Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

Before dawn, when the eastern horizon was just beginning to lighten with a hint of blue, a large crowd had already gathered in front of the school in Hexi Town.

A thin mist floated in the autumn morning, clinging to the bluestone path, making it damp.

Dewdrops clung to the grass blades by the roadside, glistening and sparkling. A gust of wind would send them rustling down, crashing to the ground and shattering into even finer droplets.

Raymond Lam arrived the earliest.

He carried a bulging blue cloth bundle on his back, which contained clothes and dry food that Shi Yao had packed overnight.

The jade-white safety buckle hung around her neck, pressed against her chest, feeling warm.

He carried a porcelain bottle, silver coins, a note, and a boxing manual in his arms, which felt heavy, as if he were carrying half of his family on his back.

He stood under the locust tree at the school gate, watching the lights gradually illuminate the town, listening to the faint sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking in the distance, and that indescribable emotion welled up in his heart again.

A mix of anticipation, nervousness, and reluctance churned within him, making his stomach churn.

Soon, Zhang Kai arrived as well.

He carried a larger, heavier bundle on his back, and in his hand he held a smooth, hardwood stick, which he said was given to him by his father for self-defense on the road.

He saw Lin Feng, nodded, and silently stood beside him.

Next up is Li Qianqian.

The little girl was wearing a brand-new light green dress today. Her hair was neatly combed and tied into two small buns, each adorned with a silk flower. Her face was clean and white, but her eyes were a little swollen, as if she had been crying.

Her mother, Madam Li, personally brought her here, holding her hand and giving her countless instructions, her eyes red-rimmed.

Zhao Mingxuan arrived in his family's black carriage.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and he stepped down, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and his hair tied up with a golden crown. He walked down with his head held high and a servant boy following behind him, carrying an exquisite rattan box.

Zhao Dechang didn't get out of the car. He simply lifted the curtain, nodded to his son, and then bowed to Master Lin, who was standing at the school gate, before lowering the curtain.

The carriage turned around and drove away with a clatter.

Finally, it's Chen Jing'an.

He was still wearing the same faded old clothes, empty-handed, carrying nothing, quietly following behind Old Man Chen.

Brother Chen walked up to Master Lin, his lips trembling as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just bowed deeply.

Master Lin helped him up and said a few words gently. Brother Chen wiped his eyes and left, looking back every few steps.

Five children, five different feelings, standing in the morning mist, awaiting the unknown journey.

The parents gathered to one side, talking in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally sweeping over their children, filled with reluctance, worry, and anticipation.

Zhang the hunter squatted in the corner, puffing on his pipe one after another, his expression obscured by the swirling smoke.

Widow Liu also arrived, her eyes red, holding Liu Xiaohu's hand—Liu Xiaohu ultimately couldn't go, and now he was pouting, trying hard not to cry, just looking longingly at Lin Feng and the others.

Master Lin stood on the steps of the school, his slender figure appearing somewhat hazy in the morning mist.

He glanced at the sky, then at the gathered children, and nodded slightly.

"It's almost time."

He said gently,

"Please wait a moment, your martial uncle will be here soon."

No sooner had he finished speaking than unhurried footsteps came from the other end of the street.

Click, click, click.

The sound was very steady, and the intervals between each step were as if they had been precisely measured, no more and no less.

With the sound of footsteps, a figure slowly emerged from the thin mist.

He was an elderly man who looked to be in his fifties.

He was wearing a slightly faded gray cloth robe, which was neither new nor old, but clean and tidy.

Her hair was gray, loosely tied into a bun at the back of her head, secured with a wooden hairpin.

He had an ordinary face, slightly dark skin, and deep laugh lines at the corners of his eyes and mouth, as if he was someone who smiled all the time.

Her eyes weren't large, but they were very bright. When her gaze swept over, it was gentle yet with an indescribable sharpness, like the warm afternoon sun in autumn, which could penetrate people's hearts.

He walked slowly to the school gate with his hands behind his back, and bowed slightly to Master Lin: "Senior Brother."

Master Lin returned the greeting: "Junior brother, thank you for your trouble."

"It's my duty."

The old man smiled and turned his gaze to the five children below the steps. He looked at each one, his eyes lingering on each face for a moment, as if he were weighing something in his mind.

Lin Feng felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and subconsciously straightened his back.

He opened his hand and gripped the wooden stick tightly.

Li Qianqian shrank behind Lin Feng.

Zhao Mingxuan raised his chin, trying to project an imposing aura.

Chen Jing'an remained silent, staring blankly at a point of nothingness behind the old man.

"They are all good children."

The old man nodded, his voice not loud, but clear and reassuring, carrying a calm and composed quality.

"My surname is Mo, and my given name is Wen. I will escort you to Qingyang County. You must follow my instructions regarding everything along the way. Do you understand?"

The children responded sparsely to the statement.

Mo Wen then looked at the parents and cupped his hands in greeting: "Rest assured, everyone, I will ensure the children arrive safely."

The parents quickly returned the courtesy, saying things like "Please, Mr. Mo" and "Thank you for your trouble."

Master Lin took out several letters from his sleeve and handed them to Mo Wen: "These are letters to the headmaster of Qingyang Academy and the examiner of Bailu Academy. Travel expenses have also been prepared."

He then took out a small cloth bag and handed it to Mo Wen.

"These loose silver coins are for expenses on the journey."

Mo Wen took it without even looking at it, and casually stuffed it into his pocket, as naturally as if he were carrying a piece of dry rations.

"It's getting late, let's set off now."

Master Lin took one last look at the children.

"Take care on your journey. Once you arrive at the academy, focus on your studies. Don't worry about anything at home."

The children nodded, their eyes welling up with tears.

Liu Xiaohu finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears, rushing over to hug Lin Feng: "Brother Feng! You have to come back! You absolutely have to!"

Lin Feng patted his back, his throat tightening, and said, "Yes, I'll definitely come back."

Hunter Zhang walked over, tucked his pipe behind his waist, patted Zhang Kai's shoulder heavily, and said nothing.

Zhang Kai mumbled "Dad" and nodded vigorously.

Madam Li pulled Li Qianqian aside and gave her a few more instructions before leaving with red eyes.

Zhao Mingxuan frowned impatiently, but didn't say anything.

Chen Jing'an quietly walked to Mo Wen's side and stood still, as if she was ready.

Mo Wen looked at the sky; the crab-shell blue in the east was already turning white, and the fog was beginning to dissipate.

"Let's go."

He turned around, started walking slowly towards the town entrance.

The five children quickly followed. Lin Feng glanced back one last time.

At the school gate, Master Lin stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

The parents remained standing, watching them go. Further away, in the direction of their own courtyard, they could vaguely see the outline of a grape trellis.

He gritted his teeth, turned around, and caught up with the group.

After taking a few steps, I couldn't help but turn back.

This time, he noticed three more people under the locust tree at the entrance of town.

Father Lin Tian, ​​Aunt Yao Shi Yao, and Uncle Xiao Hei Ao Xiao Hei.

My father was still as lazy as ever, leaning against the tree trunk with his arms crossed and his usual smile on his face.

Aunt Yao stood beside him, her hands clasped in front of her, looking at him tenderly.

Uncle Xiao Hei was squatting by the roadside, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. When he saw him looking over, he grinned and made a face at him.

Lin Feng's tears welled up instantly.

He waved vigorously at them.

Lin Tian also raised his hand and waved. Shi Yao nodded with a smile. Ao Xiaohei jumped down from the tree and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Kid! Don't come back if you don't make it big!"

The sound was so loud that it could be heard throughout half the town.

Lin Feng burst into laughter through his tears, nodded vigorously, turned around, and strode to catch up with the group.

The morning light finally broke through the clouds and shone down.

The thin mist quickly dissipated, and the bluestone path was brightly illuminated.

Five children, one old man, six figures, slowly walked away along the dirt road outside the town in the gradually brightening morning light.

The figure grew smaller and smaller until it became a few blurry black dots in the sky and disappeared at the end of the road.

Parents lingered at the school gate, unwilling to leave.

Under the locust tree, Lin Tian withdrew his gaze, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

"I'm leaving," he said softly.

"Mm." Shi Yao nodded.

Ao Xiaohei patted the leaves off his clothes and muttered, "This kid, his bundle is so heavy, he didn't even know to bring less..."

The three turned and walked towards the town.

The morning light was just right, casting their shadows long.

Smoke rose from the chimneys, chickens crowed, dogs barked, and the sounds of doors opening and sweeping filled the air.

It was just another ordinary day.

The town was missing the laughter of five children.

There was a greater sense of emptiness and quiet.

At this moment, Lin Feng, who had already walked two miles, suddenly stopped and looked back.

The town of Hexi has disappeared from sight; only the rolling fields and the blurry silhouettes of distant mountains remain.

The morning breeze was cool and damp on my face.

He touched the jade pendant on his chest, then touched the heavy things in his arms, took a deep breath, turned around, and strode to catch up with the person in front of him.

The road ahead is still long.

But the first step has already been taken.