The hushed second floor of the teahouse.

Soft music flowed like a gentle stream, washing over the hearts of those present. The second floor of the teahouse wasn't crowded; perhaps only a dozen or so patrons, scattered in small groups, speaking quietly and minding their own business. Footsteps suddenly echoed from the stairs, causing several patrons to instinctively glance over.

A pure young girl with her hair in a ponytail, wearing jeans and a white polo shirt, walked up side-by-side with a tall, chic woman sporting short hair just above the ears, dressed in purple casual wear.

Many eyes in the entire teahouse lit up!

"Look, two beauties! Especially the one in the purple outfit, tsk tsk. I spent four years in Suzhou for university, and now that I’m back, I never expected our small An Yi county to harbor such a stunning woman. She’s truly mature, and the one beside her, while more youthful, is just as pure and lovely."

"Monkey, no matter how beautiful a woman is, she belongs to someone else. Stop dreaming."

"Hey, bro, don’t crush my spirits. By the way, who is that tall woman with the short hair? I’ve lived for over twenty years, and she is absolutely in the top three women I’ve ever seen. Those features, that aura... it’s absolutely breathtaking."

"Monkey, let me tell you, that beauty is named 'Lin Qing.' She’s a very important figure with a deep background. That two-million-dollar Land Rover we saw the other day belongs to her. In An Yi County alone, she owns a hotel and two teahouses. And this is only a small fraction of her total assets."

"That capable?" The young man nicknamed 'Monkey' couldn't help but gape.

An Yi County was just an ordinary county in Jiangsu province, and a two-million-dollar Land Rover certainly stood out in such a small place.

"Miss Lin, your private room is ready. Please follow me." A waiter from the second floor immediately stepped forward to greet them.

Under the guidance of the waiter, the two beauties entered the private room under the gaze of many onlookers, and then the door closed.

Inside the private room.

They casually ordered a pot of tea and dismissed the waiter.

"Sister Lin, you’ve been coming here every day recently, always requesting this same private room. Haha, your intentions are obvious to everyone," the ponytail girl chuckled, glancing out the window. Directly across the street from the window was a children’s welfare home.

In the open area of the welfare home, some staff members were playing with the orphans.

"You little imp," Lin Qing couldn't help but scold with a smile, but she still occasionally looked through the window toward the welfare home below, her gaze searching for a moment, seemingly disappointed not to find the target she was looking for.

"Strange, I don't see Teng Qingshan out there on the playground. Why isn't he here today? Doesn't he know Sister Lin is waiting for him so anxiously?" the ponytail girl exclaimed deliberately.

"Alright, Amin, stop being so pointed with your words," Lin Qing laughed softly.

The ponytail girl, 'Xiao Min,' nodded, then asked doubtfully, "Sister Lin, I always feel this Teng Qingshan is very mysterious. Back when we were backpacking in the Greater Khingan Range, when you got into trouble, he carried you—a grown woman—for nearly twenty li of mountain path! And that was a mountain path! Teng Qingshan's stamina is terrifying."

"He is mysterious," Lin Qing agreed, nodding.

Lin Qing clearly remembered the scene of how she first met Teng Qingshan.

That time, Lin Qing and a group of like-minded friends had traveled to the Northeast to explore the Greater Khingan Range. As experienced backpackers, Lin Qing’s group certainly wouldn't stick to the safe routes provided for tourists. They had hired local villagers as guides to explore areas not open to the public.

Who knew...

The rarely trodden forests were enchanting. Lin Qing became captivated by a rare bird. In her pursuit to photograph it, she inadvertently separated from the main group. When she came to her senses, she couldn't find her team anywhere.

In the desolate wilderness, her phone had no signal, and she couldn't contact the group.

Under these circumstances, calling out brought no answer, and stamping her feet yielded nothing. Lin Qing had no choice but to grit her teeth and try to walk back alone. But unexpectedly, on the way, she encountered poachers in the Greater Khingan Range. Seeing how Lin Qing was dressed, the poachers could roughly guess her background.

In the desolate mountains, and being as beautiful as she was, these poachers, who hadn't encountered women in a long time, experienced a surge of male hormones. Without hesitation, they immediately moved in. Lin Qing, however, had a fiercely strong character and fought back desperately.

But how could one woman stand against five grown men?

Lin Qing was naturally beaten and injured. As she was about to be violated, on the verge of despair, 'Teng Qingshan,' who was wandering alone in the Greater Khingan Range, appeared. Teng Qingshan struck like lightning. The injured Lin Qing hadn't even managed to get a clear look before those five brutes were already knocked unconscious on the ground.

"Hmph..." Recalling those events, Lin Qing couldn't help but let out a soft snort, though a faint smile touched her lips.

"Teng Qingshan actually wanted me to walk back alone then. Fortunately, he wasn't completely heartless. He finally carried me back," scenes from that time flashed through Lin Qing's mind. Being on Teng Qingshan's back felt like floating on a small boat returning to harbor. No matter how rugged the mountain path, Lin Qing felt a deep sense of peace in her heart.

A full twenty li, and on a rugged mountain path—Teng Qingshan carried Lin Qing all the way to their destination.

An ordinary person would be exhausted after walking twenty li of mountain path, let alone carrying a grown person. And this was in the uninhabited region of the Greater Khingan Range. Even an elite special forces soldier might not endure that.

After parting ways with the mysterious young man 'Teng Qingshan' in the Greater Khingan Range, Lin Qing never expected to run into him again, yet here they were, encountering him unexpectedly in An Yi County.

"Teng Qingshan..." Lin Qing was still immersed in memories.

"Hey, Sister Lin, look, Teng Qingshan is here!" Xiao Min’s voice startled Lin Qing back to the present. She turned and looked down through the window.

Across from the window was a welfare home, officially named 'Huaxin Children’s Welfare Home.' Lin Qing and Xiao Min could clearly see the playground area. At that moment, a short-haired young man wearing ordinary casual clothes and glasses was walking onto the open ground carrying a large basin full of apples.

"Wow, apples!"

"Time for apples!"

"Hurry and line up, apples are here!"

"Don't push, you’re behind me. Line up properly."

The children who had been playing immediately swarmed over, simultaneously forming two orderly small lines.

The Huaxin Children’s Welfare Home provided each orphan with a cup of milk every morning, and fruit in the afternoon. These orphans rarely had snacks, so the afternoon fruit was especially anticipated.

"Thank you, Uncle Teng,"

These adorable children called out obediently after receiving their bright red apples.

The short-haired young man couldn't help but smile as he heard this, continuously handing out the fruit in his hands.

...

In the teahouse private room, Lin Qing and Xiao Min watched the short-haired young man distribute the fruit through the window.

"Sister Lin, look how happy Teng Qingshan is smiling. It seems he really loves children," Xiao Min sighed.

"He does love children; otherwise, he wouldn't be volunteering here for free," Lin Qing’s gaze was completely fixed on the young man below, 'Teng Qingshan.' His genuine smile towards the orphans completely captivated her. "Xiao Min, I suddenly thought of something I need to do."

"What is it?" Xiao Min's eyes brightened.

Lin Qing mused, "Old Mrs. Huaxin has single-handedly maintained this welfare home for nearly thirty years; she deserves immense admiration... I plan to donate one million yuan. Have you go and make contact with the welfare home staff."

The current director of the Huaxin Children’s Welfare Home is Old Mrs. Huaxin, who is now over eighty years old.

"That’s wonderful news," Xiao Min exclaimed happily.

...

At this moment, the short-haired young man 'Teng Qingshan' was also continuously handing out apples. Most of the children had already received theirs and were beginning to eat heartily.

"This one is small," a slightly curly-haired child looked at the apple in his hand, then at the apples in others’ hands, realizing his was slightly smaller. Of course, the welfare home couldn't purchase apples that were all exactly the same size, so the fruit the children received varied in size.

But children love to compare! It seemed that if theirs was a little smaller, they felt they were getting the worse end of the deal.

"Brother, my fruit is the smallest. Yours is much bigger than mine, almost twice the size." This curly-haired child spoke to another slightly sturdier child beside him.

"Mmm, my stomach isn't feeling great today, and I can't eat one this big anyway. I’ll trade with you," the sturdy child said with a smile. The curly-haired child's bright, inquisitive eyes lit up immediately. "Really?" While saying that, his gaze settled on the large apple in his brother’s hand.

"Is there any reason I'd lie?" The sturdy child smiled, took the apple from his younger brother’s hand, and offered his own large one.

Teng Qingshan had just finished distributing and happened to witness this scene.

"These two brothers..." Teng Qingshan’s gaze drifted into the distance, and a scene from a very long time ago surfaced in his mind—

It was a New Year’s Eve long ago.

Snowflakes were falling heavily outside, and firecrackers exploded incessantly, while in a sparsely furnished room, a large group of children cheered, surrounding an old grandmother who looked about sixty.

"Everyone gets one, one by one." This white-haired grandmother looked at the group of children with profound kindness and handed three White Rabbit toffees to each child. In that distant, impoverished era, having White Rabbit toffees for the New Year was quite a treat.

"Thank you, Grandma."

The children cheered, excitedly taking the candies.

They hadn't tasted toffee in half a year or more. They couldn't resist and happily ate them, excitedly chattering.

"Brother," a child wearing a worn padded jacket patched with cloth said, pursing his lips while looking at his older brother.

"What's up? Qinghe?" The slightly taller child next to him, wearing similarly simple clothes, looked over questioningly.

"I... I finished my toffee. It was too delicious... It’s gone already." As he spoke, the child named 'Qinghe' looked at the other children who were still eating slowly, his mouth watering with envy. The slightly taller child looked down at the two White Rabbit toffees in his own hand.

"Mmm, Qinghe, take these," the taller child said.

"Brother, aren’t you going to eat yours?" Qinghe hesitated slightly.

"My tooth hurts," the taller child laughed. "I ate one, and it started hurting terribly. Here, take these. Oh, and remember... don't chew your candy to bits. The way you chew yours up, you finish three pieces before others finish one."

"Mmm, I know, Brother. You’re the best to me," Qinghe grinned. "But, for these two, let's each have one."

The slightly taller child looked down. Clearly, he was just a child too, unable to resist the temptation of the toffee, and nodded: "Yeah, one each."

...

"One each." Teng Qingshan murmured softly, "Qinghe, twenty-two years. It’s been twenty-two years."

Just then, footsteps sounded. Teng Qingshan turned his head. He saw a silver-haired old grandmother walking towards him, accompanied by a woman.

"Director Grandma!"

"Greetings, Director Grandma!"

The large group of orphans immediately shouted excitedly, and the silver-haired old grandmother seemed to beam with joy.

"Director Grandma." Teng Qingshan froze. The Director Grandma before him seemed to merge with the grandmother who had cared for him and his younger brother in his memories. "Twenty-two years. Grandma must be eighty-three this year." Teng Qingshan’s body trembled slightly with excitement.

But in an instant, his emotional surge subsided, and he regained his composure.

"Director, this young man is Teng Qingshan. He volunteered to work here as a free volunteer. He’s been here for six days. He’s very diligent and a very smart young man," the woman said with a smile.

"Oh, Teng Qingshan?" The silver-haired old woman, now past eighty, looked at Teng Qingshan with a gentle smile.

"Qingshan, help me look after the Director. I'm going to the cafeteria to prepare dinner for the children," the woman smiled.

"Don't worry, Aunt Liu," Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.

"Director, I'll leave now," the woman said goodbye to the Director, and Teng Qingshan naturally stepped forward to help support the elderly grandmother. The old woman looked at Teng Qingshan and smiled kindly, "Qingshan, you’re twenty-three, right? I saw your resume."

"Yes, I just graduated from university," Teng Qingshan nodded.

"You look fair-skinned and tender, Qingshan. You clearly haven't done much heavy labor. You must have suffered a bit here these past few days," Director Grandma said with a smile.

"No, I’ve been very happy doing the work," Teng Qingshan replied with a smile while supporting her.

Director Grandma sighed, "To be honest, Qingshan, seeing you makes me feel very close to you. It reminds me of an orphan who was here a long time ago, back in the 80s. Conditions were terrible then; it was just me and my eldest daughter caring for the children. Among them were a pair of biological brothers. One was named Qingshan, and the other, Qinghe. I gave them those names. You are also named Qingshan... what a coincidence."

Teng Qingshan's heart trembled, but he nodded: "Yes, it’s fate."

"However, Qingshan was adopted and left the orphanage twenty-two years ago. He should be twenty-nine today, much older than you. Maybe he's married with children by now," Director Grandma sighed. "He was a very well-behaved child. I wonder how he is now. My health is failing. It would be wonderful to see that child Qingshan one last time."

Teng Qingshan's heart couldn't help but flutter: "I believe Director Grandma’s wish will come true."

The brothers Qingshan and Qinghe were abandoned at the orphanage gate shortly after birth. At that time, Director 'Huaxin' had just opened this orphanage. Qingshan and Qinghe were among the very first group of orphans. Moreover, Director 'Grandma Huaxin' had painstakingly raised the two brothers, so their bond was naturally very deep.

...

Lin Qing and Xiao Min watched Teng Qingshan in the welfare home. He first accompanied the Director Grandma, and then played with the children. From beginning to end, he showed no impatience whatsoever. The children clearly adored this 'Uncle Teng.' Afterward, Teng Qingshan escorted the children to the cafeteria for dinner.

"Sister Lin, he's coming out," Xiao Min immediately pointed out.

As Teng Qingshan emerged from the orphanage gate, Lin Qing immediately called out through the window, "Teng Qingshan!"

Teng Qingshan finally looked up.

"Come up and sit for a while," Lin Qing said with a smile. She knew very well that Teng Qingshan must have already eaten dinner at the cafeteria, because... she had invited him several times in the past few days, and he had only come up to chat with her twice.

Teng Qingshan smiled and shook his head: "No, I have something else to do today. We can meet again when I have time."

"That works too then," Lin Qing said with a smile, though clearly disappointed.

Lin Qing and Xiao Min watched Teng Qingshan leave.

"Sister Lin, this Teng Qingshan really isn't giving you face. Even when you, a great beauty, personally invite him, he refuses," Xiao Min joked.

"Alright, let’s go. We’ll have dinner at my place," Lin Qing stood up and left the teahouse with Xiao Min.

**

In a farmhouse courtyard on the outskirts of An Yi County.

In the open yard, Teng Qingshan, shirtless and without his glasses, was practicing. The bespectacled Teng Qingshan was gentle and humble, but without them, he appeared steady and resolute.

Teng Qingshan, bare-chested, stood in the Xingyi Three Stances posture.

His chest was sunken, his back held high, his palms formed like tiger claws, and his feet felt hollow, as if walking on mud. Teng Qingshan, standing there, gave the impression of an immovable mountain. Whether advancing, stepping sideways, or executing a splitting punch, he radiated an unshakable spirit.

"Hoo!" "Hoo!"

The sound of strong wind echoed in the air.

Once poised, he was as tranquil as a heavy bronze bell.

His left foot plowed the ground like an iron hoe, while his right foot suddenly pushed off. His right fist burst forth along with the momentum, his entire body like a bow drawn to its limit, and that right fist like an arrow shot forth.

"Puh!"

A sudden explosive sound of air ripped through the silence, and a gust of strong wind seemed to manifest in the courtyard.

If martial artists from the outside world saw this scene, they would certainly be stunned speechless.

Teng Qingshan then began to move rapidly around the courtyard, using the Xingyi Three Stances as his foundation, occasionally transitioning into the Five Elements Fists. It was clear that Teng Qingshan had achieved the highest level in the 'Cannon Fist' of the Five Elements Fists.

"Hoo."

His body rotated, and Teng Qingshan returned to the preparatory posture of the Xingyi Three Stances, slowly exhaling.

His mind was as still as water, like the surface of a calm, unrippled lake, naturally and clearly sensing the condition of every part of his body—from the major internal organs down to every muscle fiber and strand of hair. However, he was still far from the legendary 'Internal Vision.'

"Although it’s just the last step, that step is like an impassable chasm. If I can step into the Grandmaster realm in my lifetime, I will die without regret," Teng Qingshan couldn't help but sigh.

To hear the Way in the morning and die content in the evening was enough!

Xingyi Quan, as one of the three major internal martial arts, has historically produced some Grandmasters, but in modern society, those who reach that level are extremely rare.

"This ground is too unstable; I can't fully unleash my strength here," Teng Qingshan glanced at the ground. The concrete slab already had several cracks, and this was without him using his full power, merely practicing. If he were to fight a strong opponent, this concrete floor would likely shatter completely.

Subsequently, Teng Qingshan sat cross-legged, his eyes focused on his nose, and his nose on his heart. His breathing grew so faint it was barely audible, his mind as still as dead water.

His spirit was infinitely relaxed.

"Hush-hush~~" The incredibly faint sound of blood flowing through his internal vessels, like trickling water, and the sound of his heartbeat, were both distinctly audible.

Time slowly passed, and it soon reached the deep night.

Teng Qingshan remained seated cross-legged in the courtyard. Outside, on the country cement road, a lean man dressed entirely in black was speaking quietly into his collar: "Gray Eagle, I have reached the suspected target location." Then, the lean man calmed his emotions slightly.

He quietly approached, his steps light, making not the slightest sound.

His hands silently gripped the courtyard wall, fingers exerting slight pressure. With a push and a pull, the man sprang into the yard like a civet cat, landing simultaneously with both hands and feet, producing a sound so faint it was almost nonexistent.

The man in black immediately looked around. Suddenly, he spotted a vague figure sitting cross-legged in the center of the courtyard and was startled.

"You finally chased me down," the figure sitting cross-legged abruptly opened his eyes.

"Flee!" The face of the man in black changed, and he showed no hesitation.

The man in black clearly understood that if he had a chance for a sneak attack, perhaps he might succeed, but now that the opponent had spotted him, according to the intelligence he received, he had no hope at all.

"Whoosh." The man in black retreated violently, immediately flipping backward, intending to leap out of the yard.

"Boom!"

Within the black-clad man’s sightline, the seated figure suddenly exploded upwards, the entire concrete floor shaking violently and cracking apart. That figure, like an enraged tiger, instantly covered the seven or eight meters between them and lunged forward. The terrified man in black hadn't even managed to draw his weapon.

"Hiss!" The man in black only felt a searing pain in his throat.

"Harrgh~, harrgh~" The man in black tried to speak but couldn't, his head then drooping powerlessly; he was already dead.

Teng Qingshan swiftly tore open the sleeve of the man in black, smearing blood onto the man's arm. A complex pattern, resembling a 'tattoo,' emerged on the arm. With Teng Qingshan’s astonishing eyesight, even under the faint moonlight, he could see clearly. Teng Qingshan's expression shifted slightly: "For me, they were willing to pay such a heavy price, employing the 'Hand of Darkness' organization to track my movements."

"My location has been compromised; I cannot remain in An Yi County any longer."

Teng Qingshan immediately turned back into the house, changed his clothes, shouldered his backpack, and silently slipped out of An Yi County under the cover of the deep night.