Promise

Several days flew by.

Ever since the incident involving the Old Clan Head’s visit to the schoolhouse, the children had been studying with newfound diligence. Every student was brimming with zeal and ambition. Even the parents who occasionally dropped by to pick up or drop off their children wore expressions of sheer delight.

With such an excellent learning atmosphere, Yi Feng was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet. It saved him from having to deliver countless earnest lectures, making his days increasingly smooth and his life all the more leisurely.

It was dusk again, time for school to let out. Responding to his students' farewells, Yi Feng wore a fond, benevolent smile, feeling a small sense of accomplishment.

At the very least, he was living comfortably here while educating young minds. It wasn't a wasted effort, and it was certainly more reliable than that nonsense about seeking death.

He had thoroughly seen through those troublesome matters.

He was content just to enjoy the leisure.

Returning to his courtyard, he found the kitchen piled high with food and drink, and quite a few new sets of clothes in his room. These were all tokens of the villagers' appreciation, passed along by Maiden Wei. He had no worries about food or clothing—in fact, he had enough to open a shop. It was truly a happy burden to bear.

It had to be said, these villagers were simply too honest and kind.

He was merely teaching reading and writing, nothing earth-shattering, yet they were overwhelmingly grateful. Maiden Wei came to deliver things every single day; her enthusiasm was becoming almost impossible to handle.

If it weren't for the warm greetings he received from so many others, Yi Feng might have hallucinated that this little lass had feelings for him and was just using the parents' names as an excuse to bring him gifts.

Sauntering around the courtyard, Yi Feng felt incredibly relaxed. He had grown accustomed to these carefree days. However, staying in the schoolhouse all day, every day, wasn't a viable long-term plan.

For one, aside from teaching and disciplining the mischievous brats, there was nothing to do, which was a bit dull. For another, eating the game and produce sent by others all day was making him fat.

In his boredom, Yi Feng lifted his gaze toward the verdant mountain behind the house.

The forest was lush, with birds chirping and flying about.

The beautiful scenery, illuminated by the setting sun, looked like a landscape painting rich in atmosphere. It piqued his interest and drew his heart toward it.

"It's been a long time since I went hunting. Why not take a stroll in the mountains? Maybe the game I catch myself will taste even better..."

As he muttered to himself, Yi Feng felt a surge of motivation.

In this simple town, most people lived in family clans, so there was no need to worry about anything else; leaving doors unlocked at night and not picking up lost items on the road was the norm.

He walked straight out the main gate, turning right to head toward the green mountain behind the school.

Unexpectedly, before he even passed the earthen wall outside the school, he ran head-on into Wei Xiaowei.

She was wearing a long cyan dress that appeared to be newly made, looking quite clean and elegant. Her long, silky hair seemed carefully combed. Although she wore little rouge or powder, she looked several times more delicate and lovely than usual.

Seeing that her life was improving, Yi Feng smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

"Maiden Wei, did you hunt another monster beast?"

Wei Xiaowei bowed her head in greeting, her face slightly flushed.

"Greetings, Teacher Yi."

"Yesterday we did indeed catch a monster beast and exchanged it for quite a bit of silver. The share we received is enough for several months of expenses. We heard that you intend to practice martial arts with the Old Clan Head, and since we still had some beast meat, everyone insisted on giving it to you."

As she spoke, the young girl held out a lotus leaf package with both hands, not daring to look him directly in the eye.

Seeing such hospitality, Yi Feng nodded gratefully.

He knew very well that their lives were not easy, so he immediately spoke up to decline, his tone becoming more serious.

"Maiden Wei, there is no need for you all to be so polite."

"These past few days, everyone has sent plenty of food and clothing; I can't use it all by myself. This beast meat is truly a bit too valuable. I absolutely cannot accept it. I appreciate the kindness, but this cannot continue."

Hearing his stern words, Wei Xiaowei lightly bit her red lip for a few moments before regretfully giving up.

Helplessly retracting the lotus leaf package, she continued to speak with concern.

"Teacher."

"It's about to get dark. Why are you out here alone? Are you going to the street to buy some food? If you don't mind, why not come to my house for dinner?"

Facing such an intimate invitation, Yi Feng truthfully explained his intentions.

"Thank you for your kindness, Maiden Wei, but I'm not looking for food."

"I just saw how beautiful the mountain scenery is, and since I have nothing to do, I wanted to go up for a stroll and watch the sunset."

Unexpectedly, as soon as his voice fell, Wei Xiaowei’s expression changed drastically!

"Ah?!"

"Teacher, you absolutely must not go up the mountain rashly!"

"The scenery may look nice, but there are many monster beasts inside. If the Old Clan Head hadn't set up a formation at the foot of the mountain, the beasts would have swarmed into the town long ago!"

"Going up alone is far too risky. You might even face life-threatening danger!"

Yi Feng had heard the phrase "life-threatening danger" far too many times.

If it were in the past, when he didn't know his own strength, he might have held some expectation, thinking he could finally complete his mission to seek death. He certainly would have given it a try.

But now, Yi Feng's heart held only calmness.

He had experienced too many disappointments.

So many that his heart had gone cold.

He responded with a smile, his tone normal.

"It's fine. I'll just walk around randomly; I won't go deep. Don't worry."

Wei Xiaowei listened, her willow-leaf brows furrowing slightly; she still seemed very worried.

After scrutinizing him for a few moments, she tried to persuade him again.

"Teacher Yi, you absolutely cannot go up Qingmang Mountain alone!"

"If you really want to climb the mountain to admire the scenery, why not go with us tomorrow? It just so happens that I will be accompanying the hunting squad up the mountain."

"Since we’ve had a good harvest recently, we won't be going deep inside, only patrolling the periphery. There won't be any danger, which makes it suitable for you to join us, Teacher."

"So, if it works for you, Teacher, I will wait for you at the foot of the mountain tomorrow."

"Otherwise, I absolutely cannot let you go up."

The young girl spoke more and more seriously, her expression turning stubborn; she seemed very insistent.

Faced with such concern, Yi Feng couldn't help but smile faintly and compromise.

"Alright."

"Tomorrow at dusk, I'll be there."

Hearing this, Wei Xiaowei finally broke into a smile. After agreeing, she seemed to think of something that made her very happy, and the disappointment of her gift being rejected was swept away completely.

Her lovely figure jogged away, waving under the setting sun with a smile as beautiful as a flower.

"Teacher Yi!"

"You must remember! Tomorrow at dusk, don't be late!"