Chapter 17: A Master Worthy of Respect

“That won’t do. This gift must be given. The master not only saved my eldest brother but also saved my daughter. This gift must be presented. And you must accept this silver as well,” Su Fu said again, wanting to kneel to Ji Sang.

Su Wan pulled her back with a helpless look, “Ah, mother, the master is a carefree and casual person who doesn’t care about such formalities. If he doesn’t want you to bow, then don’t. Don’t trouble the master.”

“Wan Wan is right. I’m a man who doesn’t mind such things. Madam, please don’t make things difficult for me,” Ji Sang said modestly.

“To accept Wan Wan is to see her rare and precious nature. It is truly fortunate that my legacy has someone to carry it on.”

“Then… very well. May I ask your honorable name, master?” Su Fu asked.

“Ji Sang. Ji as in season, Sang as in mulberry,” he replied.

Su Wan made a face. Her mother didn’t know how to read, and hearing it like that, who would know which characters he meant?

Ji Sang suddenly realized the problem and looked a bit uncomfortable.

There was a brief silence.

Su Wan broke the quiet, “Mother, isn’t there a guest room in the back yard? Let the master stay there from now on. It’s also good to keep an eye on the shop.”

“If Mr. Ji doesn’t mind,” Su Fu said. There wasn’t enough space at home, so living in the shop was fine.

“I don’t mind,” Ji Sang said naturally. Those who chased him were all dead, and no one would know he was in Qinghe Town.

Besides, it was a good chance to gather information and contact General Rong’s trusted men.

“Good. Wan Wan, let’s go back now and share this good news with your uncle, grandfather, and the village chief. Mr. Ji, please come along. The village chief also wants to thank you properly.”

Ji Sang understood immediately, “Alright. I had urgent matters to attend to earlier and left hastily. Now that I’ve decided to take Wan Wan in, of course I want to meet the elders.”

Hearing this, Su Fu had no doubt about Ji Sang’s identity.

On the way home, Su Fu bought a large jar of rice wine.

Su Fu had learned to drive the horse carriage in these three days, but this time, with Ji Sang present, she didn’t need to.

When they arrived home, Su Wan jumped down from the carriage and shouted loudly, “Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, the master has come!”

Hearing the words “master,” Su Mingshan and Xia Xian hurried out of the courtyard. They saw a man in black helping carry things off the carriage.

The couple quickly took the jar of wine and some snacks from his hands. “Benefactor, please come inside quickly.” When a benefactor comes, you don’t let them do any work.

Su Mingshan hurriedly invited him inside, calling him “benefactor” over and over while continuously looking him over, impressed by his strong and upright physique.

He thought to himself: no wonder he’s a martial artist; his physique is far beyond what I can achieve.

“Wife, make more lunch today. We must also invite Zhu Lizheng over to have a drink with our benefactor. He was just talking about it.”

“I know, I know,” Xia Xian replied with a smile and went to busy herself in the kitchen.

After Su Fu finished carrying everything from the cart, she also went to help in the kitchen. Since they had important guests, the food couldn’t be too plain.

Su Wan entered the house and gave Su Xinyao the snacks she had bought for her, then pinched her adorable little cheek. “Little sister, did you say anything wrong while I was away today?”

“No, I didn’t say anything wrong. I just missed Sister Wan so much. Can you take me with you tomorrow, please?” Su Xinyao tilted her head and blinked her big, cute eyes.

“No, you’re too little. Let’s wait until the house is safer.”

“Okay.” Su Xinyao wasn’t upset and happily continued eating her snacks.

Inside, the elderly couple kept expressing their gratitude to Ji Sang, who responded patiently. Although the house was simple, it was clean and tidy.

The old man and woman seemed to have trouble walking and sat in chairs with an old coat draped over their legs.

Su Wan was thoughtful, serving tea and feeding snacks to the two elders, telling them amusing stories that made them laugh heartily.

The scene was very warm and touching.

Even so, Ji Sang still felt some fear towards Su Wan, his mind haunted by the memory of how she had killed four masters that night with just a single vine.

It was clear the whole family had no idea about her extraordinary abilities.

“Grandpa, Grandma, have some candy. It’s really tasty.” Su Wan took out two black candies from her cloth bag.

“I’ve already eaten some, these are especially for Grandpa and Grandma,” she said.

The old man looked at them puzzled. “Who makes candy that’s black?”

Su Xinyao was playing with mud on the ground. Without looking up, she said, “Sister did. These black candies were made by Sister herself.”

Su Wan twitched the corner of her mouth, fearing the little girl might say something inappropriate next, so she quickly added, “Yes, I specially made them for Grandpa and Grandma. They’re sour and sweet, very delicious.”

With that, despite their reluctance, she put the two pills into the elders’ mouths.

These pills needed to be taken three times a day to be effective. She had been secretly giving them while they slept, and now was the right time.

With great expectation, the elders took the pills. They tasted mildly sweet with a bit of sourness—not bad at all.

Afterward, the two praised Su Wan for being capable and diligent without holding back.

Su Mingshan got up to go to the village to call Zhu Lizheng. The old man said he wanted to hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony for Su Wan.

Ji Sang was startled and quickly stood up to refuse. “No, I’m a carefree person by nature. To make such a fuss would truly trouble me.”

After Ji Sang’s repeated refusals, Old Master Su reluctantly gave up, feeling that this master was very easy to get along with.

Ji Sang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. If the benefactor truly accepted him as a disciple, that would make him uneasy.

Su Wan smiled at Ji Sang, “Master, don’t be nervous. It’s harmless to pay respects.”

She subtly gave Ji Sang a glance, signaling him to watch his words and actions. In this way, he had none of the demeanor of a great hero.

“…Ahem.” Ji Sang seemed to understand Su Wan’s hint and immediately sat up straight.

When Zhu Lizheng arrived, Ji Sang showed his true hero style, fully embodying the image of a wandering martial artist, and cupped his hands respectfully to Zhu Lizheng.

“Lizheng, there’s no need for formalities. I have wandered the martial world for many years. When I encounter injustice, I naturally step forward to help, drawing my sword to assist.”

Zhu Lizheng looked at Ji Sang, hesitating to speak. He actually had a favor to ask but was afraid Ji Sang might refuse.

Nearby, Su Mingshan noticed his difficulty and smiled, speaking on his behalf, “Lizheng wishes to ask the benefactor to also accept his son as a disciple. Learning some skills so in the future, he too can follow his master’s example and draw his sword when witnessing injustice.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Sang glanced at Su Wan without showing it. This matter needed her approval.

Su Wan giggled, “Sure! From now on, Wa Zi Ge (brother Wa Zi) can also train with us. Brother and sister Xinyao can learn too.”

Ji Sang understood—anyone who wanted to come should be accepted. “Alright. Anyone who wants to learn can learn. How much they learn depends on their own comprehension.”

Hearing this, Zhu Lizheng was very pleased and thanked Ji Sang warmly.

“Hehe, uncle, you can learn too! Once you master it, hunting will be much easier,” Su Wan teased half-jokingly.

“Of course! I believe uncle’s natural talent must be exceptional as well, with a very strong ability to comprehend. After all, I carry Su family blood,”

Su Wan was especially eloquent today, making everyone in the courtyard laugh heartily.

Only Ji Sang knew she was telling the truth.