Tang Family Fort

Wuqiao Town was about fifty li from Qingwu County.

After leaving Wuqiao Town and traveling ten li along a rugged path, one could reach the main road leading directly to the county town. Overall, the road was easy to travel, and one wouldn't encounter many bandits during the day.

But at night, it was a different story.

Especially in late autumn, when the weather was cold and food was scarce, it was the peak season for bandits.

Chen He clearly knew this well and sped up the horse-drawn carriage. They arrived at the county town gate by the afternoon hour of weishi.

Looking at the tall and majestic city walls, one could vaguely see soldiers patrolling back and forth. At the city gate, a squad of soldiers in armor stood guard, making people hesitant to act rashly.

Merchants and commoners entered and exited the city gate in an endless stream, all holding travel permits and queuing up.

Qingwu County was located on the border of the Great Qian Dynasty and had a Thousand Household Garrison, so entry and exit into the city were strictly inspected. Even locals needed a travel permit stamped with the official seal to enter or exit.

Xie An did not have household registration, so he naturally could not get a travel permit. In the past, when he came to the county town, he would use the Li Manor's travel permit, stating he was on official business for the pawnshop, to gain entry.

Now, following Chen He, it was much more convenient; he could simply say he was Chen He's follower.

"Officer, here is the travel permit."

Chen He handed over the travel permit documents with both hands. The guard glanced at Xie An behind Chen He, his gaze darkening, and asked sternly, "And his?"

Chen He subtly slipped some silver coins to the guard and said with a smile, "This is my stablehand, helping me move things. Please, Officer, be accommodating."

After receiving the silver, the guard's stern expression softened considerably. He nodded and said, "You may enter. Curfew starts from xushi and ends at mao shi the next day. Don't miss the time to leave the city."

"Thank you for the reminder, Officer."

Chen He bowed gratefully and then hurriedly pulled the carriage into the city.

Cities in the Great Qian Dynasty generally enforced curfews. Only during important festivals like New Year would the curfew be lifted for seven days, ostensibly for the people's enjoyment and universal celebration.

Entering the county town, one could see bluestone paved roads everywhere, with shops on both sides bustling with people, and carriages coming and going. The surrounding buildings were magnificent and imposing, exuding a sense of grandeur.

Although Xie An had been to the county town many times, it had been several years since his last visit. Being here again still gave him the feeling of a country bumpkin entering the city.

Living in a place like this was truly interesting.

In the future, when he had the ability and earned money, he would buy a large four-courtyard house in the city, hire a few beautiful maids, and live like a lord.

Even though he was a bit old, he still had to have dreams.

Xie An thought to himself.

"Brother Xie, the newly opened antique market is at the end of Flower Willow Alley in the east of the city. I need to exchange some medicinal ingredients first. How about we meet at Flower Willow Alley in an hour?"

"Alright."

They parted ways on the central street. Chen He went to the medicinal market, while Xie An, familiar with the way, found several large pawnshops and went to sell the night pot outright.

The pawnshops in the county town were indeed much more grand. Moreover, the Appraisal Masters had sharp eyes and good skills, immediately recognizing the night pot as a valuable item.

After comparing prices at three places, Xie An was still not satisfied, so he went directly to Yong'an Pawnshop, the largest in the county town, to inquire about the price.

As expected, the larger the pawnshop, the more they cared about their reputation, and the less they would try to lowball customers.

An old Appraisal Master with a white beard gave the highest price, "This is indeed an item from the royal family a hundred years ago. If it's a live pledge, it's two hundred and twenty taels with three percent interest. If it's a dead pledge, it's two hundred and fifty taels."

Xie An felt that this old Appraiser was knowledgeable and spoke with great confidence, so he said, "Dead pledge."

A dead pledge was like a done deal, a one-time transaction with no possibility of redemption.

Xie An had never thought of redeeming a certain night pot...

The old man with the white beard brought out five large silver ingots and handed them to Xie An. "If you have any more items like this in the future, you can always come to me. My surname is Liu, and my given name is Ji."

Xie An acknowledged this and then wrapped the silver ingots in the cloth bag he had brought with him before turning to leave the pawnshop.

Carrying the substantial sum of two hundred and fifty taels, his back was straighter as he walked down the street.

They say confidence comes from strength.

Money is also a form of strength.

With his wallet full, he naturally had to have a good meal.

Xie An found an affordable eatery, ordered a bowl of braised beef and a spicy lamb head, accompanied by white rice, and enjoyed a satisfying meal.

Most of the day's hunger subsided, and his stomach was greatly contented.

While eating, he overheard the discussions of the diners next to him.

"Did you guys hear? Mr. Tang of Tang Family Fort is on his deathbed. He's looking for a talented disciple to inherit his ultimate skill, 'Six Elephant Strength'. Unfortunately, he hasn't found a suitable candidate."

"That's truly a pity. Mr. Tang is one of the few in Qingwu County who cultivated into a martial artist through the Health Cultivation Technique, an anomaly. It's a shame that at the end of his life, he can't find anyone to inherit his profound skills."

"You can't really blame him. The world is in turmoil now, and those with talent all go to practice martial arts. Who would practice the Health Cultivation Technique anymore?"

"Exactly. Practicing martial arts for three to five years yields great results, while the Health Cultivation Technique requires thirty to fifty years of accumulation just to make a tiny bit of progress. Only a fool would practice the Health Cultivation Technique."

"..."

Only a fool would practice the Health Cultivation Technique...

Xie An's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered... Tang Qingfeng, who had introduced him to the Health Cultivation Technique, was from Tang Family Fort.

Back then, Tang Qingfeng had said that if he could cultivate a Qi Sensation, he could go to Tang Family Fort to find him, and there might be an opportunity.

Could this opportunity be the Tang elder's ultimate skill... the Six Elephant Strength?

Although Xie An knew very little about Tang Family Fort, he overheard the diners talking about how the elder had reached the esteemed title of Martial Master through his Health Cultivation Technique. This alone was enough to glimpse the elder's extraordinary nature.

Moreover... one could become a Martial Master by cultivating the Health Cultivation Technique?

This was something Xie An had never considered before.

He had always wanted to practice martial arts, believing it to be the proper path. The only reason he had delayed until now was his inability to afford martial arts manuals.

If cultivating the Health Cultivation Technique could also turn someone into a skilled martial artist adept at combat, wouldn't that mean he was already on the right track?

However, these superficial Health Cultivation Technique forms, besides strengthening the body and increasing physical strength, didn't involve any combat moves.

How did this Tang elder manage it?

Xie An vaguely felt he was touching upon a brand new door, but many pieces were still missing.

"It's a shame I couldn't cultivate Qi Sensation, so I can't go to Tang Family Fort. Even if I went, I wouldn't be taken seriously..."

Xie An felt a slight disappointment. Seeing that it was almost time for his appointment with Chen He, he paid the bill and hurried out to meet him.

As soon as he reached the end of Flower Willow Alley, he saw Chen He impatiently waiting by the roadside, pulling his horse carriage.

"Brother Xie, you were killing me with worry. If we're any later, the antique market will be closed. Come on, let's go find some bargains."

The newly opened antique market was quite large, with all sorts of items and over a hundred stalls, filled with constant shouts.

Chen He dragged Xie An along, weaving through the stalls.

"Quick, take a look, see if there's anything good?"

"Don't rush. I'm looking."

After browsing for a while, Xie An shook his head.

Chen He felt very disappointed. "Not a single bargain?"

Xie An gave a wry smile and explained, "Finding bargains isn't that simple. Antiques aren't priced clearly; their value fluctuates greatly. Without a guaranteed profit margin of several times the price, you risk being stuck with them or having wasted your effort. The items here have all been handled before; there's no real profit to be made. If you truly want to find bargains, you need to buy directly from tomb raiders; that's where the real money is."

Chen He finally understood. With the slight delay, it was nearing curfew. The two had no choice but to hurry out of the city.

If they passed curfew, they would have to stay overnight in the city. Both of them were working to make a living – one managing a pawnshop, the other a pharmacy. If they didn't return for a day, their employers would be displeased.

They left the county town as dusk fell.

As they traveled, night descended. There was no one on either side of the official road, only flickering tree shadows and the cries of crows.

"We've wasted time. Traveling at night isn't safe; we need to get back quickly." Chen He sharply whipped the horse's hindquarters with a bamboo whip, urging it to hurry.

As they rounded a corner, three masked men wielding broadswords suddenly appeared ahead.

"Whoa, whoa!"

Chen He quickly reined in the horse, his face filled with terror. "Gentlemen, what is this?"

A tall man standing in the middle of the three revealed a sinister gaze. "Old man, you took two hundred and fifty taels of silver from Yong'an Pawnshop and you're out and about. You're quite wealthy. I'm short on cash lately, and I like fat sheep like you."