It had been a week since Tang Wu—the former martial artist who failed to exact revenge and ended up as an "illegal resident"—officially moved into Jian Mo's house.
The once quiet and peaceful hut had transformed. It was livelier. More vibrant. And definitely noisier.
---
Morning – A Smoke-Filled Kitchen
Smoke billowed from the kitchen. Not the aroma of delicious cooking, but more akin to the scent of... a fire.
> "Tang Wu! Are you cooking or burning down the kitchen?!" Jian Mo shouted from the field, hoe in hand.
Tang Wu emerged from the smoke, his face smudged, hair standing up like a bird's nest, and holding a wok filled with... thick black porridge.
> "Master! This is a special menu: smoky porridge with a taste of memories!" he said proudly.
Su Daji approached, sniffed the aroma, and frowned.
> "It looks like failed harvest soil, doesn't it?"
Tang Wu chuckled softly, though his eyes watered from the smoke.
---
Afternoon – The Laundry Mission
Su Daji and Tang Wu went to the river to do laundry. But problems arose from the start.
> "Tang Wu! This isn't detergent, it's flour!"
> "Ah, no wonder the bubbles are savory..."
Minutes later, a foam war broke out. Su Daji threw a handful of foam at Tang Wu's face, then ran away laughing.
Jian Mo passed by, carrying a basket of harvest, and paused to see the chaos.
> "You two... truly a curse to a peaceful life."
Tang Wu just laughed, then slipped and fell into the river.
---
Evening – Martial Arts Test à la Daji
Su Daji had a brilliant idea.
> "Let's practice martial arts! Whoever loses... becomes the horse!"
Tang Wu agreed, unaware of the trap behind the challenge.
Five minutes later...
> "FATHER! Tang Wu is barefoot on my back!" screamed Su Daji, crawling and groaning.
> "Sorry, Young Master Daji! I'm just a horse... that's hungry," replied Tang Wu while eating sweet potatoes.
---
Night – Conversations Under the Moon
Jian Mo sat in front of his hut, gazing at the starry night sky. A cup of warm tea in his hand.
> "A peaceful life... turns out to be livelier than I thought," he murmured.
Tang Wu sat not far from him, massaging his back after a day of "torture" from Su Daji.
Su Daji herself was asleep on a pile of straw, hugging a chicken from who-knows-where that now seemed like her official pet.
---
Elsewhere – Fire Pavilion, Murim World
In a world far from laughter and roasted sweet potatoes, the Fire Pavilion glowed red in the middle of the night.
Yan Zhiyan, leader of one of Murim's powerful factions, sat calmly on his throne.
> "Are you certain... it's the Dark Blood organization?" he asked coldly.
One of the Six Sky Warriors bowed deeply.
> "Yes, Master. They have begun to move. And... they are searching for someone from the past."
Yan Zhiyan slowly opened his eyes.
> "Awaken the shadows. This world will know... what it means to face the hell that was once left behind."
> "Master... was the former ruler of Murim truly that cruel?"
> "Fifty years ago, the Murim world was merely a tool for him. He slaughtered, controlled, and ruled without mercy."
> "Who could defeat someone like that?"
> "Only one. The legend... 'Heaven-Splitting Thread'. His technique was silent, yet deadly. After the great battle, he disappeared. I heard he went into seclusion."
---
The Next Morning – Jian Mo's Hut
> "Achoo!"
Jian Mo sneezed loudly as he stepped outside.
> "Daji, don't play with mud near your father's nose!"
Su Daji looked at him innocently.
> "But... you look like a ferret when you sneeze!"
Tang Wu chimed in from behind.
> "I can make anti-sneeze tea. The ingredients are just cassava peels and rice washing water!"
Jian Mo stared blankly at him, then closed his eyes.
> "...Please don't."
Tang Wu smiled brightly.
> "Alright, Master! I'll brew it with love and ignorance!"
Jian Mo sighed.
The peaceful life he sought... apparently came with a warm little chaos.