Chapter 4

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The first light of dawn appeared, with a light mist. Fenghua Valley looked refreshed, and the mountains near and far were as dark as ink.

Wujiao returned by the same path, passing through the side gate, and returned to the courtyard where the ancestral hall was located. Seeing himself covered in mud, he rushed to the kitchen, only to find that Qisanren had already risen early and was drinking the leftover soup from the stove with great enjoyment.

Soup again, I suffered so much last night!

Wujiao, as if meeting an enemy, felt a surge of anger and casually threw his short sword onto the steps under the eaves, shouting, "It’s fine for you to nourish your yin and strengthen your yang, but why must I suffer along with you…"

Qisanren put down the earthen bowl, wiped his mouth, and rubbed his eyes. Then, leaning on his wooden cane, he slowly walked out of the kitchen, his face cold as he mocked, "I am old and frail, with chronic illnesses that are hard to cure. Is it not right for me to nourish myself? And now, Sir, you are strong and healthy, all thanks to my soup. Most of the herbs for health and fitness have the ability to strengthen yang. If you don’t appreciate my good intentions, that’s one thing, but to say you suffered, how can you explain that…"

How can I explain that? It involves privacy, and I’m too embarrassed to say it!

Wujiao, lacking confidence, wanted to speak but couldn’t, and had to give up. He huffed and went to fetch water to wash up. There were water jars and basins in front of the kitchen, making it very convenient to wash.

Qisanren stood at the door, continuing to look him up and down, somewhat surprised, "You really went to save someone, and you have a strong constitution…" Although he was hiding in the room, he had heard the commotion in the courtyard. His last words were quite intriguing, as if he had already predicted that someone would die.

Wujiao glared at him and continued to wash the mud off his hands.

Qisanren didn’t say more, slowly walked to the side, and bent down to pick up the short sword from the ground. Just as he was about to examine it closely, the sword was snatched away, and he was scolded, "This is a weapon, not to be played with!"

Wujiao snatched the short sword, turned, and left. After changing into a clean set of clothes, he took the mud-stained robe out of the house and began to wash it by the water jar. During the two years he had been wandering, he had to do everything himself, from food and clothing to shelter. Now, he was no longer the pampered person he used to be, but just a poor teacher!

Qisanren sat on a stool under the eaves, sorting through the wild vegetables and herbs in the basket. Seeing someone washing clothes and looking very pleased with himself, he couldn’t help but ask curiously, "You went out in the middle of the night and returned at dawn. You haven’t even told me who you saved, or where you went."

Wujiao hung the hastily washed robe on a rope in the corridor of the ancestral hall and replied, "Scattered man, you can predict the future, why ask more?"

Qisanren, with a good temper, shook his head and said, "Divination and fortune-telling are merely to avoid misfortune. The world is full of changes, how can one foresee everything!"

Wujiao rolled up his sleeves and stepped into the kitchen, holding a piece of firewood and poking in the ashes. Soon, he came out with two round, black objects in his hands.

Qisanren was surprised, "What are these?"

Wujiao found a stool and sat down. He clapped his hands, and the dry, cracked mud and eggshells broke apart, revealing two shiny white eggs. He held them up, proud, "Wrapped in mud and buried deep, they won’t burn. You just kept the fire going, without much attention. Try one…"

Qisanren, looking at the fragrant eggs, wanted to reach out but was suspicious, "Where did the eggs come from?"

Wujiao, straightforward, said, "Eggs, of course, come from a hen’s bottom, or where else…?" Seeing no one appreciating it, he didn’t bother with formalities, eating one after another, and in a blink, he had swallowed both eggs, choking and pounding his chest, feeling better after a while, but not forgetting to ask, "Old Daoist… have you heard of Lingxia Mountain?"

Qisanren wanted to ask more about the eggs, but then his expression changed, and he said, hard to believe, "Mr. Wu, are you saying that the two women who knocked on the door last night came from Lingxia Mountain…"

"Hehe, you were in the room, how did you know they were women?"

"I… calculated it…"

"Hey… do you know Lingxia Mountain?"

"I… of course I know…"

"Ah, Mr. Qi, please accept my bow! Tell me about Lingxia Mountain…"

"Bang, bang—"

At this moment, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

Although it was not yet the hour of the rabbit, the morning light was already bright, but the sky was still overcast, indicating that the weather had not cleared up.

However, it was not yet time for the school to open. Who was knocking on the door so early in the morning?

Wujiao, without waiting to speak to Qisanren, went to the front door and removed the latch.

Before he could open the door to look, it was already pushed open with a creak, and several figures rushed in, including a strong man carrying a child, who was the troublemaker from the school, named Qishan, nicknamed Shanyaizi, with his arm hanging and his face streaked with tears.

Wujiao, not knowing what was happening, stepped back, but recognized the old man leading the group, and bowed, "Mr. Qi…"

Mr. Qi, who was about fifty or sixty years old, with gray hair and a ruddy complexion, was quite robust, but looked anxious, and after a quick bow, urged, "My grandson is seriously injured, please ask the scattered man to treat him quickly!"

This old man was not only the head of the Qia family village but also the grandfather of Shanyaizi. It seemed that his grandson had broken his arm, which prompted his grandfather to come with a group to seek treatment.

Wujiao let them in and followed.

Qisanren had already put down the basket and stood up to greet them, taking a stool and letting the man holding the child sit down. He bent down to examine the child, asking, "This is…"

Mr. Qi explained, "My grandson was unwilling to get up this morning, saying that the teacher would hit him with a ruler. After much coaxing, he finally got dressed, but kept crying and wouldn’t stop. Before we even left the house, he fell and broke his arm. His father brought him here, humph…" The old man, unable to bear the pain, stroked his beard and complained, "The child is unruly and should be disciplined, but to hit and scold him is not the teacher’s duty. I hope the teacher, while being strict, will also be patient…"

Wujiao, who was following, didn’t expect to get involved.

It’s natural for a disobedient student to be hit with a ruler. Who would have thought that this old man, overly indulgent, would blame the teacher for his grandson’s injury. And the child breaking his arm has nothing to do with me. I only said I would hit him to scare him, but he used it as an excuse to skip school…

With Mr. Qi’s words, the man holding the child and the others who came with him shook their heads and sighed, and their eyes, which usually showed respect, now lacked it.

Wujiao, sensing the situation, quickly said, "Mr. Qi is right, but Shanyaizi is indeed very naughty…"

Mr. Qi, although respected, couldn’t stand anyone criticizing his grandson. He grunted, his face turning sour. Shanyaizi’s father gave Wujiao an apologetic smile, meaning the teacher shouldn’t take it to heart.

Wujiao, seeing the situation, wisely kept quiet.

After examining, Qisanren grabbed Shanyaizi’s arm, not allowing him to cry, and with a quick shake, there was a slight "crack" sound. He straightened up, clapping his hands and smiling, "Just a dislocated shoulder, it’s fine now…"

Shanyaizi, with tears on his face, moved his right arm back and forth. It seemed his injury was healed.

Mr. Qi finally smiled, bowing in gratitude, "Scattered man’s medical skills are truly remarkable!" The other villagers also felt relieved and bowed in respect.

Qisanren returned the bow, "It’s just a small effort, not worth mentioning!"

Wujiao also relaxed, speaking up, "Qishan, don’t be naughty anymore, so your elders won’t worry. Go home, have breakfast, and come to school quickly…"

Qishan’s real name was Qishan. He clung to his father’s arms, refusing to get down, and with closed eyes, wailed, "The teacher is not a good person, I won’t come to school…"

Wujiao, looking awkward, shrugged and smiled, "A teacher imparts knowledge, teaches skills, and answers questions! How can I be a bad person…"

His gentle and polite manner made the others present agree.

Mr. Qi was about to persuade his precious grandson, but Shanyaizi shouted again, "The teacher steals chickens from the village, and I saw it with Niuniu. He said it was just for fun, but the village’s chickens are disappearing day by day…"

The courtyard was not large, and with six or seven people crowded together, it felt cramped. Especially with a child crying and shouting, the quiet morning became chaotic.

However, everyone’s eyes were on one person. Their expressions showed surprise, suspicion, and sympathy after the realization.

The teacher, a chicken thief? And children don’t lie, it seems to be true.

Mr. Qi coughed sternly, and Shanyaizi immediately stopped crying. He stroked his beard, still finding it hard to believe, "The teacher has always been respected in our village, but… but to steal chickens from the village…"

Wujiao, feeling embarrassed, scratched his head, smiling awkwardly, unable to defend himself.

Sigh! If you don’t want others to know, you shouldn’t do it. If not for the occasional feast, who could endure the daily diet of vegetable cakes and soup!

Mr. Qi continued, "According to the village rules, those who steal chickens and dogs, though not a major offense, harm the neighbors and should be expelled from the village…"

It’s just a few chickens, why make it so embarrassing! Moreover, in front of everyone, how can I save face!

Wujiao pretended to be calm, hardening his resolve, "