Yang Bao was ripped from his unconsciousness by the sharp, stinging pain on his face, a raw, burning sensation. He slowly opened his eyes, the world a blurry expanse, gradually resolving into the quiet confines of a room. His left eye could see with startling clarity, but his right eye remained a dark void, completely unresponsive, a chilling absence of light. A tentative hand rose to his swollen face, finding his eyes terribly puffy and tender to the touch. Every inch of his body ached, a deep, pervasive soreness that radiated through his bones. Just then, the quiet click of a door opening drew his attention.
Ping'an walked in, her face etched with gentle concern, her eyes filled with compassion. "You're awake, Ah Bao," she said softly, placing a basin of water on a nearby table, a comforting presence.
Yang Bao's hazy vision picked out a small girl standing beside Ping'an. His lips trembled, forming a name from his past, a ghost of memory. "Tingting," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Xiao Mei looked at him oddly, a puzzled frown on her young face. "I'm not Tingting, my name is Xiao Mei," she corrected gently.
Yang Bao focused, truly seeing Xiao Mei for the first time, and murmured her name, a faint blush rising to his bruised cheeks, embarrassed by his mistake. He then shifted his gaze to Ping'an, his voice weak but filled with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you, kind lady. You saved me."
"This is big sister Ping'an," Xiao Mei clarified, a gentle correction, her voice soft.
Ping'an knelt beside him, her expression serious, her eyes filled with genuine worry. "What happened, Ah Bao? Who did this to you?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Yang Bao was reluctant to speak, the shame and pain too raw, the humiliation too fresh, but his tears betrayed him, forcing the words out. His lips trembled as he finally confessed, "The innkeeper of Dragon Inn said I stole money from the guests." His voice broke, dissolving into racking sobs, his body shaking. "I swear I didn't steal anything, kind lady! I'm innocent!" He watched, horrified, as his red-tinged tears stained his hands, mixing with the dried blood.
Ping'an pulled out a clean handkerchief, gently wiping his face, her touch soothing. "Ah Bao, please stop crying," she urged, her voice soft and comforting. "If you continue to cry, the medicine under your eyes will be washed away, and they won't heal properly."
"How do you know my name?" Yang Bao whispered, surprised, his voice barely audible.
Ping'an smiled, a warm, knowing light in her eyes. "You forgot, Ah Bao? Many years ago, you were our waiter at Dragon Inn. Do you still remember the gold ingot? The one Renshu gave you?"
"The rich homeless man..." Yang Bao breathed, a flicker of recognition in his bruised mind, the memory slowly resurfacing.
Ping'an chuckled softly, a gentle, melodic sound. "Yes, but I'll tell you a secret." She leaned in close, whispering conspiratorially into his ear. "Everyone says he's homeless, but he owns half of Cloud City. He's very rich." She chuckled again, patting his left shoulder lightly. "Ah Bao, since you're here with us, we will give you justice. You deserve it."
A profound wave of relief, so immense it almost buckled his knees, washed over Yang Bao. He instinctively reached out, hugging Ping'an tightly, burying his face in her robes. It was the kindest, most hopeful thing anyone had said to him since his grandmother died, a promise of protection and vindication. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, tears of gratitude now mingling with his sorrow. "Thank you, thank you."
Just then, he saw Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu walk into the room, their presence filling the space. Zhao Renshu, ever impulsive, rushed forward, a playful scowl on his face. "Hey, little guy, don't hug my wife like that!" he boomed, a mock possessiveness in his voice.
Yang Bao instantly released Ping'an, his eyes wide with renewed fear as he looked down at the ground, remembering the earlier beating. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he mumbled, his voice a terrified whisper.
Ping'an turned, a gentle reprimand in her gaze for Zhao Renshu. "Renshu, don't scare him." She then looked back at the frightened young man. "Don't be afraid, Ah Bao, he's just a little possessive. He means no harm."
Zhao Renshu's expression softened as he approached Yang Bao, his gaze sweeping over the extent of his injuries, a genuine concern in his eyes. "Why did you get beaten so badly, kid?" he asked, his voice losing its playful edge. "Didn't you say you wanted to be a hunter? Geez... it'll take months for these to heal properly."
Guo Baiyu quietly sat beside Ping'an, his presence commanding, his gaze fixed on Yang Bao. "Young man, what's your story?" he asked, his voice calm and firm, inviting honesty.
Yang Bao, feeling safe enough to bare his soul, recounted the entire painful ordeal, from the false accusation to the brutal beating, his voice trembling but resolute.
Guo Baiyu listened intently, his expression unreadable, then simply instructed him to rest more, his voice gentle. Two weeks later, the persistent ache had subsided enough for Yang Bao to stand and walk on his own, his body still weak but healing. He was resting in the bedroom when Xiao Mei entered.
"Big sister Ping'an wants you to have breakfast with us, Ah Bao," Xiao Mei announced, her tone inviting, a warm smile on her face.
"Are you sure?" Yang Bao asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice, still unsure of his place.
"Yes, that's why I came," she replied, a faint smile on her lips, reassuring him.
When Yang Bao hesitantly made his way to the breakfast table, he found four men already seated, their eyes fixed on him in an unnerving silence, a silent judgment.
Zhao Renshu broke the tension. "Ah Bao," he began, his voice friendly, a warm, inviting tone, "I remember you wanted to be a Guozhao hunter many years ago, right? You told me at the inn."
Yang Bao nodded, his heart thumping with a mixture of hope and fear.
Zhao Renshu looked at him, a wide grin spreading across his face, his eyes twinkling. "The Guozhao hunters agreed to accept you as their second disciples. What do you say?"
Yang Bao's eyes widened, startled, disbelief coloring his voice. "Disciple? Really? Me?" he stammered, overwhelmed.
"Yes," Zhao Renshu confirmed, his smile unwavering.
Guo Baiyu, his expression serious, then posed a probing question, his gaze piercing. "After you learn martial arts, do you want revenge, young man? Do you seek retribution for what was done to you?"
Yang Bao shook his head without hesitation, his resolve firm.
"Why not?" Guo Baiyu pressed, his gaze piercing, testing his conviction.
Yang Bao looked at Guo Baiyu, his newfound confidence shining through, his voice calm and steady. "I don't like killing people, senior. If I can avoid it, I'd rather avoid it. Revenge only breeds more hatred."
Guo Baiyu's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible, sarcastic smirk. "You are a coward, then."
Yang Bao met his gaze, his voice calm and steady, unwavering. "As long as I don't believe it in my heart, other people's words won't affect me. I know who I am."
Fang Yaoting, who had been silent until now, spoke with quiet authority, his eyes kind. "Then what are you waiting for, young man? What is holding you back?"
Yang Bao looked up at the four men, utterly confused. "I'm sorry..." he said, a puzzled frown on his face. "I don't understand what you mean."
Ping'an rose from her seat and walked to Yang Bao's side, a radiant smile gracing her lips, her eyes filled with warmth. "Ah Bao," she said, her voice brimming with warmth, "you are looking at the masters of the Guozhao hunters. We are your teachers."
Yang Bao's breath hitched, his voice breaking as the realization dawned on him, tears welling in his eyes. "They... are... my masters?" he whispered, disbelief warring with overwhelming joy.
Zhao Renshu, enjoying the moment, teased, "Why are you still standing, kid? Kneel down and kowtow before your masters. It's tradition."
Yang Bao couldn't believe his ears. This was the first time in his life someone had told him he had a master, let alone masters. He looked at Ping'an, his eyes wide with a mixture of hope and disbelief, his heart soaring. "Masters?"
Ping'an's smile broadened. She pointed to Guo Baiyu. "This is your first master, Guozhao Baiyu." Then, she pointed to Zhao Renshu. "This is your second master, Guozhao Renshu." Her finger moved to Fang Yaoting. "This is your third master, Fang Yaoting." She gestured towards Lee Dachin. "This is your teacher, Lee Dachin." Finally, she pointed to Guozhao Zhiqiang, who was observing the scene quietly. "This is your senior brother, Guozhao Zhiqiang." Ping'an looked back at Yang Bao, her eyes sparkling. "Would you like to accept these as teachers, Ah Bao? As your family?"
Overwhelmed, Yang Bao slowly sank to his knees before the four men, his body trembling with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes, blurring their faces, but he didn't care. "I never dreamed that someone would be willing to be my master in this life," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion, raw with gratitude. "I used to want to join a sector, and they would reject me because of my appearance, because I was crippled." He bowed his head deeply, kowtowing three times, his forehead touching the floor, a gesture of profound respect and humility. "Thank you. Thank you for this chance." He looked up, his tear-filled eyes fixed on them. "Masters, please accept me as your disciple. I will serve you faithfully." He lowered his head again, refusing to raise it, waiting for their acceptance.
"If you want to be our disciple, just raise your head and listen carefully," Guo Baiyu commanded, his voice firm but kind, a gentle authority.
Yang Bao instantly lifted his head, his gaze locked on Guo Baiyu, eager to hear their terms.
Guo Baiyu's voice resonated with the weight of their creed. "Being our disciple, you should not harbor greed in your heart. We do not form factions and do not compete with the six sectors. As our disciple, you must swear an oath to protect the weak and the powerless with a clear conscience abided by the Guozhao Hunters principles. For the rest of your life, you might not have any fame or fortune. Are you willing to accept these conditions, Yang Bao?"
Yang Bao looked at Guo Baiyu, his voice clear and resolute, unwavering in his decision. "I am willing to accept all these conditions, First Master. I promise."
Zhao Renshu added, a serious note in his usually playful voice, "Hey kid, you must accept these conditions willingly. If you don't comply in the future, you will be severely punished. Our rules are strict."
"I won't regret it, Second Master," Yang Bao promised, his gaze steady, his heart filled with determination.
Ping'an picked up a teacup, filled it, and gently handed it to Yang Bao, her smile warm. With trembling hands, Yang Bao took the teacup and offered it to Guo Baiyu, his tears still flowing. He smiled through his tears. "First Master." He then took the second cup from Ping'an and offered it to Zhao Renshu. "Second Master." The third cup went to Fang Yaoting. "Third Master." And the fourth to Lee Dachin. "Teacher Lee."
Zhao Renshu laughed, a genuine, joyful sound, a rare display of pure happiness. "You are our disciple now! You must study hard and don't let us lose face, Ah Bao!"
Yang Bao nodded, his heart swelling with pride and determination. "I will not embarrass you, Masters. Please be patient with me."
Fang Yaoting looked at Yang Bao, his gaze steady and direct. "You'll learn basic skills from me first, Ah Bao." He glanced at Guozhao Zhiqiang, then back at Yang Bao. "See you in the peach garden on Peach Blossom Mountain before sunrise tomorrow. Don't be late."