Chapter 43 New Year's Resolution

The hunters take turns pushing the cart for the three fire demons. As the hunters and the three fire demons approached Cloud City, they found more and more hunters and merchants. Usually, the scale of Cloud City festival is not large, and there are not many people participating, but for some reason, there are more people this year than the previous years.

Guozhao Bolin looked at his classmates, "It's strange, there are not so many hunters and people every year, why are there so many hunters and people this year?"

Guozhao Shaquan said, "Let's ask." He quickly stopped a person. "Uncle, do you know why there are so many people this year?"

The man looked at Guozhao Shaquan, "You don't know?"

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

The man said, "Oh, that's why you don't know." He looked at the hunters. "This year, many clans such as the six sectors and many other clans will participate in the festival competition. General Tang and six captains will serve as judges. In addition, Lady Fu and Lady Jin will hold an open marriage competition. As a result, many young singles who are between twenty to thirty-five years old poured into Cloud City from across the land." The man looks at the young hunters. "Don't you want to participate in the competition?" Guozhao Shaquan shook his head. "If I were ten years younger...I would timidly sign up for this competition." He laughed and pushed his stall cart down the hill.

Zheng Tingfeng, "But why Cloud City? There are many places where they can hold their marriage competition."

Zheng Yaozhu teased, "Why? Are you worried that the young general of Waterfall City will fall in love with these beauties instead of you?"

Zheng Tingfeng looked at Zheng Yaozu frantically, "Shut up."

Zheng Yaozu frowned, "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."

Guozhao Bolin, "I haven't seen the lady, so I can't be sure who is more beautiful than the other." He looked at his brothers. "Let's go see when the competition starts."

The older hunters shook theirs head at Guozhao Bolin.

Guozhao Shaquan looked at Zheng Yaozu and asked, "Have you seen her?"

Zheng Yaozu, "Three years ago, we met her in Waterfall City."

Zheng Tingfeng, "Second senior brother, will be able to tell you more about her. She was possessed, and Ah Lei saved her."

Gen then looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Boss, do you want to participate in the competition?"

Wan smiled and said, "I'm sure that with your skills, no hunter can beat you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang did not answer the couple and walked straight ahead without looking at them. Lin Junjie hurriedly followed behind Guozhao Zhiqiang.

Wan looked at the rest of the hunters and asked, "Did we say something wrong?"

Guozhao Shaquan shook his head with a smile, "No... Senior brother has always been like this. If he feel it's unnecessary, he won't replied. If you live with him, you will get used to his attitude."

Guozhao Bolin added, "We have lived with him for as long as we can remember, and he never talks or laughs much."

Wan, "I feel better. I thought we offended him with what we said."

Zheng Tingfeng chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of his smile."

When approaching the shop Guozhao Zhiqiang and Lim Junjie wheeled the three fire demons to the shop, 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 is at the registration desk counting money. When she heard theirs' footsteps, she looked up.

Tam Qiu said with a smiled, "Senior brother, you are back. Junjie, long time no see."

Lim Junjie smiled, "Sister Tam."

Tam Qiu smiled and said, "Let me see you, you are so old now." She turned Lim Junjie around. "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."

Lim Junjie smiled, "Zhiqiang, I'm going to see my uncle and my grandfather."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Mm…"

Lim Junjie quickly walked out of the shop.

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Ah Qiu, this family lives here temporarily, and will stay with me after the festival."

Tam Qiu smiled, "Nice meeting you."

The husband and wife smiled at Tam Qiu.

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Where's Ah Bao?"

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

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 drying herbal plants.

Xiao Mei, "Senior brother, you are back."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Xiao Mei, you are here, is the two masters and shimu are also here?"

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

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "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."

Yang Bao, "Gen this way." He helped Gen to the chair and helped Gen sit in the chair.

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

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

Gen asked, "Is it possible that I can walk again, right?"

Xiao Mei looked at Gen and said, "It's a fifty-fifty chance, even if the operation is successful, you might..." She bit her lower lip.

Yang Bao limped towards Gen and said, "You might be like me."

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

Xiao Mei said, "But Gen, we don't know if it will be successful."

Gen smiled and said, "If it doesn't work, then there will be no hard feeling."

Wan looked at the two young doctors and said, "As long as there is a chance, we will do it."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "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 help carried Gen to Guozhao Zhiqiang's room.

Yang Bao looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "You were supposed to kill it."

Guozhao Zhiqiang sighed, "I was."

Yang Bao asked, "What changed your decision?"

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

Yang Bao, "What did they say?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "They asked me if I want another orphan in this world." He looked at Yang Bao. "Ah Bao, they are right, only we orphans know how cruel some people are."

Yang Bao nodded, "That's right. Not all orphans are as lucky as us to meet shimu and the two masters."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "They swore to the spirit of the sword with their blood."

Yang Bao, "That's a relief then."

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

Yang Bao, "I notice the pale skin." Just when Guozhao Zhiqiang was about to leave, Yang Bao stopped him. "Oh, by the way, student Dong has been looking for you. He said he have something urgent to talk with you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Mm…" He walked into the empty street through the back door. He bought some vegetables from the vendors and walked up the hill.

When Guozhao Zhiqiang was close to his home, he decided to stay in Peach Blossom Valley. He walked towards the stone gate and sent out a talisman. The stone gate slide opened, he walked in, and the stone gate closed behind him. He walked along the flower road to the open space and put the packaged food on the table. He sat there listening to the wind rustling through the leaves. The fragrance of peach blossoms filled the area with a fainting sweet smell, and the blossom peddles drift through Peach Blossom Valley with the wind.

Shan floated towards the kitchen and said, "Zhiqiang, a student came here looking for you. He said he want to apologize to you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Mm…Ah Bao has already told me."

Shan looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and asked, "Are you staying here for tonight?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I will stay here for a few days."

Shan asked, "Aren't you going to the festival?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "No."

Shan, "Why not?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "No reason."

Shan looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "I don't know what problem you are facing, but I know it upsets you. Why don't you make a New Year's resolution?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I don't need New Year's resolutions."

Shan, "Okay." He looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and put an old book upside down on the table. "How about you start with this one?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "What is this?"

Shan said, "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." He floated back to the Soul Cave.

Guozhao Zhiqiang picked up the booklet and read, "Xin People." He opened the first page and saw a portrait of a female Xin who looked exactly like him. It stared at the portrait and his lips trembled. "Impossible..."