167: Chapter 47 The Butterfly Effect

Yang Kang was recovering from his injuries in the room, and Bao Xiruo was looking after him.

Hearing a commotion halfway through, the two of them immediately knew someone had arrived outside, so they went out to check.

Upon seeing Qiu Chuji, Yang Kang's expression clearly became unnatural.

Seeing Yang Kang, Qiu Chuji also frowned.

Clearly, the relationship between this Master and disciple was not good.

Mu Nianci didn't notice this; seeing Bao Xiruo come out, she hurriedly began introducing everyone.

Once the introductions were finished, Bao Xiruo politely welcomed the Six Monsters, Qiu Chuji, and Iron Foot Master into the main house.

Not long after they sat down, Yang Tiexin, who had gone to buy medicine, returned.

He was very surprised to see the Jiangnan Six Monsters, Qiu Chuji, and Iron Foot Master, especially the Six Monsters, so there was another round of introductions and pleasantries.

Seeing Yang Tiexin return and no longer needing to act as a middleman, Meng Li used the excuse that his work wasn't finished and left with Mu Nianci.

Although a crowd was lively, there was a time and place for it.

At this time, he preferred being alone with Mu Nianci.

When he finished brushing the horses, Guo Jing and Huang Rong, who had gone to the tavern to scout for information, returned.

After a brief greeting, Meng Li didn't ask about the situation but mentioned the arrival of the Jiangnan Six Monsters, Qiu Chuji, and Iron Foot Master.

Upon hearing that his six Masters had arrived, Guo Jing was overjoyed and immediately ran into the house.

Huang Rong was a bit surprised and then followed him.

Seeing this, Mu Nianci couldn't help but say, "Looking at Brother Jing, his relationship with his Masters must be extremely good."

Meng Li nodded.

Then, seeing that the work was done, he brought out some stools and chairs to sit and chat with Mu Nianci while basking in the sun.

Having drifted around with Yang Tiexin since childhood, Mu Nianci had always longed to settle down.

This current peace and leisure was exactly what she had dreamed of.

However, good dreams are always the easiest to wake from.

Before long, this quiet and beautiful atmosphere was broken by a flurry of hurried footsteps.

Meng Li and Mu Nianci looked over at the sound and saw Yang Kang pushing open the courtyard gate in a huff.

Seeing the two of them, he froze for a moment, then left without saying a word.

Meng Li and Mu Nianci exchanged a glance, feeling it was inexplicable.

Then, Guo Jing chased after him. Seeing them, he first greeted them and then asked, "Did you see where Younger Brother Kang went?"

Meng Li pointed, "In that direction."

Guo Jing immediately gave chase.

Seeing this, Meng Li couldn't help but shake his head.

Guo Jing's level of concern for Yang Kang was even higher than Yang Tiexin's and Bao Xiruo's; could he have owed him in a past life?

Immediately after, Huang Rong came out.

Seeing them running out one after another, Mu Nianci was truly curious, so she stopped Huang Rong to ask about the situation.

"Sister Ronger, what happened?"

"Weren't you all doing fine inside just now?"

Huang Rong sighed and briefly recounted what had happened.

After she and Guo Jing went in, things were indeed fine at first.

Guo Jing saw his six Masters, Qiu Chuji, and Iron Foot Master, and bowed respectfully.

The two sides chatted briefly, and then Qiu Chuji, knowing Yang Kang was injured and that they had gone to investigate, began to ask about it.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong had indeed found out what happened at the tavern, but the story differed from what Yang Kang had said: it was true that the Strange Man with a Crutch had injured Yang Kang, but the cause was that Yang Kang had provoked the trouble himself.

Yesterday, after fighting Guo Jing, he ran to the tavern to drink away his sorrows, only to end up being unable to pay the bill and acting like a drunken fool.

This caught the attention of the Strange Man with a Crutch who was also drinking in the tavern.

Later, the strange man recognized Yang Kang as Wanyan Kang, but only knew part of the story, thinking that as a Jin people coming to Great Song territory, it was bad enough, let alone acting wildly and drunkenly.

Consequently, the Strange Man with a Crutch, who already hated the Jin people, attacked Yang Kang.

Yang Kang was no match for the strange man. At the critical moment, a Man in White appeared, repelled the strange man, and helped Yang Kang pay his bill.

According to witnesses, Yang Kang and the Man in White clearly knew each other, but they parted on bad terms.

Knowing this, Guo Jing felt Yang Kang was in the wrong but also felt sorry for his injuries. To prevent Yang Kang from being punished further, he intended to keep the matter quiet and not seek out the strange man.

It was a good idea, but the problem was he couldn't lie; when faced with the Jiangnan Six Monsters, who knew him well and were veterans of the Jianghu, they saw through him in just a few sentences.

Ke Zhene had a fiery temper and couldn't tolerate any deception; he questioned him repeatedly on the spot until the whole truth came out.

Then, Yang Kang was scolded by Qiu Chuji, who was equally short-tempered and valued Face.

Yang Kang already had a poor relationship with Qiu Chuji, and being scolded in public made him so angry that he stormed off immediately.

Qiu Chuji originally wanted to stop him, but was dissuaded by Bao Xiruo and Yang Tiexin.

Seeing the scene turn awkward, Guo Jing felt guilty and worried about Yang Kang, so he greeted those present and chased after him.

Huang Rong see Guo Jing leave, not wanting to stay inside, she came out.

Just as Meng Li and Mu Nianci finished understanding the situation, more people came out, this time a whole group.

The Jiangnan Six Monsters, Yang Tiexin, Qiu Chuji, and Iron Foot Master.

Presumably, the discussion was over, or the situation was too awkward, and they were preparing to leave.

As the group reached the courtyard gate, Yang Tiexin looked hesitant but spoke up anyway, "Daoist Master Qiu, after reuniting with Xiruo and Kanger and learning about their situation, there is a question that has been puzzling me. I wonder if you could enlighten me?"

Qiu Chuji smiled, "We are old friends; of course I can."

Yang Tiexin took a breath and said, "According to Kanger, you found him when he was seven years old and began teaching him Martial Arts."

"In other words, it has been about eleven years since you started teaching him Martial Arts."

"Xiruo is a Song person, Kanger is also a Song person, and you and I are old friends."

"I want to ask, Daoist Master, in these eleven years, did you ever think about taking them away from that Jin Zhao Kings Manor?"

Qiu Chuji's expression stiffened.

Iron Foot Master and the Jiangnan Six Monsters had subtle expressions, and they all looked toward Qiu Chuji.

This was indeed a question, and not a small one.

Mu Nianci's attention was also drawn to this.

Meng Li was somewhat surprised.

In the original story, Yang Tiexin never raised this question; instead, he accidentally overheard a conversation between Qiu Chuji and Iron Foot Master to learn the truth, clearing up his misunderstanding of Bao Xiruo, thus letting go of his grudge and truly accepting her and Yang Kang.

Now, however, he had raised this question...

Meng Li thought for a moment and understood: it was the Butterfly Effect he had caused!

Then, he was a bit curious: would Qiu Chuji tell the truth?

In the original story, he hadn't taken the initiative to explain; it was only when he was alone with Iron Foot Master and faced criticism that he was forced to confess.

Now, under the watchful eyes of everyone...

Qiu Chuji's Face showed a struggle, but eventually, he said, "Naturally, I have thought about it."

"Then why did the mother and son stay in the Zhao Kings Manor all this time? Even Kanger, for eighteen years, knew nothing of his own background," Yang Tiexin asked again.

"Brother Tie..."

Beside him, Bao Xiruo heard this and suddenly felt she also bore responsibility; she called out to Yang Tiexin, wanting to explain.

But Yang Tiexin said, "You didn't tell Kanger because you thought I was dead and you were alone and helpless in an enemy prince's manor. If you had spoken, it would have caused a rift between Kanger and Wanyan Honglie, leading to trouble and harming Kanger."

"I can understand that."

"Brother Tie." Bao Xiruo's eyes immediately filled with tears.

The Jiangnan Six Monsters, Iron Foot Master, and Mu Nianci felt relieved.

Immediately after, Yang Tiexin asked Qiu Chuji, "Daoist Master Qiu, I wonder what difficulties you had?"