Chapter 839 - 397: Heart Like Stone, Forge the Heart Furnace, Thunder and Fire Collide, the Willow Emerges Without Intention

Chapter 839: Chapter 397: Heart Like Stone, Forge the Heart Furnace, Thunder and Fire Collide, the Willow Emerges Without Intention

Li Xian laughed, "Hahaha, naturally, naturally, if we become rich and noble, let us not forget each other! Brother Yao, I toast you with three cups!" Yao Yin pretended to adopt a Jianghu style, and with great righteousness said, "Brother Li, I return the toast with three cups!"

The two drank heartily, exchanged glances, and both burst into laughter.

Yao Yin’s laughter was like a silver bell. Suddenly, she spoke earnestly, "A man with ambition should aspire to great deeds. Those who come to Jade City desire to build their identity, wealth, power, and seek higher ground. There’s no need to hide this. Now that you are a Yu People, you’ve taken the first step. After that, every step must be taken cautiously. Without family support, it’s like walking a tightrope over a cliff, with one misstep leading to irreparable disaster and no turning back! As a friend, I must first remind you of an important matter."

Li Xian humbly asked for guidance, "What is the important matter, please tell me."

Yao Yin’s beautiful eyes assessed him, settling on his face, saying, "Oh, oh, oh, I, Yao Yin, am not easily moved by appearances. But I am truly curious how anyone in this world can be so handsome. What I want to say is precisely this."

Yao Yin said, "If you truly seek advancement and wish to rely on yourself, this unique handsome appearance becomes a distraction. Moreover... the great masters of Jade City have eccentric tastes, with many preferring the company of young men. When I was looking for you earlier, I often heard the street gossip in Tongji Square saying there’s a handsome young doctor at the Mysterious Care Pavilion."

"If it’s not contained, it will certainly spread. When that happens, it might bring unforeseen trouble. You have just become a Yu People, your reputation is not yet established. Although Tongji Square has some whispers, once you stand out one day, it will surely attract attention. Therefore... you must decide early on what appearance you should show before the world."

Li Xian said, "Miss Yao, do you mean I should conceal my appearance?"

Li Xian furrowed his brow, feeling some concern himself, thinking, "My unique appearance indeed attracts gossip. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders. What Yao Yin says is also my consideration. But wearing a mask for a short time, how can it be worn forever? There will come a time when one’s true face must be shown; what good is temporary concealment?" He then revealed his thoughts.

Yao Yin laughed, "You misunderstand Jade City. You haven’t been here long, so it’s normal not to understand this rule. Jade City is a meeting place of three paths, gathering many heroes, among which there are unending old grudges."

"If they were to meet in Jade City, wouldn’t it disrupt the city’s rules? You are new to Jade City, and unaware of the custom of wearing masks to conceal one’s face is indeed not unusual. Everyone thinks it’s normal. For instance, the silver-faced guards are allowed to wear masks to protect the city. It’s common knowledge."

"Even when joining ’official ranks’ and meeting higher officers, if your reasons are proper, they won’t forcefully remove your mask."

"You are already a Yu People and have received a ’Jade Token’, which contains a drop of your essence. As long as you wear the Jade Token, the essence resonates, proving your identity; the mask may veil your face, but your identity remains clear. Once you have secured your footing in the future, and it’s hard for others to easily undermine you, you won’t fear their trickery. Then you won’t need to hide."

Yao Yin sincerely suggested this, having heard some vague rumors within her clan during her days back — tales that disclose a handsome young doctor in "Tongji Square", which initially was a mark of beauty. But gradually she heard that some within the clan were jealous and spoke ill, saying, "Such a person, possessing only superficial beauty, is truly pitiful." "Tongji Square’s chief Hu Fang is rumored to be associated with Wu Mo, someone who favors men. If you attract his covetous interest, ha, your end could be tragic." "We men should not rely on appearance for fame; are we like women?" "Ridiculous, ridiculous."...

Yao Yin knew Li Xian came from "Willing Death Valley", fiercely battling three hundred, with such determination. Seeking fame through appearance was not his original wish. Hearing such comments, she remembered, "A man without guilt, but possessing jade, is guilty," pondering:

"If I had power, perhaps I, too, would want to keep such a handsome pet; what need to judge others. Growing up in Jade City made me all too familiar with its filth and corruption."

Though their friendship was shallow, Yao Yin knew Li Xian was full of vigor, his methods were not ordinary, but if he suddenly killed, it would bring catastrophic trouble. Everything he planned might come to naught, and he’d return to Willing Death Valley.

She used the wine to remind him. In passing, she told him of rumors about "Wu Mo" and "Hu Fang". Li Xian remained calm and seriously pondered, knowing Jade City’s complex situation, where mighty powers held sway over life and death. Wearing a mask could conceal his true face for a while, aiding his stealthy climb upwards.

He thought to himself:

"I disdain concealing my true face. Anywhere else, my Martial Arts Second Realm is not weak; if others dare provoke me, I am confident in my self-defense. If pushed too hard, I could resort to killing and find a way to flee. But now... outside, Princess An Yang watches like a tiger, that vile woman has caused me great harm. Even the silver-faced guards leaving the city face execution by torture. As I gain footing in Jade City, caution should be my priority."

"Moreover... with strength at my disposal, if I have the prowess, I can climb upwards. Hearing Yao Yin’s advice, wearing a mask or not is not truly an obstacle. In these recent days, practicing medicine has already defied Master Su Fugui’s teachings. When I practice without a mask, indeed it causes trouble. Could it be that Master Su foresaw this, and advised me to wear a mask while practicing medicine? This way, it coincidentally adheres to my master’s teachings."

Promptly he thought with self-satisfaction, "Alas, being too handsome is truly troublesome." He readily agreed, saying, "I, Li Xian, truly do not care about others’ opinions. But one thing they do say correctly — we men ought to gain fame with our strength!"

Yao Yin’s eyes sparkled with admiration, and she raised her wine bowl, saying, "Excellent, cheers to the men!"

Li Xian said, "No!" He paused, then added, "It should be cheers to friends." Yao Yin was delighted, their bowls collided, and as the wine went down their throats, it evoked a sense of Jianghu delight.

From that day onwards, Li Xian changed his place in the practice, wearing a bronze mask. The pattern simple yet effective at hiding his face. As such, fewer patients sought medical attention, but he found it more leisurely.