"I… I did not mean it that way!" Gao Han explained awkwardly. "I meant that you shall come with me from now on."
The more he spoke, the more flustered he became, and the maiden's cheeks flushed deeper with each word.
At that moment, a desperate roar cut through the quiet.
"Say no more!" A plainly dressed young man stepped forward from the shadows, tears glistening in his eyes.
Gao Han had spotted him hiding outside the door earlier but had chosen not to reveal him. He guessed this must be the young man Yue'er had spoken of, her beloved.
As Gao Han had suspected, the tearful young man walked to Yue'er's side, pulled her into his arms, and wept bitterly, murmuring again and again, "Yue'er, I am so sorry…"
Gao Han watched silently, learning at last that the maiden's name was Yue'er—a sweet, fitting name.
His thoughts drifted unbidden to Situ Yan, to the haggard yet lovely face she had worn when she feared for his life.
It was impossible to say he felt nothing; a faint, sharp ache lingered in his chest, known only to himself.
When their tears finally subsided, the two rose to their feet.
Yue'er smiled gently. "My apologies, Hero Gao. I cannot leave with you."
"I know you did not mean it that way," Gao Han replied with a soft, knowing smile.
Through the young man's account, Gao Han learned the truth of their plight.
His name was Fan Xiaoniu, his childhood name Tie Dan. He loved Yue'er deeply, and he would have her still, even after what had befallen her—for none of it had been her choice.
Yet his parents would not hear of it. In their eyes, a maiden who had lost her chastity was unfit to be their daughter-in-law.
When they told him of their decision, Fan Xiaoniu had fought it with all his might, but his parents had threatened to take their own lives. Helpless, he had yielded, yet he had stolen away at once to see Yue'er, unable to bear the weight of his longing.
Gao Han smiled faintly. "I have a plan. Would you care to hear it?"
"Hero Gao, you are our village's savior, and you freed Yue'er from that monster's clutches! Speak your will, and I shall obey without question!" Fan Xiaoniu vowed earnestly.
Gao Han laughed softly. "This plan shall serve you both well. You have no cause for fear."
With a flick of his wrist, he produced a crystal sphere for testing spiritual constitutions—a trinket he had bought on a whim at the Yiwu Pavilion for several hundred taels of silver, never imagining it would prove so useful.
He handed the sphere to Fan Xiaoniu and showed him how to use it.
At eighteen, Fan Xiaoniu was two years older than Gao Han, already past the ideal age for cultivation. Yet Gao Han held fast to the belief that diligence could make up for late beginnings—so long as one possessed a worthy constitution.
A first-grade constitution would hardly be worth the effort; progress would be glacial, and reaching the True Essence realm in one lifetime would be a near-impossible feat.
Fan Xiaoniu placed his hand upon the sphere as instructed. One breath passed…
Then a blinding radiance burst forth from the crystal, making Gao Han narrow his eyes and forcing Yue'er to turn her head away.
"Superior-grade cultivation constitution!" Gao Han's heart stirred with quiet astonishment. Few in the Gao clan had ever possessed a superior constitution, yet here was one, born in a humble mountain village.
"Incredible!" he murmured in admiration.
Fan Xiaoniu lowered the sphere and asked eagerly, "Hero Gao, what does it mean?"
Gao Han explained everything to him. Children of the village knew nothing of such matters, for they could never afford a testing crystal.
Countless promising constitutions lay buried and forgotten in such villages, as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Fan Xiaoniu was overcome with joy, and he embraced Yue'er tightly.
Yue'er was tested next. Her constitution was lesser, a third-grade one, yet still respectable.
Discovering two gifted constitutions in a single day left Gao Han elated.
"Will the two of you join the Gao clan? You shall retain your own surnames, but you shall swear loyalty to my family," Gao Han proposed, laying out his true intention.
He had initially meant only to find them a place in the clan, but their promising constitutions made the arrangement all the more ideal.
"Is it true? Hero Gao, you speak truly? You will take us in and teach us martial arts?"
The pair could scarce believe their ears. Though they knew nothing of constitution testing, they understood that village-born commoners, no matter how talented, were rarely taken as disciples by martial artists.
"Indeed. From this day, you shall be outer-sect disciples of the Gao clan. This was taken from the bandit chief—it is a high-tier Mortal Rank art. Begin your cultivation with this," Gao Han said, handing Fan Xiaoniu a manual.
He then took out paper and brush from his interspatial ring and transcribed the Shattering Sword Art, giving it to Yue'er.
"This is a sword art of the Gao clan. It is not of the highest rank, but it suits you best."
Moved to tears, the two knelt before Gao Han. "I, Fan Xiaoniu, swear loyalty to Gao Han alone from this day forth. Should I break this oath, may heaven and earth destroy me. I shall follow my lord for all my days!"
Yue'er spoke a similar vow. Gao Han knew that, raised in a simple village, they spoke from the heart, their words sincere and unfeigned.
"You need not bow so deeply. I have done no more than lend a small hand. This is your own good fortune. I had meant only to find you a place in the clan, but your constitutions have made this all the better," Gao Han said with a gentle smile.
"From today, you shall cultivate with me. When you have grown strong enough, I shall send you to the Gao clan in Baicheng."
"Yes, my lord!" Fan Xiaoniu and Yue'er knelt and replied respectfully.
"Call me Brother Gao, not my lord," Gao Han said, uncomfortable with such formal, servile address.
The two exchanged hesitant glances, finding the title difficult to utter.
At last, Yue'er's eyes lit up. "Why not call you Young Master?"
Fan Xiaoniu brightened at once. "Yes! From today, Yue'er and I shall call you Young Master! Your subordinates greet you, Young Master!"
Gao Han had no way to argue and gave his silent consent.
The three talked deep into the night, until the first light of dawn painted the sky.
Outside the village, the entire populace had gathered to see Gao Han off when they learned he would depart.
Gao Han had told the elders of both families of his decision to take Fan Xiaoniu and Yue'er as his followers. Overjoyed, they raised no further objections to the pair's marriage.
Should the two grow to become martial artists of Gao Han's caliber, it would be an honor beyond measure for their families.
On the Tianwu Continent, martial strength reigned supreme. Commoners were regarded as less than insects; martial artists harmed or slew them on a whim, caring nothing for mortal lives.
For village folk to rise as revered martial artists was a glory worth any sacrifice.
Gao Han warned the entire village never to speak of what had transpired the previous night, lest it bring deadly disaster upon them all.
Every villager nodded in solemn agreement.
After bidding the village farewell, Gao Han led Fan Xiaoniu and Yue'er into Hengyuan Valley, heading toward the frigid graveyard.
The place was bitterly cold, so Gao Han told them to bring thick bedding and heavy clothing to avoid frostbite.
Along the way, he repeatedly instructed them never to speak of the graveyard to anyone, not even their own families.
The place was of vital importance to him. Without it, his cultivation would progress at a snail's pace in the mild spring weather.
As a mutated Ice Physique bearer, Gao Han drew strength from absorbing frost energy, thanks to the ice sphere within his dantian. Without such a place, his cultivation speed would slow more than tenfold.
Had it not been for this graveyard, he might still have been stuck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, far from his current True Essence realm.
At last, the three reached their destination. Gao Han told them not to draw too near and explained the dangers of the surrounding area. They had brought ample rations; Gao Han could go days without food or water, but Fan Xiaoniu and Yue'er were mortal and would perish without sustenance.
He showed them a nearby well and taught them the essentials of their cultivation arts, not resting until they understood fully.
Gao Han stamped his foot and shot upward into the solitary tomb, preparing to enter seclusion once more to perfect his physique and master the Profound Shield Art.
The cold was so intense that no wild beasts dared approach, so he had no fear for their safety.