Chapter 130: Gaining the Fortune of Confucian Dao, the Realm of the Young Scholar
“Whoosh!” The sword of light shot forth again from his mouth, instantly piercing into the fleeing fifth-rank martial artist’s body.
The fifth-rank martial artist of the Qiu family was dead!
Su Yang forcibly stuffed the two corpses into the treasure pouch; now it was truly full to the brim. To make carrying easier, he took out a demon corpse from the pouch and slung it over his shoulder—much better than carrying a human corpse.
After eliminating the two martial artists, Su Yang did not linger but returned to the area where the county magistrate of Hulao County’s team had gathered. Hidden in the grass, he watched cautiously.
He settled down on the ground, slowly restoring his internal energy and blood.
It was a pity he hadn’t acquired the treasure pouch earlier. Had he obtained it sooner, he could have stored some old medicinal herbs inside and used them now to rapidly recover his vitality, avoiding such passivity.
Half an hour later.
The group grew impatient. A few sixth-rank martial artists discussed among themselves: two would go to the county seat to report, while the remaining three would search for their county magistrate.
Su Yang followed behind the two sixth-rank martial artists heading to the county and ambushed them, killing them swiftly before turning back to wait patiently.
Another half hour passed. The three sixth-rank martial artists sent to find the county magistrate returned one after another. Su Yang, who had been waiting nearby for some time, took their lives without mercy.
Half an hour passed again.
The sky was already in the afternoon, and darkness would soon fall. The ordinary people were left behind, while all the martial artists went out to search for the magistrate, hoping to find him before nightfall. No one wanted to spend the night outdoors.
When night descended, the beasts became rampant.
Feeling his vital energy nearly restored, Su Yang first killed all the ordinary people left behind, then concealed their bodies and waited in place.
The first seventh-rank martial artist returned empty-handed. Seeing the deserted carriage team, his face showed a flicker of caution. Before he could escape, he felt a chill on his back.
The seventh-rank martial artist of the Qiu family was dead!
Time ticked by second by second as Su Yang remained vigilant, killing every returning martial artist one by one.
The next day, as the first ray of sunlight shone on the earth, Su Yang finally heaved a sigh of relief—surely no one had escaped.
He strode toward Yanggu County.
Upon returning home, he found his wives and concubines already waiting. Seeing Su Yang return, they hurried to greet him.
“Master, you were gone all night last night. We were truly worried sick,” said Zhang Qingshi, stepping forward with her slightly rounded belly, concern etched on her face.
“Yes, Master, we didn’t sleep a wink last night, thinking you...” another wife added.
“Master, you look worn out from the journey. You must rest well. Let Sister Tingyu attend to you; among us, she’s still in good health,” Silver Lotus teased, her belly about four months pregnant.
Lin Tingyu blushed faintly, modest as always.
“Indeed, after a whole night’s ordeal, I need to rest. You all should rest as well,” Su Yang yawned, pulling Lin Tingyu along into the room. The wives giggled softly before returning to their chambers; none had slept all night and were exhausted.
Although his wives needed rest, Su Yang’s vitality was abundant. After tossing and turning for an hour, he rested for two hours before waking.
Seeing Lin Tingyu lazily lying on the bed, he quietly rose, unwilling to disturb her. He went to the storeroom and retrieved all the demon corpses, placing them carefully in the cellar.
Counting them roughly:
One fourth-rank demon corpse.
Six fifth-rank demon corpses.
Thirty-four sixth-rank demon corpses.
He greatly needed the fourth-rank demon corpse, but unfortunately, his incense points had dwindled to just six. Crafting this grass python demon would require over a hundred incense points, so he would have to save up.
...
Hulao County.
News of the county magistrate’s disappearance spread quickly, and his fate seemed grim. Many families in Hulao County began eyeing the Qiu family’s assets, watching silently for the outcome.
The next day.
Bai Tingting broke through to fifth rank.
“Announce throughout the city that my concubine has reached fifth rank,” Su Yang said with delight.
“Understood,” Li Yeniu responded, equally excited. Having another fifth-rank martial artist at home meant their subordinates would be even more formidable.
Within a day, all of Yanggu County knew of Bai Tingting’s advancement.
If not for her pregnancy, Su Yang would have rewarded her handsomely.
The Chen family head died in Shen Zhenxing’s tomb.
Now, in Yanggu County, only Magistrate Ma, Zhao Wanliang, Lin Xuanshan, Clan Leader Wei, and the Su family remained as fifth-rank families.
With the news spreading, families both large and small began visiting the Su family to offer gifts. The Su family’s holdings expanded rapidly; no one dared offend them unless they pushed too far.
A few days later.
Su Yang married the county magistrate Ma’s daughter, Ma Qingci.
A grand banquet was held.
At that moment, families throughout Yanggu County came to offer gifts. The Su family had clearly become the foremost clan in the county.
“Doesn’t the Su family master already have over ten wives? Why is he still taking more?” one whispered.
“This time it’s the county magistrate’s daughter. This is a political marriage. From now on, the Su family will be the top family in Yanggu County. They have two fifth-rank martial artists; even the magistrate must be courteous,” another said.
“At first, Su Yang was just a minor son-in-law of the Wang family. No one expected he would rise so quickly,” another remarked.
“I think Su Yang is a hidden dragon. One day, he’ll make a grand name for himself in Su Mansion or even Jiangzhou,” yet another said.
“Ah, this is a big event. We mustn’t skimp on gifts!” someone added.
“This precious ninth-rank old medicine is the best gift I can offer. I hope the Su family will remember us,” said another.
In Yanggu County, families large and small flocked to the city. Su Yang received gifts in abundance, cheerfully distributing items that cost him nothing.
Night fell.
Su Yang entered the bridal chamber, gazing fondly at the youthful Ma Qingci. His mood was excellent as he mounted her.
...
Ten days later.
Su Yang married Zhao Hongyan from the Zhao family, and the Su family was once again bustling. Clan leaders from every corner of Yanggu County came bearing gifts.
Another costly affair.
That night, Su Yang, looking at Zhao Hongyan seated on the wedding bed, smiled wryly.
“You once didn’t want to marry me, didn’t you?”
“Master... please don’t say more. A spring night is worth a thousand gold...” she teased.
“You little minx...!”
...
The next day.
Su Yang offered free medical consultations; all women in Yanggu County were welcome to have their pulses taken at no charge.
Once again, the Su family gate was crowded with people seeking free diagnoses. After each consultation, a bowl of lotus seed soup was given.
But after several days, no girl with root bone grade B had been found. That day, sensing something, Su Yang hurriedly opened his personal panel.
Name: Su Yang (Quasi-Immortal)
Incense Points: 5202
Humanitarian Merit: 3
Soul Fragments: 7
Realm: Fourth Rank
Magic Tools: [Light-Emitting Flying Sword], [Treasure Pouch]
Skills: [Incense Department], [Qi Observation Technique], [Sixth-Rank Mind Control Worm], [Root Bone Measurement]
Manuals: [Bull Long Fist+], [Fire Dragon Overlord’s Three Spears+]
Data: [Gynecology Sacred Text+]
Lifespan: 929+
Family Descendants: 11
Family Progress:
1. Family prosperity progressing smoothly. You have many guards and a considerable residence. Your first wife is less than seven months from giving birth. You must establish a domain for your descendants to become the top family in Yanggu County. Reward: 5000 incense points, [Sixth-Rank Mind Control Worm] (completed).
2. Family progress is very smooth. You have sufficient resources to raise offspring. Your concubine, Peach Blossom, is seven months pregnant and about to deliver. You need to prepare a mentor for the child. Reward: 2000 incense points!
Requirement: Must hold at least the title of Juren (recommended scholar).
...
Family Progress One was finally completed.
This time, Su Yang directly received 5000 incense points, richer than ever before.
The first thing upon returning home was to detoxify and process all the demon corpses. It seemed the Su family’s business had become the foremost enterprise in Yanggu County.
All fifth-rank martial artists in Yanggu County were family elders.
The Su family was now rock-solid.
Moreover, Su Yang could almost guarantee their daughters would bear at least one child, as all of them were already pregnant.
...
Today, Su Yang was in good spirits. Doukou’s father sent him a letter, saying he was assigned to serve as the deputy magistrate in Su Mansion — the second-in-command. Such a rapid promotion!
He drank with several elders at the county office, discussing the future development of Yanggu County.
Now, the entire county was under Su Yang’s control.
“Su Yang, I remember you were the county’s top scholar, right?” Magistrate Ma, his father-in-law, suddenly asked during the banquet.
“Mm,” Su Yang nodded.
“Why? Are there imperial exams coming?” Su Yang asked.
“The imperial decree just arrived but hasn’t been announced yet. Starting this year, the exams will be held. Three months from now is the autumn exam. Scholars from each region will go to the prefectural office to take the Juren exam. Next spring is the metropolitan exam in the capital.”
“I wonder if my good son-in-law still wants to take the exams and pursue the scholar’s path,” Ma Wencai asked.
“Martial arts and scholarship are no different. One can pursue both. Why break one leg? I will definitely participate,” Su Yang replied.
“Son-in-law, such ambition.”
“Our son-in-law will have a bright future!”
“Son-in-law, drink up!”
...
Drunk and happy, Su Yang returned home. The next day, at the nunnery in the back garden, Bai Yu came to find him.
Jingxin was still young, and Su Yang could not bear to see her live a lonely life. Recently, he often visited the nunnery. Jingxin, seemingly possessed of no will, longed for the secular world.
If so, why not fulfill their desires?
He agreed to Jingxin’s return to secular life and marriage to Su Yang.
The wedding was set for ten days later. Su Yang was naturally overjoyed and immediately sent his men to announce it throughout the city.
“Not again? Su Yang is taking another concubine?”
“Less than half a month, and another concubine?”
“Ah, another round of gifts... I feel like all my meager profits go to the Su family!”
“Again and again taking concubines?”
In Yanggu County, families large and small cried out in frustration. Su Yang was truly relentless.
...
Li Yeniu hurried back after gathering news from Hulao County.
“Master, everything is clear now. The new county magistrate in Hulao is still from the Qiu family, a fourth-rank martial artist named Qiu Chujie!”
“Hmm, continue monitoring him,” Su Yang nodded. “How’s our fabric business?”
“Our family’s fabric costs are low, prices are low, so the people prefer buying from us. Now we monopolize the fabric trade in Yanggu County. A few days ago, we sent people to open branches in six surrounding counties. Soon, we’ll monopolize the fabric trade in all seven counties.”
“But we have too few female workers and need to recruit more,” Li Yeniu said.
“Then arrange recruitment. Why ask me?”
“All qualified and willing female workers in Yanggu County have been recruited. There are simply no more left,” Li Yeniu said helplessly.
“Then recruit in the other counties. Anyone willing to come to us will be provided accommodation,” Su Yang said.
“Master, most female workers have families and are reluctant to leave them. This isn’t an easy solution,” Li Yeniu said.
“You haven’t tried recruiting yet?”
“No, Master.”
“Start recruiting. Get as many as you can. Show the Su family’s name and reassure their parents.”
“I’ll think of other methods as well.”
After Su Yang finished, Li Yeniu hurried off to arrange recruitment in various counties.
Previously, Su Yang lacked strength and dared not develop the family business for fear of being vulnerable. Now it was different. With enough strength and a magistrate and deputy magistrate among his in-laws, plus his own fourth-rank power, no threat existed in the seven counties north of Su Mansion.
He would solidify business in these counties before expanding nationwide.
In the future, he would aim to become a Juren through the imperial exams, then a Jinshi scholar, and later perhaps governor of Yanggu County. If his business grew, he could serve as an official in Su Mansion to protect his family.
In centuries to come, the Su family would influence and even control this continent and nation.
---
Firm as iron, the family endured while emperors came and went.
With the dynasty change, the Fire family of Su Mansion remained solid, even rising a rank and beginning to enter the central government in the capital.
He wondered when his own family would reach such heights.
Currently, he monopolized the fabric and restaurant industries. Next, using memories from his previous life, he planned to produce high-grade liquor to dominate that market, then create alcohol for disinfection, and eventually extract penicillin by traditional methods to break into the pharmaceutical market.
The simplest product now was soap, which would be very popular among refined people.
Soap-making was straightforward: burn limestone to obtain quicklime, add water to produce slaked lime (lime water), then add caustic soda to react and form calcium carbonate sediment, leaving alkali solution.
With alkali solution, making soap was next, using pig fat as the oil source.
Step one: heat alkali solution and pig fat together, stirring continuously.
Step two: after boiling, reduce to low heat and continue stirring for full saponification, a lengthy process.
Step three: after most water evaporated, pour into molds to cool and solidify.
About an hour later, the first bar of soap would be produced.
Adding salt before cooling increased hardness; adding fragrant petals created the first scented soap.
This soap would open doors among the elite, bringing unstoppable success.
Su Yang had learned this knowledge from a software named Bihu in his previous life and recorded it as interesting. He never imagined it would prove useful today.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!” Suddenly, Su Yang felt something and looked up to the sky.
He saw purple-red energies intertwining, thunder rolling as if a terrifying event was brewing.
Was this the fortune of the literary path?
As a scholar, Su Yang felt it deeply. The new dynasty had announced the imperial exams nationwide. The literary fortune was returning to the land of Great Qian. The days of Confucianism were coming again.
From now on, both martial and literary arts would shine brightly here.
This strengthened Su Yang’s resolve to take the imperial exams.
The strange phenomenon lasted for a whole day.
The next day.
The purple-red energies coiled above dissolved into thousands of strands of fortune, entering the bodies of scholars throughout the land. Yanggu County received a few strands; Su Yang absorbed a purple strand into his body.
Name: Su Yang (Quasi-Immortal)
Incense Points: 4202
Literary Fortune: Junior Scholar
Humanitarian Merit: 3
Soul Fragments: 7
Realm: Fourth Rank
...
His panel showed the change; under incense points appeared the literary fortune.
Legend said the previous dynasty had a Confucian sage whose words were law.
He traveled thirty thousand miles a day.
The rotation of stars was nothing compared to a scholar’s decree.
Once, when crossing a river, he encountered a demon dragon causing havoc. A scholar’s decree suppressed the dragon for a hundred years, leaving it trapped in the river.
“Junior Scholar” was the lowest scholar rank, passing down for millennia like martial arts, not a new invention or secret.
Junior scholar, senior scholar!
Su Yang guessed that if he attained the Juren title in the exams, he might reach the senior scholar realm. Currently, he was a strong junior scholar, having the scholar title.
Besides, scholars who achieved certain accomplishments could elevate their literary fortune.
Now, as a junior scholar, he could protect health, prevent illness, and gain credibility when speaking due to literary fortune. Beyond that, effects were limited.
Reaching senior scholar was different: he could expend blood and energy to cause minor weather changes—this involved the scholar’s decrees.
But in combat, martial artists were stronger.
For example, a fifth-rank martial artist could easily defeat hundreds of junior scholars, discounting heavenly punishments.
That was why, in peaceful times, officials were mostly scholars; in chaotic times, warriors were promoted to suppress regions.
If a martial artist killed a Confucian sage, heavenly punishment would strike him down instantly.
Of course, martial artists found it difficult to kill scholars, as scholar decrees could suppress them, unless they were of higher rank.
Su Yang was eager to take the imperial exams. In about three months, he could first fortify his business before going out.
...
Bai Yu agreed to Su Yang’s plan. Ten days later, Jingxin was to marry Su Yang. Jingxin had already returned to secular life and was at the Chen family, awaiting the wedding sedan chair.
The whole city knew, including the tiger demon on Blackwood Mountain.
Inside a cave.
Human bones littered the ground, the air thick with stench. Flies buzzed chaotically. The tiger demon cradled a human woman—his afternoon snack to be eaten when hunger struck.
The woman was tightly bound, pale as death.
A tiger-headed, human-bodied demon entered from outside, stepping over layers of white bones. If not cleared soon, the cave would be blocked.
“My lord, we have found the whereabouts of that little nun,” one subordinate said fearfully, knowing the news would anger the lord. If he were killed, it would be disastrous.
“Oh?” The tiger demon opened his fierce eyes, staring hard.
“Report: that little nun has returned to secular life, residing in the Chen family in Yanggu County. She is set to marry the Su family master, Su Yang, in eight days.”
The subordinate bowed his head, avoiding the lord’s gaze, hoping to avoid wrath.
“Ahh!” The tiger lord’s eyes seemed to blaze with fire. He opened his mouth and swallowed the woman whole. Blood splattered, internal organs dripped at the corners of his mouth, then he licked them back with a barbed tongue.
“Su Yang?”
“What is his strength?” the tiger demon asked.
“Report, my lord: fifth-rank martial artist.”
“Fifth rank? Such audacity to steal the woman I desire! Spread word in Yanggu County: if Su Yang dares marry my woman, I will slaughter his entire family.”
“If he’s sensible, he should bring Su Yang to Blackwood Mountain personally, and the matter will be settled.”
The tiger demon’s voice was full of malice and disdain—a mere fourth-rank was nothing.
“Yes, my lord,” the subordinate said, grateful to have kept his life, and hurried off.
Luckily, the lord still had a snack in his arms; otherwise, the subordinate might have been the one devoured.
...
Postscript: From now on, daily updates will likely be combined into a single chapter. This chapter is a major one.
Regular chapters will be around 8,000 words; explosive updates will be about 10,000 words per chapter!