In a secluded fishing village somewhere in Việt Prefecture, Great Qi Kingdom, a lavishly decorated carriage, adorned with luxurious brocades, came to a silent halt. Around the carriage stood several black-clad riders, swords in hand, and a considerable number of villagers, men and women, crowded around, their faces alight with excitement, constantly gathering in small groups to whisper and discuss.
“Is that really the Jin family? The one from the prefecture capital?”
“It must be them. Look at the golden insignia embroidered on their clothes. Apart from the Jin family of Feng City, there’s no other family in this entire Kaiyuan Prefecture that could afford such a display.”
“Tsk, tsk, who would have thought! Shi Ting left his wife and child all those years ago, disappearing without a trace for ten years. He was long thought to have died in a foreign land, yet who would’ve imagined he’d not only join the Jin family but also send people back to fetch Shi Mu? It’s a pity Shi Mu’s mother fell ill and died many years ago. Otherwise, the mother and son would have enjoyed incomparable wealth and glory from now on.”
“Wealth and glory? That’s not so certain. Didn’t you hear the old man from the Jin family just now? Shi Ting has long been a son-in-law of the Jin family. If Shi Mu’s mother were still alive, Shi Ting probably wouldn’t have dared to send people to bring Shi Mu back at all.”
“Whatever you say, Shi Mu’s suffering is over from today. Yesterday he was an orphan, today he’s instantly become the young master of the Jin family.”...
“My father is gravely ill and bedridden, and I have a younger sibling?” Shi Mu stared at the old man in blue before him, asking slowly.
Shi Mu was only fourteen, but due to years of exposure to the sea winds, his skin was somewhat dark and tanned. He had large eyes and thick brows, and stood half a head taller than his peers. The tattered tunic he wore vaguely revealed the strong muscles on his body, giving off an air of rebellious defiance.
“Indeed, the Master is gravely ill this time, and it’s highly likely he won’t recover. That’s why the Madam sent this old servant to bring Young Master Shi to see the Master one last time.” The old man in blue replied with a smile.
“Madam? If he abandoned my mother for so many years, why does he need to acknowledge this son now? You can go back. I won’t be going with you to the Jin family.” The young man’s face darkened, and he refused without hesitation.
“Ahem! I’m afraid Young Master Shi has misunderstood the Master. In truth, the Master didn’t return to the village all these years because he had his own difficulties. As long as Young Master comes to meet the Master, all misunderstandings can be cleared up.” Hearing this, the old man coughed lightly before continuing.
“Hmph, no matter how much you talk, it won’t change the fact that he abandoned his wife and child. Don’t waste any more words!” The young man snorted coldly in reply.
The old man in blue frowned upon hearing this. He scrutinized the young man, then suddenly, as if having made a decision, he spoke:
“In the town these past few years, hasn’t Young Master found it incredibly easy to acquire medicinal herbs? Furthermore, hasn’t Instructor Li, who runs the town’s martial arts school, charged Young Master significantly less for martial arts lessons than other disciples? And after Young Master Shi returns from fishing, aren’t your catches quickly bought up in town, with very few people haggling over the price?”
“Are you saying all those things were arranged by him?” Finally, the young man’s expression changed, and he asked coldly.
"I'm not entirely sure if Master arranged it, but everything I've said was Madam's direct instruction for me to carry out." The old man in green robes replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the young man's expression wavered for a moment, eventually revealing a hint of hesitation. "Oh, that's right, Young Master Shi, haven't you always been cultivating body-refining techniques? It seems you truly wish to become a genuine martial artist. Before I came here, Madam instructed me that as long as Young Master agrees to meet Master, she will find a way to secure Young Master a spot in the Kaiyuan Martial Academy entrance examination. However, whether you pass or not will depend on Young Master Shi's own abilities." The old man in green robes finally played his trump card for this trip.
After a long silence, the young man replied indifferently: "Come back in three days. By then, I will give you a satisfactory answer."
"Very well, then I shall return in three days for your answer." Seeing that his mind was made up, the old man in green robes offered no further persuasion. He immediately bowed slightly and bid farewell.