Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Two More Apprentices

Although Wan Huier was now willing to see Lou Yun, when she learned she needed to meet Zuo Mingyang and Yi Jin Guan, she silently picked up the black cloth from the ground and wrapped it around her head again. Clearly, she still lacked the courage to face anyone other than Lou Yun.

Lou Yun did not try to stop Wan Huier from doing this; instead, he stepped forward to help her. He knew everything had to be a process. The fact that Wan Huier could see him now was already significant progress. He shouldn’t rush or demand too much of her; doing so might destroy the confidence she had only just regained.

Only after completely covering her head did Wan Huier speak quietly, "Brother, you walk in front. I’ll follow you."

Lou Yun smiled faintly, reached out, and took her hand, saying, "I’ll lead you."

This time, Wan Huier didn’t refuse. She let Lou Yun hold her hand as he slowly led her out.

Yi Jin Guan, Zuo Mingyang, and the two children were all standing at the doorway, straining on tiptoes, watching anxiously. When they saw Lou Yun had indeed succeeded in bringing Wan Huier along with him, they all breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief.

Before Lou Yun could say anything, Yi Jin Guan jumped in first, "Brother Lou, if you truly consider me a friend, then skip all the formalities. Miss Huier hasn’t had a proper meal for many days. I’ve already had people prepare some food. Let’s have a good meal first, and while we eat, we also want to hear about your experiences over the past six months. After eating, if you wish to take Miss Huier away, I won’t stop you. How about that?"

What is a friend? Yi Jin Guan’s words filled Lou Yun’s heart with the warmth of friendship. He nodded with a smile, then turned to Huier, "Huier, is that alright?"

Huier gave a light nod.

Seeing Huier’s response, Zuo Mingyang immediately regained his loud, booming voice, "Haha, yes, yes, yes! Let’s eat quickly! I haven’t eaten properly all these days either; I’m starving to death! Come on, come on!"

The food was quickly prepared, and everyone took their seats. Yi Jin Guan glanced up and frowned in confusion. "Yi Xuan, Yi Ru, what are you two up to?"

It turned out Yi Xuan and Yi Ru, the two children, were not in their seats. Instead, they were standing flanking Lou Yun, one on each side.

Yi Xuan grinned, "It’s Uncle Lou’s first time eating at our home. Of course we should entertain him properly. I’ll pour Uncle Lou’s wine."

Yi Ru chimed in, "Yeah, yeah! I’ll put food on Uncle Lou’s plate!"

The children’s words made everyone exchange looks. Zuo Mingyang stared in mock outrage, "Strange! When I first ate here, I didn’t see either of you being this enthusiastic towards me!"

Yi Jin Guan, who naturally knew his children best, sensed a shift in his heart and roughly guessed their intentions. However, if their plan could really come true, they stood to gain some benefits. So, he smiled slightly and didn’t say anything more.

Just then, Yi Xuan had already poured a cup of wine for Lou Yun, while Yi Ru hurriedly stretched on tiptoes to place a piece of meat into Lou Yun’s bowl. Both exclaimed with extreme enthusiasm, "Uncle Lou, drink your wine! Uncle Lou, eat your food!"

The enthusiastic gestures of the two children made Lou Yun feel both amused and a little exasperated. The other three, even Wan Huier, who hadn’t smiled for days, couldn’t help but purse their lips in suppressed smiles.

Lou Yun was no fool. His eyes flickered thoughtfully, and he laid down his chopsticks with a smile. "Both of you, please sit back down. Just now, Uncle Lou was worried about Aunt Huier and was a bit rude. I didn’t give you any greeting gifts. I’ll make up for it now."

As soon as the words were out, two common weapons appeared in Lou Yun’s hands: one a sword, one a whip.

"Here, Yi Xuan, this is for you. Your physique is slender and not suited for heavy weapons. A sword, though common, is light and agile, making it quite suitable for you. Yi Ru, close-quarters combat isn’t ideal for you. A whip allows for long-range attacks and can also be used for defense."

Lou Yun had carefully considered the children’s respective physiques and cultivation statuses before choosing these particular common weapons, which were the best fit for them at their stage. Both weapons were at the five-star medium-grade level, meaning they wouldn’t need to replace them for several years.

Lou Yun was currently quite generous with money. These items were crafted by his master, Mr. Commoner, and were even better than what Lou Yun himself could make. Besides, he was not a stingy person by nature.

The reason these two had been abandoned was the lack of a magical weapon within them. If not for meeting Yi Jin Guan, they might not have survived this long. Therefore, when they saw these two common weapons – whose value they could plainly see was considerable – their eyes widened in disbelief. Yi Xuan kept swallowing hard, barely stopping himself from wiping his mouth with his hand.

Yi Jin Guan spoke up, "Brother Lou, what are you doing? They’re just children! If you insist on giving them gifts, little trinkets would be fine enough. Such valuable items are completely unnecessary. Please take them back."

Lou Yun laughed easily, "It’s fine. I’m actually a skilled weapon maker. Although these common weapons aren’t considered top-tier, they are more than sufficient for these two now. Moreover, each weapon contains an embedded weapon technique, sparing them the trouble of having to search for one later." Mr. Commoner had a habit: he liked to collect various cultivation methods and weapon techniques, then integrate the appropriate technique into the common weapons he crafted.

"Brother Lou, you’re really spoiling these two!" Yi Jin Guan offered words of modest refusal, but he was secretly very pleased. As he was himself a common weapons master, he fully understood the significance of a good weapon. He promptly turned to the children, "Since Uncle Lou insists, you may accept."

Hearing that a weapon technique was also embedded within the weapons increased their value enormously. You could buy a common weapon itself, but finding a good, compatible weapon technique was something money couldn’t necessarily guarantee. Yi Xuan was practically itching to grab his sword. However, just as his hand brushed against it, Yi Ru beside him let out a sharp cough. It startled Yi Xuan, making him draw his hand back abruptly.

Observing the children’s behavior, a thought occurred to Lou Yun. He was exceptionally astute. The common weapons I gave them would make most children overjoyed. These two clearly want them desperately, yet they force themselves to hold back. That means they clearly have other intentions. But what could they possibly be aiming for?

Lou Yun glanced at the two children, then at Yi Jin Guan. Even the latter looked bewildered now. He’d assumed the kids’ enthusiasm toward Lou Yun was merely to get something from him. Yet now, with Lou Yun offering such fine common weapons, they still refused. What could they possibly want?

At that moment, Yi Ru gently tugged Yi Xuan’s sleeve. Suddenly, both of them knelt toward Lou Yun!

Though startled by their action, Lou Yun’s cultivation level allowed him to instantly release a surge of spiritual energy. It forcefully held the children suspended mid-air, rendering them unable to kneel no matter how hard they strained.

Lou Yun spoke kindly, "What’s this all about? Speak plainly. Whatever I can do, I will certainly help."

Seeing the children kneel, Yi Jin Guan finally understood their intention. He promptly closed his mouth and sat back down, an expression of deep satisfaction on his face.

The children’s faces flushed crimson with effort, yet they couldn’t sink to their knees. Frustrated to the point of desperation, they exchanged helpless glances. Finally, Yi Ru gathered her courage:

"Uncle Lou, we… we wish to become your disciples!"

Back at the main gate, witnessing Lou Yun’s ghostly movement technique and hearing their adoptive father admit that Lou Yun was far stronger, this idea had taken root.

Lou Yun was stunned. The request from these two children genuinely surprised him. He assumed that as Yi Jin Guan’s adopted children, they must already be learning cultivation under him. He cast a questioning glance at Yi Jin Guan.

Yi Jin Guan hastily waved his hands, "Brother Lou, don’t misunderstand! Though they are my children, this humble fist and palm stuff I possess isn’t taught to them. I feared hindering their progress."

His words clearly stated his position: he fully approved of them becoming Lou Yun’s disciples.

Lou Yun found himself torn between amusement and exasperation. First, there was Lei Nu adamantly demanding to become his disciple – Lou Yun felt forced to accept then. And now, here were these two kids. It wasn’t that he considered himself too important; he simply felt his own power was insignificant, unworthy of teaching others!

Whether feigned or genuine, the children fixed Lou Yun with pitiful expressions. Yi Ru, especially, had tears welling in her eyes.

Sitting beside Lou Yun, Zuo Mingyang suddenly winked at the children and subtly jerked his chin towards Wan Huier beside them.

Both children were sharp-witted. Seeing Zuo Mingyang’s hint, they immediately understood. Ignoring Lou Yun now, they rushed to Wan Huier’s side, one clinging to each arm, and began pleading in sweet tones:

"Auntie Huier, please put in a good word for us!"

"We truly wish to become Uncle Lou’s disciples!"

Wan Huier was famously easy to persuade. Hearing their pleas, she turned to Lou Yun with a smile, helping them beseech: "Brother, please agree to this!"

Lou Yun might disregard others, but he would never disobey Huier. Heaving a sigh while shaking his head with a wry smile, he conceded: "Alright, I accept you both as my disciples."

"Wow!"

Joyful cheers erupted instantly. They dashed in front of Lou Yun and knelt down again. This time, Lou Yun didn’t stop them.

Watching them complete the formal master-disciple salutations, Lou Yun reached out, helped them up, and again placed the two common weapons into their hands, one each:

"Very well. Consider these common weapons as your greeting gifts from master."

Now overjoyed, the children eagerly accepted their common weapons, immediately starting to admire them.

Lou Yun continued, "Although I accepted you as disciples, I have many matters demanding my attention. I cannot stay and guide you now. Later, I shall teach you one set of martial techniques. Stay here with Old Brother Yi and cultivate diligently. Seek guidance from your adoptive father when questions arise. I shall return to see you when I have the time."

A flicker of disappointment crossed their faces at not being able to follow Lou Yun directly. Yet, they also couldn’t bear parting from Yi Jin Guan, so they naturally agreed.

At this moment, Yi Jin Guan raised his wine cup and stood up: "Brother Lou, for my children to become your disciples is fortune earned through karma from their past lives. Allow me to thank you on their behalf in advance!"

"Hehe, you flatter me unnecessarily, Old Brother Yi. I genuinely like them both. Besides, my own abilities have limits. Their future achievements ultimately rest upon their own efforts."

"Naturally, I understand that. And Brother Lou, please, show me no indulgence! Should they misbehave or disobey, punish them sternly! You won’t hear a word of complaint from me!"

To this, Lou Yun merely offered a faint smile without replying. His own childhood had been fraught with hardship, yet even then, his father Lou Tianming had never struck or harshly scolded him once. He fundamentally disagreed with the notion that children needed harsh discipline.

The affair with the children was thus settled. By now, Zuo Mingyang had waited with growing impatience. He hastily began pressing Lou Yun to recount his experiences of the past six months. Wan Huier also perked up her ears, listening attentively.

Wishing to keep Chang Xiang’s existence mostly concealed, Lou Yun related his other experiences truthfully. He deliberately mentioned the name "Mr. Commoner", hoping to see if Wan Huier or Zuo Mingyang recognized it. Both, however, wore blank expressions – clearly unfamiliar.

When Lou Yun finished his tale, Zuo Mingyang slammed his hand on the table: "I knew heavens had eyes! I knew you’d be unscathed, brother! Survive great calamity, and great fortune must follow! You have indeed gained blessing through adversity!"

"Heh, let us hope so."

Zuo Mingyang nodded firmly, drained his cup, took a deep breath. His eyes reddened slightly, his jaw tightening: "Brother, since you’ve returned, our sister Huier is entrusted to you now. I can leave assuredly. I must hasten to avenge my fallen brethren! Else their spirits may never find peace!"