Vision

Dragon Cavalry Army!!

At those three words, Shen Xiuhan's eyelids trembled slightly.

Countless clues rapidly linked together in his mind, and his heart suddenly became clear.

So that was it...

He finally understood why Tian Erhu's younger brother, Tian Ping'an, had been able to serve in the Dragon Cavalry Army, one of Great Qi's five armies.

He had likely entered the ranks through the Wang Family's connections.

And now, judging by what Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting were implying, they had probably taken a liking to his talent for breaking into Blood Tempering in sixteen days and wanted to bring him into the Eastern Guard Escort Agency.

Then, using that as a springboard, the martial brothers could join the Dragon Cavalry Army together and strive for a future of titles for themselves and honor for their families.

To others, that might have been a broad road to greatness.

But for Shen Xiuhan...

It might not be!

Because of Tian Ping'an.

Not only was the man at the late stage of Bright Strength, he was also a centurion in the Dragon Cavalry Army. He had served for many years, and who knew what deep-rooted, tangled connections he had within it.

Shen Xiuhan had killed Tian Erhu, yet he would be going straight to that man's territory. Wouldn't that be walking right into the net?

In these troubled times, staying alive came first.

Though Tian Ping'an might not necessarily trace it back to him, Shen Xiuhan had no desire whatsoever to take that risk.

Having made up his mind, he revealed nothing on his face. He merely put on a contemplative expression and said slowly, "I am deeply grateful for the care you two senior brothers have shown me. A man ought to venture out into the world, but this junior brother is loose by nature and cannot bear the iron discipline of the army..."

That was a polite refusal.

Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting exchanged a glance, and a trace of disappointment flashed through both their eyes.

But then Shen Xiuhan changed the subject. "This junior brother still yearns more to join a martial sect and cultivate diligently."

"Speaking of which, some days ago, I happened to hear a wandering master in the streets mention a sect called Sea-Fishing Tower."

"I heard its methods reach the heavens, and that it gathers many great cultivators. It is truly fascinating... You two senior brothers have traveled far and wide. Have you ever heard of this power?"

"Sea-Fishing Tower?"

At this, both men frowned slightly and fell into thought.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Xiang Yunting slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with puzzlement. "Over these past few years, while escorting shipments across the land, I have learned eight or nine parts out of ten about the sects and gangs, great and small, in South Township Prefecture, as well as all manner of people from both the black and white paths. But this Sea-Fishing Tower that junior brother speaks of... I have never even heard its name."

Xu Chuan scratched his scalp as well. "Me neither. Junior Brother Shen, could that wandering Daoist have been making up a name on the spot just to cheat himself some wine?"

"No, it may not have been made up."

Xiang Yunting shook his head, his expression turning serious. "Great Qi has nine provinces and thirty-six prefectures. It is boundless and vast. South Township Prefecture is but a drop in the ocean on the map of Qi Kingdom. This Sea-Fishing Tower may be a force beyond Cangzhou, perhaps far away in another province, or even a holy land of martial arts in Great Qi's capital..."

As he listened to Xiang Yunting, Shen Xiuhan lifted his teacup and took a light sip, using it to conceal the trace of doubt in his eyes.

They had never heard of it?

It was far away in another province?

That... didn't seem right, did it?

By all reason, since Sea-Fishing Tower could send a true disciple deep into Cloudwater Lake, it ought to have been a sect within Cangzhou, or at least not far from South Township Prefecture. How could it possibly have been a force from another province?

Yet after that true disciple had died at Cloudwater Lake, no one knew how long his corpse had been left there.

If not for the intelligence pointing it out, it might have remained hidden forever...

Could he really have been from another province, coming from afar in search of an opportunity, only to perish here?

Or had he come with companions, only to be killed here in the end?

Shen Xiuhan's doubts multiplied, but none showed on his face.

Fortunately, this conversation successfully steered them away from the subject of having him enlist.

After being questioned by him, Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting instead became interested, speaking longingly of the day the Dragon Cavalry Army would come to Longcloud County. They estimated it would happen sometime within the year.

They also mentioned that a disciple of Mei Martial Hall had joined the Dragon Cavalry Army a few years ago and was said to have made something of himself. When the time came, perhaps they could ask someone to pull some strings.

Shen Xiuhan listened quietly, occasionally refilling his two senior brothers' tea.

By evening, dusk had closed in on all sides.

The alley was dim and silent, with the occasional bark of a dog drifting over from afar.

When Shen Xiuhan passed Chen An's home, his steps could not help but pause.

An iron lock, mottled with rust, hung from the wooden gate.

Peering through the fence, he saw that the firewood, water vat, and scattered household belongings in the yard had all been tidied away. It looked as though everyone had gone and the place stood empty.

When he returned to his own courtyard, before he could ask anything, Madam Zheng, busy in the kitchen, emerged carrying hot water.

"Eldest son, Auntie Li's family moved away today."

"They left today?"

"Yes. I heard they rented a side room in a neighborhood near West Market. The rent alone costs three taels of silver a year!"

Land prices in Longcloud County varied greatly. The closer one was to the wealthy district in the north of the city, the more expensive it became.

The neighborhoods surrounding the three major markets in the east, south, and west were naturally cheaper in both rent and land prices due to their noisy surroundings.

But even so, it still cost three taels of silver a year.

For ordinary people, that was truly an enormous sum.

Shen Xiuhan had also considered moving into the inner city, but he did not intend to rent.

He wanted to buy.

There was no need to buy some grand residence with three courtyards or two courtyards.

A small yard and several rooms that could shelter them from wind and rain would be enough.

If circumstances allowed, it would be best if there were a small storefront facing the street out front.

Even if it were only the size of a palm, it would be enough for Madam Zheng to set up a stall and open a little shop selling hot soup and meals.

She had come from the bottom of society. Even though she no longer needed to work at the cloth workshop these days, she was, deep in her bones, still a poor woman who could not sit idle.

During the day, she managed the household, washed clothes, and cooked. At night, she sat on a low stool weaving fishing nets and fish baskets without pause, hoping to exchange them for some money at East Market when spring came and help support the household.

More than once, she had woven nets by the bean-oil lamp late into the night until her eyes were red from exhaustion.

Shen Xiuhan had tried to persuade her. She agreed verbally, yet the next day she continued as she always had.

If they had such a small storefront, his mother would have work to fill her time with and would not torment herself like this.

Thus, after dinner, Shen Xiuhan voiced his plan to purchase a home in the inner city.

"Buy a house?!"

Madam Zheng's hand trembled as she wiped the table, and she stared at her son in disbelief.

"That's right."

Shen Xiuhan's expression was serious. "Mother, these times are growing more and more chaotic. If we move into the inner city and settle down sooner, I will have no worries behind me and can focus on learning martial arts."

"But... but I heard the old women in the neighborhood say that buying a house in the inner city is very expensive."

Madam Zheng gripped the rag tightly, concern in her voice. "Even in an area near West Market, any house with a courtyard would cost more than ten or twenty taels of silver. The money we have left at home... I fear it is still far from enough."

"Mother needn't worry about the money. I'll find a way."

Shen Xiuhan gathered Shen Momo, who was listening wide-eyed, into his arms. Pinching her little face, which had gained a bit of flesh, he smiled and comforted her. "In the next few days, I'll find some work and save up silver. When the time comes... I'll set up a storefront in front of the courtyard for you too, and we can open a little eatery."

"What sort of eatery..."

Madam Zheng's eyes grew hot as she repeatedly waved her hands. "As long as we have a house, Mother will be at ease. When the time comes, save the money and find yourself a good marriage..."