When he got home.
He An had just been about to study the Yi Jin Jing when Wang Rou came over.
"Sister-in-law!"
He called out.
Wang Rou saw the Martial Arts manual in He An's hands, and a delighted look appeared on her face.
"You joined the Town Martial Division?"
"I haven't been registered yet. I can officially join the Town Martial Division once I've built up my strength."
He An replied.
Wang Rou understood all this perfectly well. She comforted him, saying, "As long as it worked out, that's what matters. Study your Martial Arts diligently and build up your strength. Sooner or later, you'll be registered and officially join the Town Martial Division."
"Wait here. I'll go to the market and buy some meat."
"Since you're going to study Martial Arts, we can't let you go without proper food. Besides, it's been ages since our family had meat."
He An tried to stop her, but Wang Rou had already dashed into the house, taken some loose silver from the small amount left under the bed, and rushed out of the courtyard.
Seeing this, He An felt helpless, but he couldn't suppress the smile tugging at his lips.
"A family like this..."
"Is just wonderful!!"
He resolved to study Martial Arts diligently.
For no other reason.
Just so he could protect his Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, and Ru'er in these Chaotic Times!!
An hour later.
He had more or less memorized the contents and techniques of the Yi Jin Jing.
Before he had a chance to try them out, He Ru came scampering over.
"Ru'er, what's wrong?"
He pulled He Ru into his arms and gently tapped his nose.
He Ru sniffed, then grinned. "Uncle An, my mom's calling you to eat. Dad's back too—he's already home. She made a big feast today. There's even meat!"
"Eldest Brother's back?"
He An was a little puzzled. Under normal circumstances, He Ping should still have been on duty at this hour. There was no way he'd be home for a meal.
Had something happened?
He An sprang to his feet.
He rushed into the main room, only to see He Ping sitting there perfectly fine. There was no sign that anything had happened.
"Eldest Brother!"
Seeing He An like this, He Ping smiled wryly. "You're sixteen or seventeen already, yet you're still so impulsive. Come sit down. We've got quite a feast today."
On the small Wooden Dining Table.
There was meat, along with several stir-fried dishes. The scrambled eggs in particular looked and smelled delicious, and filled a whole large plate. They'd used at least three or four eggs, judging by the amount.
Eggs weren't cheap here.
The price of a single egg was enough to cover a poor family's expenses for several days.
He An took a deep breath. The aroma rushed up his nose and seemed to dance across his taste buds. Even though he'd often eaten eggs before transmigrating, he couldn't help looking blissful now.
"It smells amazing!"
"Then eat plenty. You're going to study Martial Arts, so you need to eat lots of meat and eggs." He Ping served a generous helping of scrambled eggs into He An's bowl.
"It's just a shame our family doesn't have enough Silver Taels to buy Spirit Herbs for you to strengthen your body."
He An said with satisfaction, "Eldest Brother, this is plenty!"
Wang Rou didn't begrudge He An the food when she saw He Ping serving him. Instead, she added another helping to his bowl.
"He An, your brother's right. The most important thing in Martial Arts is your physique. And you can try your sister-in-law's cooking, too. We don't get to eat scrambled eggs often."
"Eat your fill this time. I'll make more for you all in the future."
With that, she served a helping to both He Ru and He Ping.
"Thank you, Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law."
He An shoveled a big mouthful of food into his mouth with his rice, feeling thoroughly content.
"By the way."
After a few casual bites, he looked at He Ping in confusion.
"Eldest Brother, hasn't the Town Martial Division been busy lately? You haven't come home for lunch in ages. Why are you back all of a sudden today? Aren't you on duty?"
"It's all because of the Salvation Cult." He Ping wore a worried expression. "I was just about to tell you. I may not be coming home for a while."
"What happened?"
Wang Rou was clearly worried at the thought of him being away from home.
He An chimed in, asking, "Eldest Brother, what happened? What is this Salvation Cult? Why haven't I heard you mention it before?"
He Ping explained:
"The Salvation Cult only appeared recently. They've been active in just a few towns under Fangcheng. I never mentioned them before because they were so well hidden. Lord Wei only discovered them recently."
"They use the banner of 'great love for all' to lure ignorant people into joining. Then they organize them to assassinate officials at every level and innocent civilians."
"They even manipulate the people, getting ignorant parents to offer up their own children. They claim it's to cleanse the children of their sins and give them a better life in the future."
"But according to Lord Wei's investigation, every child who was offered up was brutally murdered. Their heart's blood was cruelly extracted and used by those scoundrels to cultivate."
"After discovering this, Lord Wei planned to call in personnel from the Fangcheng Town Martial Division and launch a surprise attack to wipe out the cult. I was one of those selected."
"Will you be in danger?"
Wang Rou looked at him with concern.
"Nothing will happen to me!" He Ping replied softly. "Lord Wei is leading the team himself this time. He's a ranked expert, so nothing should go wrong."
"While I'm away, stay home and be careful. If anything happens, go to Wang Zheng right away. He'll help our family."
Wang Rou nodded.
"Eldest Brother, don't worry. I just got my Martial Arts manual, and I don't need to report for duty for a while. I'll stay home and protect Eldest Sister-in-law and Ru'er."
"I also know where Brother Wang lives."
"If I can't handle something myself and can't reach you, I'll go to Brother Wang right away."
"Good!"
He Ping was reassured, but he soon remembered something else.
"He An, which Martial Arts did you choose? My Tong Bei Fist or Brother Wang's Iron Shirt?"
"Neither."
"I chose the Yi Jin Jing."
The Yi Jin Jing?
He Ping was a little stunned.
He couldn't understand why He An had chosen that particular Martial Art.
"Eldest Brother, you forgot—I came to Martial Arts halfway through life. The Yi Jin Jing can strengthen the body, so it's best suited to someone like me who started training late."
He Ping immediately understood.
"What's wrong with my brain? I forgot you only started learning Martial Arts halfway through life."
"In that case, the Yi Jin Jing really is right for you."
"Once you've strengthened your body, we can learn other Martial Arts too."
"I can even teach you my Tong Bei Fist."
"Things aren't like they used to be. So many people are secretly learning Martial Arts these days that even if we're found out, it won't matter much."
After the meal.
He Ping sought He An out in private.
Understanding his Eldest Brother's intentions, He An promised, "Eldest Brother, don't worry. While you're away, I'll take good care of Eldest Sister-in-law and Ru'er."
"I know."
He Ping's brow remained furrowed.
"I just wanted to remind you to watch out for that bastard Zhang Yongda. He's been looking at me strangely lately."
"I'm worried he'll go after your sister-in-law or Ru'er while I'm away."
"You've only just started learning Martial Arts, so you definitely won't be a match for him."
"If he really goes berserk, don't fight him head-on. Just go to Brother Wang."
Before you continue