Kang Keyang.
The youngest son of Kang Zongdan, the current head of the Kang Family in Yunxi Country.
He was forty-eight years old.
A while back, when he heard that Great Yu’s Lord Jing’an had launched a mutiny, he believed it was absolutely the best opportunity to make a fortune.
Kang Keyang planned to sell the three boatloads of armor and weapons he had seized from the Shanrong to the Great Yu Emperor.
But just as he had set out from Mei River Bay with his three ships, preparing to continue north along the Mei River toward Great Yu, his third brother intercepted him.
He said their father was furious and ordered him to return immediately.
Otherwise, the consequences would be severe.
Kang Keyang backed down.
He chose to compromise.
However, before heading back, Kang Keyang’s ship and crew needed supplies.
So they temporarily docked at the Mei River crossing in Liaolong.
He aimlessly strolled along the crossing’s streets, hoping to find some rare trinket from the roadside stalls to present to his old father, calm his anger, and avoid too harsh a punishment.
Suddenly, the figure of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy flashed past Kang Keyang’s eyes and caught his attention.
Bandaged, with splints tied on, and a faint smell of medicinal ointment wafting from him.
Clearly, he had suffered external injuries.
Interesting.
It reminded Kang Keyang of his own youth, sparring with others at the family’s martial arts school.
Then he stepped forward.
“What happened to you, young one? How’d you end up beaten like this?”
Kang Keyang asked, curiously sizing up the boy before him.
The person being addressed, Su Hongzhen, turned his head. After a two-second pause, he answered honestly:
“Ran into bandits.”
“Bandits?”
Kang Keyang said:
“I’ve heard about that too. The bandits in northern Liaolong have been extremely vicious lately. You’re quite lucky to have escaped from them, young one.”
Little Su found it baffling that this middle-aged man had struck up a conversation with him, so he turned to look at Chen Yan beside him with a confused and pleading expression.
It was only then that Kang Keyang noticed Chen Yan, who had been standing there all along.
The handsome, seemingly fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy performed a proper fist-and-palm salute in his direction, then said:
“May I ask, sir, are you a Martial Arts Grandmaster from the Kang Family of Yunxi Country?”
…
His palm was quite thick, and calluses had worn onto his knuckles, which was enough to prove he was a martial artist.
Moreover, from his complexion, his vitality was far beyond an ordinary person’s. His clothing was quite luxurious, and he carried an air of lofty arrogance.
Putting all these clues together, the answer was simple.
He was from the Kang Family.
“Good eyes. I am indeed from the Kang Family, but I’m no Martial Arts Grandmaster—just a Martial Master.”
Kang Keyang said.
He knew very well that his current level was far from what could be called a Martial Arts Grandmaster.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t secretly enjoy being called one by Chen Yan.
As for Chen Yan, whether it was Martial Arts Grandmaster or Martial Master, it made no difference in his eyes.
All were mere mortals.
And right now, Chen Yan did indeed need a favor.
“Junior Chen Yan greets Senior!”
Chen Yan continued toward Kang Keyang:
“A few days ago, my younger brother and I encountered bandits in northern Liaolong. As you can see, sir, my brother was injured. That’s why we’re determined to leave Liaolong temporarily and head to Yunxi… Unfortunately, far too many people have the same idea, and the price of trade permits has skyrocketed. My brother and I simply cannot afford them…”
Upon hearing this, Kang Keyang could roughly guess what Chen Yan wanted.
“So, what’s your point?”
Kang Keyang asked.
“I humbly request that you, Senior, give us a chance to take my brother and me out of Liaolong and into Yunxi.”
Chen Yan said.
“Oh?”
Kang Keyang was indeed quite interested in these two youngsters, and he very much appreciated being called “Senior” by Chen Yan.
But when Chen Yan stated his request, a hint of distance crept into Kang Keyang’s eyes.
Yunxi currently had very strict control over foreign visitors; one needed an official government travel permit or a trade permit to be eligible to enter Yunxi.
In truth, with Kang Keyang’s status, bringing two or three foreigners into Yunxi would be no trouble at all.
But he couldn’t do that now.
Because not long ago, he had just angered the old man. Returning now would definitely mean accepting punishment.
If he caused even the slightest additional trouble, the old man would skin him alive.
“I fully understand what you two young lads are thinking. Great Yu is at war, and Liaolong has recently started to become unsettled too.”
Kang Keyang pondered for a moment, then said:
“But Yunxi has its own national laws after all. If I just take you to Yunxi Country like this, how would others view our Kang Family?”
The direct-line Martial Master of the Kang Family spoke with such righteousness.
“But, Senior.”
Despite being refused, Chen Yan’s expression remained calm as he said placidly:
“If I were to say that I also dabble in martial arts, would I then be qualified to serve as a guest elder at the Kang Family?”
Hearing this, Kang Keyang’s expression shifted slightly. He had originally thought this calm, remarkable, and perceptive youth was very clever.
But what he had just said completely overturned Kang Keyang’s opinion.
Dabbles in martial arts?
Kang Keyang sized up the rather slender frame of the youth named Chen Yan.
Ha, what a joke.
Starting to grow impatient, Kang Keyang’s tone turned mocking as he said:
“If you claim to dabble in martial arts, then prove it to me…”
A flash of white light, followed by a sharp, piercing sound of air splitting.
Kang Keyang’s pupils constricted. It seemed he hadn’t even registered what had just happened.
In the previous instant, the sword hanging at Chen Yan’s waist was now resting against his neck.
What was this?
The Kang Family also had martial artists who practiced sword techniques. His second brother, Kang Kewen, specialized in swordsmanship and, with his masterful skill, had become a recognized Great Martial Master.
Kang Keyang had also sparred with his second brother. His second brother had trained in the sword his entire life, yet his swordsmanship was far inferior to the sheer sharpness and momentum of this fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth drawing his blade in that single instant.
“Senior, how is my swordsmanship?”
Chen Yan said flatly.
“…”
Kang Keyang remained frozen in place, unable to utter a word.
What in the world… was going on?