IDWBE -Chapter 517 Taking a Disciple

Not far away, many adults were shouting for others to collect things.

It was not harvest season, but after a long winter many stored items in the houses had developed a musty smell. On the threshing ground, old clothes, old quilts, firewood, and sweet potatoes that had been buried all winter were laid out to dry.

The children who had rushed inside earlier now ran out again with the adults, carrying the things outside back into the house.

Some children ran too fast and fell flat on their faces, clutching the items in their arms, crying loudly.

One father saw his child still lying on the ground. Instead of comforting him, he worried about the things in the child’s hands. He kicked the child on the backside, cursed him for being useless, and hurriedly snatched the item away.

The child cried even louder.

Seeing this “tragic” scene, Lin Yi couldn’t help laughing.

“This,” he sighed, “is the real smoke and fire of human life.”

After Pan Duo knocked repeatedly, the gate finally opened.

An old man held the door panel with both hands and stuck his head out, carefully looking over Lin Yi and his group.

They were dressed in coarse cloth and looked like poor travelers. But their appearances, the large sabers at their waists, and the tall, pure-bred horses snorting at the gate immediately made the old man nervous.

Could they be bandits from the mountains in disguise?

He forced a smile.

“Honorable heroes, where do you come from? What can I do for you?”

Song Cheng, who had traveled widely and had plenty of experience, stepped forward. “Old sir, don’t be nervous. We’re not bad people. It’s raining, so we came to take shelter and stay for a night. Don’t worry—we’ll pay you properly.”

The old man chuckled awkwardly.

“You all look unfamiliar. You’re not locals, are you?”

He secretly scoffed.

After all, the words bad person were not written on anyone’s face.

Song Cheng grabbed the dark iron door ring with one hand. With a slight pull, he ripped it out completely while the old man stared in shock.

Then he clasped his hands politely.

“Old sir, do I look like a bad man?”

The old man hurriedly said, “No! Not at all!”

If they really were bad people, with that kind of strength they could have broken in already. Why bother talking so much?

Song Cheng smiled.

“Then why not invite us inside?”

He tossed a silver ingot into the old man’s arms.

The old man caught it awkwardly and quickly tried to return it.

“You heroes may not know—our master’s parents passed away early, leaving only a young lady who is not yet married. It would be inconvenient for her reputation if strangers stayed here. I hope you can understand.”

Song Cheng replied, “You have a four-courtyard residence here. We’ll stay only in the front yard and won’t enter the inner courtyards. Just close the gate to the back.”

“Uncle Kuan, let them in.”

Before the old man could decide, a clear and pleasant female voice came from inside the house.

“Yes.”

The old man, called Uncle Kuan, opened the gates wider.

Lin Yi saw a young girl standing before him.

She wore a light green dress, had a round, delicate face, and a slender figure with the elegance of a well-raised lady.

Lin Yi cupped his hands.

“Thank you for trusting us.”

The girl glanced at the gate and then at the door ring still hanging from Song Cheng’s finger.

“That hero’s martial arts are impressive. Whether I open the gate or not makes little difference.”

Song Cheng cupped his hands.

“I was reckless. Please forgive me. The rain makes travel difficult. We ask for your kindness.”

The girl’s bright eyes scanned everyone.

“You must know that Jizhou is still under military control. The government has implemented the policy of joint defense. When outsiders arrive, we must cooperate with the authorities—letting no villain escape, but also not wronging any good person. I’m sure you understand why we must be cautious.”

“Of course,” Song Cheng said.

Privately, he sighed. The girl was still warning them not to cause trouble.

The girl cupped her hands toward the north.

“The Regent Prince is wise. Since the joint defense policy was implemented, few villains dare cause trouble.”

Luo Han laughed casually.

“Miss, you can relax. Within hundreds of miles, any famous bandits were already wiped out by the government.”

After the northern troops withdrew, Jiang Pei and Tao Yingyi had immediately launched campaigns against crime. There might still be petty hooligans and corrupt officials, but any major bandits were long gone.

Their graves probably already had three feet of grass growing on them.

The girl gestured.

“Please come in. Uncle Kuan, prepare tea.”

Song Cheng and Luo Han walked in front.

Du Yinniang and Lin Yi followed behind.

She glanced at the girl’s hands and feet and whispered with a smile,

“No wonder she isn’t afraid. She’s a martial artist too.”

Lin Yi nodded.

“No wonder.”

They were led into a spacious hall.

Lin Yi sat casually and lifted the tea offered by a servant.

“Sorry to trouble you.”

The girl smiled.

“When my father was alive, he always said: Make things convenient for others, and they’ll be convenient for you.”

Lin Yi nodded.

“You’re generous. I admire that.”

“Sir flatters me.”

Uncle Kuan came over and whispered to the girl.

“Miss, it’s inconvenient here. You should go inside. I’ll host these guests.”

He had already kept the silver ingot and planned to arrange everything carefully.

The girl shook her head.

“There’s nothing inconvenient. Besides, I will have to appear in public sooner or later.”

Uncle Kuan smiled awkwardly.

“That’s still far away.”

She said nothing.

Lin Yi watched them exchange hints and laughed inwardly.

They were acting as if something very big was happening.

After observing the room and the calluses on the girl’s hand, Luo Han suddenly laughed.

“Miss, impressive. You must be the local joint defense captain.”

The girl followed his gaze and noticed the plaque hanging in the main hall labeled “Joint Defense Team.”

The plaque listed the purpose of the organization and its members.

“Sorry to make you laugh,” she said calmly.

“My parents died early, and I was raised by Uncle Kuan and others. Though I know some martial arts and lead about twenty people, we would have no chance against experts like you.”

Lin Yi looked up at the plaque.

“Luo Qi. That’s a nice name.”

“You’re quite remarkable for someone so young.”

He had implemented the joint defense system across Liang to strengthen grassroots governance.

The captain was usually the strongest fighter in the village.

Luo Qi cupped her hands.

“You praise me too much. Compared to the women heroes in the army, my abilities are insignificant.”

She couldn’t quite understand Lin Yi.

He had no martial arts yet seemed to be the leader. Probably a noble family’s young master.

Luo Han added, “The Phoenix City joint defense drill is coming soon. If you win first place, you might even become a government constable.”

“With your skills, you should easily win.”

In rural areas, martial arts training was basic.

For someone her age to reach third rank with such crude techniques meant great talent.

Luo Qi proudly replied, “Yes. Our Zao Garden Village won the town competition last year. This year we represent the town in the drill.”

Lin Yi nodded.

“If everyone had your spirit, the Wadan tribes would never dare invade again.”

But Luo Qi replied boldly, “If emperors and ministers were all as wise as Prince He, then the Wadan people would never dare invade!”

“My Jizhou has always produced brave patriots who never lose righteousness.”

Pan Duo and the others turned pale.

This girl truly dared to say anything.

Luo Han also fell silent.

Discussing politics in front of the prince was practically suicidal.

Unexpectedly, applause echoed in the hall.

Lin Yi clapped his hands.

“You’re right. If the generals are cowardly, the whole army is cowardly. If rulers are incompetent, the people cannot save the situation either.”

“I didn’t mean that!”

Luo Qi panicked.

“Uncle Kuan, prepare food quickly!”

Embarrassed by her impulsive words, she hurried away.

Before the food arrived, Lin Yi grew tired of sitting and stood under the eaves, watching the rain pouring down.

“This rain will bring good harvests to the dry fields.”

“Your Highness truly cares about the people,” Du Yinniang said.

“Speak normally,” Lin Yi rolled his eyes.

“You know I don’t like hearing that.”

Too much flattery could be annoying.

Du Yinniang smiled.

“That Luo Qi girl is capable and organized. Her martial arts are rough, but she has potential.”

Lin Yi replied, “Then why don’t you take her as a disciple?”

“I actually want to,” she said.

“It would be a waste of such talent.”

Lin Yi waved his hand.

“Then go. If she becomes successful later, you’ll gain credit too.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Du Yinniang leapt away and disappeared.

By the time the food arrived, Luo Qi had already formally become Du Yinniang’s disciple, bowing three times before her.

Lin Yi joked, “You didn’t even ask her sect or lineage. Aren’t you afraid of joining some evil cult?”

Uncle Kuan’s expression changed, but Luo Qi replied calmly, “As long as I learn real martial arts, what does it matter even if I risk my life?”

She had only heard of seventh-rank masters, never seen one.

Now one was standing in front of her and offering to teach her.

If she missed this chance, she would regret it forever.

Du Yinniang laughed.

“That’s why I say you’re smart.”

Luo Qi began pouring wine for everyone.

Luo Han raised his cup and laughed.

“Good! Good! This girl will accomplish great things someday.”

His thoughts suddenly became active.

He had a son whose martial arts were mediocre—only fifth rank.

Too weak for the army, yet not useless either.

He was worried about his son’s marriage.

At first he thought this village girl wasn’t worthy.

But if she became Du Yinniang’s disciple, things were different.

She might become the next great female general someday.

After everyone drank, Lin Yi said to Du Yinniang, “Now that you’ve accepted such a disciple, you’ll have to teach her your best techniques.”

“Of course,” she smiled.

Luo Qi immediately knelt again.

“I will train diligently and never shame you, Master.”

Du Yinniang pulled her up.

“No kneeling all the time. This is my first time taking a disciple too. I don’t have many rules.”

Luo Qi asked eagerly, “Master, what is the name of our sect?”

Lin Yi quickly joked before Du Yinniang could answer.

“Your sect is called the Ancient Tomb Sect, whose mission is to kill all heartless men.”

“Ah?”

Before Luo Qi could recover from surprise, Du Yinniang added coldly, “That’s right. Our sect’s greatest enemy is Ye Qiu. If you ever see him, kill him immediately.”

“Ah!”

This time the scream came from Luo Han.

She was sending her disciple to certain death.

All the matchmaking thoughts he had earlier immediately vanished.