Blacksmith Zhao and his wife were all smiles as they busily prepared meals. Zhao Hu and his wife stood in front of Fang Chen, softly recounting their experiences from the years spent away.
The couple's children had been reserved when they first arrived. Now, they were running around the courtyard and happily playing.
"Have you joined a gang? Why haven't you sent any letters back all these years?" Fang Chen asked softly.
Zhao Hu smiled bitterly as he looked at his former master whose hair had turned white over the years. He couldn't help but feel a bit choked up. "I have too many enemies. In fear of them intercepting my letters and finding out about my home, I didn't send any."
Fang Chen nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "That's quite cautious of you, but from your voice, it seems like you've sustained internal injuries?"
He noticed that Zhao Hu's breathing was somewhat labored.
"It should be fine," replied Zhao Hu quietly.
However, his wife looked worried, seeming to want to say something.
Zhao Hu noticed this and shot her a look, prompting her to stop before saying anything.
Zhao Hu's wife nodded gently. "Thank you, Mother."
Zhao Hu's mother served more meat dishes to the siblings, and the two children were very polite. "Thank you, Grandma."
Zhao Hu's mother smiled with her eyes squinting into crescent moons as she nodded repeatedly. Zhao Hu hadn't returned in many years, leaving her worried. Thankfully, not only had he returned, but he had brought over a wife and her grandchildren. This was a joyous occasion.
Zhao Hu suddenly looked toward the somewhat desolate courtyard. "Master, has the old man passed away?"
Fang Chen nodded and softly replied, "He passed away eight years ago."
"The old man was of age; life and death are natural occurrences," said Blacksmith Zhao with a smile.
Zhao Hu's expression turned somewhat dejected. "If only he could have lived longer… that would be great…"
Blacksmith Zhao seemed to not have heard clearly. "What did you say?"
Zhao Hu quickly shook his head.
At that moment, Zhao Hu's face flushed, and he coughed violently nonstop. As he coughed, he spat a mouthful of fresh blood into the bowl.
Blacksmith Zhao's face turned pale.
Fang Chen softly instructed, "Go fetch some medicine to treat internal injuries."
Blacksmith Zhao set down his bowl and got up quickly.
Zhao Hu's mother and wife rushed forward and helped him to a chair.
The two children looked worried. Even though they were young, they understood a lot. "Dad, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Zhao Hu said, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He forced a smile and looked at Fang Chen. After a moment, he knelt down with a thud. "Master, please accept Shi'er and Yu'er."
Fang Chen sighed gently. "Get up. If they are willing to learn martial arts, I will teach them,"
Zhao Hu's mother suddenly said, "What's so good about practicing martial arts? Zhao'er, you've been away from home for so many years without a word, and now you come back injured. How can you let Shi'er and Yu'er learn martial arts.…"
Zhao Hu bitterly smiled. "Mom, once you tread this path, you're no longer in control. If they don't learn martial arts, they might find themselves in danger in the future."
People voiced their condolences, assuring him that they would definitely come to see Zhao Hu off.
Fang Chen slowly approached Blacksmith Zhao and gently patted his shoulder. "Brother Zhao, please accept my condolences. Regardless of everything... he left you his two children. If you and your wife can't hold up, how will they survive as orphans?"
Blacksmith Zhao glanced toward his grandchildren. There seemed to be a glimmer of hope in his eyes when he looked a them.
Seven days later, a large crowd followed the funeral procession to send Zhao Hu off for the last time.
As they passed through the busiest street in Stone River County, a group of people dressed in black martial attire approached from the opposite direction. The weapons on these individuals were quite conspicuous, and their strides were steady, exuding an aura of menace.
The two groups met on the street. The leader's gaze suddenly fell on the widow, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "I recognize you."
Everyone was taken aback.
Blacksmith Zhao slowly stepped forward, confused. "May I ask who you are?"
The leader ignored him, instead looking at the coffin. A faint smile rose on his lips. "The one lying inside is Zhao Hu, right? For him to make it this far to reach here after taking my Heart Destroying Palm is quite impressive."
Gasps of shock echoed among the crowd. The funeral procession was composed of ordinary people. Upon hearing this, they immediately understood that Zhao Hu's enemies had come knocking!
In a teahouse not far away, Bu Qingchen was having tea with his wife and children.
Sitting with them was Bu Qingyu, who had gotten married. Her children were around five or six, sitting across from her husband.
They had noticed the commotion outside early on. Blacksmith Zhao had also written to them, hoping they would join in sending Zhao Hu off, but Bu Qingchen had declined. After all, they were now important figures in Stone River County, favorites in front of officials. To them, Zhao Hu was an obscure figure. Sending him off would disrupt their status!
"Darling, I heard that when you first came here, you lived with those people? They seem to have offended some powerful figures," Bu Qingchen's wife remarked, glancing at the bustling scene outside with a light smile.
Bu Qingchen nodded. "Hmm, this group looks extraordinary; they must come from a significant background. Blacksmith Zhao's son has been wandering Jianghu, but he doesn't understand the art of retreat. It's no surprise he met an early demise by offending people like these."
Bu Qingyu suddenly said, "Brother, Brother Ji is also in the group."
Bu Qingchen frowned. "A blind man joining in on the fun is pointless. Although he does have some skills, he can't see anything. Wouldn't it be better for him to stay in the courtyard and take care of his health?"
Bu Qingyu suggested, "Brother, he has helped you train quite a few capable individuals over the years. Shouldn't we step in to mediate?"
"Let's wait a bit; now is not the right time to intervene," replied Bu Qingchen, a slight smile on his lips. "No matter who this group is, since they've come to Stone River County, they should lie low."
On Blacksmith Zhao's side.
Upon hearing the leader's words, Blacksmith Zhao's eyes turned bloodshot, and without hesitation, he charged toward them.
With a light kick, the leader sent Blacksmith Zhao flying over ten feet away, nearly toppling the coffin. The funeral procession witnessed this spectacle and immediately scattered, leaving only a few figures behind.
Zhao Shi and Zhao Yu rushed forward upon seeing Blacksmith Zhao knocked to the ground. "Grandpa!"
His words made Blacksmith Zhao's wife snap out of her shock. She hurriedly nodded and pulled her grandchildren into her embrace.
Upon noticing Fang Chen, the leader glanced at the wooden stick in his hand and suddenly laughed. "I heard that Zhao Hu's master is a blind man. Is that you?"