Arrangements (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Li Yuan nodded, finally understanding.

He then asked, "Teacher, how exactly is this Force cultivated? How does it differ from blood-qi?"

Yang Chong glanced at him and explained, "Force is the product of blood-qi condensing and merging with the strength of your tendons and bones. Simply put, once you have mastered all five styles of the Five Animals Fist and achieved a seamless integration of intent, your blood-qi will have grown to a certain level. Only then can you attempt to condense your blood-qi, transform it into Force, and strike at the Bone Forging Realm."

Only now did Li Yuan have a clear grasp of the factions and experts within Wuxi County.

"Alright, stop standing there like a statue." Yang Chong stood up again. "Next, I will spar with you. Attack me with everything you have, and feel how to exert your power and respond to mine."

This was, in essence, receiving private tutoring.

Li Yuan's spirits lifted, and he immediately replied, "Yes, Teacher!"

Soon, another few days passed.

That morning, Li Yuan went to the backyard to practice his forms as usual.

More than two hours later, Li Yuan walked out of the backyard feeling somewhat dazed.

He felt as if his entire body had been dismantled.

Not far away, Zhao Qin was in the front yard guiding new disciples through their basic training, a smile on his face.

"How is it? How does it feel to be specially cared for by the teacher?" Zhao Qin walked over to him and chuckled.

Li Yuan rubbed his aching arms with a wry smile: "It's fine, just a bit tiring."

"Junior Brother, you are now an expert in the Stone Skin Realm; you can be considered someone of status in the Outer City. How about it? Have you considered starting a family? Only with a household can one's heart truly settle."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's movements paused, and he shook his head: "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother, but I have no such thoughts for now. In this day and age, one's own strength is the foundation."

Once you have a wife and children, you have too many burdens. Li Yuan could only keep this thought to himself.

Zhao Qin waved his hand: "You, you just think too much. I got married at fifteen, and am I not doing just fine now? Times are tough, but does that mean you'll never marry? A man must establish a family and a career. Your background may be a bit lacking, but your potential is clear for all to see. Many families would love someone like you. Don't worry about this; I am your Senior Brother, I will arrange it!"

Seeing Zhao Qin so enthusiastic and insistent on playing matchmaker, Li Yuan knew that further argument would be futile, so he stopped protesting.

He didn't take it to heart, however, and continued to focus on his own cultivation.

A few days later, Zhao Qin brought nearly ten portraits of young women, asking Li Yuan to look them over first.

If he found any he liked, they would send a letter to the other party to let them take a look as well; if both sides were interested, they would then meet.

Li Yuan learned that this was the custom here, though he was unsure if it applied elsewhere.

These girls were all the most suitable candidates Zhao Qin could reach.

Seeing Zhao Qin's enthusiastic demeanor, Li Yuan found it hard to refuse, so he picked out three women who looked decent to him.

A few days later, inside a mid-sized family estate in the Inner City.

Huang Wei, the second daughter of the Huang Family, sat before her vanity, listening to the report from her personal maid.

The Huang Family ran a restaurant and occasionally had dealings with the Zhao Family.

Huang Wei was dressed in a pomegranate-red cotton skirt; she was slightly slender and possessed a delicate beauty.

She held a letter in her hand, and beside it lay a simple portrait of Li Yuan.

"Seventeen years old and in the Stone Skin Realm? Breakthrough in half a year? Yang Chong's sixth personal disciple?" Huang Wei whispered the information from the letter, her willow-leaf brows arching slightly. "When exactly did he break through? What is his background? Is he truly a hunter from the mountains? What is Yang Chong's current strength?"

Her family naturally employed martial artists, so she understood the field well. Potential was only one aspect of the equation; there were plenty of people with potential.

The maid answered each question, noting that Yang Chong's old injuries had not healed, his blood-qi was declining, and his strength was far from what it once was. Li Yuan was indeed a hunter by birth; his parents had passed away two years ago, and his only relatives were his uncle's family, leaving him with no foundation.

"Furthermore, this Li Yuan spends his days either hunting in the mountains or training at the Martial Arts Hall. He rarely interacts with others; perhaps he is not very bright."

"In summary, this man is dull-natured. While he is loyal and talented, he lacks background and social intelligence. He might be a man worth entrusting one's life to."

After hearing this, Huang Wei's interest waned significantly.

If that was the case, other than his so-called potential, he had nothing. Without a family background, how could she use him to advance her position within the family? Relying on Li Yuan's potential? How long would that take? Three years? Five years? Who knew what variables might arise in the meantime?

Moreover, her family ran a restaurant and dealt in business; she often had to navigate social circles. If he lacked wit, he wouldn't even know how he died.

Just then, a maidservant reported from outside the door, "Miss, the third young master of the Lin Family has arrived, saying he obtained some novel trinkets and brought them specifically for your amusement."

Upon hearing this, a flash of helplessness crossed Huang Wei's eyes, and she hurriedly asked, "He's here again?"

She tossed Zhao Qin's letter and Li Yuan's portrait onto the table and said to the maidservant from before, "Tell them I've received the message."

"Find a time and let that person come over for a look."

"After all, he is a seedling with decent potential. Even if the marriage doesn't work out, recruiting him as a martial arts instructor for the estate is a fine choice."

Huang Wei was in no rush to refuse; after all, she was a businesswoman, and even if a deal couldn't be struck, one could still remain friends.

Although this Li Yuan had decent potential and could barely be considered a match for her, he was, in the end, not at the Iron Skin Realm.

In this world, there is never a shortage of young geniuses.

"Yes, Miss." The maidservant bowed and retreated.

Huang Wei stood up, adjusted her temples in the mirror, and forced a smile, ensuring her expression was flawless.

Then, she stepped out to meet the third young master of the Lin Family.

In the backyard of Hundred Herb Hall, located in the North City District of the Outer City.

Hundred Herb Hall was a pharmacy with a relatively good reputation in the vicinity.

Su Wan was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a simple and elegant light green gown, her features delicate and pretty.

In her hands, she held the same letter of introduction and portrait of Li Yuan that Zhao Qin had sent over.

Su Wan looked at the information about Li Yuan in the letter, lost in thought.

She recalled that a few days ago, her father, Su Wen, had unfortunately encountered a black bear while gathering herbs on the mountain. Although he managed to escape, his left arm was injured and his leg was sprained, leaving him with limited mobility.

Now, not only could he not go up the mountain, but he could barely manage his daily life.

Because Su Wen had once helped Cao Chuan when he was weak, Cao Chuan had always protected them.

No one with eyes would dare to cause trouble, but now that Cao Chuan was rumored to be in a bad situation, and her father was injured...

Although the family pharmacy had some savings, they could not afford the high fees of long-term expert guards.

Without protection, the protection fees demanded by the gangs would only continue to rise.

This Li Yuan was a hunter by trade, so he must be familiar with the mountains and forests, and with his Stone Skin Realm strength, his combat ability was beyond doubt.

If she could cooperate with him, perhaps their current predicament could be resolved.

His strength was sufficient; he might even be able to go up the mountain to gather herbs and help fend off those who came to stir up trouble.

Moreover, he had a clean background and was a Martial Arts Hall disciple introduced by Zhao Qin, making him far more reliable than those of unknown origin.

Thinking of this, Su Wan reached a decision in her heart.

She summoned her maidservant, folded the letter, handed it to her, and said softly, "Xiao Cui, pass this to Zhao Qin and give him a message."

"Tell him... Su Wan is interested in meeting Li Yuan to have a chat, if he has the time."

The little maidservant took the letter, nodded obediently, and went off to carry out the order.

Su Wan walked into the courtyard, looked at the medicinal herbs, and sighed softly.

In this world, it is too difficult for ordinary families to live in peace.

She only hoped that this Young Master Li was truly as trustworthy as the letter described.

As for the other woman, she had refused, not because of Li Yuan's status, but simply because they didn't see eye to eye.

Soon, the news was relayed by Zhao Qin to Li Yuan, stating that the two parties would meet in half a month to see how things went.