Chapter 5: Zhou Tong Receives Disciples

  Shaanxi's great hero Zhou Tong, can be called the world's hero. Learned Shaolin's true kung fu, majestic and powerful. Held a high position as a teacher of heavenly characters, served as an official to resist the Jin dynasty. Resigned from office and wandered alone as a knight-errant, searching for kindred spirits at the edge of the sky.

  Yue Fei followed his mother and fled to Qilin Village. In Qilin Village, there was a Wang Yuanwai, who was a kind and generous person. He saw that Yue Fei was young but had a majestic air about him, and he liked him very much.

  "Sister-in-law, where are you two from? Why have you ended up in a strange land?" Wang asked with concern.

  Yue Anren listened, with a sorrowful expression on his face, and said: "Reporting to the official, my mother and I are from Yonghe Village, Tangyin County. Due to the flood disaster in our hometown, our home was destroyed, and my husband drowned. That's why we fled here. My maternal family is near Jiaozhuang Village, Qilin Village, but it's already late, so we rushed to Qilin Village to find a place to settle down. Please help us out, sir."

  "Sister-in-law, are there any relatives at your parents' home?" Wang asked.

  "We inquired everywhere, but there was no one from my hometown left. I heard that a few years ago, when the war broke out, my younger brother was taken away as a soldier, and my father was beaten to death. My mother soon fell ill and died too. There were no other relatives left at home." As Yue Anren spoke, he couldn't help but shed tears of sorrow.

  "Sister-in-law, don't cry. If you're not ashamed of it, from now on this will be your home too. As long as I have food to eat, you won't go hungry. This child has a noble air about him, his eyes are bright and spirited, and he carries himself with dignity. He's sure to achieve great things in the future. His age is similar to that of my son Wang Gui, so let them be companions."

  "Thank you, sir, for your kindness in taking us in. My mother and I will never forget your great benevolence." Yue Anren said with gratitude, tears streaming down his face.

  Wang Yuanwai instructed the housekeeper to arrange their accommodation and also prepared meals for them. The mother and daughter were again grateful when they saw Wang Yuanwai's hospitality.

  The mother and son lived a stable life in Wang's family, with his mother-in-law helping Wang with some needlework every day, occasionally teaching Yue Fei some moral lessons. Yue Fei and Wang's son, Wang Gui, were as close as brothers. Sometimes, Yue Fei taught Wang Gui some knowledge. Wang was delighted to see that Yue Fei could recite poems at such a young age. He saw that his own son had become more obedient and learned since being with Yue Fei, which made him feel very relieved. "The saying 'a good neighbor is a precious find' indeed has some truth to it," Wang thought to himself.

  Yue Fei and his mother stayed in Qilin Village for several months, living a peaceful life. One day, Yue Fei was secretly practicing spear techniques alone in the backyard, using a wooden stick as a spear with great proficiency. Suddenly, an old swordsman with severe injuries rushed over, covering his wound with one hand and holding a sword with the other. Yue Fei quickly approached him and said, "Follow me." He led the injured old swordsman to the woodshed in the backyard and hid him there.

  Yue Fei hid the old sword guest and then calmly played with a stick in the backyard.

  At this time, several swordsmen wearing gorgeous clothes rushed over.

  "Hey kid, have you seen an old man with injuries coming this way?" one of them asked.

  Yue Fei listened and shook his head, saying: "I didn't see anything."

  Another stepped forward and grabbed Yue Fei's collar, threatening: "You little devil, you dare to deceive people, be careful or I'll kill you with one palm."

  Yue Fei saw the man's ferocious appearance, pretended to be afraid, and cried out: "If I didn't see it, then I didn't see it. My mother said that children shouldn't tell lies, telling lies isn't being a good child."

  That man saw Yue Fei cry and said such words, thinking in his heart: "This child must not be lying, maybe the old man really escaped to another place."

  "Let's go, we'll search somewhere else." The person who seemed like the owner waved his hand and the others followed him out.

  Yue Fei arrived at the thatched cottage, calling out in a low voice: "Old senior, come out! Those people have been sent away by me, it's safe now." The old swordsman heard the sound and walked out, carefully sizing up the young child in front of him, utterly astonished.

  "What's your name, kid?" the old swordsman asked.

  "I am surnamed Yue, named Fei, styled Pengju, a peng that spreads its wings and hates the sky for being too low, a ju that rises high and soars."

  The old swordsman saw that Yue Fei's eyebrows and eyes showed a strong sense of justice, his face was full and square, and he would surely live up to his name in the future.

  "Child, I have no son under my knee, I'd like to take you as my adopted son, what do you think?" The old swordsman asked, liking Yue Fei more and more.

  "This... I need to ask my mother first, if she agrees, I'll be happy to." Yue Fei said after a moment of contemplation.

  "Where is your mother now? Take me to see her quickly." The old swordsman was a bit impatient.

  Yue Fei brought the old swordsman to his residence, and when Yue's mother saw him bring in an injured stranger, she curiously asked: "Fei, why did you casually bring a stranger in?"

  "Brother and sister, don't blame the child, it's me who asked him to bring me here. I see that this child has an extraordinary temperament, speaking with great poise and propriety. As long as he is properly nurtured, he will surely achieve great things in the future." The old swordsman said.

  "Older brother, may I ask who you are......?" Yue's mother wanted to speak but hesitated.

  "My surname is Zhou and my name is Tong, I am from Tongguan, Huazhou, Shaanxi." said Zhou Tong.

  "It turned out that Old Master Zhou Tong was the world-renowned Shaanxi hero, Iron Arm Zhou Tong, a descendant of Jiang Wei, the Prime Minister of Shu Han, and a legitimate disciple of Tan Zhengfang, the master of the Shaolin School. He had once served as the first instructor of the Imperial Forest Army and was appreciated by Bao Zheng. The old master was also known for being on fraternal terms with famous generals in the imperial court." Madam Yue said.

  "Zhou Cong felt ashamed and didn't dare to accept it. How did his younger siblings know so much about his past?" Zhou Cong asked in puzzlement.

  "It was Mr. Wang, the teacher who enlightened Yue Fei, who told us this. Mr. Wang taught Yue Fei to read and write, and also taught him martial arts, but he suddenly left. Before he left, he mentioned your name to my husband and me, and told us about some of your remarkable deeds. He said that you had taught three disciples, all of whom were famous figures. In particular, the Jade Unicorn Lu Junyi and the Panther Head Lin Chong were especially formidable, and Lin Chong even served as the commander of the 800,000 Imperial Guards. Mr. Wang spoke very highly of you. If my son could be accepted as your disciple, it would be a blessing from his past life. I wonder if Elder Zhou would be willing to agree?" Madam Yue said sincerely.

  "Brother and sister, I came to discuss this matter with you. Yue Fei is a good material, as long as he is carefully polished, he will definitely become a He Shi Bi. However, I have a small request, I hope brother and sister can fulfill it." Zhou Tong said after a moment of contemplation.

  "Elder, whatever you want just say it, as long as you agree to accept Fei'er as your apprentice." Yue Anren said generously.

  "Mother, Master wants to take me as his adopted son of the mantis and I hope you will agree." Yue Fei knelt down and requested.

  "Child, this is a good thing, your mother agrees a thousand times over, hurry up and pay respects to your father-in-law." Yuen Anren said with a smile.

  "Yue Fei paid respects to his father-in-law and teacher, wishing his teacher longevity like the old pine trees on Mount Nan, and good fortune like the endless waters of the Eastern Sea." Yue Fei knelt down in front of Zhou Tong.

  "Fei'er needn't be polite, get up and speak." Zhou Dong stroked his sparse beard, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.