Moonlit Ferry Crossing

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Wang Anfeng's feet were like the wind, and he practically sprinted down the mountain. With each step, he pushed Shaolin's Vigorous Step Technique to its absolute limit. After the tempering of his recent battle, he had even integrated the Nine Palaces Step into it. As his figure flickered, it became increasingly exquisite, almost transforming into smoke as he passed.

At this moment, the rewards he might receive after nine consecutive victories, the incredibly sharp Dragon Roaming Moon Gazing Sword, and even his master's threatening punishment were all cast aside.

Today, he was leaving.

If before he had only considered Xue Thirteen a chance encounter, a peer he wouldn't see again in the Jianghu, then now Xue Thirteen had become his friend in his heart, his very first friend. How could he not see off a friend who was leaving? Even if it wasn't as grand as ancient scholars bidding farewell with music, he still had to say goodbye in person to make their acquaintance worthwhile.

After all, this parting meant at least three years before they would meet again.

They might even be separated across the vast land, impossible to find.

Thinking of this, Wang Anfeng gritted his teeth again, his mind made up. When they met, he would definitely give him a hard punch to show his indignation. With a low shout, his footwork became even more skillful.

"How was it?"

Meanwhile, in Shaolin, Yuan Ci and the middle-aged man sat opposite each other, pouring tea into their cups. The man asked with a slight frown, his eyes smiling faintly, "...So-so."

"Although he made many mistakes on the stage, he can still be described as fierce and agile. To see off a friend, he could abandon treasure within his grasp and accept punishment. He's passable."

As he spoke, he unceremoniously picked up his teacup and drank it down, a cold smile on his lips. "But don't think this will let him escape the punishment."

"Disobeying a master's orders adds another offense. The punishment will only be heavier."

Yuan Ci's lips curved slightly as he unhesitatingly sold out his disciple. He chuckled, "As it should be."

Wangxian County was a thousand miles away. If one used a top-tier light footwork technique, it would only take the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to travel there and back. However, Wang Anfeng only had his two feet. The Vigorous Step Technique he practiced was just the basic footwork used by ordinary Shaolin disciples to carry water up and down the mountain. Thus, he set off from near noon and ran until the sun had set. As dusk approached, he finally caught sight of the ferry crossing.

His meridians and internal force were constantly being squeezed dry. He had never imagined that he possessed so much potential to unleash.

He let out a soft breath. At this moment, a sense of unease suddenly welled up in his heart. He wondered if Xue Thirteen was still here. But thinking of the distance he had already covered, what was there to hesitate about? After a moment's pause, he rushed directly to the ferry crossing, stopped an old boatman, and asked.

"What's this? A boat? Little fella, it's the fifteenth of August today."

The old boatman looked at Wang Anfeng as if he were an idiot, baring his teeth. "Whether it's a boatman or a traveling merchant, who today doesn't want to have a good meal in peace, watch the moon, and drink a little wine? Even this old man needs to go home to his wife. You want a boat? Come back early tomorrow. I'm off~"

As if in a hurry to get back, he was already carrying a fish he had caught at some point and trotted past Wang Anfeng. The young man opened his mouth but sighed helplessly. Standing at the ferry crossing, the sky was gradually darkening, and the water rippled like flowing gold. It looked like a breathtaking autumn sunset, but Wang Anfeng only felt the bleakness and desolation of autumn. His legs ached, and he sat down directly at the ferry crossing, letting out a long sigh.

"As expected, I didn't make it…"

With a sigh, he stared blankly at the reflection on the lake. Exhausted, he became somewhat dazed. Just then, in his field of vision, the lake surface, as calm as a piece of fine jade, suddenly rippled, shattering the sunset's reflection. Wang Anfeng blinked slightly, looked up, and saw the prow of a boat emerging from the dense reeds, shattering the desolation in his eyes. The setting sun melted like gold, boats lined the ferry crossing, and accompanied by the clear ripples on the lake, it was another scene altogether.

While he was still wondering, a clear and melodious voice sang out:

"Knees hugged to the chest, gazing for a guest, a gentle breeze stirs, lost as if awake…"

Wang Anfeng's expression froze for a moment, then he was overjoyed. He slapped the broken wooden bridge at the ferry crossing with his right hand, leaped up, and shouted, "Brother Xue?!"

"You're still here! Haha, it's me, Wang Anfeng!"

The person on the small boat seemed to hear his shout and slowly approached. Before the boat had even docked, Wang Anfeng had already leaped onto it. The wooden boat didn't sway at all, remaining steady. As it was getting late, two thin gauze lanterns were hung on both sides. In this sudden turn of events, Wang Anfeng's heart filled with joy. He looked up and said, "Xue…"

His voice suddenly stopped. Wang Anfeng looked at the person opposite him, his face filled with disbelief. After a few seconds, he turned around and, as if fleeing, jumped back onto the ferry crossing. His movements were flustered. A somewhat familiar light laugh came from behind him, but it froze him in place, unable to move. He slowly turned around, gritting his teeth and trembling, "Brother… Xue…?"

"What? Don't you recognize me?"

The familiar light laughter rang out, but sitting at the prow of the boat was clearly a girl about thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in a goose-yellow dress and lotus-root colored embroidered shoes, her eyes clear. Wang Anfeng's heart trembled fiercely. He thought he was just terribly scared and stammered, "You, you're really Brother Xue?!"

"Could it be anyone else?"

The girl chuckled, patted her knees, and stood up. Under the dim light of the gauze lanterns, she raised her hand and made a Shaolin fist technique starting stance. In Wang Anfeng's hands, it was powerful and resolute, like a solid rock. Now, it was light and graceful. When she smiled, a shallow dimple appeared on her left cheek. Wang Anfeng's heart trembled again, and he was suddenly rendered speechless, unable to even stammer.

The girl retracted her fist, tidied her long hair at her temples, and said with a smile, "However, I really didn't expect you to come looking for me, especially since today's battle was so important to you."

Wang Anfeng's One Zen Skill was almost running at its limit. He finally managed to speak, "But you still, you're still here waiting, waiting for…"

"Yes, I thought you might come."

The girl smiled generously. A cough came from beside her. She blinked slightly and said helplessly, "But it's a bit late… I have to go now. It's a shame you came all this way, and we can't have a good chat."

Wang Anfeng quickly shook his head. "It's fine, it's fine. I just, I just wanted to see you off. It's just a pity I left in such a hurry, I don't have anything good to give you…"

The girl smiled again, "That's true. We're people of the Jianghu, no need for tears at the pavilion like scholars. You must practice your skills diligently. The vast Great Qin Jianghu is waiting for you. If you train hard and can fight me with all your might in the future, that will be the best gift."

Wang Anfeng was slightly taken aback. Even through the gradually darkening night, he could feel the girl's fervent and expectant gaze, as if she were looking at a piece of fine jade, anticipating a worthy opponent, fervent and pure, without any impurities. He slowly clasped his hands in a salute.

"I won't disappoint you."

The young woman smiled charmingly, revealing shallow dimples on her cheeks. Wang Anfeng's heart skipped a beat again. Then he heard her say, "Then I'm leaving. I'll give you my little pony. Take good care of it."

Wang Anfeng was taken aback. He hadn't figured out how to leave Wangxian County on this small boat yet. The boatman poling the small vessel suddenly pushed off with his pole, and the boat smoothly glided out onto the water. As the ripples subsided, the twilight scenery became like a calm lake, carrying the boat towards the horizon. A melodious zither tune drifted from the front of the boat. The surroundings were desolate, but he could hear the young woman playing the zither and singing softly:

"Tonight's merriment ends, tomorrow's path is long, Beneath Flying Phoenix Tower, a willow and a small boat, That gentleman of mine, will he come to wander?"

Her voice gradually faded. Wang Anfeng stood frozen in place for a long time. The pony appeared from somewhere and stood beside him. Man and horse stared blankly at the sky. The silver moon rose, and its bright moonlight spilled across the ground. Wang Anfeng raised his fist and punched his own heart, which had been inexplicably bouncing around as happily as a village stray dog tonight. He looked at the silver moon again and sighed deeply:

"The moonlight is truly beautiful..."