With a flash of lightning striking down.

The pitch-black sky suddenly flashed with brilliant light.

The newcomer, like a drowned rat, rushed into the ruined temple from outside in great haste.

Braving the rain to reach the courtyard!

Extremely disheveled!

It turned out to be Song Zhi!

This fellow had been driving the horse carriage himself along the way, and drove quite fast, catching up to Jingrong’s convoy so quickly.

Tonight was truly unfortunate—such heavy rain had started.

He had originally wanted to make do with spending the night in the carriage, but the thunderstorm was really too heavy. Plus, the horse had been frightened. If something happened, losing the carriage would be one thing, but losing his life would be quite regrettable!

Fortunately, there was a ruined temple here that could still provide shelter!

Only—

What he never expected was that as soon as he ran from outside into the courtyard of the ruined temple, he saw over a dozen fierce-looking men inside staring at him viciously and very alertly.

Each one with a face full of murderous intent.

And they all carried swords.

He had never seen such a formation before.

At that moment, his footsteps halted.

He stood dumbly in the courtyard, letting the heavy rain beat upon him freely!

Not daring to take another step forward.

His entire person completely frozen.

He just felt a chill run down his back.

Actually, before entering, he had seen light from afar, and when entering, he had also seen many horses tied up outside, so he knew there must be people here. But he hadn’t expected that not only were there people, there were so many people, and moreover… they were all “this kind” of people!

Those people also made no sound, just staring at him like that.

Staring until his whole body felt numb.

He took a deep breath, and rainwater entered his nose, choking him until he coughed violently several times. Only then did he cup his hands toward those people and say in a gentle tone: “Everyone, I’m truly sorry. Tonight’s heavy rain leaves this humble scholar nowhere to go. Plus, traveling at night is somewhat dangerous, and my horse is exhausted. I have no choice but to… come in to shelter from the rain. I hope everyone can be accommodating and allow me to take shelter inside. Just one night will do. I absolutely won’t disturb you all…”

His voice was gradually drowned out by the sound of rain.

Growing softer and softer.

Among that group, a man in purple clothes looked at him with cold eyes.

Sizing him up and down!

He saw that the person in the rain wore gray robes, his entire body soaked through by the rainwater. From his clothing and appearance, he looked like a scholar.

No threat!

But—

The man in purple was still somewhat uneasy.

He said something in a low voice to the person beside him!

Not paying any attention to Song Zhi at all.

Although this ruined temple had been abandoned for a long time and didn’t really belong to anyone, Song Zhi had arrived later after all. He always felt that he had intruded into someone else’s space, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. So he stood in the rain, not going in for quite some time.

Thinking: Tonight, I’m afraid I really will have to spend the night in the carriage.

Just at this moment—

A voice came from the innermost area.

“Young Master Song!”

Hm?

Song Zhi heard a very familiar voice.

Looking toward the sound, he saw Jingrong stepping forward.

“Young Master Jing? It’s you!” Song Zhi’s eyes lit up.

He hadn’t expected to meet again here.

Extremely delighted.

Jingrong smiled slightly: “It’s raining so heavily outside. Come in first.”

But Song Zhi had some concerns, his gaze looking at those people with swords.

Not knowing whether to enter?

Or not to enter?

Jingrong glanced at those people from the corner of his eye, then said to Song Zhi as if they didn’t exist: “This place seems to have been abandoned for a long time. It can be used by people to shelter from rain and wind. It’s not private property! Young Master Song should come in. Better not to catch a cold.”

These words were obviously meant for those people to hear.

After hearing these words, the man in purple’s expression stiffened, his eyes trembled, and his hand gripping the sword hilt immediately tightened.

He then signaled his people to put away their swords and quickly sit down.

Jingrong secretly smiled and said to the disheveled Song Zhi in the rain: “Come in.”

Seeing that group had already sat down, Song Zhi quickly entered.

Jingrong led him to his own area.

Song Zhi was covered in rainwater. He walked very carefully, afraid that the rainwater on his body would drip onto others.

When he saw Ji Yunshu, he couldn’t hide the joy in his eyes. He immediately cupped his hands and bowed to her in greeting.

“Young Master Ji.”

Ji Yunshu hadn’t expected to run into him here. Seeing him soaked like that, she didn’t bother returning the courtesy and quickly scooted to the side, saying: “Sit down and warm yourself by the fire first.”

“Thank you very much!”

Song Zhi didn’t sit too close to the fire, but rather sat a bit farther away.

To avoid his dampness and rainwater getting on Ji Yunshu.

After sitting down, he was still panting slightly. After all, before coming in, he had been worn out by his horse, and had great difficulty tying it up.

At this moment, his whole body was drained of strength.

Bai Yin, sitting across from him, stared at him coldly. Because of this fellow, they had been delayed in Yiwu. They had finally managed to shake him off earlier, and now they’d run into him again!

Bai Yin handled matters cleanly and efficiently. He didn’t like those slow, dawdling people who were always causing trouble. Song Zhi’s temperament was exactly like that, even making people anxious.

Therefore, Bai Yin didn’t like him.

His expression grew darker and darker.

Compared to Bai Yin, Ji Yunshu was much more enthusiastic. Seeing Song Zhi using his soaked sleeves to wipe the rainwater from his hair, she handed him a handkerchief: “Use this.”

“Thank you, Young Master Ji.”

“No need!”

Then Jingrong poured him a bowl of hot water.

“Thank you, Young Master Jing.” After drinking the hot water, Song Zhi said with extreme excitement: “I truly didn’t expect to see you all again. What fate! Actually, I went to the inn to find you, but you had already left. I was quite regretful. If I had gone to the inn to find you a bit earlier, perhaps I could have said goodbye.”

Jingrong said nothing.

Ji Yunshu instead asked him: “Where are you headed?”

“Gaoding.”

“Going to?”

“A scholar is useless at everything! I plan to participate in the imperial examinations. I want to give it a try. If I don’t succeed, I’ll come back.”

If he didn’t succeed, he would return to continue being a storyteller.

Ji Yunshu: “Young Master Song is learned and talented, and writes excellent poetry. Such talent cannot be wasted. I believe that in this examination, you will surely achieve high honors.”

“I accept your auspicious words.” Song Zhi was somewhat shy, then looked up to ask her: “By the way, where are you all… heading?”

“Also to Gaoding!” Ji Yunshu told him directly.

Song Zhi was shocked!

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re going to?”

Before Ji Yunshu could answer, Jingrong said: “To do business.”

No matter how slow Song Zhi might be, he wasn’t that foolish!

These people said they were going to do business, but they didn’t have any goods with them at all. How did they look like merchants?

Of course, he saw through it but didn’t point it out.

Instead, he said happily: “Then we can travel together.”

How wonderful!

Ji Yunshu and Jingrong exchanged glances, not responding to his words.

Seeing his clothes so soaked, Jingrong kindly said: “You should take off your outer garment first and sit closer to the fire.”

Song Zhi felt somewhat embarrassed! He had never tried taking off his outer garment in front of so many people before.