Snowbound Aid

Chen Yue saw that Master Zhou Jingfeng seemed sincere, and he knew this was the best way to resolve the crisis at hand. He spoke plainly. "To be honest, Master Zhou, I'm from Pearl Village, and the Sea Shark Gang usually has authority over us.

"Earlier, at the grounds, there was a Sea Shark Gang member named Zhou Qi. His older brother died unexpectedly in Pearl Village a few days ago, so he became suspicious of me. He spoke with a threatening edge and even brought up my parents. I'm worried he'll take his anger out on them, so I'm frantic with worry."

"The Sea Shark Gang?"

After hearing him out, a look of understanding flickered in Zhou Jingfeng's eyes before giving way to a relaxed smile. "The Sea Shark Gang may be powerful, but here in Hepu County, they still have to abide by certain rules. This won't be difficult. I'll send someone to speak with them and clear things up.

"A low-ranking gang member's suspicion is baseless, after all."

He paused and looked at Chen Yue before continuing, "Your parents are still in Pearl Village? In that case, I'll send someone right away, in the name of Iron Mountain Hall, to bring them here to the county seat and find them a safe, suitable place to stay. That way, they'll be protected, and you'll be able to look after them more easily. What do you think?"

Yu Kan and Ma Jun exchanged a glance. Their master wasn't merely helping—he was treating Chen Yue like one of his own family!

Hearing that Zhou Jingfeng was not only willing to step in and mediate the dispute with the Sea Shark Gang but had also offered to shelter his parents, Chen Yue felt the huge stone weighing on his heart finally shift, easing most of the pressure.

Chen Yue hurriedly said, "Thank you, Master Zhou! I'm worried about my parents' safety too. Before the County Examination, I asked a broker I know to bring them to the county seat for a few days under the pretext of a county office requisition.

"I just don't know whether the broker has gotten them out yet. I'm anxious to check."

"Oh? You've already made arrangements? You're certainly thorough."

Zhou Jingfeng's eyes held even more approval.

Without further delay, he gave Yu Kan a direct order. "Yu Kan, go to the Sea Shark Gang now. Tell them this is my decision: Chen Yue of Pearl Village is a young man Iron Mountain Hall values, and the matter with their member was purely a misunderstanding.

"If they have any objections, they can come to Iron Mountain Hall and discuss them with me."

"Yes, Master! I understand!" Yu Kan's expression turned solemn. He bowed to accept the order, then strode toward the county office exit.

Zhou Jingfeng turned to Chen Yue and spoke warmly. "In that case, go find your parents and make sure they're safe, so they won't have to worry. Don't concern yourself with anything else. Once you've settled in, come to Iron Mountain Hall whenever you like. We can talk properly then."

"Master Zhou, I'll never forget your kindness!" Chen Yue stepped back and bowed deeply again. This time, his gratitude came straight from the heart.

Zhou Jingfeng's gesture was like sending charcoal in a snowstorm. He had not only resolved the crisis pressing on Chen Yue but also offered his parents protection. Chen Yue would remember this kindness.

After thanking him, Chen Yue wasted no more time. He turned and hurried out of the grounds, his figure soon disappearing into the crowd that had yet to disperse. He had to find the broker at once and confirm that his parents had arrived safely.

Watching Chen Yue hurry away, Zhou Jingfeng's smile finally spread wide across his face, brimming with the barely contained delight of someone who had stumbled upon a priceless treasure.

Only after Chen Yue had vanished completely did Zhou Jingfeng's undisguised delight gradually fade, leaving him once again with the composure of a hall master.

After a brief moment of thought, he turned to Ma Jun, who stood at his side. "Ma Jun, make a trip and investigate Chen Yue's background carefully. Find out where in Pearl Village his family lives, who his parents are, what sort of person he is, and exactly what entanglements he has with the Sea Shark Gang... Make sure you learn everything. Don't leave out a single detail."

Ma Jun's heart tightened. He immediately cupped his hands and replied solemnly, "Yes, Master! I understand!"

He had followed Zhou Jingfeng for many years and knew his master's temperament well. Taking such pains to investigate a young man's background was certainly about more than smoothing over a dispute with the Sea Shark Gang.

His master had plainly begun to seriously consider taking Chen Yue as a disciple! Not an ordinary student who paid to learn at the martial hall and could come and go as he pleased, but a true disciple accepted into the lineage, entrusted with its teachings—someone whose roots had to be thoroughly known!

Understanding this, Ma Jun's regard for Chen Yue quietly grew more serious.

Chen Yue left the county office, his feet flying. He practically used the Roaming Mountains and Rivers movement technique as he wove through the crowd, reaching Donkey Market Alley as quickly as he could.

When he found the broker, the man was squatting by the doorway, drinking thin porridge with pickled vegetables.

Seeing Chen Yue hurry over, the broker set down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and smiled. "Young Master Chen, finished with the exam? How did you do?" He hadn't really expected much; he'd thought of it as just another job.

"I was fortunate enough to pass," Chen Yue replied briefly.

"You passed?" The broker's smile froze. His eyes widened as he looked Chen Yue up and down again, as if seeing him for the first time.

A Pearl Diver had actually fought his way through the Martial Examination County Examination and earned the qualification of a martial licentiate? In all his years as a broker, he'd never heard of such a thing!

After his shock, the broker quickly plastered on a much more sincere smile and thumped his chest in assurance. "Well, congratulations! Young Master Chen, you really do hide your light under a bushel! Incredible! Don't worry. In our line of work, a deal is a deal!

"There's no need to wait until the results are posted three days from now. I'll return those three taels of silver in full right now! If you need someone to run errands or gather information in the city later, just come to me. We can work out a fair price!"

As he spoke, the broker took out three taels of silver and handed them to Chen Yue.

"Thank you!"

Chen Yue accepted the silver and got straight to the point. "Where are my parents? Have you brought them here? Where are they staying?"

"They're here, they're here! I brought them over before noon and settled them in properly. Come with me!"

The broker nodded repeatedly. Without delay, he led Chen Yue through the streets and lanes to a relatively quiet alley in the western part of the city, stopping in front of a small courtyard that looked somewhat old.

He took out a key, unlocked the gate, and pushed it open.

The courtyard was small, but fairly clean. Chen's father and Mother Chen were sitting uneasily on little stools just inside the main room's threshold. At the sound of the gate opening, they both sprang to their feet.

When Mother Chen saw Chen Yue following the broker inside, tears streamed down her face. Chen's father's eyes reddened too. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but no sound came out.

"Ah Yue! You're back! You're not hurt, are you? My heart... I've been on tenterhooks the whole time!" Mother Chen rushed over and grabbed Chen Yue's arm, feeling it all over as though she had to make sure her son was unharmed.

Chen's father stepped up too and gave his son's shoulder a heavy pat. A thousand words became one: "You're back. That's all that matters!"

They didn't understand the rules of the martial examinations. They only knew that it meant fighting for one's life with real weapons. The hour or so they'd spent waiting had felt unbearably long. They feared that any moment, they would hear the terrible news that their son had been gravely injured or killed.

Warmth filled Chen Yue's heart. He clasped his mother's cold, trembling hand and met his father's concerned gaze. "Father, Mother, I'm fine. I passed the County Examination..."