During the midday rest stop, Quan Jinghuai did not ask the children to practice martial arts, as it would be impossible to seize such a short time to practice while traveling.

After gathering dry branches and starting a fire with his disciples, he watched them heat up their rations. Then he walked over to Hong Xiaoduo, took off the pouch from his waist, and placed it on the table in front of her.

Hong Xiaoduo looked at him, then looked up at him with some confusion.

“Since I’ve become their master, we’ll definitely be together for a long time to come, so I’ll have to cover their food expenses along the way,” Quan Jinghuai said.

Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo thought for a moment and said, "That doesn't seem right. Shouldn't we be the ones giving you money to be their masters?"

“It’s different. What’s their situation? Besides, it’s my good fortune to have seven of them as my disciples in this lifetime. Didn’t you say that they’re all on our side from now on? Since they’re on our side, just accept the money.” Quan Jinghuai said very frankly.

Hearing him say that, Hong Xiaoduo didn't stand on ceremony anymore: "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."

After saying that, he picked up the purse and put it into the carriage.

After putting the silver away, he turned around, sat down, and said with a smile, "Actually, we're not that poor right now. We can still afford to support you as our master."

"I'm a grown man, and I'm being supported by seven children and a young woman like you. Let alone how I'd face people in the martial arts world if word got out, I couldn't even eat this food in front of you!" Quan Jinghuai said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"By the way, don't wandering heroes all have titles? What's yours? Pretty cool, huh?" Hong Xiaoduo asked curiously as soon as she heard him mention wandering the martial arts world.

Hearing her ask that, Quan Jinghuai immediately laughed: "That's really not true."

By this time, the food was heated up, and Quan Jinghuai got up to help his disciples carry the food to the long table and set it up. The nine of them quickly began to eat.

"By the way, you're their master now. I'm having trouble deciding how to address you. Calling you 'Your Excellency' feels a bit awkward." Hong Xiaoduo didn't follow the rule of not speaking while eating, and while eating her dry rations, she asked the person directly.

If he weren't the children's mentor, it would be acceptable to address him by his first name, but given their current relationship, it seems impolite.

"Xiao Duo, just call me whatever you think is appropriate." Quan Jinghuai didn't know what to call himself either.

While eating her dry rations, Hong Xiaoduo thought seriously for a while before finally saying, "Master Quan? Young Master Quan? Brother Quan?"

"Let's go with Brother Quan." Quan Jinghuai immediately said when he heard the last one.

Actually, when she asked herself, she had thought of this title, but she was afraid that she wouldn't like it.

Now that she's said it herself, that's perfect.

“Okay.” Hong Xiaoduo also felt that this form of address was appropriate.

The seven children standing nearby didn't react differently when they heard this. No matter how she addressed him, he was their master, not their uncle or maternal uncle.

"Brother Quan, are those hidden weapons on your waist?" Hong Xiaoduo asked again.

Now that we're on the same side, I can ask more casually.

“Yes, do you want to learn? If you do, I can teach you. When we get to the next town, I'll take you to choose a set you like, whether it's throwing knives or darts,” Quan Jinghuai said.

But Hong Xiaoduo shook her head and said, "Forget it, I don't want to learn this. I have something more convenient."

"More convenient?" Quan Jinghuai didn't understand and thought she was referring to the soft whip and sword at her waist.

Since she wasn't interested in learning it, he couldn't very well persuade her to!

Let's ask which disciple is interested and teach them!

"After we get to Dawu Pass, which way do you plan to go? The New Year is just a month away." Quan Jinghuai also remembered that he had a question to ask her.

In the past, he didn't care where he spent the New Year, but he would always try his best to go back to pay his respects to his master.

Considering that she and her seven disciples were all homeless, it would be better to ask her opinion first. If possible, it would be better to take her and her disciples to their master's house for the New Year.

"After we get to Dawuguan, we plan to head south to see the sea. We plan to stop at a suitable place along the way during the Chinese New Year, and then continue our journey after the New Year. What do you think, Brother Quan?"

"If you have any plans for the New Year, you can go on your own and don't need to worry about us," Hong Xiaoduo said, explaining her plans.

Even though she trusted Brother Quan's character, she didn't dare mention it now. She let the children follow him and went to collect the remaining water samples on their own.

It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but rather that she knew these children's personalities too well; they would feel that she didn't want them anymore.

"There are no special arrangements, we'll just follow your schedule," Quan Jinghuai said.

Hearing him say that, Hong Xiaoduo was quite happy. Next, the children would learn martial arts from him and literature from her, and their future prospects would definitely be good.

A few days later, in the Dawuguan military camp, Deputy General Peng Xian, who had just finished training the new recruits, returned to his tent to rest before having dinner.

His subordinate Ying Hai entered the tent and told him that several officials said they had something to ask to see him.

"Official constable? From what official constable?" Peng Xi was very puzzled. He went through his mind but couldn't recall anyone he knew who was an official constable.

"They say they're from Tongling City, boss. Should I send them away?" Ying Hai asked.

Peng Xian was about to say he wouldn't see her, but after thinking for a moment, he said, "Bring her in." He'd know what was going on once he saw her.

At this moment, Cui Zhong and the others waiting outside were also unsure whether the other party would see them.

The deputy general beside a general is at least a sixth or seventh-rank official. It's not easy for a local official to even see the deputy general.

"Boss, what if they don't see us?" Old Sang stomped his numb feet and asked in a low voice.

Shao Xiang, standing to the side, said, "If they don't want to see us, then we'll just leave. What else can we do? Anyway, our boss has already tried, and we've been waiting all afternoon, so it's not like we've broken our promise."

Just then, the soldier came out from inside.

"Come in." Upon hearing this, Shao Xiang and his companions breathed a sigh of relief.

Except for one person who stayed at the post station to wait, the three who arrived followed him into a large tent in the military camp.

Upon entering the main tent, I saw the person sitting inside and figured that this must be Vice General Peng, whom I was supposed to meet.

"We men greet the Vice General." Cui Zhong led the way and stepped forward to greet him respectfully.

Peng Xian nodded: "What business do you have with me?"

Cui Zhong took out a letter from his pocket and said, "We are here on behalf of Lady Hong to deliver a letter to the Vice General."

"Young Lady Hong?" Ying Hai asked in surprise.

Seeing his reaction, Cui Zhong finally realized that the relationship between that young lady Hong and this side was extraordinary.

"Yes," Cui Zhong replied.

"Then why didn't you say it was her sooner?" Ying Hai complained a little; they almost missed seeing her...