Chapter Four

That single needle kept Lin He asleep for two full days. When he groggily opened his eyes, the two days of unconsciousness left his head throbbing unbearably. He sat up, looking around the room—this was not his home. Suppressing the intense headache, he staggered out of bed, put on his shoes, and opened the door.

Outside, a blanket of pure white snow stretched as far as the eye could see. He had no idea how long it had been snowing. This wasn’t a forest—it was the village.

Mu Xiangming was sweeping snow in the yard. The moment she saw Lin He step outside, her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps she didn’t know how to face him, or maybe she was simply afraid.

Lin He rushed toward her, his eyes fixed on the broom in her hand as they locked gazes.

“Where are Father and Mother?” he demanded urgently.

Mu Xiangming whispered, “Something might have happened…”

Her words struck Lin He like a bolt from the blue, and his dizzy mind went blank. Without hesitation, he started running toward his home.

Mu Xiangming tried to grab his clothes.

“Lin He…”

But he didn’t look back; with no hesitation, he shook off the slight grip on his collar. Tao Zhiming, hearing the commotion, hurried back from outside. Their eyes met.

“Where are you going?”

Teacher Tao stood in Lin He’s way. Lin He looked at him, panic evident in his eyes.

“Teacher, do you know where my mother is?”

Tao Zhiming’s gaze was deep and calm. He replied slowly, “No one knows their whereabouts except your parents themselves.”

Lin He shook his head frantically, more anxious than before.

“No, I have to find them!”

He was about to move again when Mu Xiangming grabbed his hand, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Auntie sacrificed so much to protect us. Please, don’t let her down…”

Lin He forcefully shook off her hand, tightening his brows against the tears.

“Mother is gravely ill, and Father is no match in combat. They can’t fight them off!”

Teacher Tao’s voice turned stern.

“The government has taken your parents. What ability do you have to rescue them?”

Lin He froze. Those words struck his heart like a blast of icy water. His mind cleared, but deep helplessness washed over him.

Tao Zhiming took out a note and handed it to Lin He.

“This is a letter from your mother.”

Lin He took the yellowed paper and unfolded it. The neat handwriting read:

“My dear He’er, forgive your mother’s selfishness. I never knew when this day would come. To prevent you from following my foolish path, I cruelly refused to teach you martial arts. But I know you have always loved them, even if you never told me. Now, I can let you learn. Teacher Tao will take you to my former master, one of the five great figures in the martial world today—someone I have wronged all my life. There, you can learn the most powerful martial arts, and there, you can live the life you desire. You can become the person you want to be. Even if you become the pinnacle of the martial arts world, I believe in your ability.

Remember, He’er… your life is just beginning. To hold high rank and not forget the people—that is my sole wish for you. You will see me then. I will be waiting for you…”

The paper was clean and tidy, each character written with care and calm.

Lin He held the letter, lifted his head, and stared blankly at the sky. His mouth parted slightly, releasing a breath of white mist. Tears welled up in his eyes, betraying his inner turmoil.

Mu Xiangming turned away; she didn’t want to see Lin He’s helpless sorrow. Perhaps she was also holding back her own grief.

Lin He knew that his father’s refusal to let him out that night was to protect them from seeing him, and that his mother’s refusal to teach him martial arts was to prevent him from acting impulsively today. They had long planned for this day because they knew it would come.

Tears slowly traced down Lin He’s cheeks as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling a thick cloud of white mist.

“Disciple wishes to return home once…”

Teacher Tao didn’t respond immediately but pondered before frowning and saying, “Go. Let Mu Xiangming accompany you. Be sure not to let too many people see you.”

The snow on the road was knee-deep. Lin He kept his eyes fixed on his home, moving swiftly. The snow reached his thighs repeatedly, but he felt no cold. He just wanted to get home as quickly as possible, though he didn’t know why.

He Yu Yun was shorter than Lin He, and each step was a struggle. Whenever the snow grew deeper, Lin He would take Mu Xiangming’s hand, and they walked on together, gradually holding hands for a long stretch.

Lin He walked ahead silently. Mu Xiangming watched his back. His pace was not fast, but somehow, over time, everything about her had become closely tied to him. Over the years, she had always thought Lin He was perfect, yet no one truly understood him. Lin He had a grand perspective that made Mu Xiangming keep many things to herself, slowly becoming like him.

Lin He stopped and released her hand. His eyes drifted to a distant pair: a father and son. The boy sat on his father’s shoulders, holding a stick, pointing at a snow mound. The father, carrying his son, charged fiercely at the snow mound, crashing into it with force. Their laughter echoed for miles. Lin He watched silently, expressionless, emotionless.

“It will be fine… Auntie and your father are both highly skilled… it’s hard to find an opponent for them…”

Lin He spoke, “Thank you for these past few days. You must be tired too.”

Mu Xiangming glanced at him, then turned away. “Why are we talking about this…?”

Lin He looked at her. “You should go back. I want to go alone.”

They locked eyes. Mu Xiangming immediately refused.

“No! You don’t know martial arts. What if those people are still there?”

Lin He smiled faintly, suddenly gentle.

“Though I lack combat skills, no one can catch me if I want to run.”

His gaze was resolute yet tender. Mu Xiangming didn’t know what to say. She looked into the distance, thought for a moment.

“Then… you go first. I’ll check on Auntie and come find you.”

Lin He nodded without hesitation.

“Alright. Be careful.”

After Mu Xiangming left, Lin He looked toward the nearby woods. Spreading his arms, he leapt forward, flying toward home.

Among the trees, Lin He moved like a monkey, leaping from branch to branch. At times, he drifted like a falling leaf, light and slow between the tall trees. No matter how thick or thin the branches were, they never broke under his feet; instead, they swayed gently, shedding some snow. He made no sound.

Every tree had been stepped on by Lin He. He remembered each one clearly—some led home faster, others conserved more energy. Before long, he arrived. Standing on a branch, he looked at his home. The once joyful courtyard was now covered in thick snow—familiar yet utterly foreign.

Pain twisted his heart, unrest flooding his being. His nose tingled, and he quickly flew into the yard. His feet sank deep into the snow. He struggled to clear it away, seeking a trace of the past, but the more he dug, the more unsettled he became.

Unable to contain himself, he shouted out,

“Why—!”

“Why didn’t you teach me martial arts!” Lin He’s roar echoed through the woods, lingering long after. Over the years, his mother had refused to teach him martial skills, making him learn only academic knowledge. Lin He knelt in the snow, head bowed, gasping for breath, tears falling drop by drop, melting into countless small craters.

His talent was undeniable, yet only Mu Xiangming was taught martial arts. If he had been stronger, would today’s outcome be any different? He did not understand his mother’s true intentions. The torment was unbearable.

Mu Xiangming arrived at her aunt’s house. She came every year. Since joining Lin He’s family, her aunt had pampered her as if she were a different person. Over time, her aunt had become someone very special—the only family she had left in this world, someone she didn’t want to lose.

Mu Xiangming noticed the large wooden gate was missing—the gate was sturdy and valuable. She entered the yard; the house’s windows and doors were tightly shut. All these signs made her uneasy.

She knocked slowly on the door and called out, “Auntie, Xiangming is here to see you!”

Retracting her hand, a faint voice answered from inside, “Who’s there…”

Her aunt opened the door cautiously, eyebrows furrowed. Upon seeing Mu Xiangming, her eyes filled with fear. She quickly glanced outside to check if anyone was nearby.

“It’s just me, Auntie,” Mu Xiangming said. Seeing no one, her aunt relaxed and grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her inside.

“Come in quickly, I’m freezing!”

Wearing a thin cloth garment, her aunt hurried to the bed, climbing under the covers, clearly chilled. Her lips trembled.

Pointing at a chair by the table, she said, “Sit there. You never come this time of year.”

Mu Xiangming looked around at the tightly sealed windows and door, then scolded, “Auntie, this isn’t right! You’ll get carbon monoxide poisoning!”

Just as she reached to open a window and the stove, her aunt stopped her anxiously.

“No! Don’t! Don’t open anything!”

Her strange behavior left Mu Xiangming puzzled. She sat on a stool by the bed.

“Auntie, is something wrong at home?”

A look of embarrassment crossed her aunt’s face. After a sigh, she said reluctantly,

“It’s all because of your useless uncle. No grain all year, no money either. Yesterday evening, the tax collectors came. We couldn’t pay the grain or the money. I’m utterly humiliated!”

Mu Xiangming frowned.

“But Auntie, don’t you always ask Lin He’s mother for money? Why couldn’t you pay this time?”

Her aunt’s eyes darted nervously.

“Well… it’s never enough. You know you have four younger brothers. I pay for all their food, drink, and clothes. Your uncle doesn’t contribute a cent!” Her voice shifted from hesitant to angry.

Mu Xiangming didn’t press further; she knew her aunt. Even if she had money, she wouldn’t spend it on household expenses.

Seeing Mu Xiangming silent, her aunt scoffed.

“You’re lucky, married into a good family. Unlike your brothers, always disobedient, driving me crazy every time!” Every time Mu Xiangming visited, her aunt said this. Understanding her, Mu Xiangming slowly took out three silver coins from her clothes.

At the sight of the silver, her aunt immediately sat up with a thud, grabbed Mu Xiangming’s hands, and stared wide-eyed.

“Xiang! Where did you get this silver?”

Mu Xiangming pulled her hands away, placing the silver in them. Her aunt squeezed the coins tightly, then bit them to ensure their authenticity, before smiling foolishly at the money.

“In a few days, I’m heading east to Man. No matter what, you’re the closest person to me in this world. Xiangming won’t forget you!”

Her aunt sneered.

“With this silver, my life would be much easier!” Then her brow furrowed as she added, “The grain tax officers came here the night before last. I told them my niece’s family has money. Auntie wasn’t exaggerating when I praised you!”

Mu Xiangming’s eyebrows shot up in alarm.

“Auntie! What did you say?”

Seeing her reaction, her aunt quickly tucked the silver into the quilt and moved away, fearing she might take it back.

“I… just praised you to them. Didn’t say much. Anyway, the family has nothing this year, can’t pay anything.” She looked at Mu Xiangming suspiciously.