The wandering martial artists below didn't recognize Yin Minjun, but the major sects sitting to the north did.
Although the Hengshan Sect seemed to have no prestige at all, being at Li Miao's beck and call, it was actually a first-rate sect in the Southern Martial World, capable of being presented, called upon, and standing firm.
The criteria for evaluating a martial arts force, in the end, boils down to how many masters it has within its ranks, and whether it can consistently cultivate masters of that level.
It comes down to four words: Wealth, Companions, Techniques, and Territory.
Wealth: Is there enough financial power to support disciples in their martial arts training?
Companions: Are there enlightened masters to impart knowledge and excellent fellow disciples to progress together?
Techniques: Is the sect's inheritance profound?
Territory: How wide an area can it cover to recruit talents and bring them into the sect?
With all four points met, the Hengshan Sect, capable of consistently producing first-rate masters, is a genuinely first-rate force, and one of the more prominent among them.
Only three factions in the world can routinely produce top-tier masters: Shaolin, Wudang, and the Ming Cult.
These are the only top-tier forces.
The Hengshan Sect's self-abasement before Li Miao was simply because both Li Miao and the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards), when placed in the martial world, were simply a dimension-crushing force.
Currently, the more prominent major sects in the Southern Martial World, such as Emei Sect and Kongtong, have all been dispatched by Li Miao to deal with the Miao people.
Those sitting to the north were the weaker sects among the first-rate forces, having been kicked out of the competition for the Miao King's Tomb early, which is why they had the leisure to join in the fun.
Several of them took a look and immediately recognized Yin Minjun.
“Is that Elder Yin?”
“It is her, no doubt. Why is she sitting down there?”
“Who is that man sitting next to her?”
“Never seen him. His appearance is outstanding, though. If he had a name in the martial world, we would surely recognize him.”
The managers of several sects were all discussing among themselves.
Yin Minjun, however, was completely oblivious.
She was currently contemplating how far she should sit from Li Miao.
Two feet? A bit too distant.
She nudged her bottom closer to Li Miao.
One foot? That should be fine, right?
She nudged again.
Half a foot? That's acceptable for close friends.
She nudged once more.
Two inches… anyway, he already said “just a little bit more.”
She nudged again.
In a few movements, she was almost pressing against Li Miao's arm. She secretly glanced at Li Miao, checking if he had noticed.
Li Miao was at ease, secretly chuckling and letting Yin Minjun do as she pleased.
However, the major sects sitting to the north saw everything and were now dumbfounded.
They had seen Yin Minjun before; they had interacted with her many times, being in the Southern Martial World.
In front of them, Yin Minjun was always a graceful, capable, and exceptionally skilled swordswoman.
What was happening today?
Why was she acting like a silly girl?
Had she suffered qi deviation?
If not for Yin Minjun's outstanding appearance among the female masters of the Southern Martial World, which left a deep impression on everyone, they would have doubted if they had recognized the wrong person.
Most people were merely surprised, but one person's face visibly darkened.
No wonder, how could a woman like Yin Minjun not be desired by someone?
Logically speaking, in Great Shuo, a woman in her twenties was generally considered past the age of marriage.
But Yin Minjun had achieved success in martial arts, and the Hengshan Sect's internal cultivation method was suitable for women. Under the nourishment of true qi, her appearance looked no different from a beautiful woman in her early twenties. Furthermore, she had a high status and outstanding looks.
This person had her in his heart, but dared not speak, only keeping it as a dream hidden deep within.
Now, seeing his “dream” eagerly being taken by someone else in front of him, how could he not feel distressed?
One must know that he had subtly and overtly mentioned this matter to the Hengshan Sect and to Yin Minjun over ten years ago, but it had all fallen on deaf ears. Seeing Yin Minjun still unmarried at thirty, he gradually gave up, assuming she had no such intentions.
But looking at this situation, how could she have no such intentions?
The intention was written all over her face!
This person couldn't hold back and abruptly stood up.
“Please wait a moment, everyone. I'm going to say hello.”
With that, he quickly walked towards Li Miao's side.
“I'll go take a look too.”
“Let's go together, let's go together.”
The people from the other major sects also stood up one after another and followed him.
Li Miao seemed completely unaware, leisurely crossing his arms and closing his eyes to rest.
Yin Minjun was still struggling with that last inch of distance, whether to lean in or not. Her mind was a tangled mess, and she hadn't looked up, so she was also unaware.
The disciples of the Huanhua Sword Sect sitting behind them, however, all changed color.
They had no idea it was because of Yin Minjun; they only thought these major sects had discovered Li Miao, an outsider, and were coming together to eliminate evil and uphold justice.
The leading young man hesitated for a moment and whispered a reminder.
“Brother Li, Brother Li!”
“The people from the Longmen Sect, Iron Sword Gate, and Tianmen Gang are all coming over, wake up quickly!”
After all, the trouble Li Miao caused outside the mountain gate was ultimately for their sake. Although he felt Li Miao didn't seem like a righteous person, he didn't stand by idly.
Li Miao slowly opened his eyes and looked at the approaching people.
The first person had his gaze constantly sweeping back and forth between Li Miao and Yin Minjun, his expression clearly displeased.
Li Miao chuckled.
He was all too familiar with that look.
A defeated dog!
Whether in his previous life or this one, he had seen too many of them.
That person quickly walked up to Li Miao, glanced at him, but then directly bypassed him, cupping his hands towards Yin Minjun.
“Elder Yin, long time no see.”
Yin Minjun was secretly lifting her bottom, preparing to eliminate that last inch of distance.
Being suddenly interrupted, she felt a surge of annoyance and embarrassment.
She lifted her face, recognized the person, and said coldly.
“Master Xiao, it's been a while.”
Then she looked at the others who had arrived behind him and greeted them one by one.
“Chief Wu, Gate Master Peng, Elder Fang, greetings.”
The others also returned her greetings with smiles and exchanged pleasantries with Yin Minjun.
“Elder Yin, these disciples look unfamiliar. Are they new talents from the Hengshan Sect?”
They were referring to the people from the Huanhua Sword Sect.
“Elder Yin, why are you sitting here?”
“It's noisy here. Why not move to the north, where you can also converse with Master Xing Chi?”
They all tacitly avoided mentioning Li Miao.
It wasn't that they all had intentions towards Yin Minjun. It was just that the first Master Xiao, who had approached, was clearly looking increasingly displeased. Talking to Li Miao at this moment seemed like provoking him.
Several of them were seasoned martial artists and knew that matters of love were the most troublesome and unreasonable. They all preferred not to get involved.
Anyway, Master Xiao would surely be unable to resist speaking up.
Indeed, Master Xiao stood by, watching Yin Minjun casually exchange pleasantries with everyone, yet showing no sign of creating distance from Li Miao, or even bothering to glance at him. His heart grew increasingly twisted.
He suddenly spoke.
“This brother, you look unfamiliar. Are you Elder Yin's friend?”
“Why do you not have a name in the martial world? We thought for a long time over there, but couldn't place you.”
“May I ask for your name?”
His words themselves weren't problematic, but his tone was undeniably sour.
Not only Yin Minjun, but even the people from the other major sects heard it.
They were already curious about Li Miao's identity but found it awkward to ask.
Since Master Xiao was willing to ask, they naturally were happy to go along. So they all remained silent, waiting to watch the show.
Yin Minjun looked at Li Miao, not answering for a moment.
There was a particular etiquette to such public inquiries.
As a woman, if Li Miao was merely a friend, Yin Minjun would introduce him first, and then Li Miao would exchange pleasantries with everyone.
If she considered Li Miao her husband, then she wouldn't speak, and Li Miao would directly introduce himself to everyone.
Although the rules of Great Shuo were not as rigid as in Li Miao's previous life's ancient times, it was still fundamentally a feudal society, and certain customs still existed to some extent.
Seeing Yin Minjun remain silent, only looking at Li Miao with the demeanor of a young wife, Master Xiao's face grew increasingly unsightly.
Li Miao had been watching the drama with interest.
He had interrogated more criminals than these few people had eaten steamed buns, and he could clearly sense their true qi flow and heart rates. With just a glance, he understood their intentions perfectly.
Especially this Master Xiao.
When he was at the Shuntian Prefecture, many people like this had come to him, saying things like “I'm more sincere” or “I've known her longer.” Without even needing to look closely, he knew Master Xiao's calculations like the back of his hand.
No other reason, just sheer practice.
Seeing the topic shift to himself, Li Miao smiled and cupped his hands.
“A wandering martial artist, Li Miao, greetings to all of you.”
After his schemes with Zhu Zai, he no longer needed to hide his martial arts or identity in the martial world.
However, putting aside his martial arts, he didn't plan to reveal his Jinyi (Embroidered Clothing) identity here.
Because the major sects in Miao King's Tomb were currently helping him deal with the Miao people. If news of his Jinyi (Embroidered Clothing) identity spread, causing those sects to become suspicious and fear becoming tools of the imperial court, refusing to exert effort, it would inevitably affect his vacation.
Therefore, Li Miao still claimed to be a wandering martial artist.
Anyway, for a person who could knock off a dozen heads with one slap, reporting his name or not didn't make much difference.
“Li Daxia, my respects.”
“It's an honor.”
Whether they had heard of him or not, given the cultural level of people in the martial world, these were the only two polite phrases they would say.
Master Xiao's eyes, however, lit up.
A wandering martial artist… that means no background, no backing, right?
He looked to be in his thirties, hadn't made a name for himself in the martial world, and his martial arts didn't seem to be that great.
Could it be just because of his outstanding appearance?
I'm not bad either! Why did she only fall for him!?
Master Xiao looked at Yin Minjun, a hint of resentment bubbling in his heart.
Yin Minjun, however, didn't even spare him a glance.
The word “not bad,” when describing others, is often quite fair. But when describing oneself, it usually carries a bit of exaggeration.
Master Xiao was merely an average-looking man, who had barely cultivated a bit of the demeanor of someone in a high position.
If he were to compare himself to Li Miao… let's put it this way, if the two of them went to a brothel together, Li Miao wouldn't have to pay.
And that money would most likely be secretly added to Master Xiao's bill by the madam—that's how big the difference between them was.
Master Xiao, however, lacked this self-awareness and couldn't help but speak.
“Li Daxia is indeed handsome, but without a sect or backing, and no name in the martial world, it's not appropriate to sit in the north.”
“Elder Yin's concern for her ‘friend’ is quite admirable.”
He emphasized the word “friend.”
“However, today is, after all, a major event for Shaolin. Elder Yin represents the Hengshan Sect here, and it's not good to sit here and not pay respects to Master Xing Chi.”
“Why not move to the north? My Longmen Sect can make a spot for Li Daxia.”
These words were spoken so grandly that no one could find fault with them.
After all, he was a sect leader, a man who cared about his reputation, and wouldn't truly put things out in the open.
However, the subtle jab was unavoidable.
He said Li Miao shouldn't sit in the north, and then offered to have his disciple give up a seat for Li Miao. This was actually mocking Li Miao as being unfit for a prominent position.
A disciple's seat is behind the sect leader's. If Li Miao were to sit behind him, wouldn't that be admitting he was inferior?
Yin Minjun grew irritated.
As a swordswoman, how good could her temper be?
She had practically thrown herself at Li Miao, even abandoning her maidenly reserve last night, just to get Li Miao's phrase “we'll talk about it tomorrow night.”
If this Master Xiao messed things up, wouldn't she die of anger?
Her hand reached for her sword hilt.
But it was grasped by a large hand.
Li Miao held Yin Minjun's hand, squeezed it, and signaled her not to worry.
Then he smiled at Master Xiao and said.
“Then I shall trouble you.”
He then took Yin Minjun's hand and stood up, turning to the Huanhua Sword Sect disciples and saying, “Come on, I'll take you to a better spot.”
With that, he led them towards the north.
Yin Minjun was suddenly held by Li Miao's hand, feeling her palms sweat. She was shy but dared not let go to wipe them, fearing Li Miao wouldn't hold her hand again.
She no longer thought of drawing her sword, lowering her head, blushing, and following closely behind Li Miao with small steps.
She looked like a newlywed bride.
Master Xiao's face turned green at the sight.
Li Miao simply led his group to the north and sat down in Master Xiao's seat.
Then he instructed the Huanhua Sword Sect members, “Sit, everyone sit.”
“Just sit in the Longmen Sect's seats. Pick the ones closer to the front so you can see clearly.”
“Master Xiao has a high status; he can stand high and see far. You won't block him, just let him sit behind.”
With that, he extended his leg, pulled a chair next to his own, and pulled Yin Minjun to sit on it.
Then he leaned close to Yin Minjun's ear and whispered.
“Elder Yin.”
“Is this close enough?”
He was teasing her about how she had kept inching closer to him earlier.
Yin Minjun was so embarrassed she almost cried.
“Ah! I, I…”
Li Miao smiled, patted Yin Minjun's hand, and then leaned back in his chair, lazily looking at Master Xiao and the others who were walking back.
Master Xiao's face grew increasingly grim. He walked up to Li Miao and asked coldly.
“Li Daxia, I kindly offered you a seat. What is the meaning of this?”
“Ah, thank you.”
Li Miao adopted the lazy expression he usually used to annoy Zhu Zai.
“We're all Elder Yin's friends, so it wouldn't be right to play favorites, would it?”
“Thank you, Master Xiao, for giving up your seat. I wanted to see more clearly and also chat with Elder Yin.”
With that, he even lifted Yin Minjun's hand, which he was holding, and waved it in front of them.
“You!”
Master Xiao was so angry he laughed, already knowing Li Miao was mocking him, and was about to retort.
Then he heard an old, hearty voice from behind him.
“Li Daxia, Elder Yin, you've arrived.”
“This monk has been waiting for you for a long time.”
Master Xiao suddenly turned around, only to see Xing Chi being supported, bypassing him, and walking directly to Li Miao.