Wang Anfeng's feet seemed to catch the wind as he practically sprinted down the mountain peak. The steps he took pushed the limits of the Shaolin Vigorous Step Technique. Even the Nine Palace Steps, honed in recent battle, were seamlessly integrated, rendering his movement even more exquisite. In a flash, his figure almost transformed into smoke, disappearing in an instant.
At that moment, the rewards he could have received for nine consecutive victories, that exceedingly sharp Roaming Dragon and Gaze Moon Sword, and even the threats of punishment from his master, were all cast aside in his mind.
He would leave today.
If he had previously regarded Xue Shisan as a young peer briefly encountered in the Jianghu, now Xue Shisan had become his friend in his heart, and not just any friend—the first true friend of his life. How could he not see off such a friend? Though he could not send him off with the strumming of strings like the noble scholars of old, he had to say farewell in person, to not have met in vain.
After all, once parted today, it would be at least three years before they could meet again.
Or possibly never again, should they be separated by the vast distance of heaven and earth.
With this thought, Wang Anfeng clenched his teeth and resolved that once they met, he would certainly punch him hard as a sign of his indignation. With a low shout, his footsteps became even more adept.
In Shaolin, Yuan Ci and the middle-aged man sat opposite each other, pouring tea into their cups, smiling faintly as he asked. The man responded with a slight frown,
"Although he made many mistakes on the stage, he could still be described as fierce and sharp. For the sake of a friend, to abandon readily obtainable treasures and accept punishment is deemed satisfactory."
As he spoke, he unceremoniously drained the teacup in one gulp, yet a cold smile played at the corner of his mouth as he said,
"However, do not assume that this can avoid the punishment."
"Disregarding a master's command warrants additional punishment, the penalty will only be more severe."
Yuan Ci's lips curled up slightly, without hesitation, he threw his own disciple under the bus, laughing,
"It should indeed be so."
Wangxian County was a thousand miles away. Utilizing top-tier Qinggong, one could traverse the distance in the time it took an incense stick to burn. However, Wang Anfeng had only his two feet and the Vigorous Step Technique which was merely the basic step method used by Shaolin disciples for carrying water up and down the mountain.
He set off around noon, and by the time he saw the ferry crossing, the sun had set, and twilight was upon him.
Inner Strength continued to be squeezed from his meridians, and he had never imagined that he had such potential to be tapped.
He let out a soft breath, suddenly feeling uneasy in his heart, not knowing whether Xue Shisan was still there. But considering the long distance he had already covered, what use was there in hesitation? With only a moment's pause, he rushed towards the ferry dock and stopped an old boatman, asking,
"What are you looking for? A boat? Young lad, have you forgotten it's the fifteenth of the eighth month?"
The old boatman looked at Wang Anfeng as if he were a fool, saying with a grin, "Whether it's the boatmen or the merchants, who doesn't want to have a good meal, watch the moon, and drink some wine today? Even this old man is heading home to see my wife. You want a boat? Come back early tomorrow, I'm off—"
Apparently in a hurry to leave, he spoke while already picking up a fish he had accidentally hooked, brushing past Wang Anfeng and jogging away. The young man opened his mouth to respond, but, in the end, he could only let out a helpless sigh.
Standing at the ferry dock with the sky turning a deeper yellow and the water shimmering with golden light, the scene might have been a breathtaking autumn twilight to others, but to Wang Anfeng it only emphasized the desolate, bleak autumn evening. His legs aching, he sat down at the dock, letting out a long sigh.
"Indeed, I didn't make it..."
Within his sigh, he stared blankly at the lake's reflection. Exhaustion made him feel somewhat stupefied. Just then, ripples suddenly disturbed the calm lake, shattering the reflection of the setting sun. Wang Anfeng looked up, startled, just in time to see the bow of a boat glide out from the dense reeds, obliterating the desolation in his eyes.
Yet the golden sunset and the boat across the dock, accompanied by the clear ripples on the lake, composed an entirely different scene.
As he wondered, a clear and melodious voice sung out,
"Sitting at the bow with knees hugged, I yearn to see my guest; the gentle breeze stirs the waves, and I am lost in reverie as if awakening from a dream..."
Wang Anfeng's expression momentarily faltered, then his face brightened with great joy. He slapped his right hand onto the wooden remains of the ferry dock and leaped up, calling out loudly:
"You haven't left yet! Haha, it's me, Wang Anfeng!"
The person on the small boat seemed to have heard the shouting and came slowly toward him. But before the boat could stabilize, Wang Anfeng had already jumped onto the small boat. The wooden vessel didn't wobble in the slightest, remaining perfectly steady. Since evening was approaching, the boat was flanked by two thin silk lanterns.
Amidst these sudden and rapid changes, Wang Anfeng was overwhelmed with joy. As he looked up and was about to call out:
His voice suddenly halted. Wang Anfeng observed the person opposite him, his face a mask of stupor. After several moments, he turned directly around, as though fleeing, and jumped back onto the ferry dock with his steps full of panic. Behind him, a somewhat familiar chuckle rang out, freezing him in place, unable to take another step. He slowly turned around, his teeth chattering as he trembled.
"What? Don't you recognize me anymore?"
The familiar chuckling voice sounded again. However, the one sitting on the bow of the boat was unmistakably a girl around thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in a goose-yellow gown and lotus-colored embroidered shoes, her eyes and eyebrows clear and bright. Wang Anfeng's heart trembled fiercely, thinking he was just badly frightened. When he spoke, his voice was stammering:
"Are you, are you really Xue Shisan?!"
"Could there be a fake one?"
The girl laughed merrily, then stood up, patting her knees. Under the hazy luminescence of the silk lanterns, she raised her hand and posed in a beginner's stance of Shaolin Fist. In Wang Anfeng's hands, this fist style was solid and resolute, like a steadfast rock. Now, it appeared light and graceful.
When she smiled, a shallow dimple appeared on her left cheek, and Wang Anfeng's heart throbbed violently again, now unable even to stammer out a word.
After dropping the stance, the girl straightened her long hair at her temples and said smilingly, "But, I truly didn't expect you would come looking for me, considering how crucial today's battle was for you."
At that moment, Wang Anfeng was urging his Yi Chan Gong almost to the point of utmost exertion, and he only just managed to force out the words:
"But you still, still waited here, waiting for…"
"Yes, I thought you might come."
The girl beamed openly. Meanwhile, a cough sounded from the side. She seemed a bit startled, then said helplessly, "But the time is indeed a little late… I have to leave now. I feel bad that you came all this way and we can't even properly talk."
Wang Anfeng hurriedly shook his head and said:
"It's fine, it's fine. As long as I can, can escort you for a bit, that's enough for me. It's just a pity I'm so rushed, I don't have anything good to give…"
The girl laughed again, "That's very true. We, the daughters and sons of Jianghu, don't need to part like scholars, shedding tears at the long pavilion. You just need to diligently practice your martial arts. The vast Jianghu of Great Qin will be waiting for you. If you train hard and one day can fight me with all your strength, that in itself will be the best gift."
Wang Anfeng was taken aback for a moment, and through the gradually dimming twilight, he could still feel the girl's intense anticipation. It was like the expectation one holds for a fine piece of beautiful jade, an excellent adversary—intense and pure, devoid of any impurities. He then slowly bowed with his fist and said:
"I won't, disappoint you."
The girl smiled sweetly, revealing the light dimple on her cheek. Wang Anfeng's heart gave another fierce throb, but he then heard the girl say, "Then I really must go. I'll leave you my little pony. Take good care of it, alright?"
Wang Anfeng was momentarily stunned, not knowing how this kind of small boat intended to leave Wangxian County. Suddenly, the boatman on the boat swung the pole, and the boat glided smoothly upon the water. As the ripples dissipated, the evening scenery became as calm as a placid lake, with the boat carrying them towards the horizon. A melodious sound of a qin could be heard from the bow.
As loneliness settled around them, the girl played her qin and sang softly:
"The night's pleasures end, the following night so serene, beneath the Flying Phoenix Tower, beside the dipping willows in the flat boat, oh noble gentleman, won't you come to roam?"
As her voice gradually faded, Wang Anfeng stood still on the spot for a long time. The horse, from nowhere, stood beside him as well—man and horse together, silently gazing up at the sky where the silver moon was rising, casting its bright moonlight far and wide. Wang Anfeng raised his fist and gave his heart—which for some reason tonight was as merry as a village dog hopping around—a firm strike.
He then looked again at the silver moon and let out a long sigh:
"The moonlight is truly beautiful…"