Chapter 105: If Fate Brings Us Together Again in the Martial World

At the Zhao residence in Mazi Alley, Zhao Yuniang sat by the window, staring blankly outside. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and her expression was filled with endless sorrow. Her face was pale and haggard, as if she had lost all vitality and spirit. At that moment, her thoughts were adrift in a sea of grief, haunted by the memories of the past.

Zhang, her mother, entered with a bowl of porridge and sighed, "Yuniang, please eat something."

Zhao Yuniang looked up, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes. "Mother, is there any news?"

Ever since she had returned from Xingyuan Prefecture five days ago, she had been struck by a devastating piece of news. The Debao Martial Arts School had been destroyed, and both Yang Xing and his mother, Madame Chen, had disappeared without a trace. While there were many rumors circulating in Spring Breeze Alley, everyone believed that the mother and son had been killed.

"Your father went out this morning and hasn't returned yet," Zhang said, her heart aching. "Yuniang, you haven't eaten a proper meal in five days." No one understood her daughter better; although she appeared delicate, she possessed a very strong and resilient temperament.

"Mother, just leave it there. I’ll eat when I’m hungry," Zhao Yuniang said, a look of disappointment crossing her face as her lips trembled slightly, as if she were struggling to control her emotions.

"Sigh!" Zhang set the bowl down and walked out.

Just then, Zhao Tiezhu returned, his hands behind his back and a look of worry etched across his face. Zhang quickly asked, "How did it go? Any news?"

Zhao Tiezhu shook his head. "None. They say that on that night, a group of experts attacked the Debao Martial Arts School, killing many people and disciples." He had been running around for days, covering every inch of the street where the school was located, as well as the entirety of Spring Breeze Alley, yet he found no clues.

Zhang’s face turned pale. "So, they are truly gone?"

Zhao Tiezhu took a large gulp from his water flask. "I went to the magistrate’s office, and Constable Wu told me that Yang Xing’s body was not among those found..."

"Then where could they be?" Zhang muttered.

"I’ll go ask again tomorrow," Zhao Tiezhu said, setting down the flask. "Has Yuniang eaten?"

"No," replied Zhang.

Zhao Tiezhu frowned. "How can the child go without eating?"

"Is this the home of Zhao Tiezhu?" A crisp, clear voice rang out from outside the door.

Standing at the entrance was a tall man dressed in fine brocade, followed by dozens of disciples in martial arts attire. The man was none other than Jin Biao.

"I am Zhao Tiezhu," he replied, feeling a jolt of alarm. Sensing that the man before him was someone of significant stature, he asked, "Sir, what can I do for you?"

"No need for such formalities," Jin Biao said with a smile. "I am Jin Biao, master of the Pili Martial Arts School. Is your daughter at home?"

*Jin Biao, master of the Pili Martial Arts School!?* This was a man of great importance! Zhang, standing nearby, felt a sudden sense of unease. Why would they come looking for Yuniang? Surely, they weren't here to abduct her?

Zhao Tiezhu asked warily, "My daughter is at home..."

"That is good," Jin Biao said. "I have come to take you and your daughter to the prefectural city."

"What!?" The couple exchanged a bewildered look.

Jin Biao did not mince words. "That is correct. Your son-in-law is currently in the prefectural city."

Zhao Tiezhu’s eyes lit up. "Is that true?"

Zhang, however, looked at Jin Biao with suspicion. "You aren't trying to trick us, are you?"

The Pili Martial Arts School disciples behind him nearly laughed. As if their prestigious master would care about the few coins in their pockets!

"Madam Zhao, you worry too much. If you don't believe me, I can take you to my school right now," Jin Biao said, his patience holding. "I’ve already prepared carriages and provisions. If you have no important items to pack, we can leave immediately."

Zhao Tiezhu whispered, "They probably aren't scammers. With so many people behind him, if they really wanted to harm us, we would have no way to resist."

Even so, Zhang remained skeptical. Eventually, to convince her, Jin Biao summoned Chen Ang, the deputy leader of the Jinhe Gang. Suddenly, the entrance to the Zhao household was tightly surrounded by members of the gang.

Jin Biao said helplessly, "Can we go now?"

Zhang nodded like a bobbing chicken. "Yes, yes, we can." Whether she truly believed him or was simply terrified, no one could tell.

...

At the dining table, Yang Xing set down his chopsticks. "Mother, I will set off early tomorrow morning. If I'm slow, I'll be back in ten days; if I'm fast, eight or nine."

Madame Chen nodded, urging him, "Take care on the road." Even though she knew Yang Xing was capable of protecting himself, a mother's heart always worried for her child.

"Don't worry," Yang Xing smiled.

Just then, a patrolling outer-court disciple stood outside the courtyard and called out, "Senior Brother Yang! Someone is looking for you outside the station."

Yang Xing walked out and asked, "Looking for me? Who is it?"

The disciple replied, "The man claims his name is Jin Biao, and he has come from Liyang County."

"The Pili Martial Arts School!?" Yang Xing narrowed his eyes. "Take me to him at once."

Before long, they arrived at the Four Absolute Sect station. Yang Xing spotted Jin Biao standing beside a carriage.

Jin Biao bowed and smiled. "Junior Nephew Yang, it has been months. Your internal energy seems to have improved. Congratulations!"

Yang Xing asked bluntly, "Master Jin, let's skip the empty pleasantries. Why have you come to find me?" He knew Jin Biao was a man of deep, hidden motives—he had successfully deceived the likes of Hong Fuchun.

"Brother Xing!"

At that moment, the curtain of the carriage was drawn back, and a familiar face appeared before Yang Xing. He froze, then his heart filled with joy. "Yuniang?"

"Brother Xing!" Zhao Yuniang could no longer suppress her longing. She rushed into Yang Xing’s arms, her tears flowing like a broken dam. "I missed you so much."

"I know," Yang Xing whispered, holding her gently. "I missed you too."

Zhao Tiezhu and his wife stepped down from the carriage. Zhang looked pale. "This carriage ride was truly unbearable." Even though Jin Biao had instructed his disciples to drive carefully, the carriage had been incredibly bumpy, and Zhang had been sick several times.

After a long while, Zhao Yuniang noticed the others nearby. She quickly pulled away from Yang Xing’s embrace, her face flushed with a rosy hue.

"Uncle Zhao, Aunt Zhang," Yang Xing greeted them, then turned to Jin Biao. "Thank you for escorting them, Master Jin. I, Yang Xing, will remember this favor." He had never imagined that Jin Biao would personally escort the Zhao family.

Jin Biao waved his hand. "I am merely following orders. If you want to thank someone, thank Master Liu."

"Master Liu?" Yang Xing asked, puzzled.

"Liu Chengfeng of the Han family," Jin Biao said with a faint smile. "Master Liu asked me to leave you a message: should our paths cross again in the martial arts world, we shall drink together and enjoy a good conversation."