Chapter 82: Final Parting

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In the grand hall of the Wolf Fang Mountain Stronghold, Hu San sat high upon the throne. To his left was a man with long sideburns, his face pale and expression solemn, as if he was born with an air of cold severity. This man was none other than Zheng Mingliao, the Second Chief, sent by the Wuzang Kingdom to oversee the Wolf Fang Stronghold.

On Hu San’s right sat a robust youth, dressed in coarse, worn clothing. Beneath his tattered sleeves, dark muscles bulged, their blue veins resembling writhing dragons. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow, and his whole body seemed shrouded in a mist, as if he had just finished intense exertion. Needless to say, this was Lin Hu, Hu San’s trusted confidant and the Third Chief.

Below the dais lay the main hall, where two rows of seats—each with more than ten chairs—were fully occupied. Among them sat Zhao Feng in his green robe, as well as Tan Yue, Lei Ming, and others, all commanders of Wolf Fang Stronghold.

Beside Hu San, at the front of the hall but slightly lower, stood a gilded chair on which sat a gaunt man of around forty in armor. Behind him stood two vigorous men in purple, hands resting on their long blades, eyes alert, ready to kill at any moment.

The man was Ren Tang, the chief escort of this Wuzang Kingdom trade caravan. His cultivation had reached the sixth level of the Martial Path, making him a prominent figure among second-rate experts. The two behind him were his sworn brothers, known as the Twin Fiends in Purple, both at the fifth martial level.

This time, the Wuzang Kingdom’s trade caravan was truly filled with experts, partly in anticipation of retaliation from the Great Bend Kingdom. After all, in the Qilian Mountains, Hu San had plundered even the enemy’s stronghold.

Once all were assembled, Hu San waved his hand and spoke, “All present are old brothers of the stronghold, and Captain Ren is no outsider. I, Hu San, will speak openly.”

“Since the founding of Wolf Fang Stronghold, thanks to the strong support of the Wuzang Kingdom, we have unified this region and made great strides on the martial path. Just a few days ago, I was fortunate to break through to the fourth level, where internal energy can be projected outward. But advancing further is extremely difficult.”

“After discussing with Captain Ren, I have decided to venture out. In the capital of Wuzang Kingdom, there is a martial academy specifically established to help with cultivation challenges. With my credentials, I am qualified to study there, and once I complete my studies, I will return as soon as possible.”

At these words, the hall erupted in an uproar, Lin Hu’s face flushing red.

Seeing this, Ren Tang smiled slightly and clapped his hands, speaking before anyone else could, “Heh, everyone here knows Chief Hu’s strength, so I needn’t elaborate. But perhaps you don’t realize his talent on the martial path.”

“In less than two years, Chief Hu has reached the fourth level of internal cultivation. Such aptitude would be considered extraordinary even in the Wuzang Kingdom. So, regarding Chief Hu’s intention to study at the martial academy, I wholeheartedly support it. Even if he hadn’t suggested it, I would have personally invited him.”

“I can assure you all, in under ten years, Wuzang Kingdom will gain a first-rate or even a top-tier expert. By then, Wolf Fang Stronghold will be truly unassailable. This is a rare opportunity that countless people dream of. Don’t act like emotional children.”

After Ren Tang’s speech, the crowd gradually recovered from their shock. Though they still had much to say, their initial agitation had faded.

“This Ren Tang is indeed talented—no wonder he keeps the Twin Fiends in check,” Hu San thought to himself.

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Hu San secretly nodded. The strength he had shown today was precisely that of a fourth-level martial artist. His decision to study at the martial academy had only been finalized after demonstrating his power to Ren Tang earlier.

Naturally, Ren Tang was his official sponsor.

Hu San cared little for the opportunity to study at the martial academy, but the chance to leave the Qilian Mountains openly was not one to be missed. Thus, this scene unfolded.

“Third Brother, what will we do if you leave? Why don’t I go with you?” Lin Hu, after holding back for a long time, finally seized the chance once Ren Tang finished speaking and stood up hastily.

As soon as Lin Hu spoke, Zhao Feng and the others in the hall quickly joined in, all wishing to accompany Hu San out of Qilian.

“Nonsense!” Hu San slapped the table sharply, silencing the clamor.

“If all of you leave, what will happen to Wolf Fang Stronghold? How can I leave with peace of mind? With your meager skills, you wouldn’t make it out of the mountains!”

After a few stern admonitions, Hu San waved his hand and said, “Enough. If anyone wants to leave Qilian, at least reach the fourth level first. Otherwise, leaving would be a disgrace to me.”

“That’s settled. After I leave, the stronghold’s affairs will be handled by the Second and Third Chiefs. Zhao Feng, Tan Yue, Lei Ming, Liang Chuan, Zhou Zhu—you must all cooperate with them. Guard our home well. If I return to find it in ruins, you will answer to me. Understood?”

With these words, Lin Hu and the others, though full of protest, dared not speak further and could only agree.

Afterward, things went smoothly. Hu San summoned each commander to give final instructions, and once all was in order, the banquet was set, with Lin Hu and his companions’ eyes already red-rimmed.

The feast began at noon and lasted clear into the next morning—truly a night of drunken revelry. Parting was near, and Hu San, too, was full of sentimentality, so he drank freely with his longtime brothers-in-arms.

Even with the strength of fifteen men, by the end he was dazed, to say nothing of the others.

As a result, their departure was delayed by three days, as it took that long for everyone to recover from their hangovers.

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Upon the cliff before Wolf Name Village, Hu San stood motionless on a stone, gazing at the tranquil mountain village bathed in the morning light. A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, and after a long silence, he heaved a deep sigh.

“Third Brother, are you really not going home for a last look?” Lin Hu stood beside him, turning his head anxiously, unable to mask his reluctance.

“No, I won’t look back. Matters of love and longing—such things have long been a luxury for me, so why dwell on them?” Hu San turned to Lin Hu and said seriously, “Huzi, with no one else here, I’ll speak plainly. What I said back at the stronghold—just forget it. I’ll tell you the truth: I don’t care about Wolf Fang Stronghold. If it falls, so be it. As long as you’re alive, you can always rebuild. Remember, your foremost task here is to protect our family. Don’t let them suffer. And if you can’t, don’t throw your life away foolishly; just remember the enemy’s face and tell me. As for making the stronghold bigger or fighting for power—do only what’s necessary. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“Think long-term. Work hard at your cultivation. Right now, your abilities are too weak—there are things you’re not ready to face.”

“Don’t worry, Third Brother. I won’t let you down,” Lin Hu replied, choking with emotion. The moment felt like the tragic partings he’d heard about in old tales—he feared that with one blink, he might never see Hu San again.

“Ah, everyone has their own fate. Don’t force things. Take care of yourself,” Hu San sighed, uncertain how much Lin Hu truly understood. But as he’d said, everyone has their own destiny. The road ahead is known only to the heavens—how could it be forced?

Thus, with the first crow of the rooster in Wolf Name Village, and with Lin Hu’s tear-blurred vision, Hu San slipped away. Soon, he merged with the mounted caravan in the forest, and the sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance.