Chapter 305: Chapter 130: First Arrival at Fushan Island, Sun Yong’s Past
Inner City, Yang Family residence.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, Mother, Aunt, I’ll be meeting Master outside the city to set off in a little while, so you don’t need to see me off." Yang Jing walked over to them and said in a gentle voice, "Besides, the Prefecture City isn’t far from Yuhe County. I’ll come back whenever I have free time, so please don’t worry."
His grandfather, Elder Yang, leaned on his cane. He sized Yang Jing up for a moment, his cloudy eyes filled with gratification. "My grandson has a bright future. It’s time for you to go out and make your own way. It’s a big world out there, so go give it your all. You don’t need to worry about things at home."
Yang Jing nodded firmly. "I’ll remember that, Grandfather."
His mother, Liu Cui Ling, turned around, her eyes already red. She stepped forward to straighten his collar, her voice choked with emotion. "Out there... take good care of yourself. Don’t work too hard, think before you act, and don’t be reckless..."
Her husband was missing without a trace, and now her son was about to embark on a long journey. Though her heart was filled with reluctance, she knew she couldn’t hold him back.
"Mother, I know." Yang Jing squeezed his mother’s hand, which felt cool to the touch. "You, Grandfather, Grandmother, and Aunt must also take care of yourselves. Once I’m settled in at the Xuanzhen Sect, I’ll find a way to ask about Dad and Eldest Uncle."
After some more words of advice, Yang Jing delayed no longer and turned to leave.
Yang An followed behind, carrying a heavy bundle. Inside were a change of clothes prepared for Yang Jing and several packets of Exotic Beast Jerky—all things he would need on the road.
The two of them left the Inner City and quickened their pace, soon passing through the Outer City and heading for the gates.
The morning light grew brighter, casting their long shadows across the flagstone road.
Just outside the city gates, Yang Jing spotted two figures standing in a roadside pavilion not far away.
It was his master, Sun Yong, and his martial sister, Sun Ningxiang.
Sun Ningxiang wasn’t wearing her usual dress today. Instead, she was clad in a set of lake-blue martial attire, cinched at the waist with a jade belt. Her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, revealing a smooth forehead. She looked less gentle and serene, and more sharp and capable. Standing in the morning light, she possessed a different kind of heroic and dashing air.
"Master, Ning Xiang." Yang Jing picked up his pace, leading Yang An to the pavilion.
"Greetings, Master." Yang Jing greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.
"Greetings, Hall Master," Yang An quickly followed suit, also cupping his fist.
Sun Yong waved his hand dismissively. His gaze swept over the two of them before finally landing on Yang Jing. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, all ready." Yang Jing nodded, adjusting the pack on his back. It contained the crucial letter of recommendation, as well as his entire life savings: one hundred and forty thousand taels in silver notes.
Sun Yong looked at Sun Ningxiang, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He said in a deep voice, "Since everything’s settled, you should get going."
Yang Jing nodded and turned his head to look at Sun Ningxiang.
She was gazing at her father, her eyes slightly red. Hearing Sun Yong’s words, she nodded firmly as well, as if to steel herself.
The four of them walked out of the pavilion together. Two magnificent black steeds were tied up there, their manes neatly combed. A single glance revealed they were carefully selected fine horses.
Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang walked to the horses. Yang Jing turned to Sun Yong and Yang An and said seriously, "Master, after I leave, I must ask you to look after my family."
He paused, then looked at Yang An. "My cousin joined the Martial Arts Hall yesterday. He’s on the verge of breaking through. If he succeeds, let him train hard at the Hall. If not, Master, there’s no need to make an exception. Just follow the Hall’s rules. When his time is up, let him leave. There’s no need to give him special treatment on my account."
Sun Yong waved his hand, his tone assured. "You can rest easy. You’re just going to the Prefecture City, not to your death. Who would dare touch your family? If someone is truly blind enough to try, you just send a letter. At that distance, you could rush back in a day or two at full speed. What could they possibly do, turn the world upside down?"
"Dad!" Hearing such an inauspicious phrase as "not to your death," Sun Ningxiang rolled her eyes in annoyance, her tone laced with dissatisfaction and complaint.
Being contradicted by his daughter, Sun Yong instead felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
’This girl is already taking Yang Jing’s side.’
He quickly spat into the air a few times—"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey"—to dispel the unlucky words. "A slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue."
Yang Jing couldn’t help but chuckle. He said no more and, along with Sun Ningxiang, untied the reins of their respective horses.
He swung himself onto the black horse with a clean, fluid motion. Sun Ningxiang mounted the other horse nimbly. Although she hadn’t ridden much, she was a Mingjin Martial Artist, after all. Her control over her body was excellent, so riding a horse was a simple matter.
They tied their packs and bundles to the horses’ backs and took up the reins.
"Master, we’re leaving now." Yang Jing cupped his fist, his voice clear and bright.
Sun Ningxiang looked at her father, her voice tinged with a sob. "Dad, you have to take care of yourself. I’ll come back to see you often."
"Go on, be careful on the road." Sun Yong waved his hand, his gaze shifting between the two of them. Seeing his daughter and Yang Jing sitting side-by-side on their horses, a ridiculous thought suddenly popped into his head. ’Why does this feel like I’m marrying off my daughter? It seems like this kid is really about to run off with my precious little girl.’
Yang An stood to the side, watching them prepare to leave. His honest face was full of reluctance as he waved his arm vigorously. "Have a safe trip!"
Sun Yong glanced at Yang An beside him and shook his head inwardly.
’This boy is too simple and honest, even a bit dull. He might not achieve much on the Martial Dao, but his strength lies in his steadfast and reliable nature.’
’If he can break through to the Mingjin realm, he could indeed help Yang Jing with many trivial matters. He would be a decent helper.’
Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang exchanged a look and gently squeezed their horses’ sides at the same time.
The two black horses snorted, set their hooves in motion, and started forward slowly along the main road. Soon, they merged into the morning light, their figures gradually receding into the distance.
