Leaving the Zhou residence, Fu Da Chun looked at the bulging silver in Xiang Yang's arms, a trace of envy in his eyes. But even more than that, he was angry at Zhou Fugui for breaking his word—saying one thing and doing another.
"Earlier, he said that whoever went up the mountain to ransom his daughter back would become his son-in-law, and he'd give three large Zhou family tea estates as her dowry. And now look at this—everything's shrunk so much. If you hadn't stopped me, Brother Xiang Yang, I would've argued with him properly."
Wild Goose Feather Saber in hand, Xiang Yang saw that the sky had already darkened and pulled Fu Da Chun into a nearby restaurant for dinner. He ordered a whole table of dishes, meat and vegetables alike. Though it could not compare to the Zhou family's noon meal, it was still quite good.
On the red square table were braised beef, stewed duck feet, steamed chicken wings, and stir-fried beef brisket—those were the meat dishes. There were also three vegetarian dishes, bright green and lightly fried in oil, carrying a refreshing fragrance. Not to mention the restaurant's special fruit wine, sweet with a spicy kick and fragrant with fruit; even two large jugs would hardly have been enough.
Clink! Xiang Yang and Fu Da Chun tapped their cups together. The fruit wine went down, and each of them picked up a bite of food and stuffed it into his mouth. The braised beef was salty and richly meaty, blending with the lingering taste of fruit wine in their mouths. They truly felt as carefree as immortals.
"Brother Xiang Yang, if you ask me, we really shouldn't have stepped forward today.
"If Zhou Fugui had been a man of his word, then we brothers could have risked it for wealth and glory. But in the end, he only gave us a few hundred taels. It really wasn't worth it. You're the Old Xiang family's only son, the one meant to carry on the family line."
In Fu Da Chun's view, if Zhou Fugui had kept his word, he should have taken Xiang Yang as his son-in-law after Miss Zhou returned safely, while giving away three large tea estates as her dowry. That way, Xiang Yang would never have to worry about the rest of his life. He could simply eat, drink, and wait for death. Taking a risk would not have been impossible, after all—wealth and rank stirred men's hearts.
But now, they had risked losing their heads only to earn this little money, not even as much as one year's income from those three tea estates. To Fu Da Chun, it simply was not worth it.
Seeing Fu Da Chun's face flush and his gaze turn hazy after drinking the fruit wine, Xiang Yang shook his head. He drained the clear jade-colored wine in his cup and said calmly,
"Do you know what it means for families to be well matched? Do you know the difference between one household and another?
"The Zhou family is a prominent household, a famous tea merchant not only in Anyuan but in several nearby counties. Their wealth is far beyond a hundred thousand. And what about me?
"I come from a poor, wretched farming family. I only managed to become a constable at the County Yamen and earn a bite of official food by relying on the shade cast by my father. That is the gap between us. Do you think Zhou Fugui could truly marry his daughter to me?"
As he spoke, Xiang Yang's phoenix eyes were as calm as a lake. Fu Da Chun felt an indescribable bitterness. Xiang Yang had belittled himself so badly, yet why did he not seem pained at all?
"Hmph, a prominent household? I'd like to see how his daughter gets married in the future. A woman who was carried up the mountain by bandits has already had her chastity ruined.
"Come to think of it, I'm actually a little glad. If Zhou Fugui had truly taken you as his son-in-law, then although you would have gained wealth, you would have lost your dignity. In the future, you probably wouldn't even be able to hold your head up in the county. You'd become the laughingstock of everyone's gossip and tarnish the fine name Uncle Xiang left behind.
"Besides, I think you're very capable, Brother Xiang Yang. One day, when you enter the Divine Constable Gate, the Zhou family will be the ones who are far too low to reach you."
Xiang Yang smiled and nodded. "That's the truth. A real man with ability can seize wealth and rank with his own two hands. We brothers should have that kind of spirit. We must not let others see us as lowlifes greedy for money and women."
Xiang Yang's words set Fu Da Chun's blood boiling. He agreed again and again, then launched into another round of wild boasting.
From the Zhou family, he moved on to the Fu family tavern, and from the Fu family tavern to the County Yamen, giving Xiang Yang quite a bit of information.
During the time Xiang Yang had been arranging Xiang Da Niu's funeral, the county had not been peaceful either. Someone had died here, some family's daughter had been abducted and sold there, and there were young men taking advantage of other husbands being away to forcibly violate respectable women. One case after another—there were truly quite a few.
"But Brother Xiang Yang, you don't need to hurry. Captain Wang said that the County Yamen isn't too busy yet, and everyone can handle it. Rest well at home for the rest of this month and settle your mind. Report back to the County Yamen on the first day of next month."
It was now mid-June, with more than ten days left before the end of the month. It was practically a long vacation. But Huangfu Xu was not considering where to go for amusement. Instead, he was thinking about how to kill Hu Qiang during this time and uncover the real culprit behind Xiang Da Niu's murder.
"By the way, has there been any news from the Giant Bear Gang lately? They're the largest underworld gang in our county. In all this time, they must have committed quite a few crimes, right?"
Xiang Yang asked as if casually. Upon hearing the name Giant Bear Gang, Fu Da Chun glanced at the neighboring tables. Only after seeing that no one was paying attention to them did he let out a breath of relief.
"Shh, Brother Xiang Yang, you don't know this, but the Giant Bear Gang has been extremely arrogant lately. They've repeatedly swept aside the Green Wolf Gang's and Little Knife Society's turf, and they seem to be aiming to unite Anyuan's underworld.
"I heard they're acting so brazenly because they're about to bring in a powerful man from elsewhere to hold the fort. He just hasn't arrived yet."
A powerful man? Xiang Yang immediately connected this to Hu Qiang preparing to come down the mountain and head to Giant Bear Gang territory to recover and enjoy himself. That was probably who Fu Da Chun meant. Of course, it was also possible that the Giant Bear Gang had truly recruited another powerful man from a different county.
"Then, Da Chun, you're well informed. If there's any wind or grass stirring around the Giant Bear Gang in the future, come tell me at once."
Xiang Yang no longer cared about exposing his intentions and spoke solemnly.
Fu Da Chun's chopsticks slowed. He raised his head and looked at Xiang Yang with some confusion, but he still nodded in agreement. It was only a small matter. The Fu family tavern was a melting pot, and every day many Giant Bear Gang members came by to buy wine and drink. How could there be a lack of news?
The two ate for nearly half a shichen, their stomachs stuffed full. Fu Da Chun in particular drank several extra cups and could barely walk, forcing Xiang Yang to support him.
After paying the bill, Xiang Yang sent Fu Da Chun home. By the time he returned to the small courtyard of his own house, it was already deep into the night, with only the occasional crow of a rooster or bark of a dog from the neighboring homes.
He hid the silver in a small cellar dug into the floor of his little room. Seeing the tiny cellar covered in silver, a trace of delight appeared on Xiang Yang's face.
Poor scholars, rich warriors. He would no longer need to worry about the medicinal broth required to cultivate the Iron Crotch Technique. Next, he only needed to train diligently, temper his saber techniques, and wait for the day Hu Qiang came down the mountain.
After covering the cellar, spreading straw over it, Xiang Yang went to the kitchen and found the medicinal broth he had brewed the previous night. He poured out a large bowl and slowly heated it over a low flame. With nothing else to do, he drew the Wild Goose Feather Saber and practiced his saber in the courtyard.
Perhaps because he had killed someone during the day, Xiang Yang's saber carried more fierce killing intent than before. The moves were still the same moves, yet they somehow felt thirty percent stronger than the day before.
Take a thrusting strike, for instance. Before, he had thrust into empty air. There was strength, but no momentum; it counted as martial skill, not a killing technique. But now, when he thrust out, it was as though a living man stood before him, and his blade pierced that man's vital point. There was more ruthlessness in it. That was the change of a single day.
Xiang Yang felt delighted and remained immersed in his saber practice when the scent of the heated medicinal broth drifted over, making him reluctantly sheath his saber.
"Before I have inner force, the Iron Crotch Technique is my foundation. I must train it day and night."
Xiang Yang picked up the large bowl and drank the medicinal broth clean, then returned to his little room to await the moment when his body would burn like it was being roasted by fire. Today, he cultivated with greater composure and experience. He only hoped the effects of his training would not fade too much.
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