Sending Charcoal in the Snow

Chen Yue saw that Zhou Jingfeng's attitude didn't seem feigned and knew this was the best way to resolve the immediate crisis. He spoke bluntly: "To be honest, Master Zhou, this humble one comes from Pearl Village and is ordinarily under the jurisdiction of the Sea Shark Gang.

Just now in the arena, there was a Sea Shark Gang member named Zhou Qi. Because his elder brother died unexpectedly in Pearl Village a few days ago, he suspected me and made threatening remarks, even mentioning my parents at home. This humble one fears he might take his anger out on them, so I'm burning with anxiety."

"The Sea Shark Gang?"

Zhou Jingfeng finished listening, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes, which then turned into a composed smile. "Though the Sea Shark Gang is powerful, in this Hepu County town, they still have to follow some rules. This matter isn't hard. I'll send someone to the Sea Shark Gang to pass word and clear things up.

A low-ranking gang member's baseless speculation has no evidence."

He paused, looked at Chen Yue, and continued: "Your parents are still in Pearl Village? Like this, I'll immediately send someone, in the name of my Iron Mountain Hall, to first bring them to the county town and find a safe, secure place to settle them. For one, it ensures their safety, and for another, it makes it easier for you to care for them. What do you think?"

Yu Kan and Ma Jun exchanged a glance on the side—their master's attitude wasn't just helping; it was treating him like a nephew or junior!

When Chen Yue heard that Zhou Jingfeng was not only willing to mediate the dispute with the Sea Shark Gang but also proactively offered to settle his parents, the heavy stone that had been pressing on his heart for so long finally loosened by more than half.

Chen Yue quickly said: "Thank you, Master Zhou! I was also worried about my parents' safety. Before the County Examination, I entrusted a familiar broker to use the pretext of a county office summons to bring my parents to the county town for a few days of shelter.

But I don't know if the broker has already fetched them. I'm anxious to go confirm."

"Oh? You've already made arrangements? Your mind is quite meticulous."

Zhou Jingfeng's eyes showed even more admiration at these words.

He didn't delay any longer and directly instructed Yu Kan: "Yu Kan, go to the Sea Shark Gang now and say that I, Zhou Jingfeng, have declared that Chen Yue of Pearl Village is a junior valued by my Iron Mountain Hall. The matter with the Sea Shark Gang member is a pure misunderstanding.

If they have any procedures to discuss, let them come to Iron Mountain Hall and talk it over with me."

"Yes, Master! Disciple understands!" Yu Kan's expression turned solemn. He immediately bowed to accept the order, turned, and strode briskly out of the county office.

Zhou Jingfeng then said gently to Chen Yue: "Since that's the case, go quickly to find your parents first, confirm they're safe, and spare them worry. As for other matters, don't dwell on them. Once you're settled, you can come find me at Iron Mountain Hall anytime. We'll have a proper talk then."

"Master Zhou's great kindness—Chen Yue will never forget it!" Chen Yue stepped back and bowed deeply once more, this time from the bottom of his heart with sincere gratitude.

Zhou Jingfeng's actions were like charcoal in the snow, not only resolving his imminent crisis but also providing shelter for his parents. This debt of gratitude, he would remember.

After giving his thanks, Chen Yue didn't hesitate. He turned and walked quickly out of the training grounds, his figure soon disappearing into the crowd that had yet to fully disperse. He had to find the broker immediately and confirm whether his parents had arrived safely.

Watching Chen Yue's hurried retreating figure, Zhou Jingfeng's smile finally bloomed fully—a barely restrained joy of having found a treasure.

Only after Chen Yue's figure had completely vanished did Zhou Jingfeng's undisguised delight gradually fade, restoring the composure of a hall master.

He pondered briefly, then turned his head and instructed Ma Jun, who stood nearby: "Ma Jun, make a trip. Carefully investigate Chen Yue's background. Where in Pearl Village his home is, who his parents are, how he usually conducts himself, and what exactly his entanglements with the Sea Shark Gang are... Make sure to check thoroughly, without missing a single detail."

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

Having followed Zhou Jingfeng for many years, he knew his master's temperament well. Such a serious investigation into a young man's background was far from just mediating a dispute with the Sea Shark Gang.

His master clearly had a genuine intention to take on a disciple! Not the kind of ordinary student who paid to learn at a martial hall and could come and go as they pleased, but a true core disciple to be brought into the fold, to inherit his teachings—someone whose roots needed to be fully known!

Realizing this, Ma Jun's attitude toward Chen Yue unconsciously became several degrees more serious.

Chen Yue left the county office, moving like the wind, practically using the Roaming Mountains and Rivers movement technique to weave through the crowd, reaching Donkey Market Alley as fast as possible.

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

Seeing Chen Yue arrive in a hurry, the broker put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and smiled: "Young Master Chen, done with the exam? How did it go?" He hadn't really held out much hope, just treating it as a completed job.

"Barely passed," Chen Yue said succinctly.

"Passed?" The smile on the broker's face froze instantly. His eyes went wide 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's County Exam and earned the qualification of a martial child student? In all his years as a broker, this was the first time he'd heard of such a thing!

After the shock, the broker's face quickly broke into a smile far more sincere than before. He slapped his chest and vowed: "Ah! Congratulations, congratulations! Young Master Chen, you're a true hidden talent! Incredible! Don't worry—in this line of work, I value trust above all!

You don't even have to wait three days for the results to be posted. I'll return those three taels of silver right now! If you ever need any errands run or information gathered in the city, just come to me—prices will be negotiable!"

With that, the broker took out three taels of silver and handed them to Chen Yue.

"Thanks!"

Chen Yue took the silver and cut straight to the point: "My parents? Have they been brought here? Where are they settled?"

"Brought, brought! They were fetched before noon and settled comfortably! Follow me!"

The broker nodded repeatedly, wasting no time. He immediately led Chen Yue through the streets and alleys until they reached a relatively quiet lane in the west of the city, stopping in front of a small, somewhat aged courtyard.

He pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and pushed it open.

The yard wasn't large, but it was fairly clean. Inside, Father Chen and Mother Chen were sitting uneasily on small stools inside the main room's threshold. Hearing the door open, they both shot to their feet.

When they saw Chen Yue following the broker inside, Mother Chen's tears streamed down instantly. Father Chen's eyes also reddened, his lips trembling as if he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.

"A-Yue! You're back! Are you hurt? Your mother's heart... has been in my throat!" Mother Chen rushed over, grabbing Chen Yue's arms and feeling him up and down, as if to confirm her son was unharmed.

Father Chen also stepped forward and heavily patted his son on the shoulder, a thousand words condensed into one: "It's good you're back, it's good you're back!"

They didn't understand the rules of the Martial Examination; they only knew it involved real blades and real fighting. The hour or more of waiting had felt endless to them, terrified that at any moment they'd hear news of their son being gravely injured or killed.

Chen Yue felt warmth in his heart. He held his mother's cold, trembling hand and looked into his father's concerned eyes, saying in a steady voice: "Dad, Mom, I'm fine. The County Examination... I passed."