Autumn has arrived, and the leaves have fallen, marking another season gone by for Yi Feng as he guards this small martial arts hall.
People come and go in front of the door, adding to the bustling atmosphere. Yi Feng has become familiar with the customs of this foreign world.
"Oh, it's time for a meal. Let's order some takeout!" Yi Feng stood up and waved to the beef noodle stand across the street. The boy on the other side snapped his fingers and shouted, "Master Yi, just a moment, I'll be right there!"
Yi Feng smiled and nodded, then reclined on the chair once again.
"Takeout every day. I need a wife!"
Under the scorching sun, Yi Feng squinted his eyes as he gazed upon several young women at the rouge shop situated on the street corner. Despite his efforts, he couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. "Not even Ying'er has paid me a visit lately," he muttered to himself. "She's been preoccupied with the idea of joining the sect, but she doesn't possess the necessary talent for it. It would be much wiser for her to follow in my footsteps and become a boss lady. If I am fortunate enough to take on two disciples someday, she could even refer to me as her zhàng fū"
Before long, the boy from across the street brought over a bowl of beef noodles, with the usual generous portion.
"Soon, the boy from across the street arrived with a bowl of beef noodles, as he usually did, with a generous portion.
"Here, take this money," Yi Feng offered.
The boy handed the money back, saying, "Master Yi, it's just a bowl of beef noodles. You don't need to pay. Last time when my old lady fell and got injured, you helped out."
"Alright then, I'll just enjoy it for free." Yi Feng was not one to insist, and he was well-known among the common people on this street. Having lived in two different worlds, he understood how to be a good person. He often helped beggars who wandered nearby and lent a hand to anyone who had injuries.
So in this area, he had some prestige, although he hadn't taught any disciples yet, he could still be called Master Yi.
"You little beast, get out of here!"
Just then, something happened not far away that caught their attention. A ragged little boy was thrown out of the entrance of the Green Mountain Sect.
"I want to cultivate. Please allow me to join the Green Mountain Sect," the determined fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy knelt before the elder at the entrance, unfazed by the scratches on his face.
The elder sneered and kicked the boy in the chest, barking, "Do you even know if you have what it takes to join our Green Mountain Sect? Get out of here, you stinky brat! This is your final warning. If you dare show your face again, I'll feed you to the dogs."
"Yi Feng furrowed his brow and asked, "What's happening here?"
The servant sighed and replied, "This child is also unfortunate. He has been wandering around the entrance of the Qing Shan Gate for the past few days. I don't know where he came from, but it seems he has no talent for cultivation."
Yi Feng felt inexplicably sad.
The world of cultivation can be ruthless; without talent, one can amount to nothing.
Yet, it is still a fulfilling path to become a master in one's own right. Though lacking grand aspirations, it is a respectable way of life.
Despite the blood trickling from his mouth, the boy hugged his chest and coughed uncontrollably, his determined gaze fixed on the closed door, filled with an unyielding spirit.
After a long time, he took his heavy steps and left in despair.
As if he had seen Yi Feng and the servant's attention, when he passed by the gate, he also looked up and glanced at the beef noodles in Yi Feng's hand, swallowed his saliva, then looked away and continued to leave.
However, after walking only a few steps, he stopped and bent down to pick up something from the ground.
Looking around, he paused for a moment at the beef noodle stall across the street, gritted his teeth, and eventually turned his gaze back to Yi Feng.
"Shopkeeper, I found a gold coin at your doorstep. Is it yours?" The boy came over, and sure enough, he held a gold coin in his muddy little hand.
Yi Feng and the servant looked at each other.
They both saw disbelief in each other's eyes.
This made Yi Feng feel ashamed. Originally, this was how society was. Although he felt sympathetic towards the little boy's situation, he couldn't help him. But the boy's character made him feel ashamed.
It was clear that he was already starving, but he still maintained this kind of spirit.
"Yes, this gold coin is mine," Yi Feng nodded. If he guessed correctly, it was the one given by the expressionless woman.
The boy held out his small hand to give it to him. "
Yi Feng did not take the coin offered by the boy but smiled faintly at him and said, "It's yours now."
The boy was both surprised and grateful, bowing to Yi Feng before quickly making his way to the beef noodle stall across the street.
"Customers are here," Yi Feng informed the servant beside him, who replied, "Master Yi, you are doing a great service."
The servant raised his thumb to Yi Feng before hurrying to the opposite side.
"Remember, give him generous portions. If he cannot afford it, I will pay for it," Yi Feng instructed.
The young boy devoured the beef noodles eagerly, but his appetite was not yet satisfied. He licked his lips but was disappointed to find only a single gold coin left in his possession. The prices at the stall were steep, and one gold coin was barely enough to cover the cost of one bowl of beef noodles.
Just as he was about to stand up, the servant brought him another full bowl of noodles.
"Shopkeeper, why are you giving me another bowl?" the boy asked in surprise.
The servant smiled and glanced in Yi Feng's direction. The young boy followed his gaze, his eyes shining with excitement.
After a brief moment of silence, the boy resumed his meal with gusto.
Yi Feng observed the scene with amusement, shielding his face from the intense sunlight with a folding fan before reclining on his lounge chair.
The boy finished his noodles and immediately dropped to his knees in front of Yi Feng. "Please take me as your disciple," he said gratefully
Yi Feng turned his head in surprise to face the boy. "You want me to take you as my disciple?"