Unparalleled Duo

Clearly, they had recognized each other.

Although they were now known as Sun Yixie and Huang Donglai, their appearances were exactly the same as when they were younger in their original world, with only their hairstyles being different; the two had known each other for so many years, there was no reason they could not recognize each other.

After seventeen years had passed, upon suddenly seeing someone they knew before traversing through time, they were naturally astonished beyond belief, and seeing each other's reactions, they immediately understood that the other must be in the same situation as themselves.

Slap—

"What the heck?" Two seconds later, Brother Sun slapped his son's nape, "Is this how you treat guests?"

Of course, Brother Sun was just putting on an act and didn't really hit him hard.

Struck by this pretend "head smack," Sun Yixie quickly came to his senses, forcing a laugh as he said, "Hehe... right, right, my son got a bit too excited." He promptly stepped forward with cupped fists and bowed, "Sun Yixie pays his respects to Master Shen, Mr. Huang... please come in."

Youran Shen smiled, returned the greeting without batting an eye, and then moved forward to exchange pleasantries with Brother Sun briefly before leisurely walking into the main hall with him.

Huang Donglai and Sun Yixie followed them, making faces at each other and whispering vehemently as if quarreling, yet for the moment, they didn't manage to come to any conclusion.

After the four of them arrived in the reception hall and took their seats one after another, Shen Youran engaged in some small talk before getting to the point with Brother Sun.

However, as soon as Shen Youran spoke, the other three present were all stunned— he had actually come to invite Sun Yixie to participate in the "Youth Hero Conference."

This so-called "Youth Hero Conference" was a grand martial arts event held every four years, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival in Luoyang City.

As its name suggests, the conference widely invited young heroes from across the Martial Arts community to gather and vie for the title of leader through a series of literary and martial contests.

As long as you were recognized as a person of upright character and were between sixteen and twenty years old, regardless of whether you were inexperienced or had made a name for yourself in Jianghu, you might receive an invitation. Naturally, those who had already made some mark tended to get invited more frequently than common disciples without any renown.

Yet there were exceptions... for instance, if you were the sole heir of a prestigious family, like Huang Donglai, even if you never ventured into the Jianghu, you would still be a probable invitee.

However... Sun Yixie didn't seem to fit any of those criteria.

The Sun family indeed had certain dealings with those in the Martial Arts community, but for several generations, they had been merchants, so strictly speaking, Sun Yixie wasn't a Martial Arts practitioner at all—he was at best the biggest bully in Hangzhou's fish market; and at worst, even if he could be considered the "sole heir" by a stretch, he knew only a few boxing forms akin to farmer's movements and no serious martial arts—he'd just be a sitting duck if he went.

"Master Shen, could there be some mistake?" Brother Sun was quite puzzled after hearing Shen Youran's words, "My family has long ceased involvement in the Martial Arts world, and moreover... my son is neither accomplished in letters nor martial arts..."

"Ah, Brother Sun, you're too modest," Shen Youran laughed as he cut in, "The talents and accomplishments of your son are known not just in Jiangnan, but throughout the entire Martial Arts community—who doesn't know of them?" He paused for effect, "Just last year, when chatting with Master Cao of the Salt Gang from Qingzhou, he lamented to me...'to have a son like Sun Yixie.' In my view, such a promising young man like your son is fully qualified to participate in the Youth Hero Conference."

"Oh? Is that so?" Brother Sun, easily influenced by flattery, was quite pleased to hear such praise of his son, and his attitude seemed to be softening.

Seizing the moment, Shen Youran continued, "Absolutely true. My personal visit this time serves two purposes: firstly, to invite your son to attend, and secondly, to explain the matter to you in detail." He paused again, adding, "This year's Youth Hero Conference will be hosted by our Justice Sect in Luoyang; as the Sect Leader, apart from the officially recognized list, I have the privilege, based on my judgment, to invite any young hero I deem fit for the conference... and your son is one of those I believe deserves this special consideration."

"Ha!" Sun Yixie, upon hearing this, couldn't help but smile proudly, "Master Shen is truly a dragon among men, with a keen eye indeed."

Before he could finish, Huang Donglai couldn't contain himself anymore.

"Think about it carefully, Brother Shen," Huang Donglai quickly addressed Shen Youran, "I think your understanding of Brother Sun is a bit off. Don't just take my word for it—you wouldn't want to let the wolf in, would you?"

"Shut your mouth!" Mr. Sun back in the day, with his ease of banter with Mr. Huang that was ingrained in his bones, made it almost instinctual for Sun Yixie to retort, "Why the hell can't I go? Are you just jealous?"

"Jealous my ass!" Huang Donglai turned to face Sun Yixie, retorting with equal defiance, "I'm worried you'll get killed if you go!"

"Ha ha..." Shen Youran was amused by the two young men and chuckled, "Gentlemen, there is no need for jest. The literary and martial competitions at the Youth Hero Conference are merely for friendly exchanges, not life-and-death struggles; especially the martial contest, which always stops at the slightest touch. How could it be fatal?"

At this point, Shen Youran seemed to remember something, pausing before adding, "Oh, that's right, Mr. Huang, you are also on the list of invitees for the Youth Hero Conference; we sent an invitation to the Huang Sect a month ago. You must have left home before that, and therefore didn't know you were invited, right?"