Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 677 - 8: Casting Me Peach, Repaying With Jade (1/2) (3200)

Wang Anfeng used his Inner Strength to dry the sweat on his body and walked up to within five steps of Gong Yu. Gong Yu, without a word, turned and walked away. Wang Anfeng had long been familiar with her temperament and immediately followed.

Not far away, former bandits of the mountain stronghold watched this scene and stroked their chins, a sparkle in their eyes typical of woman in their forties from the neighborhood. Then, with an elbow nudge to the tall and burly Great Stronghold Leader next to him, he lowered his voice and squinted, saying:

"Boss, I reckon the leader of these fierce tigers and that Immortal lady over there are quite an item, tsk tsk tsk, it's pretty obvious by everyone's reactions this has become a common sight."

The Great Stronghold Leader, engrossed in watching sword practice, heard this and became furious. With a lift of his leg, he kicked him on the buttocks, throwing him off balance, and shouted angrily:

"What bloody item, I'll give you a kick first!"

"Roll roll roll, stop mouthing off here, lest those people hear it and really go for a leg or two of your flesh!"

The mountains in the south were often picturesque, and even these ordinary, unnamed wilderness hills had their own unique charm upon close appreciation: delicate and graceful, like a little family's jade by the waterside. Compared to these, the northern mountains seemed more like the rough, uncaring disposition of a burly man.

Full of spirit, yet it was a beauty of grandeur.

Gong Yu stopped at the edge of a clifftop, her body clad in white, her garment fluttering slightly, and her black hair hanging over her shoulders. She had an air of cold elegance about her, like an Immortal who could ascend upon the wind at any moment.

Ahead, the vista revealed the spread of mountains and rivers continously rising into the distance, seemingly endless, yet not particularly high, offering a rather open view. Wang Anfeng stood behind, gazing into the distance, silent, waiting for Gong Yu to speak.

Gong Yu spoke indifferently, "What are your plans now?"

Wang Anfeng was silent for a moment, then moved forward a few steps to stand beside her, speaking softly:

"No matter what, we must first get through this current predicament."

"Miss Gong Yu, this matter originated from me and because of my recklessness, it has blown up to this extent."

"Mr. Mei once said that the news has not yet spread widely, as if someone is suppressing it secretly, but still, within at most three months' time, it will spread throughout the entire Jianghu, and perhaps even sooner."

"These few months, they will most likely investigate and pin down our approximate location. By the time the news surges like a tide in Jianghu, and when everyone is talking about the remnants of Divine Martial Mansion, the people who come next will be determined to take my life."

"Whether for revenge or gratitude, or perhaps just for fame in Jianghu."

"Although the Great Elder's swordsmanship is extraordinary, there's only so much he can do. With fame and profit at stake, those people will likely no longer care about the identity of the three of you as Qingfeng Edge."

"If you're willing, you can stay here a while longer to enjoy the scenery. If you grow weary, or after three months, you may start your journey back..."

A clear and resonant sword cry cut through the air like the sound of a crane calling amidst jade stones, silencing Wang Anfeng.

Gong Yu said lightly:

"Now it is May, and after three months it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival gathering. The Great Elder also has a message for me to deliver to Elder Jiu Zizai."

"At that time, you and I will travel together."

Her tone was calm and resolute, leaving no room for debate or contradiction. Gong Yu stepped out onto the clifftop as the mountain breeze blew, as if she were walking on a sword. In a blink, her figure vanished, and only Wang Anfeng remained standing on the mountaintop, his expression as serene as ever, but with a hint of helplessness.

He sighed and simply sat down on the grassy top of the mountain, rubbing his temple. He first laughed out loud, then murmured softly:

"Indeed, Miss Gong Yu's temperament is really not to be swayed by a thread or a hair. Though it was to be expected, who knew that after racking my brains for days and just as I was about to use Qiaofu and Bai Ping to 'threaten' her, she would directly assert herself with a cry of her sword?!"

"It was effective indeed, but isn't it a bit too forceful?"

"But it is impressive. She truly sees through all external appearances and straight to the heart, speaking little but never to be taken lightly."

"This recklessness of mine has already caused enough trouble, and my masters don't have enough spirit to act. If it were just me, it would still be alright, and Yuchi, being of Divine Martial as well, can share the responsibility."

"But involving Miss Gong Yu and the other two is... What on earth is this?"

"A jinx?"

Helplessly smiling, he flicked his forehead with his fingers and then lay flat on the ground, stretching out his arms and looking up at the swirling clouds overhead, his feelings about the situation becoming even clearer in his mind.

He reached out his hand, casting it in front of himself.

The sunlight poured down, casting a shadow on his face.

This commotion was so great, Jianghu would be much abuzz; there would be those seeking fame, those seeking fortune, those seeking to repay a kindness or avenge a wrong, a myriad of seekers, all desiring nothing more than his head and to ride the shockwave caused by upending the Wen Family to soar to the heavens.

But the world is so vast.

The world is so vast...

Wang Anfeng's fingers, one by one, slowly retracted to form a tight fist, as if there was something tangible before him unseen to the eye, and now he was clasping it firmly in his palm.

In this vast world, the ones who will come together again for the three words Divine Martial Mansion.

They are not just those who court fame and fortune!

Those who pledge loyalty to their lords, those who are willing to risk their lives.

Those who have died without turning back, those who hold an unceasing memory.

In this vast world, in this wide Jianghu, how many can there be?!

From afar came the furious shouts of the wind and Divine Martial.

Wang Anfeng rose to his feet, staring blankly at the rising mist in the distance, then turned and walked away, the Jade Plaque on his garment swinging slightly.

His eyes were calm and serene.

"I'll be waiting."

Gong Yu traveled with the wind but didn't go straight away. Instead, he chose a spot just outside the mountain fortress to admire the landscape before landing again inside the stockade. This place originally housed only eighty or ninety burly bandit men with not a single woman in sight.

Now, their dwelling was something Gong Yu had built with the help of Lin Qiaofu and Lv Baiping using swords to cut bamboo. It was somewhat out of place inside the stronghold, like a dingy garment suddenly adorned with a glowing piece of jade.

Yuchi Jie was indignant. He was unwilling to stay in the bandits' houses, and since Lao Lu came from a military background, he only reluctantly set up a military tent for Yuchi, barely fit for living, which left Yuchi seething with anger every day.

He frequented Lin Qiaofu and Lv Baiping's place, thumping his chest and making all sorts of promises, hoping that the Qingfeng Edge disciples would take pity on him and build him a lush bamboo house too.

Lin Qiaofu, with her tender heart and kind nature, thought to just agree, but Lv Baiping simply hugged her sword and coldly sneered at Yuchi Jie's pleas. She was completely indifferent and even stopped Lin Qiaofu, who was starting to waver, from offering help.

Today, when Gong Yu returned, he once again saw Yuchi Jie playing the pity card outside the bamboo house. He hadn't yet approached when his expression shifted slightly, and he turned and left.

Yuchi Jie exhaled deeply and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Only when Gong Yu had walked far away did he begin pounding on the bamboo house's door, saying loudly, "Miss Lv, Big Sister Lv, my lady, I beg of you, please show some mercy and do me this favor. Lao Lu is all thumbs; the tent he built is unlivable."

"The mosquitos in these mountains are vicious; I've got quite a few huge welts. Don't believe me? Look, there's a big one on my butt."

"Miss Lv, Miss Lv?"

"Are you listening?"

Yuchi Jie paused, then murmured to himself:

"Is she asleep? This early, then..."

"Bai Ping? Good Bai Ping, you just..."

The wooden door of the bamboo house suddenly flung open, and a sword scabbard came flying out, carried by an ill wind and hitting Yuchi Jie squarely on the forehead with pinpoint accuracy. It made him stumble and nearly fall on his behind, then the door slammed shut again.

Yuchi Jie touched his forehead, not the least bit annoyed. Holding the sword scabbard and with a brilliant smile on his face, he knocked repeatedly on the door saying:

"Miss Lv, you accidentally dropped your sword scabbard, I've brought it back to you!"

"Open the door, please!"

Mo Xiaoqi, who had come to deliver something, watched wide-eyed.

How could there be such a shameless person in this world?!

Lao Lu, tall and big, was expressionless.

Ever since a narrow escape from death at Yufu Mountain ten days ago, Yuchi Jie had become like this.

Remembering that day, how the master with mediocre martial arts emerged unscathed when Lv Baiping, aside from Wang Anfeng and Gong Yu among the strongest, was injured with several sword cuts and pale as death, he could vaguely understand the problem.

Yuchi Jie had been grim that day, his expression dark as iron, sending a chill even through Lao Lu.

Mo Xiaoqi, glancing at the cheerful Yuchi Jie then back at Lao Lu, plucked up the courage and asked:

"Uncle... what's... what's with this guy?"

Lao Lu glanced at Yuchi Jie and said expressionlessly:

"I don't know him."

Gong Yu traveled straight for about thirty feet before stopping, surrounded by solitude. His expression cold, he looked toward a particular direction where normally one could only see the forest layers below and the protruding rocks from the mountain. But now, there was an additional figure of a white-haired Taoist.

Dressed in grey and white Taoist robe, with features gentle as a woman's, a teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of his eye, and hair tied up with a jade crown. Even though dressed as a man, his demeanor was by no means less impressive than Gong Yu's.

There was only one difference; the white-haired Taoist seemed to tread on nothing, his figure appearing a third ethereal, as if he was a reflection in a mirror or the moon in the water, ready to dissipate at a touch.

Gong Yu hesitated for a moment before she stepped forward with her sword to greet him, softly saying:

"I pay respects to the senior."

The white-haired Taoist nodded, stroked his Taoist robe, and with a smile, said:

"Given your expression, it seems you're not surprised?"

Gong Yu calmly replied, "I had seen the senior's grace before at the foot of the mountain gate; thus, I am not startled. Besides, my master has casually mentioned the Taoist Sect's True Masters and their ability to manifest spirit forms, so it's not something that would cause me distress."

The Ancient Taoist laughed and said:

"You actually noticed at that time but did not reveal a thing. How is it merely being unperturbed?"

Gong Yu did not take much heed and, in her straightforward manner akin to her sword, said:

"Senior sent me a message from a thousand miles, summoning me here. May I know your intent?"

The Ancient Taoist replied with a smile:

"It can't exactly be called guidance."

"It's simply a matter of reciprocating a gift. As Murong senior saved Xiao Feng's life, I am repaying that favor to Miss Gong.

"Even the pedantic scholars of the Confucian Sect abide by the saying 'A peach for a peach, and jade for jade.' It's the principle of action and reaction, and indeed it can be considered fair."

PS: Here's the first update of the day... 3,200 words.