Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 48: Memories Carried by the Wind (Part 1)

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Memories Carried by the Wind (Part 1)

Two years later.

At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, Baihe City’s third "Beauty Contest" entered the preparation stage.

Two years ago, Governor Master Zhang led government soldiers to defeat the besieging rebel army, and the entire city was filled with joyful and cheering citizens, who unanimously agreed to celebrate extensively.

Thus, under the joint persuasion of many noble families, Master Zhang agreed to host a "Beauty Contest" as a celebration event.

In Baihe City, regardless of noble or humble birth, as long as one is under twenty years old and unmarried, any young girl can register to participate.

The process of the beauty contest is extremely complex, competing in various aspects such as appearance, figure, temperament, and talent, with the prestigious Governor Master Zhang personally serving as the judge.

According to the rules, those who make it to the top ten in the beauty contest will receive quite generous rewards, and the top three will have the opportunity to enter the Governor’s Mansion to serve Master Zhang, thereby reaching the pinnacle of their lives.

As soon as the news spread, the whole city eagerly participated, and so far, two successful contests have been held, gradually becoming a fixed activity.

Meanwhile, in Baihe City, preparations for the new "Beauty Contest" were in full swing.

Outside the city:

Over a dozen large ships sailed down the river, with flags fluttering, bearing the insignia of the Cao Bang.

On the foremost ship, a middle-aged man stood on the deck, feeling the river breeze, his mood fervent and fiery.

"Five years..."

Zhou Changgui muttered to himself, a trace of excitement in his eyes.

At thirty-six, he finally cultivated the Inner Family True Inheritance to perfection and managed to practice External Martial Arts before his vitality waned.

After five years of rigorous training, he achieved the status of an Absolute Peak Expert and firmly established his position in the Cao Bang, gaining a foothold before hastily plotting his grand revenge plan.

Another five years passed:

His great vengeance was fulfilled, and he was fortunate to gain the favor of the Gang Leader, officially being appointed as the Squad Leader of a sub-squad.

The power of the Cao Bang is mainly concentrated at the Jiangdu Headquarters and six major sub-squads; being one of the six Squad Leaders, he is considered high-ranking, second only to the Gang Leader, and on equal footing with several Guardian Elders.

Among tens of thousands of Cao Bang members, there is no shortage of talent or those with strong backgrounds. Standing out among them means he has endured countless hardships.

By all rights, having reached the peak of his life, he should be self-satisfied and high-spirited.

Yet, for some reason, after the initial excitement subsided, Zhou Changgui was suddenly overwhelmed by an indescribable emptiness.

He approached the edge of the ship, gazing at his blurred reflection in the rushing river, constantly distorted and fragmented, unable to discern his true appearance.

"It’s been over thirty years since I left home."

A complex emotion surged in his heart:

"My father... has been dead for over ten years."

What kept him going over these years was neither ambition nor ideals, but a hatred etched in his bones.

Yet the two people he hated most had died one after another; that intense hatred wore him down for many years before gradually dissipating, leaving only an empty void.

"...Heh."

He was silent for a long time before letting out a self-mocking laugh and turning back to the cabin.

Moments later, a dozen large ships docked at Baihe City’s pier, where a large group of Cao Bang members had already gathered to welcome them.

After some pleasantries, they quickly proceeded to the Cao Bang’s sub-squad, where, under the witness of many members, the former Squad Leader and Zhou Changgui completed the handover.

"Xiaozhou."

The old Squad Leader, with gray at his temples, spoke with a hint of age:

"I am old now and plan to retire to Jiangdu."

"As for the affairs of the Baihe Sub Branch, I trust that you can manage them well, but as for that Governor Master Zhang, you must be especially mindful."

"Rest assured, Uncle Liu."

Zhou Changgui nodded and said:

"I have already investigated the situation in Baihe City and prepared a generous gift, waiting to present it to that Grandmaster."

Frankly, he was quite pleased with the appointment as Baihe Squad Leader.

The Baihe Sub Branch is where Gang Leader Li started, also an important source of money and food. Additionally, it is guarded by a Grandmaster, making it exceptionally safe.

"That’s good."

The old Squad Leader nodded with relief and said:

"Then I can leave without worries. The Baihe Sub Branch is in your hands."

......

Half an hour later.

Master Zhang, who was listening to storytelling in the Governor’s Mansion, received a message from the female housekeeper.

"The new Baihe Squad Leader?"

Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow and smiled:

"His first task after taking office is to bring gifts to me, suggesting he is indeed quite sensible."

"So make arrangements for me to meet him in the afternoon."

"Yes, Master."

The female housekeeper respectfully withdrew.

Zhang Yao finished the storytelling, leisurely turned back to the front hall for lunch, took a short nap afterward, and then sought someone to play chess.

He played several rounds until another maid came to report that the new Baihe Squad Leader had already arrived.

"Make him wait a bit; there’s no rush."

Zhang Yao casually waved him off:

"Continue, let’s finish this game first."

Elsewhere:

Zhou Changgui patiently waited in the side hall for nearly half an hour. Still, the principal had not yet appeared, which gradually made him somewhat restless, wondering:

"Is the Grandmaster deliberately making me wait? Does he not want to see me..."

Given his ability and mindset, he typically would not be so anxious in the face of a regular situation.

But now, he was facing a Grandmaster. If the latter became displeased, he would immediately be out as Squad Leader. Naturally, this made him feel very uneasy.

"Hahaha..."

Fortunately, after a while, he finally heard hearty laughter.

"I apologize for making you wait so long; I was just..."

Zhang Yao’s figure appeared at the hall entrance, smiling, but his expression suddenly halted.

"It’s him?!"

Upon seeing Zhou Changgui for the first time, he immediately recognized him.

"Hmm? This..."

Zhou Changgui was also stunned, thinking the face of this unfamiliar Grandmaster seemed somewhat familiar.

After some contemplation, he remembered where this familiarity stemmed from and was suddenly dumbfounded, standing in disbelief.

"How... is this possible?!"

The Grandmaster overseeing Baihe City turned out to be the doctor from Xinhe Street ten years ago?

That night ten years ago, he narrowly escaped death, leaving a vivid memory so strong that even after a decade, he still remembered the person who saved him.

But how is this possible?

Ten years ago, an ordinary clinic doctor transformed into a revered Martial Arts Grandmaster ruling a city within a decade?!

This revelation was so impactful that it threw his mind into chaos, leaving him petrified on the spot.

"...So that’s how it is."

Zhang Yao, recovering, gave Zhou Changgui a penetrating look, now understanding.

He originally came to Baihe City secretly by boat; his identity could be hidden for a time, but if the Cao Bang wanted to investigate, they undoubtedly could.

At least, for Li Xiaofeng of the Cao Bang, his eight-year tenure as a doctor on Xinhe Street in Jiangdu was no secret.

But Li Xiaofeng tactfully kept his secret and chose not to expose it, ensuring that over the years, Jiangdu’s people never disturbed him.

Until today:

Li Xiaofeng likely learned of his past encounters with Zhou Changgui, which prompted him to specifically appoint his past savior as the new Squad Leader to foster a closer relationship.

After all, he had saved Zhou Changgui’s life back then, and though Zhou Changgui later repaid him, there was still a connection of shared kindness between them.

However, Li Xiaofeng perhaps remained unaware: there were deeper, hidden ties between Zhang Yao and Zhou Changgui.

"Mr. Zhou."

Zhang Yao revealed a faint smile and said, "It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Roughly ten years?"