Crossing Over: The Strongest Mage

Yan Huo politely said, "Ah! Hello! I'm Yan Huo."

"Oh! Master Yan… I saw you surrounded by a crowd, so I came down to take a look, wondering if you were in any trouble. What's going on?" Yang Lue asked.

"I was planning to… I was planning to… I wanted to enter the city, but when I arrived here, I didn't understand why I was surrounded by so many people," Yan Huo replied.

"If you don't mind, Master Yan, why not come with me to the city?" Yang Lue suggested, stepping aside to show his carriage.

"To Yan City!?" Yan Huo hesitated in his heart.

"You don't seem to be from an ordinary family, and walking on foot would surely be inconvenient," Yang Lue said, lightly waving his white fan.

"Ah, everything happens by fate. What is meant to be will be. If it's destined, I'll go," Yan Huo thought for a moment, then decided. He nodded to Yang Lue, signaling his agreement.

Under the watchful eyes of many bystanders, Yan Huo climbed into the carriage. Inside, Yang Lue and Yan Huo began chatting.

"Where is your family's home, Master Yan?" Yang Lue asked.

"Oh! My family is not from Yan City," Yan Huo replied.

"Ah, so you're lost from your family?" Yang Lue asked again.

"Not exactly," Yan Huo answered.

"Are you visiting friends?" Yang Lue asked.

"No," Yan Huo said.

"Then where are you from? And why are you here near Yan City?" Yang Lue asked curiously.

"I actually live on Yan Mountain. I grew up there with my sister. A few years ago, my sister passed away from illness, and I was left with no relatives. I didn't want to stay alone in the mountains, so I came down," Yan Huo explained.

Yang Lue quietly listened to Yan Huo's story, but then suddenly thought, "Yan Mountain? But isn't Yan Mountain mostly known for having a Taoist temple? I haven't heard of any big families living there."

"May I ask where your home is on Yan Mountain, Master Yan?" Yang Lue inquired.

"It's in the back mountain. My parents passed away early, leaving us a manor in the mountains. As for the rest, only my sister knew about it, but she left so suddenly… she didn't even have time to tell me anything before she…" Yan Huo's eyes reddened at the mention of his sister.

"I didn't expect that he's an orphan," Yang Lue thought to himself.

"Master Yan, if you don't mind, why not stay at my place for now? Once you get used to the environment in Yan City, we can figure out what to do next," Yang Lue said warmly.

"Thank you! Brother Yang," Yan Huo expressed his gratitude.

"Hehe! We are both children of the Jianghu. Helping each other is only natural," Yang Lue smiled.

The carriage slowly approached the city gate, where the manager of the Yang family's Yan City estate was waiting, along with several other attendants. Yang Lue got off to greet them and gave a few instructions before returning to the carriage, which then proceeded into the city.

Yan Huo was quickly drawn to the bustling sights outside. Yan City was a prosperous place, and the scene in the streets was unlike anything he had seen before. Everything seemed strange and exciting to him, even the baozi (steamed buns) shop caught his attention, making him look more than once. Yang Lue, more than happy to act as a guide and narrator, allowed the carriage to move slowly, stopping here and there as they made their way to the Yang family's mansion.

The Yang family's mansion in Yan City was located on the eastern side of the city, covering a vast area with four courtyards—front, back, left, and right. The mansion was lively since the estate managers and accountants lived there, making the atmosphere busy and bustling. The left and right courtyards were for the managers and accountants, while the front and back courtyards were reserved for the main family.

In the front hall of the Yang family's mansion, a large desk was piled high with books, forming a small mountain that hid the person sitting behind it. The young man sitting behind the desk appeared to be around twenty years old, his eyes dark with fatigue, his face covered in stubble.

---

The young man leaned on his hand, holding a book with the other, and was drowsily dozing off.

"Young Master, wash your face and take a rest before reading some more," said another youth, dressed similarly, who entered with a basin of water.

"Zhang Cheng, how far has Master Yan read?" The young man behind the desk stretched lazily and asked.

"Master, he's already on Volume 231," Zhang Cheng replied.

"What! Two hundred and thirty-one! I've been reading day and night and have barely managed to get through ninety volumes, and he's already finished that many! How can he read so fast?" The young man was startled.

"Young Master, why bother? Just admit defeat to Master Yan. If you keep pushing yourself like this, your body won't handle it. Master Yan has regular rest every day," Zhang Cheng advised.

"Admit defeat!? I, Yang Lue, have been well-versed in books since childhood. How can I admit defeat in terms of learning?" Yang Lue shouted, refusing to accept the idea.

"Sigh, Young Master, I just took something from Master Yan for you. I wouldn't dare hide it, so I've brought it to you right away." Zhang Cheng carefully pulled out a translucent jade horse from his clothes and placed it on the desk.

"Jade Horse!!" Yang Lue's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the treasure. "I told him that this horse is worth ten thousand gold. How could he casually give it to a servant?"

"By the way, Young Master, when Master Yan gave this to me, he said something," Zhang Cheng added.

"Oh? What did he say?" Yang Lue asked as he put away the jade horse.

"'Rare treasures have a price, but priceless is human sentiment. Do not let worldly goods cloud the heart, lest you waste the wisdom of the sages.'"

"...Haha! Zhang Cheng, I've lost this time. His talent and resolve are beyond what I can compare to. I even foolishly tried to use material things to confuse him, hahaha!" Yang Lue laughed, but soon became dejected.

"Sigh! What can I do to surpass him? Should I challenge him to a martial arts contest? What a joke. Look at him, he doesn't have a bit of martial skill. And I, Yang Lue, would never bully someone weaker," Yang Lue muttered to himself, deep in thought.

Zhang Cheng, noticing the Young Master's troubled expression, said, "Young Master, I have an idea that might help you."

"Oh? What's your idea?" Yang Lue asked.

"Wine! A drinking contest!" Zhang Cheng said with a sly grin.

"Hehe! Zhang Cheng, you've just reminded me. If it's a drinking contest, I, Yang Lue, will definitely not lose."

"Alright, I'll admit defeat right away. You go prepare the food and wine, I'll invite Master Yan for a night of drinking and discussions. Make sure to prepare plenty of wine," Yang Lue ordered.

"Understood, Young Master! I'll go prepare the wine and... dishes," Zhang Cheng said, stretching the word "wine" for emphasis.

When Yan Huo first entered the Yang family mansion, Yang Lue began showcasing his wealth and literary talent. However, material things couldn't catch Yan Huo's interest. Instead, it was the books in the study that piqued his curiosity. Seeing this, Yang Lue quickly decided to show off his literary skills in front of Yan Huo.