Don't Be Polite, We're All Brothers

Before he knew it, another half a month had passed.

Qi Manor, courtyard, afternoon.

Tap...

Tap...

Tap-tap-tap...

In the courtyard, the young man had a sharp gaze and clenched fists as he surged forward like the wind.

His fists flowed into elbows, and his elbows transformed back into fists. Like a violent storm, he unleashed a relentless chain of blows, each one smashing into the sandbag with an unbroken succession of booming thuds.

After completing one combination, the young man suddenly retreated three steps. He spun on the tips of his toes, winding around to the side like a spirit serpent swimming through grass. After feinting half a move, he once more closed in with sudden ferocity...

Bang!!

The sandbag flew into the air, and the iron chain let out an overburdened creak.

The young man withdrew his fist and stood still. His clenched fists took on a faintly black metallic sheen.

As the cowhide sandbag fell back down, he abruptly sank into a horse stance and drove his right fist out from beneath his ribs.

Clang!

That punch actually produced the sound of metal striking metal. The sandbag let out a tremendous wail, spinning around on its hanging post, while the iron rod nearly snapped in two.

Qi Yu fell silent as he watched the iron rod creak incessantly.

During this time, he had thoroughly grasped all three stance techniques. As a result, the three stance techniques had provided him with different numbers of skill points.

Five Plum Blossom Fist had provided 2 points, Rooster Fist had provided 1 point, and Mystic Tiger Fist had provided 2 points.

As he cultivated, he had also understood two things:

First, if the technique he cultivated overlapped too much with a technique he had practiced before, the gains would decrease. Rooster Fist's stance technique was somewhat similar to Spirit Serpent Fist, so it had only given him 1 point.

Second, although he had cultivated three stance techniques and his combat power had not changed at all, he nevertheless felt strangely stronger. The sensation was faint, yet it truly existed.

Just as he was thinking about this, a voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Young Master."

Sun Da Yun had come again.

Qi Yu waved him over and said, "Come."

Sun Da Yun had already grown used to this. He cupped his fists and said, "Young Master, forgive me for offending you!"

Then he let out a low growl. Both his arms flushed red as his blood qi surged through his body.

Qi Yu looked toward him, a faint black sheen rapidly spreading over both his fists.

The two charged toward each other. At the instant they met in the middle, an unbroken series of fists and kicks colliding erupted.

Half an hour later...

As usual, A Bi came in from outside carrying a tray.

On the tray sat a basin of hot water, a handkerchief, and a black box of bruising ointment.

The little maid had just crossed the courtyard gate when the sight before her made her eyes widen.

The young master's hair bun had come loose, his black hair hanging loose as he sat casually on the bluestone ground. Guard Sun, meanwhile, stood woodenly to the side, his left hand lightly resting on his right arm, an expression both complicated and strange on his face.

A Bi thought Guard Sun had injured the young master. Her willow brows shot up, and she loudly scolded him in a coquettish, annoyed voice, "Sun Da Yun! What in the world are you doing?!"

Qi Yu casually waved his hand and said boldly, "Go to the treasury and collect ten taels of silver as a reward. Say that I, your young master, have entered the Eighth Rank and am in high spirits."

Eighth Rank?

A Bi froze for a moment, then was overjoyed.

At that moment, Guard Sun suddenly sucked in a sharp breath, the sound carrying a trace of pain.

A Bi glared at him and scolded, "You were far too rough! You actually injured the young master, and you even look so pleased with yourself!"

"Miss A Bi, you wrong me terribly. When was I pleased with myself?" Guard Sun said with a bitter smile. He moved his left hand away, rolled up his right sleeve, and revealed a swollen red fist mark on his forearm. Then he said, "It wasn't me who injured the young master. The young master injured me."

A Bi stood dumbfounded, then stammered, "You... you... Sun Da Yun! Why didn't you seriously spar with the young master?!"

Guard Sun's expression grew even stranger. He scratched his head. "I did take it seriously! But how was I supposed to know the young master would become this fierce the moment he broke through to the Eighth Rank..."

Fierce?

Huh?

A Bi stared blankly.

Qi Yu leaped to his feet, grabbed the bruising ointment A Bi had brought today, and handed it to Sun Da Yun. Then he waved his hand. "Go on. Heal your wounds, and come again tomorrow."

Sun Da Yun saluted and respectfully said, "Yes, Young Master."

The burly man then left in a daze, disbelief still filling his eyes.

Secret medicine?

Was this really the effect of secret medicine?

Could secret medicine be this powerful?

Qi Yu looked at his arms and clenched both fists. He felt a strange heat radiate from his blood, rapidly spreading through his limbs and bones, as though it would set all the flesh in his body ablaze. The battle intent in his heart likewise burned without end like a roaring bonfire.

Strands of white blood qi also surfaced around his body. However, the blood qi was extremely weak; it dissipated into the air before rising even an inch.

He glanced at the panel:

[Qi Yu]

[Realm: Eighth Rank, Blood Eruption]

[Combat Power: 20~30]

[Skill Points: 5]

[Technique: Spirit Serpent Skill, Great Accomplishment (1/16)]

[Blessing: None]

With just one breakthrough, his combat power had risen from its original "10~20" to "20~30," slightly surpassing even Guard Sun Da Yun, who had entered the Eighth Rank earlier.

One had to know that Sun Da Yun had also cultivated a killing technique, which was how he had reached "18~30."

"Is this the importance of foundations? The better the foundation, the stronger one becomes after breaking through."

The end of the year was drawing near.

The city had begun to grow lively.

The streets and alleys were lined with rows upon rows of New Year goods stalls. The streets, already bustling to begin with, were now flooded with crowds, shoulder rubbing against shoulder...

Toward evening, a servant hurried over from afar. With both hands respectfully holding an invitation, he jogged all the way to Qi Yu and presented it. "Young Master, this is an invitation sent by Young Master Wang Yuan."

Qi Yu took the invitation and unfolded it. On the letter was written in carefree, elegant strokes: "Brother Qi, the year's end is nearly upon us. Our old friends have returned to the city one after another, and new friends have joined us as well. We should gather and drain a great cup together. Tomorrow at noon, let us meet at Fragrance Containing Pavilion. Since it is your family's property, you shall host us, and you must not shirk the responsibility."

Fragrance Containing Pavilion was an estate of Qi Changshun's branch. The restaurant stood five stories tall, making it one of the highest buildings in all of Mount Wei City.

The top floor was known as the Sky Courtyard.

The fifth floor contained only one spacious hall.

The surrounding scenery was excellent.

Looking north, one could see Mount Wei, and on winter days, the clear sky and sea of clouds often came into view. To the southwest lay orderly yet crisscrossing streets of mortal bustle, while to the east flowed a winding river like a jade ribbon.

Qi Yu held the letter and smiled.

Because of the matter involving Chu Xiao, he had previously promised to treat Wang Yuan to a drink.

Now Wang Yuan had brought a whole group over to shake him down, but... how could a scion of a noble family fear such a shakedown? Especially when Fragrance Containing Pavilion was Third Master Qi's property. There was even less reason to fear it. Not only was he unafraid, he even welcomed it.

In a single letter, the brotherly affection of days past had been fully revealed.

Most importantly, Wang Yuan had not asked whether he agreed, nor given him any chance to refuse.

Qi Yu temporarily suppressed the joy brought by his breakthrough to the Eighth Rank, summoned the steward, and ordered, "Make the arrangements. Tomorrow at noon, prepare a banquet on the fifth floor of Fragrance Containing Pavilion to receive Young Master Wang Yuan and the various guests. If anyone has booked it in advance... go negotiate with them and cancel it."

The next day.

Fragrance Containing Pavilion, fifth floor.

Pearl curtains swayed lightly, incense filled the air, and gold-woven carpets spread out like rosy clouds.

Behind the screen, several dancers dressed in cicada-wing gauze stood waiting for their host's summons, their waists graceful and their charming eyes full of feeling.

In the seat of honor, Qi Yu lounged in the sable fur of a sandalwood chair, idly playing with a glass cup. The fine wine within it rippled gently. It was Qi Family's secret brew—Hundred Flowers Brew, a product money could not buy in Mount Wei City.

To his left, Wang Yuan's brocade robe hung loose at the collar, his ink-black hair spilling down his back as he leaned against the armrest. He studied with interest the brother beside him, who had been reborn and become incomparably strong.

The person seated to the right was a lean-faced young man named Zhou Wen. He was the direct son of the city's third branch of the lord's household. At that moment, he sat upright, absorbed in a painting of unknown origin as though no one else existed.

Farther down sat Hong Chun and Han Tao, two wastrel sons who often haunted Golden Hook Quarter. Their clothes were dazzling, but their eyes held a hint of obsequiousness. They chatted from time to time about events in the city to keep the atmosphere lively.

Qi Yu's gaze swept across those seated at the table. Suddenly, he asked, "Why don't I see A Li today?"

The "A Li" he spoke of was Sun Li, a son of a lineage under the Qi Family. He had previously been something of Qi Yu's little hanger-on.

Wang Yuan gave a derisive laugh and poured himself a cup from the wine pot. "Avoiding suspicion, of course! A Li is following your cousin now.

"Your cousin Qi Feng has been doing very well lately. He'll soon be taking the position of Brigade General in the Poison Water Army.

"Tsk, tsk. Your second uncle is already the commandant of the Poison Water Army. Now... could it be that the old master of the Qi Family plans to hand over all the family businesses of the Poison Water Army and Herb Gathering Pavilion to your second uncle to manage?"

At that moment, the pearl curtain rang again.

A graceful, alluring young woman entered.

Two handsome young men followed behind her.

However, the moment they entered, she scolded them, "Wait downstairs. This isn't a place you should be coming to."

The two handsome young men hurriedly left.

The young woman was Qian Fu.

When she saw Qi Yu in the seat of honor, her steps paused slightly and a flicker of astonishment crossed her eyes. She turned to Wang Yuan. "Brother Wang, this person... do you know him?"

Wang Yuan stretched out his long arm, warmly hooked it around Qi Yu's shoulders, and laughed loudly. "Know him? We're practically brothers!"

Qian Fu's eyes shifted as she recalled the matchmaker her mother had arranged. She glanced again at the male companions waiting outside. All those male companions had been arranged for her by Brother Wang. Since Qi Yu was Brother Wang's brother, then...

Forget it.

The marriage alliance could be abandoned.

Even if the marriage alliance failed, their friendship could remain.

Brother Wang was an interesting person. Since he was brothers with this Qi Yu, then... she should be able to get along with Brother Qi too.

Understanding dawned in her heart. The corners of Qian Fu's lips curved into a naturally uninhibited smile, and she walked straight to Qi Yu, calling out crisply, "Brother Qi!"

Qi Yu glanced at the male companions waiting outside the room, then looked at the young woman before him and smiled. "Don't be polite, we're all brothers."

Just then, Zhou Wen, who had been looking at the painting, suddenly stood up and shifted to the side.

Qi Yu asked strangely, "Brother Zhou, what are you doing...?"

Zhou Wen said, "It's obvious you two have a story. I'm letting you sit together."

Qian Fu giggled and sat down beside him without the slightest hesitation.

"Is anyone else coming?"

Qi Yu asked.

Wang Yuan said, "Wait a little longer. There's one more."