Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen: The Youth Who Has Grown Up

The moment he stepped into the main hall, Ning Ze sensed the atmosphere was off. Seated opposite Mr. Xiang were two middle-aged men, and standing behind them were precisely the two wealthy scions who had been eliminated. At this moment, those two scions wore their arrogance on their faces, their disdainful gazes utterly unconcealed.

Fu Qing pulled Ning Ze behind Mr. Xiang and quietly introduced them. The wealthy scion who spoke rudely in the city was named Wu Feng, son of the Fubo City Guard Commander. The other wealthy scion, dressed in magnificent splendor, was named Lan Wumin, young master of the city's third largest merchant house. The two middle-aged men were instructors at the Martial Hall, Wu Yuan and Sun Linhai, who normally taught everyone military strategy and command. Wu Yuan and Wu Feng were relatives.

"Everyone's here, then? Just these brats want to become your disciples? Hmph, Mr. Xiang, when you came to our Martial Hall, didn't you say you'd no longer accept disciples? Today you're making an exception?" Wu Yuan struck first; he had long been at odds with Mr. Xiang, and this time he had even directly poached two of his outstanding disciples.

Hearing this, Fu Qing's chest heaved rapidly, a breath stuck in his heart that he couldn't voice; he could only glare at Wu Feng and Lan Wumin with resentment. Who in Fubo City's upper echelons didn't know Mr. Xiang was a master of the Military School? Teaching at the Martial Hall was merely Mr. Xiang passing time.

When he first arrived in Fubo City, who knew how many people wanted to become Mr. Xiang's disciples — sadly all were refused. Finally, annoyed by visitors, Mr. Xiang publicly declared he would no longer accept disciples, and the commotion settled. Today, a rare opportunity had come, yet Wu Feng and Lan Wumin, having been eliminated, ruined it for others — one could imagine Fu Qing's state of mind.

"What I do, do I need to tell you? A junior brat dares question my decision." Mr. Xiang wasn't good-tempered either; he directly berated back.

"I wouldn't dare. Senior Xiang is an expert; this junior wouldn't dare offend. But everything must follow rules; if rules are arbitrarily broken, what would become of things?" Sun Linhai hid a sharp edge; his face wore an apologetic look, but in reality he was propping Mr. Xiang up, putting him in a dilemma.

To Sun Linhai's words, Mr. Xiang simply closed his eyes tight, not even moving an eyebrow, utterly unconcerned by his sarcasm. He lifted his tea, blew on it lightly, and said: "Hmph, cut the yin-yang weirdness. Whatever you want, lay it out straight. I, Xiang Tiansheng, don't need you two to comment here."

"Good, Senior Xiang is indeed straightforward. Everyone says Senior Xiang is an expert; we two will be bold and request a lesson — please enlighten us, Senior Xiang." Seeing Xiang Tiansheng so arrogant, Mr. Sun seized the moment to issue a challenge, achieving his aim.

He then added: "Senior Xiang's strength is unfathomable; the city probably has few opponents for you. So this junior hopes to ask for guidance together with Mr. Wu." Mr. Sun seemed to know Xiang Tiansheng's strength; he didn't act big, meeting Xiang Tiansheng's eyes levelly, shamelessly making the demand.

"What do you want to learn? I'll accept it all together." For Sun Linhai's petty schemes, Xiang Tiansheng didn't care at all.

"Compare by Military School method — strength and strategy. We're all from the Martial Hall; finally add a teaching round, let the disciples we've taught compete." Sun Linhai had calculated Xiang Tiansheng to death; it felt like he came prepared.

"Fine, three days later, at the Martial Hall's strategy sandbox. Done? If so, take your people and scram." Xiang Tiansheng agreed readily, not the slightest courtesy to these people; finished speaking, he chased them off. Mr. Sun wasn't angry either; smiling, he led his people away with cupped hands.

The fortune-telling old daoist drank his tea, looking perfectly at ease. Seeing his old friend provoked, excitement had come again; he grinned: "Your character — wherever you go you clash with people. Your old disciples aren't here, fine; now let's see what you'll do." For Xiang Tiansheng eating a loss, the old daoist was delighted.

"Ning Ze, Wang Pangdun, Han Xian, Han Da, Han Er, Yuan Li, Fu Qing — from today you are my students. First stay by my side and learn. To become my formal disciples, you'll still have to see if you can earn my acknowledgment." Xiang Tiansheng glanced irritably at the fortune-telling old daoist, didn't banter, named seven people, and announced his chosen ones. Schemed against by petty men, the old daoist still fanned the flames beside him, leaving Xiang Tiansheng with a bellyful of fire.

Ning Ze grew anxious — twelve people, now only five got a chance; what about the remaining seven? He blinked rapidly at the fortune-telling old daoist, frantically signaling him to speak up. But the old daoist was unmoved, shook his head at him. Ning Ze could only calm down and watch. Fu Qing was excited, immediately announcing tonight he'd treat everyone at "Juman Hall" in the city.

Night fell, the city bustling as in daytime. Juman Hall stood at the center of Fubo City's trade; countless traveling merchants banqueted guests here, and the upper floors hosted various high officials and nobles — it could be called Fubo City's number one restaurant.

Inside Juman Hall's private room, Fu Qing and Yuan Li warmly hosted Ning Ze and the others; the fortune-telling old daoist shamelessly tagged along. Though everyone had undergone disguise, many inner things couldn't be changed.

At the banquet, the Beicang Village companions were all rather restrained. A group stared at the delicacies before them, somewhat at a loss; only Ning Ze and the fortune-telling old daoist remained unperturbed by honor or disgrace. Fu Qing could read the room; after rounds of toasts, the atmosphere gradually livened. Between youths there's always innocence; once familiar they gradually let go of self-restraint. The three Han brothers started a drinking contest with Yuan Li; Fu Qing and Han Yu and a few chatted idly; of course Wang Pangdun stuffing himself eating and drinking was indispensable.

"Is this a place a bumpkin like you can enter? Shopkeeper, why haven't you thrown him out?" Noisy voices came from outside the private room. Then the door was flung open; Wu Feng dragged the drunken Lan Lin and tossed him inside. The banquet fell silent; the companions rose in anger. Ning Ze's eyes flashed with rage; he snapped his chopsticks in half. Provoking trouble again and again — they really think we're easy to bully.

"So it's Young Master Fu hosting. I thought any stray cat or dog could come eat — truly sorry. Young Master Fu, why not come have a drink? I'm currently hosting the Third Young Master of Xiyue Cave; consider it my apology." Wu Feng's expression was arrogant, his tone full of couldn't-care-less attitude; from the moment he entered he never once looked at Ning Ze's group. Seeing Wu Feng give no face, Fu Qing stood, slapped the table with one hand, glared at Wu Feng, and said: "Wu Feng, what are you doing? Apologize to Ning Ze and them at once!"

A voice came from outside: "Go on, don't waste time here." A crowd surrounded a handsome man — precisely the Third Young Master of Xiyue Cave Wu Feng had mentioned. He casually pinched a spell, didn't even glance properly at Ning Ze's group; seeing Lan Lin sober up, he took Wu Feng and left. Han Xian and them hurried to chase out, but Ning Ze blocked them at the door. Fu Qing wanted to speak but stopped, not daring to meet Ning Ze's eyes — clearly this matter made him quite guilty. The banquet ended on a sour note.

Ning Ze's group temporarily stayed next to Xiang Tiansheng; the twelve stood in the courtyard, eleven heads bowed, not daring to breathe, each face carrying shame. Especially Lan Lin, clutching his trousers tight, head nearly buried in his chest — this disaster was caused by him.

Ning Ze stared straight at each of them; he'd already looked for half an hour. His heart was in turmoil; his mouth seemed to move but closed again. He raised his head to the sky, and finally his mouth opened, and he spoke.

"You all know — we've been hunted this whole time. Soon we'll have to scatter to different places; who knows when we'll meet again. I hope you can live well, not die meaninglessly from your own stupidity and recklessness. I can help you once or twice, not for a lifetime. You must remember — the two hundred thirty-five lives of Beicang Village still rest on your shoulders."

The last sentence, Ning Ze's veins bulged, face flushed red as he roared it out — hating iron for not becoming steel. Finished speaking, Ning Ze left.

Hearing the words, the eleven raised their heads, only able to see Ning Ze's departing back. The news that they'd have to scatter was the first they'd heard of it. Tears of regret flowed from Lan Lin's eyes; he wildly slapped his own face. Lan Yue and Lan Feng grabbed his hands, their eyes also red; finally the three hugged tightly together in pain. Han Xian looked up at the sky, not daring to lower his head; hands clenched till veins bulged, then powerlessly loosened, back and forth several times, finally only able to vent helplessly on the wall.

Liu Lv'er crouched on the ground without a word; disheveled hair hung over her face, no tears, only lifeless eyes. Wang Pangdun stared dead at where Ning Ze left; his honest face turned ferocious; finally he pulled Liu Lv'er up and left the courtyard. The rest were like children who'd done wrong; guilty tears unworthily spilled, expressions varied. They couldn't truly feel what Ning Ze bore; it had always been Ning Ze holding the front for them. Only when everything had to be faced themselves did they know Ning Ze was helping everyone carry the burden forward.

The fortune-telling old daoist silently watched this group of youths, not a word. Recalling all they'd experienced along the way, he sighed, turned, and left the courtyard with slow steps. Ning Ze went straight to Xiang Tiansheng's house; late at night he paid a visit, because Ning Ze felt some things must be handled early.

"Mr. Xiang, this junior has a matter to request an audience." The door opened; Ning Ze entered. Xiang Tiansheng sat at his desk, as if he'd been waiting for him all along.

"The fortune-teller already told me about your matters. A pity — your aptitude is very good. If not for these attachments following me to study, your future achievements would be limitless. But leaving is good too; entangled with that old man, I can't help much either." Xiang Tiansheng tapped the table a few times, sighing.

"Thank you, Senior, for such high praise. This visit is for two things: one, to fulfill a promise; two, to beg a favor." Finished speaking, Ning Ze took out pre-cut Thunder Python meat and handed it to Xiang Tiansheng. Xiang Tiansheng stared at Ning Ze, then at the Thunder Python meat; his hand hovered, unsure whether to take it — he hadn't expected Ning Ze to produce such precious yaomo meat. He said: "This is too precious; you'd better take it back."

Ning Ze placed the meat on the desk and continued: "Please, Senior, don't refuse. Moreover, this junior has another request."

"Speak. What matter." Xiang Tiansheng closed his eyes, no longer looking at the Thunder Python meat — clearly he'd hear what it was first, then decide.

"I hope Senior will protect my few companions more. If anyone comes hunting them, push the responsibility onto me. As for the request — I want to kill Wu Feng, and ask Mr. Xiang to help. No need for Mr. Xiang to act personally." He watched Xiang Tiansheng's expression closely. Regarding killing Wu Feng, Ning Ze had pondered long, and still decided to risk it once — not leaving a hidden danger for Wang Pangdun and them.

Xiang Tiansheng looked at this bold youth; fingers tapping the desk incessantly. Finally he opened his eyes: "No need for you to say more. Since you're to become this old man's disciples, I'll naturally protect them. The matter of killing Wu Feng — first help me win the contest three days from now, then we'll talk. Also, let me remind you: Fu Qing is Fubo City's Young City Lord; Yuan Li is the son of the Min Kingdom's border general."

Before leaving, Xiang Tiansheng solemnly gave Ning Ze a Military School introductory manual, instructing him to read it after leaving Fubo City; for these few days, just cultivate peacefully by his side.

In the Fubo City Lord's mansion study, Fu Qing was recounting today's events to the man opposite.

Before him sat a man in military armor, his build extraordinarily imposing, like a resting male lion. The man was quite surprised Fu Qing could become Xiang Tiansheng's student; a trace of satisfaction hung on his face. After Fu Qing withdrew,

The imposing man frowned tightly, muttering: "Xiang Tiansheng unwilling to stay idle anymore? Who instigated Wu Feng and them to jump out? Xiyue Cave? And a group of youths from who knows where — actually a genius among them. Interesting. Troubled autumn ah!"