The Madam's Hand

Early morning, Blackstone Martial Hall's inner courtyard.

There was still more than an hour until the martial hall officially opened, but when Lu Fan arrived at the entrance to the inner courtyard, he could already see a graceful figure practicing the Evergreen Formula within.

She was an exceptionally outstanding young woman. Her jet-black hair drifted freely in the morning breeze, and every punch and stance carried an unstoppable momentum.

The only flaw was the coldness on her exquisite face, a chill that kept others at arm's length. Even when Lu Fan stepped into the courtyard, she was not affected in the slightest.

This young woman was Zhang Yao's daughter, Zhang Zhi.

She was beautiful and gifted, having reached the middle stage of Bright Force at only seventeen, but her personality was somewhat cold.

"Miss, has the hall master arrived?"

Lu Fan stepped forward and took the initiative to speak.

Only upon hearing this did Zhang Zhi's gaze focus, her eyes settling on him.

But after only a glance, she looked away.

"Inside."

With that, she continued training on her own.

After thanking her, Lu Fan headed straight for the inner room.

He had long grown used to being ignored like this.

Zhang Zhi had always been proud and aloof, disdaining communication with ordinary people. Given her talent, though, she did have the right to be.

The inner room was not large, and its furnishings were simple.

There was a rosewood desk, with several documents casually spread across it. Behind it stood a row of bookshelves, sparsely stocked with old books.

A narrow, long saber hung on the wall directly opposite the door. Its scabbard had been polished to a shine, clearly wiped every day.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man in his early fifties.

He was not particularly burly, but as he sat there, his waist and back were as straight as a blade's spine. The pressure of his blood and vitality made the air feel faintly stifling—an oppression unique to a Dark Force expert.

This man was Zhang Yao, the hall master of Blackstone Martial Hall.

"Old Lu, what is it?"

Zhang Yao had been stern-faced until just moments ago, but the instant he saw Lu Fan, he put on a gentle smile and rose to walk over to him.

"Hall Master... there's something I'm not sure whether I should say." Lu Fan hesitated.

Zhang Yao smiled and waved his hand. "We've known each other for decades. Why be so formal? Just say it."

"Recently, my body's been stiff all over, and my movements aren't as nimble as they used to be. I wanted to ask whether there's something someone my age can practice to improve my health."

A complicated look flashed through Zhang Yao's eyes at those words.

Ordinary people and martial artists did not have the same lifespan.

Breaking through Bright Force could add ten years to one's life, while Dark Force could add as much as twenty-five.

As a Dark Force expert, Zhang Yao would have no trouble living past a hundred.

But for ordinary people, reaching sixty already meant having one foot in the grave.

His old friend had reached that age as well.

"Although the Evergreen Formula is a cultivation method for martial artists, ordinary people can also practice it to strengthen their bodies."

Zhang Yao pulled a book from the shelf and handed it to Lu Fan.

"Later today, go collect a portion of meat for yourself. From now on, collect one portion of meat every week as well."

Lu Fan accepted the manual and offered his thanks solemnly.

"With the relationship between us, what's there to thank me for?"

Zhang Yao patted Lu Fan on the shoulder, his tone filled with emotion. "If you hadn't stepped in to save me back then, Old Lu, I would've died on the streets long ago."

"Time really does pass quickly. So many years have gone by in the blink of an eye. Although I've made something of myself in Chi City now, sometimes I still miss the days when I was recovering from my injuries and living with you, Old Lu."

As he spoke, an unconcealable trace of melancholy and sorrow appeared on Zhang Yao's resolute face.

Because he knew there were not many days left when they could talk like this.

Lu Fan said nothing more. He merely lowered his head slightly and slowly withdrew from the room.

The moment he stepped out the door, a sigh filled with deep helplessness echoed in the room behind him for a long time.

After leaving, Lu Fan glanced at the complete Evergreen Formula in his arms, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

With this cultivation method, he could continue cultivating and increase his strength.

But since he had not gone home yet, he could only suppress the heat in his heart and head to the rear kitchen as usual to begin the day's work.

In the blink of an eye, the sun was nearly setting.

After scrubbing the pots clean, Lu Fan looked at the packed portion of meat on the table, delight flickering in his eyes. He had personally experienced the effects of the meat last night. With this portion, he could save quite a bit of cultivation time.

Just as he picked up the meat and reached the rear courtyard, a mature and striking figure walked in from outside.

"Madam."

Lu Fan lowered his head and called out respectfully.

The newcomer was Zhang Yao's wife, Shen Yuniang.

Shen Yuniang was only thirty-five or thirty-six. Her plump, shapely figure was wrapped in dark green silk, her black hair arranged in a high bun that revealed a stretch of snow-white neck. A faint detachment rested on her mature, beautiful face, the habitual indifference of someone accustomed to looking down on others.

As Shen Yuniang approached, her eyes fell directly on the portion of meat in Lu Fan's hands.

"Old Lu." Her voice was not harsh, and could even be called calm. "You've been at the martial hall for thirty years. The hall master has treated you well, hasn't he?"

Lu Fan kept his head lowered and did not answer, his heart thumping uneasily.

"Zhi is at the crucial point of breaking through to the late stage of Bright Force. Every portion of meat is extremely important to her."

Shen Yuniang spoke unhurriedly as she held out her fair palm to him.

"As for you, you've saved up some burial money during your years at the martial hall. I imagine you're not lacking this bite of food. So from today onward, this portion of meat will belong to Zhi."

Her tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable certainty. Clearly, the matter had been decided from the very beginning.

Lu Fan's hand tightened slightly inside his sleeve before slowly relaxing.

"Madam is right. Giving this portion of meat to an old man like me really would be a waste."

As he spoke, he handed over the meat.

During the exchange, Shen Yuniang's fingertips inadvertently brushed across the back of his hand.

That soft, delicate touch made Lu Fan's withered hand pause almost imperceptibly.

He lowered his eyes and took half a step back without saying anything more.

Shen Yuniang accepted the meat, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment as though she wanted to discern something, but she saw nothing.

"Also, I don't need to remind you that you're not allowed to tell Zhang Yao about this."

With that, Shen Yuniang withdrew her gaze and turned toward the courtyard exit.

At that moment, a series of soft footsteps sounded beyond the courtyard gate.

Shen Yuniang's steps paused. Lu Fan also raised his head curiously and looked over. Soon, a figure entered the courtyard.

That was...