Why do I have so many masters?

Fu Mo looked at Anfeng with a slight confusion.

He could see the latter's temptation, just as clearly as he now saw his resolve.

It wasn't that he couldn't; it was that he didn't wish to. If one didn't wish to, their heart would be still as still water.

But when one's heart was tempted and truly wanted to do something, yet there was a line drawn before them, blocking their path, making it impossible to cross, that was truly being unable to.

Anfeng offered no explanation. His gaze fell on his father, and he pressed his lips together, a stubborn determination appearing on his scarred face.

If practicing martial arts meant leaving his father, he would rather not practice at all.

If practicing martial arts meant being a burden to his Master along with his father, he would also rather abstain from learning.

He didn't need to speak; having grown up rough and tumble from a young age, he had already come to understand something.

Even the most absolute of rejections, once spoken, often implied there might still be a chance for change. Only silence was the most direct and effective refusal.

Seeing Anfeng's demeanor, Fu Mo could guess some of the reasons. Having lived for over sixty years, his first-ever attempt to take a disciple had met the most headache-inducing refusal, and he felt a bit awkward, his hands dangling uselessly, unsure whether to raise them or not, his gaze shifted and fell upon Wang Anfeng's face in the kitchen's side door, eyes lighting up as he called out loudly:

"Anfeng, Xue Shuang, is the meal ready yet?"

"Hurry and bring it out, what are you doing just standing there?"

Knowing his temperament, the two of them felt slightly amused upon seeing his behavior. Wang Anfeng responded that it would be ready shortly and, together with Xue Qinshuang, turned back to bring out the dishes. Over the days spent at Qingfeng Edge, he had asked the woman skilled in the art of Paoding for a few tips; thus, this meal could strictly be considered the best one he had ever cooked.

Halfway through the meal, Wang Anfeng, seeing Anfeng's eyes gleaming yet struggling to control himself, thought for a moment, put down his chopsticks, and said:

"Anfeng, we're planning to go to State City to buy some materials later, do you want to come with us?"

His voice paused briefly, then he added:

"Bring your father and the valuable items from your home, and after that, don't come back."

Anfeng was startled and took four or five breaths to grasp what Wang Anfeng was suggesting. Instinctively about to refuse, he saw Wang Anfeng stretch out his hand, looking at him seriously, and said:

"I'll cover the expenses for transferring the household registration to the Ministry of Households in State City, as well as the money for renting or buying a house, but I'm not just lending it to you. You'll have to pay interest every year."

"Three percent interest, how about that?"

As the words fell, Baili Feng's eyes widened slightly, feeling an itch in his wrist, tempted to smash the bowl of rice over Wang Anfeng's face. Anger surged in his chest and before he could act on it, Tuoba Yue's chopsticks twirled, channeling Inner Strength and struck Baili Feng's wrist.

Her Inner Strength, refined with bitter training over this period, now possessed a third of the sharpness of Sword Qi. Annoyed by his rashness, she was merciless, causing Baili Feng's wrist to quiver, almost yelping as his bowl of rice fell towards the ground. Tuoba Yue reached out to catch the bowl in her hand.

This commotion drew everyone's attention, and Tuoba Yue shook her head, signaling it was nothing, before turning back with a smile to look at Baili Feng and softly said:

"Why so careless? Is it too delicious?"

In everyone else's eyes, the girl's smile was warm and comforting, but to Baili Feng, her gaze seemed filled with a warning, leaving him momentarily rigid, unable to utter a sound. Tuoba Yue stood up, handing back the bowl to Baili Feng, and took the chance to whisper fiercely in his ear:

"Baili blockhead, use your brain."

"Would that stubborn kid agree if Wang Anfeng didn't do it this way?!"

A cold shiver ran up Baili Feng's spine, and he couldn't help but shudder. Looking back at Anfeng, he realized that the latter no longer had the resolve he showed when refusing Fu Mo, and suddenly understanding the situation, Tuoba Yue snorted coldly. Turning her head to see Anfeng still hesitant, she softened her voice and gently said:

"Anfeng, don't worry."

Anfeng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, and when he looked up, he saw Tuoba Yue pointing at herself and laughing, saying:

"Sister is a student of the Legalist school."

"If you're not at ease, I will personally write a contract for you, ensuring that he won't be able to cheat you."

The boy hurriedly responded, "I haven't, I have no doubts."

Xue Qinshuang put down her chopsticks and chuckled lightly:

"Since you're at ease, shall we consider the matter settled?"

Anfeng was slightly stunned, Baili Feng scratched his head and deliberately laughed loudly:

"Since the matter is settled, let's hurry up and eat before the food gets cold, Anfeng, come, give me some more rice."

While speaking, he passed his rice bowl over.

The young man saw that there was still plenty of rice left in the bowl, and though he had to suppress a laugh, he understood Baili Feng's intent. Taking the bowl, he soberly served him rice, and it seemed as though everyone at the table treated the earlier discussion as concluded and carried on with their own affairs.

Anfeng opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to speak. With his stubborn character, he was determined not to trouble others, but Wang Anfeng, knowing his temperament, had left him an out.

All of it would be borrowed, plus interest.

His heart struggled, and for a moment he did not know what choice to make. Seeing his predicament, Xue Qinshuang suddenly tapped the edge of her bowl and smiled:

"Anfeng, this steamed pork is quite tasty, if you don't eat it soon, Baili might finish it all."

"These two pieces can be left for uncle."

Anfeng's heart was shaken, his father became the last straw that broke his resolve.

Looking at Xue Qinshuang's gentle smile across the table, he slowly nodded his head.

"...Mhm."

..........................

Anfeng didn't have much to pack up, as they didn't really have many possessions.

His father, though simple-minded and seemingly not much attached to their home, followed Anfeng closely, as if afraid his child might get lost once more.

When leaving, Anfeng cleaned the house one last time with great care, then shut the door and took considerable effort to lock it with a rust-covered lock, the red rust resembling the colors spread by a setting autumn sun, a result of years of being battered by wind and rain.

Baili Feng brought a yellow horse over and seeing this, laughed:

"Is there need to be so cautious with this house? You won't be coming back anyway."

Anfeng pocketed the key and simply smiled without saying a word.

A short while later, Baili Feng carried Anfeng's father, while Wang Anfeng lifted Anfeng onto the Green-Maned Horse. The group of seven set off on their horses, the gentle breeze touching their faces. Anfeng turned back to watch his hometown gradually shrink behind him, the low-lying house looking increasingly ancient through the dust raised by the horses' hooves.

In his ears, he heard the faint sounds of the local dialect, most of it unbecoming to hear.

He pursed his lips, then turned forward.

PS: The third update...