Silken Membrane

Splash

Warm water was scooped up by a small hand and splashed onto the fierce, male physique.

Water droplets rolled down the lines of his muscles...

In the steamy heat, the small hand slowly returned, gently pressing.

Qi Yu closed his eyes and leaned against the edge of the bathtub, enjoying A Bi's service.

The provincial examination all day, the continuous battles, it was as if he had been burning under the midday sun, and now... it was already the silent depths of the night.

Day and night, time was so balanced, as if heaven was reminding people: combat and rest each took up half the time.

Crackle...

The charcoal fire crackled softly.

The candlelight was still, casting the outlines of the furniture onto the wall, deep and shallow, like ink wash.

The sounds of light and shadow made the quietness of the room even more apparent.

"Come in."

Qi Yu suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

A Bi's fingers stiffened, then she happily shed her outer clothes, wearing only a moon-white silk chemise. Her toes lightly tapped, and her long legs submerged into the wide bathtub...

In the past, she would have hesitated, whispering in her young master's ear, "This servant dares not," or "Young master, you mustn't, what if the madam finds out," but now it was different.

In this inner courtyard, the young master could finally make his own decisions.

She would no longer be given away, nor would she be snatched away.

She had been inseparable from the young master since childhood, giving her body and heart to him. Thinking that she could continue to be by the young master's side until death, taking care of him, then taking care of the young madam, and then taking care of the young master's children, hearing the child call out "Aunt Bi," A Bi felt her life was complete.

A drunken blush spread across her gentle face. She rested her arms on the edge of the tub and let out soft, sweet hums...

The water rippled...

Tonight, as long as the young master didn't speak, she wouldn't have to sneakily run back to the side room in her embroidered shoes.

The next morning.

Qi Yu lay comfortably on the couch, a little maid with a smile on her lips, like a fluffy little white sheep, clinging to him, sinking into the warm bedding together.

The news of his victory in the provincial examination had not caused much of a stir, and his father had not specifically sought him out for a long talk.

Everything was as usual.

Just as his cousin had said: he didn't need to worry about petty matters; a family, a force, always needed a pure martial artist as a sharp sword tip.

All he had to do was become stronger, that was all.

As he moved, A Bi also woke up.

A Bi, now awake, hurriedly got up, exclaiming in a panic, "It's already dawn, this servant... this servant..."

She fumbled out of the bedding, quickly putting on her silk socks, skirt, and embroidered shoes, then turned to help Qi Yu wash and change.

Soon, breakfast was delivered.

Qi Yu looked up and saw that the one serving the meal today was Granny Wang, who was by his mother's side.

In today's red date and ginseng porridge, there was an additional type of red grain mixed among the white rice. When cooked together with the white rice, it didn't enhance the aroma.

"Granny Wang, what is this?" Qi Yu asked.

Granny Wang replied with a smile, "Reporting to young master, this is Blood Spirit Rice, specially added by the master when stewing at the Great Madam's instruction. You are the only one in the entire household to have this bowl."

"Blood Spirit Rice?"

Qi Yu had never heard of it. He assumed it must have come from a secret spirit field. He wouldn't pry with an old woman, merely thinking that his excellent performance yesterday had earned him another investment from the family.

After a bowl of red date, ginseng, and blood rice porridge, Qi Yu felt a warm current rise from his lower abdomen, slowly spreading through his limbs and bones, making him feel warm all over, indescribably comfortable.

A Bi was clearing the bowls and chopsticks, while Qi Yu strolled towards the stables, intending to ask Old Gu to drive him to view the rankings.

As soon as he reached the stables, he saw Old Gu beaming, looking at him with an expression of extreme joy.

Shocked?

Old Gu had already been shocked last night.

His young master was too strong.

Old Gu knew very well what being first in the provincial examination meant.

Firstly, reaching Seventh Rank was a certainty; secondly, this represented the rise of the Qi family. After all, back in the day... the second master, who was now the Poison Water Army Commandant, had only placed third in the provincial examination.

"Old Gu, drive the carriage."

"Young master... this old servant can no longer drive for you."

"Why?"

"Thanks to you, young master, this old servant has been promoted to steward and will be managing a pharmacy."

"Which pharmacy are you going to manage?" Qi Yu asked with a hint of amusement.

The manager of the Qi family's pharmacy was a lucrative position. Because it often handled secret medicines, its status was extraordinary. Not only were the profits generous, but it also offered extensive connections, making it a core industry within the family. Its status was comparable to the Wang family's renowned money pit, the Golden Hook Quarter.

However, the family only had one spiritual field left. The pharmacy had always been managed by confidants appointed by his father. How could it be Old Gu's turn?

Old Gu lowered his voice and chuckled, "The master found me last night and said he's opening three more pharmacies today. We're really short-handed, so he's transferring me over."

Seeing the doubt on Qi Yu's face, he leaned closer and said, "The master was very happy last night, saying the second branch gave up the entire Herb Gathering Pavilion. Now, the Herb Gathering Pavilion, along with the Ten Square Spirit Fields in the secret area, all belong to the main branch and the third branch, managed jointly. That's why there are suddenly more pharmacies."

Qi Yu was stunned for a moment.

His father and uncle were truly resourceful.

He had merely won first place in the Provincial Examination, but his father and uncle, along with a group of others, had worked behind the scenes to maximize the profits.

The blood rice this morning was probably... also new produce from the spirit fields.

Qi Yu could imagine that the secret medicines, which he had to economize on before, would now be something he could eat like rice.

"Old Gu, congratulations," Qi Yu said with a smile, then asked, "Then... if I want to go out, how should I do it?"

Before he finished speaking, a figure with a broad back and a sturdy build walked over from a distance, carrying a long saber. It was Ding Yi, the head of the mansion's guards and the only Seventh Rank martial artist in the estate.

Ding Yi stopped in front of Qi Yu and bowed solemnly, saying in a deep voice, "When the coachman accompanies young master on his travels, he also bears the responsibility of protection.

Before, when young master had not yet practiced martial arts, Old Gu could still handle it.

Now that young master is an Eighth Rank and has won first place in the Provincial Examination, the coachman must be at least a Seventh Rank martial artist.

The family is currently looking for a new coachman for young master. Until a suitable candidate is found, I, Ding, will temporarily drive for young master."

Qi Yu nodded gently, indicating his understanding.

The sound of the carriage wheels faded into the distance.

In Third Master Qi's mansion, study.

Qi Changshun was sitting opposite a person in red.

Qi Changshun smiled and said, "Master Chen, your return to my humble abode brings it great honor."

The person in red had a stern face and said coldly, "Your son has considerable skill. In a single martial arts match, he crippled one of my sect's Black Umbrellas."

Qi Changshun sighed, "This child, he doesn't know his own strength. I already severely reprimanded him last night."

Master Chen's lips twitched, then curved into a smile, followed by laughter.

"Hahahaha! It was just a jest~~ Old Qi, do you really think I came to accuse you? Hahaha!"

Qi Changshun also started to laugh along.

Master Chen stopped laughing and said, "The first time I saw that child, I knew he was no ordinary person, someone who could achieve great things."

Qi Changshun asked, "Is Master here to arrange for Yu'er to join the sect?"

Master Chen said, "To defeat Zhen Tianshuang without undergoing the secret scripture baptism... the sect places great importance on this."

He then murmured, "When it snows, one needs a big black umbrella; a weak woman needs a strong man to accompany her; do not visit graves in the twelfth lunar month; an eight-bearer sedan chair carries an yin coffin... These actually represent the four powers of our Umbrella Sect.

Logically speaking, since your son was once infatuated with one of our female disciples and even donated a house for her, she should have been his recommender. Unfortunately... she is no longer worthy.

Many female disciples in the sect have their eyes on your son, wanting to be his recommender and partner."

Qi Changshun slammed the table and said, "The recommender should naturally be Master Chen."

Master Chen was startled, then laughed heartily, "Easily said, easily said."

Qi Changshun clasped his hands under his chin and added, "A weak woman still needs a strong man to accompany her... The Umbrella Sect's powers are mostly yin and gentle, needing to face the Myriad Umbrella God. Women's physiques are yin and gentle, making it difficult to withstand the erosion of divine power. Therefore, they need men with abundant yang energy as partners.

The more yang energy a man possesses, the more divine power a woman can withstand. In return... the man can gain power similar to Zhen Tianshuang's. How much he gains depends on his partner; how much he can withstand depends on his own aptitude. Is that correct?"

Master Chen nodded, "The Silken Membrane is a layer of divine power covering the body. For a martial artist to injure the main body, they must first break this membrane."

Zhen Tianshuang became foolish after being stimulated, yet he was filled with hatred... Perhaps because of this, he was exceptionally devout and obtained superior aptitude.

Coincidentally, one of the Umbrella's Shadows lost her partner, so she offered him a sacrifice, completed the secret scripture baptism, and temporarily used him as her partner."

Qi Changshun's throat bobbed nervously, "Yu'er is still young... Does he... need to hunt sacrifices himself?"

Master Chen replied, "Han Yan of the Black Bear Martial Hall also hunts in teams. Martial artists form teams, it's fine. Moreover, didn't you, Qi Changshun, also lead people to hunt sacrifices?"

Qi Changshun was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and opened a hidden cabinet, taking out a purple sandalwood box.

As the lid was slightly opened, a rich medicinal fragrance immediately filled the room.

"Master, since our Qi family has joined the Umbrella Sect, Yu'er is naturally a member of the sect. However, regarding his partner... I'll trouble you to take some care and help me look, to ensure everything is in order..."

Master Chen accepted the medicine box and nodded, "We have an old friendship. Yu'er still calls me uncle, I will naturally look after him."