Releasing Flower Lanterns

"Mastering fate."

It is a simple term, easy to understand, yet upon closer inspection, it feels unfathomably profound.

To master one's own fate, to not be swayed or influenced by others, and to live life exactly as one desires.

But who does not wish to master their fate? Who does not wish to live the life they desire?

Yet, among the countless people in this world, how many can truly achieve it?

This world is vast—so vast that one could not traverse even a millionth of it in a lifetime. Yet, this world is also small—so small that many never leave the city of their birth throughout their entire lives.

From that day on, Chen Han practiced even more desperately, and his proficiency in the Taiji Health Cultivation Technique began to skyrocket.

He rose every day when the sun began to pale, heading to the quiet, deserted pond. The mist on the water was bone-chilling, but this did not dampen his fighting spirit; instead, it cleared his mind.

When the time was right, he would head to the Li Mansion to guide Li Mubai in his fist techniques. Whenever Li Mubai had nothing to occupy him, Chen Han would gnaw on a piece of dried meat while continuing his own training.

At night, he would train until the Hour of the Rat before finally sleeping.

He discovered that his body showed no signs of fatigue under such conditions; instead, he felt a sense of exhilaration, as if he were high on stimulants.

Squire Li was very generous. Knowing that martial arts training required sufficient blood and qi through dietary supplements and medicinal soups, he used his connections to procure two portions daily.

One was for Li Mubai, and the other served as a perk for Chen Han's instruction.

Chen Han naturally accepted them without refusal, continuing to teach with all his might.

"Teacher, my punching power has finally reached two hundred jin!"

On this day, Li Mubai said excitedly.

The punching power of an average adult male is about one hundred and thirty jin. Li Mubai was originally a scholar, so his strength was naturally far below that standard.

But in just under half a year, he had been reborn. His strength had far exceeded that standard, laying a solid foundation for his future path in martial arts.

With his Mountain Breaking Fist now at the introductory level, several grown men could do nothing against him. Now, he only needed to nourish his blood and qi until they overflowed to attempt the breakthrough and become a Mingjin martial artist.

"Good, very good."

Chen Han praised his hard work repeatedly.

"Next, we only need to nourish your blood and qi to prepare for the breakthrough to Mingjin."

"Yes, Teacher!"

Li Mubai had completely shed the appearance of a frail scholar; his forehead was broad, and he was full of spirit.

Li Mubai looked at this teacher, who was only a few years older than himself, and suddenly recalled his dazzling record of becoming an Anjin martial artist before the age of twenty.

Before, he hadn't practiced martial arts and didn't think much of it, but now that he had entered the path, he realized just how vast the gap between him and his teacher truly was.

He felt as if he were looking at a towering mountain. At the summit stood his teacher's figure, and it seemed he would never be able to stand on equal footing, let alone surpass him.

Li Mubai asked, "Teacher, can you really never practice martial arts again?"

Chen Han glanced back at him, meeting that gaze filled with a longing for a different answer. His thoughts were in turmoil, and he remained silent.

"Teacher, is it useless even if we spend a lot of silver? You were so gifted before, far stronger than me."

Li Mubai appeared very dejected.

"Do not deny yourself so easily."

Chen Han patted his shoulder. "Keep persisting."

Those few short words left Li Mubai stunned, followed immediately by a surge of confidence.

"I understand, Teacher."

Just then, two figures walked into the courtyard: Li Mubai's closest kin, Li Muyun and Squire Li.

"Not bad, not bad. After practicing martial arts, your entire essence, qi, and spirit are different."

Squire Li said, landing a punch on his son's chest with a smile. "This build is sturdy enough!"

"Father, I will be able to attempt my first breakthrough in a few days."

Hearing this, Squire Li was stunned into silence, and Li Muyun covered her mouth, her lips forming an 'O' shape.

"Good! Excellent! I knew my son, Li Tianming, was cut out for martial arts!"

The speed of Li Mubai's progress shocked the father and daughter deeply. Once he recovered, Squire Li laughed heartily.

He had never expected that the scholar who once only knew how to play with ink and brush would, in less than half a year, reach such a level in martial arts, on the verge of becoming a martial artist respected by all.

This was arguably the best news he had ever heard in his life.

"Young Master Li has excellent natural talent and works hard every day. With the strong support of Uncle Li, this is a natural outcome, as expected by all."

Chen Han tactfully offered praise, which made Squire Li even more delighted, and he immediately announced a banquet that night to celebrate.

At night, after three rounds of wine and five courses of food, Squire Li thanked Chen Han privately for his guidance and promised that he could come to him if he ever needed anything in the future.

Afterward, as Chen Han walked out of the main gate, a graceful, slender figure chased after him.

"Benefactor, wait a moment."

Chen Han stopped and looked back to see the pure and flawless eldest daughter, Li Muyun.

"Eldest Miss, is there anything else?"

"Benefactor, you have helped my family so much; I truly do not know how to thank you."

Chen Han smiled with his usual calm, "It was a mere trifle, something I ought to have done."

Li Muyun looked at Chen Han earnestly, "Regardless, you have shown my Li family immense kindness, and I will remember it. By the way, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival; please take this back for your wife to taste."

As she spoke, as if recalling something, she handed over a bag of mooncakes she had prepared beforehand, looking at Chen Han with a beaming smile.

This scene was watched by the guards in the distance with sour envy, wishing they could kick this pretty boy aside and take his place.

"Then I thank you, Eldest Miss."

Chen Han accepted it generously, and after the two chatted about this and that for a while, they went their separate ways.

Li Muyun watched him go, and as Chen Han's back disappeared into the darkness, a strange, inexplicable emotion began to spread within her heart.

On the other side, Chen Han opened the bag and glanced inside. Sure enough, there was not only a bag of mooncakes but also silver; a quick glance revealed at least fifty taels.

"No wonder it was so heavy."

Chen Han immediately headed to the Black Market again, going all-in on beast meat with the silver.

A few days later, good news arrived from the front lines: the Red Spider army had suffered repeated defeats and had already retreated hundreds of miles away.

The situation once again reached a stalemate of evenly matched forces.

Although it was not a total victory, it still brought no small amount of hope to everyone in the city.

That night, many people spontaneously organized a lantern-releasing event. This was a local custom used to encourage others, usually performed before family members sat for imperial examinations, but at this moment, the target had changed.

The night was like ink, yet the city was ablaze with light.

Lanterns drifted slowly across the surface of the lake, carrying people's hopes for survival and their longing for loved ones on the front lines.

Words were written on the lanterns, and without exception, they all read "Peace."

Chen Han, bringing along his family who had been stifled for too long, was naturally among them.

Shen Yue was very happy; a faint smile remained on her face, and she had even applied rouge and powder, dressing up specifically for the occasion.

With bright eyes and white teeth, she radiated the aura of a youthful maiden.

They also released a lantern, and it went without saying who they were thinking of—naturally, it was Shen Wuren, who had joined the army ever since the Red Spider appeared.

"Ugh!"

Just then, a sound so faint it was almost imperceptible drifted over. An ordinary person would surely have found it difficult to detect, but Chen Han, having cultivated the Taiji Health Cultivation Technique, possessed keen senses and caught it easily.

The familiar voice made him suddenly feel a sense of foreboding, his heart pounding wildly as he whipped his head around!