Investigation

Strength +1, Agility +1, Spirit +1. Feng Xiu knew the clear numerical display would make him stronger.

But overall, he hadn't undergone the kind of complete transformation he'd imagined.

"Is the improvement from zero to one being overshadowed by the changes in my other attributes because my life force is too high?"

As he pondered this, Feng Xiu took another step forward, lowered his hips, and drove his power up from his legs, rotating his hips and shoulders in sync with his breathing.

He casually threw a punch. A clean, muffled boom split the air.

When he was done, Feng Xiu lowered his head and stared at his hands, sinking into thought.

"My overall sense of vitality, and the strength in my core and hips, have definitely improved quite a bit."

"I remember now. The way I'm generating force is a lot like the whip effect athletes used in my previous life. Applied to martial arts, it means integrating it into your instincts?"

The whip effect sounded impressive, but in practice, it was simply a process of continuously transmitting force through the legs, hips, core muscles, and breathing.

It was used in a powerful badminton smash, a forceful table-tennis loop, and the wrist snap in a proper basketball shot.

The most classic example was the javelin throw—all of them relied on the whip effect.

"No wonder you have to get rid of stiffness before practicing martial arts. People with poor coordination really can't pull it off."

Feng Xiu came to a sudden realization. After briefly assessing himself, he couldn't help smiling.

Martial arts cultivation involved refining the body, tendons, bones, skin, and membranes in stages. Yet the Five Force Fist encompassed all four levels.

There was always something new to discover in the fist art. Practice it diligently and persistently, and each session brought fresh gains. To be honest, Feng Xiu had truly grown fond of training.

Especially the process of sweat running down his face, breathing in its stink as he worked hard to grow—it was utterly addictive.

Then Feng Xiu loosened up his muscles and bones.

A series of crisp pops, like beans crackling in a pan, rang out from his body. He walked toward Uncle Zheng, who stood beneath the covered corridor.

"Uncle Zheng."

"Eldest Young Master."

A towel hung over Uncle Zheng's right arm. He handed it over, and Feng Xiu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Feng Xiu had been so engrossed in his training that he hadn't noticed Uncle Zheng had been there for some time. Now he saw the old man's face was creased with worry.

"Uncle Zheng, what's wrong? Has something happened in White Willow Village?" Feng Xiu asked.

Now that Feng Ao had made it clear what Feng Xiu should do, Feng Xiu still hadn't followed his advice.

He felt things hadn't gotten that bad yet.

"Grain prices in the city are showing signs of rising, and the River Law Bureau is doing nothing at all. White Willow Village hasn't erupted yet, but public sentiment is hard to predict."

Uncle Zheng fell silent for a moment.

Feng Xiu's brows drew together.

"I'll think of a way. I'll find time to go to Tang Reservoir. I want to see what the River Law Bureau is up to!"

Feng Xiu wouldn't send the escort team to suppress the people in a bloody clash unless there was no other choice.

In the end, all the tenant farmers wanted was water.

Five hundred years ago, whose ancestors hadn't scratched out a living in the fields?

Uncle Zheng nodded, then remembered the matter he'd come to report and spoke in a grave voice.

"Eldest Young Master, the matter you asked me to investigate has yielded some leads."

Feng Xiu paused in wiping his sweat and looked at him, his expression sharpening. "What did you find?"

Uncle Zheng stepped forward. "Regarding Su Wantang, I've had people investigate her thoroughly. This woman... is quite suspicious."

"Suspicious how?" Feng Xiu asked, surprised.

Uncle Zheng paused, seeming to choose his words. The composure on his face gave way to uncertainty.

"She did sign a contract with Fragrant Flower Pavilion, but I had to pull some strings to see it. It wasn't an ordinary contract for a pure courtesan selling herself."

"It looked more like a partnership agreement. The degree of autonomy she has in the establishment is astonishing."

"She chooses her own clients. Does she perform but not offer herself?" Feng Xiu raised an eyebrow.

Fragrant Flower Pavilion was a pleasure house. In a place like that, where people were devoured without so much as a spit, there was no such thing as performing without offering yourself.

If the money was right, even the madam could become a guest behind the curtains.

"Not exactly. She's skilled in music and proficient in southern opera and folk songs, and many wealthy families in the city adore her. One rich man offered five hundred taels to buy her freedom, but Fragrant Flower House refused."

"That night at the private banquet, Liu Wenjun and the others spent the whole evening whispering to the Second Young Master about how wonderful and rare this woman was."

As Uncle Zheng spoke, his expression darkened.

"The Second Young Master offered two hundred taels. She immediately had the madam accept, and afterward, she was willing to receive only the Second Young Master."

Feng Xiu narrowed his eyes in thought. After a brief pause, he said, "Uncle Zheng, there are too many suspicious things here. It's normal for a pure courtesan to wait for the right price, but if she'll only receive Shou Zhuo, then this isn't about making money."

"Eldest Young Master, you think this is a trap?" Uncle Zheng understood. "But the Feng Clan isn't some minor family..."

It wasn't that he hadn't considered Su Wantang might be part of a plot aimed at Feng Shouzhuo.

But the idea didn't fit reality. The Feng Clan wasn't some small family. It had considerable strength.

Was Su Wantang really bold enough to provoke a family with three generations of standing?

"Maybe the fact that the Feng Clan isn't a minor family is exactly why we're her target." Feng Xiu cut him off, his voice turning cold.

"If she only wanted money, there would be plenty of targets. What if she's after a family scion who's easy to control?"

"Besides, what is Shou Zhuo's pocket money and allowance worth to her?"

Uncle Zheng fell into thought. In his younger days, he'd seen similar schemes.

He just hadn't thought of it that way. Who would use seduction and life-draining arts to turn a family scion into something barely human?

"Uncle Zheng, are you sure she came here fleeing hardship?" Feng Xiu asked.

"Confirmed. Su Wantang said so herself. She was born in Jin Province and has no one to rely on." Uncle Zheng came back to his senses and answered.

"Then that's all the stranger. As a courtesan, where would she get the power to stand up to the madam?"

No matter how Feng Xiu looked at it, he couldn't explain Su Wantang's actions.

On the other hand, aside from the Feng Clan's grain business, three farms, ten taverns, nine corner shops, and six streets—

what else did they have that would make someone invest so heavily, even at the cost of her own virtue?

Could she be after him, the legitimate eldest son?

"By the way, how has Shou Zhuo been lately? Is he feeling any better?"

"The Second Young Master is still gaunt. He has no appetite for food or tea, and he keeps clamoring to see Su Wantang."

"Mm. Keep him confined for a while."

"Forget it." Feng Xiu rubbed his brow and pushed the thought aside. "We'll leave this matter for now. I'll talk it over with Uncle Zhou later."

Over the past few days, Zhou Gang and Feng Xiu had grown much closer. The bond between master and pupil had already come with a touch of teacherly affection.

Zhou Gang had both influence and people at his disposal. If Feng Xiu explained things carefully, he probably wouldn't refuse to help.

No matter what clever schemes the Thousand Sect devised, no matter what beauty traps they set, they'd be like eggs smashing against a rock before Zhou Gang's strength, which could chip stone and snap iron.

Overwhelming ten techniques with sheer force—that was a simple truth.

But Feng Xiu also understood that if the other side truly dared move against the Feng Clan and could ignore the combined martial might of Feng Ao and Zhou Gang, then they might well have their own "overwhelming force" behind them.