Chapter 7: Ten Years Have Passed Leisurely

A laugh rang out over the vast sea; ten years have passed leisurely.

In the blink of an eye, things remain but people are gone; ten years have already passed.

——

「There's an assassin!. 」

「Catch the assassin!. 」

「Over there! Stop!. 」

At midnight, in the inner court of Lin'an City's imperial palace, a startled cry shattered the night!

Immediately, the Palace Guard heard the sound and sprang into action; footsteps rang out as they hurried to and fro, swiftly sealing all key points.

The Hall Front Dragon Direct Guard, torches and blades in hand, pursued the shadow; in an instant, fire lit the sky and swords were drawn, tension high.

The black shadow, carrying a sack, seeing no place to hide, acted decisively, gathering palm power with one hand and, with a 'whoosh', stepped in an eerie gait, rushing toward the Imperial Guard; waving his palms, he moved as if through an empty realm.

Seeing the guards multiply, the shadow did not linger, fighting while retreating toward the city wall.

「Hehehe」

「Where do you rats come from! Dare to disturb the Imperial House; since you're here, stay with us!. 」

Suddenly, a gloomy, ghost-like voice echoed.

Hearing the voice, the shadow felt as if plunging into an abyss, hairs standing on end, thinking:

A master! Do not linger in battle!

Only see that person, gaunt-faced, eyes cold and sinister; though he had been a hundred meters away, his form moved like a phantom, instantly arriving before him, a withered hand bearing yin energy swinging forward.

The shadow dared not underestimate him, mustering his palm strength to meet the attack.

In an instant, a frigid surge wildly rushed into his body; he couldn't help but let out a muffled groan, hurriedly circulating his energy to forcefully suppress the churning blood and qi.

Knowing he could not match this person in strength, the shadow clenched the sack on his shoulder, exerted his full power, performed that wondrous movement skill, cleverly borrowing the force just used against him, and leapt outward over the wall.

In the blink of an eye, he had vanished into the horizon.

「Hahaha~~Old Master Wuniao! This palm, Grandpa, I've noted it down! I'll surely come visit another day! 」

As he left, the shadow also didn't forget to utter a harsh remark; after all, he had just suffered a hidden loss.

「What amazing strength! It even carries a hint of Shaolin. 」

「Arhat Subduing Demon Skill? 」

「Could it be that bunch of bald donkeys causing trouble? 」

Gazing at the city wall, the old eunuch frowned in thought.

Just now, I felt that the seventy percent of my palm power I sent out, like rivers flowing into the sea, was unfathomable; fearing the opponent might have other accomplices, I dared not pursue rashly.

「Go check it out for us! 」

「Hmph! A bunch of wine sacks and rice bags! 」

The old eunuch saw the guards all around collapsing in disarray, flew into a rage, shouted, flung open his sleeves, and headed to the inner palace to report.

——

Lin'an City, outskirts.

「Your younger sister now has her marrow sea unnourished, her divine mechanism impaired. 」

「Her cerebral vessels are numb, disturbing the clear orifices. 」

「Clotted blood congeals within. 」

Indoors, an old man in plain cloth was taking the pulse of a girl in white; his left eye socket was actually somewhat bruised.

「Speak human language!! 」

「How to treat!! 」

Having heard the diagnosis, the white-clad youth beside her:

???

A blank, bewildered face.

Immediately afterwards, he interrupted, shouting loudly.

「Eh, old man」

——

Great Desert.

Vast yellow sands stretch, the weather gradually turning cold; on the grassland, a boy about ten years old rides a small horse, leading a herding dog, driving the flock as he pastures.

Suddenly, a black vulture swooped down from the sky, lunging at the flock; the lambs startled, fled in all directions.

Seeing this, the boy shouted repeatedly, but the lambs didn't look back as they bolted; the boy hurriedly spurred his horse in pursuit.

「Mom! I'm back! 」

At dusk, returning to the felt tent, the boy's mother had already prepared cheese and mutton, greeting him to eat in a Lin'an accent.

Day after day, facing the boy, the mother's hometown accent remained unchanged, merely unwilling for him to forget his native land and feelings.

After the meal, the boy took up a small bow, carried a quiver, and went to find that person again.

——

Central Capital.

Within an extravagantly luxurious mansion, a simple thatched hut stood out starkly against its surroundings.

By the window, a woman sat with her right hand supporting her cheek; looking at her appearance, she seemed to be in the bloom of youth.

A lotus-like lovely face, eyes like shimmering waves, beautiful countenance, without powder or paint, dressed in coarse hemp clothing, yet between her brows lingered a hint of sorrow.

「Your Ladyship, the child has learned another move today! 」

「The Empress Father King found a martial arts master for the child—how awesome! 」

A youth in fine clothes ran happily from afar toward the thatched hut; before seeing the person, he first heard the voice.

After rushing into the house and glancing at that woman, his happy mood faltered, and he said:

"Mother, why are you sad again?"

——

In the Western Regions, inside a certain mountain villa.

"Ke'er, how is your cultivation of the Six Yang Divine Art progressing. Uncle, during your seclusion, have you ever been lax?"

An old man in white robes, about fifty years old, asked.

He was tall and sturdy, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, his beard brownish-yellow, full of heroic spirit. But his gaze was sharp as a blade, his voice ringing like metal.

"Um, uncle, my nephew has made slight progress recently."

A youth beside him replied; the young man wore all white, nearing thirty, with a light fur coat and relaxed belt, his demeanor very carefree, though his jade-like face was somewhat pallid.

"Eh, good nephew, remember not to relax; Uncle still has a great rival in the Central Plains, whose martial arts must not be underestimated."

"Hmph! When I next leave seclusion, you and I, uncle and nephew, shall go meet him!"

——

In the Eastern Sea, on a certain island.

"Father~ you don't like me anymore!"

"I want Mother!"

"I want Mother!"

Seeing this, someone nearby felt a headache.

(End of chapter)