Yang Guo: I defied death and reached the heavens in The Return of the Condor Heroes

The two remained silent for a moment.

Yang Guo spoke again:

"Uncle Guo, you heard what Ouyang Feng said when he fled."

"He said he would come to find me again once he had mastered the divine skill. I fear he might go to Peach Blossom Island and harm you and Aunt Guo."

Guo Jing listened and slowly shook his head, offering a gentle smile of comfort:

"Don't worry, Guo'er."

"Peach Blossom Island is surrounded by the sea, and your Aunt Guo has set up a maze outside the island, so that ordinary outsiders cannot even find the way to the island."

"The island is also full of hidden mechanisms and traps, so even if Ouyang Feng finds the edge of the island, he will find it difficult to take even half a step inside."

"Besides, as long as you stay by my side, I will never let anyone kidnap you."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before finishing their ginger soup.

At this moment, Huang Rong slowly walked out of Kezhen's house, still holding a medicine grinder in her hand.

Guo Jing turned to look at Huang Rong and asked:

"How is Master's injury? Is it serious?"

Huang Rong washed her hands and walked behind Guo Jing.

She gently placed her hands on his broad shoulders and answered softly:

"Master's tiger's mouth wound has been stitched up, and he is currently out of danger."

"His internal organs were injured. I have used acupuncture to lock several key acupoints. However, he must not fight or get angry in the coming days. Only by resting quietly can he recover slowly."

Guo Jing felt relieved and said softly to Huang Rong:

"Rong'er, thank you for your hard work."

He then turned to look at Yang Guo and said gently:

"Guo'er, you should also go back to your room and rest early."

"We'll set off back to Peach Blossom Island early tomorrow morning. Once we get there, Uncle Guo will personally teach you martial arts."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guo stood up and bowed deeply to Guo Jing and Huang Rong:

"Uncle Guo and Aunt Guo, please get some rest as well."

After saying this, he turned around and went back to his room alone.

He closed the door and sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, but did not lie down immediately.

With eyes gently closed, silently practice the Threefold Reversal of Life technique, slowly circulating Qi throughout the body for one cycle.

The Qi within the Dantian circulated slowly, warm and steady, washing away all the fear and fatigue of the day.

After finishing his practice, he felt utterly exhausted. Without even taking off his clothes, he lay down on the pillow fully clothed and fell into a deep sleep in an instant.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong returned to their room together and gently closed the door.

Guo Jing sat on the edge of the bed, raising his hand to untie the sash of his outer robe, but his fingertips remained suspended in mid-air for a long time.

Having fought Ouyang Feng for a long time today, even though he is in his prime, his shoulder and back muscles are still feeling stiff and sore.

But what weighed heavily on his mind was not his physical exhaustion, but the image of Ouyang Feng holding Yang Guo by his side, his expression shifting between joy and anger, which kept lingering in his mind.

"Rong'er".

His voice was somber.

"Thinking back on what just happened, I still feel a lingering fear."

"I really don't dare to think about what would have happened if we had arrived in the alley even a moment later."

Huang Rong moved to sit beside him and gently removed his outer robe.

She knew that Guo Jing was filled with guilt and resentment after finding Yang Guo alone.

This encounter with Ouyang Feng pushed the already tense string in his heart to its limit, and he could only gently comfort him:

"Brother Jing, who could have foreseen such a turn of events?"

"Fortunately, the Beggars' Sect disciples sent a message in time. Guo'er is also very fortunate and quick-witted, managing to delay until we arrived."

"He was only twelve or thirteen years old, yet he was able to remain calm and composed when facing Ouyang Feng. If it were Fu'er, she would probably have been terrified and burst into tears long ago."

After listening to Huang Rong's words of comfort, Guo Jing slowly nodded.

Suddenly, as if recalling a matter on his mind, his tone became firm and his gaze upright, as if what he said was a matter of course:

"Guo'er is indeed a clever and composed child."

"I have a wish in my heart that when Fu'er comes of age, I will betroth her to Guo'er."

"In this way, we can fulfill the old oath between the Guo and Yang families, and the descendants of both families can also have a satisfactory ending."

Huang Rong paused slightly while holding Guo Jing's hand, not expecting his thoughts to jump so quickly, and in an instant he brought up his daughter's marriage.

She looked up at him, her tone gentle and reserved:

"Brother Jing, Fu'er is still young. It is too early to talk about such things now."

Guo Jing held Huang Rong's delicate hand tightly.

His tone was stubborn and resolute, as if he had found a major matter that absolutely had to be resolved, and he spoke slowly to himself:

"Rong'er, the Guo and Yang families have been friends for generations. My father and Uncle Yang swore an oath in Niujia Village years ago."

"The younger generations of two families, if of the same sex, become sworn brothers, and if of different sexes, they enter into a marriage contract."

"Although Brother Kang has passed away, this contract cannot be voided."

"Guo'er is exceptionally talented, bold yet meticulous. He has endured many hardships since childhood, and he is destined for great things in the future."

"When Fu'er is a little older, we will betroth her to Guo'er, so that the Guo and Yang families can be united forever, and thus fulfill my late father's last wish."

Listening to Guo Jing's stubborn and determined tone.

Huang Rong knew that this matter had already taken root in his heart and would not be easily swayed, so she could only continue to persuade him gently:

"Brother Jing, it's not that I'm unwilling for our two families to form a marriage alliance."

"It's just that Fu'er and Guo'er are still young, and it's too early to arrange a marriage between them. We don't know if their temperaments, personalities, and ways of doing things are compatible."

"If we grow up and develop resentment towards each other, we will blame us for acting on our own initiative today."

"Why not wait a few more years, until the two children are a bit older, and if they are compatible and mutually attracted, then we can arrange their marriage. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Guo Jing remained silent for a moment, carefully considering Huang Rong's words. He found every sentence reasonable, raised his hand to scratch his head, and looked simple and honest.

"It was I who was too impatient and thought too far ahead."

"We will follow your suggestion. When the two children are a little older, if they are compatible and have feelings for each other, then we can arrange their marriage."

Seeing that Guo Jing had relented, Huang Rong finally felt relieved.

She was genuinely worried that Guo Jing's stubborn nature might lead him to impulsively arrange their marriage so early.

She dared not take this matter lightly. Whenever Huang Rong saw Yang Guo, even though his temperament and actions were completely different from Yang Kang's.

Yet, the shadow of Yang Kang always lingered in her eyes, making her uneasy.

If this child grows up to be a virtuous and upright gentleman, it would be a wonderful thing to marry Fu'er to him, which would strengthen the ties between the Guo and Yang families.

However, if he inherits his father's character and is treacherous and unpredictable, he will not only push Fu'er into an abyss, but she and Jing-gege will also inevitably be caught in trouble.

This matter requires careful consideration and thorough planning before a decision can be made.

Huang Rong gazed intently at Guo Jing and said softly:

"Look at you these past few days, just because you found Guo'er and learned that he was all alone and helpless, you were filled with guilt and lost your sense of propriety in treating him."

"This child lost both parents at such a young age. Although we must teach him carefully, we must be careful not to spoil him too much and never let him repeat the mistakes of his father, Yang Kang."

Guo Jing felt that every word hit the nail on the head, and he gently put his arm around her shoulder, his heart filled with relief.

"Rong'er is absolutely right; it was I who acted without discretion."

"I know that because of the past incident involving Kangdi, you still have reservations about Guo'er."

"Back then, Kangdi went astray because he grew up in Jinbang and no one taught him to distinguish right from wrong. This was a lifelong regret for my father and Uncle Yang."

"I absolutely cannot let Guo'er experience such a fate again."

"After we return to Peach Blossom Island, we will carefully guide him, teaching him to distinguish between good and evil, abide by moral principles, and establish himself with a clear conscience."

"I will then impart all my martial arts knowledge to him, and in time he will surely become a great and upright man."

Huang Rong hadn't expected that Guo Jing, usually so simple-minded, could see through her hidden worries, and her tone softened:

"Guo'er is Guo'er, and Yang Kang is Yang Kang; they should not be confused."

"I can hardly forgive Yang Kang for his many evil deeds, but Guo'er is still Mu's child."

"Sister Mu was kind to me back then, and I have always treated her like my own nephew."

"Once we return to Peach Blossom Island, I will teach you properly together."

After Huang Rong finished speaking, the two leaned against the bed and chatted for a long time, whispering sweet nothings to each other. Then they blew out the lamp and rested side by side.

The room was quiet and still. After a while, Guo Jing's steady snoring began to rise from beside his pillow.

Huang Rong, however, was wide awake, her bright and intelligent eyes wide open.

She gazed at her husband's resolute and composed profile beside her, her eyes fixed on him for a long time, her thoughts unknown to anyone.

The moonlight outside the window is cold and clear, casting a slanting glow on the crooked willow branch in the courtyard.

The entire city of Jiaxing was shrouded in the deep darkness of night. The fishing lights on the distant canal had all faded away, and thin clouds obscured the moonlight on the water. All around, there was only a deep and gloomy atmosphere.

......

The next day, as dawn broke and the morning light began to appear, the backyard of the inn was already bustling with activity.

Cheng Ying had already quietly left without saying goodbye, leaving only a letter.

The letter stated that she went to find her cousin Lu Wushuang on her own and told everyone not to worry about her.

Knowing her stubborn nature, Guo Jing and Huang Rong could only secretly pray that she would have a safe and smooth journey.

With the help of the Beggars' Sect disciples, all the supplies that everyone had purchased were transported to the dock and neatly stacked on the side of the pier.

Rice, flour, cooking oil, cloth, and medicinal herbs were neatly arranged. There were also several tightly sealed wooden boxes, the contents of which were unknown to anyone. Huang Rong strictly instructed others not to touch them in the slightest.

Guo Jing stood on the pier, carefully instructing the Beggars' Sect disciples on their final matters.

Huang Rong stood by his side, holding a list of supplies, checking each item meticulously.

She has always been meticulous, and the closer things are to completion, the more thorough and meticulous she becomes, leaving no room for oversight.

Ke Zhen'e had already changed the gauze on his hands and stood quietly waiting, holding the iron cane.

Da Wu and Xiao Wu each carried their luggage, both drowsy and sleepy, their eyelids heavy and their weariness evident.

Only Guo Fu, dressed in a pale yellow dress, looked radiant and was chatting and laughing incessantly with her arms around the white eagle's neck.

The white eagle, impatient with her pestering it, flapped its wings and let several white feathers fall.

Yang Guo, carrying the small bag he had packed that morning, stood quietly among the crowd.

He looked back at the entire city of Jiaxing, the first place he had ever stayed since he first came into this world.

The crooked willow tree beside the city gate still stands, and the canal in the distance flows gently as before.

In just a few days, he was no longer the thin, orphaned boy who sat alone on the dock, lost in thought by the water.

After Guo Jing finished giving his instructions and counted the number of people accompanying him again, he waved his hand and said loudly:

"Boarding and setting sail!"

Yang Guo concealed his reverie and turned to step onto the deck.

With white sails billowing high and long winds billowing the sleeves, the boat swayed gently as it slowly left the shore and leisurely sailed away from Jiaxing Ferry.