I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1332: The Second Best

Dawn gave way to dusk in what seemed like an instant.

Thin trails of smoke from cooking fires curled up over Qinghe Town just like always. After a full day of toil, families in the town settled in to relax and whip up their dinners. The inns and tea shops lining the roads buzzed with their busiest hour, filling the quiet settlement with a cheerful vibe, wrapped in everyday peace.

For everyday people, laboring from dawn till dark stood as the unchanging rule passed down through ages, the very rhythm of living and thriving. To have full bellies and cozy clothes, to swap lazy talk over tea and bites, and to hear tales of mighty cultivators that left them wide-eyed and amazed at such fearsome might—this marked their moments of ease and joy.

By the school building.

Kids of all ages said their goodbyes, dashing off toward home in high spirits for the evening meal. Some naughty ones played tag with gleeful shouts, their voices ringing with pure youthful fun.

As the youngsters' shapes faded into the dying light, Yi Feng let out a gentle breath of contentment and ease.

Yet another fulfilling day of instruction wrapped up.

This routine of guiding minds might feel a tad repetitive, but it offered steady comfort and peace. It eased the body and soul alike. Seeing the pupils dive into their lessons and grow bit by bit sparked real pride. It mirrored the town's simple flow—progressing calmly, quietly, with rewards appearing all around.

Plus, today meant joining the trek up the hills for some hunting. Fresh thrills spiced things up, so how could it really drag?

Yi Feng strolled leisurely to the base of Qingmang Mountain, a subtle grin of eagerness playing on his lips.

Soon enough.

He reached the mountain's edge, spotting a bunch of folks who had parked themselves on big boulders by the path, having waited for a good while.

They wore finely made outfits, shielded by tough hide armor.

A quick glance showed they were seasoned trackers.

Spotting Yi Feng coming near, the crew rose to their feet, welcoming him with warm grins in their gazes.

"Mr. Yi's arrived."

"Hello, Sir."

Wei Xiaowei, the one he knew best, sported a neat, snug getup too. Her fine features looked even more innocent set against the armor, lending her a dash of bold warrior charm.

Unlike the rest, the delight shining in her eyes stood out more sharply. She rushed ahead with a beaming face to say hi and eagerly handle the intros.

"Sir, you actually showed! That's fantastic."

"Captain Xu got word you were heading up, so he came personally to guide us. This outing's sure to stay risk-free. The Captain's a top-tier Great Martial Master and the runner-up powerhouse in Qinghe Town. The elder chief himself says Captain Xu's got a bright path ahead. Even pushing into Qingmang Mountain's heart, we'd stand a strong shot at pulling through!"

As Wei Xiaowei shifted to point him out, the head man advanced. His features carried a grave air, bolstered by his thick beard that ramped up his commanding presence; he cut the figure of a true fighter.

Though the others regarded him with reverence and fear, this fellow cupped his hands toward Yi Feng with a friendly smile, his look holding gentle and modest vibes.

"Hello, Mr. Yi."

"I'm Xu Fengyue. I've overstepped by leading the town's Demon Hunting Squad as Captain. My skills are just passable, enough to keep things secure for this jaunt, but I can't take all this lavish acclaim from the group. I'm merely a run-of-the-mill cultivator."

"If Mr. Yi doesn't object, given my extra years, feel free to address me as Brother Xu."

His tone stayed humble, his face earnest.

In this place, he did boast some innate gifts, but success hadn't puffed him up. A trace of grounded meekness from humble origins lingered in his stare. Reaching Great Martial Master level while staying true to his start, without any bullying ways, marked him as a dependable, upright sort.

Meeting such kind overtures, Yi Feng offered a courteous grin in reply.

"Then I'll rely on you, Brother Xu."

His easygoing reply won over the bunch right away.

This instructor wasn't the stiff, bookish type from old stories. Though he couldn't fight off a flea, he carried the reliable traits of a fellow—direct and broad-minded.

The team exchanged glances and chuckled, warming the mood further.

With Xu Fengyue's broad gesture, the hunters moved out at a steady clip. Backed by this mighty leader paving the path, the followers stuck tight, their spirits lifted high and worries melting away. Yi Feng stayed shielded in the middle, guaranteeing zero slip-ups.

The team advanced without rushing or dawdling, every expression lit with cheer.

Unlike the grim strain of earlier expeditions, this venture played out like a casual ramble. They bantered and joked on the trail, soaking in the easy, upbeat air.

In under an hour.

The group hit Qingmang Mountain's midpoint, still catching the last rays of sunset glow.

Just one ridge away, light and dark started to split.

Glancing back at Qinghe Town's full view, faint smokes and dotted lamps came into sight. Nestled ideally amid peaks and streams, it resembled a peaceful scroll of a hidden haven.

This vista lacked the awe of grand peaks and vast waters, but it radiated its own laid-back, snug liberty. After chasing countless wonders, turning back felt like stirring from a reverie to embrace a grounded routine.

Even a basic bowl of gruel and grains, unadorned as it was, stirred a deep-rooted comfort and glow.

Right then.

Yi Feng sensed he was fully living, drawing ever closer to this unadorned existence around him.

Moved by the view, he spontaneously voiced a verse.

"I built my hut within the realm of men, yet hear no noise of carriage or of horse.

You ask me how this could ever be?

When the heart is far, the place is distant too.

Plucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, I gaze afar, at leisure, toward the Southern Mountain.

The mountain air is lovely as the sun sets, and birds in flocks return to their nests.

Within this scene, a true meaning lies;

I wish to speak, but words fail me now."

The lines flowed from him laced with reflections on existence.

Matched to this stunning backdrop, it struck deep.

Though their learning ran shallow, the sight of the teacher effortlessly crafting such a piece left them in awe of his gifts. They might not grasp it all, but it rang as deep wisdom, heightening their hopes for their kids' paths ahead.

They burst into praises right there, gazes brimming with esteem.

Captain Xu Fengyue, with his modest grasp of verse, mulled it over briefly and fell under its spell too. The admiration in his eyes grew plain.

"Within this scene, a true meaning lies; I wish to speak, but words fail me now..."

"Excellent. These words are truly excellent. The idea of quiet outshining noise here echoes the lofty states us cultivators chase—felt but not voiced. Placed against this landscape now, it seals the picture just right. Mr. Yi, your skill shines; Xu holds you in high regard!"

Facing the man's heartfelt salute, Yi Feng smiled and bowed back modestly.

"Brother Xu flatters me too much. Just offhand thoughts; I've embarrassed myself."

A light reply, steady as ever.

This poised air drew nods from Xu Fengyue, his grin widening. This educator, a plain mortal, proved remarkably special.

"Mr. Yi embodies the true scholar."

Yi Feng held firm, neither swelling nor shrinking under Captain Xu's ongoing acclaim. Amid these rugged types, such a refined, striking youth stood out vividly.

Wei Xiaowei observed him, her pretty eyes dancing with an odd sparkle. Her grin sweetened, those charming dimples popping clear, as though his nod pleased her more than her own.

In the crew's merriment, and after seeing firsthand the teacher's poised grace and honest worth as a friend, Xu Fengyue's enthusiasm built.

He piped up once more, his tone bursting with bold vigor.

"Our Qinghe Town seldom sees a gifted mind like Mr. Yi, braving lean times to settle here and teach."

"Today, we'll escort the instructor on a real adventure. Let's venture further in; we have to snag a worthy demon beast to show the teacher the rush of demon slaying, heading home with a bang!"

His commanding declaration sparked fiery zeal in everyone's stares!