Refusing to Be Wronged

After another five days on the road, Zhang Yu and his group finally arrived in Southern Azure City.

Southern Azure City, Chu Family.

Zhang Yu and the others were arranged to stay in the Chu Family's most secluded courtyard—Listening Rain Pavilion.

In the main courtyard, Chu Qingwen and her father, Chu Chengye, were having a discussion about the Chu Family's future.

"Father, Zhang Yu is a peerless genius. Our Chu Family must seize this opportunity."

"Putting all of the Chu Family's resources on this young man—isn't that too risky? Even if I agree, your Second Uncle and Third Uncle won't." A thoughtful expression appeared on Chu Chengye's face.

"Then split the family. Put all the resources of our main branch on him. Father, the Western Desolate Continent is growing more and more chaotic. The wealthier we are, the greater the danger. If we cannot transform into a martial arts family, then every penny we earn now will become a death warrant in the near future," Chu Qingwen said.

"Do you truly think so highly of that young man?" Chu Chengye asked, staring into his daughter's eyes.

Chu Qingwen nodded with complete certainty. "Father, you know my ability. I have a mysterious premonition, and it tells me that Zhang Yu is the Chu Family's only chance to transform."

Hearing his daughter say this, Chu Chengye spoke no further. His brows were tightly furrowed as he weighed the gains and losses, the advantages and disadvantages, and the interests of every side.

After thinking for roughly the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Chu Chengye finally made his decision. "This way. Transfer ten thousand taels of gold from our main branch's private account and send it to him. I'll do everything in my power to gather the ingredients for the prescription. Isn't he going to Boundless City? Give him our two-courtyard residence in Boundless City as well."

The Chu Family's business stretched throughout every corner of the Great Chu Empire. They also had a branch in Boundless City that specialized in purchasing medicinal herbs.

"Father, why not keep him in Southern Azure City?" Chu Qingwen asked in confusion.

"See for yourself. I had someone investigate just now. His wanted notice has already reached Southern Azure City. You didn't know, did you? He slaughtered an entire gang and didn't even spare the children. If it weren't for your premonition, I would never support such a vicious man." Chu Chengye handed his daughter a wanted notice from the local authorities.

Listening Rain Pavilion, the side courtyard.

Zhang Yu looked at his system panel.

[Iron Shirt Beginner (17/100)]

[Master-Disciple Points: 32]

Sixteen days, two Master-Disciple Points per day, for a total of thirty-two points.

Niu Mancang had provided him with sixteen points of Iron Shirt proficiency and had already reached the beginner stage in Iron Shirt.

Li Yue, meanwhile, had provided only one point of Iron Shirt proficiency. Even now, she had not yet reached the beginner stage in Iron Shirt.

The difference in aptitude between the two of them in the Iron Shirt technique was simply too great.

Li Yue could no longer cultivate Iron Shirt. After all, she was a girl. Once the Chu Family sent over the second-rate technique, the Clearwind Smoke-Transformation Scripture, he planned to have Li Yue switch to cultivating it.

The Clearwind Smoke-Transformation Scripture included the Clearwind Stance Art and breathing method, Clearwind Steps, and Clearwind Palm. It was a complete set of second-rate techniques that could be cultivated all the way to Force Transformation.

I need to take in a third disciple as soon as possible, Zhang Yu thought.

One disciple meant one Master-Disciple Point per day. This concerned his cultivation.

Unfortunately, he had yet to encounter another peerless talent.

That night, Chu Chengye hosted a banquet for Zhang Yu and the others. The following morning, Chu Qingwen brought several items to Zhang Yu's room.

A handwritten copy of the Clearwind Smoke-Transformation Scripture, ten hundred-year blood ginseng roots, the deed to a two-courtyard residence in Boundless City, and a voucher personally written by Chu Chengye for ten thousand taels of gold.

With this voucher, gold could be withdrawn from any Chu Family branch until the full ten thousand taels had been collected.

Zhang Yu looked at the items before him, his brows slightly furrowed. "This is what you meant by the Chu Family's full support?"

"Master, this is only one part of it. My father has already mobilized every Chu Family branch to search for Fire Spirit Crystals for the prescription. There will definitely be news within a month." Chu Qingwen bowed as she spoke.

"Fine. We'll leave the city this afternoon, so as not to bring trouble upon your Chu Family."

"Master..."

Zhang Yu waved a hand, cutting Chu Qingwen off. "When we entered the city, I saw the authorities' wanted notice at the gate."

"Master, I'm sorry. Our Chu Family is only a merchant family. There is only so much we can do." Chu Qingwen lowered her head.

"You stay here. Once all the prescription ingredients have been gathered, send them to Boundless City," Zhang Yu said.

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingwen dropped to her knees with a thud and began to cry. "Master, do you not want me anymore? I... sob..."

Seeing Chu Qingwen weeping like pear blossoms drenched in rain gave Zhang Yu a splitting headache. Even before his transmigration, he could not bear to see women cry, much less a devastating beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities.

"Enough, stop crying. If you want to follow me, then follow me."

"Thank you, Master!" Chu Qingwen broke into a smile through her tears, like a flower blooming after rain. Zhang Yu stared blankly for a moment.

"I heard Eldest Uncle copied out our Chu Family's Clearwind Smoke-Transformation Scripture and gave it to some vile bandit." A young man dressed like a rich young master barged into Listening Rain Pavilion and shouted in the courtyard.

Hearing her cousin Chu Chao's voice, Chu Qingwen's expression changed abruptly. "Master, I'll go deal with this."

"Let's go take a look together." Zhang Yu rose and stepped out of the room.

He saw a youth dressed in fitted brocade robes, his eyes filled with arrogant disdain, shouting in the courtyard.

"Chu Chao, shut your mouth." Chu Qingwen walked up to Chu Chao and roared.

"Cousin, you haven't even married out yet, and you're already giving the family's things to some pretty boy?" Chu Chao glanced at Zhang Yu and spoke provocatively.

"You..." Chu Qingwen was so furious that her face turned red.

Slap!

The next second, a palm suddenly appeared out of nowhere. With a sharp slap, it struck Chu Chao across the face. The force was so great that it spun him around three times on the spot before he crashed to the ground.

Half his face had swollen up, and he spat out three teeth.

"Y-you dare hit me?" Chu Chao sat on the ground, wearing an expression of utter disbelief.

"I'm disciplining you in your father's place. Watch your mouth. If you dare utter another word of nonsense, I'll cut out your tongue." Zhang Yu stared coldly at him.

Chu Chao still wanted to speak, but when he saw Zhang Yu's indifferent gaze and remembered that the wanted notice said Zhang Yu had even killed children, he ultimately did not dare say another word.

Shortly afterward, Zhang Yu took Li Yue, Niu Mancang, and the others away from the Chu Family.

"Master, back at the Chu Family, you slapped Chu Chao so hard he didn't dare make a sound. That felt so good." Li Yue looked at Zhang Yu with worship in her eyes.

"Master, we took the Chu Family's things and then beat up one of their younger members. Isn't that a little inappropriate?" Niu Mancang asked weakly.

Although he had already reached the beginner stage in Iron Shirt, deep down he still possessed the mindset of an ordinary man from the bottom of society.

"Man Cang, remember this. Apart from protecting the people we care about, the purpose of practicing martial arts is to keep ourselves from being wronged. If we endured it just now, wouldn't all our martial training have been for nothing? Besides, those things were the escort fee the Chu Family should have paid us in the first place," Zhang Yu said.

"Master, I understand." Niu Mancang bowed in acknowledgment.

Though he was thirty-one years old, he was extremely respectful before Zhang Yu.

"I've already had Chu Yuewen prepare a hundred packets of medicinal powder specifically for nourishing the body while cultivating Iron Shirt. Once we reach Boundless City, you must train hard alongside medicinal baths. Reach mastery in Iron Shirt as soon as possible and become a martial artist."

"Yes, Master. I will work desperately hard." A determined look appeared in Niu Mancang's eyes. He wanted revenge.

For that, he was willing to stake everything.