Chapter One: Perplexity

  Don't look at Gao Huaiyuan, who has been busy as a top recently, but the kung fu in his hands hasn't fallen behind. Every morning before dawn, he puts on his iron sand clothes and rushes out of the back door of the Gao mansion to run wildly in the fields. After returning to the backyard, he still practices a set of knife skills, so the things San Shan Sanren taught him haven't been neglected at all. The speed of his hands is still constantly improving, and it's really become a must-see show every time he comes over, with Huang Yan and Zhou Huan fleeing in disarray every time they fight.

  The boys in the front yard heard the miserable cries of Huang Yan and Zhou Hua coming from the backyard, and they all stopped what they were doing, perked up their ears and listened. The ten boys who arrived earlier with Zhou Jun first mourned for Huang Yan and Zhou Hua in silence for three minutes, then shouted: "What are you stopping for? Do you also want to be dragged by the master to the backyard for a lesson? Hurry up and recite! Whoever can't recite tonight will go hungry!"

  These newly arrived young men, no longer dared to slack off and began reciting again. In their hearts, they felt a slight chill. Originally, they thought Huang Yan and Zhou Huan were already quite intimidating, but after the master came over, he actually beat them until they were fleeing in disarray. It seems that if you want to mix in here, you really need to be careful! The initial disdain and scorn they had brought with them was immediately thrown away!

  Huang Yan and Zhou Hao unfortunately became the chickens killed for the monkey's amusement, getting beaten up by Gao Huaiyuan in the backyard.

  After the three of them fought for a while, Gao Huaiyuan finally stopped his stick under Huang Yan's plea for mercy. Huang Yan and Zhou Huan sat on the ground with their buttocks, panting heavily.

  "Hey! You've only been hit a few times and you're already acting like this? It seems I'll have to come over more often, or else you'll definitely slack off!" Gao Huaiyuan scolded Huang Yan while tapping his wooden stick in his hand.

  "Hey, big brother! You can't compare yourself to us, you're a pervert, we're normal people! How can we withstand your torture!" Huang Yan rubbed the spot where Gao Huaiyuan had hit him earlier and immediately began to protest.

  Zhou Hao also burst out laughing with a wide grin on his face.

  "Are you looking for a fight? You actually dare to say I'm perverted, just wait and see, tomorrow I'll get you an iron sand headgear too! When I first met my master, he made me wear that headgear every day to beat me up. If not, in the future, I'd be living under his roof, practicing like this every day, would you become one? " High Huaru immediately threatened, only here did he feel completely relaxed, after all, even if it was his past life, he wasn't that old, let alone now with High Huaru's headgear, still having some youthful nature, and started chatting and laughing with Huang Yan and the others.

  "Boss, you're busy with work, just leave this to us two, you go ahead and take care of your own business! We'll practice well! If you stay here, I'm afraid my little body won't last the year without being torn apart by you! I still want to eat New Year's Eve dinner!" Huang Yan immediately raised his hands in surrender, but his tone was still nonchalant. He was originally a mischievous guy, unlike Zhou Huan, and normally had to put on airs because of his underlings, only when Gao Huaiyuan came would he let go of his reserve and indulge himself.

  After chatting and laughing for a while, Zhou Huan brought up a question: "Big brother, these kids are now physically stronger than when they first came, and we've also taught them some eye exercises. Guns and sticks are easy to deal with, we can use wooden sticks and bamboo guns as substitutes, but we only have two bows, both of which are eight-li hard bows that they can't use. Can you think of a way to get some more bows? Otherwise, it's impossible to teach them archery!"

  Huang Yan also nodded hastily and said, "Yes, yes! What we lack most now is this thing. You have many methods, why not think of a way to get some bows over here? It's not necessary for each person to have one, at least let them touch it."

  Gao Huaiyuan listened and nodded: "I'll remember, let them practice their eyesight first. Now the bow and crossbow are forbidden items among the people, it's really not easy to get them on the market. During this New Year period, I'll let Xue Yan go out and take a look, see if he can get some. If not, we'll just make our own!"

  After talking to the two of them for a while, they saw that it was getting late and the three of them returned to the front yard. As a result, they saw a group of new young men reciting the rules one by one. Those who passed started to get their food, while those who didn't continued to stand in the courtyard and recite.

  This is only the first day, and the strict rules here have already given these young people a vivid lesson, letting them know that as long as there are requirements put forward, they must be met. As a result, some of the more careless young people can only watch with envy as their companions eat meat and drink soup, while they themselves can only continue to recite these rules conscientiously.

  Liu Er stood at the door, looking pitifully at the young men still loudly reciting in the courtyard, and quietly advised Gao Huaiyuan: "Young master, I know you're a good person, it's almost Chinese New Year, is it right to let them stand outside and watch others eat?"

  Although Gao Weiyan looked quite strict on others, he was very gentle with Liu Er. He smiled and replied: "Rules are rules, if they can't even pass this level, then there's no point in them staying here. I know you're soft-hearted, but sometimes being too soft can lead to trouble! However, it's just a few hundred words of regulations, as long as they put their heart into it, they'll all be able to make a living!"

  Liu'er understood Gao Huaiyuan's intention and stopped talking. She turned around to help Gao Huaiyuan pack up his living quarters!

  Of course, these young people eventually had dinner, but they left a very deep impression.

  Gao Huaiyuan only stayed here for one day, after handling some things here, he also gave red envelopes to each of the servants who stayed here, including Zhou Jun and others, who received a different amount of red envelopes and new clothes, letting everyone have a good time. Although in this place, you can't spend money at all, but everyone feels happy holding these big bucks, even putting them under their pillow makes them feel more secure!

  The next day, he took Liu'er and set off again to return to the old mansion. There were things that couldn't be left unattended for a while, otherwise, he really wanted to stay in the mountain villa and spend some time with these little brothers.

  The donkey cart made a creaking sound as it moved along the road, Xue Yan drove the donkey and occasionally chatted with Gao Huaiyuan. He didn't ask Gao Huaiyuan why he took in so many young boys, but he knew that Gao Huaiyuan's actions were not just out of pity for these orphans. As for what Gao Huaiyuan wanted to do, Xue Yan thought it would be better to wait and see how things developed later!

  Looking at the scenery outside the car and the distant back of Gao Huaiyuan, Liu Er's mood was very pleasant, and she couldn't help but hum a little tune she had learned as a child. The three of them walked slowly towards the old mansion, making their journey not feel lonely at all.

  "Ah..." Xue Yan suddenly pulled the donkey cart to a stop, and Liu'er, not knowing why, looked up towards the front, her face instantly turning pale, and she couldn't help but let out a faint cry.

  Suddenly, several masked men jumped out from both sides of the road in front of the car, each with a fierce gaze and holding various weapons. Behind them, more masked men also jumped out from both sides, blocking their retreat.

  Gao Huaiyuan and Xue Yan immediately tensed up, back to back guarding the car, today's events seemed a bit off, these people seemed to be specifically waiting for them.

  Xue Yan was about to step forward and talk, but Gao Huaiyuan suddenly pulled him back, shook his head slightly, and whispered to him: "Take care of Liu'er for me, I'll handle today's matter!"

  Xue Yan now knew that Gao Huaiyuan, despite his young age, had a set of skills that should not be underestimated. Compared to his own mediocre skills, Gao's were far superior. He nodded and approached the donkey cart, placing his hand on the shaft.

  Gao Huaiyuan took a deep breath and stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting: "Which hero has arrived? I don't know what you want by blocking my path."

  The men in colorful masks, weighing the objects in their hands, slowly surrounded Gao Huaiyuan and his two companions. A short, stout man stepped forward, sneering: "What are you doing? Are you stupid? Of course, we're going to rob you! Hmph! Since it's almost New Year's, my brothers and I don't have any money to spend, so we've set our sights on you. If you know what's good for you, kneel down and let us bind you. We only want your wealth, not your life, so we won't kill you. Otherwise... Hmph! Take a look at this knife in my hand - I've been itching to use it!"

  The other thieves were very cooperative with their leader, bursting into a fit of laughter. One guy even laughed and said: "It seems that this year we're going to have a good time! Even the little beauty has been prepared for us! Haha!"

  Gao Huaiyan suppressed the anger in his heart and said with a clenched fist: "Fellow heroes, we have no grudges or grievances against each other, why must you pressure us so? If you are short of money to spend, I happen to have some here. Take it and buy some wine to drink, let us pass, and I will be eternally grateful!" As he spoke, he turned around and had Xue Yan take out a pouch, shook it, making the sound of clinking copper coins, and tossed it under the feet of the bandit leader opposite him.

  The bandit leader kicked the bundle with his toe, picked it up and looked inside, sneered and threw it to a guy beside him, scolding: "Is this what you think will get rid of us? You think this little money can get rid of us? Who doesn't know that after High Official Gu took over the old mansion of the Gu family, he became rich as oil flows? Cut the crap, kneel down and be tied up! I'm sure Old Man Gu would be more than happy to give us more money to ransom back his talented son!"