"Hmm? You’re coming along too?" Zhao Ya asked, somewhat surprised.
"That’s right, I want to go and learn a few things." Gui Xuanqing replied earnestly.
Gui Xuanqing truly thought this way.
Yesterday, the conversation between Zhao Ya and Shen Yunshen left a deep impression on him.
Especially when Zhao Ya said, "In the Jianghu, one cannot always act as they wish." This left Gui Xuanqing unable to sleep at all after returning.
Having been pampered and well-protected since childhood, Gui Xuanqing finally understood now what it means for the world to be treacherous.
Yet, the more it was so, the more curious Gui Xuanqing became.
He wanted very much to see what the real Jianghu was like, so he came here early.
However, he didn’t expect Zhao Ya to refuse him outright.
"No way."
"Why not? I promise I won’t say much, I’ll just watch how you handle things from the side. Can’t I even do that?" Gui Xuanqing was very puzzled.
"The reason is complicated, and I can’t explain it clearly in a short time. But just remember one thing, this matter is very broad in scope. It doesn’t matter to me because I’ve already completely fallen out with Xia Jiye and the others, but it’s different for you."
"You still have to attend classes at the Martial Arts Hall. If you follow me, Xia Jiye and the others might hold a grudge against you. Understand?" Zhao Ya said.
Gui Xuanqing deflated upon hearing this.
His father had specifically reminded him before leaving to maintain a good relationship with Xia Jiye and the Instructor Elders.
So when Zhao Ya said it was this serious, Gui Xuanqing naturally didn’t dare to insist anymore.
"Then, brother, you must be careful too." Gui Xuanqing could only say this.
Zhao Ya smiled, "Don’t worry."
After settling these trivial matters, Zhao Ya went straight down the mountain.
This time, the guards at the gate didn’t even ask anything.
Ridiculous.
The trouble Zhao Ya caused last time was witnessed by them all, even the arrogant Elder Xia was forced to apologize in public.
They were just small guards, how dare they say anything else.
Instead, Zhao Ya very dutifully reported his departure at the gate, saying he might not return tonight.
The guards, of course, were full of smiles, repeatedly saying yes, not daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction.
Seeing this, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This is how the atmosphere gradually deteriorates.
It’s not solely Xia Jiye’s fault but a result caused by many Elders and even most people at the Azure Dragon Temple.
Everyone is compromising bottomlessly, everything can be discussed, leading to a situation where everyone becomes indifferent and harms each other.
Although Zhao Ya got a convenience this time, it was due to the guards being afraid of him.
But what about those ordinary disciples?
Do they have to make some concessions to accomplish what should be within the rules?
Unfortunately, these are not Zhao Ya’s concerns because he has no ability to change them now.
After going down the mountain, Zhao Ya headed straight south.
The task list was clear, the industries occupied by disabled people were at Nandian Town, seventy miles south of the Azure Dragon Temple.
Seventy miles’ distance was just a mealtime for Zhao Ya.
But not long after leaving the Azure Dragon Temple, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky.
In an instant, heavy snow poured down, swept by the howling cold wind into the distance, the temperature so low it seemed to freeze one’s soul.
In such awful weather, not just humans, but even wild beasts wouldn’t come out to forage.
Zhao Ya, however, was unbothered and quickly arrived at Nandian Town.
Surprisingly, Nandian Town was not rundown; on the contrary, being close to a main road made it quite prosperous.
The shops lining the streets were antique, full of charm.
Due to the New Year approaching, the street remained bustling despite the atrocious snowy weather.
Walking along the street, Zhao Ya thought to himself that these shops didn’t appear to be run by a group of desolate people.
No wonder the Azure Dragon Temple wanted to find a way to reclaim the rent; their means were indeed a bit much.
As Zhao Ya was walking along, a group suddenly came forward to block his path.
The leader was a person with a limp, supported by a crutch, smiling as he cupped his hands toward Zhao Ya.
"May I ask, are you a Young Hero from the Azure Dragon Temple?"
Zhao Ya squinted, "You know me?"
The limping person hurriedly explained, "Please don’t misunderstand, Young Hero. We mean no harm. The reason we recognized you is that every disciple from the Azure Dragon Temple has a certain aura, so we recognized you as soon as you entered town."
"Oh? An aura, what kind of aura?" Zhao Ya asked with a half-smile.
"I can’t quite say, but rather than an aura, it’s more like a feeling." The limping person smiled in explanation.
Zhao Ya looked deeply at the limp person in front of him, seeing he was only in his forties, though disabled, well-groomed, and even under scrutiny, the smile on his face remained unchanged.
"May I know your surname?"
"In front of a Young Hero from the Azure Dragon Temple, how dare I claim to have a noble surname. This humble one’s surname is Yang, with the single name Bin."
"Zhao Ya!"
"Ah, so it’s Young Hero Zhao, this way please."
Yang Bin stepped aside, smiling as he gestured with his hand.
Zhao Ya nodded and, without ceremony, led the way forward.
The group followed behind.
At this point, Zhao Ya realized that each member of the group had some form of disability.
Some had a limp and found movement difficult.
Others had poor eyesight and needed assistance; some appeared normal but would only understand gestures.
"There’s no other way—besides a few orphaned families, most of the town’s people have disabilities." Yang Bin explained, a desolate tone in his voice.
Zhao Ya remained silent.
Soon, they arrived in front of a house, located behind the main street, a place of tranquility amid the bustle.
Someone was already waiting there, leading them once Yang Bin ushered Zhao Ya in, even lifting the cotton curtain for them.
Once inside, Zhao Ya found the room tidied well; though the setup was outdated, it was organized.
A fire was burning in the room, providing warmth, but the air was thick with a pungent smell of poor-quality charcoal.
Once seated, a young girl approached with a tray, offering Zhao Ya a cup of hot tea.
Zhao Ya took it graciously, "Thank you!"
The young girl remained oblivious.
Yang Bin commented, "She was born both deaf and mute, she can’t hear you."
Zhao Ya fell into silence, sipping the tea gently.
Yang Bin continued speaking, "I understand why Young Hero Zhao is here, but we never intended to withhold rent. You saw it yourself; the town is full of people unable to be self-sufficient..."
At this moment, Zhao Ya suddenly interrupted him, "Looking at Shopkeeper Yang’s demeanor, it seems you’ve been educated?"