As soon as the Ninth Mountain Mountain-cutting Army began recruiting, stirring up excitement throughout the city,
dusk gradually descended.
A fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, with sparse whiskers at the corners of his mouth and a hint of shrewdness in his eyes, dressed in coarse hemp clothes, carrying a package wrapped in oil paper, and a jug of wine, rushed excitedly into an alley at Eastern City Ping’an Square.
In the alley, there were somewhat dilapidated houses, no remarkable buildings, and the residents were all lower-class citizens.
Inside, the security was chaotic, often infested with ruffians engaging in mugging, chicken stealing, and other petty crimes.
However, these days, with the return of the much-praised Colonel, it was said that gangs were being cracked down on, and the ruffians in the alley had noticeably become much more subdued.
Yet, upon entering the alley, the boy still tucked the oil paper package and the jug of wine, one into his chest and the other into his sleeve, bending slightly as he hurried towards his destination.
About half a tea time later, the boy finally reached his destination.
A mud yard overgrown with lush vines, with two mud huts plastered together, topped with thatched roofs.
The walls of the houses were covered with cracks as thick as fingers, but the yard was kept very clean.
"Look what I brought?"
The boy entered the yard and excitedly pulled out his belongings from his chest and sleeves.
However, he saw that besides the Old Master, there was another person in the yard.
A man, clearly out of place with the surrounding environment, dressed in an expensive blue Cloud Embroidery Robe, a Jade belt hanging around his waist, tall with a goatee, black hair as dark as ink, and somewhat wrinkled at the corners of his eyes.
This man was bowing to the Old Master, who was sitting on a stone bench under a tree.
As the boy curiously observed the scene before him, he saw the man’s lowered eyes shift in his direction, filled with a superiority and a chilling coldness that seemed to freeze his soul.
The boy shuddered, his body almost giving way.
He felt this kind of gaze from "Important people" when he worked at a tavern on the street.
It was as if they saw something filthy, filled with disgust, disdain, and a contempt that seemed to hold the power of life and death.
In the past half month, many people came to Jingguan City, so he managed to get a hard-earned job at a tavern a few streets away, serving tea, carrying water, and doing all sorts of odd jobs. There, he saw many Important people.
But those "Important people" were mostly not easy to get along with; he had caused quite a bit of trouble at first, due to not being quick enough, which wasn’t really trouble, but in the eyes of those who had to appease even their own bosses, his actions were mistakes.
Knowing he dared not offend such people, he could only kneel like a dog, something he had grown accustomed to.
His parents had died in the preceding years, and he had lived his life since in this manner.
Anyway, living shamelessly, he believed life would slowly improve!
Just as he was unable to bear the gaze of the man in the fancy robe, the man he called "Old Master" looked over and spoke with a slight smile,
"Oh, little fellow, what did you bring?"
The "Old Master" had neatly combed snow-white hair and wore a simple white robe, his eyebrows sharp, and his eyes smiling softly.
With the Old Master’s words, the boy felt the pressure around him dissipating into nothingness.
The "Old Master" seemed to be no ordinary person, and that Important person next to him was very respectful to the old man.
This Old Master, he had encountered him at the restaurant just a few days ago. At that time, the Old Master was seeking to stay at the restaurant, but there were no guest rooms available. Eager to earn some Silver Coin and fulfill his own dreams sooner, he had led the Old Master to his own living space and charged him a lodging fee. To his surprise, the Old Master agreed promptly.
The youth suddenly felt timid, holding the oil-paper-wrapped package and the alcohol, feeling fortunate yet unable to hand it over.
He had originally wanted to share his joyous news with the Old Master staying at his home.
"It’s roast chicken... and alcohol!"
He felt a bit embarrassed, lifting the items he held in his hand.
"For me to eat?" asked the Old Master.
"Mm." The youth nodded woodenly.
The Old Master, showing interest, beckoned with one hand and drew the jug of alcohol towards him, startling the youth, who then revealed a look of longing and envy in his eyes.
However, he quickly reacted by running into an earthen house, fetching a porcelain bowl missing a few parts, rushing back to the Old Master, and hurriedly cleaning it with the end of his garment before placing it in front of the Old Master, appearing very hurried and nervous.
Seeing this, the Old Master curved the corners of his lips, poured a cup of alcohol, and said with interest:
"I remember, you, young fellow, said you were saving Silver Coin because you wanted to learn martial arts at a martial arts school. How come you are still willing to buy roast chicken and alcohol for an old man like me? Did something joyous happen?"
Upon hearing this, the youth’s nervous face could not hide his cheerful and bright expression, and he spoke incessantly.
"Old Master, don’t you know? The Ninth Mountain Mountain-cutting Army is recruiting soldiers across the city. I went with the host to see it, so many people, even many sons from great families have signed up for the Military. It was a very lively scene."
"I wish to learn martial arts in the future, become well-known, and join the Ninth Mountain, to follow the respected Colonel!"
The youth, becoming excited, could not suppress his youthful spirit, his eyebrows lifted, and he clenched his fists, striking a martial arts pose while speaking of his beautiful future aspirations.
But as soon as the youth said this, the hand of the Old Master holding the bowl stopped mid-air, and the smile at the corner of his mouth slowly faded.
And the man in blue next to the Old Master suddenly looked up, his eyes emitting a cold light.
Sensing that something was wrong with the atmosphere, the youth’s face still held traces of excitement. He looked up, saw the smile gone from the Old Master’s face, leaving it expressionless, then met those icy eyes, causing his body to shiver uncontrollably as he involuntarily stepped back.
"Young fellow, did I say something wrong?"
Just then, the Old Master raised his hand and took a sip of the wine from the bowl, then spoke expressionlessly:
"Family Head Qian, this young fellow will be your responsibility. He’s a good kid but has chosen the wrong path. Let him not suffer."
The tall man in blue bowed slightly, respectfully replying, "As you wish, senior!"
Then, lifting his head, he looked at the farm boy with "pity," then leaped into one of the earthen houses, his hand stirring a gust of wind.
At the spot, the youth disappeared without a trace.
And between those swinging dilapidated wooden doors, an oil-paper-wrapped roast chicken tumbled to the threshold, a young man’s kindness and dreams thus dispersed.
Then, the man in grand attire came out, quickly moved to where the Old Master stood.
The Old Master then poured the remaining alcohol from his bowl,
"What a pity, I still wanted to leave some good karma!"
"But, young man, why did you have to mention that Colonel?"
"I, from the Li family, still seek revenge against him."
"Senior speaks truly. The Nine Colonels are forcing our Qian family to resist. Several families are currently discussing strategies; please lend us your help, senior. My Qian family will surely repay you generously!" said the tall man in blue, his expression fierce as he clasped his fists.