Why do I have so many masters?

Jianghu is vast, and there is nowhere that is not a part of Jianghu.

Those who tread upon the paths of Jianghu and still have their heads securely on their shoulders for sure possess exceptional abilities.

Either their martial skills are extraordinary, untroubled by any scheming trickery, muddy crises, with iron fists smashing through the walls obstructing their path, forcefully defeating all rivals in this world, or they must have bright eyes, standing firm upon the ground, discerning who can be provoked and who cannot.

Secondly, they must have the ability to keep their composure in turbulent situations and know when to back down.

The former will ensure one's safety, while the latter is sufficient to establish one's life's path.

The right hand holding the horsetail whisk of Master Xuanji quivered slightly as he silently recited the golden words passed down from his ancestors and surreptitiously swallowed his saliva.

To the north of Wangxian County lie mountain ranges stretching hundreds of miles, isolating Wangxian County from Tianyang County to the north. For some reason, the black bears in these mountains are three times larger and stronger than the bears in other county cities, especially the ones nearing winter. One slap from their bear paw could even smash the spine of a sturdy bull to pieces.

Yet before him, a youth had just choked a black bear into unconsciousness…

Oh my dear mother!

Master Xuanji cracked a smile, while Zhao Xiujie, who he had been freeloading off for several months, watched him with a smile. Yet upon that generous face, he could discern a trace of coldness. His mind raced, realizing he had been lured by potential gains into Zhao Xiujie's scheme and now faced three options.

If he challenged the youth to a fight, he would undoubtedly be swiftly defeated, losing all face, making it impossible to stay in the Zhao residence any longer. If he refused, Zhao Xiujie wouldn't lash out at the moment, but having lost face in front of the young master, he would surely face a reckoning later…

To fight or not to fight.

The old Taoist steeled himself, gritted his teeth, and said, "Young hero, I have witnessed your skill in fists and feet and your movement technique. As we are now acquainted and having seen this exceptional skill, I am already fully content and have no desire to compete."

"Besides, having such a heroic youth to accompany the young master, I can leave at ease today."

Wang Anfeng was taken aback, while Zhao Xiujie's eyes widened in disbelief, exclaiming,

"Master, you want to leave?!"

"Why? Have I not shown you enough respect in this period?"

The Taoist's face twitched as he glanced at Zhao Xiujie, who was smiling yet not smiling, and assumed a saintly composure to calmly reply,

"Foolish child, I am but a carefree wanderer. I have stayed in your abode for several months, and our fates have fulfilled their course—it is time for me to depart."

"But..."

Zhao Xiujie wanted to say more but was silenced by his father's raised hand, as the man in brocade caressed his hair, saying,

"Xiujie, the Taoist is pursuing his cultivation path. Would you really hinder your master's spiritual progress?"

The boy staggered, opened his mouth, but no words came out. Zhao Xiujie's father looked up at the Taoist with a smile that was not quite a smile and said,

"Since the Taoist has resolved to leave, I will not insist on his stay."

"Ah Zheng, prepare a hundred taels of silver for Master Xuanji to cover his travel expenses; after all, Jianghu is vast and we may never meet again in this lifetime."

The brawny servant bowed and complied. Master Xuanji's spirit was momentarily dazzled by the silver, but the words 'may never meet again' sent a chill up his spine. He looked at the five 'masters', who at first were taken aback by his departure and then seemed somewhat smug, and there was a cold sneer in his heart.

A bunch of fools, not leaving now would mean they wouldn't be discussing a hundred taels for travel later, but would likely be driven out with a barrage of sticks.

They were none the wiser, and one of the burly men laughed heartily, "Little brother, that guy who wanted to fight with you is no longer here. We had no plans to cause trouble for you; we only wanted to make friends."

Wang Anfeng glanced at him and said softly,

"To be friends through martial arts, how about that?"

The burly man's laughter abruptly ceased as the youth leaped off the bear's back, first bowing in greeting, then saying,

"If you are looking to purchase timber, please come again tomorrow."

Having said his piece, Wang Anfeng did not speak any further. Although he wasn't impolite, he was also serene and mild, leaving these slick old hands with no way to interject. He exerted force with his right arm, the chains pulled taut, and he led the unconscious black bear toward his own courtyard.

Though the bear was unconscious, the residual awe it commanded still made it something one could not look at directly. The crowd ahead all cleared a path, only the tall and robust strongman kept a normal expression, giving Wang Anfeng a slight smile and nodding in greeting.

His bearing and dignity were unlike the several people from before. After the young man had gone some distance, he whispered to the rich man before him:

"...This child has seen through them."

There was a hint of laughter in his voice. The man in brocade nodded slightly and said:

"Given that he possesses martial power, it's normal for him to see through these wine-sacks and rice-bags."

"It's just..."

His voice paused, and he glanced sidelong at the youth who was staring wide-eyed at the departing figure of Wang Anfeng, speaking with a slight sense of headache:

"It's just how to make him accept Xiujie, that's the trouble..."

The strongman was momentarily taken aback, then let out a light chuckle and echoed:

"Indeed, a trouble."

Wang Anfeng dragged the bear back to his own courtyard and, as Mr. Ying had instructed, he gently placed the piece of paper which read "Go cultivation" on the bear's back. Once he returned to his room, he used the Buddha Beads on his wrist to return to Shaolin Temple.

Not long after Wang Anfeng left, the bear, which was pretending to be unconscious, opened its eyes. It slightly shifted its body, and as the paper that had already lost its Sword Intent fluttered down, it propped itself up on all fours, swayed slightly, and eventually let out a low growl.

It ruled as a king in the mountains and had never faced such suffocation.

By instinct, it wanted to tear and slaughter to vent its rage, and in this 'forest,' the scent of food was everywhere.

After growling deeply again, the black bear turned and lumbered toward the exit. But just at that moment, it suddenly felt a threat, growling lowly as it turned its head, only to see a blue steed shaking its disheveled mane, its pupils golden and vertical, coldly observing it.

Suddenly, a clattering of footsteps arose from beyond the gate, from nowhere, causing the bear's heart to shudder. It quickly turned and hid in a corner, growling toward the gate. There was not a soul in sight at the doorway, but an old, withered hand lightly grasped its head, and it seemed as if lightning flashed before its eyes.

Its body shrank as the sound of a zither rose from the north, melodious and warm, causing all its fur to bristle. A robust man also appeared at the door in the next moment, and upon seeing Li Qidao, he first looked stunned, then he greeted him with a smile.

"Yo ho, Brother Li."

Li Qidao frowned and asked, "Wang Hongyi? What brings you here?"

"I've never seen a bear before... just came to take a look."

"...And what are you doing with a pig slaughtering knife?"

"This... Hahaha..."

The Innkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then he hid the gleaming pig slaughtering knife behind him and chuckled awkwardly. The black bear, listening to the sound of the zither by its ear, felt terrified.

The old man reeking of alcohol by its side seemed carefree as he continuously slapped the bear's face, while the blue horse stared with its vertical golden pupils, incessantly tapping the ground with its forehooves. Even the seemingly non-threatening man at the doorway, with his bold and hearty smile, made the bear tremble inside.

"Roar roar roar!"

It growled lowly, showing sharp, snarling fangs, flexing its muscles, and struggling to stand up, moving forward carefully, on guard.

Pausing in the center of the courtyard, the gaunt old man behind it rose, an odd tune playing by his ear slowly rising in pitch. The blue steed neighed loudly, the smile on the man's face growing ever more radiant and sincere. The black bear's fur trembled slightly in the wind, just as it did when it stood at the pinnacle of the forest, overlooking the trembling multitude of beasts.

Then, slowly, it lay down on the ground.

"Roar... Uu~"

In Shaolin Temple.

The solitary peak was still there; the chanting of Buddhist hymns cleansed worldly desires. But in front of Wang Anfeng were not two, but three people. Between Master Ci and Mr. Ying, there was an old man with a stooped back, looking at him with a beaming smile.

"I am Wu Changqing of Medicine King Valley."