Arrow Breaking Through the Air

Xie An remained composed, crouching down to examine He Chunli's injuries.

The blows had been severe, leaving the skin torn and flesh exposed, with some areas a bloody mess.

"These wounds are quite serious. Hot water alone won't reduce the swelling; your backside might be ruined." Xie An took out some small silver pieces and handed them to Han Li. "Hurry to the Chen Martial Arts School and buy some wound healing medicine and bandages from Chen He. It would be best to invite Chen He over as well."

It was New Year's Eve, and the pharmacies had already closed.

However, if Chen He knew he needed them urgently, he would surely agree.

Han Li took the money and rushed out. Not long after, he returned with bandages and wound healing medicine, with Chen He following behind him.

"Old Chen, I'm truly sorry to trouble you to come out on New Year's Eve instead of staying home to celebrate," Xie An hurried to greet him. He wasn't actually surprised by Chen He's arrival.

Ever since Xie An saved Chen He's life from bandits last time, Chen He's attitude towards Xie An had changed drastically.

Besides gratitude, there was a greater sense of awe.

Before, Chen He had acted like the elder brother in charge when he was around Xie An. Since then, the elder brother had become the younger one…

"I have no children, so who am I celebrating with? Let me take a look at your precious disciple." Chen He waved his hand, took out his portable medicine box, and produced wound healing medicine and bandages to treat He Chunli's wounds.

Having helped manage the pharmacy at the Chen Martial Arts School for many years, Chen He was naturally skilled at treating wounds. He finished bandaging in just a few moves.

"Fortunately, no tendons or bones were injured. With a little care for a month or so, you'll be fully recovered. Remember to change the dressing frequently during this period…"

He Chunli's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude. "Thank you, Shopkeeper Chen."

"No need for pleasantries, Brother Xie. We're family." Chen He left ample bandages and wound healing medicine, explained the details of changing the dressing and various precautions, and then left in a hurry.

Xie An didn't put on any airs. He politely saw Chen He out as usual and only returned to the pawnshop after watching him leave.

Perhaps due to the effectiveness of the wound healing medicine, He Chunli was already able to stand with the support of chairs and tables. Seeing Xie An, he knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you, Master, for saving my life! From now on, this humble He's life belongs to Master. I will repay you by working like an ox or horse."

Han Li was moved and also knelt down.

In this world, it was perfectly normal for a disciple to kneel before their master.

Moreover, He Chunli, being a slave, knew how humble his life was. If his master hadn't found Chen He to treat and bandage him today, his backside would likely have been ruined. If he were to become disabled afterward, he would lose his usefulness to his master and inevitably be abandoned or sold.

He Chunli dared not even imagine such an outcome.

A lowly slave in troubled times, it was a great fortune to encounter a good master.

"Your backside isn't healed yet, so don't worry about these formalities. Get up quickly." Xie An helped He Chunli up, feeling a subtle stir in his heart.

He himself had endured similar hardships in the past, so he could deeply understand He Chunli's feelings.

"You two don't need to go back to the communal dormitory tonight. Come to the backyard with me to celebrate the New Year."

The two disciples were overjoyed to hear this.

He Chunli had lost his parents long ago and had grown up with Xie An. Celebrating the New Year with his master every year made him feel like he had a home, and it was the happiest time of the year.

Han Li also had a difficult fate. He had been sold by his family since he was young. However, Han Li was kind-hearted and would save some money to support his seriously ill father. He had taken leave earlier for this reason.

Upon entering the backyard, Han Li efficiently closed the doors and windows and lit the stove. Xie An, meanwhile, brought out the dried fruits and snacks he had prepared earlier and opened a jar of aged wine he had been saving. The three of them gathered around the stove, eating snacks and drinking wine, chatting by the fire to usher in the New Year safely.

Since He Chunli's backside was injured and he couldn't sit, he had to lie on a long bench. The position was uncomfortable, but he enjoyed being occasionally fed by Han Li, receiving special treatment and laughing heartily.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xie An asked at the opportune moment, "Little He, you'll be eighteen after the New Year. Do you have any wishes?"

He Chunli took a bite of a peanut and said naturally, "I just want to serve by Master's side with peace of mind."

Xie An knew He Chunli was always honest and didn't ask further. He turned to Han Li. "What about you?"

Han Li replied, "I want to save money, get my freedom in the future, marry a wife, and have a child. If I'm lucky, I'll buy a house with one entrance and become a small master."

He Chunli retorted, "You? Still want to be a master?"

"Why? Don't you want to?"

He Chunli's expression turned somber. "I do, but I know it's impossible."

Xie An observed the thoughts of his two disciples but didn't expose them.

Han Li was two years older than He Chunli, with a more active mind, daring to think and act. He Chunli, on the other hand, was more grounded, with a resolute nature and not aiming too high.

Despite their difficult lives, both held dreams.

But how easy was it to achieve them?

If he hadn't come with his cheat system, he probably would have ended up like his two disciples.

At this moment, He Chunli asked Xie An, "Master, what are your wishes?"

Xie An smiled with relief. "As for me, I just hope you two little rascals graduate soon and become successful. That would be enough for me in this life."

Hearing their master's words, the eyes of the two disciples became red with emotion. Han Li, in particular, felt that his master was thinking of him, while he was thinking of marrying a wife, and felt a pang of guilt…

In the latter half of the night, the two disciples could no longer stay awake and had fallen asleep on their beds.

Xie An, having practiced the Long Cultivation Health Technique, had more energy than the young men. He covered his two disciples with quilts, then observed them for a while, a smile of contentment appearing on his lips.

Xie An had no family in this era. Instead, he had relied on these two disciples for over ten years. Although they were not related by blood, after spending so much time together, bonds and affections had formed in his heart. He genuinely wished for his two disciples to live well, in peace and happiness.

After a moment of contemplation, Xie An turned, picked up a dagger, slung on his heavy bow, and put on his quiver before heading out.

Wuqiao Town had quite a few eateries, but only one restaurant could be considered upscale.

Feiyun Restaurant.

The ingredients inside were very precious; a meal there cost at least five to six qian of silver, and a slightly better meal would cost one to two taels of silver. It was by no means affordable for ordinary people.

Even on New Year's Eve, the restaurant was decorated with lanterns and streamers, open for business.

In the latter half of the night, a tipsy Li Shaoyun and Zhang Biao walked out of the restaurant's main entrance, arm in arm, looking like they hadn't had their fill.

"Young Master Li, thank you for facilitating things today. It allowed me to have He Chunli go to the pawnshop to apprehend and interrogate the person."

"They're just a few lowly servants; their life or death doesn't matter. Brother Zhang doesn't need to worry about it."

"Haha, Young Master Li is generous. By the way, Officer Zhu is in your hands now."

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang. Officer Zhu is my esteemed mentor at the Martial Arts Hall. It just so happens that there's a vacant constable position. With your strength and experience, Brother Zhang, securing the county yamen's constable position shouldn't be a problem. However, my nominal executive position..."

"No problem. I naturally can't help you get a substantive executive position, but a nominal one is not an issue. I've already handled the connections. On the eighth day of the new year, you can directly go to the Blood Ridge Black Market to assume your post."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang." Li Shaoyun cupped his fists in thanks. Outsiders only knew of Li Shaoyun's superficial glory, but only Li Shaoyun himself knew that the successful passing of the martial arts scholar examination this time was achieved by the Li Manor emptying out more than half of its savings to offer a heavy gift.

To pass the provincial examination in three years, his current strength was far from enough. If he could become a nominal executive at the Tiger Wolf Gate, he would gain access to better martial arts training resources.

Only then would it be possible for him to pass the examination.

Just as the two parted ways at the entrance, a masked figure emerged from the dark corner.

It was Xie An.

"My disciple He Chunli was subjected to severe torture and almost forced into a false confession... It really was you, Zhang Biao, who orchestrated this!"

"Li Shaoyun... You were involved in this too! Just you wait."

After weighing his options, Xie An quietly followed Zhang Biao.

Zhang Biao was riding a green-maned horse towards Black Blood Ridge outside the town. In a good mood, the tipsy Zhang Biao hummed a tune along the way.

"Hmph, Zhang Lin, you old geezer, did you really think I considered you a rival? And you, Wei Dian, you're no good either, always suppressing me. Do you really think I care about being a mere executive? Next year, I'll transform into a yamen constable. I'll lead men to extort the Blood Ridge Black Market. By then, Wei Dian, when you see me, won't you have to bow your head obediently and pay up?"

"It's my nephew who died unjustly. He was most likely killed by people from your Blood Ridge Black Market. Once I become a constable, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."

Zhang Biao muttered to himself with a ferocious expression as he rode his horse past a forest path.

Just then, Zhang Biao heard a sharp whistling sound from behind...

It was the hum of an arrow piercing the air!