The First Chapter

The sky was dim, the sun already setting, leaving only a sliver of red haze on the horizon.

A young cowherd guided the Green Ox downstream along the Little Cold Stream.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried horse hooves echoed from afar. Dust billowed from one end of the main road, approaching rapidly.

However, the Green Ox was slow-witted and unhurried, possessing a stubborn streak. It was a slow, obstinate ox. Only after it had moved halfway off the dirt road did the two black horses charge past.

The riders were an old man and a young man, both dressed in splendid, smooth, high-quality brocade silk robes. They were completely different from the coarse linen worn by the villagers, clearly indicating they came from wealthy families and were no ordinary individuals.

The leading rider was the elder. His temples were streaked with white, but he was energetic and sat upright on his horse as it sped past them.

The young man, however, was half a step behind the elder and was immediately blocked by the Green Ox. Being hot-tempered, he immediately yelled, "You brat, get out of the way!"

As he spoke, he urged his strong, well-fed black horse and charged headlong.

In the blink of an eye, the tall black horse charged forward like thunder. Just as they were a hair's breadth apart, the Green Ox suddenly stomped its front hoof and kicked up its hind legs. Its massive black hoof struck the black horse's chest with a loud bang.

The horse cried out in pain, rearing up on its hind legs and letting out a piercing neigh.

The young man on the horse was greatly alarmed. He agilely pulled on the reins, rolled off, and landed on the ground, steadying himself.

The cowherd stuck out his tongue at him and, after a few bounces on the ox's back, remained unharmed.

The young man's gaze flickered, and he saw the black horse lying on the ground with a gaping hole in its chest, blood gushing out. It was undeniably dead.

Anger surged through him. He shouted to the elder, who was already ahead, "Old Liu, kill this old ox and capture this brat. I want to teach him a lesson."

Old Liu frowned, reined in his horse, and turned back, blocking the path.

The cowherd turned his head and saw the elder scrutinizing him, his eyes like two black holes, sending a chill down his spine.

He suddenly tugged on the ox's nose rope and squeezed his legs against its back. The usually slow Green Ox suddenly broke into a gallop, lowering its head, its sharp horns pointed forward. It glared angrily and charged forward with a rumble.

Seeing this, the elder's long, bushy white eyebrows twitched. He lifted himself a good ten feet into the air, leaving his horse. The startled black horse veered towards the side of the road but was struck across the flank by the Green Ox's horns. It flew about thirty feet and landed dead.

The Green Ox, its momentum undiminished, galloped away, quickly returning to the village.

The elder landed gracefully and looked back at the indignant young man, saying in a low voice, "Young master, you've acted rashly again. This is Ning Family's Chang'an's hometown. Don't cause trouble. He's most likely in the village. We're here to ask for a favor, so don't mess things up."

The young man tossed his head and chuckled, "Old Liu, I understand. But even if I meet Ning Family's Chang'an, I'll test him. If he's not as good as his reputation, what's the use of inviting a good-for-nothing?!"

Old Liu, whom the young man mentioned, sighed softly and suddenly said, "That was a good Green Ox."

The young man grunted, a hint of confusion in his voice.

The elder continued, "Legend has it that Ning Family's Chang'an made his name riding a Green Ox back then. It's said that once, he encountered a tiger at the foot of a mountain, and with just one charge and one kick from the ox, the fierce tiger lost its life. That Green Ox is spirited, it's gained sentience!"

At that moment, from the village in the distance, where smoke curled from cooking fires, a cow's moo echoed, exceptionally melodious and powerful.

The old man and the young man exchanged a look and stepped towards the village.

At this very moment, beneath the old osmanthus tree at the village entrance, a boy of about sixteen or seventeen lay half-reclined, leaning against the tree's massive trunk, relaxed and at ease. The boy's appearance was unremarkable, his demeanor leisurely. His coarse linen short shirt was full of wrinkles. He was intently watching a few stars in the sky, whistling aimlessly.

Suddenly, a cheerful voice rang out, "Chang'an brother, the Green Ox was so majestic!"

The cowherd's face was flushed with excitement, but his words were clear and distinct.

The boy called Chang'an sat up and looked at the child who had jumped off the Green Ox's back, questioning, "Erhu, did you cause trouble?"

Erhu bared his teeth in a grin, revealing his white teeth. He walked over to Chang'an, squeezed in beside him against the tree, and said, "I believe the Green Ox can kick a tiger to death, you weren't lying to me!"

Erhu looked around excitedly, then whispered, "Chang'an, I don't dare go home now. I'm afraid those two will follow me, and Grandpa will punish me again. What should I do now?"

Chang'an shrugged indifferently, "Just wait here. I'll deal with them."

Erhu stuck out his tongue and whispered, "Those two are skilled."

Chang'an gave Erhu a dismissive glance.

Erhu became anxious and said repeatedly, "But, but Chang'an, all your skills are gone."

Chang'an chuckled confidently, flexing his rounded arms. He patted Erhu's head and said with a smile, "If I'm not afraid, why are you? If the sky were to fall, it would hit my head first. Erhu, you have plenty of time to dig a hole and hide."

Erhu said indignantly, "Who wants to hide in a hole! A real man stands tall and proud, he's a man! In the future, my reputation will be even greater than Chang'an's..."

Chang'an suddenly stood up and murmured softly, "Standing tall and proud, it's not easy to even stand firm! Standing tall? How easy is that."

Erhu didn't understand and quietly hid behind the old osmanthus tree. Two people, one old and one young, were walking slowly towards the village entrance, their steps unhurried. Chang'an's eyes fixed on them, observing their gait. The elder walked, each step landing without raising a speck of dust, indicating excellent lightness skill. The young man's feet thudded on the ground, his inner energy fierce but poorly controlled. With just a glance, Chang'an drew these conclusions, realizing they were not ordinary martial artists. Without such keen observation, one wouldn't have this insight.

The old man and the young man walked directly towards Chang'an under the old osmanthus tree. They stopped about three feet away, clasped their fists, and asked, "Ning Family's Chang'an, is that you?"

Chang'an narrowed his eyes and looked at the two of them.

The young man beside the elder merely clasped his fists in greeting and did not speak. He stared intently at Chang'an, a look of eagerness on his face.

Chang'an chuckled, his eyes opening wide, "Friends from Crimson Blood Fortress?" He recognized their identity at a glance.

The elder laughed heartily and praised, "Good eyesight! Indeed, we are from Crimson Blood Fortress. This is Liu Xuanfeng, the Young Master of Crimson Blood Fortress. We've come this time to ask Ning Family's Chang'an for help in killing someone, an evil person. The Fortress Master, due to his status, cannot act personally and must seek a skilled expert. Among the rising stars in the martial world today, Ning Family's Chang'an has the greatest reputation and the best credibility. Even children sing your deeds. You are our only choice. As for compensation, it will be absolutely fair and negotiable."

Chang'an showed a look of regret, shook his head, and said, "I no longer do this kind of business. I'm tired."

The elder looked surprised, staring at Chang'an. "Is that so?" His gaze suddenly turned sharp, like a pool of spring water suddenly freezing over, exuding a cold, oppressive aura.

Chang'an nodded very seriously.

Liu Xuanfeng, the Young Master of Crimson Blood Fortress, stepped forward, staring at Chang'an. "So, we've made a wasted trip?! But your ox killed our horse, you should at least compensate us! Also, we have to walk all the way back, and getting our shoes and socks dirty will cost money to replace. You'll have to cover all of this!"

Chang'an shook his head, his expression awkward. "I've already spent all my money. I'm penniless now, I'm truly sorry. If you're willing to keep an account, I won't renege on my debt when I have money. I'll personally come to Crimson Blood Fortress to repay you double."

Liu Xuanfeng wasn't letting it go. He sneered, "On credit? We only extend credit to friends! If that's the case, then hand over that ox to us. That would be acceptable! Also, I want that child riding the ox taken too. Have them raise the Green Ox. In just a few words, Liu Xuanfeng revealed his hostility.

Chang'an continued to shake his head, narrowing his eyes. "The ox cannot be given! And you cannot take the child! I will definitely owe you this money."

Liu Xuanfeng's expression turned cold. He sneered, "You say you'll owe it, so you'll owe it? I refuse to owe it. Today, I, Liu Xuanfeng, will take both the ox and the person." He was aggressive and extremely arrogant.

Chang'an's eyes narrowed into slits—he had indeed gained some weight. He said calmly, "Don't rely on your influence, don't be arrogant, and don't do evil."

Liu Xuanfeng repeatedly sneered and shouted, "I will rely on my influence to bully people, I will be arrogant and domineering, I will do all sorts of evil. What can you do to me? Can you afford to offend Crimson Blood Fortress?! Old Liu, grab that child for me first." Old Liu's expression was indifferent. His body moved, his toes tapped the ground, and he leaped into the air. He circled the old osmanthus tree once and appeared behind it, immediately grabbing Erhu, who was quietly climbing the tree, trying to hide, and holding him in his hand.

Liu Xuanfeng laughed heartily. He suddenly clenched his fist and lunged at Chang'an. Chang'an's slightly chubby body suddenly straightened, revealing a heroic spirit. His posture was vigorous as he threw out a punch. Their fists collided. Liu Xuanfeng's body jolted, and he stumbled back three steps before steadying himself. He let out a loud shout and pounced again. He unleashed the "strike" technique, one of the three core principles—push, grasp, strike—of Crimson Blood Fortress martial arts. With a backhand strike, he sent Chang'an reeling backward. This was completely unexpected. After one move, Chang'an was utterly unable to fight back and was quickly defeated. However, no matter what, Liu Xuanfeng couldn't knock Chang'an down. This chubby Ning Family's Chang'an seemed like he would never fall. In the end, Liu Xuanfeng's fist hurt, so he had to stop. He let out a hearty laugh, "Ning Family's Chang'an, your martial arts are completely crippled. Now, calling you a clown is quite fitting! Hahaha, it's truly laughable, so laughable... Old Liu, let's go!"

Old Liu, carrying Erhu in one hand, turned and led the Green Ox away with the other. Liu Xuanfeng, meanwhile, flipped himself over and sat on the Green Ox's back, laughing with immense satisfaction.

Chang'an wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and, almost imperceptibly, nodded at Erhu, conveying a message. Erhu, who wasn't crying or making a fuss, understood!

Night had fallen. Beneath the old osmanthus tree at the entrance of the small village, Chang'an slowly bent over, coughing repeatedly with a pained expression. Finally, he muttered to himself, "A tiger fallen on hard times is bullied by dogs, bullied by dogs! Erhu, I can only ask you to endure some hardship. Daring to ride my ox means you don't want to live. Crimson Blood Fortress is nothing!" At this moment, in the darkness of the night, an old man appeared silently behind Chang'an. Divine light shone brightly in his eyes as he gazed at the main road leading into the village.