The next day.
After morning class.
Huo Ziheng took Tianbao up the mountain along the path at the end of the village.
Today, Tubei Mountain is covered with trees and weeds all over the mountain. Autumn comes in October, with yellow and green colors intertwining on the mountain, and the breath of autumn is strong and astonishing.
The trail up the mountain is paved with a layer of fallen leaves, which feel soft underfoot, and the dead leaves make a crunching sound when they are crushed by gravity.
As you climb up the road, you can see villagers collecting firewood and raking grass on the gentle slopes here and there, hidden among the dense shrubs and dead trees.
Seeing the master and apprentice, the villagers would always stand up and say hello with a smile, with bright smiles on their faces.
When they reached the top of the mountain, there were no traces of people around. Huo Ziheng stopped, found a clean stone to sit on, and patted the empty space next to him.
The master and apprentice sat side by side, overlooking the village against the wind blowing in front of them. After their clothes were blown up, their backs, one large and one small, looked thin.
"Master, is this a story that needs to be kept secret?" Tianbao put his little hands on his knees and asked, tilting his head.
His black eyes are clear and clear, and he has a calmness that transcends his age.
Huo Ziheng stroked her little head and smiled, "Master's past is a bit embarrassing. I never thought of telling it. Unfortunately, I still can't hide it."
Tianbao did not ask further questions and waited quietly for the master to continue.
"The complete pattern you drew yesterday should look like this." The man held up a dead branch at his feet and drew a complex pattern on the wet soil soaked with water vapor in front of him. "Fire-winged wolf fangs, this is the totem of a foreign race."
"What clan?"
"The central plains of the mainland are divided into eleven countries, four of which are large countries, namely Dongpu, Xiling, Nansang, and Beixiang. There are five small countries, namely Yunqin, Fenglan, Longyuan, Lingjiang, and Shangbei. The remaining two are medium countries. , which is Dayue and Darong. And this totem is the symbol of power under the nobles of Darong."
"How does Master know about the totems of other countries?"
"You also said that Master is well-informed."
"Where's the grudge?"
"Grudges...it's a long story."
One big and one small chatted in low voices, all looking towards the village below.
Thatched houses are built next to each other, and the black smoke from the chimneys of each kitchen rises into the sky. The higher it rises, the lighter the color becomes, and finally disappears in the sky.
But the smell of fireworks was left behind. When the wind blows, you can smell the fragrance of vegetation mixed with the smell of firewood on the mountain.
The autumn sun is shining brightly, the air is refreshing and the sky is high.
On the big rocks, stories are told.
"...I, the Huo family, shunned the world because I didn't like disputes. Unexpectedly, I still attracted people's jealousy and caused the disaster of annihilation. I was the only one who was lucky enough to survive, and finally hid here and lived."
Speaking of the past, Huo Ziheng's tone was calm and full of absurdity.
The heroes from various countries on the continent stand side by side, all with ambitions to compete for the throne. They rack their brains to recruit talents. Those who cannot be recruited would rather destroy them to avoid being used by others.
Those ruthless methods and dirty thoughts made him feel sick just by mentioning them.
In this world, the more powerful the person, the more villains there are.
To this day, he still disdains the company of those people.
"Tianbao," Huo Ziheng suppressed the emotions involved in recalling the past, lowered his head, and stared at the little girl who was listening quietly, "Have you ever doubted the master's intention to accept you as his disciple? I knew you were not a creature of the pond. , so I deliberately teach you knowledge and strategy, and wait for you to spread your phoenix wings one day and use you to avenge me, the Huo family."
Tianbao raised his little face, and the sunlight illuminated his black pupils, which were always clear and transparent. "I am a good fighter. Master, if you want to beat anyone, just tell Tianbao."
"Even for use?"
"Um."
A decisive sound.
Huo Ziheng tilted his head and gently stroked the baby's head with his palm. The baby's eyes turned red as he couldn't see her, "What a silly girl."
No need for Sweetie to do anything.
He was satisfied to have such a disciple in this life.
He never thought of asking students to avenge Huo's hatred for him.
How could he let others bear a burden that he himself could not bear?
The Huo family has the character of the Huo family.
Tian Bao's beautiful eyes were bent, and he looked at the beautiful dogtail grass beside him. He casually broke off a root and held it in his mouth, "Master, it's time to go back to eat. Master's wife only allows you to come out for half an hour."
Huo Ziheng, "..."
The sourness and emotion that surged in my heart were abruptly cut off by Wa'er's words.
It makes people laugh and cry.
The master and the apprentice held hands with each other and walked down the mountain again.
Tianbao is used as a crutch by his master.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, four boys suddenly emerged from behind the bushes, and they all rushed to Huo Ziheng's side, "Master! You are setting a small stove for my sister again! Treat one person more than the other!"
"This is so obvious, Master! How can anyone hit his disciple like this? Is the boy worthless?"
"Teachers should be treated equally! Master, you said this yourself!"
"Whatever you taught Tianbao on the mountain, you must also teach us! Master, Master, Master——"
When the boys are noisy, it can also cause headaches.
Huo Ziheng glanced at the four people playing treasures in front of him, raised the corners of his lips, and the last depression in his heart seemed to be dissipated unconsciously.
"Okay, don't argue anymore. Master has a headache. I'll go home for dinner first. You, Master, are still waiting, so we've all dispersed."
"Master——"
"get out of class is over."
"Master!!"
The man strolled, the smile on his lips never falling, the soft autumn sun eliminated the redness and sorrow at the end of his eyes.
When they arrived at the door of the house and made sure that their master would not be entangled, the four boys sighed loudly and slumped into the house.
As soon as the courtyard door closed, the four people's expressions immediately changed, and they picked up Tianbao and walked to the vegetable garden.
Grandpa and grandma are in the main room, the other adults are in the kitchen, and the vegetable garden is clean and easy to talk to.
Tianbao was put on trial in the vegetable garden.
Su Wu, "Master's wife is not feeling right today. She has been looking in a daze all morning and is full of worries. Tianbao, is Master encountering any difficulties?"
Su An, "Tianbao, get out of class is over now. We are not junior brothers, but brothers. We must respect our elders! We must tell the truth!"
Su Wen, "Originally we wanted to go up the mountain, but we knew we couldn't hide it from you, so we waited patiently at the foot of the mountain! If you don't tell me, my brother will jump in and show it to you!"
Bai Yu, "Are you worried about money or something else? Or...is it related to what happened yesterday?"
Yesterday they went to the inner city, and this morning Master took Tianbao to talk alone.
He guessed there was a connection.
Tianbao looked at the four hands pressing his shoulders, raised his head, and said with a serious expression, "Yes, Master has something important to do."
"What's the big deal?" they all said in unison.
"Master has an enemy."
"who?!"
"I'll tell you when I know." Tianbao stood up, easily pushed his four hands away, patted his butt and left, "I'm hungry, let's eat."
"..."
Deliberately whet their appetite.
The four of them saw it.
After having lunch at Xiao Su's house, Bai Yu went home and went straight to the study to look for his father.
"Dad, have you found out the details of those people who showed their arms?"
Bai Kui looked at the wooden door that was still opening and closing, and looked away as usual, "Not yet, we are checking. Son, this matter cannot be rushed. Give dad some more time, the origins of those people are rather mysterious..."
Bai Yu interrupted the man who was about to make a long speech, "Then don't investigate, just kill him."
"..." Son, don't be so tough.
