"Kid!KID!HEY, DON'T FAINT ON US!"Zen exclaimed, suddenly anxious for the young boy. The old man retains his composture, but is unable to contain his worry. "Huo Nie...my dear, do you think it would be best that I train him from here on out? I shall leave the decision in your hands."
"Well...as long as he doesn't cause us any problems or harm, I'll allow it. I might even help him, who knows..."The young boy seems a little exhausted, due to some of his arteries having been slightly damaged.
"You should take a good rest for tonight, kid. As oppresive as it is, it might cost you more than just a couple arteries this time."The old man doused his robes away, dismissing it as of little importance.
"Kid...just go ahead. Me and Father will watch out for any possible threats, so don't worry too much."
Hu Nie then went off to do her own business. Although she wasn't really a fan of late night training, she was still instructed to train for as long as she could. However, straining wasn't allowed.
"Ow..."Her arm was still in shambles; she just didn't bother telling the man or the child."Forget it, I'll just train another time...even if my ear drums fall off due to father's rambling, it remains bearable."
The following morning, you can clearly observe Mufeng training by himself, under the scorching rays of sunlight. The sun had been emitting such harsh beams of blaze since dawn had struck, yet it was to no surprise for the usual citizens who lingered around such area. It had always been like so since the previous generations, but none could determine what the cause really was.
"Mufeng. No need to train so early in the morning, your sister is still sound asleep. I understand your sense of responsiblity, dear boy. However, you should still be asleep as you have more than enough time to master that."
"B-but...General Feng told me that time doesn't wait anyone..."The old man looks highly surprised; he had not expected such a young lad to take the quote just as seriously."Ahh, I see...my boy. You're too young to be concerning yourself with such matters...relish your childhood while it lasts. Martial Arts, you can learn it as much as you want to, but will it really satisfy your wants for the rest of your life?..."
"I'll be at risk though, uncle...I'm not so sure that I can keep on living if I'm defenseless."Zen Peng Fei looks at him with a widely displeased look, but he tolerates the child's words."I suppose so. But, the point I'm trying to conclude is that you shouldn't look too far into the horizon."(Meaning he shouldn't look too far into the future)
The old man walks back inside, Mufeng staring at him as he closes the door. The child grips his sword tightly, and continues training. He knows he can't get past the city walls if he can't defend himself, and so his training continues for another 6 years...he hasn't seen General Feng in such a long time...
"Kid."Zen Huo Nie was prepared to set him off, as her father had passed away just a few weeks ago due to a sudden cardiac arrest. It felt depressing; but Zen Huo Nie had to be ready to let go of another important person in her life...Yu Mufeng. He was now 18 years old, an adult. Two years before the incident.
"Be careful, Mufeng...don't forget about us. We'll still be here, and if you need to sneak into the palace, just contact me, alright...?"Yu Mufeng bids her goodbye with one last hug, and she cries in his arms. An outpour had coincidentally occured that day as well...perhaps this was Zen Peng Fei's way of saying his final goodbyes.
Mufeng began his journey to find General Feng, starting from the isolated pathways to the city. He knew for himself that he had already finished the investigation years ago, but he still felt distant from him."Master...don't worry, I'll find you soon."He had not yet moved on from the sorrow he once felt from his parents' death, and he wasn't willing to let go of another family member.
"Zen Peng Fei...master, I hope you're doing well up there. I'm almost done with everything else..."
"(Enough goodbyes, Mufeng. It's time to find your previous master, but knowing he serves that bitch angers me...)"
"Perhaps so. I hope he still remembers me."
"(You think so?Well,whatever is the case, I hope its not too much of a hindrance trying to make him remember.)
The sounds of the hooves of several horses surprises Mufeng, and the same young couple from several years ago drags him into the forest."Shhh!"
General Feng looks around,bewildered by how agile the couple was. Their child was right behind them, and it seems he's fully aware of what's going on.."Uh—"
The lady points to the General, and Mufeng just tries to go along with it. He nods as the guards leave after a quick search in the surrounding area. Fortunately, they were not discovered."You. Who are you, exactly."Ge Cao glares at him, hugging his son in the process.
"Ge Cao—enough of that. He didn't tell on us, we should be grate—"
"Uncle Cao? Auntie Fan?"
The confused couple look at each other in shock; they realized in but a second."YU MUFENG?!"
Xie Fan and Ge Cao look petrified, as their son, Feng Luo Xi, could only respond in confusion."Yu Mufeng?"
"O-oh...its nothing sweetheart. Mufeng, please. Come with me, we need to talk."Ge Cao follows them but only watches from afar."Yu Mufeng, oh you poor child...who raised you after Yu Sen Miao passed away..."
"I'm not permitted to speak of them, Auntie. Apologies...although, I wasn't expecting to meet you here. I thought you'd have fled to Ho City."
"Ho city?...Its currently closed to outlanders, well, except Wu city officials. It's not like we have anywhere to go; we're stuck fleeing from Qin city to Wu city. And yet, they remain so persistent on
corralling us. It's becoming really troublesome..."
"I know someone who could help you into the city. However, you musn't get caught. Do you need me to escort you there, just in case?...
"Oh,no no! I'm a little embarassed to ask you for a favor right after meeting you again. It's been 6 years...since we've last seen you. We don't have much time to explain the situation to you here; it would be best that you discover most of this yourself...me and Ge Cao can't explain at the moment."
Mufeng agrees to the circumstances, but he still wants to help the couple."Even if I can't escort you. Please, head south. There, you'll find a really nice lady living alone in a small abode, her surname is Zen. Please consult her concerning your entry to Ho city."
Mufeng leaves shortly, knowing that one of his questions now has an answer for itself. Ge Cao and Xie Fan are currently labeled as criminals by the city, as much as he doesn't want to believe it.
Nevertheless, his goal remains the same. He seeks answers from the previous General Feng, but even knowing its too risky doesn't seem to be stopping him.
However, he's also aware that he can't get recognized...as the illiterate son of the Yu family.
"Perhaps we should go back and ask Sister Huo Nie for entry to the palace..."
"(...That won't be necessary. You can find him in any post; however, his engagement to the crown princess is coming to a close.)"
"Tell me that sooner, would you?"
"(Not to worry. Knowing your previous master, he won't easily agree to all this...at least, that's what I think.)"
"You're not even certain enough. Let's just go back this one time, alright?"
"(You'll look foolish, enough of those ideas. Forget about returning, you should've thought of this earlier. We'll only ask for help in getting inside Ho city later on...to follow those two and their son.)"
"Why the need to follow them?"
"(They'll eventually speak of the truth. General Feng is of no use to us at the moment; he'll arrest us the moment he gets the chance.)"
"But..."
"(But what? You still want to follow his trail? Dear me, do forget about it. However, he may come of use to us later...hmph.)"
"You want to use master?"
"(I'd rather acknowledge Zen Peng Fei as your master rather than that lousy general.)"
"...But you said you'd help me find him."
"(I have, but not once have I ever said I'll let you interact with him.)
"Y-you...you lied."
"(Put some faith in me, I'd never lie.)"
Mufeng feels uneasy, but as they had said...he needs to put some faith in them. His bewailed infatuation doesn't seem to have an effect on them...(From here on out,we will refer to Repentant Retaliation as "them.")
[To be continued in the next chapter, please be patient for the next one. Thank you for reading.]