With the Blade

Chapter 297: Chapter 248: Realization

It was quite unexpected for Du Chengfeng and Qian Yu to encounter each other in such a setting.

However, unlike last time, the intense hatred in Qian Yu had dissipated, and Du Chengfeng did not display the viciousness he had when ready to draw his sword and kill. Instead, his travel-worn appearance seemed to carry an air of indifference to worldly matters.

Indeed, indifferent to worldly matters.

After losing his hatred for Du Chengfeng, the rationalized Qian Yu also regained his keen insight into human nature.

"Are you... preparing to retire to the countryside?"

After a moment of silence, Qian Yu spoke up.

Though it was somewhat inappropriate for someone of his status to ask such a question, the feeling was inexplicably incredible to him.

After all, Du Chengfeng still looked fairly young, at the age to make significant achievements. How could he possibly have the idea of retiring to the countryside?

"What you’re saying is, I never wore armor. Where’s this talk of taking it off?"

Du Chengfeng seemed unfazed and even accepted the tea Qian Yu offered him—a clearly dangerous act, considering their past animosity. If anything had been added to the tea, his life would be forfeit right then and there.

But he downed the tea in one gulp.

"You... alright then."

Qian Yu shook his head with a wry smile.

This time, he was truly certain that Du Chengfeng could not have been the one who killed his son.

In that case, this cup of tea could be considered a settlement of their past grievances.

"Where are you planning to go? This isn’t exactly a good place around here."

Qian Yu poured himself a cup of tea as well.

"You must feel it too; this area of Dengzhou City is already... right? If you move further west, the situation will only worsen. Although it probably won’t be a problem for you, it will be for the people you’re leading..."

"It’s fine if the environment is a bit harsh."

Du Chengfeng smiled.

"We will build a new home with our own hands."

"That... is also true."

Qian Yu couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Should I say, as expected of a strong person with power? Even their ideas are so bold.

The crucial point is that the other party genuinely possesses the power to achieve all this.

They are hundreds of times stronger than he was in his youth.

"But what about you, why are you here?"

Du Chengfeng was also a bit puzzled. He clearly remembered letting the old man go anywhere.

Yet here he was, standing in front of him.

"Surely you weren’t deliberately waiting for me?"

"That’s unlikely, the past is the past."

Qian Yu sighed, showing a bit of old age on his face.

"At my age, I don’t have many years left, just hanging on, collecting a meager salary, waiting for the day I go to the grave."

"This..."

Du Chengfeng started scratching his head.

Although they were enemies before, after sitting down and chatting, he realized that the old man wasn’t as detestable as he had previously seemed—especially when an old man talks about waiting for the grave. Such a melancholic demeanor made him feel a bit sympathetic.

"So, how about you just stop?"

Thinking on his feet, Du Chengfeng spoke almost instinctively.

"After all, you don’t have many years left, so how about just quitting? I’m also looking for a good place, we could all settle down and retire together. Why don’t you join us?"

"...Me?"

Qian Yu thought he might have heard wrong.

"You want me to come? What could I do?"

"There’s plenty you could do."

Du Chengfeng clapped his hands.

Indeed, there’s a lot to do. For starters, Liu Bolun could step down from teaching. Relying on that drunkard to educate kids was less effective than getting those two gatekeeper boys to do it. Meanwhile, it’s clear that this old man, Qian Yu, is far better than those two. Also, Yang Xuan, the old man, could have some company. Recently, Yang has been obsessed with the glory of serving a dragon, fully entranced, precisely in need of same-age peers to help him out.

As for lastly, it was Du Chengfeng himself.

He had no real grudges with old man Qian, and since everyone was looking for a nice place to settle down together, why not bring along old man Qian?

After all, he truly didn’t kill old man Qian’s son.

"Teaching and educating?"

Hearing Du Chengfeng say this, a glimmer of yearning appeared in Qian Yu’s eyes.

This might be the most desired end of every scholar, at least much better than dying alone. Dying surrounded by disciples is a celebrated end for any scholar.

Especially for someone like him, already a lonely old man who had lost his family, it’s even more so.

"At your age, you don’t eat much either."

Du Chengfeng still maintained an indifferent attitude.

"As long as everyone has a meal, no one would take away your share of porridge. Besides, when you teach the kids to read and write, wouldn’t they have to pay tuition too? As long as you can work, you won’t go hungry...Of course, if you said you still want to accomplish something big, just forget I said anything. I was just idly suggesting."

"Accomplish something big... Ah."

Qian Yu shook his head with a bitter smile.

He had weathered storms and fought in battles, never reaching the top like Prime Minister Jia Wen, but experiencing nearly all the grand tales a scholar could live through. He had seen enough of the trials and tribulations.

With such a mindset, how could he still be interested in ’accomplishing something big’?

"It’s just... I can’t free myself right now."

Speaking of which, Qian Yu sighed again.

Naturally disheartened, he, too, wished to find a place to spend the rest of his days. However, the trouble was his life no longer belonged to him—the swordsman who killed Zhao Jinfan, the master of some formidable power, currently controlled Dengzhou City. And he was merely the puppet put out to work.

The strong one held no interest in handling affairs, preferring to delve into ancient tomes, claiming they could discover some tremendous power within.

"In general, with my current situation, it’s still..."

"That’s not a problem either."

Du Chengfeng squinted his eyes.

"Since I walked through the door, I’ve sensed that familiar presence on you... It’s my fortune that he still dares to come near me."

Tasting the subtle stirring in his heart, Du Chengfeng placed his teacup down.

Although no weapon was drawn, Qian Yu once more felt that chilling, murderous air.

"First, withdraw your people to avoid accidental harm."

Speaking thus, Du Chengfeng stood up.

"Then tell me, where is he?"