Entering the Martial Arts World for the First Time(Three)

In Qingping Village, days have always been like a gently flowing stream, peaceful and tranquil. On this day, the warm sunlight draped a thin layer of golden gauze over the village. The villagers were, as usual, busy in the fields or doing household chores in front of their houses. Lin Feng had just finished his morning practice with Li Yichen. His clothes were soaked with sweat, and he was about to go home to wash up.

At the entrance of the village, a commotion of voices came. Lin Feng looked up and saw a merchant caravan slowly driving in. The caravan consisted of more than a dozen carriages, and the horses were still sweating, obviously having traveled a long distance. The leading merchant was burly and his face was weathered. While directing his assistants to park the carriages, he greeted the villagers who came to watch.

Lin Feng's heart stirred. It was rare for outsiders to visit the village on ordinary days, and his longing for the outside world was instantly ignited. He quickened his pace and walked towards the entrance of the village. At this time, many villagers had already gathered around the caravan, curiously sizing up these outsiders and talking among themselves. Lin Feng squeezed to the front of the crowd and happened to hear the conversation among the merchants.

"This time was really dangerous. If we hadn't run fast, we would have almost been killed by those villains." A young assistant said with a lingering fear.

"Hmph, it's all the doing of that 'Six Directions Alliance'! Nowadays, the martial arts world has been messed up by them. Us small merchants and peddlers can't live a decent life anymore." The leading merchant had a look of anger on his face and spat heavily.

"The 'Six Directions Alliance'?" Lin Feng was startled. He was not unfamiliar with this name. On weekdays, when Li Yichen told him stories about the martial arts world, he would occasionally mention the disputes among some martial arts forces. It seemed that this "Six Directions Alliance" was particularly evil.

"Brother, what exactly is the background of this 'Six Directions Alliance'? How come they are so powerful that they even dare to provoke us?" The young assistant asked with a look of confusion on his face.

The merchant let out a long sigh, his eyes full of helplessness and anger: "This 'Six Directions Alliance' is formed by the union of six notorious gangs. Such as the 'Blazing Fire Hall', the 'Frost Pavilion', the 'Swift Wind Stronghold'... These gangs were not good people before. Now that they are together, their influence is terrifyingly huge. Under the pretext of'rectifying the martial arts world', they actually burn, kill, loot everywhere, annex those small and medium-sized sects, and snatch property. They stop at nothing."

"A few days ago, we passed by Qingfeng Town. We originally planned to rest there and replenish some supplies. Who would have thought that as soon as we arrived in the town, we saw the people of the 'Six Directions Alliance' bullying the common people. An old man selling vegetables was beaten until his head was bleeding just because he didn't pay them protection money. We really couldn't stand it and wanted to step forward and reason with them. But they actually drew their swords. If we hadn't run fast, this cartload of goods and our lives would all be gone." The merchant became more and more excited as he spoke, his fists clenched tightly, and his knuckles turned white.

Lin Feng listened on the side, burning with anger. In front of his eyes, he seemed to see that bloody scene: innocent common people were being bullied wantonly, moaning in pain; while the villains of the "Six Directions Alliance" were laughing heartlessly, their eyes full of cruelty and arrogance.

"What about the government? Do they just let them act so unscrupulously?" Lin Feng couldn't help but interrupt and ask.

The merchant shook his head with a bitter smile: "The government? Those officials have either been bribed by the 'Six Directions Alliance' or are afraid of their power. They simply don't dare to interfere. These days, the bad guys run amok, and the good people suffer."

The sense of justice in Lin Feng's heart surged like a turbulent tide and could no longer be suppressed. He remembered what Li Yichen had said when teaching him martial arts: "Those who practice martial arts should take safeguarding justice as their own responsibility. When they see injustice, they should draw their swords to help." Now, the "Six Directions Alliance" had committed such heinous crimes in the martial arts world. How could he just stand by and do nothing?

When he got home, Lin Feng's mind was full of what the merchants had said. He couldn't eat or drink. His mother saw his appearance and asked with concern: "Feng'er, what's wrong with you? Are you not feeling well?" Lin Feng forced a smile and said: "Mom, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired."

At night, Lin Feng lay in bed, looking at the bright moon outside the window, with a thousand thoughts in his mind. He remembered that on ordinary days in the village, although life was peaceful, he often heard some rumors about the martial arts world. The stories of those heroes upholding justice made him yearn for it. Now, facing the evil deeds of the "Six Directions Alliance", he knew that his opportunity had come.

"I'm going to the martial arts world. I'm going to punish those evil members of the 'Six Directions Alliance' and bring peace back to the martial arts world!" Lin Feng secretly swore in his heart. This decision was like a spark that ignited a raging fire in his heart, burning brighter and brighter.

However, Lin Feng also knew very well that leaving Qingping Village and stepping into the martial arts world meant facing countless unknowns and dangers. Although he had learned some basic martial arts from Li Yichen, the martial arts world was sinister, far beyond what he could imagine. The "Six Directions Alliance" had a huge influence and numerous powerful masters. Could he really contend with them?

But these doubts were quickly dispelled by the justice in Lin Feng's heart. He thought of those common people oppressed by the "Six Directions Alliance", their pained expressions and helpless eyes, and his heart was filled with strength. "Even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, I still have to give it a try!" Lin Feng clenched his fists, his eyes determined.

The next morning, Lin Feng got up early. He came to Li Yichen's small courtyard and told this old man, who was both his teacher and his friend, about his decision. After listening, Li Yichen was silent for a long time. Looking at Lin Feng's determined eyes, he knew that the young man had made up his mind, and any dissuasion would be in vain.

"Feng'er, the road in the martial arts world is full of hardships and dangers. Have you really thought it through?" Li Yichen asked earnestly.

Lin Feng nodded firmly: "Grandpa Li, I've thought it through. I can't just stand by and watch those bad guys do evil. I want to seek justice for those who have suffered."

Li Yichen nodded slightly, a look of approval in his eyes: "Okay, since you've made up your mind, I won't say much. This is a sword I used when I roamed the martial arts world in my youth. Although it's not a divine weapon, it has accompanied me for many years. Today, I'll give it to you.I hope it can help you when you roam in the martial arts world." As he spoke, Li Yichen took out a long sword from the house and handed it to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took the sword with both hands and felt a chill coming towards him. The sword body was slender, glistening with a cold light, and the handle was engraved with simple and unsophisticated patterns, as if telling of its past glory. "Thank you, Grandpa Li!" Lin Feng said excitedly.

"Child, be careful when you're away from home. When you encounter danger, don't act recklessly. You must act according to your ability. Remember, justice may be late, but it will never be absent." Li Yichen admonished.

Lin Feng nodded heavily, keeping Li Yichen's words firmly in his heart. After leaving the courtyard, Lin Feng went home and packed a simple bag. He bid farewell to his parents. Although his parents were reluctant to part with him in their hearts, they also knew that their son had great ambitions. They could only tell him to take care of himself and come back safely as soon as possible.

In this way, Lin Feng carried his bag on his back and held the long sword in his hand, setting foot on the road out of Qingping Village. He looked back at the village where he had lived for many years, his heart full of nostalgia. But he knew that there was a more important mission waiting for him ahead.

When Lin Feng's figure gradually disappeared at the entrance of the village, the village returned to its former peace. But no one knew what kind of waves this fledgling young man would stir up in the martial arts world. Could he achieve his ambition and successfully punish the evil forces of the "Six Directions Alliance"? What kind of adventures and challenges would he encounter in the martial arts world? Everything was still unknown...