Chapter 50:
Chapter 50:
The sky turned dark yellow.
Old Huang walked alone in the alley, hurrying home.
His house was also in the outer city. As he walked deeper into the alley, it became increasingly dim and quiet.
Almost half of the vacant houses in the outer city were empty. The alleys he walked through showed no signs of people, only the echoes of footsteps in complete silence.
"The Zhang family disappeared two months ago, and the Chen family’s house over there, when did they leave Yan City… about six months ago?"
He walked slowly for a while, then turned a corner.
At first glance, he saw a few kids playing in the alley.
When Old Huang walked over, his own baby reached out with both arms and climbed onto him. Soon, he had a doll hanging on his thigh and another one on his back, shouting in a cute voice, "Daddy, play with me!"
The previous silence was gone, and the liveliness suddenly returned.
If it were any other time, Old Huang would definitely play with his two little babies at home. But at this moment, he didn’t have the heart for it. He just let the two little ones hang on him and went back home.As he entered the house, he glanced around at the remaining neighbors.
Strangely, it wasn’t completely dark yet, but the neighbors in the surrounding area had mostly closed their doors and windows.
If one were to listen carefully and sniff, they could sense the faint laughter and a subtle fragrance of alcohol seeping through the door cracks.
"The lord’s eldest son, he’s dead."
"I need to get drunk."
"The cycle of life is just so unpredictable! Today, I shall enjoy three large servings of alcohol!" the neighboring old bookseller muttered to himself.
"Joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! Joy…" This is the butcher next door going crazy with alcohol.
Old Huang also closed the door and set up a table in the house. He brought out the old wine he had been hiding in the corner and talked to his wife about it.
Soon it got dark and the night grew deeper.
The noisy children had already fallen asleep, and his wife had finished cleaning up the leftovers.
Old Huang looked out the window and saw the moon shining faintly. All the lights in the neighborhood were out, and everything was silent except for the faint sound of insects.
Although he also felt tired, he didn’t want to sleep yet. He poured himself three more cups of wine.
One cup for himself, and the other two cups for the empty seats next to him.
"This cup of wine is a toast to the Qiao brothers," he said in a low and slow voice, already a little tipsy.
"I cannot speak for you, and this matter can only be kept in my heart. But our lives, the lives of our family, were saved by you. We must not forget this."
In chaotic times, human lives are as insignificant as grass and dust.
Old Huang lived in the outskirts of the city. Over the years, he had experienced famines and homelessness. He had become accustomed to the loss of family and the destruction of homes.
However, the deaths of the brothers, Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin, truly disturbed him.
He had seen many dead bodies, but he had never seen anyone die like the Qiao brothers.
The more chaotic the world, the more calamities there are. People’s hearts often reveal their cruelty and ugliness.
……….
Inside the house, on the other side, there was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl talking with Old Huang’s wife.
"Is father drunk? The son of the city lord has died. This should be a joyful occasion, but it seems his mood is not too good."
"It’s a pity that the city lord’s son died too early. I couldn’t wait a few more years for my martial arts to improve, so I could personally kill this thief."
Old Huang’s eldest daughter, around fifteen or sixteen years old, grew up to be tall and slim, with a graceful and strong figure. Her long hair was neatly tied into a ponytail behind her head, revealing a fair neck. Her eyes were determined, with a touch of uncommon feminine strength.
When it came to the death of the lord’s son, the eldest daughter felt a bit resentful.
After some thought, she walked towards Old Huang.
"Eldest one, don’t disturb your father. Let him have some peace," said Old Huang’s wife in a gentle voice.
"I’m not disturbing him. Since he’s not in a good mood, I want to give him a surprise and alleviate his worries."
As the eldest daughter approached Old Huang, he waved to her and walked over.
"Eldest one, your younger brothers and sisters may not understand yet, but you must remember, one should not forget their roots."
"Let me tell you about the story of the Qiao brothers…"
Old Huang abruptly widened his eyes while speaking.
He saw his own daughter and gently extended a finger, pressing it into the table.
Without any visible effort, a clear small hole appeared on the wooden table.
"When did you develop internal strength?" Old Huang exclaimed.
"Just a few days ago, you were only able to lift a 300-pound stone lock. It’s still a long way from reaching the limit of 500 pounds. How did you suddenly develop internal strength?"
"Last month," the eldest daughter calmly replied.
"Why didn’t you say anything earlier about such a major accomplishment?" Old Huang exclaimed in surprise.
As the saying goes, "poverty favors the literary, wealth favors the martial." The early stage of martial artists’ training involves strengthening the body and developing muscles. It’s not just about practicing relentlessly, but nutrition is also important.
Considering Old Huang’s financial situation, it would be extremely difficult to support a fifteen-year-old internal strength martial artist.
"I just tried my best," the eldest daughter shrugged innocently.
"The storyteller at the teahouse tells stories that are not all like this. Those martial arts geniuses who don’t hide their skills and talents will die quickly."
Old Huang wanted to refute his own child subconsciously, but when he thought of the deaths of Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin, he suddenly became speechless.
"Okay, okay. Our eldest child has grown up." Old Huang became excited, blinked his eyes a few times, and almost shed tears. But when he saw the two empty wine cups on the table, he sighed slightly again.
"Eldest child, you are now much stronger than your father. There is nothing else your father can teach you, except for one thing – never forget your roots."
"I wonder if the Qiao family has any other descendants… Eldest child, you have the ability. When you succeed in the future, if you encounter the Qiao’s family, remember to take care of them."
"I understand," the eldest daughter nodded in agreement.
Qiao Mu died to protect Old Huang, Qiao Lin broke into the lord’s mansion and killed Childe Guo, and died as a result. They avenged their family’s grudge, and she must remember this deeply and keep it in her mind.
She is still young, unlike Old Huang who is experienced in the ways of the world. She has a sharp spirit.
Although she vaguely understood the need to hide her skills after hearing the storyteller’s story, how could she not feel a yearning, admiration, and gratitude for the chivalrous spirit of Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin?
Even without Old Huang saying so, she would do the same.
"Okay, you go to sleep first. You’re at the age of growing, so you shouldn’t stay up too late." Old Huang said with a smile.
This time, his mood finally improved a lot.
After the eldest daughter left, Old Huang looked at the empty wine glasses on the table in front of the two empty seats, and suddenly smiled.
He was about to pour the two wine glasses onto the ground, to commemorate the spirits of the Qiao brothers.
But just as he was about to spill them, he felt a little sorry, so he drank all three glasses himself and smacked his lips, saying:
"Boss, Old Huang didn’t lie to you, right?"
"I don’t have any other skills, except the skills I have in my pants. And let me tell you, they are exceptional."
As Old Huang said this, he grinned, showing a big yellow tooth, and proudly said:
"My dick is unbeatable in the world!"