Chapter 39: Young Hero, Please Stay

Page 1 of 3
Chapter 39: Young Hero, Please Wait

Having resolved the matter, he brushed his sleeves and quietly withdrew, hiding his achievements and fame.

Zheng Jian did not wait for Liu Zhengfeng to wash his hands; he led Lin Pingzhi away in secret. Along the way, Lin Pingzhi was unusually excited. Yesterday in the tavern, Zheng Jian’s effortless defeat of his opponent was nothing remarkable, but today’s battle at Liu’s residence finally revealed to Lin Pingzhi just how formidable his temporary senior brother truly was! Even the renowned Songshan Sect was forced to kneel and beg for mercy at Zheng Jian’s hands!

Lin Pingzhi walked on, his mind already racing ahead: he envisioned joining the Huashan Sect, mastering superior martial arts, practicing diligently, descending the mountain sword in hand, razing Qingcheng Mountain, annihilating the Qingcheng Sect, and finally reaching the pinnacle of the martial world.

Zheng Jian noticed Lin Pingzhi’s expression and realized he was lost in fantasy. Suddenly, he asked, “Lin junior brother, do you know why I didn’t avenge you? Are you dissatisfied in your heart?”

Lin Pingzhi shook his head urgently, “No, no! At first, I wanted you to avenge my parents, but later I understood—you want me to avenge them with my own hands, right?”

Zheng Jian nodded, “Exactly. You could take revenge through me, but that would leave regrets. Yu Canghai’s head is yours for the taking once you’ve mastered your skills.”

Zheng Jian had no intention of persuading Lin Pingzhi to let go of his hatred. Not knowing another’s suffering, one shouldn’t urge them to be virtuous. What’s more, Lin Pingzhi’s family feud was one that rightly demanded vengeance. The martial world is, at its core, a place of repaying kindness and settling grudges.

To act on one’s passions and settle scores—that is what those in the martial world most yearn for.

Yu Canghai coveted the Lin family’s “Manual of Evil-Repelling Swordsmanship,” slaughtered their entire household; such heinous acts cannot go unpunished. If Lin Pingzhi did not avenge them, how could he claim filial piety?

Moreover, Zheng Jian thought, with his own guidance, Lin Pingzhi could have his revenge without needing to practice the “Manual of Evil-Repelling Swordsmanship” as in the original story. Thus, Lin Pingzhi would not be twisted at heart or walk down an evil path. That would be enough.

“Young hero, please wait!”

At that moment, a voice rang out from behind—rough and husky, seemingly belonging to an old man.

Yet, upon hearing it, Zheng Jian felt a sudden sense of dread, an inexplicable fear as if dominated by a certain Taoist surnamed Shen.

So, he quickened his pace.

“Resentment value from Qu Yang +100.”

Behind them, an old man dressed in black hurried forward, accompanied by a little girl as delicate as carved jade.

Page 2 of 3

“Young hero, young hero, Sword Guest of Returning Heaven! Please wait a moment for this old man.”

“Senior brother, someone’s calling you,” Lin Pingzhi said, puzzled.

Zheng Jian sighed and stopped, looking back. From the system prompt, he knew it was Qu Yang, elder of the Sun Moon Divine Sect.

“Young hero Zheng, you’ve made this old man search all along the way…” Qu Yang finally caught up, bringing his granddaughter Qu Feiyan, and smiled wryly.

“Don’t call me ‘young hero.’ I am no such thing!” Zheng Jian replied with inexplicable annoyance; for some reason, he particularly disliked being called ‘young hero’ now.

“Then, then I’ll be presumptuous and call you Brother Zheng. Brother Zheng, on behalf of Brother Liu, I thank you for saving his life.” Qu Yang paused, then laughed.

“Brother Zheng, you’re amazing! You just sent those bad guys from Songshan running in terror,” the little girl beside Qu Yang looked at Zheng Jian with eyes sparkling with admiration.

Feigning ignorance, Zheng Jian asked, “And you are?”

Qu Yang hesitated, then burst out laughing, “Ha ha ha, in my haste I’ve been rude. I am Qu Yang, this is my granddaughter Feiyan. I witnessed everything in Liu’s residence. Who’d have thought the Songshan Sect would stoop so low, holding Brother Liu’s family hostage and forcing me to stay my hand. If not for Brother Zheng’s righteous intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable…”

Zheng Jian smiled slightly, “I dare not accept such praise! Besides, I was merely pursuing clues about the traitor from my sect, not intentionally saving Uncle Liu. And now, with the divide between good and evil, you came alone—aren’t you afraid I might purge evil and uphold justice?”

Qu Yang laughed heartily, “Were it anyone else, I would never have shown myself. But judging by your actions, Brother Zheng, you are not someone who acts without discernment. Otherwise, you could have waited until afterwards to pursue the traitor, rather than stepping forward at the critical moment.”

Zheng Jian couldn’t help but admire the old man’s wisdom, though he replied cheerfully, “Sorry, but I really am someone who acts without discernment.”

Qu Yang’s smile froze.

Resentment value from Qu Yang +200.

Receiving the resentment value, Zheng Jian suddenly laughed, “Ha ha ha, just kidding. Surely you won’t mind, elder? Whoever meets me, I must get a little wool from them, right?”

Qu Yang was both amused and embarrassed; how had he not realized this fellow was so peculiar…

As for Qu Feiyan, she clapped joyfully, “Grandpa got stumped, ha ha ha! Brother Zheng is so awesome! My grandpa doesn’t even fear Chief Dongfang, but he can’t out-talk you, ha ha ha ha.”

“Laughing, eh? You little rascal, keep it up and I’ll smack you!” Zheng Jian: ミ(゜д゜) I’ll smack you

“Resentment value from Qu Feiyan +99.” The little girl instantly stopped laughing, ー(￣～￣)ξ

Page 3 of 3

Qu Yang saw this and, far from being angry, found Zheng Jian to be an interesting person.

After teasing the little girl, Zheng Jian was in high spirits and smiled, “Well then, since Elder Qu came especially to thank me, I’m ready. Let’s begin.”

Qu Yang was taken aback, “Be—begin what?” He realized he was struggling to keep up with the younger man’s way of thinking.

“Thanking me, of course! Didn’t you say you wanted to thank me? I’m prepared—go ahead,” Zheng Jian said, as if it were only natural.

“…” Qu Yang was at a loss. Was this fellow really expecting a prepared speech of gratitude?

Helpless, Qu Yang stood silent for a while, then finally managed to say, “On behalf of Brother Liu, I thank you! We will never forget your great kindness!”

“That’s it?” Zheng Jian was dissatisfied. You said you chased me down to thank me, and that’s all? At least, make a gesture, right?

Zheng Jian’s eyes lit up; he stretched out his right hand and rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, “You know what I mean.”

Qu Yang was stunned again, imitating Zheng Jian’s gesture in confusion, “What does this mean?”

“……” Zheng Jian: (╯#-_-)╯┴—┴┴—┴

At that moment, the sound of someone approaching at great speed was heard, and soon a figure landed beside Qu Yang, his face full of excitement—it was Liu Zhengfeng, who had just finished washing his hands.

“My benefactor, you’re here! It took me a while to find you. Brother Qu, thank you.”

It turned out Liu Zhengfeng had seen Zheng Jian leave and, unable to break away immediately, anxiously noticed Qu Yang following them. Now, seeing Qu Yang had indeed detained Zheng Jian, he was relieved.

“Brother Liu, you may begin. Brother Zheng is already prepared,” Qu Yang said, his expression odd.

…

The second update is here, and there will be more later!

(End of chapter) Page 3 of 3