Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

"Thank goodness, that hero appeared!" Zuo Jinyue put down her teacup, her eyes shining. "He kicked the Japanese soldier who was about to bully me, then threw a dart at the back of the Japanese soldier who was tearing my mother's clothes. Then he drew a large sword and swung it at the other Japanese soldiers, chopping them down like radishes and cabbages. Blood splattered everywhere, the scene was very bloody, but I was stunned. He was our savior! His sword gleamed, as if it had the power to ward off evil spirits and drive away the evil spirits in our hearts. At that moment, I felt like I was bathed in warm sunshine, my whole body filled with strength..."

As Zuo Jinyue spoke, her hands moved unconsciously, probably imitating her hero.

"Later, he asked us about our route and decided to travel with us, escorting us for a long time."

He gave my mother a dagger and my father a bayonet he had found, and taught him a few simple self-defense techniques. He said that in these chaotic times, a man should have the ability to protect his wife and daughters. When they encountered Japanese soldiers, he told my mother and me to hide, and then he took my father to fight the enemy, teaching him on the spot. The Japanese soldiers all became my father's practice targets.

"Whenever my father recalls that experience, he both loves and fears him," Zuo Jinyue said with a smile.

"But after we met up with Grandpa, he was about to leave. Before he left, he handed Dad a jar, saying that it contained his elder brother and his fellow villagers and comrades-in-arms."

Due to time constraints and limited resources, the ashes of the four individuals were cremated and then placed together. He had been carrying them on his back for a long time and hadn't had time to take them back for burial.

Wanting his brothers to be laid to rest as soon as possible, he asked his father to help with the burials first, and then he would come to Xiangdong to bring them home after he had driven out the Japanese invaders.

Zuo Jinyue choked up, "But even after the Japanese were driven away and the new China was founded, he didn't come looking for us. Our family has been asking around for news of him, and we only know that his hometown is roughly in this area."

He was probably on a covert mission that time, so he didn't use his real name and had my father call him Ah Huo.

Without a real name or specific address, finding this person is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

"Many people say he's dead, but I don't believe it. He was so powerful! So brave! He was a messenger of God. I don't believe it. I don't believe he would sacrifice himself."

So, after I finished my studies, I found someone to help me get here when my family wasn't looking. I had spent a year at each of three other schools before transferring to your school the year before last.

Zuo Jinyue shook her head helplessly and said with a wry smile, "I have secretly investigated many places. Whenever I heard that someone knew martial arts, I asked around. Since they didn't have real names, I went to look at their faces. Hehehe, I've developed a thick skin. Fortunately, because of my status as a teacher, the parents were also willing to help me inquire, but unfortunately, I found nothing."

"Teacher Zuo, thank you for your hard work. I heard that Master Nan fought in battles, but there's no fire in his name. I haven't heard of him either." Qian Shuzhen wiped away her tears.

“Auntie, please call me Jinyue, it will sound more familiar,” Zuo Jinyue said.

“Alright, Jin Yue, you can stay here tonight. Settle in tomorrow and move in. A wise man avoids dangerous situations, and we women should protect ourselves even more.” Qian Shuzhen made the decision. With Ting Nan present, she could only offer a word of advice.

Zuo Jinyue immediately understood and agreed.

“Teacher Zuo, you can stay in the same room with Tingnan and relax. This weekend, I will invite Master Tingnan over so you can meet him. If all else fails, I can ask him to help inquire. Martial arts practitioners should have their own circles, so let's look together.” Song Wanli was also a warm-hearted person.

"Okay, thank you, Brother Song!" Zuo Jinyue didn't stand on ceremony and changed her form of address directly, as it was better to avoid unknown dangers.