Neighbors

She turned her head and discovered that Old Huang had actually come again today. The two men following beside him wore standard-issue fine leather armor, completely different from the leather armor worn by Garrison Soldiers. Having lived on the Northern Frontier for many years, though she was a woman, she could still tell the difference. Only Squad Leaders of the City Guard were qualified to wear such armor.

Especially one of them—wasn't he the young man who had come drinking with Old Huang?

The one who had called out just now was Lu Yuan. Widow Li did not neglect them either. After all, they wanted meat dishes; they were bringing her business. She immediately called out, "Coming!"

After shouting back, she first brought out a plate of cold appetizers and a jar of wine, setting them on the table. "You three drink first. The hot dishes will be ready soon."

Taking advantage of the chance, she gave Lu Yuan a careful look.

There was no mistaking it. He really was wearing a Squad Leader's standard-issue armor.

Not only was he young, he looked manly and rugged. Compared to the other rough men of Ice Plain City, he was far more handsome.

Most importantly, he was far too young. This was the first time she had ever seen such a young Squad Leader.

Still unsure, after leaving the table, she deliberately went over to Wei Yong's table. As she poured their wine, she softly asked, "That young fellow over there was still with Old Huang yesterday. How come he's wearing fine armor today?"

She seemed to be asking casually. Beside her, Zhang Gun drank his wine and said in a low voice, "That Squad Leader position was supposed to be Brother Wei's. Who the hell knew how it ended up with that newcomer?"

There was a trace of resentment in his voice.

Widow Li's expression did not change. She smiled, then left.

Yet she felt somewhat uncomfortable inside. That Squad Leader post had originally been Wei Yong's, but now it had been snatched away.

But when she thought of how Lu Yuan was a local, had savings at home, and even owned a storefront on the street, she felt a little better. Besides, Wei Yong had also entered the Entry Realm.

Compared to an outsider becoming Squad Leader, it did not seem all that bad.

Lu Yuan knew nothing of these twists and turns. He merely drank with Zhou He and Old Huang.

After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, the three had become much more familiar with one another.

They each headed home.

Returning to Ice Valley Lane, Lu Yuan looked at his shattered gate. He paid the carpenter next door three hundred copper coins for a new door panel, then installed it.

At this point, he did not have much silver left in his pocket—around seven taels. It was enough for living expenses, but buying pills was out of the question.

Although he could exchange military merit for cultivation resources at the barracks, the problem was that he had no military merit yet.

Therefore, if he wanted his cultivation to progress faster, he had to find a way to make money.

He had just finished installing the gate.

Creak!

The neighboring courtyard gate opened, and a young girl came into Lu Yuan's view. She was about his age and rather tall, only half a head shorter than him. Her skin was white as snow and faintly reflected the sunlight.

She had large, pitch-black eyes, a delicate nose, and exquisitely beautiful features, as though they had been carved by a master's hand.

She wore a plain cotton dress, with a snow-white sheepskin vest over it.

Yet it could not conceal her perfectly developed figure.

Her long hair was casually pinned up.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, her face first flushed red. Only then did she timidly say, "Big Brother, the stove in my home keeps giving off smoke. Could you help take a look?"

She and her mother depended on each other for survival. There was no man in their home.

Whenever little problems came up in the past, the neighbors would help them out.

But many households in the lane had recently lost people. Now, Lu Yuan was the only one she could ask for help.

"Oh, I'll take a look for you."

He did not refuse and walked toward the girl's home.

Once he entered the courtyard, his eyes brightened. Though the courtyard was not large, it had been kept very clean.

Coughing occasionally drifted out from inside the house.

"My mother is in poor health and can't stand the smell of smoke. I had no other choice."

The girl twisted the corner of her clothes, looking troubled.

"It's nothing. Neighbors should help one another." As he spoke, Lu Yuan pushed open the door and walked inside.

A faint medicinal scent filled the room. A middle-aged woman lay on the bed, her complexion looking terrible. She was not particularly old, yet her hair had already turned gray.

But judging from her features, she must have been a beauty in her younger days.

Though she was an ill woman, Lu Yuan did not know why he could sense a faint pressure from her. It had nothing to do with cultivation, but rather the bearing fostered by someone in a high position. He had seen similar people before.

"I've truly troubled you," the woman said hoarsely, trying to sit up.

Cough, cough, cough...

But the moment she moved, she began coughing without end.

The girl could only support her mother and help her lie back down.

Lu Yuan waved his hand. "Please don't be so polite. I'm young; just treat me as a junior."

Then he began inspecting the stove.

A moment later, he smiled. "It's not a serious problem. The chimney is blocked. I'll go take a look from the roof."

As he spoke, Lu Yuan walked outside. With a leap, he landed on the roof and found that it was indeed the case. But then he frowned. An old, tattered piece of clothing had been stuffed inside. Someone had clearly done it on purpose.

But he said nothing. After throwing away the clothing,

he jumped back down.

Seeing that his hands were covered in soot, the girl hurriedly brought out a basin of water.

"Quick, wash your hands."

Lu Yuan did not stand on ceremony. After washing his hands, he asked, "See if it's still smoking."

"It's already better. Thank you, Big Brother," the girl said happily.

"As long as it's fixed. If there are any small chores like this in the future, you can come find me." Lu Yuan spoke as he prepared to leave.

But the girl immediately grabbed his sleeve. "It's getting late today. Stay for a meal. Please don't look down on it."

Since she had put it that way, Lu Yuan could not easily refuse.

He glanced at the woman lying inside and found that she too was raising a hand to urge him to stay. He could only say, "All right, then I'll stay for a meal."

A smile appeared on the girl's face. "My name is Xiao Hua. Big Brother can call me by my name from now on."

"My name is Lu Yuan." The two of them were now formally acquainted.

"Brother Yuan, sit for a while. I'll make the food. It'll be ready soon."

As she spoke, the girl turned and went into the inner room.

It was clear that she had received a fine upbringing. She carried herself openly and gracefully, polite and proper—not something an ordinary family could cultivate.

A moment later, she brought out a cup of tea for Lu Yuan to drink.

Then she began bustling about.

Meanwhile, at the Zhang Clan in Yun Province, Zhang Hong sat in the main hall. His face was expressionless, but joy gleamed in his eyes.

Looking at Zhang He, the steward of the Second Branch, beside him, he said, "The Yun Province General has agreed. This year, Zhang Zhe's position can be raised a little. Our Lineage has enough influence locally, but we are still lacking somewhat in the military.

As long as we continue according to the family's plans, Zhang Zhe's generation may perhaps produce a general. When that time comes, the road ahead will be much easier."

As he spoke, he took a sip of tea.

"We must thank Big Brother for his planning. Otherwise, let alone getting promoted, that boy A-Zhe might not even have been able to keep his position," Zhang He said quietly.

"How is A-Yuan doing now? Do you have any news from your side?" Zhang Hong did not respond. After taking another sip from his teacup, he shifted the topic to Lu Yuan.

"No. I sent people to inquire. After he went to the Northern Frontier, it was as though he vanished. No one knows which Sai City he was assigned to, and no one had heard that name," Zhang He hurriedly replied.

"The Yun Province General's son has recently been asking about A-Yuan.

His father still cares about the greater picture and ordered him not to bring up the matter again.

Now that he cannot target A-Zhe, that boy has turned his anger on A-Yuan again."

Zhang Hong sighed.

This was the crucial moment for Zhang Zhe's promotion. Moreover, the Zhang Clan badly needed support from the military, so they were powerless to stop it.

"Big Brother, then what do you mean?" Zhang He's heart tightened, afraid that his son's promotion would be affected.

"What else could I mean? At a time like this, we cannot ruin your son's official career because of A-Yuan. Take better care of the Third Branch in the future."

"Understood." Zhang He let out a breath of relief.

Zhang Hong said nothing more.

He merely consoled himself inwardly that everything was for the Lineage.