Their enemies weren't just the Wang Family. There were other unknown forces too, most likely sent by the county magistrate to aid the Wang Family.
Yesterday, although the Blood Ghost had helped them, he had only killed experts; he hadn't helped them reclaim their territory.
They were already far behind the Wang Family in both numbers and the number of experts.
Hunkering down and refusing to come out had been a desperate measure to keep their leaders from being killed and their forces routed even faster.
As a result, they hadn't been able to spare anyone to reclaim their territory and businesses.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, the steward came hurrying in, holding a large sheet of paper.
He managed a faint smile. "Gentlemen, young masters and misses, please don't worry. Things aren't as bad as you imagine."
"This time, our Huang Family lost businesses on five streets, with a total of forty businesses falling into enemy hands."
"But the enemy suffered heavy losses as well."
"According to our tally, two Organ-Refining experts alone died at the hands of our Huang Family."
"One of them was the Wang Family's eldest young master, the future leader of the Wang Family!"
"As for Tendon-Refining martial artists, there were as many as ten. There were even more below that level—we couldn't keep count."
"This dealt the Wang Family a fatal blow."
"It's easy to imagine that after this battle, the Wang Family will be severely weakened!"
The Huang Family elders were astonished, and much of the worry on their faces lifted.
They all turned to their family head, Huang He, and saw that he, too, had frozen for a moment before his face brightened.
He asked, "What did their wounds look like?"
He had a vague suspicion that most of these people had been killed by the Blood Ghost.
With the family's very survival at stake, he couldn't keep his eyes on the Blood Ghost all night.
The Blood Ghost might have accomplished one great feat after another where he hadn't noticed.
The steward bent forward and confirmed, "Eldest Master, most of their wounds were broken tendons and shattered bones. Someone had beaten them to death with their bare fists!"
"So it really was the Blood Ghost!" Huang He's face filled with shock.
He had never imagined that a single Blood Ghost could turn the tide against them.
The Huang Family had lost territory, while the Wang Family and the county magistrate had lost experts. No one had come out ahead!
"The Blood Ghost? Could it be the one who killed Wang Ju?" The second master was shocked too.
To kill two Organ-Refining martial artists in a single night and turn Changfeng County upside down was truly horrifying!
Huang He explained everything he had seen and heard to the members of the Huang Family, setting everyone to murmuring in alarm.
If the Blood Ghost sided with the Wang Family, the Huang Family would be doomed!
Huang He's gaze sharpened. He rapped the table and called for silence.
He said sternly, "Everyone, if you're lucky enough to meet the Blood Ghost, treat him with the utmost courtesy. Do your best to bring him over to our side."
"If he agrees to work with us, even the county magistrate will have to think twice!"
"Win him over at any cost!"
"Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
Then Huang He discussed matters with them some more and redeployed their men. Only after everyone had left did the meeting end.
The hall was left with only Huang He and Huang Rongyue.
He studied his daughter, deep in thought.
Huang Rongyue had been drinking tea. When she suddenly noticed her father looking at her, her delicate hand paused, and she began to feel ill at ease.
"Father, you..."
"Yue'er, martial cultivation depends on wealth, companions, techniques, and a place to train."
Huang He rested his right hand on his chin. After pondering for a moment, he said slowly, "He doesn't want wealth, and we can't give him techniques or a place to train. That leaves only a companion..."
"How about it, Yue'er? Next time, why not just confess your love to him?"
Huang Rongyue sighed and set down her teacup. "Father, that depends on how he feels."
Huang He nodded. "True. Still, I'm sorry to put you in this position. You've always been carefree and straightforward."
Huang Rongyue shook her head and didn't pursue the subject.
Deep down, she was extremely unwilling.
The Blood Ghost was ruthless. Who knew what his temperament was like?
And he wore a ghost mask, so she had no idea what he looked like.
What if he turned out to be an ugly toad? Her whole life would be ruined!
Still, those eyes were bright and spirited. Surely his looks couldn't be that bad?
But as she thought about them, she suddenly felt that the eyes seemed familiar. She just couldn't remember why.
Since she couldn't remember, she stopped trying and changed the subject. "Father, one of my guards is named Lu Li. He's done a great service."
"If not for him, we'd have lost another pharmacy."
"Besides, he's a genius. In such a short time, he's already made great progress in martial arts."
"Mm." Huang He nodded repeatedly, a pleased look on his face. "It seems our Wang Family's fortunes haven't run out after all. Hahaha!"
"Since he serves under you, you can decide how he's rewarded or punished."
After racking his brains over the matter of poison arts, Lu Li had come up with a rough outline.
But he still lacked confidence and experience, and he wasn't strong enough to put the idea into practice.
So he set the matter aside and went back to reviewing Hundred Solutions to Poisons.
"After Hu Niu's breakthrough, she's been roaming the mountains lately. She might have found something new. I can go gather some."
Lu Li's thoughts raced. Just then, he heard a pharmacist announce that the young miss had arrived.
He hurriedly put away Hundred Solutions to Poisons and went to the front courtyard to meet her.
Li Qing and the others were already there, heads bowed and showing the young miss great respect.
The young miss, Huang Rongyue, glanced at Lu Li and smiled as she patted his shoulder. "I heard what happened yesterday. What level have you reached?"
"Reporting to you, young miss, they were just a few crude punches. It was nothing," Lu Li replied cautiously.
"Nonsense! Could a few crude punches easily kill Er Gou? He'd already entered the ranks of martial artists!" Huang Rongyue frowned.
"I can't hide it from your discerning eyes, young miss. I've broken through to Skin-Refining." Lu Li stopped hiding his progress and reported honestly.
Only then did Huang Rongyue's brow relax. She nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. It's good to hide your strength, but if you don't know when to show it, you'll miss out on plenty of opportunities."
She handed Lu Li a bundle. "Here. There are five hundred taels of silver and ten Essence Pills inside. They'll be a great help when you break through to Tendon-Refining."
"Also, the Wild Ox Fist is much too low-level, so I've replaced it with the Vajra Fist. It can help you break through to Organ-Refining."
Li Qing and the others stared at the bundle, their eyes wide and their mouths watering with envy.
Lu Li pretended to be overjoyed as he took it and thanked her repeatedly.
"I can never repay the Huang Family's kindness," Lu Li said solemnly.
Though he said that, he was grumbling inwardly.
The silver would come in handy, but he was almost at Organ-Refining already. What use were these Essence Pills to him?
"All right, enough sweet-talking. Come on, I know a bit about the Vajra Fist too. I'll teach you myself."
"You three should learn as well," she added, turning to Li Qing and the others.
Lu Li followed the young miss's movements and assumed the stance.
Huang Rongyue watched him, unable to hide her surprise.
For his first practice, his posture was correct, without any major errors. That alone was no small feat.
As for Li Qing and the others, their movements were crooked and riddled with openings.
The young miss moved behind Lu Li. Suddenly, he felt warm, fragrant softness press against him, and his heart skipped a beat.
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