Chapter 1332: The Second Strongest

Sunrise and sunset, dusk arrives in the blink of an eye.

Qinghe Town, as usual, was enveloped in the curling smoke from kitchen chimneys. After a day of labor, most households had begun to rest and prepare meals. The taverns and teahouses on the streets were filled to capacity, and the entire town was immersed in joy and the tranquility of ordinary life.

For the common folk, the daily routine of working at sunrise and resting at sunset was a timeless axiom, a principle for survival and livelihood. Being able to eat their fill, stay warm, and chat idly after meals, using tales of legendary cultivators as a form of leisure, murmuring phrases like "terrifying indeed," was their version of a peaceful and happy life.

Outside the schoolhouse.

Children of various ages bid farewell one after another, eagerly rushing home for dinner. Some mischievous ones chased and played, their laughter filled with childlike delight.

Watching the children's figures fade into the sunset, Yi Feng breathed a sigh of relief, feeling content.

Another day of teaching had passed.

This life of teaching, though somewhat monotonous, was stable and comforting, offering a sense of relaxation and ease. Watching the students progress and study diligently each day did bring a sense of accomplishment. It was much like the ordinary life of the town, steadily moving forward day by day, with gains to be found everywhere.

Moreover, today he would also join a hunting trip into the mountains, adding new excitement to life. How could it truly be boring?

Yi Feng walked slowly toward the foot of Qingmang Mountain, a faint smile of anticipation on his face.

Before long.

He had arrived at the mountain's base, where a group of people had been waiting for some time, seated on large rocks by the roadside.

They were well-equipped, wearing leather armor for protection.

Clearly, they were seasoned hunters.

Seeing Yi Feng approach, the group stood up one after another, their eyes filled with smiles as they greeted him.

"Mr. Yi is here."

"Greetings, sir."

The most familiar face among them, Wei Xiaowei, was dressed in a practical outfit. Her delicate features, accentuated by the leather armor, appeared even more pure, with an added touch of martial vigor.

Compared to the others, her eyes clearly held more joy. She quickly stepped forward with a smile to greet him, enthusiastically introducing the group.

"Sir, you really came. That's wonderful."

"Captain Xu heard you were joining us and specially came to lead the way. With him here, this trip is absolutely foolproof. The captain is a Great Martial Master, the second strongest in Qinghe Town. Even the old clan leader has said that Captain Xu has a promising future. Even venturing deep into Qingmang Mountain, he has some confidence!"

As Wei Xiaowei stepped aside to introduce him, the leader who stepped forward had a commanding presence, his beard adding to his imposing aura, exuding the demeanor of a strong warrior.

Though the others looked at him with reverence, this man greeted Yi Feng with a smile, clasping his hands in a respectful bow, his eyes calm and humble.

"Greetings, Mr. Yi."

"I am Xu Fengyue, and I have the honor of serving as the captain of the town's demon-hunting team. I have some modest cultivation, enough to ensure our safety on this trip, but I don't deserve such high praise. I'm just an ordinary cultivator."

"If Mr. Yi doesn't mind, since I'm a few years older, you can call me Brother Xu."

His words were modest, his expression sincere.

In this town, he was indeed talented, but he hadn't let it go to his head. There was still a hint of humility in his eyes, a reminder of his humble origins. Even as a Great Martial Master, he remained grounded, without any airs. He was truly a decent man.

Faced with such warmth and goodwill, Yi Feng responded with a polite smile.

"In that case, I'll trouble you, Brother Xu."

His down-to-earth words immediately won the group's favor.

This gentleman wasn't like the stereotypical pedantic scholars who were hard to approach. Though he might not have the strength to harm a chicken, he had a straightforward and open demeanor, a man of character.

The group exchanged smiles, the atmosphere growing even more harmonious.

With a wave of Xu Fengyue's hand, the hunting team set off steadily. With such a capable captain leading the way, the others followed closely behind, their confidence boosted and their spirits relaxed. Yi Feng, protected within the group, would surely be safe.

The team moved at a steady pace, everyone's faces filled with joy.

Compared to the usual solemn tension of hunting, this trip felt more like an outing. The group chatted and laughed along the way, the atmosphere light and cheerful.

In less than half an hour.

The team had reached the halfway point of Qingmang Mountain, still basking in the last warmth of the setting sun.

On the other side of the mountain, day and night began to separate.

Looking back, the full view of Qinghe Town came into sight, with its curling smoke and twinkling lights, nestled in a perfect spot surrounded by mountains and rivers, like a serene painting of a utopia.

This scenery, though not as awe-inspiring as famous mountains and rivers, had its own unique charm of relaxation and ease. After experiencing countless splendors, looking back felt like waking from a dream and returning to a stable life.

Even a simple meal, though plain, brought a genuine sense of comfort and warmth.

At this moment.

Yi Feng truly felt alive, and he began to feel a sense of belonging to this simple life before him.

Moved by the scenery, he couldn't help but recite a poem.

"I built my hut amidst the human realm, yet hear no noise of carts or horses.

You ask me how this can be? With a heart far removed, the land becomes remote.

Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the southern mountains.

The mountain air is fresh at dusk, as birds return home together.

In this lies true meaning, but trying to explain, words fail me."

The poem, filled with reflections on life, was especially moving against such a beautiful backdrop.

Though the group's knowledge of poetry was limited, seeing the teacher effortlessly recite such a verse filled them with admiration. Even if they didn't fully understand, they felt a deep respect and looked forward to their children's future with hope.

Praise erupted on the spot, their eyes filled with reverence.

Captain Xu Fengyue, who had some understanding of poetry, savored the lines for a few moments before being thoroughly impressed by the depth of talent. His eyes showed even more respect.

"In this lies true meaning, but trying to explain, words fail me..."

"Marvelous, truly marvelous. The idea of 'silence speaking louder than words' in this poem is akin to the mystical realm we cultivators aspire to—something that can only be felt, not described. Using it here, in front of this scenery, is a stroke of genius, perfectly fitting. Sir, your talent is truly admirable!"

Seeing the captain clasp his hands in praise, Yi Feng smiled modestly in return.

"Brother Xu, you flatter me. It was just a spontaneous thought, nothing to laugh at."

His calm demeanor remained unchanged.

This composed attitude made Xu Fengyue nod repeatedly, his smile growing wider. Though this gentleman was an ordinary man, he was anything but ordinary.

"Mr. Yi, you are truly a scholar."

Yi Feng, repeatedly praised by Captain Xu, remained humble and composed. Among a group of rough men, this elegant and handsome young man stood out as particularly special.

Wei Xiaowei's eyes sparkled with admiration, her smile growing even sweeter, her charming dimples more pronounced. It seemed she was even happier than if she herself had received the praise.

Amidst the group's joy, having witnessed the teacher's extraordinary demeanor and recognizing him as a man worth befriending, Xu Fengyue grew even more enthusiastic.

Speaking again, his tone was filled with boldness.

"It's rare for Qinghe Town to have a talent like Mr. Yi, willing to endure hardship to teach and nurture our children."

"Today, we'll accompany the sir on a proper journey, venturing a bit deeper. We must catch a decent demon beast, so the sir can experience the thrill of demon hunting and return satisfied!"

His commanding words resonated, and the group's eyes lit up with excitement!