One-Year Pact

Though he had already changed his opinion of Lu Chen, even developing a sliver of appreciation for his martial talent, Huang Yaoshi's temperament was naturally eccentric and contrary. Add to that the subtle mindset of a protective father, and he still found Lu Chen irritating no matter how he looked at him.

Especially seeing his daughter's smug expression, and recalling how she had defended and praised Lu Chen at every turn, Huang Yaoshi's displeasure only grew. He cut straight to the point with Huang Rong:

"Rong'er, you've been sneaking around for a month now. It's time to come home with your father."

"Home? I don't want to!"

Huang Rong shook her head like a rattle-drum:

"Rong'er still has to take Lu Chen to challenge famous masters everywhere and make a name for himself."

Huang Yaoshi said flatly:

"The martial world is treacherous, and people's hearts are unfathomable. Rong'er, you've never traveled the jianghu alone, and now you want to drag along a raw beginner to trample on the reputations of famous masters everywhere. Have you considered the consequences? On some dark, windy night, one of those so-called masters whose face you've stepped on might bring a few dozen masked men with lime powder, fishing nets, and hidden projectiles to take your lives."

Huang Rong giggled:

"Father, are you underestimating Rong'er? I'm clever enough—who could possibly ambush me?"

Huang Yaoshi shook his head:

"No matter what, you must come home with your father."

As a father, how could he let his precious daughter run wild across the jianghu with some hot-blooded brat?

Seeing Huang Yaoshi's firm stance, Huang Rong changed tactics, grabbing his arm and wheedling:

"Father, if you're worried about Rong'er, why not travel the jianghu with us? You can give Lu Chen some pointers along the way."

So you absolutely refuse to be separated from that kid, huh?

And now you want me to be his personal bodyguard and martial arts tutor to boot!

Huang Yaoshi was furious inside, but he shot Lu Chen a cold glare, careful to avoid Huang Rong's line of sight.

"..."

Lu Chen looked utterly innocent.

Huang Rong kept pleading:

"Father, if you insist on taking me home, then take Lu Chen too! Take him as your closed-door disciple and teach him martial arts yourself. He'll surely carry on the legacy of Peach Blossom Island..."

I have no disciples left, and you're my only daughter. Take him as a closed-door disciple, so he can inherit the family estate too, right?

Seeing his daughter defend Lu Chen so fiercely, Huang Yaoshi's anger flared, but with the precedent of Huang Rong storming off in a huff, he didn't dare let his temper loose. What if he angered Rong'er again?

He couldn't very well break her legs and lock her up, watching her day and night, could he?

Given the chance, she'd just run off again.

A thought struck Huang Yaoshi, and he had an idea:

"Rong'er, since you think so highly of Lu Chen, how about your father makes a bet with you?"

"A bet?" Huang Rong blinked. "What kind of bet?"

"You know my two renegade disciples," Huang Yaoshi said calmly.

"The bet is this: within one year, Lu Chen finds those two renegades, captures them, and brings back what they stole. If he succeeds, I'll take him as my closed-door disciple, as you wish. If not..."

Huang Rong pouted, dissatisfied:

"Father, this bet is too unfair! Those two renegades of yours have vanished from the jianghu for years. In just one year, Lu Chen might not even find a trace of them.

"Besides, they were taught by you! Their martial arts are so high that even the Seven Freaks of Quanzhen might not be able to handle them. No matter how talented Lu Chen is, he still needs time to grow. In one short year, even if he gets lucky and finds them, how can he capture them?"

Huang Yaoshi said flatly:

"To be my closed-door disciple, one must achieve what others cannot. If he can't accept this small trial, how is he worthy of inheriting Peach Blossom Island's legacy?"

By the time father and daughter had reached this point, Lu Chen was completely baffled:

I get along well with Rong'er, and we have an important promise, but I never actually wanted to be your disciple!

Teacher Huang, you're extreme and stubborn, emotionally unstable, quick to anger, and prone to taking it out on others. That infamous leg-breaking technique of yours spared none of your disciples except the Black Wind Double Fiends—my shins can't take that!

Lu Chen grumbled inwardly, but looking at Rong'er, who was defending him so fiercely, remembering that she had taught him swordsmanship from the start, that "Sword One" was unlocked and realized only through her careful guidance, and that she handled all his daily needs from food to clothing, and seeing the eager hope in her eyes when she suggested Huang Yaoshi take him as a closed-door disciple, he finally stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Senior Huang, this junior accepts the bet."

Huang Rong said urgently:

"Lu Chen, don't fall for it! My father's bet is completely unfair to you..."

Lu Chen smiled:

"Rong'er, don't worry. I'm confident."

First, he knew where Mei Chaofeng was hiding—no need to search blindly.

Second, he knew where to find lucky encounters to boost his power. One year, or even less, would be enough to raise his strength to a level where he could contend with Mei Chaofeng.

Third, he had grasped "Sword One." He wouldn't boast of having "awakened to the Dao," but he had touched the principles of the sword. New insights came to him every day, and his swordsmanship was in a phase of rapid advancement—the seven days of sparring with Huang Rong were clear proof of his lightning-fast progress.

With this rate of improvement, as long as his power was sufficient to match Mei Chaofeng, combined with his swordsmanship, capturing her alive was not out of reach.

With confidence in his heart, Lu Chen naturally dared to accept Huang Yaoshi's wager—he had to fulfill what he promised Rong'er, and he had to achieve what Rong'er hoped for!

Seeing that Lu Chen actually dared to take on this bet, Huang Yaoshi looked at him with slightly more favor.

"You do have some backbone. Very well, I shall make this pact with you: within one year, find the Black Wind Double Fiends, Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng, and capture them to bring back to Peach Blossom Island. Succeed, and you become my closed-door disciple. Fail... you need not set foot on Peach Blossom Island."

"Ah?" Huang Rong was stunned: "Father, do you mean that finding Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng is all up to him alone?"

Huang Yaoshi said: "If not him alone, does Rong'er want to go with him?"

"But..."

"No buts. You will return with your father to Peach Blossom Island and wait. If he truly values you as much as you value him, he will do everything in his power to complete the wager."

"Father, you're so cunning! This isn't the same thing at all... He's only just begun learning martial arts and has no experience in the jianghu..."

"You have no jianghu experience either, you're a girl, and younger than him—yet you still went out to wander on your own."

"But Rong'er is clever!"

"So Lu Chen is stupid?"

"He, uh, Lu Chen isn't a matter of being stupid or not—he's the kind of..."

He's a visitor from beyond the heavens, completely unfamiliar with this world, alright?

But she had already promised Lu Chen to keep the secret of his "otherworldly origin," and even facing her father, she wouldn't reveal it.

"He's the kind of what?"

"In short, I can't explain it to you!"

Huang Rong puffed out her tender cheeks, turned her back angrily, and ignored Huang Yaoshi.

Can't explain it to your father?

I think Rong'er just doesn't want to be separated from him!

Huang Yaoshi didn't expose his daughter's thoughts, only looked at Lu Chen and said:

"Completing the wager alone—any problem?"

Lu Chen naturally didn't want to be separated from Rong'er either.

But with his current abilities, he couldn't defy Huang Yaoshi's will. Besides, he now had some skill to stand on his own—what fear was there in traveling the jianghu alone?

He replied in a low, firm voice: "No problem. This junior can complete the wager alone."

Huang Rong knew full well that her father was stubborn; once he truly made up his mind, no amount of coaxing or tantrums would change it.

This wager was already a concession from her father because of her angry departure this time.

But even so, she couldn't let Lu Chen take on such a dangerous task alone. Since her father's bet was so unfair, she'd have no choice but to play tricks.

Of course, outright defiance wouldn't work—she had to take it slowly...

After a moment's thought, an idea came to her. Huang Rong turned back to face Huang Yaoshi and said seriously:

"Father, if you want to take me back, you must agree to one thing."

"What is it?"

"Let me teach him for ten more days!"

Huang Rong's tone was resolute:

"And allow me to teach him the Falling Blossom Swordplay and Jade Flute Swordplay! If you refuse, unless you break my legs, don't think of taking me back."