activa-t Chapter 7 Offering, Swordsman
Chapter 7 Offering, Swordsman
"Father, what happened to Third Brother...?"
Song Shen's eldest brother, Song Da, was completely bewildered. He had never heard of the conversation between his father and his third brother, but he had glimpsed some of the story.
Old Man Song sighed and told the whole story.
Hearing his father's words, Song Da said helplessly, "This matter... is not your fault, Father. However... the third son is still young and acted impulsively. In a few days, I will bring some things to apologize to him. I'm sure we can forgive and forget. After all, blood is thicker than water, and we are still family!"
Old Man Song had been feeling empty inside, but after hearing his eldest son's words, he finally felt more at ease.
He absolutely cannot abandon his son who has entered the world of martial arts, his own son to whom blood is thicker than water!
Looking back now, he remembers shedding a tear the night before he sold his son, making the decision with a heavy heart.
I should have sold my second child back then.
Old Man Song thought with considerable regret.
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"Is that your home?"
Song Shen and Feng Zhiyuan arrived at the shore, and a short while later, a small boat came from upstream.
The two boarded the boat, while Song Shen sat alone at the stern.
I guess so.
Feng Zhiyuan glanced at Song Shen and saw that the young man appeared calm and collected, but there was a hint of desolation in his brows.
"Who among us, the hounds kept by our masters, has a home?"
Feng Zhiyuan spoke in a light tone, sparing with his words.
"Brother Feng is right."
Song Shen didn't really feel anything. He was a transmigrator after all, so there was nothing to be sentimental about. In this world, he only had one older sister.
"Do you know what Green Lake is this time?"
Song Shen said, "I know, it's the fishing ground that our Cao family opened here."
Feng Zhiyuan smiled slightly: "Do you know why our Cao family is opening a fishing ground here? Do you know who's managing it?"
Song Shen's mind raced. Feng Zhiyuan's willingness to tell him so much was undoubtedly a rare opportunity for him to gather intelligence.
"Please teach me, Brother Feng."
Feng Zhiyuan said calmly, "Since you've had similar experiences to me, I'll say a few more words to you. First, are there any spirit fish in our lake? That's why several powerful families have been claiming land here recently."
Song Shen suddenly understood why the Cao family would spend so much money to buy land in that area.
"Furthermore, this fishing ground is controlled by the master's eldest daughter, the third young lady. The third young lady is no ordinary woman, so... your situation here might not be worse than those two boys going to the eldest and second young masters. Work hard, and you might end up doing much better than them in the future, understand?"
Song Shen listened thoughtfully, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Brother Feng."
Feng Zhiyuan calmly said, "For a young person like you with such a background, talent isn't that important. Intelligence and character are what will likely take you further. Keep up the good work!"
Song Shen bowed again.
A short while later, the bow of the boat reached the shore, and the vast green lake finally unfolded before our eyes.
Song Shen finally couldn't help but ask, "Brother Feng, who should people like us, without a formal teacher, learn martial arts from?"
Feng Zhiyuan chuckled, "You've finally asked that question, the most important one."
Song Shen said earnestly, "Please teach me, Brother Feng."
Feng Zhiyuan said, "You are from my Cao family. Since we have asked you to learn martial arts, we will not abandon you. This time, the Third Miss called you here and specially asked Li Gongfeng to teach you martial arts."
Li Gongfeng?
In the Cao family, the honorifics were the highest-ranking members, second only to the actual family members.
They are different from Song Shen, and different from Feng Zhiyuan.
They were not Cao's henchmen, but had become collaborators and people being supported.
"This Master Li, like you and me, was once a servant in the Cao family. By chance, he entered the world of martial arts and has come this far. Of course, he is also my master."
After listening to Feng Zhiyuan's words, Song Shen finally understood why Old Feng was willing to tell him so much. He seized the opportunity and said, "So you're Brother Feng's senior brother!"
Feng Zhiyuan waved his hand and said, "You and I are both guards of the Cao family, and our master-disciple relationship is different from that of outsiders. Besides, Master Li doesn't like others calling him 'Master.' I was taught by him and call him 'Master' in private, but he never lets me call him 'Master,' so... you should be careful in the future and not call him that in front of others. Moreover..."
"Besides what?"
"Besides, Li Gongfeng is arrogant and may not even look up to you, so it's too early to say these things now."
"clear."
Song Shen nodded.
Those who were sold into slavery from childhood are often extraordinary people, especially people like Li Gongfeng, who are certainly even more eccentric.
The two went ashore, and Song Shen found this area in the original owner's memories. It used to be the territory of Song Family Village, but now it has been transformed into a fishing ground with rows of houses.
Like fleeting clouds and grey dogs.
Song Shen followed Feng Zhiyuan into the fishing village, where Feng Zhiyuan led Song Shen to a quiet, exquisite, and tidy courtyard.
"You wait here, I'll go in first."
Feng Zhiyuan went inside, leaving Song Shen alone outside, bewildered in the wind.
This doesn't seem like the idea of taking on an apprentice.
After a long wait.
Feng Zhiyuan walked out expressionlessly. "Master Li doesn't want to see you."
"what?"
Song Shen was stunned. Was Old Li really that aloof? The key question was, how was he supposed to practice his martial arts?
Feng Zhiyuan knew perfectly well that someone who could develop qi and blood through a month of special training must have considerable talent. It was normal for the Cao family to value him and specifically instruct the elder to personally mentor him. However, this Li Gongfeng... did not seem to enjoy teaching others.
Over the years, Old Li has taught a number of people, but very few are recognized by him as his apprentices.
Feng Zhiyuan said helplessly, "Don't worry, he won't teach you, but let me teach you first."
"I never expected this..."
Feng Zhiyuan pondered for a long time, thinking to himself that it was normal for Master Li to be absent from a mere servant, and it wouldn't hurt for him to reluctantly pass on his martial arts skills first.
"Come with me."
Song Shen followed Feng Zhiyuan to a narrow courtyard. The place was very clean, with only some daily necessities, indicating that the people living there led an ascetic life.
"Please bear with me, this is my place." Feng Zhiyuan glanced at Song Shen and saw that this younger brother was quite polite and his every move was not like that of a rash young man. He was quite impressed with him.
"Alright, I don't have much time on weekdays, and we're not the kind of master-disciple relationship where we're taught directly in a dojo. So, I'll only explain the key points of the martial arts to you once. The rest is up to your comprehension."
"Thank you very much, Senior Brother Feng!"
Feng Zhiyuan's gaze turned cold. "Didn't I tell you not to call me whatever you want?"
Song Shen chuckled awkwardly, "That's only in front of others. This is your residence, Senior Brother, so there's no need to worry!"
Feng Zhiyuan said irritably, "Fine, now stop laughing and watch my moves!"