Chapter 6 Going North, Away
"Boss, give me a cup of tea."
"Okay, here's your tea, sir."
In an era without air conditioning and electric fans, Wen Ranqi was forced to head north, even if it was uncomfortable, to leave his former town. He certainly couldn't stay in the Fengyue Clan; Wen Shi would quickly find his address. He couldn't avoid Qiqi in the Yurou Clan to the west, otherwise asking Qiqi to leave would be meaningless. Even heading east to the Muyan Clan wouldn't be able to avoid any possible involvement with Qiqi, and he might get embroiled in unnecessary trouble.
Only by going north, to the place farthest away from all ethnic groups, can he find a place to stay.
"Have you heard that the Fengyue clan's great patriarch, Wen Yuechu, has died?"
"I think I heard about it yesterday."
"The clan leaders are already on their way to pay their respects." Wherever there is gossip, there's always gossip. Wen Ranqi brought some tea to the table and asked curiously, "Isn't the clan leader still young?" It was a month before Wen Ranqi's expected death.
The three of them looked at the young man who sat down and looked weak and helpless. They relaxed their guard and each poured a cup of tea from the teapot brought by Wen Ranqi into their bowl.
"Where are you from, little brother? Your accent doesn't sound like you're from our area."
"Haha, I live in the Fengyue Clan's place, but I'm not a member of the Fengyue Clan. I have no fixed place to stay and travel everywhere. Brothers, my accent is naturally different."
"No wonder you have a different temperament from other tribesmen. Where are you planning to go?"
"Let's go north. I haven't been there yet. I plan to go and see it and write about it in my travelogue later." Wen Ranqi leaned over, four heads huddled together, and whispered, "I just heard from the brothers that Patriarch Wen has passed away. Is it true?"
"Of course it's true. It's a pity that Patriarch Wen passed away in his prime."
"That's right, but I seem to have heard that Wen Yuechu's death is related to his son."
"Wen Shi?"
When Wen Ranqi mentioned Wen Shi, the man who looked the oldest among them asked Wen Ranqi to shush. Wen Ranqi looked at the man in confusion. He actually said that on purpose because he wanted to hear what other people thought of his behavior towards Wen Shi whom he had met.
"Hush, don't say that. Although Wen Shi is said to be rather overbearing, he has managed the Fengyue Clan in an orderly manner since Clan Leader Wen fell ill. He is the people's choice to be the next Clan Leader."
"Hmph, if it weren't for his plot against Wen Ranqi, how would Wen Shi have qualified? The people in the city probably voted for him because they were afraid of him." Wen Ranqi sneered in his heart. It was a pity that Wen Yuechu was a good father and clan leader.
Rights and interests are the most important things in Wen Shi's heart, and the people are just tools for him to show off his power.
"It's getting late, little brother, we won't stay with you." The three of them left the table and paid for Wen Ranqi's tea. "I wish you a safe journey!" Wen Ranqi saw them off and also led the horse. He wanted to ride as fast as he could. Wen Yuechu died on the first day, and the news of Wen Shi should be coming soon. He didn't know if he could escape, but he didn't want to be caught by Wen Shi so soon.
Patriarch's Meeting Hall
The mournful sounds of music and the chanting of rituals echoed endlessly throughout the meeting hall. Wen Shi carefully reviewed the guest list and gift list. Since yesterday, he had been stationed at Wen Yuechu's funeral hall all night, arranging all the funeral needs and ensuring everything went smoothly.
"Report to the Patriarch."
"I'm not the chief yet, so please don't address me as such. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly."
"Yes, Young Master, there's news on the matter you asked Wanming to investigate." Wen Shi looked up, and the kneeling figure in the hall came to his ear and leaned over to whisper, "Young Master once asked Wanming to be in charge of the trade between the Fengyue and Muyan tribes. On weekdays, everyone only takes the main road, and rarely takes a detour over the mountain to another small road. The end of this small road is Yuemu Town. The people there are all local elders, and few outsiders go there. Occasionally, some people who have taken the wrong road or travel far and wide will go there."
"Yuemu Town? How come I've never heard of it?"
"It's a remote town deep in the mountains where my tribe and the Mu Yan tribe meet. A few days ago, I met a traveling man by chance, and he told me that he seemed to have met the young master." The man looked at Wen Shi's expression carefully and spoke.
"Are you sure it's the young master's likeness?" Wen Shi covered the gift list and looked out the door with sharp eyes. "Yes, the traveling man also made a portrait, so I bought it and brought it to the young master."
Wen Shi unfolded the scroll, and a handsome face slowly emerged. Wen Ranqi's facial features were not as dignified and upright as Wen Yuechu's, with hard lines. Instead, he had the delicate features of the clan leader's wife, with soft lines, giving him a gentle and jade-like feeling.
Since Wen Ranqi also practiced martial arts and swordsmanship since he was young, his temperament was even more outstanding when he was a teenager. The boy's heroic and beautiful appearance also left a deep impression on countless people.
Wen Shi had watched Wen Ranqi grow up, had fought against him since childhood, and he would never forget what Wen Ranqi looked like. The scroll lay spread out on the long table, and Wen Shi spoke with the calmest, most emotionless words: "Go find him for me. If he's not dead, bring him back alive. Bring him back unharmed. Only I have the right to determine whether he lives or dies."
"Yes, I will send someone to look for him right away."
Wen Ranqi was wearing a sun-protective hat and sneezed on horseback, "I hope I have a cold." Wen Ranqi shook his head and found that he did not feel dizzy or anxious, nor was he thirsty, nor did he have heatstroke. He lifted the veil of his hat, gulped down some water, and continued on his way.
"Qiqi, come and have a drink of water. You've been practicing all morning." Qiqi took the water from Yanyan and said, "Thank you, sister Yanyan." After drinking, she started practicing again. Yanyan ran to Uncle Liangsheng and acted coquettishly, "Dad, please let him rest for a while. What if he gets a heat stroke in such a strong sun?"
"What do girls know? If they can't even endure this little hardship, how can they go out into the martial arts world?"
"Uncle Liang is right. I must cherish every moment of my time and I must not waste any of it. I must train as quickly as possible and make myself strong enough to be qualified to stand outside the valley, walk out of this place, and travel the world."
"With this awareness, it's worth my time and effort to teach you." Yanyan pulled Liang Sheng's sleeve and pouted, "Dad~~" Liang Sheng is a daughter slave, but he can also distinguish between priorities. He said in a relaxed tone.
"However, when improving your martial arts, you can't pursue quick success and instant gratification. What's needed is gradual progress over time. So, you must also remember that no matter what you do in the future, you must never be complacent or aggressive. You must learn to control yourself and gain self-awareness."
"Qiqi remembers it."
For half a month, Qiqi made rapid progress under Liangsheng's guidance, and Yuechi couldn't help but envy Qiqi's talent. Returning home at night, Yuechi went to Qiqi's room. Although he had seen Qiqi countless times during the day, Yuechi couldn't help but want to take another look. Qiqi's physique gradually became taller and more robust after practicing martial arts. His skin, exposed to the sun and wind every day, was no longer smooth and fair, but hard and firm. His determined and clear eyes shone brightly in the candlelight.
"Master Yue Chi, please take a seat."
"No need to sit down. My wife is urging me to go back. You're more comfortable here in the quilt and bed." Qiqi blushed. Yue Chi looked at Qiqi with a look that said, you'll have a chance. He took out a book from his sleeve with a few words written on the indigo cover.
"The Traceless Sword Manual?" Qiqi didn't understand. Yue Chi walked around the room and said slowly, "I believe you also know that our four major families each occupy a region, and each has its own strengths and weapons. The Fengyue family is good at using swords, you must know that."
Qiqi understood in his heart. He naturally knew what the four major families were good at and which places they were in charge of, but he didn't know why the sword manual that was revered as a heritage in the Fengyue clan and only the clan leader could practice appeared in his hands, and Yue Chi gave it to him so easily.
"Why did Master Yue Chi give it to me?"
"Can't you guess that you know us?"
"Yes, it's Master..." Qiqi felt a surge of strength in his heart, surprise and joy overflowing from his brows. He held the sword manual preciously against his chest and asked, "Master Yuechi, do you know if my master is safe now?"
Yue Chi stepped out of the room and paused, then turned around and gave Qi Qi a cold look, her eyes full of expectation. "If you want to see him soon, don't disappoint him."
Qiqi slept all night clutching the sword manual, and he dreamed of his master. Although Wen Ranqi still called him back and forth as usual in his dreams, he knew she was safe and sound in Yuemu Town, allowing him to study with peace of mind. Even if he couldn't see Wen Ranqi, he knew she cared about him.
The dream must have been beautiful, Qiqi laughed for a long time.
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