In the early morning, as soon as Han Liang opened his eyes, he was already speaking with excitement, even before finishing his breakfast.
"Today we must shop. Repairs are needed. The roof must be fixed, and the door reinforced. We won't be staying here for long, so both the house and the shop must be secured," he said firmly.
Turning to the Second Commander, he continued with the same energy.
"We have a lot to do. Within a week, I want both roofs repaired and the doors strengthened. As soon as the old man leaves, I want to spend at least one week in that house."
He paused for a moment, then added with a quieter tone, almost to himself,
"And if I find Gu Feng… I will invite him."
The Second Commander simply looked at him, saying nothing.
Their first task was to find a reliable woman from the town to clean the shop. When she arrived, she brought her two young daughters with her. Inside, the place was covered in dust, cobwebs clinging to every corner, broken pottery scattered across the floor.
Without hesitation, the three of them began working.
Han Liang stood with his hands behind his back, watching quietly. A faint smile touched his face.
"Now this place is ours," he murmured.
By noon, the shop had changed completely. The dust was gone, the shelves wiped clean, and the floor shone under the light. What had once looked abandoned now felt like a place ready to be used again.
Afterward, Han Liang and the Second Commander went to the market to buy the first furnishings. Strong shelves, sturdy tables, chairs, crates, along with wood and paint for repairs—everything they needed.
The goods were loaded onto a cart and brought back.
Han Liang personally oversaw every detail. Where each shelf should stand, how the tables should be arranged—nothing escaped his attention. Even as fatigue set in, he did not slow down.
By afternoon, the repairs had begun. Craftsmen worked on the cracked walls, plastering and painting, while broken wooden shelves were restored. The sound of tools echoed through the shop.
Han Liang climbed onto the roof.
Below, the Second Commander passed up wooden planks, and together they worked side by side.
Who would have thought? The young master of the White Dragon Sect and his Second Commander, repairing a roof like ordinary craftsmen. Yet neither of them hesitated.
Their presence did not go unnoticed.
The girls from nearby houses stole glances, whispering and laughing softly among themselves. Even the cleaning girls looked up from time to time, unable to hide their curiosity.
After a while, Han Liang sat down on the roof to rest. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked out over the town.
"The view is beautiful," he said quietly.
Then, as always, his thoughts drifted.
Gu Feng…
Where are you now?
The work continued quickly. There was still more to be done, but the progress was steady. The next day, the house would be repaired as well—its roof and doors brought back into proper condition.
As evening approached, a neighboring shopkeeper—a baker—came by with a warm smile.
"Welcome, neighbors," he said cheerfully. "May your business prosper."
He left behind a basket of warm steamed buns.
Not long after, another shopkeeper arrived with a dish of food.
"You're opening a weapon shop? That's good news. There's demand for it here."
Han Liang spoke with each of them in turn, exchanging polite words, building quiet trust.
The day had been long.
Busy.
Exhausting.
As the sun set, Han Liang sat in front of the shop and took a slow breath. The scent of food, the fading light, the sound of the town settling for the night—it all felt different now.
They ate what had been given to them and returned to the inn.
Back in his room, Han Liang sank into hot water, letting the fatigue drain from his body. But even there, his thoughts remained with the shop… and beyond it.
That night, as he lay down, sleep came quickly.
But his dreams did not leave him in peace. He walked between newly placed shelves. The shop was full.
And in the garden beyond—
Gu Feng was there.