Chapter 43 The Xin Portrait

As the hunters took turns pushing the cart for the three fire demons—Gen, Wan, and their newborn, Zemin—they approached Cloud City, finding more and more hunters and merchants flooding the roads. Usually, the Cloud City festival wasn't large, and few people participated, but for some reason, there were far more people this year than in previous years, an unprecedented crowd.

Guozhao Bolin looked at his classmates, his brow furrowed in confusion. "It's strange, there are not so many hunters and people every year, why are there so many hunters and people this year?" he wondered aloud.

Guozhao Shaquan, ever direct, said, "Let's ask." He quickly stopped a passing man, a merchant pushing a small cart. "Uncle, do you know why there are so many people this year? We're new to this."

The man looked at Guozhao Shaquan, surprised. "You don't know? It's the talk of the land!"

"No, we just came back from a long hunting trip, Uncle," Guozhao Shaquan explained.

"Oh, that's why you don't know," the man said, a knowing smile. He looked at the hunters, his voice filled with excitement. "This year, many clans such as the six sectors and many other smaller clans will participate in the festival competition. General Tang and six captains will serve as judges, a truly grand affair! In addition, Lady Fu and Lady Jin will hold an open marriage competition, seeking suitable husbands. As a result, many young singles who are between twenty to thirty-five years old poured into Cloud City from across the land, hoping to find a match!" The man looked at the young hunters, assessing them. "Don't you want to participate in the competition? You're all fine young men!" Guozhao Shaquan shook his head. "If I were ten years younger... I would timidly sign up for this competition myself!" He laughed, a hearty sound, and pushed his stall cart down the hill, disappearing into the crowd.

Zheng Tingfeng, his brow furrowed, "But why Cloud City? There are many other places where they can hold their marriage competition. Why here?"

Zheng Yaozu teased, a mischievous glint in his eye, "Why, Tingfeng? Are you worried that the young general of Waterfall City will fall in love with these beauties instead of you? Are you jealous?"

Zheng Tingfeng looked at Zheng Yaozu frantically, his face reddening. "Shut up, Yaozu! Don't be ridiculous!"

Zheng Yaozu frowned, pretending to be serious. "I don't know the daughter of the Jin family, but the daughter of the Fu family is average. If she doesn't talk too much, I will give her a higher score, maybe a six out of ten."

Guozhao Bolin, ever practical, "I haven't seen either lady, so I can't be sure who is more beautiful than the other. We should reserve judgment." He looked at his brothers. "Let's go see when the competition starts. We should at least witness it."

The older hunters shook their heads at Guozhao Bolin, amused by his eagerness.

Guozhao Shaquan looked at Zheng Yaozu and asked, "Have you seen her, Yaozu? The Fu family daughter?"

"Three years ago, we met her in Waterfall City," Zheng Yaozu replied, recalling the encounter.

Zheng Tingfeng added, "Second Senior Brother and Yu Lei, will be able to tell you more about her. She was possessed by a spirit, and Ah Lei saved her. He knows her well."

Gen then looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his voice hesitant. "Boss, do you want to participate in the competition? You're a powerful hunter."

Wan smiled, a hopeful glint in her eye, and said, "I'm sure that with your skills, no hunter can beat you, Boss. You'd win easily."

Guozhao Zhiqiang did not answer the couple, his face impassive, and walked straight ahead without looking at them, his gaze fixed on the path. Lim Junjie hurriedly followed behind Guozhao Zhiqiang, sensing his mood.

Wan looked at the rest of the hunters, a flicker of worry in her eyes. "Did we say something wrong?" she asked, her voice small.

Guozhao Shaquan shook his head with a gentle smile. "No... Senior Brother has always been like this. If he feels it's unnecessary, he won't reply. If you live with him, you will get used to his attitude. Don't take it personally."

Guozhao Bolin added, "We have lived with him for as long as we can remember, and he never talks or laughs much. He's a man of few words."

"I feel better now. I thought we offended him with what we said," Wan said, a sigh of relief.

Zheng Tingfeng chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of his smile, one day. It's a rare sight."

When approaching the shop, Guozhao Zhiqiang and Lim Junjie wheeled the three fire demons—Gen, Wan, and Zemin—to the medicine shop, their new temporary home, while the other hunters went to the school. When Guozhao Zhiqiang, Lim Junjie, and the three fire demons arrived at the medicine shop, they walked inside. Tam Qiu was at the registration desk counting money, her brow furrowed in concentration. When she heard their footsteps, she looked up, her face brightening.

Tam Qiu said with a smile, "Senior Brother, you are back! And Junjie, long time no see!"

Lim Junjie smiled, a charming grin. "Sister Ah Qiu, it's good to see you."

Tam Qiu smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Let me see you, Junjie, you are so old now! You've grown!" She turned Lim Junjie around, inspecting him. "Oh, I almost forgot, your uncle is here. Your grandfather and uncle are both at Teacher Fang and Teacher Lee's house, and they are very worried about you. They've been asking."

Lim Junjie smiled, a profound relief washing over him. "Brother Zhiqiang, I'm going to see my uncle and my grandfather. They must be frantic."

"Mm…" Guozhao Zhiqiang hummed, a soft acknowledgment.

Lim Junjie quickly walked out of the shop, eager to reunite with his family.

Guozhao Zhiqiang, turning to Tam Qiu, said, "Ah Qiu, this family lives here temporarily, in the back, and will stay with me after the festival. They are under my protection."

Tam Qiu smiled, a welcoming expression. "Nice meeting you all. Welcome to Cloud City."

The husband and wife, Gen and Wan, smiled at Tam Qiu, their faces filled with gratitude.

"Where's Ah Bao?" Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, looking around for Yang Bao.

Tam Qiu said, "He is in the back with Xiao Mei, drying herbs."

Guozhao Zhiqiang and the three fire demons followed Tam Qiu towards the back of the shop. When they approached, Guozhao Zhiqiang saw Yang Bao and Xiao Mei diligently drying herbal plants, their hands busy.

"Senior Brother, you are back!" Xiao Mei said, her face lighting up.

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Xiao Mei, you are here. Are the two masters and Shimu also here? I haven't seen them."

Xiao Mei shook her head. "They are visiting the twelve fairy clans, Senior Brother. Shan just sent First Master's letter. First Master said if there is anything you need his consultation, just ask Shan to pass him your message. They should be back home soon, though."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, turning to Yang Bao, "Ah Bao, this is Gen. He has a problem with his legs and can't walk. Please take a look at his legs to see if there is anything you could do to help him walk again. It's important."

Yang Bao, his face serious, "Gen, this way." He helped Gen to the chair and helped Gen sit in the chair, his movements gentle.

Both Yang Bao and Xiao Mei looked at Gen's right leg, examining it carefully. After examining Gen's legs, the two stood up and chatted for a while, discussing their findings.

Yang Bao, his voice somber, "Senior Brother, this operation will be very complicated, and it will take a long time to heal. Besides, he was injured thirteen years ago, so the damage is old. If the operation is performed successfully, it is estimated that he will not be able to walk as normal as other people, he will have a limp. If the operation is unsuccessful, his condition will remain the same, he will stay crippled."

Gen asked, his voice filled with a desperate hope, "Is it possible that I can walk again, right? Even with a limp?"

Xiao Mei looked at Gen, her voice hesitant, "It's a fifty-fifty chance, Gen. Even if the operation is successful, you might..." She bit her lower lip, unable to finish the sentence.

Yang Bao limped towards Gen, demonstrating his own condition, and said, "You might be like me, Gen. You might limp for the rest of your life."

Gen laughed, a sound of profound relief. "As long as I can stand up on my own two feet, limping is not a problem! I want to proceed with the operation! I want to walk again!"

Xiao Mei said, her voice still cautious, "But Gen, we don't know if it will be successful. It's a big risk."

Gen smiled and said, "If it doesn't work, then there will be no hard feelings. I'll accept it."

Wan looked at the two young doctors, her face resolute. "As long as there is a chance, we will do it. We'll take the risk." she said.

Guozhao Zhiqiang, his voice firm, "They will rest in my room until the operation is over."

Xiao Mei, "I will take you to Senior Brother's room." She helped Wan up, and two male med students helped carry Gen to Guozhao Zhiqiang's room, a new hope in their eyes.

Yang Bao looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his expression serious. "You were supposed to kill it, Senior Brother. The fire demon." he stated.

"I was," Guozhao Zhiqiang sighed, a complex emotion in his voice.

"What changed your decision?" Yang Bao asked, curious.

"It was what Shaquan and Junjie said that changed my mind," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, his gaze distant.

"What did they say?" Yang Bao inquired.

Guozhao Zhiqiang, his voice low, "They asked me if I want another orphan in this world, Ah Bao. They reminded me of our past." He looked at Yang Bao, his eyes filled with understanding. "Ah Bao, they are right, only we orphans know how cruel some people are, how much pain they can inflict."

Yang Bao nodded, his face grim. "That's right. Not all orphans are as lucky as us to meet Shimu and the two masters, to find a home."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "They swore to the spirit of the sword with their blood, Ah Bao. They are bound to me now."

"That's a relief then," Yang Bao said, a profound sense of peace. "They won't cause trouble."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I am leaving the family with you, Ah Bao. Wan just gave birth to a child. The child's name is Zemin."

"I noticed the pale skin of her," Yang Bao commented, a faint smile. Just when Guozhao Zhiqiang was about to leave, Yang Bao stopped him, remembering something. "Oh, by the way, Student Dong has been looking for you, Senior Brother. He said he has something urgent to talk with you. He seemed quite upset."

"Mm…" Guozhao Zhiqiang hummed, a noncommittal sound. He walked into the empty street through the back door, avoiding the main thoroughfare. He bought some vegetables from the vendors, his mind elsewhere, and walked up the hill towards Peach Blossom Valley.

When Guozhao Zhiqiang was close to his home, he decided to stay in Peach Blossom Valley, seeking solitude. He walked towards the stone gate, its ancient carvings familiar, and sent out a talisman. The stone gate slid open, revealing the path, he walked in, and the stone gate closed silently behind him, sealing him off from the world. He walked along the flower road to the open space, the scent of peach blossoms heavy in the air, and put the packaged food on the table. He sat there, listening to the wind rustling through the leaves, a mournful whisper. The fragrance of peach blossoms filled the area with a faint, sweet smell, and the blossom petals drifted through Peach Blossom Valley with the wind, like silent tears.

Shan floated towards the kitchen, his ethereal form shimmering. "Zhiqiang, a student came here looking for you. He said he wants to apologize to you," Shan said, his voice flat.

"Mm…Ah Bao has already told me," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, his voice distant.

Shan looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his gaze unreadable. "Are you staying here for tonight, Zhiqiang?" he asked.

"I will stay here for a few days," Guozhao Zhiqiang stated, his voice firm.

"Aren't you going to the festival?" Shan inquired, surprised.

"No," Guozhao Zhiqiang answered, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Why not?" Shan asked, sensing his distress.

"No reason," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, his voice curt.

Shan looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his eyes filled with a rare concern. "I don't know what problem you are facing, Zhiqiang, but I know it upsets you deeply. Why don't you make a New Year's resolution? A fresh start?"

"I don't need New Year's resolutions, Shan," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, his voice weary.

"Okay," Shan said. He looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and put an old, dusty book upside down on the table, its pages worn. "How about you start with this one, Zhiqiang? It might help."

"What is this?" Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, picking up the book, his brow furrowed.

Shan said, his voice distant, "I stumbled upon it many years ago when I went down south to find Master Zhao for work. I forgot about it until I found it in my personal belongings recently." He floated back to the Soul Cave, disappearing into the darkness.

Guozhao Zhiqiang picked up the booklet and read its title, his eyes widening in shock: "Xin People." He opened the first page, his hands trembling, and saw a portrait of a female Xin, her face eerily familiar, looking exactly like him. He stared at the portrait, his lips trembling, a profound realization dawning. "Impossible..." he whispered, his voice filled with disbelief and a chilling sense of destiny.