Chapter 20: Showing Goodwill

Feng Zi walked on the road home, his mood quite bright:

The things he had once resolved to accomplish, he had now completed—

Regarding the primary culprit who had humiliated him, he had already left the other party unable to get out of bed for several days;

The top prize of the Martial Tournament had also been won by him, fulfilling his promise to his parents;

And even, before leaving his hometown, he had smoothed over the rift with the martial arts hall and successfully ensured a Martial Master would be a safeguard for his parents.

Of course, Feng Zi knew deep down that what he had done was still far from enough, but this was already a very good start!

At Feng Zi's pace, it was not long before he walked home from the martial arts hall.

At this moment, his parents had just finished eating and were gathered around the table clearing the bowls and chopsticks.

Seeing Feng Zi return so quickly, Feng Fu asked in surprise: "Is the matter already settled? You haven't eaten outside yet, have you? How about I go cook you a bowl of noodles?"

For so many years, his parents had always been like this; they never cared about what great things Feng Zi had done, only whether their child had eaten.

Hearing this, Feng Zi hurriedly waved his hand and said: "No need for such trouble. The matter is already handled, and I ate a meal while I was at it, so don't worry."

Having said that, he drew a bucket of water, washed the blood and dirt from his body, and then casually scrubbed his clothes clean and hung them out to dry in the courtyard.

Seeing his clothes were full of holes of all sizes, Feng Mu stood before the hall door and said: "These clothes... once they dry, I will mend them."

Feng Zi was just about to say that since the clothes were already broken like this, there was no need to mend them.

But then he thought better of it, and instead smiled and replied: "Alright, Mother, you can mend them if you see fit; if they really can't be mended, then just forget it."

Seeing his son hesitate for a moment, Feng Mu thought the other party was afraid of losing face in front of a Martial Artist, and hurriedly said:

"Don't worry, Zi'er, you know your mother's craftsmanship; I will definitely make it so no trace of the mending can be seen."

After so many years, Feng Zi naturally understood that his parents' sense of inferiority was carved into their bones, so he explained:

"Look at what you're saying, am I the type of person who cares so much about face? I am already a Martial Master; naturally, there will be people to make amends for us. Who would dare laugh at our family!"

While speaking, Feng Zi walked back to his room, changed into a clean set of clothes, and helped his parents clear the table.

Just as the family was busy working while laughing and chatting, a carriage slowly stopped outside the courtyard.

"Are there guests?" Feng Fu saw this and felt somewhat puzzled, but was already preparing to go and welcome the other party.

Before his father could take action, Feng Zi had already stopped him and said in a low voice: "Father, don't rush, I will handle this."

Just as the two were communicating, escorted by a servant, the main person sitting in the carriage walked through this ordinary farmhouse courtyard.

That was a middle-aged man with a dignified face, and Feng Zi was not unfamiliar with this middle-aged man:

During the morning's Martial Tournament, this person had sat upright in front of the County Government Office, and the officials to his left and right were all his subordinates.

Seeing the County Magistrate visit suddenly, Feng Fu and Feng Mu were so flustered that they hurriedly bowed and saluted, calling him "Magistrate Lord."

If not for Feng Zi pulling them back secretly, the two elders would have likely knelt down.

For old farmers who had lived here their whole lives, Wutai County was the entire world in their eyes.

And the highest-ranking official they could ever come into contact with was the County Magistrate who managed the entire county.

How could the two elders not be filled with awe and fear when the highest-status existence in their eyes visited in person?

But Feng Zi's expression remained as usual; he only nodded slightly and said: "Greetings, County Magistrate."

Looking at the tray he was holding, Lu Xianling smiled and said: "My boy Hanwen always says that Feng Zi is of noble character; seeing you today, it is indeed so."

Having said that, the other party helped the two elders up and praised: "To be able to cultivate such a talent for my Wutai County, the two of you have certainly made an indelible contribution!"

Listening to Lu Xianling's roundabout, polite way of speaking, Feng Zi immediately recalled the "painful memories" of getting along with Lu Hanwen and felt a splitting headache.

He quickly cleared the table, brought his parents into the inner room, and after inviting the County Magistrate to sit, he got straight to the point:

"County Magistrate Lu, I am a crude person and do not like that kind of beating around the bush—are you here to win me over?"

Seeing Feng Zi being so impolite, the servant beside the County Magistrate was immediately about to flare up.

But Lu Xianling only raised his hand to stop the servant's intention and said happily: "Not at all, not at all. You are my son's good friend, so you are a good friend of my Lu Family.

"As for how you young people get along, that is your own business; I will not interfere in the interactions of you juniors."

Listening to the County Magistrate's statement, Feng Zi pondered carefully in his heart and captured a piece of unusual information:

"Does County Magistrate Lu mean that the actions and will of your eldest son, Young Master Lu Hanwen, represent the wishes of the Lu Family and yourself?"

"Yes, and no..." Lu Xianling answered with a smile, his reply carrying quite a bit of hidden meaning.

Hearing this answer, Feng Zi knew what was going on in his heart and pressed further: "I would like to hear the details."

While speaking, he stood up and poured two cups of water for himself and Lu Xianling: "Our family is poor and only has plain water to treat guests; I hope the County Magistrate does not mind."

"It does not matter, it does not matter." The County Magistrate smiled and moistened his throat before slowly saying:

"You can simply consider that everything Hanwen expresses is the intention of the Lu Family.

"Of course, Hanwen does not need to discuss everything with me—even if there are some things I do not know, as long as it is Hanwen's intention, then it is likewise the intention of the Lu Family."

Hearing this statement, Feng Zi's expression became strange, and he subconsciously muttered to himself:

"This really is an unexpected answer—that Brother Hanwen can represent the Lu Family, I can understand.

"But that he can make decisions on his own without asking for the County Magistrate's wishes... is the head of the Lu Family the County Magistrate, or is it Brother Hanwen?"

Feng Zi naturally understood that the County Magistrate could hear his muttering, and he was able to say it out loud just like that.

To this, Lu Xianling smiled and replied: "Lord Feng Zi is truly intelligent and saw the essence at a glance, but this is, after all, my family matter, so please do not delve into it."

Regarding this point, Feng Zi naturally understood it in his heart and nodded: "Then please, County Magistrate, get straight to the point."

Lu Xianling heard this and said generously: "Just as I said before, my trip here is not to win you over.

"After all, since Hanwen has already accepted you, it means my Lu Family has accepted you, and naturally... it also means the great clans of my Wutai County have all accepted you!"

Feng Zi did not speak, only listening for the other party to continue:

"Therefore, you can simply consider that I have come here to express the goodwill of the powerful families of Wutai County."

Before the County Magistrate had finished speaking, the servant behind him clapped his hands—

In an instant, several servants filed in from outside the door and placed several seemingly exquisite lacquer boxes on the table.

Afterward, those few servants bowed slightly in salute and retreated without saying a word.

Looking at the few lacquer boxes on the table, Feng Zi smiled and teased, "These items must be very valuable, right? Could it be... that County Magistrate wants me to do some 'dirty work'?"

Regarding this jest, Lu Xianling shook his head and said, "Just as I have said before, these gifts are merely our 'goodwill'; Your Excellency Feng Zi need not worry."