The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

Thank you.

Jiang Ning nodded.

"Have a safe journey, young master." The boatman waved heartily to Jiang Ning, then happily rowed back the way he came.

After saying goodbye to the boatman, Jiang Ning turned and walked forward.

Two more days passed in a flash. After walking for two days, Jiang Ning saw a village before sunset.

The village houses are neatly arranged, with wisps of smoke rising from the rooftops. Paths crisscross the fields, and some farmers are carrying their farm tools, chatting and laughing as they prepare to go home.

Some children were laughing and playing in the open space in front of the village, while several elderly people were resting comfortably on chairs.

Upon seeing the village, Jiang Ning walked straight ahead, intending to stay overnight and continue his journey the next day.

"Several elderly people."

Jiang Ning arrived at the village entrance and said to the elderly people, "I am passing through this place and see that it is getting late. I would like to ask to stay here for the night before continuing my journey tomorrow. Is that alright?"

One of the elderly men opened his eyes and glanced at Jiang Ning after hearing his voice.

"Young man, where are you from, and where are you going?"

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I came from Yangzhou and plan to visit Jinan."

As he spoke, Jiang Ning pointed in a direction.

But the old man was startled when he saw the direction he was pointing.

"You want to go that way?"

Seeing his nervous expression, Jiang Ning was a little confused, but still nodded.

"Ah."

The old man looked at him with a strange expression.

"Young man, you should take a detour; you can't go that way."

Chapter 283: Could it be that King Yama of Hell would come all the way to Jiangnan to exterminate us?

"why?"

Jiang Ning was taken aback.

"There are bandits over there."

The old man didn't keep anyone in suspense and said directly.

Jiang Ning suddenly realized.

He thought the old man was warning him about wild animals in the mountains, but it turned out to be bandits blocking his way.

"A few bandits, it's alright."

"Several? There are many!"

The old man looked at Jiang Ning speechlessly: "You think a few is few? Even if there are only a few, if you dare to cross the mountain alone, you'll lose your life!"

Jiang Ning didn't say anything about the old man's doubts, but he became interested when he heard the word "many".

"A lot? How many are there? Where are they located?"

Why are you asking about this? Are you going to visit someone?

Seeing that Jiang Ning still seemed oblivious to his impending doom, the old man spoke again.

Jiang Ning laughed upon hearing this and raised the sword at his waist.

"I'll go and deal with these bandits for you."

"Not very old, but quite arrogant."

The old man rolled his eyes, looked Jiang Ning up and down, and said, "I can tell you're weak and frail, and your clothes don't look like those of an ordinary person. You must come from a relatively wealthy family."

Jiang Ning's appearance not only greatly deceived the enemy, but even others thought he was not good at fighting.

Even the sword at Jiang Ning's waist was seen as mere decoration by the old man.

Hearing the old man say this, Jiang Ning did not offer any explanation.

The old man continued, "You're traveling alone, without any attendants or anything. Going that way is suicide."

"You still want to wipe them out? Don't risk your life. I've already advised five people like you."

Besides Jiang Ning, the old man had encountered many other young masters dressed like Jiang Ning who were out for a stroll. Some listened to advice and took a detour, while others were stubborn and wouldn't listen to reason, knowing full well that there were tigers in the mountains, yet still heading towards them.

The old man was kind-hearted. Even though he had only met Jiang Ning once, and Jiang Ning was a bit stubborn, he earnestly advised him: "You young people get all excited after hearing some stories of chivalrous heroes flying around in the martial world. You even carry swords with you, wanting to learn from those chivalrous stories and uphold justice. But reality is cruel."

"Okay, okay, I won't go."

Listening to the old man's long-winded explanation, Jiang Ning did not continue to argue.

"Ah."

The old man nodded in satisfaction and said, "Don't think I'm making you take a longer route. Although it's a bit longer, at least it's safe and you won't lose your life."

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded without saying anything.

The old man waved his hand and said, "Alright, I think we get along quite well. Why don't you come to my house for the night? I won't charge you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Thank you."

With his hands behind his back, the old man said to the other elderly people, "Old Zhang, Old Wang, Old Liu, I'm going home now."

The other elderly men nodded and waved.

They would wait for their children to finish their farm work before going home together.

Jiang Ning followed the old man into the village.

"May I ask your surname, sir?"

On the way, Jiang Ning brought up the topic.

"What do you mean by expensive or not? I'm not expensive at all."

The old man waved his hand.

"Just call me Lao Li."

Hearing the old man say this, Jiang Ning smiled but said nothing.

After navigating through the country lanes, Jiang Ning followed the old man to a farmhouse.

The old man opened the door and went inside, with Jiang Ning following closely behind, looking around at the furnishings.

Simple and crude.

old.

This is my impression of Jiangning.

"Have you eaten?"

The old man then asked again.

Jiang Ning shook his head.

"not yet."

The old man nodded, turned around and went to the kitchen to fetch a pot of boiled vegetables and a few vegetable dumplings.

"There's not much food at home, please don't mind."

Jiang Ning naturally didn't mind, and sat down at the table to eat with the old man while looking around the room.

The old man appeared to live alone, as there were no signs of anyone else living in the house.

Although Jiang Ning had some doubts, he didn't ask any questions for fear of offending someone.

After a quick meal, the old man led Jiang Ning to a room.

“This used to be my son and daughter-in-law’s room. No one lives here now. You can sleep here tonight.”

Thank you.

Jiang Ning thanked him and then asked, "Grandpa, are your son and daughter-in-law out?"

"died."

The old man said it calmly.

Jiang Ning paused for a moment.

"Feel sorry."

The old man shook his head, said nothing, and showed no change in his expression. He then walked out of the house and went back to his own room.

Looking at the dark environment inside the room, Jiang Ning didn't go to sleep right away, but went outside to the open space.

It was nighttime, and the moon had climbed into the clouds. Its bright light shone on the earth, making it not so dark outside, even at night.

Jiang Ning sat outside for a while and noticed a child peeking at him from the open space next door.

The child looked to be about five or six years old, with a robust and chubby appearance.

At this moment, the child looked at Jiang Ning with curiosity in his eyes.

"come over."

Jiang Ning waved to him.

The children weren't shy at all; they ran over as soon as they saw Jiang Ning calling them.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Jiang Ning looked at him and a smile appeared on her face.

The child looked at Jiang Ning for a moment before asking, "Are you Grandpa Li's grandson?"

Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head: "No."

"Then why did you come to Grandpa Li's house?"