Published: March 4, 2025
Chapter 47: The Art of Performance Reaching Perfection
The injuries of the ruler of Iron Cloud Nation, Tie Shicheng, were due to the time when I treated him.
"Mr. Du not only saved my parents but also saw that my family was impoverished. He didn't take a single cent and even left behind a silver ingot! The great kindness of Mr. Du is something our family will never forget!"
The black-clothed youth noticed that Du Shiqing seemed to be pondering and couldn't help but show even more joy, his tone growing more excited: "At that time, my parents were gravely ill, and our family was at the end of its rope. It was all thanks to the silver ingot that Mr. Du left behind that our family managed to survive. Mr. Du has truly shown us immeasurable kindness!"
"I see." Du Shiqing vaguely remembered that something like this had occurred, but he had no clear impression. It seemed he only recalled it upon hearing the other party mention it; however, he had done such things countless times throughout his life, and if he had any specific memories of it, they had long since faded into obscurity.
But it must be said that this feeling of being stopped on the road to express gratitude—who in the world wouldn’t know you?—was something that made anyone feel very pleased.
"Yes, regarding this matter, my late father, Chu Dazhi, reminded me more than once that when I grew up, I must find Mr. Du to repay this kindness! Before passing away, my father was still worried about not being able to repay Mr. Du's kindness." The black-clothed youth's eyes brimmed with tears: "Heaven has pity, today I finally found out Mr. Du's whereabouts and could speak to Mr. Du in person to express my gratitude. If my father’s spirit is aware, he would surely be very comforted."
As he spoke, his eyes turned red.
"Your father's intentions, I, Du, appreciate," Du Shiqing said, unable to help but feel a sense of 'ephemeral memories,' and sighed: "The past is the past… Um, what? Is your father already… deceased?"
"Yes, my father went into the mountains to hunt tigers three years ago and unfortunately..." The black-clothed youth's voice choked up a bit.
"What a pity; your father was a good man! A truly good person." Du Shiqing hadn’t thought of it until now, but from the other party's narration, this father had been saved by him during a time of poverty, and for years he never forgot that kindness, always wanting to repay it. Even before his death, he didn’t forget to express gratitude, and "went into the mountains to hunt tigers," which meant he could fight tigers—he was undoubtedly a brave man.
Such a brave man certainly counted as a good person.
Unknowingly, Du Shiqing also felt that he had indeed done a good deed! Though his memories were hazy, this youth, at such a young age, showed such genuine emotions upon seeing him, which could not be fake.
"Mr. Du finally remembered!" The black-clothed youth exclaimed happily: "My name is Chu Yang. I have met Mr. Du before."
"Time flies; now you have grown up." Du Shiqing stroked his beard and smiled, feeling quite pleased. At that moment, he unexpectedly felt a sense of 'old friends with descendants,' and couldn't help but sigh: "If your father could see your abilities today, he would surely be smiling in the afterlife."
"Indeed. Six years ago, I followed my master to practice martial arts." Chu Yang hesitated, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said: "Ahem, I finally get to see Mr. Du today. I learned that Mr. Du is going to Iron Cloud for a long journey. Although I am weak, I am willing to escort Mr. Du along the way to show my humble gratitude."
"That wouldn’t be necessary, right?" Du Shiqing said hesitantly.
"Is Mr. Du going to deny me this chance to repay my gratitude?" Chu Yang said sadly: "I know my martial skills are lacking, but… this is my heartfelt intention, fulfilling my father's dying wish."
"Please grant me this chance, Mr. Du!"
At this point, there were basically no more doubts left. Even the eight knights had completely changed their attitude towards Chu Yang. One of them even patted Chu Yang's shoulder hard and laughed: "Good lad, how are you lacking in martial skills? We three couldn't even stop you!"