Chapter Six, The Wind Howls Through the Taihang Mountains
"Brother Changsheng, it's better to be careful." The sturdy young man said with concern
"It was truly magnificent, truly magnificent." Yuan Quan came to his senses, exhaled a breath of warm air, and shook his head in amazement
"Everyone, please don't rush, don't rush. Brother Feng will not let you call for nothing. I have prepared candies, and as long as everyone behaves, Brother Feng will share them with you, alright?" Cai Feng, surrounded tightly, could not help but speak hurriedly
Cai Feng pretended to be very straightforward and said: "As a humble villager, how can I be considered a person of high status? Just call me Cai Feng or A Feng. By the way, the smell of blood in this valley is too strong; let's talk outside."
In fact, this cannot be considered a plain; it is more accurate to say that it consists more of mountainous elements.
Cai Feng led the horse and laughed loudly, saying proudly: "How about that? Can it match a dog against a tiger?"
"This child shows no semblance of a junior," Cai could not help but scold with a laugh.
Cai Feng is indeed very mischievous, but he has improved somewhat with age, as he has come to understand what is good and what is bad, and after spending more than a year in Wu'an City, he has become aware of the harsh realities of life. More than a year ago, with his temperament, he would dare to fight even the governor's son, and he did so with an air of arrogance; the boldness and recklessness he exhibited then are indeed different from now. However, wherever Cai Feng goes, the atmosphere becomes lively; regardless of age, he can play happily with everyone and joke with them as if they were friends, because his sense of hierarchy is quite faint. This allows him to speak to the governor's wife and Yuan Yemei without any reservations, which is a reflection of his character.
"That won't do, my father is very open-minded. I want to go out, and he won't oppose it. He often complains that I just cause trouble at home. If I go to Handan for a while, it would be strange if he doesn't get so upset that he drinks three big bowls of wine!" Cai Feng exaggeratedly patted the large wine pouch on the horse's back, but in his heart, he was thinking of the beautiful Yuan Ye Mei, her astonished little mouth that couldn't close, and that kind of delicate and languid expression, and his heart instantly flew to Wu'an City.
The four individuals appeared to possess considerable skills, but at such a short distance, the bows and arrows on their backs were rendered ineffective. The wolves would not allow them any unusual movements. There seemed to be an overwhelming number of wolves, causing the expressions in the eyes of these four to reflect a stark contrast to those in the eyes of the wolves, which was despair
Is he also from your village? Long Sun Jingwu asked in doubt
Today's mood seems to be somewhat different from before, and Cai Feng understands very well that it is a beautiful figure that occasionally appears in his mind. Since leaving the governor's residence, this figure has never left him, and that is Yuan Ye Mei
The four individuals looked at the dog beside Cai Feng with some surprise, then turned their gaze back to Cai Feng, who stood proudly on his horse. An older man, who appeared slightly plump, clasped his hands in a gesture of gratitude and said, "Thank you, brave warrior, for saving my life"
Cai Feng sighed deeply and forced a smile, saying: "It is precisely because of this that my father has never been happy and has always been very strict with me. In my eyes, my father's knowledge is so profound that few can compare to him, and there are not many whose martial skills surpass his. However, he is unwilling to hold an official position and even forbids me from associating with anyone in power, yet I always go against his wishes. Nevertheless, you all seem to be somewhat better than I had imagined."
The moon is counted less by me, while I count a little more than her, a little boy said from the side
Cai Feng was spotted from a distance, and everyone couldn't help but cheer. The hunters, both young and old, who had been tense and exhausted all day, greeted Cai Feng with great enthusiasm, as if they had survived a disaster. The women inside the house were even more eager to welcome Cai Feng, urging him to taste their culinary skills. Cai Feng had grown accustomed to all of this; he had experienced it too many times. He had almost grown up under the affection of so many people, which made him feel proud when he was outside. More importantly, this harmony contributed to his optimistic and mischievous character
Cai Feng turned his head and smiled at the rugged-faced Changsun Jingwu, saying: "Indeed, this is a dog I have raised myself; if there were five of them, even a fierce tiger would fear them to some extent"
Cai Feng secretly thought: "Look at you all, do you really think the Yuan family is something great? If it weren't for the sake of your beautiful young lady from the Yuan family, I wouldn't even be willing to say half a word to you black-hearted people!"
The sound of the bowstring echoed as Uncle Ma and Changsheng's group also drew their bows, but their horses did not charge directly into the wolf pack; instead, they maneuvered around it.
Cai Feng glanced at the two with a faint smile and said, "Life is like this; who can explain it clearly? Sadness is also part of life, and joy is also part of life. Life is vast and fleeting, a hundred years pass easily. Why must we insist on it being perfect? If one lives happily, peacefully, and freely, what regrets could there be?"
Cai Feng turned back with a triumphant smile and whistled again, but this time it was shorter and deeper. The dogs immediately began to run in an interwoven manner, their movements exceptionally agile, without a hint of disorder. Even more astonishing was the route taken by the dogs, which seemed to follow a certain formation; the movements of their heads and tails were remarkably regular, and there appeared to be a specific distance between each dog, ensuring that no collisions occurred. The four onlookers were left dumbfounded, unsure of how to proceed.
Tian Fu let out a bitter smile and said: "The tragedy lies not only in the presence of that brat Li Zhan in Chun Yue Lou, we naturally do not fear him. Whether in literature or martial arts, they would not be our opponents without Li Chong, the Minister of Rites. However, my father is in Chun Yue Lou, and that is no trivial matter. Although he is not unaware of our foolish actions, it is better for him not to see them. If we were to act recklessly in front of him, it would become uncontrollable. Moreover, my father does not want us to see him in such a place, don't you think?"
I sincerely apologize, but the few households in our village are quite averse to strangers staying overnight. This may be due to our frequent encounters with wild beasts, which have altered our perspective on people. Hehe, I hope you can understand! However, this cave is quite nice; we often stay here, and the arrangement is rather good. As long as we light a fire at the entrance, it will be very safe and warm. Cai Feng feigned helplessness and thought to himself: "You heartless Xianbei people, wanting to stay in our village, it would be quite generous of me not to break your legs. Damn it, if it weren't for my light beauty, I wouldn't bother with you at all."
Cai Feng glanced at Uncle Ma and Changsheng who followed behind, noticing a hint of contemplation and confusion in their eyes. He couldn't help but express his doubts: "The person being attacked does not seem to be from our town; this voice is quite unfamiliar.
A wolf fell to the ground, seemingly intimidated by the ferocity of Cai Feng, and began to scatter and flee. Uncle Ma and a few others chased after the rear of the wolf pack, shooting them down. None of them wanted these wolves to pose a threat to the nearby villagers, so they aimed to eliminate as many of the wolves as possible
Every time Cai Feng passed through this mountain range, his eyes could not see far, but his ears made his heart feel infinitely distant, a tranquility that transcended the mundane
The four of them couldn't help but exclaim "Ah" in unison, hardly believing their own eyes
That is a team composed of four individuals, no! It should be said that there are eight individuals, because there are four corpses on the ground that have been gnawed to the point of having very little flesh left.
The mother hen seemed to thoroughly enjoy Cai Feng's strong embrace and gentle words, unable to resist displaying a somewhat intoxicated expression on her face, which revealed a delicate yet charming beauty. This mature sense of beauty led Tian Lu to kiss her on the face without any hesitation.
"Uncle Ma, should we go over and take a look?" the sturdy young man inquired
Is this the dog raised by Young Master Cai?" asked Changsun Jingwu with great interest
The place where the sound came from is a valley. For the villagers of Caifeng, every valley in this vicinity is well-known, to the extent that even a five-year-old child can sit at home and point out where there is a protruding rock and where there are several caves of various sizes
The building, Fengyue, remained silent, yet from his gaze, one could clearly discern the astonishment and admiration that emanated from within.
Haha! The man laughed heartily and said, "As long as the wind has this intention, it is enough. However, it seems that over the past few years, the wind's mouth must have eaten a lot more sugar, becoming sweeter and sweeter."
The seemingly endless wars have long since numbed people's hearts, and all that can be done is to enjoy today to the fullest, not to let each day go to waste, and not to allow the emptiness and potential fear in life to corrode the heart
That is wonderful. Cai Feng thought of something and couldn't help but exclaim in delight.
Cai Feng proudly declared: "In this world, there are probably not many who can train such dogs, but I am one of them"
It is truly hard to believe that there are people in this world who can tame such terrifying dogs
Cai Feng hurriedly took out a handful of candies from his pocket, distributed a few to each person, and then patted a little girl's cheek with a smile, saying: "Yue'er is the most honest, tell me, how many times did you kiss Brother Feng on the face?"
Yuan Quan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily and said: "Little brother, you truly are exceptional. Let me be frank from the outset, good! Not to mention fifteen taels, even earning one hundred and fifty taels per horse would not be a problem. Just based on the fact that you saved the lives of the four of us, it would definitely not stop at these sixty taels of silver"
Alright, everyone be careful, this group of hungry creatures is not easy to deal with said the middle-aged man as he reminded the crowd
We are waiting for your response, Yuan Quan said with anticipation
I am Yuan Sheng," a young man cheerfully introduced himself
We are all very well-behaved... several children hurriedly replied in unison, but a few gave Cai Feng several heavy kisses on the face
Cai Feng was taken aback, and seeing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, he asked in confusion, "Which aspect is the master uncle referring to?"
The middle-aged man busily placed the large wine pouch on the table, sat down steadily, and asked in a deep voice: "Has the wind heard any special news in the city?"
The four individuals were taken aback, and the slightly plump elder chuckled in silence, saying, "Then we four shall express our gratitude to the young master for saving our lives."
The "Chun Yue Lou" seems to have good business every day, perhaps because in times of chaos, people prefer the feeling of living in a dreamlike state, as the saying goes, "Drink today, for tomorrow may bring spring or summer."
The Taihang Mountains stretch for thousands of miles, and these ridges are not visible to the human eye in their entirety. In this expanse composed of mountains, one cannot see far without mentioning the trees; with the presence of those trees, people's line of sight becomes pitifully short. However, at this moment, the ears can enjoy the best experience, at least according to Cai Feng.
Cai Feng glanced at the beaming Cai Shang and Huang Hai, and jokingly said, "Report to my esteemed uncle, I have rarely eaten candy in the past two years; the candy I bought has all been snatched away by those kids outside."
Yuan Sheng finally understood, while Lou Fengyue revealed a faint smile
"Brother Feng..." A few children were about to chase after, but they were stopped by the person who came to lead the horse for Cai Feng.
The young brother is indeed straightforward! A robust man laughed heartily, his rugged face seemingly covered in dust and grime. Although his clothes were torn to shreds by wolf claws, it could not conceal his fierce demeanor. The man paused for a moment and said in a booming voice, "My name is Changsun Jingwu, and I am the training instructor for the guards at the residence of Lord Yuanhao in Handan." He then pointed to the slightly plump elder and added, "This is the steward of my household, Yuanquan."
Cai Feng couldn't help but stick out his tongue and make a funny face
Of course, this is the case," Cai Feng replied, puzzled.
The little boy took a step back and hurriedly defended himself, saying: "No, no, how could I bully Yue'er? Didn't Brother Wind teach me that boys should not bully girls?"
Cai Feng let out a bitter smile and said, "As soon as I find an opportunity, I will come. Why must Mother be so anxious?" After saying this, he patted the brothel madam's powdered shoulder, seemingly to comfort her. He then exchanged a glance with Tian Lu and Tian Fu, kissed the lightly powdered pretty face of the madam, and turned to leave, ignoring the pleading look in her eyes.
The little girl leaned against Cai Feng and said in a spoiled manner: "Isn't Brother Feng like this when he kisses Yue'er? I won't tell you how many times he kissed me."
The four individuals were taken aback, their faces displaying a look of vigilance, clearly not daring to underestimate the dog in the slightest
I wonder if the young brother could take us to buy four horses
"Master Uncle, when did you arrive? Why didn't you notify us in advance so we could come to pick you up? I ended up running all the way to the city, it's really frustrating," Cai Feng complained playfully.
The light in the room is not very good, yet three majestic figures and three joyful faces can be clearly seen
Cai Feng then realized how absurd he had been and hurriedly explained: "I apologize, I meant to say that I unexpectedly saved someone from the Yuan family of Handan, whom I have always admired, which made me feel a bit proud, and I couldn't help but exclaim."
The Chun Yue Building is constructed with great elegance, at least from an exterior perspective. Its slightly angled corners give the small building an exquisite appearance, evoking a warm feeling in the heart no matter how one contemplates it. The red lanterns, regardless of the day, can always convey a festive atmosphere. The passionate and fiery courtesan, the sycophantic servant, and the enchanting young women form a combination that is undoubtedly captivating and unforgettable
"Alright, let's let go now." The few children quickly released their hands, surrounding Cai Feng, their faces filled with joy as they looked at him, their eyes betraying an unmistakable admiration.
"Who are you?" Cai Feng asked while standing on his horse. Four hunting dogs stood on either side, crouching on their hind legs, panting with their tongues out, guarding Cai Feng like bodyguards, intently watching the four individuals, as if ready to charge at his command.
Are you planning to return today? Tian Fu asked
The birds seem to have an endless song, adding to the infinite mystery of the continuous green mountains
Indeed, it may be the people from the village, " Cai Feng said with a serious expression.
It is the howl of a wolf! Cai Feng stated with certainty
Four large dogs came to a halt at the edge of the valley, sitting obediently, panting with their tongues out, gazing up at Cai Feng, as if awaiting instructions
The valley is not very large, but the trees here seem to be much denser than in other places. Under the dimming sunset, it appears even darker; however, for a hunter, this little darkness is of no consequence.
"Brother Feng..." A few sweet and crisp voices came over, belonging to several adorable little girls with perky pigtails who approached Cai Feng, along with a few little boys, all appearing incredibly innocent and charming
"Oh, are you from the Yuan family of Handan?" Cai Feng asked in surprise, while his heart was tumultuously stirred, thinking of the beautiful Yuan Yemei, unable to suppress a feeling of increased heartbeat.
Do you want me to speak on your behalf? Yuan Quan said impatiently
Huang Hai gestured to Cai Feng, indicating for a few people to sit down and continue the discussion. Cai Feng quickly took the hand of the middle-aged man and walked to the edge of the table, saying: "Master Uncle, you must be very tired after coming all the way from Jizhou. Let's sit down and talk further."
The sky is approaching dusk, and the fields seem to exude an unusual tranquility
The four of them were momentarily taken aback, unable to comprehend that Cai Feng would actually say such words, and moreover, he unabashedly revealed how much each horse was going to earn him, which was truly perplexing.
Cai Feng's arrows were almost continuous, moving so swiftly that even the wolf's eyes could not discern them
The four individuals exchanged astonished glances at one another, yet they could not comprehend what Cai Feng was referring to
The dog, which had been running in a fan shape, suddenly came to a stop, and remarkably, it landed on its two front paws, performed a backflip, and landed steadily on the ground, continuing to move forward in a fan shape.
Of course, for me, it can be divided into aspects of life and leisure, as well as the broader relationship with the common people of the world. However, I prefer not to focus on the larger issues. Cai Feng seemed to be making a statement, wearing an expression of indifference on his face
"Sour and bitter, it seems you are not even Han people, yet you have learned to be so fussy and nagging. I ask you, who are you? Who asked you to be endlessly grateful? Just how much is this endless gratitude worth? How significant is it? How good is it? What is its value?" Cai Feng said impatiently
"Feng'er, it has been a long time since we last met, and you have grown so tall." The fair-skinned, robust man stood up, walked to Cai Feng, and happily patted Cai Feng's shoulder, smiling as he spoke
It is Cai Shang, only Cai Shang possesses such power, and everyone here calls him master, which is not a coincidence. This is because the extraordinary skills of each person here are all the result of Cai Shang's efforts. Only he can train so many excellent hunters, and only he can subdue the bandits of the Taihang Mountains. Even those bandits would send gifts to Yangyi Town during festivals. Of course, these gifts are for Cai Shang. No matter which stronghold, everyone has heard of him. Cai Shang's knife has killed countless Taihang bandits, and even those who were once considered the most formidable, who could only be trained by him, could only become wandering souls under Cai Shang's blade when he was just fifteen years old. However, the contributions of another person cannot be overlooked. That person is a mute, Huang Hai, Cai Shang's best brother, who is like Cai Shang's shadow, the guardian spirit of Cai Feng.
"Of course, we all need to have some skills; otherwise, how can we be considered good hunters? Don't forget, our Yangyi Town produces the most outstanding hunters!" Cai Feng said proudly, and after finishing, he rode westward at a leisurely pace
The sound of anger and surprise came from atop a raised rock. It was not a particularly large or high rock, but it at least provided some reduction in the threat posed by the wolf pack
Cai Feng slightly furrowed his brows and said indifferently: "My father does not particularly like outsiders to know his name, nor does he enjoy meeting strangers. Therefore, I truly find it difficult to answer your questions. However, I do feel a certain affinity with you, so tonight, I will open a convenient door for you and guide you on some paths, allowing you to have a stable place to stay. I wonder if you all wish to continue your journey or rest and wait until tomorrow morning to set off?"
There are two horses belonging to Li Zhan and Wei Zhong. It is not surprising that this fellow is interested in brothels, but the other horse greatly astonished him, to the point that he even considered turning around and leaving immediately
Uncertain of the reason, Cai Feng felt a peculiar thrill while conversing with Yuan Yemei, akin to a commoner touching the head of the Emperor. Thinking of Yuan Yemei, Cai Feng couldn't help but sigh, pondering: "How wonderful it would be if she didn't have a fiancé. Damn it, that brat Uncle Sun Changhong is truly fortunate in love." At this thought, an absurd yet amusing idea arose in Cai Feng's mind, but halfway through, he couldn't help but chuckle silently.
"Not bad, and it seems to be a pack of wolves, quite a number of them," the middle-aged man said calmly
Tian Fuliang suddenly came to his senses, murmuring: "Sorrow is also life, joy is also life, life is vast and fleeting, a hundred years pass easily..." He abruptly raised his head and asked, "Did your father say this?"
"Your mother is quite impressive! She manages someone as formidable as your father so tightly," Tian Lu asked curiously
"Oh, you are truly naughty!" the mother bird chided, waving her handkerchief and gently tapping Tian Lu's arm. She then turned back, casting a charming glance at Cai Feng, who was a head taller than her, and sweetly asked, "Will the young master be coming along tomorrow?"
"Pinger, are you not bullying Yue'er?" Cai Feng turned to the little boy and said
Before Tian Lu could pull at Cai Feng's garment, a waft of fragrant breeze rushed over.
Cai Feng detected a strong smell of blood, and the sounds of anger and wolf howls reached his ears, completely shattering the intoxicating tranquility of this dense forest, resulting in a primitive, wild, and literary cacophony
Cai Feng humorously glanced at himself and wondered, "Am I a strong man? I seem to be like a hero of the green forest, how utterly uninteresting.
The wolf pack did not become agitated due to Cai Feng's arrow; rather, it was stirred by Cai Feng's long howl. This caused the four individuals, who were struggling for their lives on the rock, to display expressions of surprise in their eyes, as the fear and despair on their faces transformed into symbols of fighting spirit
"Hush!" Cai Feng uttered a low reprimand, and the four dogs immediately halted. The dazzling scene was instantly silenced; the four dogs stopped in their tracks, gazing at the four individuals like wolves, as if each had chosen its target.
Indeed, there is no need. Brother Cai, do not trouble yourself; we still have some arrows with us, and I believe we will have no problem preparing a dinner. You may return home first, and tomorrow you can take us to buy horses.
Cai Feng looked at Chang Sheng with a hint of confusion, then glanced at the middle-aged man and the other young boy, while faintly catching a distant sound in his ears
Indeed, we were just returning from Pingcheng to Handan, but unexpectedly, we were surrounded by a pack of wolves here for an entire afternoon, and even our horses were all bitten to death. If it were not for your noble rescue, we would have likely perished in the wolves' jaws.
Cai Feng disdainfully said: "I have no need to deceive you. Although the tiger is fierce and large, it is still no match for five dogs. People believe that tigers are terrifying, yet they do not realize that the potential of dogs is beyond what most can imagine. It all depends on who trains these dogs, how they are trained, and how these dogs are selected." Saying this, he let out a loud whistle.
Oh, when did the wind acquire such remarkable skills? I wonder when my master uncle will come to seek guidance. The man then grabbed the wine jug from Cai Feng's hand and laughed.
Cai Feng's horse is swift, yet it cannot match the speed of his arrows, nor can it surpass the speed at which he releases them. No one can imagine that within such a short span of time, at this mythical speed, such a level of accuracy can still be achieved
"This one? Allow me to consider it. However, it is naturally impossible for me to prepare it for you tonight. If possible, I can go buy a few horses for you. But I must be straightforward in my dealings; each horse must earn you at least fifteen taels of silver. Everyone knows that the Yuan family is immensely wealthy, and a poor person would take ten lifetimes to spend it all. Earning a bit more from you is not a problem, right?" Cai Feng said candidly.
Do you also know about the Yuan family of Handan?" Yuan Quan, noticing Cai Feng's apparent fondness for the Yuan family, couldn't help but feel a sense of secret satisfaction and joy as he inquired.
Tian Lu and Tian Fu were greatly astonished, but could only respond with a bitter smile, helplessly saying: "What can be done? Today's men are all like this, and no one can change it"
Four individuals jumped down from the rocks, yet they were left speechless by Cai Feng's questions. However, it was evident from their expressions that they were quite intrigued by this peculiar young man
Of course! Cai Feng did not hesitate to ride his horse into the valley
Cai Feng sighed sadly and said with a bitter smile: "I have no mother; I have never seen her face since I was young. I have only seen her memorial tablet and ashes. I only pay my respects to her with incense on September 16th each year and during the New Year and festivals. Other than that, I know nothing at all."
The sound of the arrow leaving the bowstring was very faint, completely overshadowed by the gentle rustling of the branches in the forest, yet the wolf's anguished howl was not concealed.
Indeed, in this area of wilderness, apart from a few scattered hunters residing here, there are only wild wolves and ferocious beasts coming and going
Cai Feng couldn't help but laugh and said: "Your father-son relationship is quite interesting. Both the son and the father are infatuated, yet neither wants the other to know about such matters. It's truly amusing. If your mother were to find out, I really wonder what she would think"
Several individuals passed through several patches of woods and finally found the "Turtle Cave" mentioned by Cai Feng beneath a cliff. The cave is not very large, but it is quite dry. Surprisingly, the cave has already been lined with dry leaves and hay, although it is not very soft. The entrance of the cave is small, which can alleviate concerns about wild beasts.
A long howl echoed through the mountains and forests, harmonizing with the rustling of the leaves, resembling the call of a wild wolf
Hmm! Cai Feng gently nodded, extending both hands to rest on the shoulders of the two, and smiled, "We are friends; it doesn't matter when we gather."
Cai Feng mounted his horse and gave a command to the four hunting dogs. Instantly, the dogs spread out in a fan shape before Cai Feng's horse and began to run slowly towards the valley, seemingly protecting him. Yuan Quan and the others had never seen such obedient dogs before. Just moments ago, they had witnessed the wildness and ferocity of these four dogs, which had attacked wolves with such force that the wolves had no chance to fight back. Before they could fully contemplate this, they were now astonished to see how submissively the dogs responded to Cai Feng's command.
Even the cold and unyielding atmosphere of the building could not resist revealing a rare smile due to Cai Feng's straightforwardness and charm. Changsun Jingwu also felt that Cai Feng seemed quite innocent, and he expressed his inner satisfaction without any concealment, indeed giving off a distinctly different vibe
"Oh, are there several other aspects?" the man asked curiously
"A Feng, listen!" Chang Sheng called softly, startling Cai Feng out of his daze
They are from Pingcheng, people from Handan, passing through here. I will take them to the Turtle Cave to stay for one night, and let them continue their journey tomorrow
I just don't understand, there is really no need for you to fear that kid Li Zhan, so why avoid him
A single arrow was fatal, leaving no room for even the slightest struggle; no one could have anticipated the terrifying lethality of this arrow
He is a very terrifying person. Cai's terror lies in his might and dominance, his sharpness and extraordinary intelligence, compounded by a blade that absolutely no one dares to underestimate. In contrast, Huang Hai is an unfathomable individual; no one knows just how profound he truly is, nor how deep his skills run. Moreover, he never speaks, and that calmness breeds a chilling serenity, much like his sword, silent enough to make one believe that the sun will never appear in the sky. However, the people of Yangyi are well aware of their true nature, which is why everyone holds them in great respect. Furthermore, he never speaks, and that calmness breeds a chilling serenity, much like his sword, silent enough to make one believe that the sun will never appear in the sky. However, the people of Yangyi are well aware of their true nature, which is why everyone holds them in great respect.
"Uncle Ma, this pack of wolves seems to be attacking something. From the sounds, it appears that they are encountering formidable opponents as well!" Changsheng stated to the middle-aged man.
I am Lou Fengyue. The man standing beside, cold as a piece of iron, spoke somewhat indifferently, yet there was no disrespect in his tone
"There isn't, there isn't. Didn't Brother Wind say that the moon is clever? How could she forget?" the little girl said in a spoiled manner.
Cai Feng bid farewell to several people, galloping away on horseback, with four hunting dogs closely following behind. In a flash, he returned to the village entrance. Those who had set traps and snares in the mountains had also returned, all sitting at their doorsteps smoking dry tobacco, which was the best way for the mountain folk to relax. The men were discussing the day's adventures, some were dividing the spoils, while the women busied themselves with cooking, preparing the most delicious dishes for the men. Being a housewife in Yangyi seemed to be a matter of pride. Everyone knew that the men of Yangyi were as fierce as tigers, as brave as mountain eagles, and as cunning as wolves. The housewives of Yangyi need not worry about being bullied or going hungry; at least for the past decade or so, this had been the case. Even the authorities dared not act against the people of Yangyi, and even the miscellaneous taxes had been exempted. At this time, the strong were indeed strong; everyone respected the strong, and everyone feared the strong. Those who were ruthless could survive, which seemed to have become an unchanging truth, at least in this era of turmoil.
"Oh, gentlemen, it has been quite a while since we last met, the young ladies have truly missed you to death." The madam swayed her serpentine waist as she hurried towards the three, her small steps surprisingly swift.
Cai Feng smiled faintly and with a sharp command, he called the four dogs beside him to follow, rushing towards the direction of the wolf's howl, while his steed galloped swiftly behind him
The man was momentarily taken aback, then he laughed and affectionately patted Cai Feng's head, saying: "Your stubbornness remains unchanged; where did you learn such slick talk? If it weren't for the fact that I've watched you grow up, I would definitely give you a good spanking. But for now, make good use of it; it will come in handy when dealing with girls in the future"
Cai Feng was taken aback and said lightly: "This is my father's ideology, but it has also become my own, which is the main reason for my disposition. No one possesses more than oneself; we are all born of our mothers. When we should be wild, we must be wild; when we should be drunk, we must be drunk. Although I cannot yet fully experience the feeling of singing long songs and crying, all we need to do is to let go of all worldly constraints and live freely, which is the greatest wish. " He then took a breath and said, "Let's go, it's nothing. I will return to the small town and hunt a few more tigers and wolves."
"Of course, if one claims not to know the Yuan family of Handan, then they certainly deserve a good beating. With today's events, I now have much more leverage to boast, thank you very much." Cai Feng said with a blend of sincerity and humor, clasping his fists in a gesture of respect, and at the same time leaping down from his horse with remarkable agility, leaving several onlookers greatly astonished
As the three turned down a cross street, Tian Lu expressed his gratitude, saying, "Cai Feng, you are truly loyal."
"Hmm, I also cannot discern whose voices belong to which brothers," Uncle Ma said, nodding gravely in agreement.
The wolf pack was thrown into chaos by the howling of the wind, yet it did not diminish their inherent ferocity; that was the instinct of wild beasts. They turned and charged towards the wind, but the dogs behind the wind were even more ferocious and terrifying than the wolves.
It was a small village, not quite a town, and it seemed difficult to find such rare tranquility even in a town. Cai Feng did not understand why his father despised the mundane world so much; deep down, he always yearned for the liveliness. However, he could not change his father's mind. Then there was his mute uncle, Huang Zhan, who seemed to have nothing in his life apart from martial arts, studying, and hunting. He truly did not understand why it had to be this way, nor did he comprehend the purpose of learning these martial skills. The purpose of life appeared somewhat hollow, at least for now. Therefore, he would indulge in dog fights and revelry with the Tianlu brothers. Yet, whenever he returned to this tranquil place that made one’s spirit soar, he would feel a sense of having done something wrong, as if he owed someone an apology. It was a feeling that was difficult to articulate.
Haha, have you forgotten all the numbers that Brother Feng taught you?" Cai Feng couldn't help but laugh as he said this
My father is indeed very devoted; for over a decade, he has never had another woman. As he spoke, his expression inevitably darkened.
Cai Feng's home is located deep within the mountains, in a tranquil and serene place that seems untouched by the dust and turmoil of the world
Upon first witnessing this scene, Cai Feng could not help but laugh. He had always been a rather arrogant person. When he first arrived here, a turtle slave blocked his path, thinking that a boy dressed in such coarse cloth could not possibly enter and disrupt the atmosphere. As a result, Cai Feng struck him, knocking out two of his front teeth. This world operates on the principle that the strong are the masters, and moreover, Cai Feng was not in a good mood that day. Just before entering the city, he had been scolded by his father, accumulating a belly full of anger, and he happened to run into that unfortunate turtle slave. The matter was resolved by Tian Lu and Tian Fu, and from then on, everyone in Chun Yue Lou regarded him as a living treasure, no one dared to underestimate the boy in coarse clothing any longer. This world operates on the principle that the strong are the masters, and moreover, Cai Feng was not in a good mood that day. Just before entering the city, he had been scolded by his father, accumulating a belly full of anger, and he happened to run into that unfortunate turtle slave. The matter was resolved by Tian Lu and Tian Fu, and from then on, everyone in Chun Yue Lou regarded him as a living treasure, no one dared to underestimate the boy in coarse clothing any longer
Are we still afraid of this pack of wild wolves? If that is the case, I fear we would no longer be able to make a living from hunting!" Changsheng expressed with the confidence of a hunter
Cai Feng! The four of them pronounced this name once, not paying much attention to it, but they were quite interested in leaving this valley filled with wolf corpses
"I never expected to find so many skilled individuals in this wilderness," said Changsun Jingwu in astonishment.
We cannot stand by and do nothing, can we? Since we are already here, we might as well go down and save them.
Cai Feng immediately jumped down from his horse and clasped his fists in joy, saying: "Then I must thank the steward very much for giving me the opportunity to showcase my abilities, but I still need to discuss it with my father first"
The eyes of the hen are the sharpest, but Tian Lu's eyes are also quite sharp. The hen saw Tian Lu, Tian Fu, and Cai Feng, while Tian Lu and Tian Fu saw three horses
They use knives; in this era, the weapon most favored by people is the knife, which seems to have become a symbol of martial artists
Oh, my young masters, when did you all become such busy people? If you pass by without entering, the young ladies will be terribly upset with you!
Cai Feng glanced at the expressions of Tian Lu and Tian Fu, seemingly understanding something, and could not help but smile: "On behalf of my mother, I would like to apologize to all the young ladies. Today, there are indeed matters to attend to, and I believe my mother would not wish for us to delay important affairs, would she? All of you young ladies are our close confidantes; since we are confidantes, you must surely understand our feelings and support our actions, right?" As he spoke, he gave the somewhat aged brothel keeper a heavy embrace.
Haha... Long Sun Jingwu let out a hearty laugh, while Yuan Sheng felt somewhat perplexed, and Yuan Quan smiled knowingly, saying: "This is wonderful, truly wonderful. With such a master of dog training, we could not have asked for more! We originally intended to invite the young master to Handan to give us some guidance, but we did not expect the young master to say this. It is truly a blessing from heaven, how wonderful."
The present state of Yangyi is well known to all; it is certainly not a coincidence. It is the strongest blood that can nurture the most indomitable fighting spirit. The authorities do not wish to exploit this small town of Yangyi, but the facts prove that this would only result in the authorities expending a hundred times more financial resources without achieving any effect. No one understands the Taihang Mountains as deeply as the people of Yangyi do, and no group of hunters possesses better qualities than the hunters of Yangyi. At least this is the belief of the officials and soldiers, as well as the bandits and outlaws on some peaks of the Taihang Mountains. The hunters of Yangyi are also the most united group. All of this is brought about by one person, and the credit for all of this largely goes to this individual, who is Cai Feng's father—Cai Shang.
Cai Feng smiled faintly and said: "Ah, the sixty taels of silver I earned, how could it possibly be related to saving a life? We are discussing a clear price here, and it has nothing to do with anything else. Do not misunderstand my meaning; I do not take the matter of saving a life seriously at all. However, I do have a small condition: you must arrange a minor task for me at the Yuan residence, so that I can also become a notable figure in the village. Hehe, when I return home in the future, at least people will say that I have stayed at the Yuan family, which is such a source of pride! This is my second condition for buying a horse for you; if it cannot be done, then so be it."
Cai Feng smiled apologetically, and then recalled the large wine pouch in his hand. He said, "Master Uncle, I calculated that you would arrive today, so I specially brought twenty jin of fine wine for your enjoyment. However, I was already in the city when I made the calculation, so I could not come to greet you. Please do not take offense, Master Uncle"
Cai Feng is the closest relative of the two hunters whom they respect the most, thus it is only natural for Cai Feng to be brave, and this is also the source of his pride. Of course, his pride is not excessive; it is merely a form of self-respect and confidence.
Cai Fenggang was about to respond with a smile, but Tian Fu interjected, "Hello, Mother. Today we are not here to visit Chun Yue Lou, but rather we have business passing through here. There is no need to trouble yourself; we will come tomorrow."
May I ask your esteemed surname and given name, young master? Yuan Quan inquired politely
At this moment, Cai Feng, Tian Lu, and Tian Fu arrived at the entrance of "Chun Yue Lou". The combination of the three of them was, in fact, not inferior to the combinations within Chun Yue Lou, at least making the madam and the turtle servants, as well as the young ladies, shine with excitement, very brightly.
"Wind, you should return to the house quickly." A dignified and steady voice emanated from within a stone house
Cai Feng smiled faintly and said, "I will go out and catch a few birds for you, to prepare your dinner."
May I inquire about your esteemed father's honorable surname and given name
Cai Feng grew up in the mountain valley and naturally has an in-depth understanding of these areas. His knowledge of wolf packs is far beyond his years, for he is a hunter, an exceptionally skilled one. No one can imagine the calmness and fighting spirit he exhibits when facing ferocious beasts; few can match the actions of Cai Feng. However, in the small town of Yangyi, the most outstanding and fearsome hunters are not Cai Feng, but rather his father and a mute man. Very few know the names of these two individuals, yet it is unnecessary to know their names; it suffices to be aware of their deeds. Everyone refers to them as 'master,' a term that conveys both warmth and respect, as each person holds these two in high regard, akin to how one would respect heroes. Because of the presence of these two individuals, bandits and robbers roaming the Taihang Mountains retreat upon hearing of the hunters from Yangyi, and they would never dare to harbor ill intentions towards this small town. In such chaotic times, this is indeed a rare source of comfort.
Oh, from Pingcheng to Handan, fine. You take them there; I still need to hurry home to report to my mother!" After saying this, Changsheng turned around and left without looking back
Tian Lu and Tian Fu were hearing Cai Feng speak about family matters for the first time, and they couldn't help but become both engrossed and melancholic.
Then I will not be polite. I will ask my father when I return and let you know tomorrow whether I can go to Handan with you.
Cai Feng let out a long howl akin to that of a wolf, causing the wolf pack to become even more chaotic. Uncle Ma and the others were not surprised by Cai Feng's performance. His claim of dancing with wolves was not mere fantasy; having grown up on dog milk, he possessed a profound understanding of canine behavior and felt an unparalleled affinity for dogs, even to the extent of comprehending their language. Cai Feng had once slept alongside wolf cubs during his childhood, growing up in the company of wolves. He had a deep understanding of certain behaviors exhibited by wolves, making him a natural hunter, an extraordinary hunter. Therefore, it was not surprising that he could mimic the howls of wolves, producing a sound that unsettled the pack. However, the four individuals on the rock were filled with immense dread.
On the rocks, there are still people getting injured, but this is a struggle of life against life. Each person seems to be performing at an extraordinary level, yet the wolves are indeed ferocious. Although many have already lost their lives at the hands of this group, they still charge fearlessly onto the rocks.
The brothel is a gentle refuge, a tender nest adrift in the endless war; thus, in such a world, the most sought after are naturally wine and the embrace of women
You have bullied me
No need! The building, the wind, and the moon are indifferent.
"Is it really that impressive?" Yuan Sheng asked, somewhat incredulously, yet his eyes were filled with a longing light.
Tian Lu and Tian Fu were greatly shaken, yet they did not know what to say.
Cai Feng was taken aback, gently tapping the little boy's forehead with his finger, and jokingly scolded, "You may be small, but you are quite cunning, yet you still refuse to admit it." As he spoke, he stood up and walked towards the stone house, lifting the large wine pouch from the horse's back.
Cai Feng tumbled off the horse, playfully showcasing his remarkable agility like a child, standing in front of several kids, with one arm around each of them, while a few others clung to his neck and waist. Had it not been for Cai Feng's strong waist, he would likely have been toppled over.
"If you don't let me go, how can I give you candy to eat?" Cai Feng said with a smile
Uncle Master!" Cai Feng exclaimed in surprise, standing at the door for a long time without stepping into the room.
"Young Master Cai need not be so polite; having this cave is already quite good." Yuan Quan remarked with a worldly wisdom.
"Disciple, do not listen to the wind's nonsensical talk; boasting without preparation is futile," Cai Shang said with a loving smile
"A Feng, you haven't gone back yet. Where are they from?" Changsheng asked loudly as the horse galloped like a whirlwind.