Huang Zitao gave a faint smile. “If Fei Hung said that, then there must be something that needs to remain secret, Fang Yun. Your grandfather, Fei Hung, was the sole disciple of Master Xiao Tian, so I’m sure he had his reasons for keeping it hidden.”Fang Yun nodded, understanding Huang Zitao’s words. He knew that secrets were never revealed easily.“Alright, let’s head to the Golden Step Sect!” said Huang Zitao.Fang Yun entered the cave and took out a cloth bundle containing his clothes and the Flame God Technique manual that he always carried.“Let’s go, Zhao Wen. Grandfather wants to depart now,” said Fang Yun.“Are there any girls at the Golden Step Sect?” Zhao Wen asked.“How would I know?” Fang Yun shrugged and walked out.“Why didn’t you ask, you mountain lizard?!” Zhao Wen shouted after him.Since both horses used by Fang Yun and Zhao Wen had died from the impact of Tang Fei’s forbidden techniq

Meanwhile, two men dressed in black entered a roadside eatery near the edge of a forest. Once the place had emptied out, the two approached the owner.“Sorry to bother you, good sir. We’d like to ask you something.”The shop owner, who was cleaning a table, turned around. “What can I help you with, gentlemen?”“Have you seen a man, around thirty years old, handsome, who came here with a few companions?”The shopkeeper tried to recall anyone matching that description. It took him a while—he had so many visitors every day.“Was the man wearing clothing with a red lion’s head emblem on the left side of his chest?” the shopkeeper asked.“Yes, that’s him. When did he come here?”“It was quite some time ago, sir. Around seven days ago, if I remember correctly.”The two men—who were in fact spies from the Red Lion Sect—began calculating how far Tang Fei might have traveled since leaving the sect.“Wh

Pickpocket Early in the morning, Huang Zitao, Fang Yun, and Zhao Wen were already descending Mount Tai. They no longer had to pass through the golden gate, as they were not ascending. Upon reaching the foot of Mount Tai, Huang Zitao gave them directions to follow the path toward the capital city. "Follow this road, and you'll reach the capital in less than half a day." "Yes, Grandpa. We'll leave now," said Fang Yun, bowing respectfully. Fang Yun and Zhao Wen then followed the narrow path that cut through a modest forest. It was a shortcut to the capital city of the Shang Dynasty. Half a day later, they arrived at the capital. After passing inspection, the two walked while observing the bustling atmosphere of the city. This capital is even livelier than the last one we visited, Fang Yun thought. Their amazement was suddenly interrupted by the scream of a woman. "Thief! Thieeef!" Fang Yun and Zhao Wen saw a ragged little boy dashing away, nimbly avoiding the hands of six grown

"Yes, Your Majesty. Zhan Zi is the one who took us in when we were homeless. He’s also the one who’s been feeding us all this time. If it weren’t for him, the four of us would’ve probably died on the streets," Liu Lan replied."Why didn’t you ask the citizens or the royal officials for help? Why resort to stealing?""Forgive me, Your Majesty. What official ever cared about us? They are busy living in luxury off the kingdom's wealth. And the wealthy, like him, have no compassion for people like us," Zhan Zi answered while pointing at Xiang Qin, whose face turned pale with fear. "Luckily, Brother Fang Yun and Brother Zhao Wen came to help us. Thanks to them, we got to eat food we could never even dream of."Emperor Li Wei was moved by Zhan Zi’s words. He then looked toward Fang Yun and Zhao Wen."Are you two from this capital city?""No, Your Majesty. We come from the peak of Mount Tianmen," Zhao Wen replied.The Emperor squinted slightly. "The peak of Mount Tianmen? Do you know Zhao Ji

"Yes, Auntie. We happened to arrive here just before nightfall," Fang Yun replied, his eyes scanning the room, observing each of the visitors inside the eatery and inn."You’re lucky to have made it here before dark." The woman smiled meaningfully."Why is that, Auntie?""If you had insisted on continuing your journey earlier, you would’ve ended up stuck in the forest at night. There are no villages ahead. Also, it’s common for bandits to strike anyone caught in the woods after dark," the middle-aged woman said while preparing food for the two of them."The locals around here already know that and always avoid the forest at night," she continued."Ooh… so that’s how it is. That means the bandits have been operating in that forest for quite a while, Auntie?""Not too long, probably just this past year," the woman replied, handing over the dishes ordered by Fang Yun and Zhao Wen. "Please eat while it’s still warm. It won’t taste as good once it’s cold," she added kindly.Fang Yun and Zh