Why do I have so many masters?

On the second day of February, the dragon raises its head.

The Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon reappeared in the sky, signaling a time of growth for all living things.

In Guangwu City, various trades and businesses had long since returned to their orderly state. The New Year had emptied many a purse, but it had also rejuvenated spirits. Even the servants at different establishments shouted louder, looking to earn some extra tips.

Zhao, the innkeeper, had been calling out all day. Turning around, he took a sip of water to moisten his throat, pondering when he might get a break.

The holiday had added some fat to his frame, and now just one day's work had left him terribly fatigued.

He really didn't want to work anymore.

Borrowing some capital to start a small business seemed better than constantly bowing and scraping with a smile...

He was thinking this when he turned his head and spotted a figure, which brightened his eyes. He promptly threw his previous thoughts to the back of his mind and approached enthusiastically, calling out loudly,

"Young hero, young hero!"

"Here at our inn, we're celebrating the New Year with a special. Stay for just seventy percent of the usual price, the best deal around. If you order a meal, rice is free. Look, it's getting late; why not rest a bit?"

The figure paused, seemed to make up his mind, and turned around, asking,

"Then could you kindly direct me to the stables?"

Zhao was momentarily startled, a habitual smile appearing on his face as he obligingly said,

"How could we trouble a distinguished guest with that? Please, come inside, leave it to me..."

As he spoke, he reached out to take the reins, but just then, the horse turned and gave him a look. Zhao froze on the spot, and at that moment, the young man gently patted his shoulder, his expression clean and mild, saying,

"Thank you for your kindness,"

"but you see, my horse is quite temperamental..."

A warm sensation emerged from the young man's hand, dispelling the cold stiffness, causing Zhao to shiver and step back, turning his head away, not daring to look at the horse. He chuckled dryly and pointed out the direction to the stables, and the young man, nodding his thanks, led the Green-Maned Horse toward the stables.

Zhao leaned against the doorpost behind him, his legs still a bit wobbly.

Mommy, what a fierce horse!

Swallowing, the memory of those icy golden vertical pupils made his heart tremble.

Maybe it's really time to quit this job...

A regular's voice called from inside,

"Zhao, bring some wine!"

Zhao's face instantly displayed a familiar smile, and he called out loudly,

"Right away!"

Moments later, another attendant saw a scholarly young man sitting at an empty table and took the initiative to approach, smiling and saying,

"This gentleman..."

The attendant's gaze fell on the qin case next to the young man. He wanted to address him as a young master, but seeing the sword the young man wore, perhaps 'young hero' would be more appropriate.

After a moment's hesitation, he simply greeted enthusiastically,

"Esteemed guest, are you stopping for a meal or staying the night?"

"Would trouble you, a stay." Read exclusive content at empire

The attendant picked up the teapot, first scalded the teacups with boiling water, then poured tea into them while expertly suggesting, "You're in luck, sir. We still have a few upper rooms available. May I ask what kind of room you prefer..."

A hint of apology appeared on Wang Anfeng's face as he said,

"A regular room will do."

The attendant was slightly taken aback, but then smiled and agreed, calling out as usual,

"Prepare a guest room!"

Someone responded from afar, and turning back, the attendant asked Wang Anfeng,

"Would you like anything to eat? We just butchered a lamb today, very fresh. The river hasn't thawed yet, so if you want fish, it's only dried fish with rice..."

"...No trouble, a serving of vinegar-sluiced cabbage, please."

"..."

Moments later, Wang Anfeng had his fill of vegetables and rice and, carrying his qin case, followed the attendant to his room. The attendant remained friendly, offering to send some warm water for washing and closing the door behind him as he left, his smiling face finally relaxing slightly before he went to attend to other guests.

He had just taken two steps when a scholarly voice reached his ears.

"Li Family's third son."

Upon hearing this, the attendant looked over and saw a middle-aged man with a gaunt appearance, smiling at him. Joy appeared on the latter's face as he walked straight over, wiping a table with a white cloth while flashing a smile, and greeted,

"Sixth Master, what brings you here?"

"It's been a few days, everything still the same here?"

The middle-aged man nodded, then casually chatted with the attendant about things that happened during the New Year. Shifting the topic, he teased,

"I saw that young man just now seemed quite well-off, must have earned some tips..."

"Won't you offer me a small drink?"

At this, the attendant's smile faltered a bit, showing a modicum of resentment as he said,

"Oh, don't remind me."

"That young man, his clothes, his guqin, each item is valuable, yet he's painfully stingy."

"Don't even mention tips or renting a room. Let's talk about the food—he only ordered a dish of vinegar-flavored cabbage costing a few coins, then devoured five large bowls of rice without leaving a single grain."

He shook his head and clicked his tongue,

"Honestly, in all my years here, I've never seen anyone who could eat like that."

"It's not fair, those martial arts masters eat even more, but every single one of them dines on meat and fish for nourishment... Who else would just eat plain rice, right..."

The attendant complained for a while until a chef in the back called him to stop, and he went back to fetch the dishes. The middle-aged man poured himself a cup of tea, his palm warming against the hot teacup, his gentle gaze falling on the guest rooms. He let out a light chuckle and sipped his tea.

The warm tea, like a snake caught in a trap, struggled and churned in his mouth before sliding down his throat.

Wang Anfeng sat on the bed in the guest room, pressing down on the mattress, and marveled at its softness and comfort.

If this is just an ordinary room, how much more comfortable must the premium ones be?

He had set out yesterday, originally planning to follow the map given by Mr. Jiang, ride his horse swiftly. Although the journey was a thousand miles, if he took the official roads, with the Green-Maned Horse's terrifying speed, he could have arrived in no more than five days.

But Master Ying had insisted that he not take the official roads and instead travel along the smaller trails through the forests.

Slow the pace, enter any city you encounter.

Unusually, the other two masters had no objections to Master Ying's demands; in fact, they quite agreed.

His thoughts drifting, the young man sighed lightly, gathered his thoughts, and sat on the bed, eyes half-closed, as the Inner Strength of the Golden Bell Shield circulated slowly through his veins.

He had been practicing the first level of the Golden Bell Shield for some time now. With the foundation of Yi Chan Gong, his Inner Strength was fully accumulated, just short of assimilation to break through to the second level, and then he could be considered to have entered the Ninth Grade.

Yet, that last bit of finesse was elusive, like the moon mirrored in water or a flower reflected in a mirror, hard to grasp.

Clearing his mind of distractions, he cycled the Zhou Tian, and in no time, he had entered meditative concentration.

In Shaolin Temple, Master Ci slightly furrowed his brows, while Wu Changqing remained cheerfully smiling, his scholarly demeanor as stern as ever.

"How many mistakes did he make?"

Wu Changqing stroked his beard,

"At least seven, each one signaling to others that he's an easy target."

At the mention of 'easy target,' the old man could not help but chuckle softly.

Master Ci's face was kind as he said, "Previously he either wore simple clothes or had companions from noble clans, so this wasn't an issue."

"But now, as he travels alone on small paths, entering towns at will, with a famous horse and a valuable instrument, it's inevitable he becomes a target..."

"However, it's time for him to see another side of Jianghu, the swift horses and the lively enmities,"

"the shadows of swords, the storms of blood."

His voice paused slightly, perhaps recalling something, and he sighed slowly,

"Jianghu has always been a place of fierce storms..."

The Scholar curved the corner of his mouth lightly, and casually said, "It's always been like this in Jianghu. Everyone needs to accumulate experience. The lad has made some progress in martial arts, so it's time."

Master Ci sighed silently, and Wu Changqing nodded slightly.

The Scholar stood with his back to them, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed, enigmatic and eerie.

It was time to shed some blood...

PS: Thanks to Diekreuzung for the generous tip; a long chapter follows.