Changyun County.
It was now the eighth month.
The harvest of Cloudwater Lake was at its peak, the most bountiful time of the year.
Along the docks, sampans and bamboo rafts were packed tightly together. Bare-chested fishermen unloaded baskets of fish, shrimp, and fresh clams.
In the fish market, hawking cries rose and fell one after another:
“Green grass carp! Eight copper coins apiece! Customer, look at these gills—bright red, fresh out of the water!”
“Clear Creek Trout! Clear Creek Trout! Over three catties, flat rate of ten copper coins!”
...
On the wooden pier.
A burly, middle-aged man dressed in short-sleeved practice robes looked at the dazzling array of fish stalls and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
“Changyun County truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most prosperous major counties under Nanxiang Prefecture. It's far livelier than our Damao County.”
The middle-aged man was built like a bull, with bulging temples—a clear sign of a martial artist who had tempered his muscles and bones for many years.
Beside him was a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy, looking around with a curious, wide-eyed expression.
Suddenly, the boy's eyes lit up, and he yanked on the middle-aged man's sleeve.
“Second Uncle, look over there!”
The middle-aged man followed his gaze.
He saw a white-haired, white-bearded old man leading a clever-looking young girl down from a sand junk.
Though thin, the old man stood as straight as a spear, a sharp gleam flashing in his hawk-like eyes as he looked around.
A smile instantly broke across the middle-aged man's face. He strode forward and greeted him in a voice as booming as a bell:
“Old Escort Leader Wang! It's been years. I didn't expect my old brother's hair to be covered in frost as well!”
The old man stopped in his tracks, squinting to size him up for a moment. Then, he spat in annoyance, glaring and huffing into his beard.
“I wondered who it was, but it's just you, thief Shi! After all these years, that foul mouth of yours hasn't improved one bit!”
Shi Hu burst into hearty laughter.
This drew sidelong glances from several nearby laborers.
Unbothered, he patted the stout boy beside him and said in a clear voice:
“Shitou, this Old Brother Wang was my old escort leader when I was in the escort business. We shared a life-and-death friendship on the edge of a blade. Greet him!”
The boy hastily cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.
“Junior Shi Hao greets Uncle Wang!”
“Ah, good boy, good boy!”
The old man's annoyance vanished instantly. Seeing the boy's sturdy frame, broad shoulders, and thick back, he couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
“Abundant blood qi and a sturdy frame—you're a rare prospect for martial arts!”
With that, he turned to the young girl beside him and said gently:
“Ziling, why haven't you greeted them yet?”
The girl, about thirteen or fourteen with two dark braids, timidly lifted her head and softly greeted Second Uncle Shi.
Shi Hu grinned and bent down to tease her with a couple of jokes.
Then, he walked side-by-side with the old man toward the city.
On the way, Shi Hu asked:
“Old Brother Wang, what brings you to Changyun this time?”
“What else could it be? The disciple recruitment ceremony for the four great sects of the prefecture capital is approaching. While these old bones can still hold up, I want to secure a future for my little granddaughter... by having her enter the branch academy of the Star-Plucking Sect.”
The Star-Plucking Sect!
Shi Hu clicked his tongue in amazement.
“I heard that the Star-Plucking Sect's tuition fee has gone up again this year. I'm afraid you'll have to bleed dry, Old Brother!”
“Tell me about it... Sigh, sixty-five taels. I've poured all my coffin savings into this.”
Old Man Wang sighed and waved his hand.
“Enough about me. Shi Hu, why aren't you staying in Damao County? What did you come to Changyun for?”
Hearing this, Shi Hu also shook his head and sighed.
“Naturally, it's also to find a future for little Shitou.”
“Damao County is poor and remote; it doesn't even have a proper martial arts hall. Even my Blood Tempering cultivation is considered one of the best in the county...”
“However, I can't compare to you in wealth, Old Brother. The four great sects of the prefecture capital are something I wouldn't even dare dream of.”
Old Man Wang's eyes flickered slightly. He suddenly lowered his voice and probed:
“Shi Hu, tell me the truth... Are you here for the Mei Courtyard?”
Shi Hu was taken aback, then let out a bitter laugh.
“Nothing escapes you, Old Brother... Yes, I'm indeed here for the Mei Family Martial Arts Hall!”
Mentioning this, a bright gleam appeared in Shi Hu's eyes.
“Hall Master Mei's name is now resounding like thunder among the outlaws and martial artists in all directions!”
“Some time ago, her personal disciple dominated the competition and shone brilliantly at the Longxiang Martial Feast. Even in Damao, I heard about it.”
“And just a few days ago, Hall Master Mei broke through the Huajin Barrier. As soon as she emerged from seclusion, she personally struck down the First Chief of Chenjian Dock, Duan Xiao, with her bare hands!”
“That was Duan Xiao, whose name shook the entire Cloudwater Lake!”
Shi Hu clicked his tongue in wonder, praising from the bottom of his heart:
“A Huajin bandit with such a fearsome reputation, killed just like that... Although Hall Master Mei has only recently broken through to the Huajin Rank, when it comes to her profound cultivation, she easily ranks among the top three across all the counties in Nanxiang Prefecture. That's why I brought Shitou here to seek apprenticeship!”
Old Man Wang nodded deeply in agreement and sighed:
“Indeed... Hall Master Mei's reputation has been like the midday sun these past few days. It's said that even the aristocratic clans in the prefecture capital have been startled. However...”
He looked at Shi Hu hesitantly:
“Now that the Mei Courtyard is so famous, those who come to seek apprenticeship are as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river. Quite a few people from my Changlin County have rushed here as well. Don't delay any further. You should take little Shitou to look into it first.”
“Haha, no rush. Don't worry, Old Brother!”
Shi Hu laughed and said:
“I arrived a step early and already made inquiries. Because Hall Master Mei has so many disciples, she has purchased a large residence in the West City to serve as a branch hall. It can accommodate one to two hundred disciples, and they will select the best. Shitou has good talent, so he definitely has a decent chance of getting chosen!”
“So that's how it is... As long as you have a plan.”
“Let's go, let's go. Enough of this. I heard that Hall Master Mei's personal disciple opened a noodle stall, and the flavor is superb. Today, this younger brother will treat you. Let's go try it and wash away the dust from our journey!”
The group walked toward Apricot Blossom Lane, chatting and laughing.
But when they arrived outside the eatery, they were completely dumbfounded.
Because...
The not-so-spacious interior was already packed to the brim.
Even the seven or eight long tables temporarily set up in the open space outside were completely surrounded by diners.
There were even a few people holding large bowls, squatting in the corners while slurping down noodles.
A queue of seven or eight people had formed at the entrance, each stretching their necks to peer inside.
The scene was incredibly bustling.
Shi Hu and Old Man Wang exchanged a glance and had no choice but to obediently join the back of the line.
As they waited in line.
Stray bits of gossip naturally drifted into their ears.
“The sky over Changyun changes whenever it pleases. Who would have expected that the massive estate of the Bai Mansion would vanish overnight?”
“Indeed... I heard that Xiao Wu of the Six Prodigies of Changyun took the lead. Tsk tsk, they really pulled off something massive!”
“They did well! The Bai family colluded with the bandits of Chenjian Dock in secret, kidnapping children and refining human pills. They completely lost their humanity! If you ask me, this is heaven opening its eyes—retribution has finally come!”
“Exactly! I never expected those missing innocent children to end up like that. They are truly worse than beasts!”
“Hey, do you think... the young owner of this Shen Family Eatery... was involved in it?”
“Shh, quiet!”
Someone nearby immediately changed expression and scolded in a low voice:
“Don't speak nonsense! Hall Master Mei has broken through to the Huajin Rank and possesses formidable strength. Even Duan Xiao was no match for her. Do you want to die, gossiping right in front of her door?”
The person who misspoke turned pale and slapped his own mouth repeatedly:
“Oh, my mouth is too loose, I slap myself, I slap myself! Let's talk about Chenjian Dock instead... I heard that Blood Dhuta fled overnight?”
“Of course! As soon as the news spread, that fellow slipped away the very next day.”
“Hmph! If he didn't run then, once the experts from the prefecture capital arrive, it would be too late to run even if he wanted to.”
Rate on N.U.
