Heavy Snow

The night grew heavy, and the thick snow blanketed everything in sight, yet it could not conceal the gloom hanging over the Huang Family.

Lu Ren's betrayal and the Third Miss's body, still warm, had dealt a heavy blow to this rising family, silencing the laughter and joy that once filled their halls.

As darkness fell, the various quarters grew quiet, save for the howling of the cruel, biting wind.

Huang Jin stepped through the ice and snow, pushed open the door, and shook the frost from his body before striding inside. He addressed his second brother, Huang Ping, saying, "Xu Yang still refuses the marriage alliance, but he has stated clearly that if the Huang Family requires it, he can withdraw from the Liu Family."

Anger flared in Huang Ping's eyes. "Our Huang Family is willing to marry off a noble daughter, yet he dares to refuse repeatedly. Does he think our daughter is not good enough for him?"

He subconsciously ignored the part of Huang Jin's words about Xu Yang being able to withdraw from the Liu Family at any time to repay their kindness, viewing the Huang Family's offer of marriage as a supreme favor.

Huang Jin frowned. Xu Yang didn't even want the Liu Family's daughter; it wasn't that he looked down on the Huang women. His second brother clearly felt that since the Huang Family had spoken, Xu Yang should comply regardless of the circumstances.

It was just like with Lu Ren before—using past favors to coerce, forcing things upon him that he didn't want, believing that if the Huang Family gave it, Lu Ren had to accept it, even if he disliked it.

Although Lu Ren had harbored thoughts of betrayal long ago, his second brother's methods were still deeply flawed.

In his second brother's heart, whether it was Xu Yang or Lu Ren, they were still just the starving lackeys they had once been; he never truly saw them as martial artists who had come into their own.

"Second Brother, he simply doesn't want to marry, not because he looks down on our women. I also don't think we must use marriage to bind him. Even if we had married someone like the ungrateful Lu Ren, if we couldn't provide him with enough benefits, he still would have abandoned us."

"I believe Xu Yang is a man who understands gratitude. We don't need to force a marriage to cultivate him; we can simply provide support. If he remembers our kindness, he will naturally lean toward the Huang Family..."

"Say no more!"

Huang Ping waved his hand, cutting Huang Jin off. "I never thought much of him to begin with. He only has mediocre aptitude; how much money would our family have to pour into him to cultivate him? It was only because you insisted that he was a talent worth molding that I gave him a chance."

"An ungrateful wretch who doesn't know his place—he will regret this. If not for that bit of past sentiment, I wouldn't have looked twice at his talent."

"Second Brother..."

"Enough. You may leave. Tomorrow, release the news that our family will once again select and cultivate promising talents. This time, I will oversee the selection myself."

Huang Jin wanted to argue further, but he was impatiently cut off by Huang Ping, who even blamed him for the Lu Ren incident, claiming his vetting process was flawed.

He opened his mouth, but ultimately retreated in resignation.

Even now, his second brother still failed to understand that talent was not the most important thing. Lu Ren had talent, yet it had all been for nothing, and he had failed to serve the Huang Family.

What the Huang Family needed was not a genius, but someone who remembered their kindness, remained loyal, and could be put to use.

Xu Yang had great comprehension but poor aptitude; if Huang Jin provided help now, he could surely win Xu Yang's heart.

But he was not of the main line, and with his eldest brother in seclusion seeking a breakthrough in marrow cleansing, Huang Ping was the one who truly called the shots.

No matter how many virtues he listed for Xu Yang, it was useless if Huang Ping looked down on his aptitude. Huang Ping had learned nothing from the lesson of Lu Ren; he only wanted to gamble with small stakes, hoping to cultivate a master with minimal investment.

"Forget it."

Since his second brother had decided Xu Yang would never amount to anything, there was no point in saying more.

He bowed and turned to leave.

Martial Dao Longevity Points: 42

The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was check the panel.

After killing Bao Gang yesterday, he had gained ten points. Combined with the reward for reaching the minor completion of Qi Gathering, his points had accumulated to over forty.

Following his usual habit, he could use these points to improve his aptitude, but this time, he held back.

The incident with Bao Gang yesterday taught him that he needed to keep some points in reserve. If he encountered an emergency and couldn't win a fight, he could use the points to temporarily boost his techniques.

If the person who ambushed him yesterday had been a master at the minor completion of Qi Gathering instead of Bao Gang, even if he had managed to kill them, it wouldn't have been easy.

"Brother, breakfast is ready!"

After standing in the Turtle-Snake Great Stance for a while, the sky was still dim, but Xu Qing had already prepared the meal.

Xu Yang pushed open the door to find that the snow outside had already piled up to his calves.

"What a heavy snow. I fear many will freeze to death this year."

The snow this year was heavier than in previous years; it was only the second day, yet it was already this deep.

After eating, the heavy snow continued. Xu Yang first cleared the snow from the roof to prevent it from collapsing, then grabbed his firewood axe and rope to head into the mountains.

Half an hour later, he returned carrying a load of firewood.

"Don't go out. I will buy grain from the city."

The snow was too deep, and fearing Xu Qing would freeze, he gave her instructions before setting off for the Liu Family.

The world was a single color, a vast expanse of white.

The goose-feather snow fell incessantly. His blood and Qi were so vigorous that his body felt like a furnace. After walking for a while, the ice and snow falling on him melted instantly, soaking his clothes through.

His furnace-like body emitted intense heat, and he walked like a steaming cauldron, trailing thick mist.

"They say that masters at the great completion of Qi Gathering can cover their bodies with true Qi, forming a protective barrier that repels water and prevents flies from landing. It is a pity I have not yet reached that realm."

"Otherwise, I could walk in the snow for hours without a single flake touching me."

Although he felt no cold, having to constantly vibrate his blood and qi to evaporate the snow melting on his body was far from a pleasant experience.

Upon arriving at the Liu Family estate, a crowd of servants and attendants were busy clearing away the accumulated snow.

Xu Yang walked over to the Retainer Courtyard. The snow here had already been cleared, and Wu Yongfeng and the others were not practicing their martial arts; instead, they were gathered around a charcoal fire in a room, steam rising from their bodies.

With the snow falling so heavily, there was likely nothing to do today.

He moved closer and noticed that, besides Bao Gang, Zhang Bo was also missing.

The others paid no mind to Bao Gang's absence, assuming he had been delayed by the heavy snow.

It was not until an hour later that Zhang Bo hurried in: "Which of you saw Bao Gang yesterday?"

???

Everyone wore a look of confusion. They had all seen Bao Gang yesterday; he had even asked Xu Yang to borrow money.

Zhang Bo said with a grave expression: "Bao Gang has gone missing. His family came looking for him, saying he never returned home last night and cannot be found anywhere."

Wang Yun spoke up: "He's been addicted to gambling lately. He received his pay yesterday; could he still be at the Gambling House?"

Zhang Bo shook his head: "I've already been to the Gambling House to ask. He left there yesterday afternoon."

"Then we have no idea. We haven't seen him since he left here yesterday."

With him at neither the Gambling House, the martial arts hall, nor the Liu Family estate, everyone realized that something must have happened to Bao Gang. The faces of those who had lent him money turned grim.

If he was going to die, he should have at least paid back his debts first.

"He must have met with foul play. You all should be careful; this might be the work of the Liu Family's enemies. I'm going to ask the Patriarch to send people to investigate."

Zhang Bo gave these instructions and hurried away.

The expressions of everyone present shifted once more. It really could be the work of the Liu Family's enemies; it seemed they would have to be on their guard.

They shouldn't be able to trace this back to me, right? Xu Yang pondered.

Bao Gang had intended to waylay and kill him for his money; he likely wouldn't have revealed such a thing to outsiders. Coupled with the heavy snow covering all traces, even the most skilled investigators would be at a loss.

"It's a good thing you didn't lend him any money yesterday," Wang Yun said with a smile.

Xu Yang shook his head: "For a gambling addict like him, not lending him money is for his own good."

The others nodded in agreement, quickly putting the matter of Bao Gang behind them as they began to chat about interesting rumors from the martial arts world.