In the main hall of Xiu Chun Tower, a mahogany long table was illuminated by burning red candles. Hu women on the stage twisted their waists like water snakes, their delicate skin peeking through the red veil as they danced. The big man sitting in the front row swallowed a mouthful of strong liquor without any taste, while his lackeys gestured towards the outside.

The big man, somewhat dazed, focused his eyes and partially sobered up. He stared at the figure disappearing into the darkness, grunted disdainfully, then pushed aside the person sitting beside him and ordered, "Follow him."

With a wicked smile, the big man thought, "Finally caught sight of him after waiting for so long. It wasn't in vain."

They arrived at the doorstep of Yanran City, southwest of a small mound.

Hu Li's forehead was sweating, and without any courtesy, he kicked open the broken door. Inside, someone shouted in surprise, "You rascal, the door was just fixed yesterday!"

His master had a loud voice, one shout from him could be heard for miles around.

Hu Li withdrew his foot and glanced around the doorway. It was the same broken door, but with a slight difference. By the dim light of a broken lantern, Hu Li focused and saw a plaque hanging above the broken door, inscribed with the words "The Unfettered Zen Fight", with a flourish implying a journey to immortality. It was a pity that such beautiful words hung on such a shabby door.

Hu Li sighed, unsure if he was lamenting the pitiful state of the door or the mismatched words.

The door creaked loudly, and the bottom half sagged down, destined for another night without locking. Xu Ji rushed out of the house, holding his now useful cane and pointing it at Hu Li. His beard seemed to bristle with anger. He exhaled several times, struggling to find the right words, then his expression darkened, and he said, "You're on night duty for three months."

Hu Li, as if he hadn't heard his master's words, kicked the obstructing broken door aside and stepped into the courtyard.

Under his master's watchful eyes, Hu Li began to argue with the logic of Hu-style sophistry, "Master, there are only three of us in The Unfettered Zen Fight, you, me, and our junior brother. We barely have ten pieces of clothing between us, there's no silver or gold hidden underground, and there are no secret martial arts manuals hidden in the walls."

Hu Li didn't even change his breath, then concluded, "Even if we leave the door wide open, no bandits will come to The Unfettered Zen Fight."

After hearing this disrespectful remark, Xu Ji's eyes widened, feeling somewhat helpless. He was ashamed as a teacher, but at the moment, he couldn't come up with any scolding words. After a while, he fell silent, then leaned his cane on the ground, ignored Hu Li, and waved him away, saying, "Go tear up the duck meat."

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Hu Li curled his lips, thinking that his master always lost in verbal sparring against him. He didn't feel particularly happy, but there was a sense of relief. After feeling satisfied, he dutifully went into the small kitchen to wash his hands and came out with a plate.

The roasted duck from Yanran City was the best at Yunlai Inn. Its fragrance permeated the meat. He didn't waste much time on the road, so the duck meat was still hot.

Hu Li skillfully tore into the duck meat, a task that would be in his hands for three to five days. According to the rules of The Unfettered Zen Fight, Hu Li was responsible for going out to earn a living, chopping wood, fetching water, and cooking. The other two acted like masters, occupying two rooms on either side of The Unfettered Zen Fight, idling away their time watching the sun rise and set, feeling quite at ease.

There was a commotion at the door.

Just as he tore open the oiled paper, he felt someone standing at the doorway of the kitchen. He didn't say anything, his mind wavering between his master and his junior brother.

The person outside seemed impatient, making some noise to test him.

Hu Li remained indifferent.

After waiting for a while, the person behind him finally spoke, taking advantage of the situation, "Young Hu, you've grown up so much. I remember when Master used to carry you when you were little."

The tone was none other than his uncle, Bai Huai Shui, who was always floating in the clouds. Nobody else spoke like that.

Hu Li focused on dealing with the roasted duck in his hands and replied to his uncle, "I only met Uncle Bai last year. Uncle Bai, don't overthink when you're idle. It'll only make you more foolish."

"Not only is Young Hu bold, but his tongue is also getting sharper, like a needle, pricking Uncle's heart," Bai Huai Shui said with a smile.

Hu Li glanced at Bai Huai Shui, noticing the rosy hue on his face, indicating recent indulgence in fine food and drink, but unfortunately not accompanied by weight gain.

Bai Huai Shui leaned against the doorframe, wearing a stylish white robe, tall and elegant like a young master from a wealthy family, quite intimidating.

And the white robe he wore was exactly the same as the one Hu Li was wearing.

A few months ago, Bai Huai Shui, who usually roamed outside without any study or work, sent something back through someone. Hu Li thought it might be life-saving money or food, but inside the package were three identical white robes of different sizes. In the spirit of not wasting anything, the three disciples mocked Bai Huai Shui privately, then each took one.

Hu Li was somewhat surprised when Bai Huai Shui returned. Bai Huai Shui, who hadn't returned for three to five years, lived a life of luxury, spending money like water around famous mountains and rivers, completely neglecting the fellowship among the disciples, letting the three disciples live in poverty on the outskirts for several years.

Based on this alone, Hu Li naturally treated Bai Huai Shui with disrespect.

"Bai Uncle, are you planning to stay for a few hours this time?" Hu Li tore into the roasted duck leisurely, not sparing any sarcasm.

Bai Huai Shui leaned over and, regardless of whether his hands were clean or not, grabbed a piece and put it in his mouth. Hu Li thought he would say something like "heartache," but Bai Huai Shui just smiled, slapped the table, and said boldly, "Who said Uncle is leaving? I'm staying, to help you guys restore The Unfettered Zen Fight."

"... "

The words sounded like a joke.

The Unfettered Zen Fight, an unknown sect in the martial world, hadn't been established for decades, and it was uncertain where it would go in the future. It had nothing to do with restoration.

Hu Li hadn't even started mocking his cheap uncle who stood there and talked nonsense when his attention was drawn to the commotion outside.

"Hey, Hu surname, get your ass out here!"

After being subjected to a third malicious attack in just a short moment, the broken door lay stiffly on the ground, covered in dust.

Bai Huai Shui glanced at the group of big men with knives outside, involuntarily shrinking his neck, as if he had forgotten who had just pledged to restore the sect. Bai Huai Shui leaned over and quietly asked Hu Li who these people were.

Hu Li didn't respond, he just threw everything in his hands to Bai Huai Shui and wiped his hands before walking out.