As spring began to melt away the harsh winter, Yuwen Yue walked through a busy street and accidentally bumped into a young man in simple peasant clothes. The young man, in his early twenties, was strikingly handsome. By day, he trained at the Shaolin temple, and by night, he worked as a longshoreman.
Yuwen Yue was surprised by how much the young man reminded him of someone from his past. This brief encounter stirred old memories and emotions, highlighting the connections that linger in life's journey.
The young man Yuwen Yue encountered looked youthful and slightly immature but had a golden attitude. Despite being frequently bullied and involved in street fights with gangsters, he rarely fought back. By day, he was a humble monk at the Shaolin temple, adhering to its values. By night, he worked as a longshoreman and acted as a spy, using his martial arts skills only to defend the innocent or himself when absolutely necessary.
He often avoided confrontation, choosing instead to meditate and pray. His nights were spent loading and unloading cargo to earn money, some of which he donated to the poor. Though he wore a façade of arrogance, underneath he was a kind-hearted and admirable young man.
At a young age, Zuo Zong was left at the Shaolin temple after his father was killed in the ports of Shangxi. His father, a foreigner who had traveled to Luoyang with his two sons, Zuo Shan and Zuo Zong, was a skilled mercenary known for his expertise in unorthodox warfare, including espionage and assassination. Unfortunately, he was pursued and killed by rival assassins, and Zuo Shan, the eldest brother, was captured. Their father's death was a result of a deadly clash with ruthless ninja assassins.
The assassins, believing Zuo Zong to be dead, left him behind as they took his elder brother, Zuo Shan, who had bravely protected him. The young boy, powerless to save his father, watched in horror as his brother was taken away. Before he was captured, Zuo Shan left Zuo Zong a jade stone with a promise: "Do not be afraid, we shall meet again."
Overwhelmed with grief and clutching his deceased father's body, the boy fainted. When he came to, he was at the Shaolin temple, taken in by the monks who had witnessed the tragic scene and were moved by his plight. They cared for him and trained him in Kungfu, nurturing his innate potential.
Years later, Zuo Zong grew into a formidable Kungfu Master. Young, intelligent, and precise, he quickly became a standout practitioner at the Shaolin temple. His skills and accomplishments in secret missions earned him the respect and admiration of the elder monks, establishing him as one of the youngest and most promising Kungfu Masters of his time.
After surviving the icy lake and the ensuing tragedy, Yuwen Yue shed his former identity and concealed himself from everyone, including those who might recognize him. He reinvented himself, becoming truly the master of disguise. He did not return to Wei or the Green Hills courtyard but embarked on numerous journeys through deserts and rugged terrains of the East.
In these harsh environments, he lived a modest life, working as a servant and blending in as an ordinary person. His exceptional Kungfu skills remained hidden, and he avoided any recognition as the elusive Master of the Eyes of God.
During his time in the deserts, amid relentless sandstorms and harsh winds, memories of his past surfaced. Despite the harshness of his current life, he never forgot his promise to Xinger. He vowed that, if she was still alive, he would one day return to her, determined to face whatever lay ahead and fulfill his promise.
And the people who took them apart will have to pay it forward.
Despite his rugged appearance, Yuwen Yue remained strikingly handsome, his cold eyes capable of intimidating even the bravest. His princely stance exuded a calmness akin to the still waters of early spring. He was careful to avoid drawing attention or seeking favors from others, handling his needs with self-sufficiency and maintaining his ability to protect himself.
Each day, Yuwen Yue reminded himself to keep his focus on the bigger picture, never losing sight of his ultimate goal despite the challenges and distractions around him.
Yuwen Yue glanced at the address for the delivery, noting the square-shaped wooden box he had picked up from the seafood restaurant. Now working as a part-time peddler, he lived a life starkly different from his former one. Where he once had servants, he now managed everything himself. Despite his efforts to blend into this new role, he couldn't escape the fact that people were still drawn to him. Fellow peddlers often sought his courier services, requesting deliveries to the affluent lords of the East.
"I found the place," Yuwen Yue murmured, checking the address in his pocket.
Yuwen Yue knocked on the door and was met with a group of women peering at him and whispering among themselves. Their curious glances were met with Yuwen Yue's stern, icy gaze.
A man in his forties, with a robust build and a formal face, answered the door. Yuwen Yue stepped inside to deliver the parcel. After handing over the package, he waited for the payment. When no one came forth, Yuwen Yue's irritation grew; he clenched his fists, tempted to confront the man about his rudeness.
Just as he was about to leave, the man returned, this time accompanied by four other men. Without warning, they grabbed Yuwen Yue, dragging him into the lodge and locking him in a cell.
He did not have that quick reaction as Yuwen Yue is known to be a slow child. He just let them drag him like that. Suddenly, Yuwen Yue finds himself locked up in a cell full of haggard-looking men. Yuwen Yue looked at them as sharp as a knife and closed his eyes to meditate on the moment.
Any slight movements, he senses it, thinking fast, and controlling his twitching palms. Either he is going to end up beaten, or these men will have a taste of it and make them regret it later.
Suddenly, loud noises outside the cell were heard.
Drum rolls banging and issued dragging sounds.
The door was left open near the cell, where Yuwen Yue was locked, he saw a crowd of people cheering from its first floor.
On the balcony, there was money thrown on the ground. This place is like the cockpit area but there is no cockfighting. Instead, the people dressed in their fighting costumes, several warriors and fighters, which looks like foreigners to the land.
Instead, a variety of warriors and fighters, many of whom looked like foreigners, filled the space. At the center of this spectacle was a man in a black mask, his face hidden and his attire reminiscent of a ninja warrior. He lacked the traditional long sword, but his presence alone was enough to incite fervor among the crowd.
With loud noises and cheering people, Yuwen Yue smirked and remarked, "Everything is a giveaway."
The viewers cast their bet on the black mask ninja, and some dirty-looking male youngsters gathered them before the fight began.
This is a man-to-man fight, no weapons allowed rules. Just pure martial arts.
Yuwen Yue realized he had stumbled upon a hidden underground fighting ring, where warriors fought for money. It seemed like a secret venue for those looking to earn through combat.
The humbled master composed himself and recalled his rules.
Yuwen Yue is a master who plays by the rules.
Back in his former days, as the Green Hills courtyard master of the eyes of God, he thought his slaves this rule, "slave obeys." If not, obedient heads will roll. If there is a crime committed someone must pay to be justified.
Yuwen Yue thought he cannot fight, not this time, it is the spring season. After this self-talk, a man came and dragged him.
True to his observation, this place was a hidden arena for savage fighters. Yuwen Yue, now a reluctant spectator, was compelled to watch the ongoing match.
For the first time, his blood rose to this exciting match, his eyes brows locked and rarely in the past, even now that he is getting impressed on someone.
Today, an impression came watching this near sight is such an amazing view.
The man wearing the black mask ninja is currently executing the "Kata."
Yuwen Yue watched his moves, rewinding him back to his past. Though he cannot see the face of the male fighter, judging entirely from his movements, he remembered someone, he is close to, back in Yuwen's household.
"The seventh Yue," Yuwen Yue almost screamed, but no one heard as the crowd shouts heightened on excitement.
The black mask ninja had a substantial fan following, while his opponent was a large, muscled man. The contender had a rugged appearance, with a prominent nose, thick eyebrows, and several scars on his shoulders, suggesting he was no stranger to combat.
The contender's face twisted with rage as he charged at the black mask ninja, intent on finishing the fight. However, the black mask ninja, the crowd's favorite, executed a flawless exhibition move. In an instant, he was behind his opponent, snapping his arms and grabbing his feet, sending the contender crashing onto his back.
As the black mask ninja stood over his fallen foe, the crowd roared for more action. The ninja's gaze locked onto Yuwen Yue's from across the arena. Startled, the ninja's eyes widened as he met Yuwen Yue's intense stare, momentarily freezing in the midst of the chaos.
Yuwen Yue is busy looking at him, he thought of the Seventh Yue.
The ninja's expression of confusion and puzzlement indicated that he did not recognize Yuwen Yue, despite the striking resemblance to someone from his past.
A flicker of realization crossed Yuwen Yue's mind, awakening his senses. He knew that he was on the verge of breaking his own rules.