Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Red Wolf of the Black Wolf Gang

“Mother-in-law, are you serious?” Su Yang’s voice was full of astonishment as he gazed at Liu Wenxiang, whose beauty was as full and radiant as a blooming crabapple. He had never imagined that she would speak of such matters with him today.

To shoulder the responsibilities of both households.

From now on, should Taohua, Meihua, Xichun, or any of the others bear children, those children would bear the surname Su; only if Wang Chunxiao bore a child would the child take the surname Wang, or if a wife from the Liu family were formally married into the household, her children might also take the Wang surname.

This was an idea Su Yang had long harbored, intending to broach it only after obtaining the degree of presented scholar, using concerns about his official career as leverage to urge the Wang family into a reasonable compromise—or perhaps to reveal his strength once he attained the rank of sixth grade official.

He knew when to advance or retreat, and how to judge the moment.

Though a woman, his mother-in-law was clever and astute, recognizing that even a powerful dragon cannot suppress the local serpent, and that appropriate cooperation benefits all.

What troubled Su Yang, being a son-in-law living with his wife’s family, was that taking a concubine required the approval of the Wang family matron. He had no wish to fall out with them, so each time, he had to wait for the right opportunity to bring a maid into his chambers.

But now, with the dual responsibilities granted, he could take concubines for the Su family at will, without needing the Wang family’s consent. The family line would flourish, and the incense of his lineage would burn even brighter.

“I am not joking,” Liu Wenxiang affirmed with a nod.

“Thank you, Mother-in-law.”

At that moment, Su Yang sincerely performed a deep bow of respect to her.

“From this day forward, you are not only my Wang family’s son-in-law, but also the master of the Su household. Here is the deed to the Wang family’s main residence. Will you move there, or remain here?” Liu Wenxiang took the property deed from a nearby drawer as she spoke.

“Mother-in-law, this is far too generous.” Su Yang was taken aback; the Wang family’s main residence was far more luxurious than their current secondary house. For Liu Wenxiang to offer it to him was to bestow nearly two-fifths of the secondary branch’s wealth.

Since ancient times, sincerity has been the sharpest weapon.

“Mother-in-law, your son-in-law would prefer to stay here. Just hang the Su family’s plaque on my little courtyard. When I achieve great success, I’ll purchase an even larger estate and move the whole family together—there’s no sense in separating us,” Su Yang replied.

If he moved to the main estate, it wouldn’t be bad, but—those lovely maids in the secondary house… ahem… For instance, the renowned little beauty Xue Yuan; he hadn’t yet had the chance to win her heart, so why would he want to leave?

The secondary house was somewhat small, so perhaps in time he could manage to acquire a grander residence, one even larger than the Wang family’s main house.

After all, in the future, as he took more companions, he’d need many servants to attend the household; a small residence would never suffice.

Every concubine would require at least a personal maid and a sturdy maidservant.

Every child would likewise need a personal maid and a sturdy maidservant.

If he ended up with a hundred concubines, the maids alone would number two hundred, and if each bore two or three children, that would be two or three hundred offspring, and five or six hundred maids—a household approaching a thousand souls.

And then there were the cooks, and the need for vast industries to support so many children, as well as family retainers and martial instructors…

With such a family, even a large house would barely suffice.

He might have to build a whole town just to house his children and consorts.

“Very well,” Liu Wenxiang agreed. “But hold on to the deed for the main house. Whether you keep it or sell it is your decision, since you have foresight. However, as we agreed, you must spend one night each week at Chunxiao’s residence.”

She handed him the property deed, her expression warm and kindly. Su Yang hastened to accept it with both hands, saying, “Mother-in-law, please take care of your health. I have not yet fulfilled my filial duty as a son-in-law!”

With that, he took the deed.

“Alas, I am getting old.”

“Mother-in-law, you are not old at all. Were I not already married, meeting a woman as gentle as you would surely have enchanted my heart and led me into the land of tenderness.”

“Virtuous son-in-law, don’t tease this old woman so,” Liu Wenxiang replied, her face bright with laughter and tinged with a rosy blush.

…

Returning from Liu Wenxiang’s room, Su Yang was so overjoyed that he scooped Xichun up in his arms and tossed her onto the large bed.

“Oh, husband!” she cried.

“It’s still daylight!” she protested.

“To ensure the family line endures is a matter of utmost importance; how can we delay for day or night?” he replied.

“Husband, Xichun cannot bear it…” she moaned.

…

Night fell.

Xichun lay sprawled across the bed, her eyes rolling back and tongue lolling, her mind a muddle of exhaustion.

In the Red Hall of the Black Wolf Gang leader’s residence—

The Red Hall’s territory included the Wang family. Its master, Red Wolf, was Copper Wolf’s elder brother.

Several women lay sprawled in disarray on the fur-covered floor, their clothing torn, bodies bruised and battered, clearly victims of abuse—innocent women, cruelly mistreated.

Nearby, four men sat around a table: Red Wolf, Copper Wolf, and two other ninth-rank gang members, all minor leaders.

As they drank, Copper Wolf steered the conversation toward survival in chaotic times. Each had their own ideas, but none were reliable. All wore troubled expressions.

Though war and chaos had granted martial men like them power and status, it also brought great danger. Once the rebels entered the city, they would not spare lackeys like them, whether from officialdom or the gangs.

At best, they might be sent to the front lines to redeem themselves; at worst, they would be killed outright. Leaving powerful organizations and officials intact would only hinder the rebels’ control of the county.

“Hall Master, I actually have a clever plan to ensure our brothers never lack for food or drink. Would you care to hear it?” Copper Wolf said, seizing the moment.

“What plan? Speak!” Red Wolf demanded, half-drunk and fresh from his pleasures.

Copper Wolf glanced at the abused women, frowned, and dragged them out by their limbs, tossing them outside like garbage.

The women, hollowed by despair and clad in rags, offered no resistance as they were thrown out. Waiting servants and gang members immediately dragged them into the darkness; cries and screams of distress soon filled the air again.

“What’s this mystery? Out with it!” one of the other minor leaders pressed.

Copper Wolf no longer concealed his intentions. He laid out the plan: the recipe for red-braised pork. If they could obtain it and open a tavern in the capital or provincial city, business would boom and wealth would pour in endlessly.

That recipe would be a veritable gold mine.

With the profits, they could buy rare medicines to boost their strength; rising to sixth or fifth rank would be within reach. When older, they could settle in a county like the great families of Yanggu, passing on their line.

The others had indeed heard tales of the famed red-braised pork—how it had sold out instantly before the Zhou family acquired it at auction. But chaos had come too quickly; the dish had barely seen the market before sales ceased.

“Does the Wang family truly have the recipe?” Red Wolf asked, uneasy.

“Big brother, the recipe originated in their household. Of course they have a copy. And even if we can’t force it from them, so what? It’s a small family, their only martial member a ninth-rank son-in-law. If we wipe them out, who would know? It changes nothing.”

“Besides, rumor has it that Lady Wang is still quite fetching, her second daughter is a beauty, and the maids are all little stunners. We might as well have some fun while we’re at it, eh?” Copper Wolf leered.

…

Night deepened.

Four figures slipped into the Wang family compound, heading for three targets.

The first and second: Liu Wenxiang and Wang Chunxiao—the two women most likely to know the recipe.

Red Wolf, an eighth-rank martial artist, went to Liu Wenxiang’s room. Another ninth-rank leader of the Black Wolf Gang went to Wang Chunxiao’s room.

The third target: Su Yang.

Known to be ninth rank, he was to be dealt with by Copper Wolf and another gang leader—two ninth ranks against one, a sure thing.

Especially with the element of surprise.

…

In the Hundred Flowers Courtyard.

Since Xichun was weak from exhaustion, Su Yang was unwilling to press her further. Instead, he began packing a few things, intending to visit the brothel for a change.

He realized he had never indulged in such pleasures before.

In these chaotic times, all businesses suffered except for the brothels, which thrived. Countless women were forced into servitude, all kinds of beauties abounded, and the prices were reasonable.

Such chaos only afflicted the common folk, while the powerful families took the opportunity to plunder—buying up farmlands at a pittance, then selling high when peace returned.

It was as if they not only took your wife and daughter, but ended up with your land as well. Once prosperity returned, you became a tenant farmer working for them, reduced to servitude by one turn of chaos.

The stronger the family, the greater their ability to weather such storms.

“Swish!”

In the darkness, a sharp blade slashed toward him. Su Yang’s hair stood on end, and he unleashed his eighth-rank power, drawing his Black Serpent Dagger to block the attack.

Clang!

A crisp metallic ring; the long blade was deflected, but another quickly followed, which he also parried.

With just one exchange, Su Yang judged his opponents: two ninth-rank enemies!

Copper Wolf and the other leader, sensing Su Yang’s strength, turned pale with terror and tried to flee.

“Swish!”

Su Yang hurled his dagger, piercing the back of one leader and striking the heart. After only a few steps, he collapsed and died.

One could not resist an eighth-rank opponent with a ninth-rank body; only after tempering the skin at eighth rank did one gain any real defense. This was why ninth ranks dared not face eighth ranks.

Copper Wolf did not escape either—Su Yang pinned him to the ground. “Speak! Who else is here? What is your aim?”

“If I tell you, will you spare me?”

“Perhaps. But you’ll owe me a thousand taels in compensation.”

Copper Wolf’s eyes lit up with hope and he confessed, “Besides me, there’s the Black Wolf Gang Red Hall leader, Red Wolf—he went to your mother-in-law’s room. Another ninth-rank went to your wife’s room.”

“And your purpose?”

Su Yang’s heart tightened as Copper Wolf, eager to live, spilled everything. “Spare me! I’ll fetch you silver, I have two thousand taels hidden at home!”

“No need. You can die now.”

With those words, Su Yang ended Copper Wolf’s life without hesitation. Two thousand taels? A joke. A mere ninth-rank gang leader couldn’t possibly have such wealth.

Sometimes one must offer an enemy hope to prevent a cornered struggle. When besieging a foe, it’s wise to leave an escape route, lest they fight to the death.

The same principle applied to prisoners—let them believe survival is possible, and they will cooperate.

Eighth rank.

With his Bull’s Strength Fist, ordinary eighth ranks should be no match for him. Even if he didn’t go to save Liu Wenxiang, the eighth rank would surely come after him next.

At that thought, Su Yang gritted his teeth, grabbed his dagger, and rushed toward Liu Wenxiang’s courtyard.

…

In Wang Chunxiao’s room—

A shadowy figure slipped inside. The delicate fragrance in the air was pleasing, and as he gazed upon the form lying in bed, he mused, “Pity she’s so plain; otherwise, I’d have some fun. Never tasted a noble young lady before.”

“Who goes there?” Suddenly, Wang Chunxiao’s angry voice sounded from the bed.

“Hmph!” The ninth-rank leader snorted, rushing forward and pressing a cold blade to her. “Don’t scream, or I’ll kill you.”

Wang Chunxiao frowned, two slender, alabaster fingers emerging to grip the blade. With a crisp crack, the sword snapped in two.

Before the martial artist could react, Wang Chunxiao’s jade hand struck his chest. Though he didn’t move, all his bones shattered and his heart burst—he died instantly.

…

In Liu Wenxiang’s room—

Red Wolf held a candle, its flickering light illuminating Liu Wenxiang and Xiuliu. He swallowed greedily, thinking, “I never noticed before, but Lady Wang and her maid are both so alluring—what splendid figures.”

The two women cowered in a corner, supporting each other, eyes wide with terror, faces as pale as death, hearts filled with panic and despair.

If Xiuliu were not holding her up, Liu Wenxiang might have collapsed entirely.

“What do you want?” Xiuliu blocked Red Wolf’s path, trembling yet forcing herself to speak.

Staring at the two exquisite beauties before him, Red Wolf grinned wickedly. “Originally, I planned to enjoy both of you tonight,” he said, “but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll take only one. Which of you will step forward voluntarily?”

“If one of you agrees to satisfy my every desire and do as I please, I’ll spare the other. You have half an incense stick’s time to consider.”

...

(A stick of incense: five minutes.
A cup of tea: ten minutes.)

Tomorrow is Monday, the day of the Sanjiang event. Please support tomorrow’s updates by clicking and sharing—my thanks to you all! Finally, may you all be blessed with wives and concubines aplenty this New Year’s Eve!