Lao Zhou did not show any surprise when Wang Anfeng brought soone back with him.
It was only when he saw the crisscrossing scars on Ah Ping's face that his eyes uncontrollably contracted slightly, but they quickly returned to their original naive appearance, and Ah Ping did not notice anything unusual.
He smiled and called out to the young waiter to quickly heat so water for Ah Ping to wash up and also sent soone to a nearby clothing store to buy so well-fitting clothes back.
Once everything was in order and Ah Ping had gone into the house to wash up, Wang Anfeng sat next to the stone table in the backyard, with a pot of hot tea on the table.
Lao Zhou hesitated for a mont, then walked over to him, his arms hanging by his sides as he bowed and said,
"Sir... the marks on this young brother's face..."
In Lao Zhou's eyes, there was hesitance and fear.
He recognized that face, or rather, he had seen a similar face before.
The reason why Splitting Mountain, who had exceptional physical strength and was fearso outside, retired from Jianghu and beca a naive and honest innkeeper always had its reasons and causes.
That kind of crazy swordsmanship, which leaves no room for retreat, he still could not forget to this day.
Wang Anfeng looked up at him, placed his teacup down with his right hand, and asked,
"Have you seen it?"
Lao Zhou replied,
"When I was still wandering in Jianghu years ago, I saw it once."
"That ti I nearly lost my life, so even after more than ten years, I still can't forget that face. I had even thought of seeking revenge, but after learning about that assassin's sect, I dismissed the idea."
Wang Anfeng nodded and explained,
"That child is not a disciple of Danfeng Valley. He was nearly captured by the disciples of Danfeng Valley. I happened to be nearby and saved him, but sadly it was still a step too late, and his face was already ruined by the disciples of Danfeng Valley."
"You can rest assured."
"...I see."
Lao Zhou fell silent for a mont, then sighed, not knowing whether out of regret or relief.
Wang Anfeng then suddenly felt that it might not be proper for Ah Ping to wander in Jianghu like this.
Although Danfeng Valley had disappeared from the Jianghu of Fufeng, there were still countless people in Jianghu who were entangled with it, like Lao Zhou, who could easily overco Ah Ping, and they were certainly not few.
Although the scars on Ah Ping's face were caused by Danfeng Valley, his appearance was no different from that of a Danfeng Valley assassin. If he encountered an enemy of the Danfeng Valley, and they attacked without discerning the facts, it would indeed be troubleso.
Wang Anfeng pondered for a mont then asked,
"Do you have a disguise mask here?"
Lao Zhou was slightly taken aback, then understanding, nodded repeatedly,
"Yes."
"Sir, please sit for a mont; I will fetch it now."
Having said this, he bowed and turned towards his residence. For a mont, only Wang Anfeng was left in the backyard. He picked up the teapot with one hand, poured himself another cup of hot tea, and his right hand's fingers touched the teacup, sowhat lost in thought.
If it weren't for fear of angering the master, the disguise mask he obtained from Master Ying during the New Year's Eve might be a better fit.
But if he dared to do such a thing, the master would definitely be angry, right?
Thinking of the scholar in the blue robe sitting on the bamboo chair with a stern face, refusing to turn around no matter how he was called, Wang Anfeng felt a throbbing in his forehead and couldn't help but tap it.
Indeed, it's better to let it be...
Just then, Lao Zhou had already walked out from the house, a burly man who carefully held a purple sandalwood box in his delicate hands and quickly carried it over, carefully placing the box on the table before sighing in relief and standing up to bow, saying,
"Sir."
"The item is here..."
He opened the lock on the box, inside which were three layers; the top layer was cushioned with several layers of satin, and on the satin lay a mask as thin as a cicada's wing.
Wang Anfeng, having learned from the master thief Hong Luoyu, was well-versed in all kinds of Jianghu thods. He could tell at a glance that this mask was not common rchandise from Jianghu; its material and craftsmanship were both of superior rank.
Ordinary martial artists of Jianghu, unless they were very experienced or had cultivated a special Pupil Skill, could never see through it. He couldn't help but praise,
"What a treasure."
Lao Zhou gently stroked the cicada-wing-thin mask and said,
"This mask was a fortuitous find during my travels in Jianghu. It has stayed with for a long ti and helped avoid many disasters. Now that I've essentially retired from the battles of blades and swords, this mask has beco much less useful to ."
"If you want it, sir, let's just follow the rules of our gang."
Wang Anfeng nodded.
Ever since Gongsun Jing first entered Shaolin three years ago, he had slightly changed the original rules of the Giant Whale Gang, basing everything on rit. Wang Anfeng, of course, knew this; looking at the sowhat anxious innkeeper beside him, he smiled and said,
"Lao Zhou, what are your demands? Feel free to ntion them and let's see..."
The man hearing this bit his teeth and knelt down on one knee, his fists raised in front as he said in a deep voice:
"Sir, having road Jianghu for so long, it's all been by brute force and my mastery in External Cultivation. However, the domineering nature of External Cultivation hasn't reached a profound level, and it has irreparably damaged my physical constitution. I can only rely on continual dication to alleviate it."
"I see no hope left in this life of mine, I only wish to exchange this item for a set of superior Oral Incantation to pass on to my descendants."
"I hope, Sir, you will grant this request."
Having said all that had been weighing on his mind, Zhou Gang took a deep breath, feeling relieved.
Wang Anfeng was montarily stunned, then he smiled and said:
"That is, of course, possible."
"I will report this matter to Gongsun... the Gang Leader. In due course, soone will be assigned to teach you, according to our rules. Do you prefer the forceful type or...?"
"My child has reached the age to learn martial arts."
"With all due respect, I ask you to teach now, Sir."
Zhou Gang, who had been respectful just the day before, now refused Wang Anfeng's kindly ans, even daring to interrupt him due to the emotions surging within him, then he bowed with fists clenched and knelt, eyes cast downwards, unwilling to look at him.
His heart was beating sowhat fast inside his chest.
Wealth should not be displayed, which is sothing even novices roaming Jianghu know.
Even if it were as per the rules of the Giant Whale Gang, he'd have to personally go to the gang's main compound to negotiate an exchange, but still he was gambling, betting that this very position as a spy was more crucial to the Giant Whale Gang than this re mask.
He was also betting—
Betting that at this mont, the seemingly innocent youngster in front of him wouldn't just carelessly hand over a martial arts manual.
He knew that only the most comndable amongst his level would be rembered by such a person, and gaining possession of just one of those manuals would be a win for him.
With this thought, Zhou Gang's emotions surged even more, like a rising tide.
Wang Anfeng's fingers brushed lightly over the mask, and then he pulled back the smile on his face and remained silent.
The atmosphere beca sowhat oppressive for a mont.
Zhou Gang suddenly felt his breathing beco a bit difficult.
He had been ready to respond to Wang Anfeng's inquiries, but the young man rely remained silent; though silent, he imposed an almost tangible weight upon his shoulders, heavy as boulders, making Zhou Gang feel short of breath and sowhat pale.
He did not know how much ti had passed.
Zhou Gang could only perceive the deadly silence around him, in the vast Heaven and Earth, only his own breathing sounded, which ironically, made him even more restless.
Water noises ca from the house, followed by the rustling sounds of soone dressing.
Wang Anfeng's fingers curled up lightly, tapping on the teacup.
A gentle hum.
The tea in the cup rippled from the center, splashing against the edges, ebbing and flowing. All of a sudden, the entire atmosphere in the courtyard cleared as if a huge bell that had been covering the courtyard had been lifted, allowing air to flow once again.
"Whoo-whoo-whoo~"
Zhou Gang staggered, unable to maintain his knelt-down posture, he supported himself with one hand on the ground, taking deep breaths. Sweat poured down his forehead, then slid down his cheeks, dropping on the bluestone below.
It was the cold winter month of the twelfth lunar month, yet he felt as if he were in the dead heat of sumr.
A Ping pushed the door open, Wang Anfeng stood up, took the mask from a wooden box on the table with his right hand, gave A Ping a warm smile, paused in his steps, stood with his hands behind his back, turned sideways to glance at Zhou Gang, who was kneeling and gasping for breath on the ground, his eyes narrowed, as if the sheathed sword speaking indifferently:
"I will take the mask."
"For the martial arts, you can go to the Giant Whale Gang and fetch it."
"Drop one rank."
"Any objections?"
His voice indifferent, different from the day before, as cold as the ice and snow of Beichuan, Zhou Gang's heart trembled fiercely, not daring to disobey, he bowed his head and said in a low voice:
"Yes."
"I will obey the orders, Sir."
His voice had beco hoarse without his notice.
At that mont, since his eyes were cast down, he did not see the imposing young man who had been inadvertantly staggering earlier now took a couple of steps, seemingly uncomfortable, shaking his shoulders slightly.
Then he walked forward expressionlessly.
Goosebumps had risen on the neck hidden behind his dark hair.
PS: Here is the first update…
Thanks to Niuleimu for the generous donation, thank you very much…
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