Chapter 219: Scenes of the Past

Zhou Qing was not surprised that the man recognized him, for his red robe was unique on the entire street, making it easy to identify him.

As for Wuji, Zhou Qing recognized him by the ritual scars on his head. Over the past decade or so, his appearance had changed significantly from the young monk he once was. Yet, Zhou Qing remembered those marks vividly, as he had personally applied them to the young monk’s head all those years ago.

"Haha, it’s been many years. I never expected you to still be as flashy as ever, Brother Zhou."

"Hehe, it has been a long time. You, Brother Wuji, are still as flamboyant as ever."

The two exchanged brief greetings before Wuji pulled Zhou Qing toward a nearby tavern. "Come, have a good meal and drinks with me today. Let’s catch up properly."

Zhou Qing smiled and did not resist, following Wuji into the tavern. To him, friends were few and far between in this world. Although they had only spent two short days together, the fact that Wuji still remembered him after all these years and greeted him with such warmth proved that the monk truly regarded him as a friend.

Inside the tavern, Wuji led Zhou Qing to a private room. After ordering an array of food and drinks and tipping the waiter with a large silver ingot, he sat down.

"Brother Zhou, it must have been sixteen or seventeen years since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Yes, just about."

"So many years have passed. I wondered where you went. A few years ago, I visited Jinling County, hoping to find you for a drink, but when I asked around, they said you had long since left."

"Indeed. I have been wandering the world all these years and only recently returned to the jurisdiction of Yi'an Prefecture."

"Oh, then you..."

As they conversed, the waiter began to serve the dishes. They ate and drank heartily, discussing many things. By the end of the meal, Wuji learned the purpose of Zhou Qing’s visit to Tianmen County and offered to lead him to the Lin family.

When Zhou Qing left Jinling County, he had learned from a woman next door that Lin Feier had married a scholar named Xu Shilin in Tianmen County. Xu Shilin was quite well-known in the area, and Wuji happened to have some acquaintance with the Xu family, so he led Zhou Qing directly there.

"We have arrived, Brother Zhou. This is the Xu residence." Wuji announced as they stood before the main gate.

"Very good, thank you, Brother Wuji." Zhou Qing thanked him and knocked on the door.

Before long, a servant opened the gate and looked at Zhou Qing with confusion. "Who are you?"

"I am here to see Lin Feier."

"You want to see our young mistress? Who are you?"

"Please, inform her that Li Dawa is here to see her." As he spoke, Zhou Qing took a piece of silver from his waist and handed it to the servant.

Upon seeing the silver, the servant’s face lit up. He took the money, acknowledged the request, and hurried inside. Soon, a beautifully dressed woman emerged, surrounded by two maidservants.

"Big Brother Dawa!"

Seeing Zhou Qing at the gate, the woman beamed and hurried toward him.

Zhou Qing smiled as he greeted the woman who felt like a younger sister to him, then followed her into the residence. Inside, he caught up with Lin Feier and her parents, leaving behind a gemstone as a gift before taking his leave. Seeing them living such happy, peaceful lives, he felt genuinely glad for them.

After leaving Tianmen County, Zhou Qing recalled another place he wished to visit: Datian Village, where a powerful demon resided. That creature had trapped countless evil spirits within a formation in the desolate village, absorbing their resentment to cultivate its own power. Years ago, when he was still weak, he had nearly lost his life passing through that very place.

With Datian Village in mind, Zhou Qing decided to revisit the ruins. On the imperial road leading there, three men armed with blades suddenly jumped out from the side. The leader held his blade horizontally and shouted, "H-h-hand over your money!"

"I h-h-have no money," Zhou Qing replied with a smile.

He recognized the stuttering bandit; he had been "robbed" by him once before when he passed through this area years ago.

"Y-y-you are..."

"It seems you remember me. It’s been years, and you’re still working this dangerous job. I’m curious, how have you managed not to run into a martial arts master and get yourself killed all these years?"

"W-w-we..."

The stuttering leader did not take offense to the teasing, knowing full well he was no match for Zhou Qing. Just as they prepared to retreat into the woods, Zhou Qing moved in a flash, covering several yards in a single step to block their path.

"Don't go yet. You robbed me back then and I gave you a beating; I should probably do the same today."

"P-p-please spare me, young hero! It’s not easy making a living!" The bandit, showing great situational awareness, immediately fell to his knees and began kowtowing. The other two lackeys followed suit.

"If it’s not easy, why don't you find another trade?"

"Oh, kind sir, you don't understand. We want to, but..." Under Zhou Qing’s questioning, one of the more articulate bandits began to explain. Their situation reminded Zhou Qing of the saying: "Too high to reach, too low to accept."

In the end, Zhou Qing gave them a sound thrashing just as he had years ago and continued on his way. He had no intention of interfering in their lives; he could barely make sense of his own, let alone worry about theirs.

Soon after, he arrived at Datian Village. More than a decade had passed, but the desolate village remained exactly as it had been. Walking through the grass on the outskirts, small snakes occasionally darted out to bite him, but he paid them no mind, heading straight toward the village.

A few steps later, he crossed into the formation, seeing the intact village once more and the poor, trapped spirits lingering within. At the same time, not far away, he saw the same young boy leading his ox out to graze.