Why do I have so many masters?

```

Only when his clothes had absorbed a touch of moisture did Wang Anfeng come back to his senses. Beside him, the Green-Maned Horse waited quietly, with its mane disheveled like untamed hair and its eyes shimmering with a dragon-serpent's golden vertical pupils, revealing its extraordinary nature. Wang Anfeng patted the horse's back and sighed,

"Now, you will have to follow me..."

"And rest assured, I will not treat you poorly."

The horse gently shifted its body, and as Wang Anfeng groomed its mane, his palm slid to the side of the saddle, encountering a hard object. With a slight start, he reached back and drew out a dagger. It had a sturdy leather sheath, with a blade as cold as frost, thin yet resilient.

The hilt was carved with intricate patterns, not only decorative but also offering a secure grip, evidencing the dagger-maker's meticulous care. In small, fine yet clear script, there was an inscription, which Wang Anfeng read under the moonlight,

"To celebrate Qinshuang of the Xue Family's seventh birthday, wishing peace and joy."

"The Xue Family... Qinshuang..."

"Xue Qinshuang..."

Murmuring this name, which was no more than two simple characters, Wang Anfeng felt an inexplicable joy well up in his heart. He repeated it several times, then decided to safely stow the dagger away, resolving to return it to Xue Qinshuang when they would meet again in Jianghu.

Imagining their future reunion, he couldn't help but smile, but then looked around as if afraid of being seen, though there was nobody in sight. Thus, the smile on the young man's face grew wider. He patted the Green-Maned Horse beside him and said,

"Oh horse, I've never ridden before, but given the sky today, I certainly won't reach them in time on foot. Huangfu and Xiahou Brothers are still at the villa, and the aunt's Silver Needle is still in the package. I need you to carry me."

Naturally, the Green-Maned Horse gave no reply, merely snorted, and Wang Anfeng placed his right hand on the horse's back, vaulted up, and settled on it. The steed, which seemed as spirited as fire, showed no sign of resistance; the additional weight of a young man seemed no different than air to it, and it remained at ease. Wang Anfeng gently shook the reins and called out "Hyah!"

A golden flame seemed to sparkle in the pupils of the horse beneath him. It started off at a moderate pace, but as it sensed its rider could withstand the speed, the horse neighed softly and thunder patterns flickered around its hooves, its speed suddenly surged, becoming a blur of blue lightning to the untrained eye.

At this time, the moon had only just risen, and before it could climb high into the sky, the horse had already covered hundreds of miles, sweeping across the countryside like the wind and arriving steadily at Liuxu Villa. The horse tapped the ground with its front hooves, appearing quite satisfied as it snorted.

"So fast, ugh..."

Wang Anfeng slid off the horse, his face pale. Despite his robust training in Hard Kung Fu, he felt his legs go weak upon landing, and his stomach churned. If not for his Inner Strength still circulating, he might have ended up vomiting right in front of the villa's sparkling nameplate.

"Young hero, are you alright?"

The two guards in charge of security were initially stunned and then hurried forward; one reached out to support Wang Anfeng, while the other tried to take the reins of the Green-Maned Horse but was met with a fierce glare, freezing on the spot with a cold sweat on his brow.

"No, there's no need, cough, cough, cough, thank you..."

Wang Anfeng politely declined the guard's help, supporting himself by placing a hand on the horse, and said with a sense of relief,

"Horse... you truly are formidable..."

The Green-Maned Horse neighed, and an unmistakable flicker of pride shone in its intelligent eyes. The guards, used to all kinds of sights, were amazed, and the one who attempted to lead the horse finally recovered his senses, stepped back in admiration, and exclaimed,

"Such a spirited horse!"

"A fine steed worth its weight in gold!"

The guard around thirty years of age, who had seen Wang Anfeng enter the villa earlier that morning, smiled and said, "Young hero, the moon is just at its peak, and the Manor Master has arranged a feast at the training ground. If you hurry now, you won't be late. Many young heroes, including the young master who accompanied you today, are all there."

Wang Anfeng was slightly startled, then bowed in gratitude,

"Thank you, elder brother, for the reminder."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He then patted the Green-Maned Horse, saying, "Let's go, horse..."

The Green-Maned Horse shook its mane, seemingly irritable just moments ago but now obediently followed Wang Anfeng into the villa. Watching him leave, the guard couldn't help but admire, "Such a fiery steed, such a presence! I heard he won nine consecutive bouts today, invincible in his might. Heh, this is what you call dashing in fine clothes and a fiery steed!"

"You lad, if those from the Noble Clans overheard your words, wouldn't they whip you with their riding crops?"

```

His companion by his side gave him a glare, yet the latter showed no sign of regret. The two of them whispered a few more words to each other when suddenly, they heard faint footsteps not far away. Almost instinctively, his left hand landed on the hidden weapon at his waist, his eyes sharply fixed on that spot, as the vegetation rustled and parted, revealing a figure.

The two guards' tense nerves relaxed as they removed their hands from their weapons. The older guard on the left bowed with a fist in hand, respectfully saying,

"Your Grace…"

Hiss! Whoosh!

The piercing sound of something cutting through the air abruptly erupted, interrupting the guard's speech. Two streaks of cold light almost instantly pierced through the throats of the guards, one on the left and one on the right. Warm fresh blood sprayed onto the pillars of the plaque at the entrance of Liuxu Villa, making the crimson even more glaring under the moonlight.

............

"Haha, Anfeng, you've finally arrived."

As Huangfu Xiong saw Wang Anfeng approaching, he burst into hearty laughter, gesturing for him to come over. Anfeng carefully placed his Green-Maned Horse in front of the pavilion where Xue Qinshuang had been before. Noticing Xiahou and Huangfu, he felt a sigh of relief in his heart. There was an empty seat next to them, obviously reserved for him, and he hurried over to it.

"You son of a gun, you've been gone the entire day. Both of us almost thought you weren't going to show up."

Huangfu laughed and then asked,

"So, did you find Thirteen?"

Wang Anfeng paused slightly, unsure of how to begin, and even more uncertain whether the two before him knew of Xue Qinshuang's true identity. He hesitated for a moment. Just then, Huangfu Xiong looked at him with a face full of curiosity, but it was at this moment that Xiahou Xuan, sitting upright on the side, lifted his Folding Fan and tapped Huangfu Xiong on the forehead, chiding him softly,

"Contain your curiosity. Isn't the wine enough to keep your mouth shut?"

He then turned his disdainful gaze back to Wang Anfeng and said,

"What a stench you bring with you. The banquet is about to start, take your seat first. After the banquet, be sure to wash yourself thoroughly."

Wang Anfeng's heart relaxed a bit, and feeling slightly embarrassed, he smiled, sitting down in the vacant seat beside Xiahou Xuan. The table was set with bowls and chopsticks, and a cup of tea was emitting a faint aroma.

Unlike the others, Anfeng was surprised for a moment and then saw that on Xiahou Xuan's table, a white jade teapot rested on an exquisite fire brazier, also giving off a faint tea scent. Xiahou, noticing his gaze, said coldly with a smile,

"Keep looking, and it won't be there, there's only one cup."

Wang Anfeng chuckled, cupping his fist in salute,

"Then I am much obliged to Brother Xiahou."

He sat down, picked up the teacup, and drank it in one go, feeling a warm sensation flowing down his throat, spreading into his body like a mist, soothing his sore muscles as if he'd had a hot bath on a cold winter's day. Even his depleted Inner Strength began to regenerate, seemingly purer than before, and his expression showed a trace of surprise.

It was at this moment, on the right side of Xiahou Xuan, that Huangfu raised his hand, and a Longsword with a Roaming Dragon and Gaze Moon design on the hilt landed on his desk. Meeting Wang Anfeng's stunned gaze, he smiled and said,

"Today's events were largely triggered by my words. I can't give you the spoils of the nine battles you won, so take this Roaming Dragon and Gaze Moon Sword instead. A gentleman carries a sword, and even if you don't use it, it's good for show. At worst, it's more handy when chopping wood."

With total frankness, Huangfu Xiong's words were clear to everyone in the practice ground, darkening Wang Bai's already ashen face. Wang Anfeng, looking at the boisterous Huangfu Xiong, did not demur and placed the sword on the desk, saying with a laugh,

"Then I shall accept it with thanks... However, to tell the truth, even for chopping wood, this sword isn't very handy."

Huangfu Xiong was slightly taken aback by his response, but then burst into laughter, "Indeed, indeed, hahaha, it's only good for appearances."

Xiahou, rolling his eyes, sneered,

"Vulgar."

Clang, clang, clang—

Just then, the ringing of the bell sounded loudly, and a long, drawn-out voice announced,

"Manor Master Liuxu has arrived..."