some time, and I really miss my family, so I’d like to complete the task and return to them as soon as possible.” Zheng Ziwen looked at Ou Yangming eagerly as he asked, “When will you be free?”

Ou Yangming looked at him strangely because he did not expect the appraiser to be devoted to his family.

He instantly became soft-hearted because he thought about Old Craftsman, so he said, “We can leave once we have everyone.”

Zheng Ziwen was delighted as he did not expect Ou Yangming to be so easy to deal with. However, he did not know that if he had not brought up his family, which caused Ou Yangming to think about Old Craftsman, the young man would not have been so spirited.

Everything that happened was predestined, and everything happened for a reason.

“Master Ou, Master Ni Yinghong is already waiting outside the camp, so we can head over there if you’re free.”

Ou Yangming was stunned, but he quickly smiled. “Alright, since it has to be done sooner or later, let’s finish it as soon as possible.”

He had promised General Deng Zhicai to take up the task, hence he would not be overly sn.o.bbish about it. Besides, since Lin Yichen and Zheng Ziwen had personally visited him, he was not going to make things difficult for them.

Following that, the three of them left the residence and made their way to the military camp’s entrance, where a huge and gorgeous carriage was seen prepared.

Ou Yangming was astonished. It was the military camp’s entrance and exit point, yet n.o.body drove out the carriage for having stopped here. It proved that Head Shopkeeper Lin had a high reputation indeed.

Once they got on the carriage, Ou Yangming quickly noticed a handsome face.

Ni Yinghong smiled at Ou Yangming. “Master Ou, welcome.”

Ou Yangming laughed. He had no idea why he somehow felt at a loss around Ni Yinghong, and wondered if something was wrong with him.

After nodding at Ni Yinghong, Ou Yangming turned to converse with Zheng Ziwen.

He was not doing it to ignore Ni Yinghong on purpose, but because he did not know how to get along with him.

On the other hand, Ni Yinghong was surprised. In the past, she had met many fops with graceful bearings, who always approached her like moths that darted into flames. The men often looked for an opportunity to become intimate with her, or to gain a pretty lady and money at the same time.