"Master!" Xiao Han ran up to Deng Changfeng, tears streaming down his face, with an aggrieved expression.
"Why are you crying?" Deng Changfeng looked at Xiao Han with displeasure. What annoyed him most was seeing this big man cry like a woman.
"Master, this disciple is suffering..." Xiao Han touched the tears on his face, his voice choked with sobs.
"Don't cry; just say what you have to say," Deng Changfeng said, his face darkening with irritation. He was clearly dissatisfied with Xiao Han's approach.
"It's such a master..." Seeing Deng Changfeng's demeanor, Xiao Han quickly stifled his tears. He took a deep breath and recounted the recent events. In Xiao Han's version of the story, he and Ye Chen were victims. Jiang Che was depicted as a villain who ran amok in Jiangbei City, wielding power and committing all sorts of evil. He and Ye Chen simply couldn't stand Jiang Che's actions and ended up provoking each other, which led to their current predicament.
"You said he's a martial artist who transforms energy?" Deng Changfeng sat in a chair, stroking his beard as he looked at Xiao Han and asked. According to Xiao Han's description, Jiang Che was about the same age as Xiao Han, and a Huajin warrior in his twenties could be considered a genius.
"Um." Xiao Han nodded heavily, feeling increasingly frustrated. If Jiang Che's cultivation level was only that of a dark warrior like himself, why were they in such a predicament?
"You were wanted, so you came back to avoid the limelight?" Deng Changfeng glared at Xiao Han with contempt, his irritation growing. He had tasked Xiao Han with infiltrating the Su family and plotting from within to obtain their wealth. But now, this fool had returned just after causing a major incident.
"Did you forget the mission I gave you?" Deng Changfeng continued, his voice sharp.
"No..."
"It's that Jiang Che who stole my fiancée; that's why i sought revenge on him," Xiao Han said, feeling a little aggrieved.
"You can't even handle a woman; you're such a waste!" Deng Changfeng snorted coldly, chastising Xiao Han mercilessly. Although Xiao Han was his apprentice, the failed plan had undermined years of careful plotting, leaving Deng Changfeng furious. While publicly maintaining a good relationship with Su Wenzheng, he privately resented him.
Fifty years ago, Su Wenzheng had married Deng Changfeng's beloved junior sister, who tragically died shortly after giving birth to Su Batian. Though Su Wenzheng hadn't remarried, Deng Changfeng still harbored resentment toward him, believing that if his sister hadn't married Su Wenzheng, she would have lived a longer life. This unspoken grievance had become a thorn in Deng Changfeng's heart.
Thinking of these dusty memories, Deng Changfeng closed his eyes in pain.
Facing Deng Changfeng's harsh words, Xiao Han bowed his head, guilt washing over him.
After a long pause, Deng Changfeng opened his eyes again, the sadness fading from his gaze. "You are Ye Chen?" he asked lightly, looking at Ye Chen, who had been standing silently nearby.
"Junior Ye Chen, I meet Mr. Deng," Ye Chen said, clasping his hands together and bowing slightly in a show of respect. This gesture was enough to convey his respect for Deng Changfeng, especially since he would be living here for the time being.
"Well, I already know about you. During this time, you should stay on the mountain to avoid the limelight," Deng Changfeng said.
After speaking, he turned and entered his thatched hut without further conversation with either of them.