As Su Yi walked out of the swordsmithing workshop, he now held a sheathed longsword in his hand.
The scabbard was personally crafted by Wang Tianyang using tanned blue sharkskin, adorned with cloud-patterned guard rings, exuding a simple and elegant charm.
It is worth mentioning that Su Yi didn't pay a single penny for the swordsmithing.
It wasn't that Su Yi didn't want to pay; it was Wang Tianyang who adamantly refused to accept any payment...
"Tsk, I must say, my horizons have truly been broadened. Who would have thought that even the proud and unyielding old philanderer Wang would one day bow his head in admiration?"
Even though they had left the swordsmithing workshop, Huang Qianjun was still excited.
Just a moment ago, including Wang Tianyang, the group of swordsmiths were like students, eagerly listening to Su Yi's teachings on swordsmithing.
For Su Yi, it was merely imparting the technique of crafting ordinary weapons, nothing significant.
But for Wang Tianyang and the others, it was like receiving a tremendous blessing. They were overwhelmed with excitement, at a loss for what to do. They even changed the way they addressed Su Yi, respectfully calling him "Master Su."
Therefore, when Su Yi mentioned paying for his services in the end, Wang Tianyang and the others became anxious and categorically refused to accept any money from "Master Su."
Huang Qianjun witnessed all of this and couldn't help but sigh with emotion. How could he not be amazed?
"Are you planning to attend the Dragon Gate Banquet?" Su Yi suddenly asked.
With that simple question, Huang Qianjun's joyful mood immediately sank, reminiscent of the scene when he met Wen Jueyuan.
After a moment of silence, Huang Qianjun said bitterly, "I am only at the Blood Forging stage of 'Flesh Refinement,' while Wen Jueyuan has already reached the Blood Forging stage of 'Bone Refinement.' The difference is too great. In half a month, the Dragon Gate Banquet will take place, and no matter how hard I try, I'm afraid I won't be able to bridge this gap."
Then, a resolute and determined look flashed in his eyes as he said, "But even if I can't win, I still want to participate. Failure is not frightening. If I don't even have the courage to face it, then I would be truly despicable, and I'll never be able to hold my head high!"
Su Yi nodded, breaking his usual habit of saying little and added, "A man should be ambitious and valiant in his youth, unafraid of success or failure."
"Sometimes, taking a step back may seem like a retreat, but in reality, it's a complete defeat. It has nothing to do with cultivation level; it purely stems from one's state of mind, planting the seeds of cowardice."
After speaking, Su Yi couldn't help but feel a profound sense of emotion.
The path of cultivation is arduous, step by step. Only with a brave and diligent spirit can one break through and reach the peak!
As for the timid, they will never be able to stand at the summit in their lifetime.
Huang Qianjun was taken aback, remembering the words his father, Huang Yunchong, often uttered:
"My child, while others may ridicule your arrogance, in your father's eyes, it is the right way. In the pursuit of martial arts, one should be fearless, not afraid of gods or ghosts!"
At this moment, upon hearing Su Yi's words again, Huang Qianjun inexplicably felt a surge of complex emotions.
After a long pause, his gaze gradually became firm, and he said, "Su Ge, I will remember your teachings. From now on, I will never shrink back in the face of difficulties!"
Su Yi reminded him, "Not shrinking back doesn't mean being reckless. You must find the right balance."
Having said that, Su Yi remained silent.
He had never been fond of lecturing or preaching.
The saying goes, "Knowing is easy, doing is difficult." Some truths must be experienced personally, tempered, and understood through the vicissitudes of life before they can truly be grasped.
"Su Ge, will you participate in the Dragon Gate Banquet?" Huang Qianjun asked.
Su Yi shook his head. "The rewards may be substantial, but it seems rather dull."
Dull?
A grand event regarded by the younger generation of Guangling City and Luoyun City as a prestigious gathering fails to pique Su Yi's interest?
Huang Qianjun was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.
Not long after, as they passed by an alley, suddenly a child's cry for help rang out:
"Su Yi! Come and save me! Hurry!"
Unable to resist, Huang Qianjun turned his head and saw a group of brats surrounding another child in the alley.
The child who was desperately calling for help was the one being beaten, pinned to the ground and crying in a sorry state.
Wen Mingrong.
At the banquet of Lady Wen, this child had once said, "Even though I, Wen Mingrong, am young, I am ashamed to associate myself with Su Yi, such a burdensome son-in-law." It had caused laughter throughout the hall.
Some of the older generation praised this child for his ambition and limitless future.
But now, Wen Mingrong was being bullied and desperately calling for help from Su Yi, whom he had once regarded as someone he was ashamed to associate with.
Su Yi glanced in that direction but didn't even pause his steps, continuing on his way as if he saw nothing.
This heartless and cruel scene drove Wen Mingrong almost crazy, and he shouted in a hoarse voice, "Su Yi, just you wait! When I get home, I will report you to my father!"
Just then, Huang Qianjun approached.
The mischievous children who had been beating Wen Mingrong immediately showed signs of caution and stopped their actions.
"Are you here to save me? That's great! When I get home, my father will reward you with money!" exclaimed Wen Mingrong ecstatically.
However, Huang Qianjun squatted down, reached out, and pinched Wen Mingrong's dirty face, twisting it hard. Wen Mingrong winced in pain, tears almost streaming down his face.
"Young man, do you have a lot of doubts? That's good. If it weren't for my identity, I would personally give you a beating. It's simply too disrespectful," Huang Qianjun said with a cheerful smile.
"You..." Wen Mingrong was dumbfounded.
"Don't stand there dumbfounded, you can continue," Huang Qianjun instructed the mischievous children before he smiled and walked away.
In the alley, soon the sound of Wen Mingrong's wailing filled the air, his cries for his parents echoing...
However, all of this was no longer relevant to Su Yi.
...
Apricot Yellow Clinic.
When Su Yi returned, he saw a group of formidable guards standing at the gate, blocking anyone from entering.
The area outside the clinic was deserted, with no one seeking medical treatment anymore.
"Has someone come to challenge the clinic?"
Huang Qianjun's eyes burst with a fierce light as he stepped forward. "You bastards, who allowed you to cause trouble here?"
"Huang Shao?" The guards stirred at the sight of Huang Qianjun.
However, none of them backed down, showing no fear.
The leader, a man in black attire, spoke in a deep voice, "Huang Shao, the Apricot Yellow Clinic belongs to our Wen family. We are guarding it. How can you say we are causing trouble?"
"You're from the Wen family?" Huang Qianjun was surprised.
The man in black nodded and said, "We are subordinates of the Second Young Master of the Wen family. We accompanied our young master here today for some business. Huang Shao, this is none of your concern. It would be best if you didn't get involved."
Huang Qianjun frowned. "Your young master? That guy Wen Jieyuan?"
"Exactly," the man in black replied.
Suddenly, Huang Qianjun understood.
The Apricot Yellow Clinic was originally controlled by the Wen family, but since yesterday, Su Yi took over.
Yesterday, Su Yi had even cleared out all the subordinates loyal to Wen Changqing in the Apricot Yellow Clinic.
Undoubtedly, Wen Changqing's son, Wen Jieyuan, had come for revenge!
At the same time, the man in black had noticed Su Yi not far away, and a look of hostility appeared on his face.
He pointed at Su Yi and reprimanded, "Young Master, you finally decided to show up. Do you have any idea how long my young master has been waiting for you?"
The other guards also wore unfriendly expressions.
They had come with Wen Jieyuan to cause trouble, so it was impossible for them to be polite to Su Yi.
"I'm going..." Huang Qianjun was about to reprimand them but was stopped by Su Yi, who grabbed his shoulder. "You stay here."
Su Yi turned his head and caught a glimpse of a hint of coldness in his calm and indifferent eyes.
Huang Qianjun's heart trembled.
"Where is your young master?" Su Yi stepped forward, his expression as indifferent as ever.
When he was mocked by Wen Jueyuan outside the Swordsmith's Forge, Su Yi didn't care and regarded him as an insignificant person, not worthy of his attention.
But the Apricot Yellow Clinic was different. It was his territory, and the adversaries had already come to his doorstep. How could he not care?
"Follow me."
man in black gave Su Yi a cold glance before turning and heading into the clinic.
Su Yi followed behind him, with the other guards walking behind him, on high alert, as if afraid that Su Yi would escape.
"Suo ge, are you planning to take matters into your own hands..." Huang Qianjun was about to follow, but he remembered Su Yi's instructions and stopped in his tracks.
"I must follow Su ge's orders. But if I just wait here like this, it will make me seem incompetent," Huang Qianjun pondered.
He wasn't worried about Su Yi's safety, but he felt a bit regretful that he couldn't witness the excitement...
Soon, as if making a decision, Huang Qianjun turned around and left.
Inside the Apricot Yellow Clinic, Hu Quan, Wu Guangbin, and the others were present, but their expressions were gloomy and anxious.
When they saw Su Yi being brought in, their expressions changed.
Yesterday, Su Yi had just taken control of the Apricot Yellow Clinic, and today, Wen Changqing's son, Wen Jieyuan, had come with his men to cause trouble. This made Hu Quan and the others realize that Su Yi was in trouble.
Hu Quan quickly reminded, "Young Master, remember not to clash with Wen Jieyuan. It's better to take a step back and let bygones be bygones."
Su Yi didn't respond, he just nodded and said, "As long as you all are safe."
Before Hu Quan could say anything else, he was pushed aside by the man in black, who scolded, "It's none of your business. Stay aside!"
With that, the man in black led Su Yi straight to the backyard.
As they watched them leave, Hu Quan and the others looked at each other, sighing in resignation.
They admired Su Yi's medical skills, but this time, it was the Wen family causing trouble, and they were not qualified to interfere.
In the courtyard behind the Apricot Yellow Clinic, Wen Jieyuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at a sealed well on the side of an old locust tree. His brows furrowed, and he remained silent for a long time.
"Nine years ago, the wandering Taoist priest Wu Ruochu said that anyone living in this place would be devoured by the ghost inside the well and perish. But how did Su Yi survive?" Wen Jieyuan was puzzled.
He came here early in the morning with the intention of witnessing how Su Yi would meet a tragic end. However, to his surprise, nothing of the sort had happened.
Su Yi was still alive and well!
"Young master, we have brought Su Yi," said the man in black clothing as he and a group of guards entered the courtyard.
Bang!
The courtyard gate closed, and the men in black dispersed, standing guard in different locations.
Their eyes were cold as they stared at Su Yi, as if observing a trapped prey.
By the side of the ancient well, dressed in a white robe, Wen Jieyuan turned around and fixed his gaze upon Su Yi, demanding, "Tell me, did anything strange happen last night while you were staying here?"
His words were forceful, commanding, and domineering.