C18 (1/2)

The 29th of the Moon.

Qingqing. Everything.

In the entire Central Plains, fireworks and firecrackers rang in unison starting from the 25th of December. The commoners who had been busy for a year were only able to relax for a while and reunite with their families for a few days of lively New Year.

And tomorrow would be New Year's Eve. Every household was slaughtering pigs and sheep, making final preparations for tomorrow's New Year's Eve meal.

”Hey, Yinzi, Yinzi, yangzi —” ”Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy”

”Hurry up and help me bring this pig head in, ah …”

”Come!”

Inside the ”Zhen Yuan Escort Office”, it was also full of joy. The day before yesterday, Yang Chentian released all his brothers from the police station home for the New Year. He had bought a large fat pig from his neighbor, Uncle Huang, early in the morning, and was asking for the horse butcher to help with the slaughter.

”Take it and cook it well. Just cook it well today. Ah, Knife Bro said that Little Snow especially likes to eat pig head meat.” Tomorrow, Big Brother Dao will help you bring it back … ”

”Ok.” Lady Ying took the pig head and carried it into the house.

”Brother Zhentian, I heard you call me a knife brother full of affection, aiya?” Who's this brother Knife? ”Not ours, right?”

While the horse butcher was chopping pork with a knife, he chatted with Yang Chentian, who was helping him from the side.

”Sigh …” Yang Chentian looked around, then lowered his voice and said, ”Big brother Dao is here, we played together when we were young … …” ”Don't go out and talk nonsense, ah …”

”Hehe, look at what you're saying Brother Zhentian. I don't dare to say how loyal I am to others, but Brother Zhentian, you should know this best …” Ah? You mean here? ”I didn't remember anything yesterday, right?” The horse butcher continued to chop the meat without looking back.

”Sigh, do you remember what happened at Green Edge Castle ten years ago?”

”Ah!?” You mean — you're talking about Brother Fei'er?! ”— — Ma Zhongyi held his sabre there and stopped moving, he turned around and looked at Yang Zhentian in shock,” Really? Ah? Could it be that the two brothers, Fei'er and Fei'er, were still alive? He felt like he had said something unlucky on the new year's eve. He smacked his own face with his left hand. ”Hey, look at my mouth —”

”Ai, big brother Fei'er has long since … It's brother Knife... ”It's Brother Xu. He's still alive …” Yang Chentian gloomily said.

”Ah?” You mean Brother Xu Zi? Lin Xuanzi? And he — he's back? Aiyee … ”I say, brother Zhentian is back, and you're not going to say anything?”

”Ai, I can't explain this in a moment …”

”Oh, what's not clear!” Where does he live? Will you come tomorrow? Come here and drink at my place no matter what, ah! It's a deal … Look at you shaking the sky, man... ”Speechless …” Ma Zhongyi turned around and waved his big saber. ”Crack! Crack!” The pieces of meat fell off the edge of the blade and onto the door.

”Alright, alright. We'll talk about it when the time comes. Ah …” ”Haha …” Yang Chentian couldn't help but laugh out loud.

”Hey, Yinzi, take the small intestine inside and cook it. Bring it back to little Xue'er as well. This is what little fellow loves the most …”

”Alright!”

This side of the house was extremely busy, but the inside of the ”Peach Blossom Cave” was no different from usual.

”Hahahaha, disciple, now you've lost, right?” Hahahaha... ”You know that your master's chess skills aren't something that can be done in a day or two. A few days ago, I let you win, ah, hahahaha …” From far away, one could hear the voice of the ”Free and Unrestrained Immortal” coming from within the cave.

”Of course, master is master after all. Hehe, disciple admits defeat …” ”Haha …”

”The carefree immortal elder” had won a round with great difficulty this time. He was overjoyed to death. When he met his disciple, all three quick things in his life had been enjoyed at the same time, and every day at that. Pleasure cannot be expressed.

Little Red Snow was playing happily on the wooden stake!

Ever since her grandfather had made a 'big chessboard', Little Red Snow had been sitting on top of the wooden stakes almost every second. He was completely engrossed in it. When his eldest uncle had taught him the '12 Embroidery of the Sutra of the Yi Chuan', he had been inexplicably excited about his martial arts! It was far more fun to find out than to read the words. Lin Xuanzi also discovered that this little fellow was not only more interested in martial arts than he was in studying, but his understanding and acceptance of martial arts was also much better than reading books. It was absolutely impossible to see him spending all day, not even half a day, immersed in his book. However, ever since he came in contact with martial arts, this little fellow's entire being had changed! Including personality, his martial arts progressed at a rapid pace day by day, and his personality seemed to become more mature every day. Having become more sensible, this made Lin Xuanzi very pleased, as he felt that the Lin Clan had a successor. As for his grandfather, the ”Unfettered Immortal Elder”, he treated him as more of a blood related grandson than he did himself. This old man, who had lived alone in the martial world for his entire life, had met his disciple in his later years and even had a precious grandson whom he considered a ”genius”. He had finally experienced the deep affection in the world, and it was much more important than other things. And now the old man was happy, because he was having all this. What could be happier in life than this? No. he thought.

”En ~ Hai!” Heh heh heh heh! ”Chi!” ”Swish …”

Inside the peach forest, Little Red Snow was' running 'on the' chessboard '. Even his grandfather, the ”Free and Unrestrained Immortal”, found his rapid improvement inconceivable!

At this moment, there was a lot of rope on the board, and hanging on the rope were many jars filled with water.

He saw Lin Hongxue's left and right feet swiftly 'gliding' on the wooden stake. Her legs stretched and bent, and her arms relaxed as if they were flowing water. When he reached the peach tree, he would sometimes raise his upper body, sometimes bend his legs and half squat, sometimes circle his arm to the side, and sometimes leap to the side to jump to another wooden stake. His movements were skillful. When he passed by the place where there was a jar, he raised his palm and lightly patted it. His face, however, was calm. Wherever his hand touched, the jar would slightly shake and water would spill out. His small face was a little anxious, and his brows were knitted together. He paused for a moment and then continued to walk back and forth on the wooden stake. As he passed by the jar, he lightly patted it with his palm. The jar was still shaking back and forth, and water started to gush out of it.

It turned out that the day before yesterday, his grandfather had also taught him the movement technique of ”Unfettered Palm”, allowing him to practice his palm technique. These jars were used to practice palm techniques. In the first few days, the little guy practiced more and more, and he became stronger and stronger every day, no less than a hundred times a day!

But today he seemed a little depressed. This was because he had already experienced this one hundred and twenty times, and was becoming more and more proficient in footwork. However, he felt that this palm technique was getting worse with each passing day!

”Grandfather!” When he had slapped the last jar, he could not help but cry out.

”Ah?” Hehe, aiyo … Is my grandson calling me? Haha … ”Alright...” ”Grandpa will come right here, ah …”

”Carefree Immortal!” Just as he and Lin Xuanzi were about to leave each other, they suddenly heard Little Red Snow shout. Turning their heads around, they saw Little Snow standing on top of a wooden pillar, her face completely red as she looked in their direction. The Carefree Immortal immediately placed the chess piece in his hand on the board and stood up. He took two steps forward and then turned around to face Lin Xuanzi, ”Haha, I will be back soon. Don't touch this plate, I remember you very clearly. ”Hahahaha …” He then walked over to Little Red Snow and said, ”Oh no, what's wrong, my good grandson? Ah?” As soon as he walked over, he saw Lin Hongxue standing there with her little mouth curled up.

”Grandpa …” When Little Red Snow saw her grandfather come over, she pointed at the jar, ”Why can't I hit them no matter how hard I hit them? …” The little guy was a bit excited. His face was completely red, and even his voice was trembling.

”Hahahaha …” ”Carefree Immortal” laughed loudly when he heard this. ”Aiyo, grandson, you have to be patient. Ah, this palm technique grandpa has practiced for decades. You've only trained for three days, you're still too early …” Haha … ”However, this grandson really did beat him up pretty well …” As he spoke, he walked over to Little Red Snow's side.

”But--but they only shake when I do a dozen. They don't turn at all.” Xiaoxue Hong's face was serious and her appearance was extremely adorable.

”Hahahaha …” This, I have to slowly master the technique... ”Ah, I'll teach you then, grandpa …” With that, he walked to the side of a jar. Then he raised his right palm.

”This palm, you must remember to use the force of your palm and four fingers to assist it …” As he said this, he smacked his palm towards the edge of the jar. He saw that the jar was spinning very quickly and only stopped after a long time, but not a single drop of water came out!

”Ah!” Little Red Snow's eyes lit up in surprise.

”When you attack, you must use explosive force when touching the pot. After that, you must use force with all four fingers in order to balance it …” The Prodigal Immortal continued to explain.

”Explosive power?” Lin Hongxue did not seem to understand.

”Hmm — hey!” ”Hahaha …” The Carefree Immortal suddenly struck out with his right palm as he laughed loudly, ”This is the 'explosive force' …”

”Oh — —” Lin Hongxue seemed to understand as she raised her right palm like her grandfather. ”Hey —” She threw a palm towards the jar.

”Aiya! ”Ouch, poo, poo, poo, it stinks!” Little Red Snow shouted. It turned out that he had struck the jar with his palm forcefully, causing the water in the jar to spill all over his face.

”Hahahaha …” The Carefree Immortal laughed when he saw this, ”You have to hit the side of the jar, and use the hidden strength, the hidden strength!”

”Oh?” Little Red snow wiped her face with her clothes. After hearing her grandfather's words, she raised her hand and lightly smacked the edge of the jar with the heel of her hand. This time, she did not dare use too much strength, and even tilted her head far away.

A palm came down, ”Eh? Haha, they really did turn, grandpa! ”Heeheehee ~ ~” Seeing the jar slowly turning, the little guy cried out in joy.

”Hahahaha …” Grandson is truly intelligent, he was able to do it with just a little bit, haha … Un, you have to slowly practice this. Ah, there is no need to rush. The more you practice, the more you will naturally understand the trick … Haha … ”The” Carefree Immortal Elder ”couldn't help but laugh out loud in joy when he saw the little fellow understand as soon as he said this.

”Yes! — — Master, Xue'er, Eldest Uncle will go to Uncle Yang's house first. Ah, he'll come back later to cook … …” He heard Lin Xuanzi calling out to him from behind.

”The carefree immortal elder turned around to take a look. Yo, it's almost time for dinner.” ”Yes, you can go now …” He then taught Little Red Snow palm techniques. Lin Xuanzi flew out of the hole.

”Aiya, Big Brother Saber is here! — Quickly sit down!” Lady Ying was sweeping up the remnants of the day in the courtyard when she saw Lin Xuanzi enter her house and quickly called him into the house.

”Eh? Sister-in-law, Brother Yang, did you go out again? ” Lin Xuanzi sat down for a while, but did not see Yang Zhentian. He asked.

”Yeah, I just finished killing the pigs today. Zhentian just went to help Brother Ma San carry the water vat over, so he should be back soon …” Lady Ying made a cup of tea and handed it to Lin Xuanzi.

”Yohoho, it seems to be quite big!” Lin Xuanzi saw that the wall of the house was filled with pork meat. Take a sip of tea...

”Yeah, who would've thought that Knife Bro and Xue'er would come back and live together with Master. We should be preparing for the new year. Zhentian just bought one from Third Uncle's house, and there's still 300 or so pounds left, hehe …”

”Aiya, look at this …” ”Big Bro Dao is really ashamed. This time, I've brought so much trouble to my sister-in-law. Ai, my heart …” ”Useless, no need …” Lin Xuanzi put down his cup, feeling a deep sense of guilt in his heart.

”Aiya, Big Bro Saber is so courteous. Is there even a need to be courteous in this family …” Thinking back, Zhentian often talked about how much you two brothers had helped him back then … ”Moreover, we have to prepare for this New Year celebrations …” Yukiko said, and went back into the inner room.

”Oh yeah, Big Bro Knife, bring these small intestines back to me later. Didn't Xue'er like to eat them the most? I've already cooked them just now …” ”Hmm, there's also a pig head. It's still cooking right now, I can bring it back tomorrow to eat …” Lady Ying took out a large pot of boiled intestines and passed it to Lin Xuanzi, still steaming.

”Aiyo …” This... ”How can I be embarrassed? I say, sister-in-law, you should eat by yourselves, ah …” As he spoke, Lin Xuanzi placed the basin on the table.

”Ai — — Big bro Dao, I'll be angry if you're like this. Even if Zhentian comes back, he'll be angry. Zhentian specifically told me to cook it today so that you can bring it back to Little Xue'er …” What's more, even Zhentian and I don't eat this … ”Take it back, ah …” But the man's face contorted with displeasure.

”Alright …” Aiya, Xue'er is so lucky. So many aunts and uncles like him … ”Ai, alright then. I'll be going back first. The two of them are still waiting for dinner …”

”En, then I won't send second brother off …”

”You're busy …” ”I come every day …”

”Brother Dao, remember to bring his father and son over for a reunion dinner early tomorrow. Ah —” Lady Ying put down her broom and ran towards the entrance to call out to Lin Xuanzi.

”Okay!” Lin Xuanzi answered from afar.

In the time it took for half a cup of tea to brew, Yang Chentian helped Ma Zhongyi deliver the water jar used to slaughter pigs. This gift was then given to Ma Zhongyi for another drink. With great difficulty, he could only keep two of them. Seeing that it was already late and he had a lot of things to take care of at home, he immediately got up and took his leave.

As the last rays of the evening sun shone on the small town, which was filled with a strong festive atmosphere, the sky above the mountain was illuminated a fiery red.

Yang Zhentian walked home drunk, humming a little tune as he walked, ”Watch me ride my horse, wave my saber, gallop across the battlefield, and lose my courage...” YongShi Liufang... ”Ahh ~ ahh,” in a moment, he arrived at the entrance of his own courtyard.

”Sigh, Yinzi …” ”Ying?” Hm? ”Can't you hear me?” Yang Chentian held the door and called out a few times, but no one responded. ”The room is brightly lit.” ”This person is also …” He took one step at a time and entered the house.

Just as he took two steps, Yang Chentian was shocked by instinct. He felt a cold wind blowing around him.

Not the winter wind. His many years of experience in the martial arts world had made Yang Chentian wake up, and more than half of the wine had been awoken.

Without looking back, he could see the shadows cast on the ground by the light from the outer door on both sides of him. Four shadows. Yang Chentian slowly turned his head, and saw four men in black behind him — — a black bamboo hat, black gauze covering the edges of the bamboo hat, and a black cloth covering the face beneath the gauze. They were all dressed in black, and only had a pair of eyes emitting a cold glow through the black cloth, it was even colder than the cold wind by ten times. Each held a black lantern covered with a black cloth in his left hand.

Then the sound of footsteps came from the house. Two men in black slowly walked out. Then he saw Mrs. Ying. Lady Ying's hands were tied behind her back while another man in black pushed her out by her neck. The two of them had the same black cloth wrapped around their heads and faces. One of them had his left hand behind his back, while the other held a steel fan in his right hand – a cold, black iron fan. The one behind him had a black knife hanging from his waist. However, the blade seemed to be broken!

”Who are you people?! ”Quickly put down my wife!” Yang Chentian saw that his husband was tied up, while the Lady Ying seemed to be speechless. Her mouth was wide open as she helplessly looked at Yang Chentian, her eyes seemed to be telling him to leave quickly! Yang Chentian felt as if a knife was being twisted inside his heart. At this moment, he was completely awake. He raised his right hand to grab the Zhanmadao beside him.

”Quickly put it down! ”Who the hell are you people?” ”How did the Zhen Yuan Escort Office offend you all?” Yang Chentian was extremely excited. Ever since he had started his own sect, he had relied on his martial arts and mannerisms to be a reputable figure in the martial arts world. No one had dared to come to his house and cause trouble so blatantly. He was furious.

”Haha …” So you're Yang Dashi... Un, I have heard a lot about you … ”Hahahaha …” The black clothed man in front held onto his iron fan as he slowly walked towards Yang Zhentian. ”A pair of eyes stared at him coldly.” Brother Yang, there is no need to panic. This little brother came here to ask Brother Yang about some matters … ”Haha …” He casually swung it towards Yang Chentian's shoulder.