Legend of the Heavenly Swordsman
Ch.9 - Party

After finishing flying the lantern, now the villagers and visitors who attended began to continue their Festival with a very lively party. Even though the night was getting late but the atmosphere of the village was still very crowded.

There was no drowsiness at all that the villagers felt tonight, they all laughed happily celebrating the end of the Festival. Everyone celebrated in the open field, none of them separated or just inside the house. Such togetherness is very rare and cannot be done every time.

"Hahaha..I hope you didn't take the wrong wife again like last year Tang Shu.." Sin Zhou said laughing loudly while enjoying the wine in his hands. He and Tang Shu were currently gathering with the other villagers, while the children distanced themselves slightly due to the quite pungent smell of wine.

"You're right brother Zhou, he almost left his beautiful wife for the sake of an Aunt Fei…"

"How unfortunate Xue'er has a husband who almost forgot about her.." Chirped some of the residents who were also gathering with them.

"Shu'er, if you want to take me back home this year, it's okay too. As long as you can spare me and my son that is enough.." The joke that Aunt Fei made invited a very boisterous laughter around him.

Aunty Fei was actually no longer young, despite only having one child, but she was now 50 years old. Her own husband had long since died of a robbery, which occurred when her husband was about to go to trade in the city.

"Hahaha.it will never happen again Aunt Fei, because this time I have also invited Chen'er…"

"Wouldn't last year have been the same, Chen'er even laughed at you when you teased Shu'er." Aunt Fei smiled mischievously at Tang Shu, and she was happy to see Fu Chen's father look different when he was drunk.

"That's not gonna happen Auntie. Look, Xin Xue this time was also always beside me so as not to be mistaken anymore." Tang Shu embraced his wife's shoulder and kissed her forehead. Despite being at the same table, Xin Xue did not want to drink or touch wine at all. Not for the sake of keeping himself from getting drunk, but he did not like the drink from the beginning.

"Oh. Come on, brother, don't you spread your affection in public like this. Don't you appreciate those who still don't have a partner…?" Sin Zhou who had been drunk returned joking.

Fu Chen himself was currently gathering with the village children of his age to discuss the training they were going to do. Fu Chen actually did not want to gather with them, but due to the coercion of Sin Lou, he finally gave up and joined Fu Mei.

There the children also discuss the quality of dantian they have. And a few times, those children had also ridiculed Fu Chen whom they considered to have a flawed dantian.

Because feeling saturated was always the subject of ridicule there, Fu Chen decided to separate and walk towards the flow of water that there were many sampans and lanterns around.

Beside him was also always Fu Mei who faithfully accompanied him. While Sin Lou himself is still busy proud of the dantian he has with the children there. Although Fu Chen and Fu Mei looked like carefree and friendly children, they only showed it to the closest people.

When he reached the edge of the stream, Fu Chen immediately laid his body on the grass below and looked at the star-filled sky. Fu Mei also sat beside him while looking at the lantern in the middle of the canoe.

"What are you really thinking?" Although she did not understand what the children had previously discussed, Fu Mei was not happy that her brother was being ridiculed by them.

"It's nothing Mei'er. Big brother was just thinking if big brother could become a great swordsman and protect father and mother, including you.." Fu Chen closed his eyes enjoying the silence around him, although there was still a little boisterous sound from the villagers in the distance, but it was not a problem for him.

Fu Mei slightly tilted her head as she looked at her brother.

"Why does my sister say that? Hasn't my sister been training hard all this time? I also saw big brother so excited as he swung a twig at the banana tree back then." Fu Mei slightly laughed in memory of her brother who was so serious about facing a banana tree that was still in place.

"Sister even cussed at the innocent banana tree a few times."

"Have Mei'er not made your brother look like a fool! I didn't even realize doing that" Fu Chen smiled to himself remembering the incident that made his hand feel numb because the banana tree he hit using a twig turned out to be quite hard.

The two of them still enjoyed chatting and occasionally joking until mid-night.

"Well, brother too. We'd better get to dad and mom, I think they're still there." Fu Chen got up with a little distress, his body a little difficult to move.

Some villagers have also started to return to their homes to rest, because it is a very late time.

"Mother..we go home yes, Meimei can't take it anymore. Hoamm.." Fu Mei rubbed her eyes slowly to reduce drowsiness. Xin Xue then gently rubbed Fu Mei's head.

"Wait a minute, I'll have to clean this up before I go home."

"There's no need for Xue'er, you better get home with your son. Let us take care of this" Aunt Fei said to Xin Xue, and there were still Sin Zhou and a few others.

"Alright then, thank you for the help.." Xin Xue said as she nodded her head.

"No need to bother, bring your husband too. I think he'd be bringing Aunt Fei back to his house this time if it wasn't for you to bring him alone," Sin Zhou sneered at the sight of a drunken Tang Shu already heavy enough. Even though he was drunk, he was still able to maintain consciousness.

Xin Xue smiled gently in response, she then carried Fu Mei and started to leave. Behind him was also Fu Chen who led his father on a walk.

That night they slept well. Smiles were also engraved on every face of the villagers, as if their burdens were slightly lifted that day.

***

"Happy birthday brother…!"

"Woah... Is this all for me?!" Fu Chen really did not expect, when he had just woken up from his sleep would be greeted by the myriad dishes before him.

Yes, this is one month after the Festival that their Village held. During this one month, Fu Chen's life was no better either. He had to follow the lessons given by his mother every day without a holiday though.

Xin Xue deliberately did so because after that one month, her son would be more busy training with Tang Shu. The one taught by Xin Xue was not just reading and writing, but also taught her how to paint and ethics to her two children.

The most surprising thing actually came from Fu Mei, Xin Xue's daughter showed a very significant development in terms of reading and writing. Although still a little stammered, but for children his age it was quite surprising for them.

Fu Chen also went more smoothly in reading, his writing also became neater than before. Sin Lou himself had also started his training with Sin Zhou. He also persuaded Fu Chen several times to train immediately so that he had a reason to leave his father's place.

"Sister, quickly wash your face. I can't wait to eat this roasted chicken!" Fu Chen smiled awkwardly hearing his younger brother who was even more excited looking at the chicken that did look very delicious at the dining table.

"Yes wait a minute...oiya, is your father silent? Why isn't he here?"

"Your father said that he still had some things to prepare. It's likely that he won't come this time." Xin Xue smiled gently after saying so, she was also a little worried that Fu Chen would feel disappointed at Tang Shu's absence on her eighth birthday.

Yet Xin Xue's guess went far. Fu Chen was actually feeling very excited to hear his father prepare something. He thought it was a thing for his training later.

Fu Chen then rushed to the bathroom to wash his face.

Although not attended by the father and other closest people, the three of them still enjoy the small celebrations they make themselves with a happy feeling.