Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

South of Yuhang County.

Xiao Lian and her group of seven dismounted from their horses.

After several days of rest, their wounds had mostly healed.

However, their faces still carried the exhaustion of their long journey.

After paying the entrance fee, the seven of them entered Yuhang County.

The streets were bustling with people.

“I’m going back to see the Direc—uh, Grandmaster. Master, you and the others should go find an inn and rest first,” Xiao Lian said, leading her horse and turning to the rest of the group.

Qin Yi nodded slightly, her tone indifferent. “Alright.”

Huang San, Chen Er, Zhou Ba, and the others also nodded in agreement.

That night, the sight of Chen Ye crushing Monk Qingyuan’s skull was still deeply imprinted in their minds.

When it came to Chen Ye, they felt an instinctive fear from the bottom of their hearts.

A Grandmaster.

How many Grandmasters existed in the entire world?

They were merely second-rank martial artists. Compared to a Grandmaster, the gap was as vast as that between a beggar and an emperor.

Xiao Lian gave a slight nod, handing her reins to Qian Qi before clasping her fists and leaving.

Watching Xiao Lian’s figure disappear down the street, Qian Qi let out a sigh of relief and muttered, “Qin Yi, you really know how to pick disciples.”

“You just randomly found someone, and she turns out to have a Grandmaster backing her! How the hell did you manage that? Teach me your ways.”

Qin Yi gave Qian Qi a flat glance and said nothing.

“Come on, let’s go. We’ve been traveling for days. Let’s find an inn and rest,” said the burly Chen Er, grinning. “I’ve been eating dry rations this whole time, and I haven’t had a single drop of wine.”

Zhou Ba shook his head, swaying slightly as he said, “Wine alone isn’t enough. We need meat too.”

He Wu clicked his tongue twice. “Look at you bunch—only thinking about food.”

“I heard there’s a Yihong Brothel in Yuhang County. Is that true?”

The moment he said this, Chen Er, Zhou Ba, and Qian Qi all shot him a look of disdain.

“What? You guys can eat, but I can't indulge a little?” He Wu scoffed. “Bunch of hypocrites.”

Huang San, who had a black saber strapped to his waist and a blade of grass in his mouth, said lazily, “If the Grandmaster summons us later, we’ll be sure to tell him everything.”

At those words, He Wu immediately shut up.

If the Grandmaster called for them and he was off visiting a brothel, that would leave a terrible impression, wouldn’t it?

Forget it. The brothel would always be there.

He couldn't afford to mess up something important.

With that, the six of them stepped into the Yuelai Inn.

Yuhang Orphanage.

Xiao Lian stood before the entrance, staring at the five large characters above—Yuhang Orphanage.

It had only been a little over twenty days since she last left, yet now that she is back…

Her feelings were completely different from when she had departed.

She never would have imagined that Chen Ye—lazy, always basking in the sun, reading idle books—was actually a Grandmaster.

Her bright eyes lingered on the signboard for a moment before she took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Chen Ye, lounging on a recliner, heard the movement and set down his book.

Seeing Xiao Lian, he smiled warmly. “You’re back?”

“Director.”

Seeing that familiar, handsome face, Xiao Lian finally felt at ease.

“Have you eaten?” Chen Ye rose from his recliner and placed his book to the side.

“Not yet.”

Her delicate face still bore traces of exhaustion from the long journey.

“In that case, go rest for now.” Chen Ye’s smile was bright and soothing. “We’ll eat when Da Ming gets back.”

Suddenly, something came to mind, and he added, “Oh, right. While you were away, we took in another orphan.”

“His name is Sun Sheng. Smart kid, quick on his feet. He’s a good one.”

Another orphan…

Xiao Lian let out a soft hum of acknowledgment, her lips curving into a small smile.

“One more thing—outside, you’re an assassin of the Jade Leaf Hall, but when you’re home, you’re just Xiao Lian.”

“Don’t tell Da Ming or the others about your identity. They’re just ordinary people. Don’t drag them into this.” Chen Ye’s tone was calm.

Xiao Lian obediently nodded.

With that, Chen Ye grinned. “I’ll head to the kitchen and start preparing. You should go check on Xiaofu.”

“That little kid really missed you while you were gone.”

Xiao Lian’s smile disappeared instantly.

She puffed out her cheeks, looking completely disgruntled.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Ye burst out laughing and dusted his backside before heading to the kitchen.

Finally—after these past few days—he could finally relax a little.

Watching Chen Ye’s leisurely retreating figure, Xiao Lian was momentarily lost in thought.

Director…

He’s such a strange person.

He was an amazing cook. He always had weird, fascinating things. And he was a Grandmaster.

If he wanted, he could be the most powerful, most influential person in the martial world.

Yet here he was, running an orphanage in Yuhang County…

Xiao Lian couldn’t understand his reasoning.

But she respected him deeply.

Not just for his martial prowess but from the depths of her heart.

Watching his back as he entered the kitchen, a touch of reverence appeared in her gaze.

She turned back around—

And suddenly, her body stiffened.

By the window—

A pair of round, black eyes blinked at her.

The next moment, the little child’s lips curled into a sweet, innocent smile.

“Lian…”

The child’s voice was soft and milky as she called her name.

Xiaofu called out in her soft, childlike voice.

… 

"You old bastard… you actually did it!"

Sun Sheng looked at the old beggar kneeling on the ground, having just finished kowtowing three times. He was completely at a loss.

Nan Yiyun gazed at Sun Sheng with burning eyes.

“Well? I’ve done what you asked.”

Sun Sheng opened his mouth but had no words.

He had only spoken in anger.

Who would have thought that the old beggar would actually take it seriously?

But a man of honor never goes back on his word.

In this world, one’s credibility was everything.

After a brief hesitation, Sun Sheng gritted his teeth and said, “Alright!”

“This young master will acknowledge you as my teacher, but I only kneel to the heavens above and my parents below—not to you.”

Nan Yiyun waved his hand dismissively. “No matter. Formalities are meaningless! I’ve never cared for society’s pointless customs.”

After saying this, Nan Yiyun looked at Sun Sheng with satisfaction.

“Good. Very good. You’re just like me when I was young…”

His gaze toward Sun Sheng was like that of an appraiser admiring a rare treasure.

“In fact, your aptitude is even better than mine.”

Feeling the old beggar’s fiery gaze, Sun Sheng got goosebumps.

“Hurry up and spit it out! This young master is busy!” He snapped.

Nan Yiyun grinned. “Alright, my dear disciple. I’ll recite our internal cultivation technique for you to memorize.”

“The martial art of our lineage is called Thousand Layers, Hundred Waves Technique—the sacred treasure of the Nanhai Sect, a true innate-level technique.”

“Once mastered, your internal energy will stack continuously, flowing like an unending tide. You’ll have the power to shatter mountains and sweep away the sea!”

“It embodies the force of a mighty ocean wave.”

“But be warned—those with weak minds will have their spirits shattered upon first contact.”

“Our training differs from other sects. We don’t prioritize innate talent—only lung capacity.”

“You, my disciple, have an exceptional lung capacity. You can hold your breath for dozens of seconds! This technique is a perfect match for you!”

As Nan Yiyun spoke, he became increasingly excited, spittle flying everywhere.

After listening for a few moments, Sun Sheng grew impatient and waved his hand. “Stop, stop! What the hell is all that? Just write it down for me.”

Nan Yiyun chuckled awkwardly but patiently explained, “Disciple, this is an innate-level technique. Even a single leaked page could plunge the martial world into chaos.”

“No writing? Then this young master is leaving.” Sun Sheng turned around without hesitation.

“Hey, hey, hey! Fine, fine! I’ll write it down!”

Nan Yiyun quickly pulled him back.

“Then hurry up. I’m giving you fifteen minutes.”

Sun Sheng squinted and sat cross-legged on the ground.

“Alright, just wait here a moment. Your master will be right back.”

Nan Yiyun took a deep breath, then leaped away, his figure vanishing toward Yuhang County in just a few bounds.

Sun Sheng half-opened his eyes and saw Nan Yiyun’s silhouette flickering twenty or so zhang away in an instant. His heart trembled in shock.

“Hiss… Did this young master really stumble upon a hidden master? Could I actually be this lucky?”

Rubbing his chin, Sun Sheng fell into deep thought.

“That technique he was bragging about sounds pretty impressive… I should take it back and show it to Foster Father.”

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