Since Yang Feng’s previous dwelling was no longer safe, they wandered from place to place. Their journey was made on the same horse, heading north.

  When Long Wei asked why they were traveling north, Yang Feng replied that there was no particular reason. The only certainty was that it would be too dangerous to stay near the capital in the western region, which stood at the foot of the Yuling Mountains.

  Although Long Wei followed Yang Feng not out of a genuine desire to become his disciple, but rather for revenge and a sense of gratitude, he still obeyed all of Yang Feng’s commands. When they had to sleep under the open sky, Long Wei would gather firewood and food for them. When they reached a village, they would help anyone in need in exchange for money, and Long Wei was diligent in this regard. Because of this, Yang Feng grew even more fond of and sympathetic toward the young man, especially after hearing about his past.

  Yet, even after nearly a week of traveling, Yang Feng had yet to teach Long Wei any martial arts.

  “Qinglan Village, a peaceful place.” Yang Feng took a deep breath, savoring the cool morning air. “Have you ever been here before?”

  Long Wei could feel the tranquility of this village, something he had rarely experienced. The village had a unique aura that made anyone feel at ease. With three towering hills surrounding it and a dense forest to the west, the air was refreshingly crisp and soothing.

  Long Wei shook his head. “No, this village isn’t on the Bai He River route, so I’ve never been here.”

  The Bai He River was the usual route taken by the Sea Ghost pirates when they ventured deeper inland.

  “You’ll like Qinglan Village.” Yang Feng chuckled. “I also have an acquaintance here, and I’d like to pay them a visit. Care to join me?”

  “Where else would I go if not with you?”

  Yang Feng laughed heartily.

  As they passed through the village gates, the natural silence seemed unbroken by the laughter of children playing tag or the chatter of women gossiping on their porches. Long Wei took a deep breath, mimicking what Yang Feng had done earlier. Immediately, a sense of peace filled every fiber of his being.

  If only I could stay here forever. But then, thoughts of the Sky Jade, Deadly Hand, and White Ascetic crept into his mind. Long Wei smiled bitterly, such a thing was impossible.

  Yang Feng led them to the outskirts of the village, quite far from the entrance, where a modest house stood amidst vast rice fields. The house also had a stable and a goat pen in the backyard. From a distance, a beautiful young woman was practicing martial arts in the front yard.

  “Good morning, Cang Er. You’re growing more beautiful, child,” Yang Feng greeted, startling the young woman, who immediately turned around.

  The strikingly beautiful girl, with long black hair and a mole on her right chin that enhanced her charm, broke into a smile. “Elder Yang.” She ran up to him and bowed in respect. “Father will be pleased to see you.”

  “He’d better be, hahaha!” The old man dismounted. “After all, he’s the one who told me to stop by if I ever came to Qinglan.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Come inside,” Cang Er invited. She noticed Long Wei standing behind the elder but pretended not to see him since she didn’t recognize him.

  “Ah, let me introduce you. This is Long Wei, the one who will inherit all my martial arts,” Yang Feng introduced.

  Cang Er bowed again, and Long Wei did the same in return.

  “You’re quite fortunate, Brother Long, to be the disciple of the mighty Iron Palm warrior from the east.”

  Long Wei had already heard of Yang Feng’s grand title and indeed considered himself lucky. “Thank you.”

  They entered the modest house, which had a surprisingly spacious interior. Chairs were neatly arranged in the living area, and the walls and tables had decorations that appeared to be handcrafted.

  “I made this.” As if reading Long Wei’s mind, Cang Er pointed to a small clay teapot on the table. “Though I’m afraid it turned out terribly.”

  To Long Wei’s eyes, it was anything but terrible, there was an intricate carving of koi fish chasing one another.

  Cang Er called for her father, who appeared shortly after. A man dressed in farmer’s attire, with his long hair tied back and a thin beard, hurriedly entered. His face lit up when he saw Yang Feng, his old friend.

  “Elder Yang, you actually came.” He bowed in respect.

  “And you haven’t changed a bit,” Yang Feng replied, patting the man’s shoulder.

  Noticing the young man beside the elder, he was about to ask when Yang Feng beat him to it. “This is Long Wei, the one who will inherit all my knowledge. And this is Lu Kwan.”

  Long Wei bowed in respect, and Lu Kwan nodded in approval. “You’ve found a talented young man, Elder Yang. He has good bone structure,” he commented after observing Long Wei’s physique.

  “Where’s your wife?”

  “She went to the village to buy something. She should be back soon.”

  By midday, Long Wei and Yang Feng were treated to a feast at Lu Kwan’s home. Assisted by Cang Er, Lu Kwan served roasted meat, noodle soup, sweet wine, and stuffed buns for dessert.

  Yang Feng let out a loud burp after consuming the majority of the meal, much to Long Wei’s shock. He had never seen the elder eat this much before. It turned out that, during their journey, Yang Feng had been holding back to conserve food.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten this well. Thank you, child.” Yang Feng burped again. “But where is your wife? Why isn’t she back yet?”

  Lu Kwan and Cang Er had been worried for a while, exchanging glances.

  “I’ll go find her, Father.” Cang Er stood up.

  Lu Kwan nodded in agreement.

  But just as Cang Er stepped outside, she let out a startled cry upon seeing her mother collapsed in the yard.

  Yang Feng, Lu Kwan, and Long Wei rushed outside, sharing the same shock as Cang Er.

  “Mei Mei!” Lu Kwan ran to his wife’s side, cradling her injured body. He gently placed her head on his lap. “What happened?”

  Mei Mei panted heavily, her eyes half-open. Her words were hoarse, barely above a whisper.

  Lu Kwan massaged her neck and chest to ease her pain so she could speak more clearly. His efforts paid off.

  “Officer Kai’s troops… they came to me… He….” Her words trailed off when she saw Yang Feng standing behind her husband. “Oh…” And then she fainted.

  “What? Officer Kai? What kind of trouble do you have with an imperial officer?” Yang Feng asked, his curiosity piqued.

  Lu Kwan didn’t answer right away. He carried his wife inside, instructing Cang Er to tend to her wounds. Fortunately, they were only minor injuries and not life-threatening.

  Afterward, he rejoined Yang Feng in the main room. “That officer has been pursuing my daughter for some time now. He wishes to marry her, but I’ve always refused—I don’t want any dealings with the government. Besides, Cang Er despises him. And now he’s come to Qinglan for the third time in a month. He never used to be this persistent.”

  Yang Feng narrowed his eyes. “So he beats your wife over something so trivial?”

  Lu Kwan nodded. Then, suddenly, he bowed deeply. “Please help my family, Elder Yang. It must be fate that you are here.”

  “Of course, I won’t let this go unpunished!” Yang Feng declared. “Long Wei, come with me. We’re going to teach that arrogant officer a lesson.”

  Long Wei nodded without hesitation.

  “I’ll go too,” Lu Kwan said firmly. “Mei Mei is my wife, I can’t sit idly by.”

  “Good, that’s the spirit of a warrior. Now, lead the way. I’m going to break that officer’s nose.”

  Unbeknownst to them, Cang Er had overheard everything from the bedroom. A sense of dread filled her heart. She quickly tended to her mother’s wounds and prepared to follow them. Something about this felt ominous.