In Qingyuan City, both the Hu Family and the Yan Family were insignificant little lineages.
They ran shops selling accessories such as headscarves, hair buns, floral hairpins, and crossed-foot futou.
The profits from this sort of business were meager, and the great lineages and powerful factions wouldn't have given it a second glance.
Yet no one had expected the two families to settle a business dispute by "trading blows" and hiring martial artists. The process and outcome had drawn attention, especially Cui Hao's defeat of Zong Gaonian, notorious for his brutality.
The news was like a stone tossed into a still lake, its ripples quickly spreading through Qingyuan City's upper circles.
Deep inside the Tu Family estate, the study was filled with the crisp fragrance of fine sandalwood.
The family head, Tu Yi, was around fifty. He mused, "Cui Hao... actually managed to defeat Zong Gaonian head-on. If that's true, and he enters Clear Force in time, he might become someone worth reckoning with."
The old steward standing nearby had white hair and beard. At this, he bowed slightly and added in an even voice, "Master, I made a point of looking into him. His natural aptitude is only average at best."
At that, a breath passed—perhaps only half a breath.
The trace of thought between Tu Yi's brows quickly faded, replaced by a hint of disdain too subtle to notice.
With such mediocre natural aptitude, his prospects in martial arts were limited, and entering Clear Force would be extremely difficult.
Besides, as one of Qingyuan City's three great families, the Tu Family had no shortage of ordinary martial artists, who were little more than servants and guards.
"Forget it." Tu Yi waved a hand, as if brushing away a speck of dust, then turned to the real matter. "...How's