Chapter 9

Later, Shen Molan finally had the chance to leave the town. That day, he was practicing martial arts with a group of boys at the town’s training ground when an old swordsman passed by and silently watched for a long time. After the boys had dispersed, the old man approached Shen Molan and asked if he was interested in learning from him. After introducing himself, Shen Molan realized that this old swordsman was a renowned practitioner of the Mo family swordsmanship. The old man, who had grown dissatisfied with the students he had taken on over the years, was impressed by Shen Molan’s solid foundation and natural talent as he wandered the martial world.

Shen Molan was tempted, but he couldn’t leave his mother behind. His father had died early, and it was his mother who had raised him. Now that she was growing older and frailer after years of hard work, Shen Molan felt responsible for taking care of her.

The old swordsman didn’t force him, leaving behind a note for Shen Molan, saying that he could come find him anytime once he made his decision.

Mrs. Shen encouraged him to see the world. That night, he pondered for a long time, thinking about Feng Wuhen, who had already left the town. In the end, he arranged for his mother’s care and left the town, seeking out the old Mo swordsman with the note in hand. Due to his late arrival and reserved nature, Shen Molan wasn’t well-liked by the other Mo family disciples. As a result, he didn’t stay long. After a few years, he left the Mo family and officially entered Jianghu.

He became a wandering swordsman, robbing the rich to help the poor and acting righteously. Dressed in black and with exceptionally fast swordsmanship, he became known in the martial world as “Black Swordsman.” During his travels, he met Chen Shaoqing, the only son of the Chen family from Gusu, also known as “Autumn Leaf Wanderer,” who had made a name for himself. The boy’s stubborn and bright personality, and his clear, penetrating eyes, often gave Shen Molan a sense of familiarity.

Shen Molan no longer wandered alone. He began to travel with Chen Shaoqing. 

Chen Shaoqing, with his hot-headed nature, always caused trouble, and Shen Molan often had to clean up after him. Spending so much time together, they became as close as brothers. Shen Molan had thought about visiting Feng Manor to see Feng Wuhen, but decided against it. Feng Wuhen’s eccentric and possessive nature might lead to trouble, and he feared that Feng Wuhen might harm Chen Shaoqing. Moreover, if ever Feng Wuhen had completely forgotten about him, visiting would make him seem overly sentimental—so he left the idea aside.

Until Shen Molan received a letter from home, informing him that his mother was gravely ill and urging him to return immediately.

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“Wuhen liked you very much.”

Shen Molan was startled, thinking that perhaps she knew something.

“With no other siblings, I always thought of Wuhen as your little brother. Seeing you two play together made me so happy.”

Shen Molan felt a slight relief, though he remained silent. He just gently tightened his grip on his mother’s hand.

He should have known that seeing Feng Wuhen would make his mother happy. But by the time he received the letter, it was too late to send word to Feng Manor. He had always thought that Feng Wuhen would somehow hear the news and show up in town—suddenly appearing at the Shen household, just like in the old days, smiling mischievously and acting spoiled with his mother. Then, they could share the burden of grief like true brothers.

However, until the moment his mother closed her eyes for the last time, Feng Wuhen never appeared.

After arranging his mother’s funeral, Shen Molan no longer felt the need to send a letter to Feng Manor. Everything had come too late, and their relationship was no longer what it once was. He didn’t even know if Feng Wuhen would care.

Moreover, out of pride, Shen Molan still couldn’t forgive him for leaving without saying goodbye that day.

It was more than half a year before he saw Chen Shaoqing again. When they met, Shen Molan was still in town, making final arrangements for the future of the Shen household. He didn’t plan to stay in the town, preferring instead to wander Jianghu. The house would be kept with caretakers to clean it occasionally, serving as his permanent residence.

“Guess who?” Chen Shaoqing, skilled in qinggong,¹Qinggong is a Chinese martial arts skill that emphasizes agility, speed, and lightness, allowing practitioners to perform extraordinary feats like leaping great distances or moving swiftly with minimal effort. landed silently behind him. Shen Molan, lost in thought, hadn’t noticed a thing.

For a moment, Shen Molan was dazed, thinking that Feng Wuhen had finally come, but he quickly realized Feng Wuhen didn’t have that level of skill. Pausing for a moment, he calmly replied, “Shaoqing.”

Chen Shaoqing feigned disappointment. “Of course, I wouldn’t be able to fool Shen-dage.”

Shen Molan smiled faintly. “How did you find me here?”

“I heard from people in Jianghu that you had returned home… and that your mother passed away…” Chen Shaoqing hesitated.

Shen Molan shook his head lightly, not wanting to say more, and instead asked where Chen Shaoqing had been recently. Immediately, Chen Shaoqing’s face turned indignant. “There’s been a rumor in Jianghu about a material from the southern lands that, when catalyzed by poison, can be used to forge legendary weapons. I went to find it but encountered a hideous poison witch who confessed her love for me! She even said she wanted to marry me. It was disgusting—she didn’t even consider how she looked! She refused to let me go and even tried to use the material as leverage, so I injured her and returned to the Central Plains empty-handed. Damn it…”

Shen Molan often felt helpless toward the willful and spoiled young man. Despite being born into the wealthy Chen family of Gusu, Chen Shaoqing had no interest in family honor or reputation. His only pursuit was legendary weapons and surpassing others in martial skill. Though known in the martial world as the “Autumn Leaf Wanderer,” he cared little for fame, being more of a sword fanatic. Compared to wealth and glory, he preferred the freedom of wandering the martial world, avenging wrongs—a trait that made Shen Molan feel a kindred spirit with him.

It was a trivial matter at the time, and Shen Molan didn’t dwell on it. A month later, after fully settling the future of the Shen household, he left the town once again. This time, with Chen Shaoqing. The townspeople, upon seeing him, first expressed their condolences for his mother’s death, but then they were surprised to see that the boy following him was not the same one from the Feng family. Almost everyone asked him where Feng Wuhen had gone.

Shen Molan, growing impatient, dismissed them with casual remarks and took his leave. Chen Shaoqing, curious, asked who the boy from the Feng family was. After thinking for a moment, Shen Molan simply replied, “Just someone I used to know.”

Shen Molan and Chen Shaoqing traveled to the capital—a place Shen Molan had dreamed of visiting as a child. Now, as an adult, standing there, he no longer felt the same excitement he once had. The capital was indeed more bustling and lively than the small town, but to him, it wasn’t all that remarkable. Together, they took on some commissions in the capital and performed various acts of heroism, quickly gaining fame. Soon, everyone in the martial world knew that “Black Swordsman” and the “Autumn Leaf Wanderer” had arrived in the capital.

Then, a few days later, someone came to find Shen Molan at the inn.

Shen Molan had a feeling about who it might be. He glanced up through the silk window, and there he saw the familiar figure of a young man dressed in white.

“Molan?”

He had finally come after all.