Lin Feng's family walked on the main road of Little River Village.
Villagers greeted them warmly as they passed.
Aunt Lin, out for a stroll, saw Lin Feng's family and approached. "Little Feng's mother, dressed so smartly, where are you going?"
Lin's mother replied with a smile, "Now that the children are older, I'm taking them to Master Hong to learn literacy."
Aunt Lin shook her head. "Though the gifts are nice, you're making a wasted trip."
Lin's mother stopped. "Why is that?"
"A few days ago, I took my grandson to become a student, but Master Hong didn't accept him. His maid said he wasn't feeling well and lacked the energy to teach."
Lin Feng remembered Master Hong's immobile legs—his health indeed wasn't great. But he'd always been energetic and fond of children, teaching while sitting in bed.
Lin's mother grew anxious. "What can we do?"
Zhou Chunlan said softly, "Since we're already out, we should still visit. Even if he won't take students, we should offer the gifts as a courtesy."
Lin Feng nodded. "Wife, you speak my mind."
His wife had always been generous, though poverty had hidden it. Her brothers had supported them—until they asked her to remarry after Lin Feng became a drunkard. She refused for the children, and they stopped helping.
...
Little River Village wasn't large; they soon reached Master Hong's courtyard.
Knock, knock, knock—Lin Feng gently rapped on the door.
"Is Master Hong home?"
A girl's voice replied, "Who is it?"
Lin Feng said, "The old Lin family from the west of the village."
Master Hong's maid, Yue'e, opened the door. Seeing the adults, children, and gifts, she understood their intent.
"My master isn't well and isn't accepting students. Please go back."
Lin Feng's eyebrows twitched as he looked at Yue'e's attribute panel:
Name: Wang Yue'e
Life: 30
Martial Arts:
Basic Swordsmanship (Low-grade) (Second Level)
Nourishing Body Sword (High-grade) (Second Level)
Nourishing Heart Sword (High-grade) (First Level)
Wind and Thunder Sword (High-grade) (Second Level)
Flying Flower Palm (Mid-grade) (Second Level)
Dragonfly Skimming Water (Mid-grade) (Second Level)
This wasn't a simple maid—she was clearly a big boss.
Compared to her, Lin Feng's unranked martial arts seemed laughable. With a life value of thirty, she could kill him with a palm.
If the maid was this strong, how powerful was Master Hong?
The maid turned to close the door.
Lin Feng blocked it with a smile. "Even if he's not accepting students, we should still visit. Yesterday I hunted a big wild boar—we brought some pork for Master Hong."
Lin's mother chimed in, "He needs meat to recover strength."
Zhou Chunlan added, "Sister, let us in to see Master Hong. The children are very well-behaved."
Yue'e's Adam's apple moved. They rarely ate meat. She looked at the obedient children, then let them in.
Lin Feng handed over the meat. Yue'e felt awkward—if the master refused the children, wouldn't it be embarrassing?
In truth, Master Hong hadn't said he wouldn't accept students. Yue'e said that on her own, wanting him to rest more.
Lin Feng sensed her hesitation. "These are just ordinary gifts—please, stew them to nourish Master Hong."
After a pause, Yue'e said, "Wait a moment. I'll go ask the master."
She entered a room where a white-haired old man sat on a sickbed. "Master, the old Lin family brought their children. They also brought wild boar meat."
She raised the meat—dozens of pounds in total.
Master Hong smiled. "Which Lin family?"
"The hunter's family."
"Ah, a good man. He saved many when wild beasts came down from the mountain. Didn't he pass away?"
"Yes. It's his son who came."
Master Hong frowned. "Isn't he the village drunk?"
"I heard he's changed. He hunted this wild boar himself."
"Oh? A prodigal returned is more precious than gold. Let them in—I'll see the children's aptitude first."
Yue'e's face lit up. She stored the meat in the kitchen and invited the Lin family inside.
They bowed respectfully. The five children mimicked their father, bowing like little adults.
Master Hong nodded with a smile. "Yue'e, find seats for the guests."
She brought stools. Lin Feng, though prepared, was still shocked by Master Hong's attribute panel:
Name: Hong Wenyuan
Life: 120
Martial Arts: ???
The life value was immense—likely still in an injured state.
Lin Feng guessed that if someone's stats exceeded his by tenfold, he couldn't view them. Master Hong's life was just below that threshold.
As Lin Feng observed him, Master Hong observed back.
"Young man, have you practiced martial arts?"
Lin Feng suspected Master Hong saw through him—of course such a master could.
"I practiced an unranked boxing technique from my father and reached the Perfect Realm."
He mentioned the Perfect Realm to impress—if he could become Master Hong's disciple, he could soar overnight. Even a few techniques would be priceless.