Chapter 26: The Maid Xichun

Many areas on the panel had changed; the incense had accumulated to 155 points. If exchanged for lifespan, it would yield 1,550 days, that is, four years. Now, only 99 days of yang life remained, so there was no urgency to trade for more.

Moreover, a new entry appeared on the panel: the manual "Azure Ox Long Fist." This had been presented in desperation by Wang He Wen at the Wang family’s residence, marking Su Yang’s first exposure to such a manual.

Within Yanggu County, most ninth-rank martial artists practiced the widely circulated martial fist techniques of Great Qian. By paying a certain amount of silver, one could train at a martial hall or self-study, though without a master, it was difficult to attain a rank. Additionally, training was provided in military and official establishments, but only the basic fist techniques were taught there. To acquire a true manual, one had to pay a price—military merit in the army, silver at the martial hall, or, as the Wang family did, purchase a manual at a high price.

"Azure Ox Long Fist" imbues the practitioner with the strength of an ox, its techniques fierce and powerful, trampling foes like an ox and causing severe injury. Note: Due to the nature of the technique, practicing it damages the bones, making breakthrough to the sixth rank impossible.

The manual could seemingly be upgraded on the panel, though the incense cost was unknown, and it was uncertain if the aftereffects would be altered upon upgrade. Ultimately, Su Yang decided to spend incense:

"Azure Ox Long Fist" upgraded to "Wild Ox Long Fist."

"Wild Ox Long Fist" grants the strength of a wild ox, its techniques even more ferocious, trampling and severely wounding the enemy. Practicing it accumulates a breath of wild ox energy within, which can burst forth in a devastating strike! Note: No aftereffects for now.

Twenty points of incense were consumed for the upgrade. Obtaining "Wild Ox Long Fist" seemed worthwhile.

The next morning, the government posted a proclamation.

The rebel army had infiltrated the city and escaped; a city-wide search for remaining rebels began. Those who withheld information would be executed without pardon. Within the city, the Chen family, the Wang family, the Bai family, the Hong family... all had been exterminated and robbed by the fleeing rebels.

Therefore, city merchants were urged to pay silver, form anti-bandit squads, and maintain order, or bear the consequences themselves.

Reading the latest proclamation, Su Yang sighed helplessly. The Chen family and the main Wang house had indeed been labeled as rebel collaborators and city villains, justifying continued plundering. Fortunately, Su Yang had already taken a significant amount of silver from the Wang and Chen households.

Of course, this silver could not be used openly now; best to spend the Wang family's money first.

That afternoon,

Shen Lian brought officers to collect donations. Su Yang produced a hundred taels of silver from the house, but Shen Lian shook his head: "Brother Su, your Wang family must pay at least three hundred taels. I can at most reduce it to two hundred for you."

"Thank you, Brother Shen. I will fetch another hundred taels," Su Yang said, sending a servant to retrieve more silver. He also slipped some silver to Shen Lian as tea money for his brothers. Shen Lian invited Su Yang to visit his home more often and mentioned his sister, Shen Yushui, hinting at matchmaking intentions. Su Yang, merely a live-in son-in-law, puzzled at Shen Lian’s persistent efforts to match him with his sister. Unable to fathom it, Su Yang decided not to dwell on it.

"Scholar Su, don’t hurry to close the door," a rough male voice called just as Su Yang prepared to shut the gates.

Clad in black, limbs sturdy, skin dark with a coarse beard, a centipede-like scar marked his face. Gripping a black sabre, fresh blood still stained its blade. This was Scar Wolf, a ninth-rank martial artist.

A minor leader of the Black Wolf Gang, he had collected protection fees and monopolized shady businesses before the rebels besieged the city. Now, during the siege, life seemed even better for them. Ordinary folk stayed home, counting grain, rationing daily meals. These men, however, grew ever more prosperous.

"So it's Brother Scar. What brings you here?" Su Yang asked.

"The rebels in the city are a great menace. The massacre of entire families is something Scholar Su must have heard of. Our Black Wolf Gang is duty-bound to eliminate them and to protect households like yours," Scar Wolf declared arrogantly. "Two hundred taels of silver and one measure of grain."

"Of course, you can refuse to donate, since you are a ninth-rank martial artist—quite formidable," he added.

"How could I? We all must do our part," Su Yang replied.

"Go fetch it!" he instructed, and his servants hurried to bring silver and grain. Scar Wolf seemed a bit disappointed. If Scholar Su had refused, come nightfall, all the Wang family’s silver and grain would belong to the Black Wolf Gang, regardless of his martial prowess. The gang had leaders specialized in dealing with such people; Su Yang’s awareness of the situation was unexpected.

After Scar Wolf left, Su Yang had the doors closed and walked toward the rear courtyard. His most crucial task now was to advance the family progress and ensure Meihua conceived as soon as possible.

Inside the house,

Meihua was enjoying tea in the courtyard with Taohua and Doukou when Su Yang swept her into his arms and carried her inside, her body wonderfully soft and light.

"Sir, it’s not even dark yet..." Meihua whispered, curling up in his embrace, her cheeks flushed.

Su Yang cared not for the time of day—he tossed her onto the bedding, laughter and coquettish cries rang out, embroidered shoes fell to the floor. The storm raged, Meihua trembled.

...

By dusk, Su Yang, feeling refreshed, stepped outside and practiced a set of Wild Ox Long Fist. Mastery would take some time yet.

Taohua was pregnant in the courtyard; Meihua needed rest, and Doukou, lacking status or expressed affection, was left untouched—Su Yang disliked forcing anyone.

Xiliu, Liu Wenxiang’s personal maid, visited his room. Outside, a distant Wang relative sought to borrow grain and asked how to proceed.

"Shouldn’t mother-in-law decide such matters?" Su Yang replied.

"The lady said, from now on, you are to make all household decisions," the conservative Xiliu, not yet thirty but full of charm, answered.

"Tell them the Wang family has no surplus grain and cannot lend any," Su Yang said firmly. "This door must not be opened."

Xiliu left to deliver the message. Standing at the gate, she said, "Sir says the Wang family has no surplus grain. Please seek help elsewhere."

"Close the gate!"

The servants promptly shut the doors. The relatives outside cursed loudly but soon left. Everyone knew about the recent fire at the Wang house; their visit was merely a gamble for luck.

The city’s militia, formed by commoners and official soldiers, had managed to hold off the rebel siege for now. Rumor had it that government reinforcements had arrived, fighting the rebels all over. Perhaps Yanggu County would soon be freed from crisis.

Of course, the tides of battle shift swiftly; none can predict the outcome.

Within the city, ruthless villains and ninth-rank martial artists either joined gangs or founded their own. Few lone criminals survived, as the gangs now had to protect their districts—purging villains made it easier to extort from the common folk.

Night fell.

Wang Chunxiao slept early; Xichun lay awake, unable to sleep, her mind replaying the moment when her brother-in-law bravely stepped forward. Perhaps it was the stirrings of young love; she blew out the candle and placed a clean cloth beside her pillow.