Chapter 343: Father and Son (3)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

hi the blink of an eye, ten years later, at the end of the year…

In the escort agency in rhe border town, four large tables were set up. More than ten escorts were sitting in the banquet hall, drinking and chatting. The person in the main seat was a tall young man in black with an extremely handsome face.

The big, fluffy white bird was standing on a stool and looking eagerly at the wine and meat on the table.

The escort Yang Chao, who already had white hair, was sitting beside the young man with a wine glass and said softly, “After doing business with Northern Liang, our days have indeed been much more comfortable. The business of the escort agency has increased several times compared to previous years. This empress seems to have some skills. If there were no bandits such as the Hong Mountain Gang and the Horse Gang, our days would really be comfortable…”

“Red River Town is a small place after ail. There’s not even a county magistrate to govern it. The Imperial Court has no control here at all. To collect rhe reward money for the heads of horse bandits, you have to travel hundreds of kilometers. If you want to live a stable life, you have to go to the Central Plains.¹¹

“With the master’s ability, he can make a name for himself wherever he goes. It’s just that in the past, you were young, so it was too risky to abandon the business of the escort agency and bring you to run around outside. Now that the master is old, has old injuries, and drinks all day long, he probably can’t run anymore…”

“I’m already eighteen, and my martial arts skills are better than my father s, it’s enough for me to be in charge. I ll persuade him later. If it doesn’t work, 1’11 go to the Central Plains to take a look first. After 1 build a solid foundation, I’ll bring my father over to enjoy life…”

“Young Master, are you thinking about the girls outside?”

“Sigh…”

“Young Master, you’re so handsome. You’re already eighteen, but you’re still a virgin. You’re making almost all the girls and young women in town cry from hunger. You even have to be on guard when you bathe and let the bird keep watch. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to live like that…”

After chatting for a long time, Ye Jingtang left the banquet and went to the backyard.

The backyard, where only two people lived, was full of stone chains, wooden stakes, and other martial arts training tools. Because he practiced diligently every day, they were not covered in snow.

There was a chair under the eaves of the old house. Pei Yuanfeng’s hair was already white, just like 15 years ago, his saber was placed horizontally on his knees. He was leaning in the chair to sober up.

What was different from before was that he looked a little sloppy. He had a beard and many wrinkles on his face.

Ye Jingtang sighed. He took a blanket from the room and placed it on Pei Yuanfeng’s chest.

Rustle, rustle…

There was a faint sound, and the drunk Pei Yuanfeng opened his blurry eyes. He looked at the little child who no longer needed to stand on a stool and even needed to bend down to put a blanket on him. A glint flashed across his eyes as if a lifetime had passed.

“Go inside and sleep. Be careful not to catch a cold here.”

“Pm used to it…” Pei Yuanfeng sat up straight and gestured to the stool beside him. “It’s the New Year again. These days pass so fast… In the blink of an eye, a lifetime will be over.”

“It’s the new year. Say something auspicious. I heard that experts in Jianghu can usually live for more than a hundred years. Fifty years old is considered the prime of life.”

Ye Jingtang sat down in front of him and looked at the bright moon and sparse stars in the night sky. “Now that I’ve grown up, you don’t have to worry about the escort agency. Why don’t we go out and adventure? You’ve worked hard for half your life. It’s time for you to enjoy life.”

Pei Yuanfeng slowly shook his head. After all, he had already enjoyed life before the age of 20. He was here to atone for the impulsiveness and recklessness of his youth.

Looking at Ye Jingtang, who had already grown up, Pei Yuanfeng thought for a moment and said, “I’m old and too lazy to run around. You must go out and adventure. Otherwise, your life will be in vain. Where are you going in the future? To the capital to find a wife?”

Ye Jingtang shook his head. “Aren’t Jianghu people asking for trouble by going to the emperor’s feet? I heard that there are many saber users in Ze Province. I’ve practiced the saber since 1 was a child. 1 think 1’11 meet many like-minded friends there.”

“Hehe…¹¹ Pei Yuanfeng wasn’t surprised by these words at all. The first stop for the young saber users in Jianghu was usually Jun Mountain Terrace.

This was the starting point for saber users and also the end point that all saber users pursued in their lives.

“Don’t be in a hurry to go to Jun Mountain Terrace. It’s better to go outside and see the world first. By the way, don’t run to Northern Liang.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“This is a rule of Jianghu. The Jianghu of Great Wei is your homeland. Only when you’re at your wits’ end should you go to Northern Liang’s Jianghu to be a homeless prodigal and try to find a way to start over. You still have a way out. If you go there now, you’ll cut off your future path of retreat.”

“Oh… 1 don’t plan to go to Northern Liang. I still want to visit the Central Plains to take a look.”

“When are you going?”

“1 have to escort something to Sha Province on the third day of the new year. It’ll probably be March when I come back. We’ll talk about it then. You should go out for a walk. There’s no point in staying here and drinking alone.”

“Hehe…” Pei Yuanfeng shook his head and smiled. He didn’t say anything. He picked up rhe wine pot from beside the chair and poured a bowl of wine for Ye Jingtang. “1 don’t know when you were born. You’ll be one year older next year. After today, you’ll be eighteen. You have to walk your own path in rhe future. Don’t embarrass me when you go out.”

“Of course.” Ye Jingtang held the wine bowl and clinked it with Pei Yuanfeng’s. “It’s the New Year. Shouldn’t you say something auspicious?”

“Hmm… All things welcome spring and send away the remaining frost. The end of the year is tonight. In the New Year, 1 hope you can find a few beautiful wives.”

Ye Jingtang s eyes were full of smiles. After thinking for a while, he forced out a sentence. “Happy New Year!”

Pei Yuanfeng chuckled. He picked up his wine bowl and finished it in one gulp. Then he leaned back in his chair and looked at the fireworks in the town. A moment later, he looked at Ye Jingtang. There was a deep reluctance in his eyes, but there was no regret.

After all, there were also times in Jianghu to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. Although he had accomplished nothing, as a person of Jianghu, it was time for him to go on his way. On the day his son reached adulthood, he had completely finished his journey. The rest of the journey should be handed over to the newcomers.. There was nothing to regret…