Why do I have so many masters?

The festive atmosphere finally dissipated with the departure of Zhang Tingyun, leaving behind not a single trace.

After a lengthy period of idleness, the people of Great Qin resumed their normal lives once again, and Wang Anfeng's life at home also became purely dedicated to practicing martial arts and training his fists every day. Under the guidance of Li Qidao, the three martial arts techniques of the Heavenly Thunder Fist were improving at a palpable rate.

However, Wang Anfeng had once asked the old man why, when he had originally created a complete set of four martial arts techniques, did he only teach him three?

Li Qidao gave him a look, smacked his lips, and said,

"If you had focused on cultivating the Gang Thunder Force all these years, you would probably be able to get started with the last martial arts technique by now. It's a pity, a true pity, that you're still far from that level..."

"If you diligently continue your training in the next few years, when we meet again someday, perhaps then I can pass it on to you."

Wang Anfeng could only suppress his curiosity and continued to practice his fists.

Li Qidao's requirements for Wang Anfeng were extremely strict.

While at Fufeng Academy, the latter had once read in miscellaneous books that even though the passing time seemed unremarkable, those involved in the enjoyment of life often find it difficult to grasp the fleeting nature of time.

It is said that a previous generation's King of a vassal state lit seventy-two huge lamps filled with whale oil in the palace hall and hung three hundred and sixty-five pearls the size of an infant's fist, indulging in festivities every day, losing track of time, and waking as if from a dream. However, the days spent training with Master Li were clearly not so carefree and joyful, as time still sped by like a swift horse, gone in an instant.

Before he knew it, the day of parting had come.

On that day, Wang Anfeng did not practice his martial arts.

On the stone table in the small courtyard of the Wang Family, food and drink were lavishly spread out, the aroma tantalizing.

Li Qidao sat unceremoniously in the seat of honor, not the least bit polite, lifting his drink and eating heartily while Wang Anfeng sat beside him, pouring wine for the old man. As if oblivious to their impending separation, they casually talked about ordinary matters and future plans. When the wine was half-finished, Li Qidao, with his bowl in hand, offhandedly said,

"Right, you just said you're going to investigate White Tiger Hall."

Wang Anfeng nodded.

Over the past month, he had basically shared all the major and minor experiences he had encountered over the last three years with Master Li, omitting only the dangerous encounters in Pharmacist Valley. He did not conceal much of the rest.

Master Li knew of Mr. Ying and the existence of his Master, so there was no need for Wang Anfeng to make up excuses.

Li Qidao chuckled, leaning back in the bamboo chair and looking outside.

Outside the door was just a rural dirt road, rugged and unending, muddy from the melted snow. One had to be careful not to stain oneself with mud, but following the road outwards, it would lead directly to the main thoroughfare of Great Qin—straight and broad enough to accommodate five carriages abreast.

Following the main road, one could reach every corner of the vast land of Great Qin.

Many places there, they had both visited...

Many people.

"White Tiger Hall..."

Li Qidao murmured under his breath, laughing out loud. He was already half-drunk, and numerous concerns had faded away. Returning this time, the thing he had worried most about had finally been put to rest: Wang Anfeng's growth was even faster and more stable than he had imagined. Taking another gulp of wine, he said with reassurance,

"Investigate, go and investigate thoroughly."

"The tasks your father never finished, it's only right for you, his son, to take up. Just be careful, don't end up losing your own life in the process."

Wang Anfeng's movements stiffened slightly.

It took a few moments for his brain to fully process what the old man had said, and then his mind went blank in the next instant. Yet, at the same time, waves of emotion surged within his heart, echoing ceaselessly, and there was a subtle change in his demeanor.

Wang Anfeng had always harbored a suspicion deep in his heart that was finally beginning to surface.

In his increasingly vague memories, his father had passed away due to a serious illness. When the illness manifested, his father was emaciated, coughing blood incessantly, but his eyes remained as spirited as ever until he lapsed into unconsciousness, never to open them again.

Back then, he was too young to understand and had simply thought his father—as he had claimed—was afflicted with a serious illness.

But now, he possessed medical skills inherited from the world's finest Divine Doctor.

Whether it was the medical arts he had studied or the classics he had perused in the Wind Character Tower and the Qingfeng Edge Book Pavilion, none had ever recorded a disease that exhibited such symptoms. Those symptoms were more indicative of an external invasion of a poisonous pathogen.

Wang Anfeng looked at Li Qidao, straightened up, and spoke slowly,

"Master Li, my father... he"

Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Li Qidao took a sip of his drink to regain his composure.

Until now, he had let his guard down while inebriated, and carelessly let slip something he shouldn't have during their farewell. Although it was just a single line, it was enough to infer many things. Li Qidao quickly collected his thoughts and carefully considered his words, chuckling,

"Indeed, there are some things I have kept from you."

"Your father, his life story... I can't explain it all at once. He just told me that he was nothing more than a busy yet unsophisticated scholar who held a position of minor significance for a couple of years, with some brothers under him..."

Li Qidao spoke slowly.

He observed the young man sitting upright across from him.

Wang Anfeng's clear black eyes remained fixed on him, quietly observing. Somewhat intoxicated, Li Qidao almost thought he saw glimpses of the scholar from years past. After speaking a few words, he realized the futility of the lie, laughed self-deprecatingly, averted his gaze, and then silently continued drinking without saying another word.

After a long silence, Wang Anfeng closed his eyes and spoke softly,

"Master Li."

"Did my father forbid you from telling me these things?"