Chapter 21: The Hero's Departure from the World

  A hero's life is full of hardships, chivalrous spirit and loyalty are passed down through the nine regions; as long as there is still a breath left, all efforts will be made to serve the country, with no rest until the difficulties are overcome. Pouring out one's heart and blood to teach children, only for the sake of shouldering the country's worries in the future; a lifetime of hard work for the great Song Dynasty, noble spirit forever preserved in the nine heavens.

  Yue Anren agreed to get married, and everyone was very happy.

  "Alright! Everyone is delighted, County Magistrate Li. From now on, we are all one family. One family doesn't speak of two families. Today, let's get drunk together and not stop until we're satisfied. I hope you won't decline," said Wang, the government official.

  "Yuan Wai Ye's good intentions have been understood by Li. However, there are still many official matters to attend to in the county yamen that cannot be delayed. Zhou Lao Yingxiong has already been safely sent to the prefecture, so Li bids farewell." Li Chun said and was about to leave when the three Yuan Wai Ye repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay.

  "Auntie, once you've chosen a date, send someone to let me know and I'll make preparations ahead of time."

  "Thank you for your concern, I'm deeply grateful. I won't forget it even when I lose all my teeth. Let's choose a good day and report back immediately," said Yue Anren.

  At this moment, Zhou Tong only felt unbearable heartache, his face turned pale. In order not to lose etiquette, he struggled to stand up and see off County Magistrate Li. After walking a few steps, he suddenly fainted.

  Everyone saw Zhou Tong suddenly faint, his face as pale as earth, and immediately they were in a flurry, at their wit's end.

  Yue Fei separated from the crowd, carried his master on his back and went into the bedroom, followed by the crowd.

  Li Chun saw Zhou Tong suddenly faint and had no choice but to stay behind to observe the changes in his condition.

  "Father-in-law, wake up, what's wrong?" Yue Fei called out in front of the bed.

  Zhou Tong slowly woke up, opened his eyes, and saw the shocked and panicked faces around him. He couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong with you all?"

  "Sir, you suddenly fainted just now and were unconscious. We thought... so..." Wang Gui spoke hesitantly.

  "You thought I was dead, didn't you? Actually, I went to see King Yan. It's just that I suddenly remembered there were some things I hadn't settled yet, so I asked King Yan for a temporary leave." Zhou Dang said with a forced smile.

  "Uncle Gan, what's going on? Your body has always been strong and healthy, how did it suddenly become like this?" Yue Fei asked in puzzlement.

  "Alas, child, your old father is getting on in years and can't withstand the wind and rain anymore. From now on, it's up to you young people to support the Jiangshan of the Great Song. To be honest with you, I've experienced too many things these days. After leaving you and following County Magistrate Li back to the county yamen, I discovered that Wang Ziyu had run away from home, so I immediately left the yamen and searched for him all the way to Bianjing. In the capital city, I saw a few Khitan people sneaking into the Grand Chancellor's residence, so I snuck in at night. At the Grand Chancellor's residence, I heard that Khitan prince speaking wildly and bullying our Great Song, saying no one was there to stop him. So I revealed myself, originally wanting to teach him a lesson, but who knew that prince was cunning and deceitful, tricking me out of the Grand Chancellor's residence to the outskirts. It was too dark, and I didn't dare act rashly, so we sat down to rest and wait for dawn to take action again. Who knew those Khitan dogs secretly sent people to fetch reinforcements? I fought alone against the four great generals of the Khitan. Due to exhausting my strength too much, my body collapsed. I know I won't be long for this world, so to fulfill my wish, I decided to find Wang Ziyu and pass on the secret manual to him, as well as teach him martial arts. Unexpectedly, when I arrived at Wangjiazhuang in Yonghe Township, Tuyin County, I still couldn't find him. No choice but to continue searching, I scoured the entire Xiangzhou mountains and rivers, but still couldn't find him. When I arrived in Xiangzhou, I collapsed from exhaustion and didn't get up again. Luckily, there was a good friend in Xiangzhou who took care of me; otherwise, I would have been gone long ago. Child, that Wang Ziyu might be your sworn brother, Yue Teng. I inquired about it, and it turned out that in the autumn of the year you were born, the old couple from the Wang family in Wangjiazhuang village heard a baby crying by the river at night and went out to take a look. They arrived at the riverside and saw a baby lying in a wooden tub, crying, so they rescued him." By this point, Yue Anren was already sobbing uncontrollably.

  "My son Teng, you have a bitter fate!" Yuen Anren cried out.

  "Brother Zhou, that baby is Teng Er. That night, my wife and I reluctantly put Teng Er in a basin and then into the river, but Teng Er didn't cry, instead he was smiling. The old monk said that Teng Er would be fine, and that his brothers would meet again in the future, and they would definitely rise to greatness. So, my two sons are named Fei and Teng, hoping that they will both rise to greatness and bring honor to our ancestors." Yue Anren said.

  "Mother, if we brothers meet in the future and I speak the truth, what if Zibao doesn't believe me? We brothers recognize each other, but do we have any proof?" Yue Fei asked.

  "In the past, your father had tattoos on your backs so that you brothers could recognize each other in the future. The tattoos read 'Jing Zhong Bao Guo' which means to dedicate yourselves to the country with utmost loyalty." Yuen An said.

  Everyone who heard what Yue Anren had to say showed even greater respect for Yue Fei's father, Yue He.

  "All right, my wish has been fulfilled, and I can die without regret. Fei'er, open my trunk and bring me the package," said Zhou Dang.

  Yue Fei responded with a sound and hurried over to open the box, took out the package and brought it in front of Zhou Tong.

  Zhou Tong's hands trembled as he opened the package and handed over the military book to Yue Fei, reminding him repeatedly. Yue Fei nodded in response.

  "Fei, this is a sword manual, it's the summary of Master's decades of hard work. After you see Wang Zongpeng, hand over the manual to him and ask him to practice diligently and serve the country." Zhou Tong handed over the manual to Yue Fei, asking Yue Fei to pass it on to Wang Zongpeng.

  Yue Fei took over the sword manual, tears streaming down his face.

  "Zhang Xian, you like to use the hook spear gun. As a teacher, I'll give you a copy of 'Hook Spear Gun Law Daquan'. You can study it carefully." Zhou Dong handed over the gun law daquan to Zhang Xian, and Zhang Xian was also moved to tears.

  "Tang Huai, you're also a gunner, Master will give you a copy of 'The Complete Book of Gun Techniques', practice well yourself." Zhou Dong handed the book to Tang Huai, who was also extremely grateful.

  Wang Gui saw that his three elder brothers all had gifts and wondered what gift Master would give him.

  "Wang Gui, you come over too. You like to use a knife, so I'll give you a copy of 'The Essence of Knife Techniques'. You must practice diligently." Zhou Dou handed "The Essence of Knife Techniques" to Wang Gui, who was naturally overjoyed.

  "This is the master's lifelong dedication, compiled according to your individual strengths and interests. Although it may not be a precious gift, it is the master's heartfelt intention. The sentiment is more important than the gift itself. You four brothers should practice diligently and strive for greater heights. As the master has wandered his whole life, with no long-term possessions, these are the only things left to you. I hope you will make them shine. To the three gentlemen, I thank you for taking me in over the years. After my death, do not make a fuss, just handle the aftermath quietly and do not let the news reach Golden Dog's ears. Recently, the Golden Army has been stationed outside Bianjing City, eyeing it covetously, and the capital is in danger. You brothers must practice your martial arts well and serve the imperial court. This way, the master can die with his eyes closed."

  Three officials agreed to Zhou Tong's request, and four apprentices also nodded in agreement.

  Zhou Tong saw the sad faces, a faint smile flashed across his pale face, and he said weakly: "Gentlemen, if you want...the children...to make their ancestors proud in the future, they must follow Yue Fei...and build merits together. The brothers cannot leave Yue Fei, I hope...I hope you will help them fulfill their wishes." Zhou Tong said this, and then he spat out a mouthful of phlegm and left the world. He died on September 14th, in the 17th year of the Tianxi era, at the age of 79.