madnovel Chapter 20: Young Master Qingyang, who killed a cow with a single blow to provide disaster relief an
Chapter 20: Young Master Qingyang, who killed a cow with a single blow to provide disaster relief an
Wang Quanfu, as if finally finding an outlet, stopped hiding his grievances and poured out his troubles: "Nephew Qingyang, you have no idea! Ever since your father... Commander Zhang... sigh, after he died for his country, my business in the city has been declining day by day!"
"In the past, out of respect for the Zhang family and for the sake of the Captain, those colleagues and clerks still gave my cousin some face."
"Now that people have left, the tea has turned cold. Several of my profitable shops and trade routes have been openly and secretly squeezed out and snatched away! I, your uncle... I really can't swallow this!"
He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of pleading, "Nephew, look... your father's comrades-in-arms who risked their lives for him now hold important positions in the prefectures and counties."
"Could you...could you find an opportunity to mention it to them? Even just a word, asking them to look out for your uncle's name a little bit!"
"Let them know that the Zhang family's relatives are still alive and well, and that there are still people watching!"
Zhang Yuan remained silent for a moment, the sorrow on his face lessening slightly before he adopted a thoughtful expression and slowly shook his head: "Uncle, it's not that Qingyang doesn't want to help. It's just... with Father gone, this favor is like a rootless duckweed, thinning with each use."
"If we rashly ask for help, it might be fine if the matter is minor, but if it is of great importance, or if those people are already alienated from the Zhang family, we might not only fail to help, but also make them think we don't know our place, which would only annoy them."
"These kinds of favors that can be invaluable in crucial moments should be used sparingly."
After listening, Wang Quanfu paused for a moment, his face growing even more bitter. He slapped his forehead in self-deprecation, "Sigh! I'm getting old and senile! I don't even see things as clearly as you, a kid!"
"No wonder...no wonder your father advised me back then that doing business was too risky, and that it would be better to buy some land and live a stable life..."
Zhang Yuan stopped looking at him, turned around and continued walking towards the study, his voice returning to calm: "Uncle, don't be discouraged. Qingyang's martial arts cultivation is still in its early stages, and he will need many spiritual herbs and precious materials in the future. He will have to rely on your extensive network of connections and resources to keep an eye out for Qingyang."
"This is the only long-term solution."
He stopped at the study door, turned back to look at Wang Quanfu, whose eyes had regained a glimmer of hope: "If you, Uncle, feel that visiting the Zhang family's old friends under the guise of making some contact and maintaining the relationship could benefit the business or Qingyang's future search for medicine..."
"Then in the next couple of days, Qingyang can go with his cousin to visit some of Father's old friends and colleagues."
"Although Father is gone, this network of connections... is still the foundation of the Zhang family, and we cannot easily lose it."
"Really?" Upon hearing this, Wang Quanfu's gloomy expression vanished instantly, replaced by immense joy. His small eyes lit up. "Great! That's wonderful!"
"Don't worry, nephew! Your uncle will make all the arrangements! Tomorrow! Tomorrow at noon, your uncle will personally pick you up from the Rock Martial Arts School!"
"I guarantee that when you meet people, you won't seem out of place, and you'll still remind them of the Zhang family's kindness!"
"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Uncle." Zhang Yuan nodded and pushed open the door to the study.
Watching Wang Quanfu's happy figure disappear outside the courtyard gate, Zhang Yuan closed the study door, leaned against the cold door panel, and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.
The sorrowful performance just now was mentally taxing, but it was effective.
He walked to the desk and sat down, his fingers tapping the surface unconsciously.
"Adult thinking... is indeed too obvious," Zhang Yuan thought to himself.
"An orphan who has endured many hardships may be precocious and resilient, but if he is too mature, cautious, and worldly-wise, he will eventually arouse suspicion."
It seems that from now on, my words and actions need to be more in line with my childlike identity, at least on the surface I need to appear more "naive".
"However..." His gaze swept over the books Chen Wenyuan had given him on the desk, and he recalled Zheng Chaoyang's high praise at the martial arts school. "His martial arts comprehension and literary talent seem impossible to completely conceal now."
"Zheng Chaoyang and Chen Wenyuan are no ordinary people; I can't hide anything from them. Since my extraordinary talent can't be concealed, I might as well make it my protective charm!"
Let's solidify the titles of "child prodigy" and "genius"!
"A loyal orphan with extraordinary talent is more acceptable and more likely to...gather resources than a child with a deep and unpredictable mind!"
"Young Master," came Zhang Gu's aged yet gentle voice from outside the door, "The herbal medicine is ready, and the water temperature is just right. This old servant has added or subtracted a few ingredients from the prescription I used to serve you, Master. Please steep it while it's hot; it will be most beneficial for strengthening your muscles and bones."
"Coming," Zhang Yuan replied, suppressing his thoughts, and got up to walk towards the bathroom.
The bathhouse was filled with steam, thick with the bitter aroma of herbs and a hint of peculiar spiciness.
Zhang Yuan removed his clothes and stepped into the chest-deep medicinal liquid.
The scalding medicinal power instantly felt like countless fine needles piercing into his pores, bringing waves of burning pain and tingling.
He focused his mind and silently practiced the inner techniques of the Wild Bull Fist, guiding his blood and qi to flow faster.
【Ding! 】
[A "Body Tempering Elixir" (Mid-grade Mortal) containing trace amounts of life energy was detected.]
[Medicine being absorbed... Tempering muscles, bones, skin, and membranes...]
[Slightly improved Qi and Blood... Lifespan increased by 3 days!]
[Current lifespan remaining: 15 years and 272 days!]
Zhang Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, a look of unbelievable surprise flashing in them!
Three days of longevity? !
This medicinal soup...
It can actually directly increase lifespan?
Although it's only for three days, it's of great significance!
This means that, besides killing living beings to plunder life force, he has found a second way to replenish his lifespan.
High-quality medicinal herbs and precious materials!
"Perhaps Master Gu's herbal prescription really is what my father used back then, just as he said!" Zhang Yuan thought excitedly. "The saying 'the poor are scholars, the rich are warriors'... it's absolutely true! Without resources, you can't move an inch!"
After the initial surprise came a deeper longing and a sense of urgency about the depletion of one's lifespan.
His mind sank into his sea of consciousness, looking at the projects on the panel that required decades of lifespan to deduce.
"Insights... especially Confucian and Taoist insights and more profound martial arts techniques, cannot be achieved solely through arduous practice. Lifespan is precious, but it must be used when necessary!"
[Consumes 1 year of lifespan! Exchange for initial insights into 'Confucian and Taoist Righteousness'.]
A cool and gentle feeling flowed into his mind, and his understanding of "righteousness" became much clearer in an instant.
It was as if a corner of a dusty mirror had been polished, allowing for a deeper understanding of the righteous spirit embodied in the "Quiet" character in the study.
[Lifespan consumed: 4 years! Exchanged for the Great Perfection Realm comprehension of the first three forms of the 'Rock-Splitting Mountain Blade'.]
In an instant, all the details of the exertion, the transitions, and the essence of the artistic conception of "Mountain Splitting Force," "Flow Cutting Slash," and "Rock Suppression" were deeply imprinted into his body's instincts like a brand!
The level that would normally require years of hard work to reach was achieved in an instant!
[Martial Skill: Rock-Splitting Mountain Blade (Mortal Rank Supreme - Fragmented): Great Perfection (100%)]
Feeling the crystal-clear sword intent in his mind and the perfect control his body had over these three sword techniques, Zhang Yuan felt exhilarated.
But seeing his lifespan reduced by five years in an instant, leaving him with just over thirteen years, he felt a pang of heartache and a strong sense of crisis.
"Fifteen years of lifespan... only a little over thirteen years left in the blink of an eye! Deducing higher realms often takes decades or even centuries... this little lifespan is a drop in the ocean! Money! Resources! Elixirs! We must find a way as soon as possible!"
Zhang Yuan clenched his fists, and a faint flow of qi and blood circulated through his body.
The next day, at the Rock Martial Arts Hall.
The backyard training ground was filled with the whistling of blades!
The fine iron longsword in Zhang Yuan's hand transformed into a streak of cold light.
He kept yesterday's reflections in mind and deliberately toned down his sharpness, controlling his speed and power between "minor mastery" and "major mastery".
However, the connection between each move, the precision of the angle of force application, and the demonstration of the essence of "power, speed, and stability" still far surpass those of ordinary beginners.
The "Mountain-Opening Moment" is like splitting Mount Hua with immense force and power!
The "Flow-Severing Slash" is a swift and decisive strike, as sharp as lightning!
"Panshi Town" stands firm and unshakable, like Mount Tai!
The three sword techniques flowed smoothly in his hands. Although he only showed a slight improvement in skill, his almost instinctive coordination and understanding of the sword's momentum made Zheng Chaoyang, who was watching from the side, gleam with excitement!
"Good! Good! Good!" Zheng Chaoyang praised three times, striding forward with undisguised elation on his face. He grinned widely and said, "Hahaha! I knew I hadn't misjudged you! Qingyang, your comprehension, your physique, your sword sense..."
"This is truly the most monstrous talent I've ever seen in my life! What kind of bullshit genius is he? Compared to you, he's a complete idiot! Hahaha!"
He patted Zhang Yuan's shoulder heavily with his large, fan-like hand, and a warm and pure qi instantly surged into Zhang Yuan's body, helping to regulate his blood and qi, which were slightly turbulent from practicing swordsmanship, while carefully examining his meridians and bones.
Feeling the surging blood and qi within Zhang Yuan's body, and the increased resilience of his muscles and bones under the tempering of the medicine, especially his rapid comprehension of the core essence of those three sword techniques, Zheng Chaoyang was extremely satisfied.
"Come! Today I will teach you the fourth move of the Mountain-Splitting Saber Technique—'Mountain-Crushing Force'!"
Zheng Chaoyang was in high spirits and personally went down to demonstrate.
This move emphasizes the explosive release of internal energy, focusing on breaking through the surface with a single point. The moment the blade touches the target, the power of the whole body is suddenly released like a volcanic eruption, with the power to shatter mountains and rocks!
The movements may seem simple—a thrust or a slash—but their underlying principles are far more profound than the ordinary.
Zhang Yuan carefully memorized the instructions and practiced accordingly. Although he deliberately slowed down and seemed rusty, Zheng Chaoyang could still see the instant enlightenment in his eyes and thought to himself that he had struck gold.
Early noon.
Zhang Yuan sheathed his sword, bid farewell to Zheng Chaoyang who was still immersed in excitement, and walked out of the martial arts school.
Wang Quanfu's carriage was indeed waiting at the street corner.
"Nephew! Over here!"
Wang Quanfu leaned out of the car window and waved enthusiastically.
Zhang Yuan boarded the carriage.
The carriage was fairly spacious. Wang Quanfu rubbed his hands together, his face flushed. "Let's go to the Li family's 'Baofeng' shop in the west of the city first. Their silk shop used to have dealings with your father's military camp's clothing purchases, so they're related by blood."
"Master Li is... well, he's very sentimental and also very concerned about his reputation! When you meet him later, nephew, just follow your uncle, greet him and pay your respects, and your uncle will take care of the rest."
Zhang Yuan nodded, his face now displaying an expression of a "well-behaved child"—a mixture of restraint and curiosity.
It's as if that sharp-tongued, deep-thinking boy from yesterday never existed.
He listened quietly as Wang Quanfu rambled on about Li Yuanwai's preferences, family situation, and the etiquette to observe. His eyes were clear and innocent, and he occasionally responded with "uh-huh," perfectly portraying the image of a loyal martyr's orphan who was just beginning to experience the world and was slightly nervous.
The carriage stopped in front of a grand courtyard in the west of the city.
The vermilion gate, the majestic stone lions, and the gleaming gold characters "Li Mansion" above the gate all exude wealth.
A clever clerk had already gone in to inform them.
A moment later, the gate opened, and a middle-aged, plump man wearing a dark brown silk shirt, sporting a goatee and a ruddy complexion, came out with several stewards. It was none other than Master Li, Li Decai.
"Hahaha! Brother Wang! What a rare guest! Oh? This young master... could he be the same young master Qingyang who slaughtered a cow for disaster relief at the manor outside the city a few days ago, displaying unparalleled benevolence and righteousness?"
"Oh dear, please come in, please come in!"