Double Happiness Arrives (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

Hundred Herb Lane.

Just as she reached the doorstep, Cheng Xiaoyu ran toward the house, clutching the candied hawthorn Chen Yuan had bought her, shouting, "Mother! Big news, the best news ever!"

Her aunt's voice drifted from the kitchen, chiding, "Stop your fussing. What could be so good?"

Cheng Xiaoyu giggled, "Mother, Brother Yuan has become a martial artist! The kind that can hold an official post. Isn't that the best news ever?"

Huang Juan, who had been adding firewood to the stove, froze. She looked up in astonishment and scrambled to her feet, wiping her ash-stained hands on her apron, her voice trembling, "Xiaoyu, say that again? A-Yuan is a martial artist?"

At that moment, Chen Yuan stepped over the threshold and smiled, "Aunt, it's true. I successfully broke through the barrier today and can now hold a post to earn money."

"Good, oh, so good..." Huang Juan was overjoyed, yet her eyes reddened, and she nearly burst into tears.

It was no wonder she was so moved; for a common family to produce a martial artist was a rare blessing, enough to bring fortune to the entire household.

More than anything, she felt genuine joy for Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan smiled and comforted her, "Aunt, I have a pound of beef here; cut half of it to cook. Don't work so hard from now on; I can earn enough to support the family."

To him, setting aside a tael of silver each month was no great burden, but it was enough to ensure his aunt's family lived very comfortably.

"Alright, today is a good day, I'll listen to you." His aunt wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and took the meat with a smile.

Before long, just as the night swallowed the last of the twilight, his uncle Cheng Yong returned, carrying his shoulder pole.

There were still quite a few sesame cakes left in the baskets, clearly showing that they didn't sell out every day.

Especially with the autumn taxes approaching, every household was tightening their belts, saving wherever they could.

Upon learning that Chen Yuan had become an initiate martial artist, Cheng Yong was also overcome with joy.

"Good lad, well done."

He patted Chen Yuan's shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with relief.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly, "If Aunt and Uncle hadn't taken me in, I never would have reached this point."

Hearing this, Cheng Yong sighed with emotion.

He remembered that night over two months ago when a frail Chen Yuan had knocked on his door.

Back then, he never could have imagined that in just over two months, Chen Yuan would reach this stage...

It felt like it had happened in the blink of an eye.

He said wistfully, "It has nothing to do with us; it's all because you had the drive."

Having spent so many years in the streets, Cheng Yong knew how difficult this path was, and they had only been able to provide two taels of silver.

Chen Yuan just smiled, "Uncle, don't work from dawn till dusk anymore. Take care of your health; I'll handle the household expenses."

Cheng Yong laughed heartily, "A-Yuan, you just focus on your training; don't worry about things at home. Thanks to you, my sesame cake business will likely improve as well."

With a martial artist in the family, everyone would show them some respect.

During the happy, harmonious meal, Chen Yuan didn't eat much, only taking a few bites at his aunt's urging.

Midway through the meal, another knock sounded at the door.

This time, however, it was unprecedentedly gentle, and a polite voice came from outside:

"Is Brother Chen in? It's Qian Bao."

The three of them tensed; it was a conditioned reflex to Qian Bao's presence.

Chen Yuan said softly, "Aunt, keep eating. I'll go see."

Despite his words, Cheng Yong followed him; after all, he was the head of the house.

Chen Yuan pulled back the bolt and saw Qian Bao and his two lackeys, who had clearly changed their tune.

Qian Bao smiled, "Brother Chen, I heard you successfully broke through the barrier and grasped Clear Force, so I came to offer my congratulations. Please, accept these eggs."

As he spoke, the two lackeys tactfully handed over a wooden crate.

Chen Yuan glanced at it; there were a dozen or two eggs, likely extorted from house to house.

The timing of his visit was also calculated—it was dinner time, so everyone would be home, ensuring he wouldn't waste a trip.

Still, Chen Yuan reached out to take them, passed them to his uncle, and turned back with a smile, "Brother Qian is too kind."

Qian Bao rubbed his hands together and added, "Brother Chen, I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you."

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and said gently to Cheng Yong, "Uncle, go back and finish your meal."

Seeing the usually arrogant Qian Bao acting so obsequious, Cheng Yong felt relieved and walked back into the house.

Chen Yuan paced to the corner of the yard and said indifferently, "Brother Qian, speak your mind."

He had traded with Qian Bao a few times, but that was where their relationship ended.

Qian Bao said in a low voice:

"Brother Chen, the conflict between my Black Dragon Gang and the Golden Blade Sect has been intensifying lately. I don't know where the Golden Blade Sect found a few martial artists, but my Black Dragon Gang is retreating at every turn and has lost quite a bit of territory. I was wondering if Brother Chen could assist us; my Black Dragon Gang will certainly reward you handsomely."

The purpose of this visit was twofold: first, to offer congratulations and build goodwill, and second, to address this matter.

Although the gang leader was a master of Dark Force, on par with the head of the Golden Blade Sect, he could not withstand the sheer numbers of the opposition.

Chen Yuan frowned slightly and offered a polite refusal:

"Brother Qian, I've only just broken through, and my cultivation is still unstable. It's inconvenient for me to take action, and I have no desire to get involved in these affairs."

He would have to be out of his mind to get involved; it was a thankless task that offered no benefits.

After several failed attempts to persuade him, Qian Bao left in embarrassment.

Having only broken through the Skin Realm years ago without even grasping Clear Force, he naturally dared not force Chen Yuan.

Returning to the dining table, he saw Cheng Xiaoyu looking at him with sparkling eyes:

"Brother Yuan, you're amazing! That fierce and menacing Qian Bao actually came to the house himself to bring eggs—you have so much face!"

Chen Yuan shook his head and smiled; she truly had the temperament of a child. He looked toward his aunt and suggested:

"Aunt, Xiaoyu is only fourteen or fifteen, right? Should we send her to a private school for a few years?"

Cheng Xiaoyu's face fell instantly, and she hurriedly protested: "Brother, I don't want to go to school!"

Only young children went to school; if she went at her age, she would definitely be a laughingstock.

Chen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle; he hadn't expected such resistance to studying.

Upon learning the reason, he was left both amused and exasperated, comforting her: "It's not too late. Young ladies from wealthy families still study at sixteen or seventeen."

Cheng Xiaoyu huffed twice: "I don't want to. The young mistress usually teaches me a few characters; that's enough."

His aunt also voiced her opinion: "A-Yuan, if Xiaoyu doesn't want to, then let it be. It makes no difference whether a girl studies or not; as long as she can find a good family to marry into in a few years, that's enough."

Chen Yuan did not press the matter further.

The next day.

Upon waking, Chen Yuan discovered that a settlement evaluation had popped up for the first time in a while:

[Refused He Qing's invitation to hunt in the mountains, avoiding unnecessary danger, in accordance with the Dao of Survival; refused Qian Bao's request for help, avoiding being dragged into the vortex of gang conflicts and higher-level power struggles, in accordance with the Dao of Survival. Dao of Survival points +15.]

[Detected that the host has fulfilled the principles of the Dao of Survival well within new interpersonal relationships, avoiding most risks, and has steadily improved strength. Passed the Dao of Survival assessment. Base settlement points +1. Please continue to implement the Dao of Survival from beginning to end; a new round of the Dao of Survival assessment has begun.]

Chen Yuan's face lit up with joy—a double blessing!

He looked at his panel again:

[Comprehension: 10]

[Root Bone: 53]

[Cultivation: Skin Realm; Clear Force]

[Techniques]

[Rock-Solid Stance Technique (Minor Achievement): 33/1000]

[Six Harmonies Mind Boxing (Minor Achievement): 3/1000]

[Dao of Survival Points: 19]

[Evaluation: You do not show off, you do not provoke others, and you understand the principle of biding your time. You have caught a glimpse of the Dao of Survival. Daily Dao of Survival points +4]

Without further ado, he decided to increase his comprehension first.

As ten Dao of Survival points were consumed, his comprehension—for the first time since he had transmigrated—flickered and increased to 11!

Chen Yuan felt his head itch slightly, as if his brain were actually growing.

It felt rather good.

He then turned his gaze to the "Daily Dao of Survival points +4" and couldn't help but smile.

This was the greatest harvest of all.

Now, as long as he honestly kept a low profile, he could earn 120 Dao of Survival points a month, enough to increase his comprehension by 12 points.

In just over three months, he would be able to catch up to his Root Bone. He would spend these three months focusing entirely on nourishing his blood and qi, preparing to charge toward the Bone Realm.

The future looked promising!