Chapter Thirty-Three: Setting Sail (Part Two)

“Miss, Miss, the Master said you mustn’t run outside. He wants you to stay in the manor and train diligently. The Advancement Tournament is only a month away, and if you fail again, who knows how the Master will punish you.”

“You don’t understand. I’m out here seeking inspiration... Father won’t blame me.”

Mistress and servant were conversing by the seaside when they suddenly spotted someone lying ahead.

“Miss, Miss, I think there’s someone up ahead.”

The two hurried over. The maid checked his breath, “Miss, he’s still alive. Should we take him back?”

The young lady nodded, and together they carried him back.

In the Wang family's manor…

“Father, how is that man?”

Soon the physician emerged, sighing as he addressed the Master of Wang Manor, “Master, this man has clearly survived a fierce battle. Judging by his wounds, he was likely attacked by the sea dragon. But he’s extraordinary—few could survive a sea dragon’s assault. His mastery of the Nether Arts must be profound. Congratulations, Master, you’ve acquired a rare talent…”

“Is that so? How long until he wakes?”

“No more than two hours.”

“Someone, escort the doctor and reward him with a gold coin.”

“Thank you, Master,” the doctor replied, then departed.

Jiang Feng awoke, rubbing his head. Damn it, what is this place? Wasn’t I thrown out by that wicked dragon? How am I here? Turns out I’m not dead.

The young lady of the Wang family entered suddenly. “You’re alive. Who are you? How did you get injured by the evil dragon? Father always said, whoever slays the evil dragon shall become the Wang family’s favored son-in-law.” As she spoke, a shy blush appeared on her cheeks.

Jiang Feng’s eyes widened. His training had unexpectedly presented him with a bride-to-be. If anyone from the Jiang family learned of this, they’d laugh themselves silly.

“Miss, please, you must be mistaken. I was returning home by sea when the evil dragon provoked me first. I accidentally killed it. Actually, I didn’t really slay it—I just used my Nine Heavens Steel Blade to agitate it, which led to our mutual destruction.”

“Oh right, my Nine Heavens Steel Blade!”

The young lady pointed to the bedside. Jiang Feng looked at his treasured blade but noticed his sacred beast was missing. After asking, he learned Wang’s daughter hadn’t seen it either, leaving him disappointed.

“Warrior, don’t fret. My father has already sent someone to search for your little bird. Who would’ve thought, after such a heroic feat, you’d be concerned about your bird!” She laughed, unable to contain her amusement.

Jiang Feng felt helpless. Over several days, he learned he was in Wang Village, specifically the Wang manor—the largest estate in the village—and had been rescued by the young lady. He intended to refuse the Master’s hospitality, eager to return to the Jiang family, but the old Master insisted he stay, especially since his sacred beast was missing and he couldn’t explain that to the old Sage. So he agreed to stay until the Advancement Tournament ended, then return home.

The Wang manor’s Advancement Tournament was much like the Jiang family’s own trials, selecting capable heirs to inherit the estate. Anyone from the Wang manor could compete, including the young lady herself. However, she was playful by nature and only average at the Nether Arts, so Jiang Feng accepted the Master’s request to become her mentor.

During his recovery, Jiang Feng resumed practicing his Xuan Tian Soul Arts and the twenty-five forms:

“Roaring Dragon Emerges”
“Xuan Tian Divine Palm”

Each move, each technique, was executed with masterful precision.

“Wonderful! Master is amazing! With you by my side, I’m sure I can defeat those little Nether practitioners…”

Jiang Feng had grown admirably fond of Wang Yingying, the young lady. She disliked training, preferring instead to pester Jiang Feng as he practiced. He tried teaching her a move or two, but whether his teachings were too advanced or she was too dense, she remained at only the third stage of the Nether Arts.

She begged to go shopping, and Jiang Feng, resigned, agreed. The old Master had sent people to search for Jiang Feng’s bird, but with no news, a trip to the town might present an opportunity.

Wang Yingying led Jiang Feng through the bustling streets, pointing out Wang family businesses and lively districts. Jiang Feng barely paid attention, his mind only hoping to find his sacred beast soon.

“Come, come, over here! Divine birds for sale, divine birds for sale…”

Wang Yingying rushed into the crowd upon hearing “divine bird,” and Jiang Feng, worried for her safety, followed. Inside a cage was a small bird, its feathers somewhat ragged, yet its spirit undiminished. Its gaze matched that of Jiang Feng’s sacred beast. When their eyes met, the bird shed tears. Jiang Feng knew instantly—it was his sacred beast, lost during his unconsciousness.

“How much gold? I’ll take it…” A wealthy man stepped forward.

Unable to contain his excitement, Jiang Feng reached for the cage. The burly man followed, shouting, “You outsider—so you killed the evil dragon? Maybe someone else did, and you just got lucky! Didn’t expect the old Master to treat you as an honored guest. Hmph! Let me tell you, I, Li Daquan, am not so easily bullied!”

He prepared to fight Jiang Feng. Jiang Feng ignored him, his anger unleashing a peculiar strength. Li Daquan, a sixth-stage Nether practitioner, thought defeating Jiang Feng would be easy, but he was sent flying before he even got close.

“You, you, you monster! Brothers, get him!”

Several Nether practitioners rushed at Jiang Feng. He handed his sacred beast to Wang Yingying for safekeeping and faced his foes alone. This was not the Jiang family; there was no need to hold back. As a ninth-stage Nether practitioner, Jiang Feng hardly considered the small fry a threat.

He unleashed his signature move—the twenty-five forms—not for glory, but because he had promised the old Sage never to let his sacred beast suffer harm. Now, seeing it in such a state, how could he not be furious?

The group attacked with Nether energy, but Jiang Feng was undaunted. In a few swift moves, he laid them all flat. Their leader realized Jiang Feng was no pushover and ordered a retreat, promising to return for revenge.

Jiang Feng took the sacred beast from Wang Yingying, releasing it from the cage. The bird seller approached, demanding payment.

“Sir, that’s 100 gold coins.”

Jiang Feng said nothing. Wang Yingying, stunned, took out the coins from her purse and handed them over. The seller left, satisfied.

Wang Yingying had witnessed Jiang Feng’s strength—her mouth nearly formed an “O.” Li Daquan and his gang were fifth-stage Nether practitioners, notorious bullies, causing endless trouble for Wang Village.

Without waiting for Wang Yingying to recover, Jiang Feng returned to the manor with his sacred beast. Seeing it weak and near death, his heart was full of anger and sorrow. It was all his fault; had he not been careless, it would never have ended up in someone else’s hands.

He fed it carefully, refraining from chanting the spell to enlarge it. After eating some fruit, the sacred beast gradually regained a hint of vitality, and Jiang Feng finally allowed himself a faint smile.

Li Daquan, upon returning home, complained to his father. The elder Li understood that Jiang Feng was no ordinary man. If Jiang Feng remained in the Wang manor, it would bode ill for the Li family. His son, a fifth-stage practitioner, had been easily defeated. If Jiang Feng took root here, how could Li ever claim the Wang family holdings? He was determined not to let that happen.

Soon after, the elder Li arrived at the Wang manor with his son.

“Old Wang, this is unacceptable. How can you let someone injure my son? You must do something about it. We Li only have one heir!”

The Wang Master, already aware of the morning’s incident, was calm. “Elder Li, your son’s arrogance has plagued us for years. Today, he struck first—how is my guest to blame? Your son, trained by the founder himself, is already at the fifth stage. How could my guest injure him? I suggest you take your leave.”

“You, you, you! Old Wang, mark my words: refuse to drink now, and you’ll be forced to drink later. At the Advancement Tournament in a month, I will claim the Wang family estate. Then you’ll come begging!”

The Wang Master felt troubled. The Li family’s strength was formidable; hiring someone to shine at the tournament was entirely possible. Moreover, the Wang family’s secret manual contained nine levels of cultivation. If it fell into their hands, the Wang family would be ruined. If only Wang Yingying were a man…