Little Mountain City.
At Shanyao Gang, atop the drill ground.
Two figures traversed back and forth, their palms fluttering in the air as they executed identical moves, clearly disciples of the same sect honing their martial skills. One with rough-hewn features and another with a clever-looking face, both skilled in the Medicine Sand Palm—it was Shi Yu and Lu Yang.
Compared to a year ago, they had both grown significantly and, due to their martial training, were taller and more robust, displaying a more mature, masculine quality.
Even though it was the deep of winter, after the bout, Lu Yang was drenched in sweat. He walked over to the side of the drill ground, scooped up half a ladle of cold water from a tank, and gulped it down. Despite the icy liquid, he didn’t mind at all, instead exclaiming with great satisfaction.
At the same time, he saw Shi Yu and couldn’t help but smile, asking, "Shi Yu, my nephew, your master is now renowned throughout Jianghu. Aren’t you happy about it?"
Ever since Xun Liuyi left, some martial artists from Martial Arts would come to challenge, but upon hearing that the Five Elements Palm wasn’t present, they mostly gave up.
Occasionally, some persistent ones would still insist, but Wei Baizhu and the Nine Elements Sect could take care of them.
However, in recent times, the members of the Shanyao Gang were shocked beyond measure by the continuous stream of news from Jianghu.
In Changhe County, the Five Elements Palm demonstrated its mighty power.
First, it slew Qian Wuji, taking the eighth spot on the hit list, and within a breath, surged nearly a hundred ranks!
Immediately after, it struck down the Earth Tyrant Blade and settled a date for a duel with the number one on the hit list, the Hidden Dragon.
However, on that very day, Black Widow Hua Miao appeared and was hunted down by Xun Liuyi and two Grandmasters from Divine Capture Sect.
After that event, Hidden Dragon Li Qinghe lamented, "I am no match for the Five Elements Palm."
"All I worry about is whether my master is doing well out there, if anyone is washing his clothes, and if his meals are to his liking..." Shi Yu patted his head and replied with a simple smile.
"Little Shitou, you really are no fun," Lu Yang rolled his eyes in response.
"Do you want to fly to the heavens or something?"
Just then, Lu Yang felt a pat on the back of his head and turned around swiftly, only to see an elderly man, supported by Wei Hongyao, walking out slowly—it was Wei Baizhu.
He glared at his unlucky disciple, then stroked his beard and smiled, "It’s very good that Little Shitou cares so much..."
Wei Baizhu gazed at the gloomy sky and the steadily falling snowflakes, and couldn’t help but sigh deeply, "It’s been nearly a year since Liuyi left, hasn’t it? It’s about time he returned."
Though this elder was old but vigorous, he was certainly no longer young. Now, being in charge of the gang’s affairs had greatly taxed him, making him appear even more elderly. But now that the Shanyao Gang was thriving and Wei Baizhu’s wishes were coming true, he seemed to have a flame burning in his heart, which made him appear in good spirits.
Beside him, Wei Hongyao looked at the snowflakes and the stark white world outside, and suddenly felt a touch of sadness.
"Pass down my order, in these coming days, we shall hang lanterns at the gate of Shanyao Gang day and night, and they must be lit!"
Wei Baizhu waved his hand without concern for wastefulness, "We need to light the way for the returning."
"Your wish is our command."
Several brothers from Shanyao Hall came together, heard this, and all expressed their admiration.
While Shanyao Gang was bustling with activity, a figure slowly approached from the far distance towards the gate.
The north wind howled, the sky was overcast, and his shoulders accumulated a layer of white snow.
He wore a wide-brimmed hat and gloves on his hands, and just standing there, he was like a towering mountain, casting a shadow that weighed down all living beings.
"Once I was gone, the willows were fresh and graceful. Now upon my return, it’s rain and snow so bountiful... After a long year apart, how have you all been?"
The person arrived at the gate and let out a familiar voice.
Hearing that voice, Wei Baizhu rubbed his eyes, and Wei Hongyao’s eyes reddened.
Shi Yu even dashed forward, falling to his knees on the ground, "Master, you’ve returned?"
The arrival was indeed Zhong Shenxiu.
Upon seeing that everyone from the Shanyao Gang was safe, he couldn’t help but smile, "I’ve returned, seeing that everyone is alright, my mind is at ease."
Wei Baizhu felt a sting in his eyes and quickly turned away.
Several disciples rushed forward, taking Zhong Shenxiu’s luggage, complaining, "Why didn’t you hire a carriage for the journey?"
"Ah... It’s a long story."
Zhong Shenxiu entered the main house and took off his traveler’s hat but not the gloves, sighing with a bitter smile.
That day, he had perfected the Ten Thousand Gu Hand, had a breakthrough to Grandmaster, and, in his excitement, he had forgotten a few things.
The result was that when he was about to mount a donkey, his hand accidentally brushed against it, and then the donkey... died.
It was only afterward that Zhong Shenxiu discovered, due to his inability to control this sinister martial art with ease, he had to be cautious with protection; otherwise, any living being that came into direct contact with his bare hands would succumb to the terrible poison of the minute Gu!
And Zhong Shenxiu pondered even more, such as if he encountered a woman he fancied, one touch, and she would die... die...
At that time, Zhong Shenxiu’s face was speechless, his heart shattered.
In his painful reflection, he donned a pair of black gloves, resolutely deciding that unless he faced a truly formidable enemy, those gloves would not come off.
With the Ten Thousand Gu Hand unleashed, it was a deadly weapon against humans and animals alike, or anything else for that matter. A mere touch would likely lead to death. How would he handle accidental contact with those close to him in the future? It seemed he might have to wear gloves for life.
"No matter what, it’s good that you’re back."
With a beaming smile, Wei Baizhu waved his hand, commanding the banquet to begin.
In an instant, everyone in the Shanyao Gang busied themselves; by evening, a lavish feast was prepared, replete with all kinds of delicacies from mountains and seas.
Despite Little Mountain City’s secluded location, it had its advantages, being close to the deep forest and wilderness. Not to mention seafood, there was no shortage of mountain treasures like fresh mushrooms, matsutake, wild chicken, and so forth. The skilled chef recently recruited by the gang outdid himself with over forty delicious dishes, delighting everyone present.
Even though during the banquet, Zhong Shenxiu did not remove his gloves, which made others look at him with some surprise, no one said anything. Wei Hongyao, however, glanced at his gloves a few times, her face betraying a contemplative expression.
During the conversation, Zhong Shenxiu casually learned that Shi Yu, his unfortunate disciple, had advanced his Medicine Sand Palm to the second realm and was barely qualified to wander in Jianghu. The Shanyao Gang had faced some troubles previously, and Wei Baizhu had tasked him with dealing with them, earning him the nickname Little Medicine Palm, marking his actual debut in Jianghu.
After the banquet, Zhong Shenxiu excused himself, claiming exhaustion from the journey, and returned to his room.
However, in the corridor, he saw a figure standing gracefully, seemingly waiting. It was Wei Hongyao, who faltered, apparently not knowing how to begin.
"So it’s you, Senior Sister. Did you need me for something?"
"No, no, there’s nothing, Junior Brother. You must be tired from the journey, best rest early."
Wei Hongyao stepped aside, watching the retreating back of Zhong Shenxiu, her expression complex, and muttered softly, "Is the Little Liu who always used to pester me for candy gone?"
Her eyes misted over, looking at Zhong Shenxiu’s silhouette, feeling him grow increasingly unfamiliar.
Not only that, but those strands of black hair seemed to take on a life of their own, turning into black worms that wanted to dance in the wind.
Wei Hongyao suddenly opened her eyes wide, frozen in shock, unable to move.