The setting sun cast a warm orange glow on the horizon. A cool breeze blew through the evening air, but Cao Fengge's body was a furnace as he looked at the old, humble Taoist holding a horsetail whisk.
Cao Fengge narrowed his eyes. "You know me?" he asked.
"We have met many years ago," the old Taoist replied serenely.
"I apologize, I don't remember," Cao Fengge said, a flicker of dismissiveness in his eyes. "I have a bad memory, especially when it comes to the names and faces of unimportant individuals."
The old Taoist's smile remained faint. "Lord Cao has many important people in his life," he said. "This old mountain Taoist is a nobody, and it's no surprise that he is not recognized."
"Your disciple is quite skilled," Cao Fengge commented, changing the subject.
The old Taoist chuckled, a warm sound. "His skills are just for catching fish in the stream and cutting firewood," he replied. "It's nothing special."
Cao Fengge stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the young Taoist. "Your skills," he said, "are better than the Five-colored Mice and my two children combined. How would you like to join us?"
Cao Yanmei scoffed. "My father doesn't usually compliment people," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Kneel down quickly and thank him."
The young Taoist bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry," he replied, his voice calm. "I would rather live with my shifu in the remote woods. I will not join the martial world."
Cao Fengge's gaze sharpened. "Young Taoist, what is your name?" he asked directly.
"We are just passing by," the young man replied calmly. "There is no need for us to know each other's names."
Enraged by his nonchalant attitude, Cao Yanmei drew her sword and rushed toward him. The young Taoist moved faster. He hit a pressure point on her right shoulder, and she froze in mid-stride, her sword suspended in the air.
"You stinking Taoist!" she screamed, her body rigid. "Let me go!"
The old Taoist's voice was gentle, but the command was unmistakable. "Lord Cao," he said. "Please show this old man some respect and let these two young martial artists go."
Cao Fengge's mind raced. He knew this old Taoist was no ordinary person. He must be a grandmaster, one of those legendary figures who refuse to claim their fame. The martial world was full of such people; they lived in seclusion, and their true power was a secret. Mu Dishi had been the same way, a master whose existence was only known when he came to the Central Plains to avenge his family. Cao Fengge knew he was facing a similar kind of power now.
Cao Fengge bowed slightly. "I will let these two young martial artists go to show my respect to this grandmaster," he said. He then looked at the young Taoist. "Please forgive my daughter's impulsiveness. I ask that you release her."
The young Taoist simply tapped a pressure point on Cao Yanmei's upper right chest. Her frozen body relaxed, and she immediately rushed back to her father's side.
Without another word, Cao Fengge and his followers walked away.
The young man stood up, brushing himself off. "Thank you, Grandmaster, for saving us today," he said, bowing deeply to the old Taoist.
The old Taoist's expression was serene as he spoke. "Young man, before you fight someone, you must first understand your own strength and your opponent's. Don't act so recklessly again. The best gift you can give yourself is to let go of vengeance; for only by letting go can you truly seek revenge."
"Thank you, Grandmaster, for your wise words," the young man said, bowing. "I am Rao Zhengsheng, and this is my junior, Dong Lanying."
The old Taoist smiled, his gaze resting on them both. "We met because of fate," he said. "There is no need to thank me."
The young Taoist opened his umbrella, and together, they walked side by side down the dirt road. They continued on in silence until they gradually disappeared into the distance.
"Da Shixiong," Dong Lanying said, her voice soft. "Since we are here, do you mind if I visit my mother's grave?"
Rao Zhengsheng turned to his companion. "Let's go pay our respects to Aunt Dong, and then we'll head to meet Chief Yuan," he said. He paused, his expression serious. "Lanying, when we get home, don't mention this to Haoren. I don't want him to worry too much."
"Shixiong, I understand," Dong Lanying replied.
Cao Fengge and his team continued their trek along the muddy path. They walked past the Mu Village stone marker, but Mu Dishi was not at the grave today, so they carried on.
Cao Yanmei walked down the path, her frustration obvious to everyone. She was still fuming about the young Taoist who had defeated her in only two moves. She walked down the path with a scowl, her anger obvious to everyone.
Noticing his daughter's sour mood, Cao Fengge turned to her. "Mei'er, what's wrong with you?" he asked.
"Father, I don't understand," she said, her voice filled with frustration. "Why did you let them go so easily?"
Cao Fengge's gaze was calm. "Did you not notice the incredible skill of the old Taoist?" he replied.
"I'm sure Father can defeat him," Cao Yanmei insisted.
"Mei'er, I was just like you at your age," Cao Fengge said, his voice calm. "But I learned that in the martial world, the fewer enemies you have, the safer you are. You must change your way of thinking if you want to win. Besides, those two must be connected to Yuan Zixin, and he's not someone we want to cross right now. Let's let Wang Zedong deal with them."
"Father," Cao Wenyan asked, confused. "You're not afraid of the Six Sects and Five Clans, but you're afraid of Yuan Zixin?"
"Yuan Zixin alone is just a pathetic old man," Cao Fengge said, a sneer on his face. "I'm not afraid of him. I just don't want to deal with the people who call him a friend."
"Who?" Cao Wenyan asked.
"Gu Tingfu is one of them," Cao Fengge replied, his gaze sweeping over his two children. "The Gu family has the most members, and their disciples are among the best martial artists in the land. Gu Tingfu himself is respected by so many; to offend him is to offend the entire martial arts world. That's why we'll let Wang Zedong deal with them."
Cao Wenyan smiled, a look of admiration on his face. "Father," he said, "we will let the dogs bite the dogs. After they've worn each other out, we will gather the spoils. It's a brilliant strategy."
Cao Fengge looked at Cao Yanmei. "You should learn more from your brother," he said simply.
"Father," Cao Wenyan said, his brow furrowed, "What should we do now that Mu Dishi has sided with the Yueguang Sect?"
Cao Fengge let out a short, cold laugh. "If Mu Dishi fights Gu Tingfu, it will be an epic battle," he said. "But I would put my money on Mu Dishi." He turned his back on them and continued walking down the path, his long stride unwavering.
"Father," Cao Wenyan asked, confused, "I thought you didn't like Mu Dishi. Why would you cheer for him?"
"Because Mu Jiao Long and Gu Tingfu have fought before," Cao Fengge replied with a cold laugh. "Gu Tingfu lost to him, and that was before Mu Jiao Long had even completed the Killer String Manual. As long as they're fighting each other instead of us, I can accept it."
A frown crossed his face. "It's a pity. If I had people like those two Taoists by my side, with your combined strength, we could achieve any goal. But for now, we will follow their rules and watch as those so-called righteous martial artists take each other's lives."
"It's a pity that Mu Dishi isn't on our side," Cao Wenyan said, a hint of genuine regret in his voice.
Cao Fengge stopped and turned, his gaze sharp and penetrating. He knew his son well enough to recognize the ambition in his words. He knew that when Cao Wenyan set his sights on someone, he would do whatever it took to possess them.
"Wenyan," Cao Fengge warned, his voice low and serious. "I forbid you to pursue Mu Dishi. You will completely abandon this idea. He is not someone you can meddle with. If you ruin my plan, you will be severely punished. Am I making myself clear?"
Cao Wenyan nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Yes, Father," he said.
As he walked down the muddy path, Cao Wenyan's expression remained unreadable, but in his heart, a forbidden desire quietly simmered. Though he understood his father's warning, the image of Mu Dishi remained. He knew he could never have him, but to stand far away and admire him from a distance would have to be enough.
Unaware of his son's inner turmoil, Cao Fengge strode onward, a confident smile on his face. The chess pieces were in motion, and the stage was set. Soon, the martial world's so-called heroes would clash, and as they tore each other apart, Cao Fengge would be there to claim the prize.