Bride

Deep within his sea of consciousness, four runes suddenly bloomed. In the space of a breath, it was as though faint, boundless power of heaven and earth sank into them, then passed through the circulating Heavenly Circuit Heart Method into certain meridians and acupoints deep within his limbs and bones, driving the growth of the lesser medicine and greater medicine. With every breath in and out, they all settled and transformed into a warm current that circulated through the heavenly circuit.

Yuan Xiuxiu saw it as well and carefully observed the changes in Yang Huai's breathing and cultivation.

In her gaze, she could see a layer of pale red, scorching flame around Yang Huai's body gradually growing brighter and fiercer.

That was the temperature produced by the vibration of his qi and blood as they washed through his meridians.

A portion of pure yang qi within had already merged into it amid the vibrations, gaining some effect in calming and steadying the mind!

"He has already completed one lesser heavenly circuit. This speed is far faster than I imagined?"

Yet after observing more closely, she was still astonished!

This heavenly circuit method was a foundational technique, specifically meant to increase essence.

It traveled through the twelve primary meridians, which included the three yin and three yang meridians of the hands and feet, as well as certain mysterious hidden acupoints. Through the twelve primary meridians, it transported the greater medicine, thereby tempering the qi and blood, sinews, membranes, and even the vital internal organs. With yin within and yang without, completing the lesser heavenly circuit meant one had truly entered through the gate.

After this stage, one's hands and feet would naturally become nimble and strong, their strength would greatly increase, and certain strange innate qualities would awaken from within the body.

However, ordinary people possessed no special aptitude, making it difficult for any such qualities to awaken. At most, they could unearth a trace of shallow innate qi from the depths of their souls to nourish their origin.

The greater heavenly circuit, meanwhile, encompassed the eight extraordinary meridians, as well as certain mysterious acupoints connected to the growth of wisdom and the soul.

After completing the greater heavenly circuit, one could gather the greater medicine and condense essence. From essence, one would give rise to a Dao foundation. When the radiance of life and destiny manifested throughout the body, one could gradually enter the Dao.

Yet completing both the lesser and greater heavenly circuits required even heaven-favored prodigies to spend several years, or even more than a decade, tempering themselves.

But such long years were worth it. With a foundation forged through such tempering, even if one could not enter the Dao, one would still enjoy a long lifespan and live two full sixty-year cycles without any problem.

This had originally been Yuan Xiuxiu's repayment to Yang Huai.

It also counted as repayment for the debt of saving her life.

But now, Yang Huai's performance had somewhat exceeded her expectations.

"The lesser heavenly circuit may be easy, but the greater heavenly circuit is not. The hidden acupoints surrounding the eight extraordinary meridians touch upon the cultivation of life itself and require exceptional care. Even though the greater medicine gathered by the Heavenly Circuit Heart Method is extraordinarily rich and pure, it will still take time to pry open these intricate hidden acupoints one by one. Unless one is born with a powerful innate origin, one can only slowly knock upon the gates..."

Sizzle!

As Yang Huai circulated his qi and blood, the temperature around his body rose until he seemed to become a small furnace. Two wisps of invisible crimson radiance emerged from his shoulders, gradually turning from illusory to solid and shining brighter by the moment.

A moment later, Yang Huai abruptly woke from that intoxicating state.

"I'm so hungry!"

Yang Huai felt as if his stomach had suddenly caught fire. His eyes turned green as he charged straight into the small kitchen nearby. Fortunately, after yesterday's wedding feast, quite a bit of food and wine remained. He did not bother with niceties, grabbing several coarse-grain steamed buns and wolfing them down with cold dishes.

Yuan Xiuxiu was not surprised by the sight. She merely helped prepare more food, because she knew this was far from enough for Yang Huai.

Completing the lesser heavenly circuit required a great deal of nourishing food.

Only after stuffing himself senseless in the small kitchen did Yang Huai feel his hunger barely subside.

But when he swept his gaze around the room, his face immediately fell again as he thought.

If I keep eating like this every day, the whole family will be drinking the northwest wind!

Most of the meat dishes left in the small kitchen had already been swept clean by him, leaving only a few scraps and leftovers.

Yang Huai inwardly cried that things were bad. He could already imagine the expressions on his father and mother's faces once they found out.

"I need to find a way to earn more money for the family!"

Yang Huai silently pondered.

The two then took advantage of the morning light to enter the main hall and serve tea to Father Yang and Mother Yang.

They had been waiting there for quite some time.

In the main hall, Father Yang and Mother Yang had unusually put on new clothes. Both wore smiles on their faces. Yang Huai was their eldest son, and now that he had taken a wife, how could they not be delighted?

The couple looked at Yuan Xiuxiu as she offered them the daughter-in-law tea, growing more satisfied the longer they looked.

After drinking the daughter-in-law tea, Father Yang and Mother Yang began bustling about. Father Yang had carpentry work to do elsewhere. He picked up his pack and called to Yang Huai.

"Yang Huai, lend me a hand?"

"Sure thing, Dad!"

Yang Huai readily agreed and swiftly ran outside.

Yuan Xiuxiu hurried after him and handed him his shoulder bag. It was filled with all sorts of tools—small hammers, hand planes, saws, ink lines, carpenter's rulers, and more. Those were the tools Yang Huai relied on to make a living.

Yang Huai gave her a look and muttered.

"Mom's side is up to you!"

Hearing this, Yuan Xiuxiu rolled her eyes at Yang Huai and said softly.

"You two should just come back later!"

"My wife speaks wisely..."

Yang Huai nodded repeatedly, then darted off after Old Yang, who had gone ahead.

But the moment he stepped out of the courtyard, Yang Huai heard an earth-shaking roar from behind him.

"Which cursed bastard stole my family's food and wine?!"

A long string of unpleasant local curses followed, immediately drawing the attention of many neighbors.

Upon hearing it, Yang Huai's footsteps quickened by another thirty percent.

Old Yang had already strode toward the small path outside the village, and Yang Huai hurried to catch up.

Old Yang glanced at Yang Huai and asked.

"Yang Huai, did you hear what your mother was yelling about?"

Yang Huai's expression immediately turned solemn. "Nothing. The second brother is probably sleeping in again!"

Old Yang instantly shook his head.

"That good-for-nothing, lazy brat! Looks like I need to put some more burden on your second brother!"

Yang Huai nodded again and again, thinking, Little brother, I'm doing this for your own good. Suffer for a while first. Once you get used to it, you'll go numb!

The two began their usual rounds through the streets and alleys.

As carpenters, the father and son mainly made their living repairing furniture for the villagers. In the past, Old Yang would usually handle the repairs while Yang Huai worked at his side as an apprentice. But this had changed several years ago. Old Yang now took the jobs, while Yang Huai handled the repairs.

Yang Huai had already become a somewhat renowned carpenter in several nearby villages and towns.

Even some local gentry were happy to hire Yang Huai to commission furniture. The pieces he made were not merely sturdy and durable; their styles were novel and their craftsmanship exquisite.

"Uncle Dayuan, you're out taking work so early?"

Quite a few villagers saw Yang Dayuan and Yang Huai at this time and greeted them with smiles.

Yang Dayuan stepped forward to exchange a few words. He was a talkative middle-aged man, and before long, he had accepted a job from a middle-aged woman who had greeted them.

"Yang Huai, your Aunt Liu wants to commission a set of new-style furniture as dowry for your Fifth Sister Liu. But the time may be tight—only half a month. Are you confident you can do it?!"

He came over to Yang Huai with a furrowed brow, his expression caught between joy and worry.

This was a major job.

A set of new-style furniture would naturally include a bed, a dressing table, side tables, tables and chairs, and more. If they could complete it, it would be enough for father and son to live comfortably for quite a while.

It would also temporarily solve Yang Huai's pressing need.

That was the advantage of having a trade. Forget great wealth and high status—at least food and clothing would never be a concern.

Then Yang Dayuan added.

"This time, your Fifth Sister Liu has found herself a fine husband. She's marrying the young master of Squire Huang's family in town. You mustn't let your Fifth Sister Liu lose face!"

Yang Huai's eyes lit up. "Auntie, rest assured. Leave it to me!"

Yang Huai gave his solemn guarantee.

The middle-aged woman nodded upon hearing this.

"We naturally trust Brother Huai's craftsmanship!"

After saying that, she led the Yang father and son to a small courtyard up the slope, enclosed by a wall of stacked blue stone. She told them to wait while she went in to fetch the deposit.

Once the woman had left, Yang Dayuan said to Yang Huai.

"Yang Huai, with only half a month, this may truly be difficult?"

"Dad, don't worry. I can handle it!"

Yang Huai was not worried in the slightest. After the Heavenly Circuit Heart Method's breakthrough, he could clearly feel that his strength and endurance had increased. Forget working nine to nine, six days a week—even seven days a week would be no problem.

An ordinary carpenter would end up with an aching back after half a day's work, but he would not.

That was an advantage.

Yang Dayuan thought it over and said.

"Fine. At worst, father and son will just work a little harder! We can't possibly ruin the family name!"

Then he sighed again.

"Your Fifth Sister Liu truly has good fortune. That young master of Squire Huang's family is said to be a promising scholar, and he's handsome too. He certainly counts as a fine husband!"

"But if they want to make an entirely new set of quality furniture, your uncle and aunt will probably have to bleed heavily. Who knows how many years of selling meat it will take to earn it back? They really are spending lavishly!"

Yang Huai nodded and looked at the small courtyard before him.

He was no stranger to the Liu family. They were considered one of the more well-off families in the Yang family's hunting grounds. They made their living as butchers, and to securely hold such a trade in a village town like this, they naturally had some means.

Before long, the middle-aged woman emerged carrying a festive basket. Behind her came a tall, sturdy-looking young woman. Her features could only be called ordinary, but she gave off a heroic air.

Upon seeing Yang Huai, she casually greeted him.

"Brother Huai, I'm entrusting all of my dowry to you! I heard you've been working on new furniture styles lately. You can't forget about your little sister when something this good comes along!"

Yang Huai smiled at the sight.

"Rest assured. I definitely won't let your fine husband's family look down on you!"

Liu Jingjing's cheeks reddened slightly. Seeing many neighbors watching them, she stopped speaking and stood demurely behind Mother Liu.

Watching this, Yang Huai could not help sighing inwardly. The wild little girl has finally grown up!

The fifth daughter of the Liu family was named Liu Jingjing. She ranked fifth in Butcher Liu's household and had four older brothers. She had grown up alongside them and could be considered Yang Huai's childhood friend.

After the father and son accepted the deposit, they stopped taking further jobs.

They needed to begin preparing for the work.

After all, time was limited.

Within half a month, they had to prepare the lumber, complete the many carpentry tasks, and even do the detailed woodcarving. Time was extremely tight for father and son!

But they were accustomed to it.

At this time, Mother Liu, still holding her basket behind them, watched the father and son's retreating figures, then looked at her daughter and shook her head.

"Now you've gotten your wish. I only hope your Brother Huai takes it seriously. Squire Huang's family has enormous wealth and has seen everything. If you ask me, although your Brother Huai has made some decent pieces, he still falls a little short compared to those master craftsmen with years of experience!"

Liu Jingjing linked arms with Mother Liu and giggled softly.

"Mother, I asked Aunt Yang about it some time ago, and I even found an excuse to personally take a look at Brother Huai's new house. All the pearwood furniture inside was elegant yet rounded in style, quite extraordinary indeed. Don't underestimate Brother Huai's craftsmanship. His skills have absolutely surpassed Uncle Dayuan's and are no worse than those of the master craftsmen in town. Since that's the case, how could we hand such a good opportunity to someone else? It also keeps our two families from growing distant..."

Seeing how shrewd she was, Mother Liu felt somewhat reassured and sighed.

"That child Huai truly is gifted with handiwork. It makes one envious. Actually, I would have preferred the Yang family, but what a pity..."

"Mother! Young Master Huang is not bad either. The Huang family is thin in descendants. His elder brother died young, and Squire Huang only had Young Master Huang in his old age. He is doted on beyond measure, so he surely will never lack food or clothes..."

Liu Jingjing immediately protested coquettishly.

There truly had never been any romantic affection between her and Yang Huai, only the friendship of companions!

"Yes, my Little Fifth is blessed!"

Mother Liu quickly let it go, her face full of smiles.

Back at the Yang residence, when Mother Yang saw the father and son return, she had originally intended to step forward and question Yang Huai. But after learning the news from them, her eyebrows rose in delight. She no longer had the heart to continue "making things difficult" for Yang Huai and hurried into the carpentry workshop to help father and son move lumber.

A large amount of lumber was currently stored in the carpentry workshop. Among the more valuable kinds were pearwood, fragrant camphorwood, chicken-wing wood, golden-thread nanmu, along with more ordinary camphorwood and cypress. Nearly more than half of the father and son's family assets were here.

Yang Huai stepped inside and, without yielding to anyone, hoisted up a load of lumber. This time, he clearly felt the changes in his body.

A bundle of lumber weighing over two hundred jin no longer required both father and son to exert themselves together. He could easily carry it alone, leaving Yang Dayuan and his wife staring in astonishment.

Mother Yang's expression softened somewhat as she silently thought.

So he's grown stronger. My son must have endured so much hardship...!

In her understanding, eating a lot was usually linked to having great strength.