"Hyah!" With a flick of the whip, hooves thundered, dust billowed, and Jiang Huoer set off...

Jiang Zicheng and Madam Jiang watched the young lad fade into the distance.

"His luggage... isn't it a bit too shabby..." Madam Jiang glanced at Jiang Zicheng. "What did you pack for our son?"

In the early dawn of Spirit Martial Town, martial artists trained. Seeing the departing figure, they all felt an inexplicable sigh of relief.

"He can't manifest the War God Mark. I feared bandits might strip him of fine clothes on the road. This way? Not bad, not bad at all." Jiang Zicheng nodded sincerely. Back in his jianghu days, he'd often traveled in just his underwear. This kid had it far better.

"If Huoer returns changed, I'll deal with you!" Madam Jiang huffed and turned into Jiang Mansion.

"My dear, this is for Huoer's own good!" Jiang Zicheng hurried after her.

The early-rising martial artists were mostly teens prepping for next week's Capital Interview. Among them were strangers to Jiang Huoer and close friends.

"Was that... Huoer?" Yi Xiuran and Duan Mengqi always trained together at dawn. By Spirit Stream, they spotted the whip-wielding youth—but he'd vanished before they fully registered it.

"Seems like it." Duan Mengqi nodded. "Where's Huoer going at this hour?"

"Judging by his luggage, he's heading far away." Yi Xiuran wiped sweat from his brow. "Could it tie to next week's Capital Interview?"

After yesterday's incident, he couldn't help linking the two.

"What's the Capital Interview got to do with Huoer leaving?" Duan Mengqi sheathed her short blade. "Could Town Chief Jiang want him out of town during the interviews?"

Yi Xiuran realized that might indeed be possible.

"But Huoer left so decisively—it's likely not just that. I'll ask my father later; he should know best."

"Mm."

Crisp bird chirps and insect hums underscored the tranquility. Swords and short blades clashed mid-air. Smoke curled from chimneys—another day began.

Jiang Huoer's departure sparked rumors in Spirit Martial Town. Some claimed he'd never return; others said he went to apprentice; a few thought he headed early to the Fire Cannon Workshop in the Imperial Capital. Adults knew Venerable Just Judge and Town Chief Jiang arranged this to fulfill their demands, but kept silent. They'd promised not to tell the kids—it would wound Huoer's heart.

Since Venerable Just Judge and Town Chief Jiang had gone all out for them, they'd reciprocate.

When Yi Xiuran asked Yi Aimin at the yamen, his father simply claimed ignorance.

Yi Xiuran didn't believe him, but if his father clammed up, prying was useless.

Jiang Huoer left on the day of Boss Qian's son's birthday. The celebration was at Top Fresh.

As Spirit Martial Town's richest nouveau riche, everyone sought to curry favor.

Invitations sent to households were all accepted.

Town Chief Jiang didn't care. It was a children's party anyway—and with Huoer gone, he wouldn't attend even if he kept the invite.

At the yamen, Yi Aimin accepted only because the young master was Yi Xiuran's classmate.

For Duan Mengqi, the banquet was at her family's inn. She couldn't snub Boss Qian—he was Top Fresh's top patron.

At the feast, no one discussed the young master's future. All they talked about was Jiang Huoer's morning departure.

The young master had expected flattery all night. Instead, everyone kept mentioning Jiang Huoer—that good-for-nothing.

After biting his tongue repeatedly, he finally snapped.

"That useless wretch must've run off to avoid embarrassment at next week's Capital Interview."

His words silenced the room.

"What? Don't you agree? We've all forged the War God Mark. Even if we don't join the Imperial Three Camps, we'll land good posts. Who'd want a kid who can only fire cannons but can't seal the mark?"

Kids their age didn't think that deeply. Only the young master did. Everyone liked Jiang Huoer—he was always kind. So no one opposed him, nor did anyone agree.

"Young Master Qian, watch your words." Yi Xiuran couldn't stand it. He and Huoer were closest. He'd held back, but now someone had to speak up.

"Oh, if it isn't our Xiuran. What? Don't like what I said?"

"Huoer is Town Chief Jiang's son. No matter how rich your father is, he's just a gambling den owner. Think carefully—your words might hurt his business."

Yi Xiuran stayed calm. He knew how to handle this type—intimidation was the only way.

Sure enough, the young master broke into a cold sweat. In his haste to insult, he'd forgotten that even a "good-for-nothing" like Huoer was the chief's son.

"Y-you! You're threatening me!" But he wasn't backing down.

"I'm not threatening you. Just stating facts. If you have more to say, go ahead." Yi Xiuran sat down but shot him a glare.

As the top student and son of the yamen head, the young master was powerless against him.

"Hmph!"

"Good thing you're his friend, or Huoer would've been bullied~" Mengqi smiled.

"If I hadn't spoken up, you'd have jumped in." He'd seen her fists clench. Without him, things might've spiraled out of control.

"Ahaha..."

"Remember your position. Boss Qian is Top Fresh's biggest client. Don't offend his family." Yi Xiuran sighed. "You two troublemakers—neither gives me peace."

To Yi Xiuran, Duan Mengqi and Jiang Huoer were two hot potatoes.

"That's so mean..." Duan Mengqi pouted. "At least I'm better than Huoer."

"Not by much."

Despite the hiccup, the birthday feast ended well. The young master got roaring drunk, cursing Jiang Huoer and Yi Xiuran on his way home. No one minded—if Boss Qian heard, he'd get a beating anyway.

Town Chief Jiang was now at the yamen.

He and Yi Aimin sipped tea.

"Well, Brother Jiang, how's my West Lake Longjing?"

"I didn't know you had contacts near West Lake." Jiang Zicheng praised the tea—pure color, lingering fragrance.

Though Song-era tea competitions were long gone, people's love for tea only grew.

"Like me, he was injured and retired from battle." Yi Aimin smiled. "I saved his life once, so he always respects me. He's now a fourth-rank official—one rank above me—but still writes respectfully."

"Next time, have him send more Longjing. Tell him you have a tea-obsessed old friend." Jiang Zicheng said.

"Easy enough." Yi Aimin sipped. "By the way, Huoer didn't suspect anything about that matter, did he?"

"Of course not. I told you—around saltpeter and sulfur, Huoer's IQ drops to zero."

"So pure-hearted..." Yi Aimin sighed. "Sometimes I think no one in this town—adults or kids like Xiuran—matches Huoer's sincerity."

"His father was the same. Guess he takes after him." Jiang Zicheng chuckled quietly.

"I wonder how those two are doing. No word for years." Yi Aimin's eyes filled with memories. "Back then, the three of us roamed the jianghu with swords, upholding justice. Now look at us."

"If they escaped the Mongol Troops' pursuit, they'd have fled to the Western Regions. If alive, they're there now. No letters because the Mongols watch them. If not... their bodies would be unrecognizable by now."

"Yes, old memories... they still bring sorrow." Jiang Zicheng and Yi Aimin looked up. The moon was as full as when they'd sworn brotherhood. Nostalgia struck.

"I heard Huoer's departure caused quite a stir. Rumors flew—some said you found him a post in the Capital, Brother Jiang."

"If Kacha Keer hadn't instructed us, I'd have found him a path."

"By the way, Huoer left on one horse... but you mentioned his scribe, Jiang Shangfeng, went with him. One horse, one person—where's the scribe?"

"Shangfeng? Hehe." Jiang Zicheng gave a mysterious smile.