Why do I have so many masters?

Chapter 688: Chapter 15: Those Who Wish to Bear This Name, Step Forward (2/2)

Wang Anfeng emerged from Shaolin Temple and began his journey out.

Past the mountain strongholds he went, until he arrived at the expansive training ground hewn by the Famous Sword Jue Que in the hands of his uncle, where the Qing Taoqi, armored in black, parted like waves on either side of him, creating a path, yet seemingly escorting him.

The mountain wind brushed against him.

Wang Anfeng calmed down a bit, and his face never displayed any hint of confusion or panic throughout.

He faced the mountains and the heavens, taking a deep breath.

Since picking up that Wrist Guard four years ago, an extraordinary world had unfolded before him. Behind him always stood his Master and elders, providing support no matter the obstacles ahead. A single step back meant a place of comfort and safety.

There was Master Ying, his Master, the second and third Masters, and the Taoist.

Now, there was no way back.

Master Ying might even become an enemy.

He didn’t want to deny that for a moment, a feeling of panic had filled his normally undistracted heart—an instinctual unease about the completely unknown and unsupported future.

It was as if he were walking on a single log bridging a thousand-foot abyss.

At any moment, he might fall.

But in the next moment, he forcibly stabilized this anxiety. While unfamiliar with the current situation and even entertaining thoughts of giving up, he understood the consequences all too well.

These were outcomes he absolutely could not allow, nor could he bear them.

Because he had relied on Master Ying, he was well aware of the terrifying capabilities of this usually indolent Scholar; if he said he would personally uproot the secret operatives of Divine Martial Mansion, then Wang Anfeng believed he could do it.

He closed his eyes.

Before him appeared the images of Libo drinking heavily, the smiling Scholar on the bed, and the woman whose face had become a vague, shadowy figure in his memory.

Gongsun Jing, who sang sorrowfully in Xi Dingzhou City.

Mei Wangsheng, who had lived leisurely as a free spirit for twenty years; the aged Taoist of Jade Ruin Temple with white hair; and as depicted by him, the warm candlelight in the night, Libo, dressed as a Scholar, guessing riddles, and the last drunken night in Divine Martial Mansion…

They were young men and women smiling at each other across the flickering lights.

He opened his eyes.

The mountains and earth reflected in his pupils.

Wang Anfeng rose to his feet.

As he turned around, Gongsun Jing was watching him.

Behind Gongsun Jing stood three hundred Qing Taoqi.

To say that the Qing Taoqi revered Wang Anfeng would be an exaggeration; however, he was their ‘commander-in-chief,’ the one chosen from among thousands of the Giant Whale Gang to teach them Inner Strength and Martial Skills by the directive of a distinguished Master.

After leaving the Wen Family, Wang Anfeng relied solely on his physical prowess to brawl with them, beating a few stubborn ones to the ground until they couldn’t get up. These Martial Artists were straightforward—respect the strong wholeheartedly, both inwardly and outwardly.

Wang Anfeng’s gaze shifted, sweeping over the three hundred men.

The warriors stood as tall and immovable as pines.

If it were Master Ying, what would he do? If it were Libo, what would he do?

If it were his father, what would he do?

Wang Anfeng’s demeanor was composed as his gaze brushed over everyone and landed on the rock across from him, which his hard bow had nearly sheared a layer off of; he spoke calmly:

“You should have seen the skirmish I had with that man just now.”

The three hundred remained motionless.

Gongsun Jing’s expression shifted slightly.

Though Wang Anfeng seemed as if he was treading on a shaky log moving forward, his face remained composed, still collected, as he said placidly:

“I and Miss Gong Yu gave chase but could not find who was observing from there. The person’s movement technique and their method of concealing presence are above mine.”

“And their Martial Arts strength is roughly at the Fifth Rank.”

The atmosphere among the men finally began to tense.

Among these Qing Taoqi, thirty-three were veteran soldiers of Divine Martial Mansion brought back by Gongsun Jing, the strongest among them, already at the high Seventh Rank, yet unable to advance further.

The rest, the majority, were at Eighth Rank, with some of better talent and originally higher martial foundation who, with the help of the Elixirs provided by the Scholar and continuous combat, possessed Seventh Rank Inner Strength.

To Martial Artists of Lower Third Rank, those Middle Third Rank warriors who could traverse the skies and travel a thousand li in a day were formidable opponents they would not traditionally dare to challenge.

Wang Anfeng’s gaze swept across them, speaking as if the matter was unrelated to him, calmly stating:

“This time, Master and Master Ying are unable to assist us. The adversaries we face must be confronted by ourselves, among whom the strongest might be at Fourth Rank, a first-rate master in Jianghu.”

“Though the likelihood is slim, there may be figures close to Grandmasters, or even Grandmasters themselves.”

Wang Anfeng turned around, his back facing the three hundred Qing Taoqi.

In his mind were images of Libai, scholars, and white-haired Taoist elders guarding ruins.

Libai would probably strengthen the training of these soldiers, what about dad? Speak reasonably? That would be unlikely, and as for Mr. Ying…

The master would force these men into a fight to the death.

Wang Anfeng took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and spoke softly,

“This is your last chance, as long as you don’t reveal our whereabouts, those who wish to leave may do so.”

Everyone was silent, but strange glances fell upon Wang Anfeng’s back.

They heard the young man’s voice pause for a moment before continuing,

“Those who do not wish to leave, step forward.”

Gongsun Jing smiled, without the slightest hesitation, just like the bold and fearless young military general who once charged ahead, he stepped forward, spear in hand, standing tall and straight.

Behind him, thirty-three old soldiers of the Divine Martial Mansion moved forward in unison, one step at a time.

Their footsteps landed with a slap sound.

They stood with their heads held high.

Their expressions were earnest and disdainful, just like in the old days.

Then there was a few moments of silence, and people from the Giant Whale Gang who were chosen, taught martial arts, military formations, and combat experience, slowly stepped forward and stood one step behind the thirty-three old soldiers.

He was once just an ordinary sect disciple in Jianghu.

But after joining the Qing Taoqi, he had killed fierce bandits, ridden fast horses, and traveled thousands of miles to slay enemies. Those experiences seemed toxic, making him unable to forget them.

And perhaps, he was unwilling to admit it.

Half a month ago, when he followed that young man on horseback with a spear, jumping out from a noble clan’s gateway, crushing miles of flowers beneath their hooves, he felt unprecedented exhilaration. He was clearly not drunk, yet it felt like he had enjoyed a hearty drink.

Perhaps there was a scent of alcohol in that night’s breeze.

The sound of footsteps was nearly constant.

Wang Anfeng waited until the sound gradually subsided before softly saying,

“Once I turn around, there will be no leaving.”

It was unclear whether it was the momentum of the situation, a spur of the moment impulse, or perhaps the intoxicating fragrance of the miles of flowers as they galloped down the mountain that day.

Standing among the crowd, Lan Hongyi’s heart was incredibly nervous, yet there was a feeling like standing on the edge of a cliff and looking down.

His heartbeat involuntarily picked up its pace.

His blood flowed throughout his body, inexplicably feeling a bit warm, and though his mind was clear, it was as if he couldn’t control his body, with wild ideas rising from the depths of his heart that made him question whether he had gone mad.

He must be drunk, right?

It had to be drunkenness, right?!

Lan Hongyi muttered to himself.

He wanted to leave, yet he couldn’t move his feet. He just pursed his lips, straightened his back, and looked straightforward, watching one back after another, until he saw the young man in the front turn around and stretch out his right hand towards them.

His expression was serious, kind and grateful.

“I am Wang Anfeng.”

“From today onwards, we will bear a name together.”

Lan Hongyi held his breath.

Then he heard those two words, and it was as if his already racing blood instantly ignited, surging with high-spirited valor.

He felt himself take a fierce step forward, saw his hand grip the spear like his companions ahead of him, veins bulging, forcefully stabbing it into the ground.

A thunderous sound echoed, shaking the fortress as people rushed out to hear the commotion.

They saw Mo Xiaoqi and the Fortress Leader collapse to the ground, shaking.

Boisterous voices converged like the sound of a thousand pines.

The wind, wind.

A great wind.

Divine Martial.

PS: The second update of the day is here……