Ren Yuanhao felt the gazes of the three women were like three piercing swords. He remembered clearly that the system had once warned him not to mention her existence to anyone, lest he bring disaster upon himself. Thus, he could only try to deflect.
"It's nothing really. In ancient times, there were also individuals with special abilities. They were just called different names, like 'great heroes,' or yourselves, martial artists. You can also be understood as people with extraordinary powers."
"I thought it would be like the superheroes from Marvel, but you're telling me this. So boring," Yang Lingxue mumbled, already chewing on a large piece of meat.
"If the research into the Mandara gene, which alters Jiangcheng's physiology, were allowed to continue, your guess and expectations might very well come true. But clearly, I'm not that kind of superhero."
Ren Yuanhao wasn't that kind of superhero, but the system could mold him into one, if he wished and had enough points!
He suddenly missed the system. If it were here, it could surely help decipher this mysterious bamboo scroll.
A silence fell over the group. Finally, Shen Lanní broke the quiet. "By the way, the Southeast region's taekwondo competition for the youth group has been moved up due to the typhoon. If nothing unexpected happens, I have to rush back tomorrow to take charge. Otherwise, those brats might panic. However, it hasn't even been seven days since Master's passing, and I feel very uneasy about leaving."
To Shen Lanní, her master was like a father. Such a bond was not easily severed. Yet, the taekwondo competition was imminent. As a strict coach, she had to be responsible for those young people with dreams.
"How about this? I don't have to work recently, so I can fill in. Master Yun, before he passed, used the profound techniques of the Six Wonders of Qinghe. Doesn't that clearly indicate his wish for his martial arts path to be carried forward? So, if you do this, I believe Master Yun won't blame you, but rather be proud of you."
Shen Lanní's eyes reflected the firelight, her delicate brows lowered. Such a composed demeanor was rare. Then, she suddenly stood up from her seat, raised a cup, and with a spirit that was seven parts heroic, she declared, "In that case, I'll drink this toast first."
Shen Lanní drained her cup in one go, truly embodying the spirit of a heroic woman. Seeing this, Ren Yuanhao naturally couldn't be outdone. He also raised his cup and, without batting an eye, finished it.
The three women and one man drank and ate skewers in the pavilion. Outside, the wind raged and rain poured, the wind howling and thunder rumbling, yet it only fueled their exhilaration, making the night all the more enjoyable.
They carried on until nearly two in the morning before retiring to their rooms amidst the fierce wind and rain.
The next day, as dawn broke, Shen Lanní quietly slipped out of her room.
The weather was cool, the morning light faint. The front courtyard was a mess after the downpour, and dewdrops hung from the eaves. Shen Lanní, still in her plain black attire, walked along the muddy path towards Yun Qinghe's tomb.
The offerings before the grave were stained with dew, and her master's photograph remained as benevolent as ever. It seemed as if the surrounding weeds had suddenly grown taller overnight.
"Master, your disciple is unworthy. I must leave for a while this time. Believe me, I will bring back honor. The next time I visit you, I will bring your favorite huoshao and Nu'er Hong."
Shen Lanní bowed again and again. A fine drizzle began to fall. At that moment, an oiled paper umbrella suddenly appeared beside her.
"Ren Yuanhao, why are you up so early?"
"To see you off. I know that with your personality, you dislike farewells the most."
As Ren Yuanhao spoke, he handed her an old, ancient sheepskin scroll.
"What is this?"
"This is the cultivation technique I've been practicing. It might be useful to you. This time you're descending the mountain alone, and we'll be far apart, unable to look after you, so I can only give you this."
Actually, this was a decision Ren Yuanhao had made after much deliberation the previous night. Undoubtedly, this "Blue Sea Tide" cultivation technique was a key to unlocking a new world, especially for a martial artist like Shen Lanní, whose internal martial arts were already quite advanced.
His only concern was whether this secret manual, redeemed from the system store, could be lent or gifted, which he did not know.
He was only worried about Shen Lanní's safety, so he acted without any other reason or need for excessive consideration.
"Blue Sea Tide? Alright, I accept this great gift. Don't worry, I'm an old hand at this, what trouble could I possibly get into?" Shen Lanní smiled charmingly and said, "I'll have to trouble you with my master's affairs. My senior brother will come later. Of course, if you get too bored here, you can descend the mountain. I'll be waiting for you in Donglü City."
After speaking, Shen Lanní bowed again before her master's grave. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly noticed two more people approaching on the mountain path.
"I knew you'd sneak away, but I didn't expect it to be this early."
Yang Lingxue tiptoed and whispered into Shen Lanní's ear, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Ren Yuanhao. If he dares to lay a hand on that little girl, I'll break his arm."
Shen Lanní couldn't help but laugh. "As if you're not involved yourself."
She disliked separations, and even more so such scenes. Her mood was naturally not the best, but she waved to the three of them, took Ren Yuanhao's umbrella, and headed straight down the mountain.
...
The next few days passed peacefully and uneventfully. The world seemed to have forgotten these three. In the blink of an eye, the seven days of mourning were over, and the taekwondo competition was fast approaching.
Early that day, Ren Yuanhao began packing. In such a short time, he had developed a sense of reluctance to leave this bamboo hut. It wasn't just him; the other two women felt the same.
However, although the leisure time stolen from work was incredibly pleasant, there were still too many things in the world awaiting them.
After packing their luggage, the group ambled out. Perhaps heaven took pity on them; it was a bright and sunny day, a perfect day for riding horses and roaming the jianghu.
"Hey, let's go, still reluctant?" Yang Lingxue nudged his back with her umbrella from behind, a faint expression of reluctance on her face.
"A man's ambition lies in all directions. What's there to be reluctant about? It's not like we can't come back."
Ren Yuanhao shrugged and led the way into the gate. After the two women followed, he securely locked the door and descended the mountain.
On their journey, the three were not in a hurry to catch a flight to Donglü City. Instead, they went wherever they pleased, eating as they went, taking their time. It took them a full three days to arrive just before the exhibition match on the first day of the taekwondo competition.
The one who came to meet them was not Shen Lanní, but one of her assistants. However, this assistant regarded Ren Yuanhao with evident hostility.