Twenty chapters fulfilled their wishes and returned to Qilin Village

  As Zhou Tong traveled, he saw the misty green mountains and waters, and his emotions were stirred. He spontaneously recited a poem, "Jiang Cheng Zi - Feeling of Nostalgia". After finishing, he sighed with emotion.

  Arriving at the entrance of Neihuang County Government, Zhou Dang got off the sedan chair and sent the sedan bearers back to Xiangzhou to report, and he himself trembled into the county government.

  Li Chun caught sight of Zhou Tong and asked in surprise, "Old hero, it's been many days since we last met. Why do you look so haggard? Your face is waxen yellow and your eyes are sunken. Are you ill?"

  "Alas, I've grown old and useless. The recent hustle and bustle has taken a toll on my body. I fell ill in Xiangzhou City the other day, but fortunately, my good friend Wang Yushan took care of me. I still have many unfulfilled wishes, and I want to return to Qilin Village to meet with a few disciples and settle some matters. Li, my younger brother, I'm sorry that I've been searching for Ziyu these days, but there's no news at all. However, I had an unexpected gain - Wang Ziyu is not the biological son of Old Man Wang and his wife, but rather a child they picked up by the river. He might be the twin brother of Yue Fei, Yue Teng. I must tell Yue Anren about this and ask him about the specific situation back then. My old bones won't last much longer, but I still want to fulfill my wishes. I'll return to Qilin Village tomorrow, and I'd like you, younger brother, to accompany me on the trip." Zhou sighed and said.

  "I'll accompany you on this trip, no problem. Don't be disheartened, old hero, your illness is caused by overwork and there's nothing seriously wrong with you. Just rest for a few more days, take good care of yourself, and you'll definitely recover." Li Chun comforted him.

  The next morning, Li Chun got up early, washed and dressed, and came to Zhou Tong's bedside, asking with concern: "Old hero, did you sleep well last night? Is your body better?"

  "Alas, still the same, no improvement." Zhou Dong propped himself up and sat up, got out of bed, and came to the main hall.

  Li Chun ordered someone to fetch a basin of warm water and personally attended to him.

  "Li Lao Di, as the master of a county, why must you be like this? I can still take care of myself, no need to attend to me." Zhou Dang said, and then personally washed his face.

  "Old hero, shall we ride horses or take a sedan chair when we go to Qilin Village?" Li Chun asked.

  "Ride a horse! I don't want others to serve me," said Zhou Tong.

  "Alright! Let's ride our horses and enjoy the scenery along the way." Li Chun said, then instructed the groom to bring over the horses from the stable.

  The groom led the horse away and returned with it a moment later to hand it over.

  "Old hero, I'll help you onto your horse." Li Chun said as he walked over and supported Zhou Dang onto his horse.

  "Thanks for your trouble." Zhou Tong regained his energy, borrowed a bit of strength from County Magistrate Li, jumped onto the horse, grasped the reins and proceeded slowly.

  Li Chun rode his horse and advanced side by side with Zhou Cong.

  All along the way, the two people pointed and chatted, laughing and talking freely.

  Zhou Tong looks much better today, and his face is a bit rosy.

  "Old hero, I see you're in high spirits today, full of vigor and energy, just like your heyday." Li Chun said with a smile.

  "Alas, I'm old, old. When doing things, I have the heart but lack the strength." Zhou Dang sighed and said.

  Arriving at Lishan Mountain, Zhou Tong stopped in his tracks and refused to go further. Li Chun saw this and also came to a halt.

  Zhou pointed to the high ground of Li Spring Mountain and said to Li Chun: "Li, after I die, bury me at the highest point on that high ground. That land belongs to Wang Yuanwai's family in Qilin Village. I hope you can speak up for me. From there, I can see how my students leave Qilin Village and return triumphantly. This is my only wish, and I hope you can fulfill it for me."

  "Old hero, don't worry! It's just a small matter, I'll definitely get it done. But that's for later. For now, you should focus on recovering your health first. Let's go! To Qilin Village." Li Chun said, and then urged his horse forward.

  Zhou Tong reluctantly looked at the beautiful scenery of Li Quan Mountain and couldn't help but shed tears of sorrow.

  Li Chun turned around and saw the tears on Zhou Tong's face, he understood how Zhou Tong felt at this moment, he didn't say anything, just quietly waited for Zhou Tong to leave this sorrowful place.

  "Brother, I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself. Zhou Tong couldn't help but think of his old friend Zhi Ming Elder, who used to practice here with him. Where is he now? Is he in good health?" Zhou Tong said with a faint smile.

  "Old hero Zhou, let's go! With this heart of yours, that's enough. I think, no matter where Zhi Ming is, he will definitely sense your concern."

  Zhou Tong felt a little comforted after hearing this. He urged his horse forward and continued on, with Li Chun accompanying him on either side.

  They arrived at Qilin Village, Zhou Tong and Li Chun dismounted their horses and walked towards Wang Yuanwai's home.

  Yue Fei, Zhang Xian, Tang Huai and Wang Gui, the four disciples, swarmed around their master as soon as he returned, asking him all sorts of questions.

  Zhou Tong saw these four spirited faces and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

  "Uncle, it's been many days since we last met, how did you become so old? Is your body not feeling well?" Yue Fei asked with concern.

  "Come on in and let's talk! Kids, I have a lot to say to you." Zhou Dong stroked Yue Fei's face and said with a gentle attitude.

  "Son-in-law, is your body well?" Li Chun asked.

  Yue Fei immediately paid his respects to his father-in-law and greeted his mother-in-law, feeling so ashamed that he had nowhere to hide.

  "My father-in-law is above, please forgive me for my lack of propriety. Just now I saw that my teacher's complexion was hazy and I was worried in my heart, so I only asked about his well-being and forgot to pay my respects upon arrival, please excuse me. My mother's body is at peace, thank you father-in-law for your concern." Yue Fei came before Li Chun, kneeling on one knee, requesting forgiveness.

  A crowd of people surrounded Zhou Tong and Li Chun as they arrived at the gate, where Wang Yuenwai personally came out to greet them.

  "Zhang Xian, Tang Huai, you two go back and invite your fathers to come over. Yue Fei, you also call your mother over. Today we'll all get together and have a good time." Wang said with a smile.

  It is said that Zhou Tong has returned, Zhang Da, Tang Wen Zhong and Yue Anren are all delighted in their hearts. Zhang Da and Tang Wen Zhong hurriedly rushed over, before entering the door, they couldn't stop laughing. Zhang Xian and Tang Huai followed behind, with radiant smiles on their faces. Yue Anren also arrived at the main hall accompanied by Yue Fei to greet Zhou Tong, Li Chun and the three officials one by one.

  "I'm grateful for everyone's kindness, as a woman I shouldn't be sitting with you all on equal terms, but my son insisted that I come, so I had no choice." said Madame Yue.

  "Mother, now Flying Son is almost sixteen years old, and Little Girl is also approaching the age of marriage. Today, in front of Teacher Zhou and three uncles, why not set a date for them? I can also put my mind at ease." Li Chun said.

  "Alright! Let's take this opportunity to set the date today. Let's all celebrate and make merry." Wang Yuanwai said with a delighted tone.

  "Yue Anren, Li County Magistrate condescended to come in person and proposed it himself at this time. That's a good thing, you should agree! Later, I have another piece of good news to tell you." Zhou Dang said.

  "Since Magistrate Li thinks so highly of Fei, I'm delighted beyond words and wouldn't dare decline. It's just that as a widow with an orphaned child, we're struggling to make ends meet and don't have the money for betrothal gifts, so..." Madam Yue trailed off, finding it hard to continue speaking.

  "Mother-in-law, don't be shy about speaking up. I, Li Chun, have taken a liking to Yue Fei as a person, not your family's wealth. The betrothal gifts can be waived, just pick a good day for the wedding and that's it." Li Chun said.

  "Yes! Sister-in-law, County Magistrate Li is not an ordinary man who only recognizes money but not people. However, the most basic courtesy is still indispensable. If you need anything, just let us know and Zhang Da and Tang Wen-zhong will definitely do their best to help. General Yue Fei's nephew is no ordinary person, he will surely rise to prominence in the future. By then, our children will also follow him to bring glory to our ancestors." said Wang.

  Zhang Da and Tang Wen Zhong also nodded frequently, indicating their agreement.

  Yue An had nothing to say and could only nod in gratitude.