Footsteps could be heard outside the main hall, and two more people entered the room. They seemed to be acquaintances, exchanging greetings at the door.

"We've been on the road for a couple of extra days, delayed by the rain in Yizhou. The Chai River is rising fiercer by the day, as if it wants to swallow us whole."

"Didn't we hear the news that the Chai River was blocked a few days ago?" the other person asked in confusion.

"I reckon only the Xia family can manage the Chai River. Now, those sent to control the flooding are all useless drunkards and loafers."

"For the past twenty years, the Chai River has caused trouble every year."

"Yeah, I heard even the officials in charge of the flood control this time won't benefit. The Emperor was so angry he even chopped off the head of the person in charge. Maybe it'll calm down for a while."

Hu Li paused. According to them, something big had happened in the capital. Floods on the Chai River were common, but since Yizhou was close to the capital, there might be some ripple effects in the city. His younger martial brother, Shi Yue, was still in the capital visiting family.

As they continued speaking, the steward glanced up and knocked on the table, silencing the two men behind Hu Li.

Hu Li took the silver handed to him by the steward and casually tucked it into his sleeve before leaving the escort bureau.

Apart from two guards, the entrance was empty. His flamboyant martial uncle was nowhere to be seen, along with his beloved white horse.

Hu Li couldn't trust his uncle's words. He was used to his uncle's disappearing acts; every time, it was the same, leaving them behind without a word.

Hu Li wouldn't mind if his martial uncle abandoned his ambition to revive the No-Form Zen technique and just left with his riches. They shouldn't have any ties.

But since his martial uncle had lost his way in front of him, Hu Li had to ask him about the No-Form Zen technique.

The troublemaker, Hu Li thought, next time he saw him, he would give him a good beating.

His mind in turmoil, Hu Li still didn't turn back.

The two guards stood motionless at the entrance. Hu Li approached them and asked, "Excuse me, where did the gentleman who was waiting at the door just now go?"

"He followed a few people and headed north."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Followed people?

Since the No-Form Zen technique moved to Yanran City, Shi Yue had never returned. He had acquaintances in Yanran City, but it was unlikely for him to return there.

Hu Li frowned. Could his martial uncle be so naive as to follow someone just because they beckoned?

"How long ago did he leave?"

"About the time it takes to brew a pot of tea."

Hu Li thanked the guards and went north to chase after his unreliable martial uncle.

At noon, it started raining. Water mixed with sand, covering the ground with mud and water.

Hu Li entered the house empty-handed.

Xu Ji lay comfortably in the rocking chair, fanning himself lazily. Hearing someone enter amidst the rain, he lazily raised his eyelids, then dropped them again as if feeling tired.

This guy was probably so weak he couldn't even lift a knife.

Hu Li remained unperturbed, accustomed to his master's useless appearance. He poured himself a glass of cold tea, guzzled it down, and cooled off.

"Disciple, give your master a sip too," Xu Ji said in his hoarse voice, without opening his eyes.

Hu Li glanced at him and, seeing nothing unusual from head to toe, finally spoke, "Master, did you kick your blanket off again last night?"

"Just one sip is enough," Xu Ji said, eyes closed as if he hadn't heard, still rocking in the chair.

Hu Li placed the teacup in Xu Ji's hand, and Xu Ji finally opened his eyes. The tea barely covered the bottom of the cup, so he drank it in one gulp, leaving nothing behind.

Xu Ji's expression almost broke, and he cleared his throat for a long time before realizing that the cane was half a foot away and unwilling to move. Then he relaxed and lay back, asking in a comforting tone, "Your martial brother is back?"

"Yes," Hu Li smirked, "he's finally coming back. You've been counting the days for him, Master."

When Shi Yue returned to the capital, they would have a good time for a while. Food, clothing, and expenses were not a problem when he returned. Xu Ji grew older and less capable, and year after year, this was their only hope.

Xu Ji, unchanged, did not see his scheming martial brother, so he asked, "Where's your martial uncle? Why didn't he come back with you?"

"Couldn't find him."

Hu Li searched Longhong Street for two hours, passing by the Embroidered Spring Pavilion three times, but didn't see a trace of him.

After hearing this, Xu Ji rubbed his chin and muttered softly, "He left without a word again this time. We've been brothers for so many years; he could at least inform me."

Suddenly, the door was kicked open. It wasn't a loud sound, but the two men in the room heard it clearly.

Xu Ji squinted and shouted in his hoarse voice, driving his eldest disciple to see what was happening outside. "Your martial uncle might have found his way back."

The newcomer staggered, and Hu Li rushed forward to support his arm, pulling him halfway onto his knees. The newcomer opened his mouth, recognized Hu Li after a moment of daze, and trembled as he reached out to grab his sleeve, hoarsely calling him "brother."

Shi Yue's lips were cracked, and blood oozed from the movement.

The rain poured down heavily, and Shi Yue wore a linen short shirt, covered in mud stains of all sizes, making his face look unusually pale without the dirt.

Hu Li reached out to wipe the mud off his face, and then Shi Yue looked somewhat like a person.

"Brother, did you smear your sister's powder again?" Hu Li glanced at him.

"You don't understand, Brother. I was born with natural beauty." Shi Yue shamelessly pointed to his face, then walked into the house with big strides, ignoring Hu Li's outstretched hand, saying, "Forget it, why bother about the rain."

Hu Li couldn't stand it and kicked Shi Yue into the house without much force.

"Master, look how hateful your disciple is! He even kicks his own brother." Shi Yue shouted loudly.

Xu Ji said that Hu Li had always been heartless since he was a child, like an untrained wolf dog. For Hu Li, respect for teachers, righteousness, and courtesy were all nonsense. Hu Li was unmovable, and there was nothing in the world that could hurt him.

The No-Form Zen Sect, from top to bottom, was a group of old, weak, sick, and disabled people. Not to mention a wandering outsider.

The master and disciples relied on each other for survival. The Ming Dynasty let them travel around, which was different from Bai Huai Shui. Bai Huai Shui had a luxurious carriage and people serving him. They were refugees, making a living by begging and performing arts.

The master didn't teach Shi Yue anything useful; instead, Shi Yue followed Xu Ji's ways, just like a typical young master.

Shi Yue never learned anything useful from the master, but he did learn his airs and graces. He was Xu Ji's follower, through and through.

They clashed with other sects frequently in the martial world. The big sects had their own rules, and they didn't care about petty fights between small factions; they even enjoyed watching them.

Hu Li and Shi Yue had been bullied since they were young.

Later, he picked up a knife, and whenever one or two people came, he killed them. His hands, besides wielding and swinging a knife, had no other use.