In the main room of the Inner Courtyard at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School.
Sun Yong looked at his eldest disciple, Xu Hong, seated beside him, and said, "Go fetch Jiang Haoyang."
Xu Hong acknowledged the order and went out.
Before long, Jiang Haoyang entered and respectfully waited for instructions.
Sun Yong looked at Jiang Haoyang and said, "Haoyang, escort your senior brother back to the Inner City."
Delighted to hear that he was to escort Senior Brother Yang home, Jiang Haoyang hurriedly bowed. "As you command, Master."
Yang Jing was slightly puzzled. "Master, I know where my family lives. I personally paid for that courtyard in the Inner City, and I remember the route clearly. There's no need for Junior Brother Jiang to guide me."
Although he had been away from home for some time, the purchase of that Inner City courtyard remained vivid in his memory. He knew the way by heart and needed no guide.
Sun Yong merely shook his head. "Let Haoyang take you. Just go with him."
Since his master insisted, Yang Jing stopped declining despite his puzzlement. He bowed farewell to Sun Yong, exchanged goodbyes with Sun Ningxiang, Xu Hong, and Zhao Wenzheng, then left the Sun Clan Martial Arts School with Jiang Haoyang.
They walked slowly through Yuhe County's streets, treading on the unmelted snow. It crunched softly underfoot, and the cold wind brushed their faces, yet it could not dispel the warmth and eagerness in Yang Jing's heart.
Walking beside him, Jiang Haoyang cheerfully described the changes in the martial arts school and Yuhe County over the past year and more.
Before long, they entered the Inner City.
The Inner City was home to Yuhe County's powerful officials and wealthy merchants. Its walls towered high, its streets were broad, and everyone