Even Xi Yan and his family were utterly shocked by Cao Yin's words. They had never expected the old man to speak so openly about an arranged marriage.

  Seeing the confusion on Cang Er’s face, Cao Yin laughed again. “Hahaha, you must be bewildered. Very well, I’ll explain along the way. You’re heading west, aren’t you?” he asked the Xi family.

  Xi Yan simply nodded in confirmation.

  “Good, then we’re going the same way. It’s best if we travel together. There’s a small town about ten li from here where we can buy some horses.”

  “Oh, that’s actually our destination, Sir.”

  “Excellent, a fortunate coincidence.”

  And so, the group left the area, with Cao Yin leading the way while Cang Er walked beside him. The two quickly became engrossed in their conversation about the unresolved matter of the arranged marriage.

  Liang Kun deliberately distanced himself from the pair, feeling incredibly awkward.

  “Your father, Lu Taihiap, was a great and extraordinary warrior. I was overjoyed when he came to my school, asking to become my disciple.”

  Cang Er widened her eyes and quickly interrupted before Cao Yin could finish his sentence. “The White Raven Sect?”

  “Oh? So he’s told you about it?” The old man chuckled. “Yes, the White Raven Sect.”

  At once, Cang Er bowed deeply. “Am I truly standing before the legendary warrior known as the White Ascetic?”

  Cao Yin chuckled again. “You exaggerate, child. Now, rise.” He helped Cang Er to her feet. “Listen to my story.”

  Cao Yin continued his tale. He explained that Lu Kwan, or Lu Taihiap, had indeed come to his school requesting to be accepted as a disciple, but Cao Yin had to refuse. Lu Kwan’s martial arts skills were already advanced, and the White Raven Sect had a strict rule forbidding disciples from learning techniques outside the school’s teachings.

  “If you had accepted my father, wouldn’t the White Raven Sect have grown stronger? It’s not as if my father was incapable of learning a new style,” Cang Er argued.

  Cao Yin smiled faintly. “At that time, your father’s skills were already highly refined despite his youth. I could see that the White Raven Sect’s techniques were incompatible with his. Forcing him to learn them would only hinder him, and I would have been responsible for taking away a righteous warrior from the world. Instead of wasting time learning from the ground up at the White Raven Sect, he was better off continuing his duty as a warrior,defending the oppressed and punishing the wicked. Especially in times like these.”

  Cang Er nodded in understanding. She grasped what the old master meant.

  It was true that once a warrior had fully developed their techniques, learning a completely different style became increasingly difficult. This meant that Lu Kwan’s foundational martial arts were so drastically different from the White Raven Sect’s that Cao Yin had no choice but to turn him away.

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  “Was there truly no hope for my father to join the White Raven Sect?” Cang Er asked.

  “There was, but he would have had to start from scratch. The foundation of his martial arts was vastly different from ours. We focus on raw power with every strike, while your father relied more on speed and weapon techniques.”

  “My father was also skilled in barehanded combat,” Cang Er interjected.

  Cao Yin maintained his smile. “And we, too, can wield sabers or swords. But as I said, the differences were too great to overcome in just a year or two. That would have been too much time wasted,time your father could have spent fulfilling his duty as a warrior.”

  Cang Er could not argue further. Now she understood why her father idolized the White Raven Sect and the White Ascetic so much. Lu Taihiap might have been rejected as a disciple, but in the end, countless criminals had fallen by his hands,criminals who might have continued their reign of terror had Lu Taihiap chosen to train at the White Raven Sect instead.

  Cang Er found herself admiring the old master even more. Not only was he a formidable warrior, but he also possessed great wisdom and a noble heart, placing righteousness above his own school’s interests.

  “We are now on our way to the White Raven Sect. Since I’ve found you here, there’s no need for me to continue my journey to your home. Eh?” Suddenly, as if struck by a realization, Cao Yin stopped in his tracks. “Now that I think about it, why have you traveled so far from home?”

  Hearing that question, Cang Er was instantly reminded of the massacre in Qinglan Village. “My father and mother have passed away.” That was all she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Cao Yin did not probe further, though the shock of her words struck him like a thunderbolt. What had caused Lu Taihiap’s death?

  ***

  Two weeks had passed, and Long Wei had memorized all twelve complex movements of the Yin-Yang Mystic Martial Arts. He had also learned how to channel his inner energy throughout his body, allowing him to use it both offensively and defensively in combat.

  Fourteen days of rigorous training under two formidable masters had left his face grimy from rarely washing, and his clothes were in no better condition. For fourteen days, Long Wei had trained relentlessly, day and night, stopping only when hunger or exhaustion forced him to rest.

  Although his progress was not yet remarkable, it was evident. His movements had become smoother, and he could now channel his inner energy into every strike.

  “Good... very good,” Yang Feng praised, clapping his hands.

  “Idiot!” Mystic Devil cursed. “Fool!” he added.

  Long Wei stopped practicing the Yin-Yang Mystic Martial Arts. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

  He knew he was far from mastering the technique. At best, he had only grasped its outer form. Even though he could now infuse his strikes with inner energy, it still could not be considered true Yin-Yang Mystic Martial Arts.

  “You are a fool, but I believe you will master it one day,” Mystic Devil said, still looking annoyed. His face was red with frustration, and he struck the nearby rocks several times.

  “He’s still young and has only just started learning martial arts. This is already an impressive achievement,” Yang Feng laughed heartily.

  “Fine... fine... say whatever you like, old man.”

  Yang Feng rose to his feet. “It’s been two weeks.”

  Mystic Devil scowled and turned away. “You think I forgot?”

  “Hahaha, that would be impossible.”

  Long Wei approached them and bowed respectfully, following Yang Feng’s lead.

  The man known as Iron Palm spoke with deep reverence. “Thank you for your teachings.”

  “Swear that Sky Jade will never fall into the hands of those greedy men!” Mystic Devil suddenly roared. His right hand shattered a nearby rock for no reason.

  Long Wei’s body trembled at the intensity of his voice. “I swear to protect it.”

  “At the cost of your life?”

  “At the cost of my life.”

  “Good. A man’s word is his bond. A warrior who makes an oath must never break it, even in death.” Mystic Devil leaped to his feet, his wandering eyes staring into the distance. “Beware of the White Ascetic.”

  The master and disciple duo nodded. They understood the warning.

  “We will always remember your words.”

  “Go now,” Mystic Devil said as he walked toward his house. “And if you break that oath, I’ll kill you myself. Though I doubt that will happen, hahahaha!”