Bringing advanced martial arts techniques to a low-level martial arts world

Chapter 123 Old Friends

Sometimes, your mere existence will get in the way of some people.

These people will then try every means to target or even eliminate you.

Sheng Wansong had no intention of protecting the Liang Kingdom; even if the Liang Kingdom fell, it would have nothing to do with him. But others would not think that way.

It doesn't matter what they think about Sheng Wansong.

Even if it's targeted at him, it doesn't matter; it'll just add more fun to the story.

But since you've already done it, you should be prepared for retaliation.

Sheng Wansong opened the window of the inn and stretched lazily in the gentle warm sunshine.

He has a small home in Chu Xiang, but if he stayed there, and Lü Qinghou had just returned when something happened, everyone would know who did it.

Staying in a hotel helps to avoid suspicion and prevents one from being too blatant.

Moreover, his small courtyard only had two rooms. He and An'an shared one room, and the remaining three people couldn't possibly squeeze into one room.

Rather than living separately in different places, it's better to stay together in a guesthouse that's closer together.

Wealth and honor without returning to one's hometown is like wearing brocade at night.

Today, Sheng Wansong plans to visit an old friend.

He always kept a low profile at the academy.

I've stopped pretending to be an adult, or rather, I've reduced the amount of pretense. I wonder how my old friends will react.

Sheng Wansong left the clothes made by Ouyang Xue at the inn, changed into a newly bought scholar's robe, and swaggered down the street without being recognized by many people.

In the past, he was unknown, and he only participated in one Chu Xiang Heroes Gathering.

But only a thousand people in the front row could see his face clearly, and most of them were knights-errant who had come from all over the country.

Sheng Wansong returned to Qingfeng Academy, doubting his own eyes. He grabbed a passerby hurrying by and asked, "Is this Qingfeng Academy?"

"This is Qingfeng Academy, of course."

In Sheng Wansong's memory, Qingfeng Academy was a wooden structure, small but clean and tidy, simple and elegant.

Can anyone tell him what this stone wall, which is ten times the size of the original, is?

The cedar roof has been replaced with glazed tiles, and all the walls are painted with bright paint. If you didn't know better, you would think it was the Imperial Academy.

In just six months since Sheng Wansong left, everything has changed.

He walked into the school, where there used to be only one class of students, but now he didn't recognize any of the students coming and going.

I learned this from the words of the people in the academy.

The former private school has become the largest school in Chu Xiang, and the only lecturer, Old Zhang, has transformed into the principal, rarely teaching classes in person anymore.

In Sheng Wansong's memory, Zhang Qing was a rigid, pedantic old man, but not someone who was disliked.

For decades, he has personally prepared lesson plans every day, from the perspective of a gifted individual.

The people in charge of all this were Principal Zhang Qing and Prefect Chu Xiangcheng.

This prefect has a knack for pyramid schemes. He personally sought out invitations to increase the popularity of the Heroes' Gathering, and took advantage of Sheng Wansong's rising fame to launch the Heroes' Academy.

Katsuman Matsu’s seat and the old books he used have been preserved and are now on display.

It seems that the scenic spots that Sheng Wansong was rumored to like visiting were all arranged by the prefect, and the poems and songs were all written by people commissioned by the prefect.

Using his reputation, Sheng Wansong was not angered.

As long as it doesn't involve Sheng Wansong's favorite Red Mansion, or the top courtesan whom Sheng Wansong praises highly, he can turn a blind eye.

It's a city I've lived in for so long, so seeing it gradually become more lively isn't a bad thing.

Finding no trace of familiar things, Sheng Wansong lost all interest in talking with his classmates and turned to leave the academy.

He couldn't sense Fang Weihan's presence in the academy, so he planned to go to his home to catch up with him.

Fang Weihan's home, like Sheng Wansong's, was a small courtyard.

They're not exactly rich, but they don't have to worry about food and drink on a daily basis.

Even if he doesn't pass the imperial examinations, his parents' assets will be enough for him to live on for the rest of his life.

When Sheng Wansong arrived at the courtyard, a pretty girl was carrying a bucket of water out to empty the sewage.

Upon seeing guests arrive, the girl instinctively dropped the wooden bucket, spilling dirty water onto the main road, and was about to go back inside to close the door.

"I am a friend of Brother Fang Weihan. Is he home now?"

Sheng Wansong asked a question he already knew the answer to.

The girl closed the door, locked it, and replied, "No, no, please go back."

Fang Weihan was not in good condition; his life force was much weaker than before, and he seemed to have a hidden illness.

According to Sheng Wansong's judgment, the other party did not have any hidden illness.

Either you ruin your health through excessive indulgence in pleasure, or you get harmed by others.

Given Fang Weihan's character, it's highly likely he's the latter.

"Just tell him that it was Sheng Wansong who came to see him."

Upon hearing this name, the girl's attitude softened noticeably. "Are you Sheng Wansong?"

"I think there are very few people in the world who would dare to impersonate Sheng Wansong, especially in Chu Xiang."

His calm words were filled with boundless confidence, and the girl was finally persuaded to buy the door.

"Ziwen often mentions you, saying that as long as you come back, the problem will be easily solved."

Ziwen is Fang Weihan's courtesy name.

Incidentally, Sheng Wansong also has a given name, Duxing.

The name was given by Dean Zhang because his family was poor, and he wanted to urge him to study hard so as not to let down his adoptive mother.

The girl put Sheng Wansong into the courtyard and told him that her name was Cui'er.

As we walked to the master bedroom, Fang Weihan was lying on the bed, reading a book.

His chin, which used to be clean-shaven, is now covered in stubble.

"Ziwen, the hero Sheng, whom you've been longing to see, is here to find you!"

Upon seeing Sheng Wansong, he immediately got out of bed in excitement.

Sheng Wansong noticed that his right leg was broken.

Fang Weihan picked up the cane from beside the bed and leaned on it to reach Sheng Wansong.

He rubbed his hands together excitedly. Sheng Wansong was waiting to shake hands, but saw him awkwardly withdraw his hand.

It seems they dare not hold it.

Mr. Treeman said that a sad, thick barrier separated him from his old friend, but he did not try to break down that barrier.

Because he alone could not break the feudal ethics, he only realized the need to resist when he abandoned medicine for literature.

Sheng Wansong shook his head, took his hand, and shook it twice.

"Brother Fang, what happened to your leg?"

Fang Weihan sighed and sat down beside her, unconsciously wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "This leg is broken!"

Everything is related to Cui'er.

This young lady, Cui'er, was quite beautiful, so she caught the eye of the Lu family's advisor, who wanted to take her back for the master's enjoyment.

As it turned out, this simpleton bumped into it.

He didn't care whether he was capable of fighting or not, and just rushed forward to save the person.

Not only was his leg broken, but his family also had to pay off most of their assets to appease the advisor.

Fortunately, Cui'er took the opportunity to escape. Afterwards, she was grateful for Fang Weihan's kindness and returned to do his laundry, cook for him, serve him tea and water, and repay his kindness by working like a slave.

"She's a good girl."

Sheng Wansong looked at Cui'er, who had already gone to the courtyard to sweep up fallen leaves.

Despite it being autumn, when leaves are falling, the courtyard is spotless.

"I have avenged you; the entire Lü family has been wiped out."

"9

Fang Weihan could no longer stop her tears.

"I studied for fifteen years, and it turns out that studying was completely useless."

"Power is everything!"

He slammed his fist on the table; that fist wouldn't even kill a chicken.