Chapter 3: Apprenticeship

Xiao Bao was in a good mood, working efficiently and quickly preparing a meal. After the two of them finished eating, they went to sit in the main room to read. After an unknown amount of time, a sudden knock on the door interrupted them. He raised his head and listened carefully; indeed, someone was knocking on their front door. He stood up, walked outside while pondering, "Who could it be at this hour? Could it be Aunt Zhang?"

Then it is no longer a problem. We cannot bear to let your mother suffer alone here. Moreover, your mother's illness cannot be delayed any longer. How about this: let us all leave together, so that you and your mother do not have to be separated. At the same time, your second brother can also assist in treating your mother's illness. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation

The young elder smiled slightly and said, "You are too polite. A filial child can emerge from a humble background. I observe that you, young man, speak elegantly and treat others with warmth; in the future, you will surely not be an ordinary person."

Xiao Bao finally realized what was happening and quickly knelt down to bow to the two masters.

Little Bao'er spoke up: "It has been almost three and a half years. What do you think, sir?"

Little Bao'er, hearing him say this, found it inappropriate to refuse and replied, "Since that is the case, please come in, but I fear it may inconvenience you both." As he spoke, he stepped aside to clear the way, and the old man walked in.

Little Bao'er was very pleased to hear his mother say this, but he hesitantly replied: "I will always remember my mother's teachings. I know that saving a life is a good deed, but it also brings suffering to both my mother and me."

Xiao Bao, not daring to conceal the truth, quickly recounted the situation. The elderly lady complained, "Since there are guests staying over, why not invite them in right away?" Xiao Bao, not daring to delay, invited the two elders into the house and brought in the oil lamp from the main room.

For generations, the righteous and demonic factions have been mortal enemies, engaging in mutual slaughter for many years, with the four individuals also fighting against each other for many years. The conflicts between both sides have been frequent and relentless. Thirty years ago, a fierce battle took place in Black River Valley, where both sides were evenly matched and suffered heavy casualties. However, in the end, the righteous faction gained the upper hand, leading to the demonic sect's decline, forcing them to retreat to the Southern Wilderness.

The elderly man said, "I sincerely apologize. My brother and I have come out to enjoy ourselves, but we lost our money and have no way to stay at an inn. We saw the lights in your courtyard and hoped to borrow a place to stay for the night, if it is not too much trouble"

Little Bao'er was taken aback and stared intently at the old man, noticing that he did not seem to be joking. He furrowed his brows slightly and said in a cold tone: "Old man, you are not joking, are you? Such good fortune does not exist in this world. Even if it did, it would probably involve some unsavory dealings"

After explaining his intentions, Xiao Bao furrowed his brows slightly. Naturally, he wished to take a few masters to learn martial arts and laugh proudly in the world. However, he was concerned about his mother's illness. If he left, she would be left all alone, and he could never bring himself to do that. With this in mind, he bowed respectfully to the two elders and said, "I appreciate your kind intentions, but I fear I may have to disappoint you both. I believe it is better for me to stay at home, diligently studying poetry and serving my mother, as that brings me more peace of mind. As for the matters you mentioned about wandering the world to eliminate evil and uphold justice, I think it is best to let those thoughts go, as they may not be suitable for me."

Indeed, if the lady has no strong attachments here, it is best this way

At this moment, the young and old gentlemen in the room were engaged in casual conversation. Upon seeing the two enter, the two elderly men exchanged glances, and it was the older of the two who then explained the purpose of the visit to Xiao Bao and his mother.

Cheng Wanli and the other three were all passionate about the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, weary of the enmities of the martial world. Their shared interests made them feel as if they had known each other for ages. Eventually, they agreed to retreat from the martial world and live in seclusion among the mountains of the southern frontier. From then on, they immersed themselves in the beauty of nature, playing music and painting, leading a leisurely life. Later, they formed a brotherhood, becoming known in the martial world as the Four Friends of Tian Nan. Initially, the four were very much enamored with this tranquil lifestyle, but as they grew older, they wished to find a successor to pass on their skills. Thus, Cheng Wanli and Ye Qingping set out to find a suitable disciple. By chance, they arrived in Xishu and encountered Xiaobao, whose talent immediately impressed them. Although they were drawn to this leisurely life, they recognized the need to find a successor to inherit their unique martial arts, which encompassed both righteous and demonic paths. They understood that any disciple they took on would need to possess exceptional character. After several days of observation and testing, they ultimately decided to take the child as their disciple.

Upon reaching the outside, the elderly man said to the anxious young boy, "Young man, sit down and let us have a chat"

The old lady glanced at him and said, "Birth, aging, illness, and death are all perfectly normal; why should you be sad about it?"

The old man looked at his resolute face and was clearly taken aback. He nodded and said, "If you do not take action, there will be others who will, and the outcome will still be inevitable"

As the two were about to speak, the old lady interjected, saying: "Please wait a moment, I have one more matter to trouble you with. I have always called this child 'Little Treasure' and he does not have a proper name. I would like to ask you both to help give this child a name."

Ye Qingping felt a surge of anxiety in his heart after hearing this, thinking how difficult it was to find such a talented disciple, yet the person was unwilling. Just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by the smiling Cheng Wanli, who looked at the old lady and said: "I perceive from the old woman's demeanor and speech that she is not an ordinary village woman, but rather someone who has read poetry and literature. May I ask how you came to this conclusion?"

The old man smiled without speaking, but extended his left hand and gently tapped four fingers on the old lady's right wrist. After a considerable amount of time, he asked Xiao Bao to bring the oil lamp, carefully examining the old lady's complexion and tongue coating, then furrowed his brows, lost in thought. Seeing him so tense, Xiao Bao did not dare to interrupt. After a while, the old man slowly opened his eyes and said: "This illness of yours has likely been present for some years, hasn't it"

The old lady glanced at her son and sighed, saying: "This child is indeed good, but my illness has burdened him." As she spoke, she began to cough incessantly

As the sun rises and sets, another day comes to an end. In the evening, Xiao Bao finishes his day's work, tidies up his belongings, and heads home. The afternoon business was poor, and he did not sell a single item, which naturally meant there was no reward and, consequently, no money to buy rice. However, his mood was quite good; although he spent five taels of silver, the feeling of being able to help others was very satisfying. He hummed a little tune all the way home. Upon entering the house, he first checked on his mother. The old lady's condition remained the same, but she seemed to be in slightly better spirits than yesterday.

The old lady smiled slightly and said, "What a child! To save a life, even if it means going hungry for one or two meals, I would be willing for you to do it, no matter the cost."

Upon hearing the elder's words, Xiao Bao displayed a look of difficulty. The matter of providing lodging was indeed common, but his home was humble, consisting of only one room, and with his mother seriously ill at home, it was truly inconvenient. However, seeing the two elders with their gray hair, and knowing it was late with no money to stay at an inn, he felt it was indeed hard to turn them away. After a moment of thought, he forced a smile and said: "It is not that I should refuse your request for lodging, but my family is truly impoverished, with only a thatched hut and my mother bedridden. There is simply no extra space to accommodate both of you. What do you think..."

If I had a matter that could quickly yield a large amount of silver, would you be willing to do it

"Mother." Xiao Bao called out, his face full of tears, unable to say anything further, only silently sobbing.

The old man nodded and said, "Forgive me for speaking frankly, but if this illness continues to be delayed, I fear it will not last for many more days..."

I won't hide it from you; I also know that money can be earned back. However, my mother’s illness cannot wait. As you mentioned, it requires a substantial amount of silver. Where can I find so much silver all at once?

Little Bao'er was not in the mood, but it was indeed difficult to refuse, so he sat on the ground outside the door with the old man. Seeing that he was settled, the old man began to speak: "In fact, my brother had something he didn't finish saying just now. Your mother's illness can indeed be cured, but treating this illness requires a substantial amount of silver"

Xiao He and the book treasure immediately perked up upon hearing him, as if a drowning person had grasped onto a life-saving straw. He knelt down with a thud in front of the old man and said: "Elder, please, I implore you to save my mother. As long as you can cure her illness, I am willing to work like an ox or a horse."

The old lady gave a wry smile and said, "Please forgive me for the laughter, my maiden name is Yang. I come from a prominent family in Jiangnan and had some education in poetry and literature during my youth. Later, I married my husband Lin Wenjing, who was a merchant, but unfortunately, he passed away long ago. This child is not my biological son; I found him in the woods outside the city eight years ago. However, he is extremely filial and quite clever. I originally intended for him to study hard and achieve success, but sadly, my illness has hindered that. Since both of you are willing to take him as a disciple, I am truly delighted. Let us decide on this; tomorrow, I will prepare him to accompany you both."

Xiao Bao hurriedly stepped forward to help his mother pat her back and said, "Mother, please never say anything about being a burden again"

He opened the broken wooden door and was taken aback to see two figures standing in the night outside. With the faint moonlight, Xiao Bao discerned that they were two elderly men in blue robes. He addressed them, saying: "May I ask what brings you both to visit at this late hour?"

The elder extended his hand to help him up and said: "Young master, please rise. Given your filial piety, I will do my utmost. However, I still need to conduct a thorough diagnosis of this illness. How about this: you and my brother wait outside for a moment while I take a closer look at your mother."

If that is the case, I will do it

The two elders reached out to help him up and after saying a few more words, they finally returned to the inn

Lin Tong has a good name," Ye Qingping said with a smile, "Then I will give you a character, let's call it Yi Qing. I hope that in your future life, you will always have a joyful heart.

Xiao Bao said: "If there is a possibility of remedying the situation after this matter is done, then I will definitely go ahead and do it. At worst, I will work like a servant for those I have harmed. However, if it is irreparable," he paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued, "if it is irreparable, it also depends on whether this situation would not have occurred if I had not acted. If that is truly the case, I would rather be unfilial."

Cheng Wanli and the other person lowered their heads in thought, and it was Cheng Wanli who spoke first: "Since that is the case, why not use the character '曈'? This character signifies the rising sun illuminating the earth, and it also represents our expectations for the child. Moreover, this child has bright, sparkling eyes, making the character '曈' quite fitting."

Little Bao'er was startled and was about to speak when he saw his mother extend her hand to signal him not to say too much. The old lady smiled slightly and said: "I know myself that this illness cannot be cured. I was supposed to have died long ago, but I have been holding on until today just for the sake of this child. Now that the child has grown up, I can finally rest easy."

It turns out that the two elderly gentlemen are among the renowned figures known as the Four Friends of Tian Nan in the martial arts world, specifically the first, Cheng Wanli, and the second, Ye Qingping. The other two are Liu Chengfeng, the third, and Su Dingbang, the fourth. These four individuals come from diverse backgrounds; the two present here hail from the two leading righteous sects, namely the Zen Buddhist Bodhi Temple and the Da Men Wuwei Sword Sect. The other two, however, indeed originate from the demonic sect, with Liu Chengfeng being the Eagle King among the Protectors of the Faith, and Su Dingbang being one of the Seven Blood Guards. All four are prominent figures in both the righteous and demonic factions.

The two elderly individuals sat on the kang, surveying their surroundings, which could truly be described as bare walls. The old lady gave a wry smile and said, "It seems the poor have made you laugh, esteemed guests."

The old man sighed and said: "It is truly admirable that an elder can perceive life and death so clearly. However, from my perspective, your illness has not yet reached a critical stage. While I cannot guarantee a miraculous recovery, I believe there is still some hope.

Little Bao'er glanced at his mother, and upon seeing her nod, he then quietly followed another elder out of the house

Little Bao nodded honestly and said: "Yes"

The old lady, after listening, nodded repeatedly and said to the flustered little Bao: "Why are you still dazed? Hurry up and bow to your master"

Before he finished speaking, the old man smiled and said: "To be honest with you, my brother is indeed facing difficulties. He does not ask for a bed; as long as there is a roof over his head, even if it is just to sit for a while, that would be good."

The old lady pondered for a moment and said: "Aside from this child, I have no attachments. Since that is the case, I will trouble both of you."

The old man chuckled and said, "Even if it is something shameful, would you do it if it could save your mother's life?" After speaking, the old man quietly looked at Xiao Bao.

Cheng Wanli looked at the situation and, with a hearty laugh, said: "Then it's settled. We will return to the inn first and come back tomorrow morning to prepare for our departure"

The old man saw his pale face and smiled slightly, saying: "Young man, do not lose heart. I know you have no money right now, but you are still young and can earn it. Money is earned by people."

Ye Qingping urgently said: "It's not a bother at all. You need to get this illness treated as soon as possible. In terms of medical skills, my fourth brother is a hundred times stronger than I am. I believe having him take action would be more reliable. Moreover, your illness cannot be cured in a short time; it requires gradual recuperation. The conditions at our place are better, which would also be beneficial for you."

The old man looked at him with a reassuring nod, understanding the meaning behind Xiaobao's words. Since it was an unavoidable situation, even if he did not take action, others would. Therefore, in order to save his mother, he was willing to take on the role of the villain. The old man gently patted his shoulder and said softly, "Good child, this is the right way to think. Being upright is commendable, but one must learn to be flexible. Come on, let’s go inside; I have something to discuss with you and your mother." After saying this, the old man took the lead and entered the house.

Xiao Bao was naturally delighted after listening, but he secretly glanced at his mother. The old lady sighed and said, "Wouldn't this be too troublesome for both of you?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Bao'er felt as if she had fallen from the clouds, thinking to herself, "If only I had money, I would have already invited a doctor for my mother instead of having to wait until today"

Little Bao let two people into the main room. Upon hearing the commotion outside, the old lady asked, "Little Bao, has someone come?"

The young old man looked at the mother and child and smiled slightly, saying, "I have indeed learned some skills in the art of medicine; why not let me take a look for you?"

Cheng Wanli laughed and said, "Xiao Bao, let me ask you, is the reason you are unwilling to take us as your teachers because you are worried about your mother being left here alone?"

The elderly lady smiled at her son and said, "Silly child, how could your mother blame you? You have no idea how happy it makes me that you can do this. I always tell you that regardless of whether one is rich or poor, one must have a compassionate heart. Helping others does not depend on how much money you spend; as long as you do it with sincerity, that is enough"

Seeing her son with a joyful expression, the old lady asked him what was going on. While pouring water for his mother, Xiao Bao recounted the events of the day and finally said softly, "Mother, I spent the money for buying rice; you won't blame me, will you"

The old man asked with a puzzled expression: "What does it mean?"

The little child smiled at her mother and said, "Rest assured, tomorrow I will work harder to earn more silver to bring back. Mother, you take a break; I will go prepare the meal first." With that, she turned and walked outside.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Bao fell to his knees with a thud and cried out, "Mother, I don't want to go. What will you do if I leave? You have always listened to me, and I will never leave you."

The elderly lady looked at her son, who was in high spirits, and opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately shook her head and refrained from speaking. Instead, she gazed at her son with a face full of contentment as he slowly walked out.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Bao quickly said: "Then I must trouble you, sir"

After listening to the elder's words, Xiao Bao's expression became grave. His mother was the only family he had in this world, and he was determined to save her life at all costs. However, he hesitated at the thought of committing an immoral act for this purpose. He slowly lowered his head, burying it deeply between his legs. The elder could clearly see his shoulders trembling, indicating the intense inner struggle he was experiencing. After a long while, he slowly raised his head and looked at the elder, saying: "That depends on what this matter is about"