In the days that followed, Chen Tang did not leave Changze County.

Every day, he wore lead weights, practicing the Tiger Subduing Fist, Burning Wood Saber, and Gecko Wall-Climbing Technique with the help of Celestial Ginseng Monkey Wine, never ceasing his hard training.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

Although the 'Copper Skin' on his body showed no signs of shedding, Chen Tang clearly felt his strength had increased greatly, though he wasn't sure to what extent.

The Tiger Subduing Fist had reached a level where his form and spirit were in perfect harmony. When he moved, it was like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, an imposing force!

Moreover, Chen Tang had also reached the First Realm in the Burning Wood Saber.

Within a single breath, he could strike the saber nine consecutive times!

In sword skill, he had gradually mastered Butcher's Skill, South and North Wars, Sweeping the Six Directions, and Vast Ambition.

The Gecko Wall-Climbing Technique had also reached Small Success.

Though he wasn't as agile as the chubby old man, he could now move along walls without falling.

On this day, the New Year was approaching.

Chen Tang left home early, bringing some wine and meat back to the Snow Mountain, where he played with Snowball for a while and chatted with the Mountain Guest, only descending the mountain after noon.

The Mountain Guest seemed like a mystery, indifferent to everything.

Sitting all day atop the Snow Mountain Peak, he didn't appear to feel lonely.

Chen Tang had invited him to come down the mountain to celebrate the New Year together, but he had refused.

Chen Tang then visited the cabin where he and Chen Da'an had once lived.

Chen Da'an's body was still there, lying quietly on the plank, like a rural man in a deep sleep.

His coarse hands, graying hair, and slightly reddish skin preserved remarkably well in the cold of the Snow Mountain.

Except for the wounds on his body, which were strikingly glaring.

Chen Tang clenched his fist.

Without any accidents, he planned to return to this place in ten days to give Chen Da'an an explanation.

Even though Chen Da'an wouldn't be able to respond anymore.

Returning to Changze County, the sky was gradually darkening.

From afar, Chen Tang saw a wisp of cooking smoke rising from his house, and a vague emotion rose in his heart.

He began to feel a bit homesick.

Unfortunately, he could never go back again.

Fortunately, there was still someone waiting for him in this world's home.

As if thinking of something, Chen Tang found that desolate, idle house, and seeing the faint light inside, he couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Brother Meng, are you alone tonight?"

"You came to accompany me, so now it's two of us."

"Not convenient, there are still three people waiting for me at home."

"Then why don't you hurry back?"

"Of course I'll go back, but with two of us together."

"Won't you go?"

"If you don't, I'll bind you."

...

This was the first New Year Chen Tang spent in this world.

No fighting or killing, no bloody storms.

There was only the chubby old man and the pretty sister who seemed to come out of nowhere, a little girl they had adopted, the Chief Constable of Changze County, and also the martial arts school's young lady who visited...

And a big yellow dog wagging its tail around the table.

This year was even more lively than those in his former life.

Zhiwei's injuries had mostly healed.

Though still young, she had already grown into a graceful and elegant young lady, and one could see in her brows and eyes that she was a budding beauty, about to blossom.

Zhiwei smiled with her curved eyes, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the room.

It had been so long since she had such a warm New Year.

Though the room was small, Zhiwei didn't feel cramped; she merely silently prayed in her heart for everyone's safety, hoping they could all be together every year.

The chubby old man drank some wine, not mingling with these young people but sitting in the corner, grinning as he watched them.

He had experienced every kind of New Year.

Celebrating alone, with just one or two people, or with a big group, even times when he had to flee with people chasing him...

But it had been a long while since he felt so relaxed as today.

Qingmu inadvertently looked at Chen Tang.

Chen Tang happened to look over as well.

Having drunk for a while, their emotions were slightly restless, and when their eyes met, both hastily and awkwardly looked away.

Qingmu lowered her head, softly smiling.

When she first arrived here, all she wanted was to leave as soon as possible.

But somehow, after two months, she seemed to have gotten used to the life here.

Used to having a little sister, used to having a younger brother who was half a head taller than her.

Used to watching him cultivate, used to teasing him occasionally, watching him get a Restless Heart but pretending to be calm, his embarrassed stubbornness...

Meng Liangyu drank a big bowl of wine, a faint smile on his lips as he muttered to himself, "Drinking with so many people, it really does feel a bit unfamiliar."

Before parting, Mei Yingxue asked, "By the way, what plans do you all have after the New Year?"

Chen Tang replied, "Maybe we will go to Wu'an County for a little while and celebrate the Lantern Festival over there."

"Ah, that's wonderful!"

Mei Yingxue smiled, "Our martial arts school is also going to Wu'an County in a few days, we can go together then."

"This…" Chen Tang hesitated for a moment.

Mei Yingxue quickly added, "It's over two hundred miles from here to Wu'an County, and it takes two to three days by carriage. Traveling together, we can look out for each other."

"Even though it's a main road, what if there are mountain bandits or robbers!"

Mei Yingxue playfully exaggerated, "If we go together, with my dad and the martial arts school's experts accompanying us, any bandits would definitely run away at the sight of us."

"Alright then."

The offer was hard to refuse, and the atmosphere was just right, so Chen Tang accepted with a smile.

Mei Yingxue said, "I've been to Wu'an County twice with my father, so I'm quite familiar with the area. When we get there, I'll show you all around."

"Sister Mei, is your family also going to Wu'an County for a vacation?" Zhiwei asked.

Mei Yingxue replied, "Well, having fun is part of it, but mainly, my father is taking some disciples from the martial arts school to Wu'an County for the Entry Level ranking. Among this year's disciples, a few have a good chance of succeeding, and my brother is one of them."

"The rankings will take place during the day of the Lantern Festival, and in the evening, those newly ranked martial artists are eligible to join the County Mansion's dinner banquet. All the important figures of Wu'an County will be there."

"Even if we can't get ranked, on the night of the Lantern Festival, Wu'an County lifts the curfew. The streets are decorated with lanterns, bustling with people, watching lanterns and performances, and the fireworks are like rain, extremely lively."

Saying this, Mei Yingxue's face was full of excitement and joy.

Every year, what she looked forward to the most was the Lantern Festival, going to Wu'an County with her family to enjoy the various lanterns.

Even Zhiwei was somewhat tempted by the picture she painted.

For her, the Lantern Festival was hardly a memory anymore.

She only vaguely remembered experiencing it once when she was very young.

Late at night.

Qingmu suddenly sensed something and woke up, looking at Zhiwei beside her, eyes tightly shut, drenched in sweat, yet her expression was one of terror.

Zhiwei seemed to be having a nightmare, her body trembling uncontrollably, clutching the quilt tight with her hands, muttering in a whisper, "You, let go of me! Stop with the ten knives! Someone, help, save him, I beg you all…"

"Zhiwei!"

Qingmu gently shook Zhiwei, trying to pull her out of her nightmare.

But Zhiwei remained trapped in the nightmare, trembling even more violently, her face pale, as if overwhelmed by fear!

"Zhiwei!"

Qingmu extended her finger and gently pressed a point on Zhiwei's body, giving a soft shout.

Zhiwei abruptly awoke, gasping for air, and to the point of tears.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Qingmu looked at her with a pang of sympathy, holding her in her arms, comforting her, "It's okay now, did you have a nightmare?"

Zhiwei nodded, her eyes still filled with uncertainty.

"Did you dream about that incident before?"

Qingmu already knew about what had happened to Zhiwei.

"I dreamed of that person, from the Black Water Gang."

Zhiwei's voice trembled with fear.

"Go to sleep, it's alright now."

Qingmu consoled Zhiwei.

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