Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-One: Paying Respects to the M

steps, looking up at his junior sister who had washed away the dust and regained her brilliance. His heart beat faster than it had when they were young. 。After all, Old Master Liu was getting old an...When the sky was completely dark, the whole family gathered around the steaming stove, finally able to eat dumplings. 。Tao Hongying first poured three bowls, giving one to Mr. Cui, one to Dr. Zhang, and a few to the village head and Uncle Zhao. 。The dumplings aren't many, it's really just a token of thought. 。Compared to other families, Li's family has the most thin noodles. 。But there were only four bowls of dumplings left on the stove, which wasn't nearly enough to eat. 。Tao Hongying had prepared everything, another pot of sorghum rice porridge was simmering. One bowl for each person, with some pickled vegetables on the side. The four bowls of dumplings were placed in the middle of the table to be enjoyed as a meal. 。Grandma Li gave her granddaughter four or five dumplings. The grandsons each took two, leaving only a few left. 。She also wanted to give some to her son and daughter-in-law, but Li Lao'er said his stomach wasn't feeling well and didn't want to eat. 。Li Lao San said he wanted to drink porridge, Li Lao Si said he ate roasted rabbit during the day. 。Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru also refused to pick up their chopsticks, apparently wanting to save some for the elderly and children. 。These are the pillars of our family, they always do the hardest work. 。But earning back good food and drink is the most reluctant. 。It's as if the only thing that makes them happier than eating and drinking themselves is seeing the elderly and children well-fed. 。Finally, it was Lao Li who insisted, so they each ate two or three, and then they refused to move their chopsticks anymore. 。Jia Yin held the dumplings in her hand, trying hard to bite into them with her few small teeth. 。Seeing her mother secretly take that dumpling from her plate and put it into her father's bowl, her heart ached with both sadness and warmth, almost making her cry. 。Then she ate and ate even harder, wanting to grow up quickly so she could earn more money and provide her family with endless dumplings! Days went by, the little mountain stream flowed like a machine 。At the beginning, the running-in period was a bit bumpy, but after half a month, it has been running at high speed, extremely proficient. 。Patrol, night watch, drill, hunting 。Everyone was present without exception, and every day was busy and fulfilling. 。After fierce battles with wolf packs, arduous journeys, risking their lives to eradicate bandits, and even witnessing the tragic fate of the Guo family. 。Now everyone has a more intuitive understanding of this chaotic world! They don't train themselves to be stronger, don't sharpen their blades, don't run faster, don't band together. 。Their end wouldn't be any better than the Guo family! Every day, these farmers who used to only sweat under the sun in the fields, now clutched their axes and relentlessly hacked at straw dummies bound with straw. 。 Head chopping, arm slashing, and leg takedowns! In short, although they practiced few moves, each one was a killing blow. 。Aim to strike with the least amount of effort but inflict maximum damage on the enemy. 。Because their courage and strength, even their skills, were not enough to support them in fighting any enemy for a hundred or ten moves. 。There's no other choice but to fight! Fight hard, and maybe there's still a chance of survival. If you don't fight, it's just waiting for death!The women inside the cave take care of the elderly and children, cook over fires, and occasionally peek out the curtain to look down below, which makes them feel much safer. 。Maybe someday in the future, they might still die, but at least they had struggled and fought hard against this damn world! In the small cave, Mr. Wen was also talking to Mrs. Cui. 。"Although we are called the Heavenly Martial Dynasty, ever since our ancestor founded the country two hundred years ago, we have been suppressing martial generals and promoting civil officials." 。Internal power struggles are incessant, leading to a continuous decline in national strength. 。Otherwise, it would not be bullied to this extent even by a small barbarian tribe. 。"Yes, the military families that flourished during the founding of the country have all fallen into decline. Nowadays, even our soldiers can't stop the barbarians." 。The imperial court... to have moved the capital like this! I'm afraid even our ancestor, hearing of this, would rise from his grave!" Mrs. Cui sighed as if remembering something. 。Mr. Cui took one last look at the villagers below and said, "If we were from Tianwu, with a nation of soldiers and everyone valuing martial arts, even if they were all like these villagers down there, we wouldn't have ended up in this state, like stray dogs!"Before his words even hit the ground, Dr. Zhang climbed up from the cave entrance. The old man didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Mr. Wen, I'm here as a mediator. The Li family wants Jiaren to be your apprentice and always study under you. They entrusted me to ask..." 。Having said that, as if afraid Mr. Wen wouldn't agree, he added, "In my opinion, of course, I hope you agree" 。Even if one does not formally accept disciples, it is still worthwhile to teach them for a period of time. 。The Li family... Don't just look at them as farmers, because this family has some peculiar skills, unlike ordinary farmers. 。"How come it's different" Mr. Wen wasn't reluctant to agree, after all, Jiaren was a smart and hardworking child, a good candidate for studying. He was delighted to find such talent, otherwise he wouldn't have been so willing to share his knowledge these days. 。Zhang Shenyi clicked his tongue twice and said, "I can't tell you why, but it just feels different." 。Besides, you probably don't know this, I came to the Li family as Ye Xiazi's emissary from Kyoto. I was originally sent to save Ye Xiazi's life, but when I arrived, Ye Xiazi was completely healed. 。Ye Xiaozi said it was incurable, but how is that possible Besides, this southward expedition caused countless families to be destroyed. Even the Guo family, which was powerful, perished completely. 。But look at the Li family, they brought all the villagers with them, not a single one died. 。Don't you guys think something is off To sum it up, the Li family either has immense good fortune or they have a master hidden among them. It definitely wouldn't be wrong to befriend them. 。Mr. Wen and Mrs. Cui looked at each other and both burst into laughter. 。"Alright, I'll follow your advice and accept Jiarren as my disciple." 。Mr. Wen agreed directly, and Zhang the physician immediately left. 。After hearing this, the Li family was also happy, and Jiaren was even more excited. 。He knew Mr. Wen's scholarship very well, to be able to worship Mr. Wen as his teacher was definitely his great fortune. 。 Then Li Lao Tai immediately made arrangements and got things going. It just so happened that Li Lao Si wasn't on duty the next day, so he asked Liu Biaotou to lead a team with Jia Yi and Liu Yang. The four of them entered the forest again that night and managed to carry back a wild deer. 。On the third day, all the villagers, young and old, came out of the cave and lit up dozens of bonfires. 。Li Jia took out a full half sack of sorghum rice, killed the deer to stew the meat, cooked porridge with vegetables, and set up a banquet. 。In full view of the entire village, a grand apprenticeship ceremony was held for Mr. Wen and Jiaren. 。Jiā Rén tidied himself up neatly and respectfully knelt before Mr. Wen, kowtowing three times. 。Mr. Wen was somewhat excited and said loudly, "Since you have accepted me as your master, then from now on, you will be a member of our school!" 。My master wants to tell you, our school is not an unknown entity. Within the Tianwu academic schools, we are the Xinxue school, dedicated to researching Xinxue, and we also support opening up people's minds and value Mengxue. 。Your master's master, that is to say my teacher, was once a high-ranking official in the Imperial Court. Because he disliked the struggles of court politics, he retreated to live a simple life in the countryside and eventually died there. 。Mrs. Cui is your aunt-teacher, and I am a disciple of your master's closed door. Unfortunately, I have been mediocre all my life and failed to carry on the school's teachings. 。You are my first disciple. I don't know if there will be other younger brothers and sisters later, but as the eldest senior brother, the glory of our sect will also be handed over to you in the future. 。 We first met in insignificant circumstances, and our fate intertwined during hardship. As your teacher, I can't offer much help, but for all that I've learned, I will certainly impart it to you without reservation! Saying this, he solemnly took out a jade pendant from his bosom, “This was personally carved by your master many years ago and given to me when I became his disciple." 。"Now I present it to you, cherish and value it!"uis and her father's arms, showing off: "Father-in-law! Father! My brothers found me a fruit tree sapling. This time next year, I'll treat you to fresh fruits!""Alright, as long as you're having fun."...