Apology, Huge Sum

Leaving the training grounds.

Xu Yuan entered the quiet room and immediately took out a portion of Meridian Nourishing Powder and a Blood Activating Pill. After consuming a small amount, he assumed a stance and began practicing.

Half an hour later, the medicinal effects of the two precious medicines gradually faded.

Xu Yuan slowly retracted his body and stood still, exhaling a breath of stale air.

With a slight movement of his mind, he opened the System Panel in his mind.

[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Accomplishment 3%), Stone Platform Stance Practice (Major Accomplishment 2%), Thunderclap Fist (Minor Accomplishment 4%)]

[Aptitude: 11 (Unique Bone Structure)]

"Should I continue to improve my cultivation or strengthen my martial skills next?"

Xu Yuan gazed at the data, pondered for a moment, and quickly made a decision.

"For now, I'll focus on improving my cultivation. As for Thunderclap Fist and Tai Chi Exercise, practicing them for a while every evening will be enough."

Moreover, if he encountered any difficult points, they could inspire each other and lead to broader understanding.

"First, I'll refine my cultivation, then pursue martial skills," Xu Yuan planned according to his own situation.

Cultivation could increase strength and reaction speed, bringing tangible improvements. While the power of martial skills was important in clashes within the same realm, Xu Yuan wasn't at that stage yet.

After all, the "Minor Accomplishment" level of internal energy required at least the Four-Vein Realm to support it; practicing more would be useless.

"As for cultivation..."

Based on Xu Yuan's current progress, he would likely break through to the Third Meridian Realm by the middle of next month.

"Even the consumption of precious medicines has become more intense. Slightly increasing the dosage, the monthly expenditure is around ten taels of silver, which is a considerable sum."

"If only that precious meat was not limited, I could increase my speed further."

Xu Yuan thought of the precious meat he had eaten before. After consuming it, his Blood Essence became vigorous, and his cultivation speed could increase by one to two percent.

"But I should be content. With this efficiency, I expect to break through to the Fourth Meridian Realm in about four to five months!"

Xu Yuan felt a surge of excitement at this thought.

After entering the Fourth Meridian Realm, he could achieve Minor Accomplishment in his internal energy, allowing it to extend three inches from his body, not only increasing his power but also allowing him to be promoted to a Servant Leader in the Shangyang Family.

As the name suggests, this was the head of the servants, a position far superior to ordinary Household Guards. No matter where he went, he would be a person of standing.

"Uncle Zhao has been stuck at this realm for a long time, unable to break through for years, which shows how difficult it is."

Xu Yuan shook his head. Fortunately, he had no aptitude limit; he just needed to keep pushing forward.

With his goal set, Xu Yuan's motivation grew. Every day, apart from the fixed time for teaching his students, all his remaining time could be devoted to cultivation.

Even though he was now a Second Meridian Martial Artist, he did not slacken. Instead, as usual, after clearly planning his time, he cultivated diligently and without interruption.

In the afternoon, at Wei Shi, Xu Yuan finished teaching his students. Ye Qing'er and the other person's Meridian Nourishing Soup had already sold out. After greeting him, they left.

In the evening, Xu Yuan returned to his residence. A Laborer had already brought a basin of hot water, served him to wash his feet and hands, and then cleaned the room before respectfully leaving.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder so many masters like to be served; it is indeed much more comfortable."

The next morning, the rain had just cleared.

Xu Yuan arrived at the training grounds early as usual, practicing his Stance Practice alone.

Many Martial Students caught on and followed suit, but in the end, they only managed to grasp the basics.

Soon, Ye Qing'er and Li Hua walked over with bowls of medicinal soup, smiling as they greeted Xu Yuan, "Martial Master Xu, good morning!"

"Good morning," Xu Yuan nodded.

The two chatted for a while longer. Seeing that it was almost time, Ye Qing'er walked briskly to the duty post.

Xu Yuan first went to the backyard to teach the Laborers, then came to the center of the training field. He scanned everyone and asked, "Have you all remembered the Stance Practice I taught yesterday?"

"Who would like to demonstrate?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Martial Students immediately raised their hands in unison.

After yesterday, they gradually realized that the opportunity for a Martial Master's individual guidance was rare, and they naturally did not want to miss it now.

Xu Yuan didn't bother to see who raised their hand first. He casually picked a few who caught his eye and, after giving them pointers, let everyone practice on their own.

He completely ignored the looks of hidden anticipation and even resentment.

Guiding the first few people was merely a momentary whim. For him, this task was just enough to get by, as he still needed to reserve time to improve himself.

In the afternoon.

After Xu Yuan finished teaching everyone, he was about to return to the quiet room to continue practicing when a servant hurried over, stating that Steward Zhao Qiusheng was looking for him.

Entering the Personnel Hall, Zhao Qiusheng was bent over his desk writing. After the busiest peak period, he now had some free time.

"Uncle Zhao, is there something you need me for?" Xu Yuan asked.

"What are you saying? Can't I look for you for a chat if there's nothing else?"

Zhao Qiusheng put down his brush, smiled, exchanged pleasantries, and then took a delicate small box from the side, saying, "This is also a personal matter. Doesn't Quan Xiong of the Wild Wolf Gang have a conflict with you?"

"Today, Steward Liu Yue from the Internal Affairs Office came looking for me, wanting me to mediate. He said Quan Xiong is willing to apologize for what happened before and even sent a hundred taels of silver. He also specifically conveyed a message: that Li Daqiang offended you and deserved his fate. He has already confiscated his property."

After speaking, as if afraid Xu Yuan would misunderstand, Zhao Qiusheng waved his hand, "I owe Liu Yue a favor, so I agreed to help him deliver the message. How you decide is up to you; you don't need to consider me."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan sneered inwardly, 'Quan Xiong is quite full of himself. He won't even come in person to apologize?'

However, he could also imagine that Quan Xiong, being at the same Second Meridian level as him, would lose face by apologizing face-to-face. Thus, sending someone to mediate was a way of showing his attitude.

Xu Yuan was a transmigration, and apart from his elder brother and sister-in-law, he didn't have much affection for anyone else.

But given that this person was associated with the death of his parents, he shouldn't accept the apology, either in terms of emotion or reason.

Therefore, Xu Yuan had two choices at this moment, leading to three possible outcomes.

First, refuse the reconciliation and confront Quan Xiong head-on. Liu Yue would likely not compromise either, leading to a complete breakdown of relations. An established steward and a three-stripe household guard would be quite troublesome for him.

Second, refuse the reconciliation, but Liu Yue compromises and gives up Quan Xiong. However, this wouldn't mean he could easily handle Quan Xiong. In a desperate situation, it would be hard to control... Moreover, Liu Yue would certainly be displeased and might secretly bite him if an opportunity arose.

Finally, accept the reconciliation, appease both of them for the time being, and then settle the score at his leisure when he breaks through to the Third Meridian or even the Fourth Meridian realm.

Moreover, at Xu Yuan's current pace, his cultivation breakthrough wouldn't take too long.

With this in mind, he made his decision. He took the box and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao. Please trouble yourself to tell Steward Liu that I agree to the reconciliation."

"As for future matters, we'll discuss them later."

As everyone knows, me accepting money doesn't mean I accept your apology. I'll take the money, but I'll still take your life.

As for deceiving them and being untrustworthy?

Hey, can things between martial artists be called deception?

This is called tactical deception; it's merely a bit of wind and frost on the road.

"Yes, I will relay the first part of your message to Steward Liu."

Seeing Xu Yuan's expression, Zhao Qiusheng roughly understood his thoughts and nodded in appreciation.

The young man just broke through to the Second Meridian and is full of vigor. Yet, he can still control his emotions and discern the situation. Such a state of mind is rare!

However, if Xu Yuan knew what he was thinking, he would surely burst out laughing.

In reality, he was simply not familiar with the parents of his original body. That was all.

The two chatted for a few more sentences, and then Xu Yuan took his leave.

Returning to his residence, he opened the small box. Inside lay a piece of shimmering silver, dazzling him under the candlelight.

A full hundred taels of silver!

"Quan Xiong is quite generous. This money is exactly what I need right now. It's come at the perfect time."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow and put it away.

Then, he went to the quiet room and resumed his stance practice.