In Jiangnan City, fresh air washed over him.
Luo Feng went to the hotel's front desk and checked out.
He walked out of the hotel and stood beside the slightly worn street.
For the first time, Luo Feng was in a good enough mood to take a close look at Jiangnan Base City, where he had lived for so many years.
Morning sunlight filtered down from the sky over the city, casting a somewhat pale light.
Traffic streamed along the streets, and pedestrians hurried past.
In the distance, high-rises stood in rows, and enormous advertising screens flickered with light and shadow.
"Phew."
Luo Feng let out a long breath, as though he meant to expel all the gloom of the past three months.
An indescribable sense of ease filled his body, accompanied by the power rushing through him.
He raised a hand and hailed a taxi.
"Driver, Mingyue Residential Area, please."
The taxi drove smoothly along the Base City's main road.
Luo Feng sat in the back seat, resting with his eyes closed.
His absorption efficiency was fifteen times greater.
Even without deliberately cultivating, he could feel wisps of Cosmic Energy automatically nourishing his body.
The feeling of growing stronger every moment was utterly captivating.
The taxi neared Mingyue Residential Area, and familiar streets swept past.
Soon, Luo Feng arrived at the entrance to the residential area.
He paid the fare, got out, and strode inside with his back straight.
On his way home, Luo Feng felt a lightness and anticipation he had not known in nearly three months.
But just as he rounded a bend and was about to catch sight of his family's familiar villa,
A familiar figure appeared a short distance ahead.
The man was of medium build and wore ordinary casual clothes.
The sleeve of his right arm hung empty, swaying gently in the breeze.
It was Zhang Ke, his former teammate in the Fire Hammer Squad!
Zhang Ke had evidently spotted Luo Feng too. He halted, a complicated expression on his face.
There was surprise, regret, and a trace of helplessness that was difficult to detect.
The news that Luo Feng had fallen from a martial artist to a cripple.
Though the Dojo of Limits had not publicized it widely, out of concern for Luo Feng and his family's protection,
It was already no secret among the martial artists of Jiangnan Base City, especially those who had once known Luo Feng.
After all, a martial artist who had displayed astonishing talent at eighteen and caught the eye of the Dojo of Limits
Had suddenly vanished from sight, his strength plummeting.
Something so sensational simply could not be kept quiet.
"Luo Feng?"
Zhang Ke spoke first, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Brother Zhang."
Luo Feng stopped and greeted him first, a sincere smile on his face.
For this teammate who had once fought shoulder to shoulder with him and later retired because of an injury,
He had always felt respect and gratitude.
Zhang Ke looked at Luo Feng, his gaze lingering on his face for several seconds.
He seemed to be searching for signs of dejection or despair.
But what he saw instead was a pair of bright, spirited eyes.
And a steady confidence that radiated from within.
This surprised him somewhat, but his surprise soon turned into an even deeper sigh.
In his view, perhaps Luo Feng was putting on a brave face.
"Sigh..."
Zhang Ke let out a long sigh, walked up, and patted Luo Feng's shoulder with his only remaining hand, the left one.
The pat was gentle, but full of feeling.
"It's good that you're back, good that you're back. Your family... are they all right?"
"They're all doing well. Sorry to have worried you, Brother Zhang."
Luo Feng could feel the concern in Zhang Ke's words, and his heart warmed.
Zhang Ke nodded, hesitated, then reached into the shoulder bag he carried with his one hand.
After feeling around for a moment, he took out a black bank card and held it out.
"Luo Feng, here. Take this."
Luo Feng froze, looking at the card held out to him in some surprise.
"Brother Zhang, what are you..."
"Don't refuse. Hear me out."
Zhang Ke cut him off, his tone serious.
"Although... although things are the way they are for you now... sigh."
"But no matter what, you were a brother to us in the Fire Hammer Squad."
"We risked our lives and shed blood together in the Wilderness Zone."
"Those of us who heard what happened to you all felt terrible."
He paused, then continued:
"There's a little something we pooled together on this card. It's not much, three million."
"Together with the money from the monster materials you were allotted before, even if you have to move out,"
"You can still buy a decent house in the Base City and open a little shop."
"It should be enough to run a small business. You'll always be able to get by."
Zhang Ke's words were simple, but every one of them rang with sincerity.
Three million was a fortune to an ordinary family.
Luo Feng looked at the bank card, then at Zhang Ke's sincere gaze, tinged with pity.
His nose suddenly prickled.
Over the past three months, he had experienced his share of the fickleness of the world.
He had silently endured the distance of some former friends and the cold looks of others.
But now, this gift of charcoal in the snow from his former teammates sent a powerful current of warmth surging through his heart.
Even so, he did not reach out to take it.
Luo Feng raised his head, his smile growing brighter.
It even carried a heartfelt confidence that Zhang Ke could not understand.
He shook his head, his voice clear and firm.
"Brother Zhang, I, Luo Feng, appreciate your kindness, and the captain's and Brother Wei's too. I'll never forget it as long as I live."
He pointed at his chest, his eyes blazing.
"But I can't take this money. Because my strength has already recovered."
"I'm a martial artist again."
"What?"
Zhang Ke's eyes flew wide, his face full of disbelief.
"Recovered? Luo Feng, are you serious? This is no time for jokes!"
He looked Luo Feng up and down, trying to find signs that he was putting on a brave face or comforting him.
But Luo Feng stood straight, his breathing steady and his gaze firm.
"It's absolutely true."
Luo Feng nodded emphatically.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Zhang Ke said "good" three times in a row.
The pity and worry on his face were instantly replaced by immense joy, and his eyes even reddened a little.
"It's good that you've recovered! Luo Feng! I knew it! You're not the sort to go down so easily!"
Seeing Zhang Ke's heartfelt joy, Luo Feng felt a warm glow in his heart too.
He smiled and said:
"Sorry for making you and the captain worry, Brother Zhang. Once I've settled things at home,"
"I'll treat everyone to a meal another day and thank you all properly."
"A meal! We have to have a meal! You're not getting out of those drinks!"
Zhang Ke laughed heartily, the great weight on his heart finally lifted.
He tucked the bank card back into his bag.
The two waved goodbye. Zhang Ke turned and left.
His steps were much lighter, and he even seemed to be humming a little tune.
Luo Feng watched Zhang Ke's retreating figure, then hurried toward home.
Soon, the familiar villa with its small courtyard appeared before him.
Everything seemed just as it had been three months ago.
He took a deep breath and pushed open the courtyard gate, which stood slightly ajar.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back."
His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly into the house.