Ming Muwan didn't noticed her father movement, only he did. This is perhaps because he have a pathological habit of observing people, the habit from earth which was ingrained into his soul.
"Father," Ming Muwan called softly as they approached.
Ming Feng looked up, his eyes immediately shifting from his daughter to Shi Jing with sharp curiosity. "Muwan? I wasn't expecting you to bring... guests."
There was a subtle tension in his voice, not quite suspicion but certainly wariness. His gaze swept over him, taking in everything from his posture to his clothing, as though he was assessing his status.
"Father, this is Sir Shi Jing. I encountered him in the Forgotten Dark Forest and... there were circumstances that compelled me to invite him here."
Ming Muwan introduced him while including his surname, this was clearly an intentional hint toward her father.
Seeing this, Shi Jing shook his head slightly and pretend as though he did not grasp this detail.
He bowed respectfully. "This junior greets Senior Ming. I apologize for the unexpected intrusion."
Ming Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, studying his bow, his mannerisms. "Shi…"
"I have never heard of this family name in Cangwu City, where do you come from?"
As he said this, Shi Jing sense were heightened. For some reason, the air washed over him, as though it became alive.
"An ordinary family, not worth mentioning at all," He said, then turned his attention to Ming Muwang.
"I was merely traveling through the area when I had the fortune to encounter Miss Ming," He replied carefully.
"Traveling." Ming Feng reached for a tea cup with his right hand, and he noticed the slight tremor, quickly suppressed. His left arm remained motionless at his side. "In these times, travel can be... dangerous. Especially for those who travel alone."
His words seemed to be carrying another meaning. Just from their brief meeting, he could more or less grasp the corresponding clues.
Shi Jing shook his head, it seems like his first visit to Cangwu City is untimely, because he is already dragged into muddled water.
"I'm just a vagrant, I happened to witness Miss Ming One Autumn Stroke and became interested in this sword art."
Ming Muwan eyes lit up and shifted beside him. "Father, Sir Jing demonstrated remarkable martial insight. He was able to display our family's Autumn Stroke after witnessing it only once."
The tea cup froze halfway to Ming Feng's lips. His eyes snapped to him with a flash, and for a moment, the careful mask of politeness slipped, revealing something much sharper beneath before being concealed.
"Is that so?" His voice carried a contemplative hesitation. "The Autumn Stroke is not a sword art that can be learned through mere observation..."
The implication float in the air. Either Shi Jing was lying or he possessed capabilities that demanded explanation.
"It was likely beginner's luck," He said modestly.
Ming Feng set down his cup with deliberate care, his gaze never leaving his face. "Perhaps."
He paused, seeming to think of his next words. "Tell me, what do you know of our current... situation?"
"Very little, Senior. Only that your estate seems well-guarded for a peaceful evening."
Shi Jing noticed it while passing through.
There was another layer of tension lying underneath that was barely discernible if not for his recent life and death experience.
A bitter smile crossed his features. "Peaceful. Yes, we must maintain that appearance, mustn't we?" He gestured vaguely with his good arm.
His tone suggested there was much more beneath the surface, but he clearly wasn't ready to share such details with a stranger.
"Forgive an old man's caution," Ming Feng continued, "But these days, one cannot be too careful about who they invite into their home."
As if to emphasize his point, his left shoulder shifted slightly, and a brief flash of pain crossed his features before being quickly hidden.
"Father," Ming Muwan interjected gently," Sir Jing has helped us on our way back to Cangwu City…"
Hearing this, Ming Feng grew silent, then turned to look at him. There was an oppressive pressure pressing against his shoulder.
In this instant, Shi Jing brows furrowed.
This man in front of him is at least a Qi-Refiner expert, a true cultivator!
So what? Even if It was another expert a realm higher than Qi-Refiner, he would still dare meet their gaze!
Seeing this, Ming Feng eyes lit up with some appreciation, then smiled," I can't teach an outsider our family sword art, but I can give you a recommendation to the Sword Cloud Manor, what do you think?"
"There must be a condition," He retorted immediately, nothing was free in this world, and although he had helped Ming Muwan, he did not believe that was worthy of this reward.
From the sound of it, the recommendation to enter Sword Cloud Manor was not easily obtained.
This reward clearly outweighs the risk he took.
"You're smart, I like talking to like-minded people." Even as he said this, his appreciation for Shi Jing continues to grow.
For someone who is around his daughter age to possess such wisdom and wit, this was a person worth nurturing.
Shi Jing frowned, this made Ming Feng chuckled as he disregard his expression.
"I see you are still young, the right age to enter the Sword Cloud Manor. Enter the Sword Cloud Manor under my recommendation, represent my family, then I will support you regardless of your background! What do you think?"
Enter the Sword Cloud Manor as the Ming's family representative? What benefit is there for Ming Feng to do this? He knew too little about the world and the political affairs of this region.
Even then, he can assume that Ming Feng action must aimed to benefit himself.
Upon thinking of this, he let out a slight smile.
So what if you use me? If you use me, I can also use you!
If he enter the Sword Cloud Manor, he could learn and establish a foundation for himself in the world of cultivation, this is what he lack the most!
Although he don't know what the Sword Cloud Manor is and its status, for them to produce Ming Feng and have his respect, it must be a formidable force within this region, one that has a deep foundation.
"Deal!" Shi Jing said, then turned to look at Ming Muwan. Her eyes were drooped and face was a slightly dark when he agreed. From the look of it, she was worried about acceptance.
Instantly, a guess formed in his heart.
"Accepting this deal will probably bring me a considerable amount of trouble… For example, the opposing force which cause Ming Feng's injuries!"
"So what? If I take all that I can in the Sword Cloud Manor and end up being killed in the process, it doesn't matter, I will just regress. By then, in my next cycle, I can just avoid the political affair in Cangwu city!"
His assurance has never left his own hand, this is his own belief in life.
If he want something, he will take it, if he don't want it, then even heaven cannot force it into his hand!
"Good. Good!" Ming Feng repeated twice, his respect and appreciation for him seemed to grow by another degree.
Then, he nodded and waved his long sleeve.
"Wan'er, have him stay in the honored guest courtyard. I will write a letter of recommendation to the Sword Cloud Manor. They should arrive in three days at most!"
"Yes, Father." She bowed, then turn her attention to him, wearing a slightly dazed smile.
As Ming Muwan led him away from the pavilion, he could feel Ming Feng's gaze lingering on his back. The weight of his scrutiny was heavy, but not unwelcome.
The honored guest courtyard was located in the eastern wing of the estate, separated from the main family quarters by a small bridge over a koi pond. The accommodation was modest but elegant - a single room with traditional furnishings, a small study area, and a private garden view.
"Sir Jing," Ming Muwan began hesitantly as she showed him around. "About what father proposed..."
"You're concerned," He stated, watching her expression carefully.
She bit her lower lip, a gesture that made her seem younger than her earlier composed demeanor suggested. "The Sword Cloud Manor... it's not as simple as father made it sound."
"And your family's enemies will likely target whoever represents you there," He added, filling in what she couldn't say directly.
Her eyes widened slightly. "You understand, yet you still agreed?"
He moved to the window, gazing out at the darkening courtyard. The shadow he had noticed earlier was gone, but the feeling of being watched remained.
"Miss Muwan, let me ask you something. What do you think will happen to your family if no one represents them at the Manor?"
The silence grew between them, like an invisible barrier. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Our family status and my father... he hasn't been the same ever since the disappearance of my older brother. Without proper representation at the Manor, we'll lose our main support entirely."
"My older brother was this pillar supporting our Ming estate, but now that his whereabouts is missing, my father had to make use of his connection to give us a safety net..."
Inwardly, he realized, she didn't seem to notice her father's injuries. This… It was best he did not bring it up unless Ming Feng himself mention it.