Seeking Weapons, Repaying the Brother and Sister-in-law

"It must be that some big spender in the private box took a liking to your martial arts, hence the ten gold coins. I'm truly envious."

Yang Ning couldn't help but smile and gesture in acknowledgment, feeling quite pleased. After a few more polite exchanges, Steward Liu departed to attend to his business.

He exited through the fighter's passage of the Martial Arena, clutching the first bucket of gold he had earned since he began practicing the martial path, and walked through the alleys of East Street.

Even the wind blowing against his face felt light and brisk.

Watching the porters rushing past with goods on their backs, Yang Ning's thoughts drifted back to the past.

When he was young and joined the porter guild, every copper coin he earned after a day of toil had to be counted one by one. After paying the guild's dues, a hard day's work was barely enough to fill his stomach.

There were times when he couldn't pull a cart for a day and had to rely on his brother and sister-in-law for everything. Although they had always treated him like their own, Yang Ning couldn't help but feel a sense of unease in his heart.

But now, feeling the heavy weight in his chest, even with the mental fortitude of someone who had lived two lifetimes, Yang Ning couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face.

After bitter training in martial arts, he had finally earned money today!

With a light step, Yang Ning returned from East Fourth Street to East Third Street in no time.

Looking at the familiar and still bustling main street of East Third Street, the feeling of oppression in his chest receded, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

The stench of rot and blood was gone, replaced by a sense of vitality and human warmth.

Gone were the ragged, dull-eyed, and sallow-faced refugees huddled in the corners of the dirty, muddy roads of East Fourth Street.

But Yang Ning knew that in the hidden corners of East Third Street, and in the secluded spots along the road near his home, there were more and more refugees with nowhere to go.

Yang Ning couldn't change all of this; he could only ensure that his own family didn't fall into that deep quagmire.

Withdrawing his thoughts, he looked up and saw that he had arrived at his destination: a small grocery store located at the corner of the main street.

Wu's Grocery Store.

Yang Ning pushed the door open and entered. The middle-aged man behind the counter looked up and greeted him with a smile:

"Ah Ning is here!"

"Yes, Brother Wu, I've come to buy some things.

How is everything at home? How has Old Wu been feeling lately?"

"Heh, he's in great health, eating and drinking well. We don't have to worry about him at all!"

"Being able to eat is a blessing; it's a good thing."

Yang Ning replied with a smile.

The owner of this grocery store was Wu Xian, the son of Old Wu from the porter guild.

Relying on the old ties between the Wu family and his own father back at the guild, Old Wu had often looked after him when he was a porter.

When the Yang brothers were struggling after their parents passed away, they would often come to the grocery store to buy things on credit, and Wu Xian always turned a blind eye.

From then on, the Yang family bought all their necessities here, out of mutual consideration.

"My old man is still always thinking of you.

He keeps saying: 'Ah Ning has quit his job at the porter guild for so many days, and I haven't seen much of him.

I don't know how his new job is going; if it doesn't work out, he can always come back. The guild has always kept a spot for you...'"

But then, changing the subject, Wu Xian looked at Yang Ning's now upright and sturdy frame and remarked with emotion:

"It's been so long, I almost didn't recognize you.

If you ask me, he's just being long-winded. Leaving the porter guild was the best thing for you. Just seeing the changes your new job has brought you, I'd say you're doing much better."

Yang Ning smiled and shook his head.

"Brother Wu, what are you saying? Old Wu has always taken care of me and kept me in his thoughts; I keep that in my heart.

As for my new job, I only found this place to practice martial arts thanks to my brother's help; it's not worth mentioning."

Wu Xian laughed heartily: "Practicing martial arts? That's great!

Martial arts strengthen the body and keep you from being bullied. So, what would you like to buy today?"

"I just got paid, so I wanted to buy some cloth, shoes, hats, and other sundries. I also wanted to see if there's anything good I can take back for the family."

Wu Xian looked Yang Ning up and down and nodded slightly:

"That's true, you've always been frugal. But with you, things are finally looking up!

You're a man who earns a wage through martial arts now.

Your attire and appearance should reflect that. Buy a few bolts of good cloth and let your sister-in-law make some clothes. Why don't you pick out the goods yourself?"

"Do I not trust you, Brother Wu?"

With that, Yang Ning took out ten taels of silver and a list, handing them to him.

"Give me some of the trendy, high-quality cloth, and the other sundries on the list. Brother Wu, please help me pick them out."

Wu Xian took the list, glanced at it, and couldn't help but praise:

"Yang An and Liu Ying didn't dote on you for nothing. These items are all for them, aren't they? You really are generous once you get your hands on some silver, kid!"

"My elder brother and sister-in-law have treated me like a father and mother; there is nothing I would be reluctant to give them."

"Good, for the sake of your filial piety, I will certainly get this done for you. I'll call some porters to deliver it to your home in a moment."

With that, Wu Xian passed the list in his hand down, and the shop assistant hurried off to prepare the items for Yang Ning.

Watching Yang Ning hand over the completed list, he seemed to have more to say, still looking around the shop as if searching for something.

He couldn't help but ask curiously, "A-Ning, if you need anything, just tell your brother. Although my little shop isn't large, it is 'small but complete in every detail'."

Yang Ning walked over slowly and said to him, "I do indeed wish to purchase something from you, Brother Wu.

I wonder if you have any blades, swords, or other weapons for martial artists for sale in your shop?

I have searched all over East Third Street, but there are only common weapons. Do you have any that can resonate with blood energy to use against enemies?"

After practicing martial arts, Yang Ning had always wanted to buy a weapon to keep by his side.

Although he was currently training in fist techniques, he knew the importance of a handy weapon. He was mainly focusing on his cultivation technique to nourish his blood energy and raise his realm, but in the future, he would also need to practice a blade or sword technique to increase his combat options.

"Weapons for martial artists?

They are indeed rare in the outer city; this is a bit difficult."

Wu Xian rubbed his chin and said slowly.

"Now that the government's control is becoming increasingly lax, practicing martial arts isn't as strictly regulated as before, but weapons that interact with blood energy are still managed quite strictly. However..."

Yang Ning's eyes lit up. He had been a bit disappointed upon hearing the words of this well-connected acquaintance, but he hadn't expected there to be more.

"However, if it isn't armor, but just blades or swords, I do have a way to find a few for you.

But the price..."

"How much is it worth?"

"At least a hundred taels of silver, with no upper limit!"

"Money is no object! Please help me find them, Brother Wu!"

Yang Ning answered decisively.

"No problem."

After settling the details and the date, Yang Ning stepped onto the road home with a light gait.

After turning through a few more blocks, the row of low, earthen-walled houses where the Yang Family lived appeared before his eyes.

At this very moment, there was quite a commotion in front of the last room, which had a faded blue cloth curtain hanging over the doorway.

Three or four porters had pulled their carts to the front of the house, and his bewildered brother and sister-in-law were negotiating with them, seemingly unaware of the situation.

His elder brother, Yang An, saw his younger brother from afar, waved his hands, and walked forward, calling out:

"A-Ning, these porters say they are here to deliver things you bought. You should tell them quickly to turn around; they've come to the wrong house."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yang Ning couldn't help but laugh. He wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulder, walked back to the front of the house, and said loudly:

"Brother, you've misunderstood! These things were indeed bought by me to be sent home! Please, brothers, move the items inside quickly!"

The porters around them were all familiar faces to Yang Ning, and they joked one after another:

"Yang Da-Lang, I'm the son of a veteran porter; where in East Third Street have I not been? Do you think I'd recognize the wrong house?"

"Exactly, exactly. It's clear that Yang Er-Lang has struck it rich and is bringing gifts to honor his brother and sister-in-law!"

"The Yang Family is finally getting ahead; Yang Da-Lang manages his household well."

These words left Yang An and his wife both surprised and delighted, and they made Yang Ning burst into hearty laughter.

"Assistants, put your backs into it and move these sundries inside. Fifty copper coins as a tip for every brother!"

"Understood, Yang Er-Lang is generous!"

The men stood up and began moving the items from the carts into the house, basket by basket.

His sister-in-law, Liu Ying, hurried inside to clear out the storeroom, and the firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, sugar, needles, thread, fabric, shoes, and furniture were brought in one by one.

Everything was there, and everything was plentiful.

When the porters had received their tips and left, the other three members of the Yang Family stared at the full storeroom, momentarily dazed.

Yang Ning took out high-quality candies to give to his niece, handed the trendy fabric and sewing supplies to his sister-in-law, and gave the brand-new herb-gathering tools he had bought to his brother.

Yang An felt as if he were in a dream, muttering:

"This... what is going on, Er-Lang?"

"Brother, I received my pay from my regular job today, and seeing that the house was lacking a few things, I bought them!"

"Regular job? Pay?"

Yang An recalled the conversation they had at home that night, when Yang Ning had spoken with such spirit about his plans.

At the time, he thought his younger brother was just joking, but he never expected that he had truly succeeded.

"Good... good days, they're coming?"

"They are coming, brother."

His sister-in-law quickly snapped out of her joy and slapped her forehead.

"I was so busy arguing with that porter just now that I didn't go buy groceries.

Since today is such a big day for Yang Ning, we must celebrate it properly. I'm going to the market first."

Yang Ning waved his hand, his face full of smiles.

"Actually, sister-in-law, you can take a break today.

Our whole family will go to the Spring Transport Restaurant on the street and have a proper meal.

Xiao Hua, shall we go eat at the big restaurant?"

"Yay, yay! Let's go there, Uncle!"

"Let's go, Uncle will carry you."