A Proper Person Who Pulls Up Their Pants Is Clean

During lunch break, Xiang Yuan was devouring his meal at the canteen, his appetite astonishing. He ate enough for Xiao He and Xu Jixian combined, with leftovers sufficient for Wang Wenxu's three meals.

Throughout his meal, he could feel a fierce gaze upon him. Occasionally, he would look up and see Sima Qingyan chatting happily with classmates, appearing to be a dignified and generous senior student.

The unlucky senior student, harmed by her dog-like father and controlled by Xiao He, was someone Xiang Yuan didn't wish to trouble. After finishing his meal, he went alone to the small grove behind the academy.

In less than a moment, Sima Qingyan caught up to him.

Xiang Yuan nodded at her and presented the pawn ticket, getting straight to the point: "This is the pawn ticket. A month is more than enough time; you can redeem it yourself."

He didn't return the fifteen hundred taels or so. This money was earned through skill. If he returned it, would he be worthy of the fool who worked so hard?

Generosity at another's expense, emptying another's purse, warming oneself by another's fire, stealing virtue – being a person wasn't like this.

He strode away, leaving the outstanding senior student bewildered in the wind.

Sima Qingyan stared blankly at the pawn ticket in her hand. Her sect elders had forged this sword for her, and it was sold for a mere fifteen hundred taels of silver. So cheap! Was he looking down on her, or on her sect?

Weren't you quite eloquent that night, sharp-tongued as you were? Why didn't you haggle?

Xiang Yuan was also helpless. Of course, he knew the sword was worth far more than fifteen hundred taels, but he couldn't do anything about it. When it was pawned, the owner knew nothing. The pawnshop clerk treated it as stolen goods, and it was good enough that it could be sold at all.

If one wasn't penniless and chivalrous, who would be willing to sell their ancestral sword? You tell me, Green-Faced Beast?

Returning to the classroom, he saw Xiao and Xu whispering together.

Xiang Yuan poked his head in and listened. It was indeed the same old tune.

"Do you think those two will fight?"

"Why 'fight' and not 'fight it out'? They go into the woods, no one sees, and after pulling up their pants, they're both pure and upright individuals."

"I know Qingyan. A proper lady can't stomach young grass. Little Yuan Ge is only fifteen this year, and without a sharp weapon, he has no killing intent. He needs to grow a bit longer."

"Absurd. I, your elder brother, do not think so..."

The two were clearly doing this on purpose. Seeing that there was still time, Xiang Yuan went to the study to find Wang Wenxu. His purpose was twofold: to borrow books for charging his knowledge, compensating for his own deficiencies, and to inquire about intelligence on the Song Family Estate and the Yellow Springs Dao disciples.

Wang Wenxu was writing in the study. Perhaps from staying up late, his spirit was somewhat depleted, and his eyes were slightly dark.

Xiang Yuan couldn't bear to see it. He had already received the gift from the teacher for his apology. To continue bullying a gentleman would be the act of a scoundrel.

He then looked and saw over ten pieces of calligraphy prepared, each one poured with his utmost effort. A vast righteous Qi swept towards him.

Only over ten pieces? That's too few!

Xiang Yuan was kind-hearted, but not excessively so, especially when there were benefits. He knocked and entered the room, using the excuse of wanting to drink tea to ask Wang Wenxu to rest first.

Write after recovering your energy; you mustn't delay the quality of the calligraphy!

Also, why so slow? Even the donkeys of the production team wouldn't dare be this slow!

Seeing Xiang Yuan, Wang Wenxu felt ashamed again. Upon learning that Xiang Yuan wanted to borrow books, he immediately perked up. As per Xiang Yuan's request, he recommended several easy-to-understand readings to broaden his horizons.

When asked about intelligence regarding the Song Family Estate, Wang Wenxu was also prepared. He handed Xiang Yuan a letter and told him to burn it after reading.

"Teacher, has the situation at the Song Family Estate deteriorated to this extent?"

"It is as stated in the letter. If you don't go, I will have to arrange for someone else."

"There's no time to delay. I'll leave immediately."

Xiang Yuan read it again, memorizing every word, and then burned the letter before turning to leave. He was still 'angry'. For the sake of sustainable wool-gathering, it was not appropriate to give Wang Wenxu a good look, so he couldn't stay long.

"Wait, don't go yet."

Wang Wenxu called out to stop Xiang Yuan, frowning. "I've given you the intelligence. You know yourself and your enemy, so you must have a plan. However, things are rarely perfect. I dare not say the details are absolutely accurate. If there are deviations, do you have a way to cope if you fall into danger?"

There were some.

For example, the Mongolian-Han medicine made by Xu Jixian could cause even Acupoint Opening martial artists to lose consciousness, sleeping for three days and three nights like the dead, completely unaware even if struck by an axe. It was known as "Three Nights Without Crossing the Pass."

Another example was the sleeve dart gifted by Yue Huanjiang, which had astonishing lethality. Even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, without protective Qi, could be injured by a hidden arrow.

Coupled with that bottle of poison, it was enough to ensure no Yellow Springs Dao disciple would return.

If there was a handful of lime, it would complete the "Three Treasures of Victory"!

Xiang Yuan wanted to hone his blade and would not easily use poisoned arrows or Mongolian-Han medicine. Looking at Wang Wenxu's calligraphy, he said, "Vast Righteous Qi restrains ghosts and spirits. Three pieces of your calligraphy, Teacher, will suffice."

"That's where you're mistaken."

Wang Wenxu shook his head. He knew Xiang Yuan was steady, and such talk was merely a contest of pride. He advised him not to be too confident; overconfidence was arrogance. Just in case, he could hide in the dark to protect him.

Hide if you want, but why say it out loud?

Xiang Yuan sighed, knowing he had someone watching his back. His mindset would change when wielding his blade, which was not in line with his purpose of honing it.

Wang Wenxu seemed to understand something, and his old face flushed. He stammered, "Then I won't go. Don't worry, if I say I won't go, I won't go."

Teacher, your ability to lie is far inferior to Xiao and Xu's.

Xiang Yuan took three pieces of calligraphy and walked out of the study, unable to understand how a gentleman like Wang Wenxu could hold onto a position in the Imperial City Department and even thrive in it.

A moment later, he returned the same way and took another three pieces.

Very steady.

Song Family Village was located thirty li outside the city, leaning against two green mountains that embraced a valley.

The mountains weren't high or precipitous, but were shaded by trees, with babbling mountain springs. The feng shui was excellent.

However, the water flow was too small to irrigate the farmlands. Thus, the villagers of this village lived off the mountain, either collecting medicinal herbs and mushrooms or setting traps to hunt. Every half month, they would form teams and drag carts to Fengxian County to trade for money and purchase daily necessities.

Their lives were self-sufficient. Influenced by the Southern Border's Nine Yi Tribes, they were skilled at identifying poisons, loved wielding sabers and staffs, and were especially fond of archery. Every household had skilled hunters.

Because of this, they had no interest in the Baoyi Officers established by the imperial court. Instead, they were very close to the Nine Yi Tribes, with Chu and Yi people intermingling and often marrying.

Most areas bordering the Southern Border and Western Chu were like this. Song Family Village was considered good. The further south one went, the more the Chu people there became like the Southern Border people, worshipping strange and primitive beliefs.

In the eyes of these people, Yellow Springs Dao and other demonic beings were not frightening. Harsh taxes were as fierce as tigers; it was the imperial court that was terrifying.

At three-quarters past the hour of the goat (1:45 PM), a swift horse with a dark red coat arrived at Song Family Village.

Xiang Yuan, carrying his luggage and with the Tiger Roar Saber wrapped in black cloth slung across his back, dismounted and led the horse into the village entrance.

Before he even entered the village, he saw two burly men dressed as villagers, carrying bows and arrows, walking quickly towards him.

"Who are you, and why have you come to Song Family Village?"

"Xiang Yuan, Baoyi Officer of Song Family Village. I've been ordered to take up my post. Here are the documents from the yamen." Xiang Yuan took out the appointment letter sealed with the official stamp from his bosom and spread it out before the two big men.

The two men looked at the document, then at each other, both somewhat bewildered.

"I am Cheng Yong, and this is my kinsman Cheng He. Officer Xiang, Song Family Village has never had a Baoyi Officer. We can protect our village ourselves. You are likely here for nothing," Cheng Yong said stiffly, clearly displeased about having a superior.

Xiang Yuan smiled slightly, unbothered. He sized up the two burly men for a moment before speaking, "Recently, banditry has been rampant. Your methods are adequate for dealing with the fierce tigers in the mountains, but a bit lacking for dealing with the Demonic Beings from the Southern Border. The yamen knows you have it hard and doesn't wish for you to die needlessly, so they sent me."

Cheng He frowned deeply. Cheng Yong stepped forward, "I'm letting your document slide, but I didn't expect you, a mere youth, to be so arrogant. Tell me, what skills do you have to look down on us!"

Everything was within Xiang Yuan's expectations. He placed a hand on the long saber wrapped in black cloth at his waist, "Though I am young, my skills are not lacking. You can test me if you wish."

In regions with a fierce populace, the logic of fists often resonated more deeply than the logic of words.

The two brothers fell silent, likely intimidated. Cheng Yong said, "Today, all the villagers have gone into the mountains to hunt. I don't wish to argue with you. We'll discuss it when everyone returns. The village elders will decide how to proceed."

Just as expected, it was the same as the intelligence reported.

Xiang Yuan nodded, unconcerned that he hadn't established his authority through a fight. He asked the two to arrange lodging for him, as he intended to stay in Song Family Village tonight.

Cheng Yong led the way, taking Xiang Yuan towards the ancestral hall.

Along the way, Xiang Yuan looked around, "The men are hunting, why don't I see any women or children?"

"Some are gathering herbs, others digging for vegetables. It's a poor and remote place, not like the bustling county yamen. Officer Baoyi probably doesn't understand our hardships," Cheng Yong said with a grim expression.

"That's true."

Xiang Yuan nodded and asked curiously, "Hearing that you brothers are surnamed Cheng, did the Cheng family become the dominant surname in Song Family Village?"

"The Song family moved away long ago. Who says everyone in Song Family Village has to be surnamed Song..." Cheng Yong muttered, dumping Xiang Yuan at the ancestral hall and leaving directly.

Xiang Yuan watched his hasty departure, narrowed his eyes, and made up his mind.

Tonight!