Why do I have so many masters?

A single sentence struck like thunder from a clear sky.

Mei Wangsheng was almost dumbstruck.

Since the incident ten days ago, he had waited for the storm to subside before he stealthily made his way into this mountain stronghold, planning to persuade him. Regarding the matters of the Divine Martial Mansion, he knew far more than Wang Anfeng.

He knew how spirited they had been back then.

He also knew how many enemies they had made.

The works of the Mo Family's great leader are plain yet renowned across the world, with three famous essays, the first of which discusses the chaos among the Seven Kingdoms. It starts off by masterfully depicting the original state of the Seven Kingdoms before suddenly shifting tone with the emergence of Divine Martial—preserving Wu, throwing Yan into chaos, crushing Chu, and strengthening Qin to dominate the world.

Tiance, serving as the envoy, saw shifting powers within a year, causing changes among all the nations.

It seems like a commendation, but it's actually a criticism.

From this, it's evident how glorious Divine Martial had been, with enemies almost throughout the land of the Seven Kingdoms. Those who could become their enemies back then were the foremost heroes of the world. Although these people are dead, their friends and relatives still live, not in the Imperial Court but distant in Jianghu.

For now, the news of Divine Martial's resurgence has been temporarily suppressed. However, the murder of a Family Head from one of the thirteen Noble Clans of Jiangnan Road, along with the breach of the mountain villa and the trampling of the ten-mile expanse of flowers to escape, was equivalent to heavily rubbing the face of the entire Taoist clans of Jiangnan Road in the dirt.

Rumors spread like an unstoppable undercurrent.

This kind of news will inevitably break out before long.

And the other twelve Noble Families of Jiangnan Road, as well as the four Grandmaster-led Noble Clans, being numerous and well-informed, must be aware of the news. Even without deliberately spreading it, this news would become known worldwide in no more than three months.

By then, the Suicide Squads of the Seven Kingdoms, the Martial Artists of Jianghu from all sides, and even those without grievances will swarm here, eager to kill Wang Anfeng to satisfy their vendetta.

Whether for fame or infamy, Wang Tiance indeed became renowned worldwide. Without any Martial Arts abilities, he managed to suppress an entire generation. Thus, if one could behead Wang Tiance's only son, they too could become famous worldwide.

There is never a shortage of fearless individuals in Jianghu.

A beautified woman with elegant eyebrows and a graceful demeanor became famous overnight, her name roaring across the world, a temptation for the Martial Artists of Jianghu not unlike the allure of a successful scholar experiencing the intoxicating beauty of Chang'an in a single day.

Mei Wangsheng, extremely worried in his heart, came to him, risking being impeached, although the people of Divine Martial Mansion had scattered across the world. Nevertheless, several old generals of no small rank remained within the Imperial Court, who had once dwelled in Jianghu but could now temporarily avoid danger in the court.

In his heart, however, he harbored another hidden thought. Given the relationship between the present Emperor and Wang Tiance, it was impossible to recreate what Wang Anfeng could do, but ensuring his safety was absolutely no difficulty.

Even with his magnanimity, he would inevitably allow Wang Anfeng to take over the governance of the country.

When the time comes, the members of the Divine Martial Mansion gathering again under the Commander's Flag was a wild fantasy he had not forgotten over dozens of years, usually suppressed by reason deep within his heart, yet it surged up from the depths during midnight dreams, bringing a slight bitterness, perfect for accompanying a drink.

Ten days ago, this impossible dream was vividly displayed before him.

Reflecting on it the past few days, he felt his blood boil with excitement.

He almost believed that the Great Marshal had returned in another identity, another form. Yet the one before him was no longer Wang Tiance. Wearing a blue robe, a young man with a straight posture, his right arm covered with an arm armor similar to that of a Divine Martial Mansion general, shook his head and said:

"Mr. Mei, you need not say more."

"Although the Imperial Court could temporarily shield me from the dangers of Jianghu, it is not what I desire. The vast world of Jianghu is still more liberating than being under someone's roof at court and subjected to all kinds of constraints. Besides, having grown up in the mountains and forests, I'm used to the wild. The strict regulations of the court are probably not suitable for me," he continued.

Mei Wangsheng pursed his lips, did not persuade further, but slowly said:

"If that is so, then I shall resign my official post and come here. I only ask that the Young Marshal leave a set of chopsticks for me."

Wang Anfeng said:

"There is no need for such actions, Mr. Mei San. The old master has waited over a decade for you to enter into service only to resign again. Where does that place the old master?"

Mei Wangsheng fell silent for a moment before speaking softly:

"But the Young Marshal needs someone by his side to protect him."

"Though I am not talented, I do have some experience and can handle some miscellaneous matters for the Young Marshal."

Wang Anfeng smiled, gazing at the distant clouds, and said softly:

"Mr. Mei, I hope the Divine Martial Mansion will be a story that makes you smile when recalled, but I do not wish you all to be bound by these three words for life."

"My father surely wouldn't want that either," he added.

Mei Wangsheng said, "But..."

Wang Anfeng then looked at him and said, "More than twenty years ago, I left home, and today, do you still wish to leave with me? Mr. Mei, the old grandfather is already old; if he follows me, who knows when he would be able to return."

The nearly forty-year-old Mei Wangsheng remained silent.

Wang Anfeng, standing beside him, said calmly:

"If Mr. Mei wishes in the future, there will always be a place for you here with me."

Mei Wangsheng bowed.

He had only come to this place undercover and now needed to hurry back.

At this point, the officials throughout Wanling City and even the wider Danyang County were already in severe distress, a level of agony that made their foreheads throb. It should have been a prime opportunity to rectify the martial world's atmosphere following the murder of a Noble Clan's Family Head right on the spot.

However, the murderer was none other than a murky yet prominent hero of the Great Qin Imperial Court, and there seemed to be a lot of hidden details, not allowing for any rushed conclusions.

This was a troublesome issue that neither sided could easily provoke or appease.

Later it was said that a distinguished Doctor from the Wen Family had gone to the Imperial Court to cry out in protest, labeling the individuals from Jianghu as lawless, recklessly stomping over the Great Qin's legal sanctions, claiming their crimes warranted death, to serve as a warning to all.

He had many friends within the court, and for a time, his influence was significant. But to everyone's surprise, three days later, the same Doctor who had vehemently denounced the sinister figures of Jianghu for killing his own brother was beaten by the Pillar of the State so severely that he ended up bedridden. His previously supportive friends and classmates saw him struck down and yet, none dared to intervene.

The very next day, he was even stripped of his Doctor position.

Afterward, rumors emerged that he had personally petitioned the Emperor and voluntarily resigned his office.

But with the Family Head of the Wen Family murdered, how could the pillar of the family willingly abandon his position? Wouldn't such actions be tantamount to destroying one's foundation?

By this time, the situation was chaotic, with one reversal after another, making it impossible to see clearly.

Yuchi Jie waited until Mei Wangsheng had left before casually walking over to Wang Anfeng's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, and slowly said,

"What do you plan to do?"

Wang Anfeng did not hide anything and repeated what he had just said. Yuchi Jie didn't seem surprised, shrugged, and said, "I too think you're not the type who could become an official. The Jianghu suits you better."

Wang Anfeng smiled, "Indeed so."

Yuchi Jie furrowed his brow again, then said,

"But what do you plan to do? These three hundred people are indeed impressive, but they can't support a real Jianghu force. Wanting to re-establish the Divine Martial Mansion in the Jianghu is indeed an excellent idea, but it's not something that can happen just because you wish it."

"Sects that have established themselves in any location are not without generations of people managing them with painstaking efforts over decades, alongside various opportunities and coincidences."

"Not to mention afar, just your recent act of killing; although satisfying, was too rash, showing no strategical retreat, exposing your identity, and not completely eliminating the root."

"From now on, wherever you appear, it probably won't take many days for martial artists left behind by other nations in Jianghu to hunt you down. Where will you find the peace to gradually develop a martial force?"

Wang Anfeng waited for him to finish, then said,

"Then Yuchi, in your opinion, how many people would we need to re-establish the Divine Martial Mansion?"

Yuchi Jie furrowed his brow, thought for a while, then stretched out his right hand and began counting, "Three hundred elite fighters, combined into a battle formation, might be barely sufficient."

"But besides that, you also need a sufficient number of Sect members, a self-supporting intelligence network, independent medical supplies, defended locations, and resources enough to support daily expenses for ten thousand armed men."

"The grand Divine Martial Mansion, even if just bearing this name, cannot engage in strong-arm robbery, right?"

"Furthermore, these Sect members must number at least ten thousand."

"This group of ten thousand cannot be forcibly gathered; under Divine Martial Mansion's command, at a minimum, they must be trained in the traditional sword techniques and Inner Strength of the Divine Martial Mansion, along with notable movement and horse riding skills."

"All these tasks are not accomplishments of a day or two. You say you want to establish a position in Jianghu, this is clearly not an easy path and must be taken slowly."

Yuchi Jie frowned and sighed.

Wang Anfeng shook his head, and said,

"There's no rush for this matter; what's essential now is to properly heal."

"With the current situation, three hundred armored riders are conspicuous wherever they go. We'll wait until the situation cools down a bit and then, taking them by surprise, make a dash from Danyang County and return to Fufeng."

Yuchi Jie rolled his eyes and said in exasperation,

"You know it's tense, huh?"

"Why didn't you think of this when you assassinated the Wen Family Head amidst the sea of flowers? You were happy then, but now it's put me in a bind, suffering alongside you in this den of bandits. This is Jiangnan Road, and yet every day we can't even catch a glimpse of a respectable young lady."

"But... fleeing Danyang County? Where are you planning to go?"

Yuchi Jie looked towards Wang Anfeng, suspicion rising in his meticulous mind. Seeing Wang Anfeng appear as if everything was under control stirred a hint of anticipation in him.

Could it be...

Wang Anfeng winked at him and said with a smile,

"It's a secret."

Yuchi Jie choked on his previous anticipation like a shattered Glazed Cup, and immediately gritting his teeth in frustration, said,

"Wang Anfeng, I swear on your grandfather!"

PS: Here's the first update of today......three thousand characters.