I had no intention of entering the martial world.

Chapter 2 Old Photos of Qixia

pain.

This was Lu Chenzhou's first and only sensation upon regaining consciousness.

It wasn't a sharp, stabbing pain, but a dull, lingering ache that seeped from the depths of his bone marrow, like someone slowly scraping at every crevice of his bones with a rusty, dull knife. He lay on the cold rocks by the waterfall pool in Zhongnan Mountain, half his body still submerged in the icy stream, his soaked coarse cloth trousers clinging to his skin, the chill seeping in bit by bit.

He moved his fingers. Stiff, numb, and a burning, tearing sensation came from the base of his thumb. He didn't need to look to know that the wound had turned white from being soaked in water, and the edges were curled up.

But he persevered and slowly sat up.

Water droplets dripped from the ends of his hair, sliding down the faint red mark at the corner of his eye—Lu Jinghong said it was the mark left by the Azure Nether Sword Qi, the starting point of "inhuman". He rubbed it with the back of his cold hand, feeling the slight protrusion, like a tiny, restless blood vessel buried under his skin.

In the distance, Lu Jinghong's little house was quiet, with a dim yellow light filtering through the window paper, which quickly went out again. His master was asleep, or perhaps he simply didn't want to see anymore.

Lu Chenzhou moved to a slightly dry rock, leaning against the cold, rough mountain wall, and curled up his knees. The night wind swept through the valley, carrying the mist from the waterfall and the scent of withered autumn vegetation, blowing against his soaked body and causing him to shiver violently.

He closed his eyes.

Two years ago. Qixia Town. Late spring.

Memories, like old wounds torn open by the cold wind, surge up, bloody and raw.

---

Springtime in Qixia Town is always enveloped in a layer of damp, sweet moisture.

The town was small, its cobblestone streets worn smooth by time, flanked by white-walled, black-tiled houses with faded lanterns hanging from their eaves. A jade-like river meandered through the town, its clear, flowing water reflecting the weeping willows and pink and white oleanders on its banks. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries, the scent of indigo wafting from the dye house, and the faint fragrance of osmanthus hair oil lingering on the clothes of passing women.

The Lu family's old residence is located in the south of the town, built along the river. The three-courtyard complex has high white walls and gleaming copper rings on the black lacquered gate. Above the gate hangs a plaque in the handwriting of Lu Chenzhou's grandfather—"Cultivating the land and studying are passed down through generations." The four characters are written upright and gracefully, with a calm ink color, as if to firmly nail some unseen dignity and order into the fortune of this house.

Sixteen-year-old Lu Chenzhou lived within this dignity and order.

He was the only son of the Lu family. His father, Lu Wenyuan, was a respected figure in town, managing his land, shops, and connections flawlessly. His mother, Madam Li, came from a scholarly family; gentle and dignified, she managed the household affairs impeccably. His first teacher was Mr. Chen Wang from the west end of town, who taught him classical texts and how to read people and understand the ways of the world. Master Liu from the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School taught him martial arts, which, though considered purely for physical fitness, gave him exceptional strength and a tall, upright posture.

In Qixia Town, Lu Chenzhou was qualified, and indeed felt, to be "both scholarly and martial."

That afternoon, he had just come out of Mr. Chen Wang's study.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the carved window frames, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick floor. The air was filled with the faint scent of aged books and Huizhou ink. In the debate just now about "Mencius's meeting with King Hui of Liang," he had a slight advantage, citing classical texts and refuting the old man's arguments, which made the old man stroke his beard and smile, his eyes showing considerable approval.

The youthful spirit is like a freshly sharpened blade, dazzlingly bright.

He walked briskly through the corridor, past the artificial hill and fish pond, towards his small courtyard. He planned to change into some neat short-sleeved clothes and go to the martial arts school to spar with Master Liu again—he felt that the "Wind Brushing Willow" move, which he had just mastered yesterday, was still lacking in power.

As soon as I reached the moon gate, I heard a faint commotion coming from the front yard.

The woman's sobs were suppressed, trembling with despair. A man's rough, impatient shouts, like shooing away flies, followed by his own harsh, gruff rebukes.

Lu Chenzhou paused in his steps.

He recognized the crying. It was Aunt Zhang, who sold tofu at the east end of town. A thin, quiet woman, her husband had died early, and she raised her daughter alone, making a living from a few acres of meager land and her tofu-selling stall. The Lu family often bought her tofu from the kitchen. His mother often said that Aunt Zhang's tofu was firm and had a mild beany taste; she was an honest and kind person.

He frowned, then turned and walked towards the front yard.

The closer you are, the clearer the sound.

"...Please, Steward Zhao, give me a few more days...The beans in the field haven't been harvested yet. I'll definitely pay you back after I sell the beans, I'll definitely pay you back..." Aunt Zhang's voice was choked with sobs.

"Grace period? I'll give you a grace period, but who's giving me one?" A sharp, slick voice rang out; it was Zhao Fu, the steward of the Zhao family. "It's all in black and white, signed and sealed! Ten taels of silver, if you don't see it today, your dilapidated house and that skinny donkey will have to be used to pay off the debt!"

Lu Chenzhou turned past the screen wall and saw a group of neighbors gathered at the front gate, pointing and whispering, but no one stepped forward. Two servants from the Lu family stood inside the gate, their faces troubled. Outside, Aunt Zhang slumped to the ground, clutching the neck of a skinny donkey, weeping uncontrollably. Standing before her were five or six men, the leader being Zhao Fu, a weasel-faced man in a silk robe, holding a piece of paper in his hand, looking arrogant.

Lu Chenzhou's blood rushed to his head with a "buzz".

He knew about it. Aunt Zhang's few acres of land were right next to Zhao Wanshan's newly purchased estate. The Zhao family insisted that Aunt Zhang's irrigation ditch had crossed their boundary and damaged their field foundations, demanding ten taels of silver in compensation. Ten taels was enough for Aunt Zhang and her daughter to live on for two years. This was clearly Zhao Wanshan's usual trick to try and seize those acres of land.

"Zhao Fu!" Lu Chenzhou strode over, his voice not loud, but carrying the clear and sharp quality unique to young people, overpowering the noise outside the door.

The crowd fell silent.

Zhao Fu turned around, his triangular eyes sizing him up, then he forced a smile and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Oh, it's Young Master Lu. I'm so sorry to have disturbed your esteemed residence. I was just following orders; this shrewish woman owes me a debt..."

"Debts?" Lu Chenzhou interrupted him, walking closer and glancing at the Zhao family guards with fierce expressions. "The irrigation ditch is beyond the boundary? I heard that your Zhao family deliberately extended the field ridges three feet into the Zhang family's land when you built your new estate?"

Zhao Fu's smile remained unchanged: "Young Master Lu, you can't just say things like that. The land deeds and boundaries are all on file with the government. Her family's irrigation ditch damaged our Master Zhao's land, so it's only right that they compensate us. You've read so many classics, you should know the principle of 'a life for a life, a debt for a debt,' right?"

"Even if it's overstepping the boundary, does repairing the field ridge really cost ten taels of silver?" Lu Chenzhou sneered. "A donkey is her family's lifeline; you're trying to force her to her death!"

"Debts must be repaid, and the amount is fair." Zhao Fu smiled insincerely. "If Young Master Lu pities her, why not pay back the money for her? Otherwise, please don't interfere with our business." His tone turned cold, and several guards behind him took a step forward, subtly surrounding Lu Chenzhou.

A wave of pressure, a mixture of sweat and a certain savagery, washed over them. The eyes of these guards were completely different from those of the martial arts brothers sparring in the gym. They held a murky and menacing look, the look of someone who had seen blood and fought life-or-death battles.

Lu Chenzhou clenched his fist. The starting stance of the Tiger Subduing Fist flashed through his mind. He was confident he could take down two, but the remaining ones…

"Zhou'er".

A steady voice sounded from behind.

Lu Wenyuan was already standing at the gate of the mansion, his face calm. Behind him followed the old steward, Lu Zhong, who was holding a small money bag.

Lu Chenzhou turned around: "Father! They..."

Lu Wenyuan raised his hand to stop him from speaking, and without even looking at Zhao Fu, he walked straight to Aunt Zhang and said gently, "Zhang family, get up. I'll cover these ten taels of silver for you." He gestured for Lu Zhong to hand the money bag to Zhao Fu.

"Master Lu..." Aunt Zhang sobbed uncontrollably, kowtowing repeatedly.

Zhao Fu took the money pouch, weighed it in his hand, and his smile grew even wider and more fake: "Master Lu is indeed benevolent! In that case, I'll take my leave." He waved his hand and led his group of guards away.

The crowd dispersed, whispering amongst themselves, their gazes complex.

Lu Chenzhou looked at his father, his chest tightening with emotion: "Father! Why...?"

Lu Wenyuan turned around, patted his shoulder, and gazed towards the direction of the Zhao family's tall buildings, his eyes deep. "Zhou'er, you're still young." His voice carried a hint of imperceptible weariness. "Things in this world aren't always black and white. The Zhao family... they're deeply rooted. A little money to avoid a storm is worthwhile."

"But we are in the right!" Lu Chenzhou retorted.

"Reason?" Lu Wenyuan shook his head, his tone low. "In Qixia Town, sometimes, fists and money are more effective than reason. Remember, reckless courage is not enough to show off. Go back, Mr. Chen is still waiting for you in the study."

As Lu Chenzhou watched his father turn and leave, the words "Fists and money are more effective than reason" were like ice water, extinguishing the fire in his heart and leaving behind only cold confusion and resentment.

He stood there, the warm spring sunshine bathing him, the sky over Qixia Town still a clear blue. But suddenly he felt that beneath this tranquility, something was different.

Like an undercurrent beneath a calm river surface, it begins to stir.

He didn't return to his study immediately, but instead turned and left the mansion, wandering aimlessly. Before he knew it, he had reached the foot of Qixia Mountain at the west end of the town.

The peach blossoms along the mountain path were in full bloom, their pink petals piled high on the branches like clouds. He found a secluded cliffside spot, assumed a stance, and began practicing the Tiger-Taming Fist. Each move was powerful and forceful, releasing the pent-up frustration in his chest.

After finishing a set of punches, he stood up, a light sweat already visible on his forehead.

"Oh, I wondered who was disturbing the peace here. It turns out it's Young Master Lu practicing his martial arts here?"

A haughty voice, laced with undisguised sarcasm, came from beneath the peach tree.

Lu Chenzhou knew who it was without even turning around.

Willow branches, like silk.