The tea poured slowly from the purple clay pot, its originally clear liquid transforming into a pale apricot yellow as it fell into the cup.
"Come, my good brother, give this tea of mine a taste!"
Kang Keyang laughed heartily, speaking to the handsome young man sitting across from him.
Chen Yan smiled faintly, picked up the cup before him, and took a sip.
"Not bad."
Then, he turned his gaze to the river water flowing past the side of the boat.
This was a vessel heading to Jiangdu Prefecture in Yunxi Country, and on the flag hung at the bow was a large character reading "Kang."
At this moment, Chen Yan's physical age was fifteen.
Yet he was still called "good brother" by Kang Keyang, who was forty-eight this year, over three times his senior.
Kang Keyang couldn't get a read on the young man before him.
In this world, how could there be a master who wielded a sword so fast?
Without giving anyone any time to react, the blade had already been resting against his neck.
If the other party had intended to kill, he would have already been dead by now.
Even his second older brother, Kang Kewen, would be far inferior to this young man in sword speed.
Could it be... a Martial Arts Grandmaster?
Kang Keyang wore a smile on his face, but in his heart, he kept speculating.
Yet how could there be such a young Martial Arts Grandmaster?
The world divided martial arts practitioners into five ranks.
They were, from lowest to highest: Disciple, Martial Artist, Martial Master, Great Martial Master, and Martial Arts Grandmaster.
However, the rank divisions among martial artists were not as distinct as those among cultivators.
Because there were no clear thresholds for martial arts ranks.
For example, to advance from Disciple to Martial Artist, one didn't need to meet a specific standard of strength.
Instead, one had to receive the recognition of one's teaching Martial Master, and then they could graduate and become a Martial Artist capable of standing on their own.
As for Martial Master, basically any ordinary Martial Artist who accumulated enough experience and reputation could advance to that rank.
But Great Martial Master and Martial Arts Grandmaster were different.
To become a Great Martial Master, one had to be a truly top-tier martial artist.
And the Martial Arts Grandmaster was the pinnacle of the pinnacle.
"This tea is called Apricot Creek, and it's produced in Lanhe Prefecture in Yunxi. Everyone knows Lanhe is famous across the world for its tea, and this Apricot Creek tea is the finest of the finest among Lanhe teas."
Kang Keyang introduced the origin of the tea before him, then shifted his gaze slightly, glancing in the direction of Little Su.
"Little brother, what do you think of this tea?"
Exhausted from the journey, Su Hongzhen had just downed the tea in his cup to quench his thirst, not tasting a thing. He still held the empty cup in his hand, his expression bewildered as he nodded.
"Top quality! Truly top quality!"
"Hahahaha!"
Kang Keyang let out a hearty laugh, then turned his gaze to the bandages wrapped around Su Hongzhen's body.
"When you've injured your bones and tendons, you can't just wrap them up so sloppily and call it done. When we reach Jiangdu Prefecture, I'll find you the best doctor in Yunxi. There's a medicinal formula in Yunxi called Bone-Forging Powder, and it's very effective for treating the wounds you've suffered."
Of course, he wanted to win over that young man with the incredible sword skills.
Right now, the old master was furious because Kang Keyang had acted on his own, trying to sell the three boatloads of armor and weapons he'd hoarded to the Great Yu Emperor. When he returned, there would definitely be no good outcome for him.
But if he could build a good relationship with this young man, who was so skilled with the sword, maybe when they went back, the old master would give him some face, for the boy's sake.
In Kang Keyang's eyes, this young man claiming he wanted to come to the Kang Family as a guest elder was far too humble for his abilities.
The other party's martial arts level was far above his own; at the very least, he was among the most elite of the Great Martial Masters, perhaps even someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with a Martial Arts Grandmaster.
So, he suspected that this young man, who called himself Chen Yan, might have other motives.
But it didn't matter. Kang Keyang had no concerns about bringing Chen Yan and his younger brother to the Kang Family in Jiangdu Prefecture.
Because the current Yunxi Kang Family had a total of three living Martial Arts Grandmasters and over twenty Great Martial Masters.
These three Martial Arts Grandmasters were his father, Kang Zongdan; the head of the Kang Family's branch in Chendan Prefecture, his uncle Kang Zongze; and his fifth older brother, Kang Kewei, whose external training in muscles and bones was exceptionally ferocious.
Not to mention the more than twenty Great Martial Masters stationed there.
If he wanted to come as a guest, then come as a guest.
Friend or foe, the Kang Family could afford to receive him.
The people of the Kang Family all carried a particular kind of pride, often making them seem as though they looked down on everyone.
Even including the emperor of Yunxi.
Because the Kang Family was special.
Looking across the surrounding countries of Yunxi, the Kang Family was the only martial arts family, and only the Kang family members practiced martial arts.
And that wasn't surprising.
Because the Kang Family had migrated from a secular dynasty ten thousand miles away to Yunxi over three hundred years ago.
From over three hundred years ago until now, the Kang Family had spread its branches for over a dozen generations, and the reason for the original migration had long been forgotten.
Yet they still maintained the heritage of a martial arts family, which was the foundation of their standing in Yunxi.
A single pair of fists can't beat four limbs.
A mere teenage boy, only skilled with a sword—how could he dare to challenge the Kang Family's status and dignity?
Especially his father, Kang Zongdan.
At ninety-one years old, his qi and blood had already declined by more than half, yet he still firmly held the position of the Kang Family's current number one Martial Arts Grandmaster.
It was hard to imagine how terrifying his father had been back in his forties, at the peak of his qi and blood and in his most experienced years.
"My good brother's swordsmanship is so extraordinary. May I ask who your teacher is?"
Kang Keyang asked, seemingly casually, while refilling Chen Yan's cup with the purple clay pot.
"When I was young, a master passed through my village. I learned swordsmanship from him for a while."
Chen Yan lied off the top of his head, his expression unchanged.
"I see."
Kang Keyang said.
"It seems my good brother has quite a fortunate fate!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan merely smiled faintly and said nothing.
Kang Keyang might not believe his story, and Chen Yan didn't care.
He was just brushing him off.
"Sixth Master."
On this cargo ship, which was transporting a large number of weapons and armor, a middle-aged man who looked like a manager walked over and called out softly in Kang Keyang's direction.
"What's wrong?"
Kang Keyang's smile dimmed by half, holding his tea cup in hand, his eyes lowered slightly as he asked.
"If it's convenient for you, Sixth Master, please come take a look."
The middle-aged manager spoke toward Kang Keyang with great respect.
Kang Keyang slowly set down his cup, then turned to Chen Yan and Su Hongzhen, who were sitting across from him, with a smile.
"You two, please excuse me for a moment."
Then, he stood up and followed the middle-aged manager toward the cargo hold.