Tianlong: Starting with Mantuo Manor as fertilizer

With a swollen face, Bao Butong returned to the cabin.

Wang Yuyan, always kind-hearted, asked with concern, "Uncle Bao, what's wrong?"

Bao Butong waved his hand, repeatedly saying it was nothing, and made an excuse that he had been bitten by a poisonous insect by the lake.

Wang Yuyan was taken aback, not expecting that there were such formidable insects near Taihu Lake.

She was afraid of getting bitten and turning into a pig's head, so she quickly took out a veil and put it on.

The servants and laborers on the ship were filled with fear and unease upon hearing this.

They were worried that Bao Butong might be carrying poisonous insects, and that he might accidentally bite them, which would be extremely dangerous.

They immediately distanced themselves from him.

Only Kang Guangling did not despise him.

Kang Guangling, still wanting to continue discussing the musical issues with Bao Butong, leaned closer, holding the zither.

"Which piece of music do you like best, buddy? We can discuss it."

When he talks about music, it's like Wang Yuyan talking about martial arts; he becomes eloquent and animated.

We talked about everything from the five notes of the pentatonic scale (Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zhi, Yu) to the musical scale

There was no one in the cabin who understood music, and listening to these obscure terms only made them feel dizzy and further away from the two people.

Bao Butong's mind was buzzing, his lips twitched slightly, and he almost couldn't control his physiological reaction, opening his mouth to retort.

He inadvertently saw Xie Buruo, and when the other person nodded slightly to him, he suddenly realized something.

"That's it! Brother Xie's friendship with this old man must be because he values ​​his exceptional martial arts skills, which can be used to revive the Great Yan!"

"Excellent, excellent! This old man's martial arts skills are superb, a rarity in the martial arts world. He's definitely worth befriending!"

"As expected of the young master's trusted lieutenant, everything he does is for the sake of restoring the kingdom!"

Thinking of this, Bao Butong suddenly felt a surge of ambition, unwilling to fall behind others.

"I, Bao Butong, also want to do my part for the revival of the Great Yan Dynasty!"

He reached up and rubbed his swollen face, forcing a smile.

"What you say, senior, has truly broadened my horizons! However, I know nothing about music..."

Upon hearing the words "does not understand music," Kang Guangling immediately showed disappointment and wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

Bao Butong continued, "Although I am ignorant about music, I have always admired it. I humbly request your guidance and enlightenment, senior."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the cabin who recognized Bao Butong was stunned, as if they were meeting him for the first time.

For a moment, everyone in the cabin was silent.

Only occasionally could one hear the sound of Mu Wanqing secretly eating sunflower seeds.

She took the melon seeds from among the fruits and candied fruits that the servants had prepared for Wang Yuyan.

After trying a few bites, I felt it wasn't as good as the snake gall bladder melon seeds from Zhongling.

Xie should break the silence first and assist Bao Butong.

"As the saying goes, though taking lives and destroying laws are by nature, the body belongs to the demons but the heart yearns for immortals."

"Although Brother Bao does not understand music, his desire to seek knowledge and learn is truly commendable."

"Perhaps Elder Kang could offer some guidance, so that we uncultured people who are unfamiliar with fine music can broaden our horizons and gain some knowledge."

When Kang Guangling heard Xie Ruo invite him to preach, he was overjoyed and stretched his legs as he spoke.

"Since that's the case, how could I not open the door to convenience?"

"Come, come, let me have a good talk with you and Brother Xie about the ways of music!"

What about me?

Xie Buruo never expected that he would be dragged into the class.

Unfortunately, he was now pretending to be a righteous man who was trying to revive the Yan Kingdom, so in order not to arouse Bao Butong's suspicion, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and listen with him.

The two sat up straight, seemingly listening attentively, but their minds were already wandering.

Just as Kang Guangling was speaking with great enthusiasm, shouts could be faintly heard amidst the sound of rain.

"Third brother, third brother, I'm here to help you..."

Then, the boat rocked slightly, as if someone had jumped aboard.

Thump, thump, thump, a series of footsteps approached from afar.

Then, with a loud bang, the hatch was yanked open.

A man rushed in.

The newcomer was thin and about thirty-two or thirty-three years old. His cheeks were sunken and he had two wispy mustaches. He looked three parts human and seven parts ghost.

He was dressed in black, his clothes were torn in many places, and he was covered in dust, as if he had just been in a fight.

As soon as the man entered the cabin, he shouted, "Third Brother, I heard someone dared to come to Canhe Village to fight. Did they run away?"

His gaze fell on Bao Butong, and seeing the high swelling on his face, he couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!"

"Third Brother, who beat you up like this!"

His gaze swept across the cabin and instantly fixed on Kang Guangling, who was full of energy and had bright, piercing eyes.

"You old man, it was you who did it!"

He rolled up his sleeves, rubbed his hands together, and was about to step forward and make trouble.

Bao Butong immediately recognized the person as his fourth brother, Feng Bo'e, and quickly stood up to stop him.

"Fourth brother, you mustn't be rude!"

"This is Mr. Kang, not one of the villains who broke into the village. He even saved Miss Wang."

Feng Bo'e then noticed the veiled Wang Yuyan and greeted her, "Hello, Miss Wang."

Wang Yuyan replied, "Hello, Fourth Uncle Feng."

Feng Bo'e quickly withdrew his gaze and fixed it on Kang Guangling again.

"So it's Elder Kang. Your eyes are piercing; I can tell at a glance that you possess profound inner strength!"

Kang Guangling was a good-tempered person; seeing the misunderstanding cleared up, he smiled and nodded.

"I don't deserve such praise. I only studied kung fu with my master for a few years."

Upon hearing this, Feng Bo'e's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together.

"Master Kang, we are all from the same martial arts lineage, and it is fate that we have gathered here. How about we have a friendly spar?"

Kang Guangling's face immediately fell.

Even when things are going badly, they still want to get involved.

As Bao Butong gazed at his fourth brother's figure, he vaguely saw a reflection of his former self.

"Oh no! The fourth brother is sabotaging our efforts to restore the kingdom!"

He stepped forward and grabbed Feng Bo'e, trying to dissuade him.

However, Feng Bo'e was naturally belligerent and was in the middle of a heated argument, so he wouldn't listen.

He bared his teeth and brandished his claws, desperately trying to get close enough to challenge Kang Guangling to a duel.

Despite Bao Butong’s repeated attempts to stop him to no avail, he turned and glanced at Xie Buruo, the “righteous man of Great Yan,” as if he had made up his mind.

Xie Buruo was taken aback when she saw him looking at her: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

It was at this moment.

Bao Butong stepped back with his left foot, took a lunge stance, turned around, and slapped Feng Bo'e squarely across the face with his right hand.

The storm was sudden and unexpected; he received a resounding slap and was stunned for a moment.

Everyone was stunned by the scene.

The cabin was completely silent, with only the occasional soft cracking of sunflower seeds.

Feng Bo'e covered his slightly swollen face and asked in confusion, "Third Brother, what are you doing!"

"Come out, I have something to tell you!"

Bao Butong grabbed Feng Bo'e's arm with his left hand and walked out of the cabin.

As she passed by Xie Buruo, she casually grabbed his arm.

The three of them exited the cabin together.

With a whoosh, the hatch was slammed shut.

Outside, wind and rain raged.

Bao Butong pointed at Xie Buruo and said to Feng Bo'e in a serious tone.

"That Mr. Kang is a highly skilled person whom Brother Xie went to great lengths to win over for the young master! Fourth brother, you acted too rashly!"

Feng Bo'e looked at Xie Buruo with clear eyes, not reacting for a moment.

Bao Butong nodded to Xie Butuo, and the two of them simultaneously drew their long swords from their waists, held them upright in front of their chests, and whispered in unison.

"The ambition to restore the nation must never be forgotten!"

Only after the storm had passed did Feng Bo'e realize what was happening, and in a panic, he drew his sword, shouting, "The ambition to restore the nation must not be forgotten!"

After saying this, the three of them sheathed their weapons.

Feng Bo'e patted Xie Buruo on the shoulder, overjoyed, and said, "So it's one of our own brothers!"

Bao Butong adopted a mature and composed expression, stroking his beard.

"Fourth brother, you really need to change this habit. You fight with everyone you meet, unknowingly creating countless difficulties for the young master's grand undertaking!"

He glanced at Xie Buruo again, and seeing the other nod repeatedly, he became even more eager to talk.

Ignoring the strong winds and heavy rain outside, he launched into a long and arduous critique and lecture of Feng Bo'e.

Feng Bo'e became increasingly alarmed as he listened, and repeatedly bowed his head to confess his guilt.

Only after Bao Butong finished speaking did Feng Bo'e raise his head.

He looked troubled and said, "Third Brother makes a lot of sense! But sometimes, I just can't help wanting to fight someone."

Bao Butong himself had the same problem, and upon hearing this, he immediately felt the same way.

He patted his fourth brother on the shoulder and sighed, "Third brother understands, third brother understands. From now on, we'll only curse the enemy, and only fight the enemy!"

Although the Murong family has many enemies, how could they possibly encounter them casually?

How can this possibly resolve the deep-seated and irreversible addiction to violence?

He was a few years younger than Bao Butong, and quick-witted. His eyes darted around as he looked Xie Buruo up and down, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Why not just practice with your own people?"