From breaking the limits of the White Ape Fist to becoming a martial arts saint.

Chapter 61: Refugees Destroy the Village!

As soon as I got back to the martial arts school, before I could even catch my breath, Yang Ai came chattering up at me.

"Brother Su!"

The girl's bright smile was particularly dazzling in the winter. Ever since Su Yu agreed to take up the post, she had tacitly accepted this status as her family's guardian, and her words became increasingly intimate.

"Why are you practicing martial arts all the time? When are you going to come visit me? My dad has been nagging me about it for ages."

Seeing her charmingly reproachful expression, Su Yu's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he thought to himself that he really should go: "Okay, I'll go in a few days."

"That's great!" Yang Aixi couldn't help but grab Su Yu's hand instinctively. When she touched his warm hand, she realized she had been presumptuous. Two red clouds instantly rose to her cheeks, and she shrank back like a startled rabbit.

Not far away, Ye Lu watched this scene, rolled her eyes sourly, and muttered "vixen" under her breath.

The tender moment was short-lived, as hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance of the martial arts school.

The little girl came running up, panting, her face red from the cold, her eyes filled with anxiety: "Brother Su, you need to go home quickly! Grandpa Su can't hold on much longer!"

……

The atmosphere at the entrance of Qingxi Village was somber.

The once-open village road was now blocked by several rows of sharp barricades, with a few dilapidated door panels serving as makeshift roadblocks. Several villagers, armed with harpoons, were patrolling, their expressions tense.

Upon seeing Su Yu, the tense expressions on everyone's faces instantly relaxed, replaced by respectful and obsequious smiles: "Lord Su is back! Quickly, move the roadblocks!"

Su Yu nodded slightly, but his mind was filled with doubts. What had happened in Qingxi Village in just one month? They'd even blocked off the roads and set up defenses!

However, without having time to ask further questions, Su Yu hurried to the Su family's old residence.

……

The courtyard of the Su family's old house was now filled with villagers helping out.

"With Old Master Su gone, the older generation of the Su family is practically gone."

"Sigh, to survive such a disaster for another month, that takes real guts. Anyone else would have died long ago."

Someone lowered their voice, their tone complex: "But the Su family has truly risen from the ashes. To have produced a martial artist like Lord Su Yu is a stroke of incredible luck! The old man can rest in peace now."

"Close your eyes? Hmph!" someone sneered from the side. "He's so regretful he can't close his eyes! Everyone knows he's old and blind, he's bet everything on his grandson Su Can, and he's been squeezing Lord Su Yu dry. Now look what's happened, Lord Su Yu has become a martial artist!"

"That's true. If you ask me, with Old Man Su being so muddle-headed and always showing favoritism, no one would say anything if Lord Su severed ties with the Su family!"

"And his daughter-in-law, Chen, is the most biased towards her son."

"Alright, that's enough. Death is a serious matter." Village chief Wang Yuezhi glared at several villagers.

Just then, footsteps sounded, and Su Yu stepped into the courtyard.

The once noisy courtyard fell silent instantly, and everyone made way for them, bowing respectfully.

Su Yu nodded slightly and walked straight into the inner room.

Inside the room, there was a strong smell of medicine and decay.

Su Manjiang lay on the bed, his chest heaving violently, a rumbling sound coming from his throat like a broken bellows. His face was so thin it was unrecognizable, and the age spots looked particularly grotesque in the dim light.

Uncle Su Dawen and the others stood silently to the side, waiting.

On the bed, Su Manjiang tilted his head with difficulty, his cloudy, gray eyes staring intently at the door.

Upon seeing that tall, slender figure, a final glimmer of light suddenly appeared in his eyes. His thin, bony hand, covered in white spots, trembled as he reached out into the air, trying to grasp something.

"Cough... Xiaoyu..."

Upon seeing the silent Su Yu, Su Manjiang coughed violently again, "Cough cough... Xiao Yu, Grandpa is sorry..."

He gasped for breath, his voice growing increasingly hoarse, filled with endless regret and pleading: "From now on... help... your brothers..."

His hand fell limply to the side.

As his last breath faded, the old man's eyes remained wide open, as if trying to see the future of the Su family, yet seemingly seeing nothing at all.

……

In the courtyard, snow was falling heavily.

That winter seemed exceptionally long and cold.

Su Yu silently gazed at the sky, letting the snowflakes fall on him, his mind replaying many scenes.

After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and looked at his silent third brother, Su Can, beside him.

At this moment, the immaturity on his face had disappeared, and his gaze was much calmer and more resolute. A gust of cold wind blew by, and his empty sleeve swayed weakly in the wind.

"Second Brother..."

Su Can finally spoke, his voice hoarse and dry, "I'm sorry about the past..."

Seeing the regret and determination in his eyes, Su Yu didn't respond directly. Instead, she took a step forward and gently pinched the empty sleeve. "Does it still hurt?"

Su Can trembled, her eyes instantly reddening, but she gritted her teeth to keep the tears from falling: "It doesn't hurt anymore, Second Brother. I can kill a fish with one hand now."

"Okay." Su Yu patted his shoulder. "Live well. The past is the past."

……

After the funeral, the Su family's old house was empty.

Su Yu took it upon himself to let Su Hong's family and Ya'er move in. After all, Su Hong had a crippled leg, Su Can had a missing arm, and his third uncle, Su Dawen, was also recovering from an injury, making their lives quite inconvenient.

My aunt was overwhelmed with taking care of everything, but my daughter was quick and efficient, helping to clean the yard and cook.

As night fell, the moonlight was cold and hung high in the sky.

A table of food and wine was laid out on the old locust wood table.

Ya'er and her aunt were busy all afternoon. The pork stew with cabbage was steaming hot, the steamed fish cakes smelled delicious, and there was also a braised black river carp.

"Girl, sit down and eat with us," Su Yu said.

Ya'er wiped her hands somewhat awkwardly, but under Su Yu's unquestionable gaze, she obediently sat down in a corner.

"Third Uncle, Eldest Brother, Third Brother, let's have a drink."

"Ding!"

The wine glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

The spicy liquor went down their throats, and a burning sensation rushed down their stomachs. They all coughed in unison, then burst into laughter.

Even the usually taciturn Third Uncle burst into hearty laughter.

Laughter echoed in the empty courtyard.

……

Late at night, a rapid and piercing sound of a gong suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

"Help! A group of refugees have broken in! They're killing people!!"

Upon hearing the noise, Su Yu rushed into the courtyard. Seeing his elder brother and the others hurrying out, he immediately asked, "Refugees? Brother, do you know what happened?"

Su Hong's expression changed drastically, and he said urgently, "Second brother! You don't know this, but things have been chaotic outside Blackstone City lately! I heard that Huai'an County in the north has been breached by the Black Lotus Sect, and hundreds of thousands of refugees and defeated soldiers have turned into bandits, most of whom are heading towards Blackstone City!"

Huai'an County has fallen?

Su Yu's heart trembled violently.

Huai'an County is only a hundred miles away from here, and it is the north gate of Heishi City!

Previously, the Black Stone Army was stationed at the northern pass. Now that so many refugees and bandits have come, will the Black Stone Army also be in trouble?

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The gate of the Su family compound was smashed with a deafening roar.

"Lord Su! Is Lord Su here? The village chief begs you to come quickly! Those refugees have gone mad and are about to storm the village!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Su Yu grabbed the longsword Mo Yuan and quickly walked towards the door.

"Third brother, take good care of eldest brother and the others! I'll be right back!"