Why do I have so many masters?

He had strategies at his chest, and with a simple point, he controlled a million valiant soldiers, speaking and laughing at the world, managing the universe single-handedly.

As a military family strategist, one's martial arts skills need not be high, but one must keep a cool and rational head when everyone else is engaged in the game, as only the strategist must remain calm and find that singular opportunity for survival in an otherwise fatal situation.

Until today, Wang Anfeng had never imagined a strategist could look like this.

No folding fan or fine scarf, only a 2.5-meter-long Mo Blade of the Great Qin.

Arbitrarily heroic.

Unrestrained and unruly.

"Anfeng, another serving,"

A loud shout reached his ears, and Wang Anfeng took the earthenware bowl from Baili Feng's hands, turned around to serve rice, his wooden spoon scraping the bottom of the pot, and he sighed deeply.

And a big eater too.

Because he had encountered Xue Qinshuang and felt guilty about the Baili Feng matter, he invited them both to his home for a simple meal when noon arrived.

The original frying pan had been taken away, ready to be replaced anew.

The reason they were still using that old pot was because of some shameless and sloppy Confucian scholar.

Just as he handed Baili Feng the rice he had served, another empty bowl was passed to him.

The grey-robed Confucian scholar slightly raised his chin, looked at Baili Feng with disdain and smugness, stretched out his left hand and gestured with his fingers that he had already consumed five bowls of rice, which irritated Baili Feng, who huffed coldly, his chopsticks flying, reducing the rice in his bowl at a visibly rapid pace.

The Confucian scholar chuckled darkly, clicking his tongue disdainfully, then turned to Wang Anfeng with a smug face and said,

"Little madman, come on, another bowl."

Looking at that brazen and shamelessly grinning face, Wang Anfeng almost lost his restraint and slapped the porcelain bowl right into his face.

With a slap, he took over the rice bowl, holding back his frustration as he turned to serve him rice.

Xue Qinshuang's eyes glinted as she looked at the scowling Wang Anfeng and said,

"Master Ni, your cultivation is not low, I presume…"

The Confucian scholar received his rice, his face bearing a simple smile like a contented farmer after a good harvest and replied,

"Just so-so, just so-so..."

The young lady nodded slightly, then continued with a teasing smile,

"Then why does Master behave so... hmm."

She paused, her gaze falling on the porcelain bowl near the Confucian scholar's hand. Though she did not finish, everyone understood what she meant.

Considering you are already a skilled individual.

Why would you still have the nerve to freeload off three youngsters?

Her tone was teasing, not so much an accusation but more like friendly banter among acquaintances. The Confucian scholar casually stuffed a piece of white radish pickle into his mouth, chewed heartily, swallowed, and then exhaled with satisfaction before his expression suddenly became somber and he sighed heavily, saying,

"Can't help it… I can't leave!"

"Exactly nineteen years, three hundred fifty-seven days, eleven hours, three quarters, and seven minutes ago, I made a bet with someone. I lost and had to stay here. To leave, I need to meet two conditions."

"One of which is to stay for a full twenty years."

Hearing him recall the time down to the day, hour, and minute with such precision, the three of them felt a chill in their hearts. Baili Feng swallowed the food in his mouth and said,

"Looking at you, you really hate that person, don't you? So petty!"

Master Ni rolled his eyes, raised his hand for a knuckle-rap and said,

"A bet is a bet, fair and square, what's there to resent."

"It's just that staying in one place for nearly twenty years, ah, this damn place, I don't want to stay even for a minute longer! I think about leaving when I walk, when I eat, even when I sleep, I dream about it."

"Once the time is up, I'm out of here immediately."

"I don't want to stay here even a moment longer."

Thinking about it, he picked up another strip of radish, chewed vigorously, as if venting some pent-up frustration.

Baili Feng looked up curiously and asked,

"What did the person you bet with take from you, keeping you from leaving?"

"I literally have nothing of value,"

"Did he poison you, or did he put a knife to your throat to stop you from going?"

The Confucian scholar looked at Baili Feng's curious and eager face, rolled his eyes and said,

"Neither."

"He just casually broke a branch and drew a line at the Academy's entrance."

Baili Feng's face turned strange as he looked at him and said,

"A line has trapped you for twenty years? You're taking it a bit too seriously."

"That line must have been erased over twenty years."

Master Ni chuckled at that, not responding immediately, his eyes narrowed slightly, becoming profound with an indescribable air of distinction. After a moment of silence, he just said,

"Hey, kid… If I ran, then I'd have truly lost the bet."

The three of them didn't understand the significance of the phrase, seeing only that he seemed dejected, Baili Feng spoke up to comfort him, "Oh, don't be so down."

"Though it might be a bit foolish, a man without trust cannot stand tall. Waiting for twenty years like this, you indeed qualify as a real man..."

Suddenly realizing that this might not be appropriate to say, he paused slightly, then a thought struck him, his eyes lit up, he slammed the table and said,

"On the day you can go out, it just so happens to be the grand 80th birthday of Old Master Zhao, with a grand banquet open to all. Everyone can go and have a meal."

"How about we go together, as my treat to you."

"Your treat..."

Master Ni seemed to be choked with indignation by these shameless words, while Wang Anfeng was slightly startled. Being new to Fufeng, he did not know this Old Master Zhao. Seeing his expression, Xue Qinshuang smiled and explained,

"The renowned elder of Jianghu in Fufeng, Senior Zhao Zheng, gained fame at a young age, abhorred evil as his foe, and roamed the land of Fufeng with his mastered Horizontal External Skill. He had several Jianghu adventures, attained Middle Third Rank at thirty-five, and broke into the perfected Fourth Rank at sixty."

"Although he hasn't made breakthroughs after years of diligent cultivation, his Horizontal Divine Skills must have been refined seamlessly by now."

"Truly a rare master."

Wang Anfeng nodded slightly, now understanding the situation, but just then, he caught a glimpse of the spark in the young girl's brown eyes, as if they were filled with a burning, dazzling glow. His heart skipped a beat, prompting a question.

She too was new to Fufeng, so why was she so familiar with these elder masters?

His mind couldn't help but think of the girl's formidable, undefeated reputation among these elders, and suddenly a ridiculous thought arose.
Your journey continues at empire

Did she intend to challenge all those worthy opponents one by one after her breakthrough?

The young man shook his head, discarding the absurd thought, simply attributing it to overthinking.

Contemplating, it made sense for descendants of Jianghu noble families to inquire about local experts before venturing into new places for experience.

In fact, it was rare, like himself, to dive headfirst into it.

At this moment, the girl's voice paused slightly, her tone unchanged, she softly laughed and said,

"An influential elder in Fufeng, naturally he has the standing to host this banquet."

The young man sneakily glanced at her, noting her clear, pellucid brown eyes that lacked the earlier sword-like sharpness. Xue Qinshuang noticed his gaze, tilted her head slightly, and smiled openly, gracefully.

With all four present being martial artists, their appetite surpassed that of regular people. A single meal involved laughing, chatting idly, and eating until almost dusk, finishing their bowls so clean that if a mouse went in, it would have to leave with tears in its eyes, while Baili Feng and the Confucian Scholar claimed to be only seventy percent full.

An elder and a youngster, walking away while picking their teeth, seemed to have improved their relationship significantly.

Watching their retreating figures, Wang Anfeng felt both irritated and amused. Xue Qinshuang held back laughter and said,

"Your friend is really interesting..."

The young man was momentarily stunned, instinctively about to belittle the Confucian Scholar, but a gentle smile involuntarily appeared on his lips as he gently nodded, responding,

"Mm-hmm..."

Since New Year's Eve, it was the first time 'home' felt this lively.

A thought suddenly occurred in his mind, and the young man hesitated slightly but was genuinely curious, casually asking with his typical demeanor,

"Xue, when do you plan to challenge Senior Zhao Zheng?"

The girl tilted her head to look at him, her lips curving slightly.

"Fifth Rank..."

"You've been patient enough to wait this long to ask."

Wang Anfeng looked slightly embarrassed as he scratched his head and said,

"You noticed, huh?"

Pausing, the absurd thought in his chest tumbled ceaselessly. After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke up,

"You really plan to..."

"Mm, to dominate this age."

Wang Anfeng intended to speak of defeating those elder experts, but the girl's declaration was ten times more audacious than what he had imagined, causing his breath to catch. The girl turned to face the sunset, her steps light as she faced Wang Anfeng, her black hair flowing slightly, her brown eyes looking at Wang Anfeng and she said,

"To defeat all the experts in this world, and stand at the pinnacle of martial arts."

"Before that happens, I will not consider any familial or romantic ties."

As she spoke, the evening sun emerged, the afterglow like blood, reflecting in her clear brown eyes and casting a reddish glow on her face, which at that moment seemed radiant. The young man's heart suddenly began to beat furiously.

His lips parted, his mind momentarily seized, and he blurted out,

"Then the person you consider for romantic involvement, what are their requirements?"

Once the words were spoken, he realized what he had said, his face instantly flushed a fearful red, but fortunately, it was sunset, cloaking his embarrassment in a veil of redness. Xue Qinshuang was slightly taken aback before she sized up Wang Anfeng thoughtfully.

She opened her folding fan with a snap, hiding her upturned lips, leaving only her sparkling eyes visible, containing her amusement to avoid bursting out laughing.

She was immersed in martial arts, uninterested in matters of love.

Many methods of rejection crossed her mind. Since she had a favorable impression of Wang Anfeng, considering him both a friend and a potential future adversary, she chose the least hurtful option.

She snapped the fan shut lightly, but Wang Anfeng's face remained flushed, his gaze shifted away. The girl coughed, but it didn't draw his eyes back. Slightly frowning, she decisively took two steps towards him, supporting her fan under his chin and gently lifting it, forcing him to look at her, her eyes clean and clear, and her lips curved as she spoke each word distinctly,

"Defeat."

"Win."

"Me..."

PS: A long chapter delivered... sorry for the slight delay...