Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 691: Sending Off

Chapter 691: Sending Off

Blacksmith Zhao and his wife were all smiles as they busily prepared meals. Zhao Hu and his wife stood in front of Fang Chen, softly recounting their experiences from the years spent away.

The couple's children had been reserved when they first arrived. Now, they were running around the courtyard and happily playing.

"Have you joined a gang? Why haven't you sent any letters back all these years?" Fang Chen asked softly.

Zhao Hu smiled bitterly as he looked at his former master whose hair had turned white over the years. He couldn't help but feel a bit choked up. "I have too many enemies. In fear of them intercepting my letters and finding out about my home, I didn't send any."

Fang Chen nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "That's quite cautious of you, but from your voice, it seems like you've sustained internal injuries?"

He noticed that Zhao Hu's breathing was somewhat labored.

"It should be fine," replied Zhao Hu quietly.

However, his wife looked worried, seeming to want to say something.

Zhao Hu noticed this and shot her a look, prompting her to stop before saying anything.

"Dinner's ready!" Zhao Hu's mother cheerfully called out.

There were no strict rules in their modest household; everyone gathered around a round table to eat. However, the table wasn't big. With two children joining, it felt a bit cramped.

Fang Chen picked up his bowl and squatted at the door, eating with a casual appetite. Seeing that, Blacksmith Zhao and his son also took their bowls and squatted down beside Fang Chen.

Zhao Hu's wife felt a bit out of place, but Zhao Hu's mother just smiled and said, "They've always been like this. You'll get used to it. Don't mind them; let's eat. Here's a chicken leg for you."

Zhao Hu's wife nodded gently. "Thank you, Mother."

Zhao Hu's mother served more meat dishes to the siblings, and the two children were very polite. "Thank you, Grandma."

Zhao Hu's mother smiled with her eyes squinting into crescent moons as she nodded repeatedly. Zhao Hu hadn't returned in many years, leaving her worried. Thankfully, not only had he returned, but he had brought over a wife and her grandchildren. This was a joyous occasion.

Zhao Hu suddenly looked toward the somewhat desolate courtyard. "Master, has the old man passed away?"

Fang Chen nodded and softly replied, "He passed away eight years ago."

"The old man was of age; life and death are natural occurrences," said Blacksmith Zhao with a smile.

Zhao Hu's expression turned somewhat dejected. "If only he could have lived longer... that would be great..."

Blacksmith Zhao seemed to not have heard clearly. "What did you say?"

Zhao Hu quickly shook his head.

At that moment, Zhao Hu's face flushed, and he coughed violently nonstop. As he coughed, he spat a mouthful of fresh blood into the bowl.

Everyone was taken aback.

Blacksmith Zhao slowly stepped forward, confused. "May I ask who you are?"

The leader ignored him, instead looking at the coffin. A faint smile rose on his lips. "The one lying inside is Zhao Hu, right? For him to make it this far to reach here after taking my Heart Destroying Palm is quite impressive."

Gasps of shock echoed among the crowd. The funeral procession was composed of ordinary people. Upon hearing this, they immediately understood that Zhao Hu's enemies had come knocking!

In a teahouse not far away, Bu Qingchen was having tea with his wife and children.

Sitting with them was Bu Qingyu, who had gotten married. Her children were around five or six, sitting across from her husband.

They had noticed the commotion outside early on. Blacksmith Zhao had also written to them, hoping they would join in sending Zhao Hu off, but Bu Qingchen had declined. After all, they were now important figures in Stone River County, favorites in front of officials. To them, Zhao Hu was an obscure figure. Sending him off would disrupt their status!

"Darling, I heard that when you first came here, you lived with those people? They seem to have offended some powerful figures," Bu Qingchen's wife remarked, glancing at the bustling scene outside with a light smile.

Bu Qingchen nodded. "Hmm, this group looks extraordinary; they must come from a significant background. Blacksmith Zhao's son has been wandering Jianghu, but he doesn't understand the art of retreat. It's no surprise he met an early demise by offending people like these."

Bu Qingyu suddenly said, "Brother, Brother Ji is also in the group."

Bu Qingchen frowned. "A blind man joining in on the fun is pointless. Although he does have some skills, he can't see anything. Wouldn't it be better for him to stay in the courtyard and take care of his health?"

Bu Qingyu suggested, "Brother, he has helped you train quite a few capable individuals over the years. Shouldn't we step in to mediate?"

"Let's wait a bit; now is not the right time to intervene," replied Bu Qingchen, a slight smile on his lips. "No matter who this group is, since they've come to Stone River County, they should lie low."

On Blacksmith Zhao's side.

Upon hearing the leader's words, Blacksmith Zhao's eyes turned bloodshot, and without hesitation, he charged toward them.

Bang!

With a light kick, the leader sent Blacksmith Zhao flying over ten feet away, nearly toppling the coffin. The funeral procession witnessed this spectacle and immediately scattered, leaving only a few figures behind.

Zhao Shi and Zhao Yu rushed forward upon seeing Blacksmith Zhao knocked to the ground. "Grandpa!"

"Boss, we need to eliminate the root of the problem," one of the black-clad men whispered.

The leader nodded, his gaze falling on the two children, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth as he walked toward them step by step.

Fang Chen slowly approached Blacksmith Zhao, checked his pulse, and signaled for the two children to retreat to the side. He then reminded Blacksmith Zhao's wife, "Sister-in-law, please brew medicine for Zhao Old Brother to drink later."

His words made Blacksmith Zhao's wife snap out of her shock. She hurriedly nodded and pulled her grandchildren into her embrace.

Upon noticing Fang Chen, the leader glanced at the wooden stick in his hand and suddenly laughed. "I heard that Zhao Hu's master is a blind man. Is that you?"