Chapter One: Pure

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Great Liang Village had been quite lively lately. First, a scholarly household had moved in. Then Wang Anfeng, the orphan with neither father nor mother, had actually returned riding a tall, handsome horse.

The villagers who secretly sneaked glances at that fine horse were almost as numerous as people at a market fair. Naturally, there were also children who wanted to touch it and tug at its mane. But ever since Auntie Zhao's precious grandson had pulled the horse's tail and nearly been kicked to death, everyone had become much more amiable. They merely looked on, envy and jealousy mingling as they admired the magnificent steed, muttering about how much silver it could fetch—enough to marry a wife. As they glanced at the spiderweb-like cracks left by its hoof on the wall, they obediently swallowed any unpleasant words.

According to the old men who had seen a bit of the world, this horse was even more beautiful than the steeds ridden by the young masters in the commanderies and counties. Its temper was just as fierce, too. Its eyes regarded people like a tiger's, making their backs turn cold. Yet when facing Wang Anfeng, this wild horse was as docile as a house cat, which left everyone amazed.

Creak—

The wooden door of the Wang residence made a faint sound. The villagers outside, who had been sneaking glances at the horse, scattered like startled birds and beasts, leaving the area utterly deserted. The next second, Wang Anfeng pushed open the door and stepped out. He carried a jug of old wine in one hand, while with the other he gently rubbed Green Dappled Horse's head, smiling as he said:

"Horsey, stay here for now. I'm going to deliver something to Uncle Li..."

The fine horse whinnied as if it possessed spiritual understanding. It shook its head, then gently rubbed against him, drawing another soft laugh from Wang Anfeng. He patted its head and turned to leave.

Everywhere he looked along the road, he saw familiar people and familiar scenery. Even the air seemed fresher. But as he walked, Wang Anfeng suddenly froze and turned around. On that familiar old street stood three unfamiliar figures seen from behind. Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be a family of three.

A husband, a wife, and a small child. Their clothes looked quite plain, yet the details showed a certain refinement. The man paused in his steps and turned to look at Wang Anfeng as well. He was startled for a moment, then smiled lightly and inclined his head. His hair was held in place by a bamboo hairpin, and his face was somewhat pale, yet he could not conceal his scholarly air. In a gentle voice, he said:

"Young brother, are you a resident of this village?"

"I am Jiang Shouyi. My family has just moved here, but I have not yet had the chance to meet you."

As they spoke, the woman also turned around. Her cloth skirt and thorn hairpin could not conceal her gentle beauty. She gave Wang Anfeng a slight curtsy, and he hurriedly clasped his fists in return, smiling as he said:

"You are too polite, sir. My name is Wang Anfeng. I was in the commandery city before and have only just returned."

Jiang Shouyi smiled and nodded.

"The commandery city... It is indeed good for a young person to go out and see the world."

His gaze fell again upon the jug of old wine in Wang Anfeng's hand, and he continued gently:

"Judging by your appearance, Young Brother Wang, you must be going to visit an elder. It is inconvenient to talk at length now. When you are free, you may come beneath the old locust tree to the east. There is no wine, but there is clear tea and the sound of a zither."

As he spoke, he gently stroked the little boy's head. A trace of fondness appeared on his face as he said:

"Tianhong, call him Brother Wang."

The child did not yet understand why, but since his father had spoken, he called out in a clear voice:

"Brother Wang."

Wang Anfeng froze. In this life, this was the first time anyone had called him big brother. At that moment, the couple had already smiled and nodded at him before turning to leave. The little boy seemed to find it novel as well; he turned around and waved at Wang Anfeng again before following his parents away.

Wang Anfeng watched their figures disappear into the street before continuing toward Uncle Li's home. As he walked, he felt somewhat strange. It was not until he saw the white-haired old man drinking alone in the courtyard that he suppressed his distracting thoughts. He strode into the yard, cast aside his earlier resentment toward the old man, raised the jug of old wine in his hand, and called out with a smile:

"Uncle Li, I've come to see you!"

"And I brought you a jug of good wine, too..."

The old man's body trembled faintly. When he looked up and saw Wang Anfeng, he unconsciously felt a sense of relief, only to curse himself inwardly for acting that way. He suppressed the delight in his heart and put on an unconcerned expression, saying casually:

"You came back fairly quickly... Did you run into anything along the way?"

At those words, Wang Anfeng's smile slowly faded. He walked to the old man's side and sat down beside him. Faces flashed through his mind one after another. After a long silence, he merely said softly:

"Yes. I ran into many things."

The old man had just picked up the old wine Wang Anfeng had brought him. But as soon as he pulled out the stopper, the corner of his eye caught Wang Anfeng's expression. He paused slightly, then remembered the fierce tiger's roar that had shaken heaven and earth a few days ago. Great Liang Village was remote, and news did not travel well, so he had no idea what had happened. Seeing Wang Anfeng's expression now, his heart gave a thud. He licked his lips, lowered the jug he had already brought to his mouth, and said:

"You brat... Don't tell me you ran into that matter?"

Wang Anfeng stared at him and turned his head.

"What matter?"

"Of course..."

Uncle Li answered instinctively, but his voice abruptly stopped when he saw Wang Anfeng's eyes. The old man stared blankly for a moment, then tossed aside the wine jug in his hand. His right hand spread wide and shot toward Wang Anfeng's wrist. Wang Anfeng saw only a streak of lightning, and his hand was already caught in Uncle Li's grasp. Surprise first appeared on the old man's face, then transformed into shock. After confirming it several times, he finally cried out:

"How is this possible...? Your internal force is actually this pure?!"

As he spoke, he abruptly raised both hands, seized Wang Anfeng by the collar, and shouted at the top of his voice:

"Tell me! You stinking brat, whose dog droppings did you step in?!"

The word "pure" was naturally a rare one. In the martial arts of the world, whether it came from the great sects, the orthodox lineages of the Three Teachings, heterodox paths, or wandering martial artists of the jianghu, any cultivation technique that pointed directly toward the Upper Three Ranks had to advance step by step. From foundational methods to first-rate techniques, each formed a complete system and was cultivated gradually. The power and purity of one's internal force would then rise in succession.

Yet Wang Anfeng's internal force at that moment was pitifully weak in both power and depth. It was clearly only at the upper level of a foundational technique. But in terms of purity alone, it already approached that of a mid-rank Three Ranks expert of the jianghu, unmistakably reaching the level of a first-rate technique.

The treasured arts of aristocratic families and the orthodox inheritances of sects!

Wang Anfeng was slightly dazed. Then he recalled Liu Wuqiu's words from that time: "One who obtains its purity..." He slowly told the old man what had happened with Liu Wuqiu. After Uncle Li finished listening, he parted his lips slightly, his expression becoming quite complicated. He released Wang Anfeng's collar, sat back down in his chair, and remained silent for a moment before sighing:

"He actually... I met him only once. I saw only that he was greedy for wealth and lustful, yet I never expected him to possess the bearing of a true hero."

"What a pity... The world has lost another hero, and the jianghu of Wangxian has grown lonelier still."

Tilting back his neck, the old man drank a mouthful of murky wine. A rare trace of desolation appeared on his face.

Half of those of my generation have become ghosts. How many old friends from those days are still left? The young disciples have grown old in the jianghu, and the beautiful women's temples are already filled with white hair. This jianghu is still that same jianghu, but it is no longer my jianghu...

Only the old wine entering his throat remained as pungent as ever.

The old man's gaze fell upon Wang Anfeng, whose aura had become much steadier. A great deal of comfort rose in his heart.

Having received the true transmission bestowed when a Grandmaster broke through to the Upper Three Ranks and comprehended internal cultivation for himself, it was equivalent to having a first-rate expert cleanse his meridians and body for him day and night without rest.

The old man took another swallow of wine and narrowed his eyes.

The jianghu...

Heh heh, he truly looked forward to the day this brat entered the jianghu.