Why do I have so many masters?

Outside Dingwu City.

Above the vault of heaven.

Wang Anfeng finally understood why Xue Qinshuang and the others had arrived so quickly.

Dressed in a white robe, Gong Yu stood at the forefront, merely striding forward indifferently. With each step, she had already covered a considerable distance, while Wang Anfeng and the others were pulled by an invisible and tranquil force, following her lead.

The mountains and the earth seemed like dust, merely passing beneath them.

Previously, a Seventh Rank Martial Artist would step out impressively, covering hundreds of meters in a single stride. With the aid of two silver-feathered Flying Eagles, they could even continue propelling themselves through the air without touching the ground, crossing vast distances. The strength of such techniques was truly astonishing.

But compared to Gong Yu at this moment, they seemed rather petty.

The greater the commotion, the more it appeared superficially strong yet lacking substance.

The young man pursed his lips, feeling amazed yet also recalling an experience from a few days ago, and whispered to himself,

It is very impressive.

But still not as good as Master Ying.

With this thought, the corner of his mouth slightly lifted, but then he remembered that sudden 'maintenance,' and his brows faintly furrowed.

Although the 'lady' had clearly stated it would take twelve hours, he still felt quite uneasy before returning to Shaolin Temple.

Just now, he had faced powerful enemies and interrogated many prisoners in succession, which had distracted his thoughts. Now that he was idle, various chaotic thoughts began to surface from the depths of his heart. A mere trace of unease because of excessive concern gradually magnified.

For a while, he only felt as if his thoughts were in complete disarray, growing more and more chaotic the more he thought.

Twelve hours, twelve hours... so much could happen.

Maintenance... does it mean that Shaolin Temple needs some repairs? But there's absolutely nothing wrong with the buildings at Shaolin.

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At first, his mind's wanderings remained normal, still remembering that he could return after 'twelve hours.' But as his thoughts extended further, his wild speculations brought forth even more groundless ideas.

What if something falls on Master Ying's head?

Could my master fall ill from not sleeping... could my second master accidentally twist his back?

One absurd, ridiculous thought after another boiled up in the young man's heart, popping up one after the other.

His expression remained calm and composed, his eyes clean and gentle, his usual demeanor. He was seen by disciples of Qingfeng Edge as a composed and bold young hero, by Middle Third Rank experts as a junior with boundless potential, by Xue Qinshuang as a future rival, and a threatening figure that made local bandits tremble.

Yet he was almost on the verge of crying out in his heart.

Twelve hours, six hours.

How much longer?!

............

Fufeng's Guan City was located several hundred miles from Dingwu City. Like Baili Feng's mount, a yellow horse needed to set off at dawn and travel throughout the day to reach it. However, while Wang Anfeng was lost in his chaotic thoughts, he had already sighted the majestic and imposing city, indicating the swiftness of their speed.

Upon entering Guan City and shortly after, Wang Anfeng and his companions reached the inn arranged by Gong Yu, where Baili Feng and Tuoba Yue were already anxiously waiting. Both were straightforward and forthright in character, having waited a long time here, growing increasingly restless.

Just as they could no longer sit still, seeing everyone push the door and enter, with Wang Anfeng returning safely, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Gong Yu, however, did not enter but after setting down Wang Anfeng and the others, she turned back out.

She returned a moment later, her expression still cold, but Wang Anfeng felt a trace of not yet fully retracted murderous intent mixed with the effects of her Taiyin Internal Strength, causing goosebumps to form on the young man's back, his body slightly shivering.

Wang Anfeng suddenly recalled the last question Gong Yu had asked the bandit, and enlightenment dawned upon him.

Those martial artists who had been tracking them must have perished by now—Lower Third Rank facing Middle Third Rank, there was no way they could have survived.

Gong Yu didn't seem to notice the change in the young man's gaze. He casually placed the longsword on the table and said with a subdued expression,

"We rest tonight and set out tomorrow morning."

Everyone agreed in unison. Seeing that Gong Yu didn't seem inclined to continue speaking, they each took their leave. The members of Qingfeng Edge immediately returned to their guest rooms to meditate and cultivate, while the four from Fufeng Academy went to Baili Feng's room and talked for a while before dispersing to their own rooms.

Wang Anfeng sat on the bed in his guest room, took off the Buddha Beads from his wrist with his left hand, and caressed the prayer beads in his palm. Only three or four hours had passed, far from enough time to return to Shaolin Temple, yet the youth still felt a reluctant hope, like gamblers aware of their inevitable loss yet clinging to that slight chance, he softly said,

"Return to Shaolin…"

As his voice faded, there was no response. The youth sighed and was about to slip the Buddha Beads back onto his wrist when suddenly, a faint luminous glow emerged from the beads. The youth was slightly startled; his dark pupils contracted, and in his clear eyes, the glow flowed and then burst forth brilliantly, engulfing him entirely.

In Dingwu City.

A man in gray sat on a wooden chair, with a gaunt figure kneeling before him wearing a black outfit with a steel armor on the right shoulder, securing a gray cloak that draped behind him. His features were soft, yet marked by nineteen scars, giving him a ferocious appearance, and his eyes were filled with fierce energy.

The man tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his voice slightly surprised,

"Are you saying… that the young man is the one who broke one of our rules?"

The woman before him silently nodded.

Remembering the scenes she had witnessed hidden near the man earlier that day, she grew apprehensive.

Then she lowered her gaze and said in a cold tone,

"Master, shall I take care of him?"

At this, the man waved his hand with a chuckle,

"Take care of? What for?"

"There's no need."

His voice paused, and a gentle expression appeared on his face, his hands crossed as he spoke leisurely,n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Jianghu is vast; it's not only our territory. Others are formidable, but what does that have to do with us? He walks his own sunny road, and I cross my own log bridge. There's no need in Jianghu to seek out enemies."

"One must know, when will the cycle of vengeance end?"

"We shouldn't always resort to fighting and killing."

"What Mr. Xia said is rather magnanimous indeed."

A charming voice came from outside the door as Yu Lian'er knocked and entered, her face still wearing a light smile, though she felt a bit peculiar inside.

The words just spoken would have been reasonable if uttered by a master from the Academy, but coming from the man before her, they carried an indescribable irony, which she found slightly amusing. The man noticed but didn't mind much, simply responding with a carefree laugh,

"As Mr. Xia walks through Jianghu, I have always valued peace."

PS: This counts as the second update from yesterday…

As I wasn't feeling well, it's a bit late; there will still be two updates tomorrow, apologies for the delay