Martial King's Retired Life

“You’re the ones who insisted my disciple inherited his bloodline. You’re the ones who insisted on his participation to test if the unorthodox sects would get him killed. I let you have your way. He’s alive and kicking, isn’t he?”

Tang Mian: “He neutralized the Fengpeng’s energy, though. Plus, he’s learnt Daoism and Buddhism disciplines. Unless he was a descendant of God of Battle, it’s hard to explain how he can achieve that much.”

Ming Huayu: “And you give up just because things are hard? Discard that mentality, young one. You disappoint me. Wen Darling, how about I give you a hug?”

Wen Yiyi: “Dig yourself a hole and climb in.”

Huang Yuzao frowned. “I’m not convinced. Let’s put aside him neutralising the Fengpeng’s energy for now. Knowing your relationship with Tianfeng Yu, would you really leave Ran Clan’s scion to their own device?”

Ming Huayu paused before he smiled. “What if I did, and what if I didn’t?”

“Are you admitting your disciple is Tianfeng Yu and Ran Feikong’s child?”

“What if I did, and what if I didn’t?”

“Ming Huayu, I’m not picking a fight. I’m asking a genuine quest-”

“Shut up!” roared Abbess Bailou.

“Abb-”

“You’re knocking on the gates to hell, and you don’t even realise it! If you want this cavern to be your grave, keep mentioning Tiangfeng Yu.”

Huang Yuzao gulped, then hesitantly stole a gander at smiling Ming Huayu. Logically, Ming Huayu’s mood shouldn’t have been so positive when Tianfeng Yu was the topic. His abnormal reaction was the polar opposite of his true reaction: he was angry enough to tear a head off a shoulder.

“Sister Lou,” Ming Huayu affably called, “why save him? Wouldn’t it be better to have some peace and quiet?”

“Don’t do anything stupid. He’s the leader of scholars… Let it go on my account.”

“Sure. I’ll spare him on your account. Ol’ Huang.” Ming Huayu brushed Huang Yuzao’s neck before the latter noticed Ming Huayu position himself behind him. “If you want to live a long life, learn to manage your mouth.”

Yan Shisan interjected. “I, too, have a question to ask.”

Ming Huayu looked over to Yan Shisan. “Brother Yan, you going to be like this, as well?”

Yan Shisan: “Brother Ming, I only have one question… What do you want your disciple to do?”

“Mm… Whatever I want him to think.” Giving them no time to decipher his answer, Ming Huayu added, “All of you have asked me a lot of questions. I also have a question for you.” He shook the wine pouch on hand. “Where do I find wine now that I’m out?” He strolled out, humming a tune, looked left and right, then stopped at the dip between the mountains. “Sorry for keeping you waiting, Brother Shen.”

“Sir.” Shen Wuzheng saluted Ming Huayu with the same salute reserved for his superiors.

“Don’t give me unwarranted titles. Don’t bring up the past.”

“Understood.” Shen Wuzheng switched his hands into a cupped-fist salute. “I have fulfilled your request. Feizhen is safe and sound.”

“Thanks for watching over him.”

“To tell the truth, I did not do anything. He was the one who converted the energy.”

“He was lucky to meet someone wise.”

“Someone wise?”

“Hahaha, you’ve improved tremendously since we last met. You’re going to catch up to me in a matter of years.”

“I am still a long way off.”

Ming Huayu gently patted Shen Wuzheng on the shoulder. “Of course, of course. Young people should be modest.” He leaned in close to whisper, “Watch out. Something seems amiss in the capital.”

“… What suggests so?”

“My intuition.”

“I shall bear it in mind.”

Ming Huayu gave Shen Wuzheng’s shoulder another pat giddily. “I hope I’m wrong. I’m going for a refill. See you at the party.”

***

“Why didn’t you use the ‘What’ discipline I taught you sooner?”

Ming Feizhen: “You think I’d want to use it unless it was my last resort?”

“Well, you had to resort to it in the end, anyway. Man… I can’t believe you absorbed the Fengpeng’s consciousness years ago. 10%…”

The both of them sighed in unison. “Life isn’t easy.”

“So, what is it you want me to do?” Ming Feizhen inquired.

“Given you’re the disciple of an orthodox sect, isn’t it obvious that it’s exercising justice?” The youth pointed north. “Head all the way to Luoyang. A family is marrying off their daughter in a few days. I have a hunch that someone is up to something, so I want you to watch over her.”

“I’m impressed you know a family five hundred kilometres away is marrying off their daughter, but I’m even more impressed you know someone wants to kidnap the bride.” Ming Feizhen lifted his chin to express disdain. “The bad guys are your men, aren’t they?”