Betrothal

Piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces!

This meant Fu Shaoping had already grasped the basics of Heavenstone Archery.

Yet he had taken a mere three days to do it.

Only the disciples of aristocratic clans and sects could normally accomplish such a feat.

But Fu Shaoping was merely the son of a low-ranking Martial Suppression Guard.

A hint of curiosity entered Chief Banner Chen's gaze as he looked at Fu Shaoping, though admiration outweighed it. If the young man joined his Hunting Team, becoming a master archer under his training should pose no difficulty. Their Hunting Team would undoubtedly gain a formidable fighter.

Chief Banner Chen opened his mouth to invite him to join his Hunting Team again.

But Fu Shaoping spoke first.

"Thank you for recognizing my worth, sir. I cannot express my gratitude!"

Demonstrating Heavenstone Archery before Chief Banner Chen was admittedly rather conspicuous, but he had no choice. Otherwise, if he used Heavenstone Archery in the future, the man might suspect him of stealing martial techniques.

Besides...

After the battle in the Qilian Mountain Range...

He felt that both his combat skills and his ability to react to changing circumstances were still sorely lacking. He had therefore never considered joining the Hunting Team. The surest path was to use his fate-point allocations to steadily advance his cultivation, one step at a time.

Thus...

To spare them both embarrassment, he had politely declined Chief Banner Chen's unspoken offer in advance.

Chief Banner Chen felt some regret.

As Fu Shaoping turned to leave, he could not help adding one last remark.

"Remember, the doors of my Hunting Team will always be open to you!"

At first...

He had only needed an Alchemist.

But now...

He saw far greater possibilities in Fu Shaoping.

Perhaps...

The young man's cultivation might even surpass his own someday!

After returning to the rear compound from the training grounds, Fu Shaoping sat in a chair and closed his eyes to review the battle in the Qilian Mountain Range. But after three days and nights without sleep, he was utterly exhausted and drifted off without realizing it. By the time he woke, the moon had risen above the treetops.

His nose twitched.

The aroma of braised pig's trotters wafted toward him.

Fu Shaoping opened his eyes.

He found himself lying on Old Zhan's usual wicker chair. Across from him, Old Zhan was warming an entire clay pot of braised pig's trotters over a charcoal fire.

"You're awake. Come have a few bites."

Old Zhan smiled.

Fu Shaoping's stomach growled. He had never once eaten his fill in the Qilian Mountain Range and was ravenous. After thanking him, he grabbed a trotter and began gnawing away, saying between mouthfuls:

"Uncle Zhan, these trotters smell amazing!"

Once he had eaten his fill...

He patted his bulging belly, his face full of satisfaction.

"If you're full, hurry home. Your family has come to the office asking after you several times already. Your betrothal ceremony is tomorrow, so get home and have a good night's sleep!"

Such an important day...

How could Fu Shaoping possibly forget? He bade Old Zhan farewell and left the Hundred Households Office. He had only just reached East Street when he spotted a familiar, lovely figure waiting for him in the distance.

"Pan'er!"

Fu Shaoping quickened his pace.

With no one else around...

He caught her little hand in his.

"You've had a hard few days, eating in the wind and sleeping under the open sky with us. Why didn't you turn in early? Look how red your hands are from the cold."

Fu Shaoping brought her hand to his lips and breathed warmth onto it.

Zhou Pan'er did not pull away. They would be betrothed tomorrow. Although she was tired, she simply could not sleep; she had to see Fu Shaoping for herself before she could feel at ease.

When they entered the courtyard hand in hand...

Fu Shaoping could not bear to let go and pleaded:

"Pan'er, how about I sleep in your room tonight? I'll sleep below the bed. I promise I won't do anything!"

"In your dreams!"

Zhou Pan'er shot him a reproachful glance, then turned and shut her door.

Tomorrow was her big day.

She needed her beauty sleep.

Early the following morning...

Fu Shaoping heard the matchmaker's voice in the courtyard first thing.

Since Zhou Pan'er's relatives were all gone, the betrothal ceremony was considerably simplified. Even so, Fu Shaoping had arranged well in advance for an official matchmaker to visit. He had also sent someone to Nanshan Village with invitations, asking the Fu clansmen to attend the feast.

The banquet was held at the Hundred Fragrances Tower.

With the official matchmaker as witness, the two completed the proposal gifts, the exchange of names, the confirmation of compatibility, the betrothal gifts, and the setting of the wedding date all in a single day. The betrothal letter and gift list were also completed. The wedding itself was set for the sixth day of the sixth month next year, just after Zhou Pan'er's eighteenth birthday.

Once all the formalities were complete...

Everyone headed happily to the Hundred Fragrances Tower.

During this time...

His colleagues at the Hundred Households Office learned the news.

Many sent congratulatory gifts.

Old Zhan's was the most valuable of all: a Stone Origin Pill. Stone Origin Pills were refined from origin stones, and even an entire miniature origin stone vein could yield only a few tens of thousands of them.

That alone showed how precious a Stone Origin Pill was!

Clearly, he had sensed that Fu Shaoping was nearing the limit of the third level of the Body Tempering Realm and intended for him to use it to break through to the fourth. Reaching the fourth level meant entering the copper skin stage and truly joining the ranks of martial artists.

"Uncle Zhan, this gift is far too valuable!"

"Valuable? I'm an old man without a family. If you give me a big, chubby little boy next year, my gift will be even bigger. Put your backs into it!"

Little by little, Old Zhan had come to regard Fu Shaoping as one of his own younger kin.

Fu Shaoping was deeply moved.

At the same time, he resolved to care for Old Zhan in his old age and see him properly laid to rest when the time came.

He had Zhou Pan'er record each of his colleagues' gifts. After the banquet, the two of them stacked the gifts in the storeroom.

All day long...

They had been surrounded by people.

Only now did they finally have a moment alone. Seeing a light sheen of sweat at Zhou Pan'er's temples, Fu Shaoping tenderly raised his sleeve to wipe it away, abruptly bringing them closer.

Under the moonlight...

Zhou Pan'er, whose skin was already fair and clear, looked all the more enchanting.

"Pan'er..."

As though possessed, Fu Shaoping leaned in and kissed her.

Her lips were soft and fragrant.

He closed his eyes and savored the feeling. Seeing that Pan'er showed no sign of rejecting him, he tentatively explored further.

Soon...

Sweet, breathy moans filled the storeroom.

Just as Fu Shaoping was about to raise his spear and charge into battle, Zhou Pan'er pushed him away. She shot him a coy glare with her lovely, phoenix-shaped eyes, then leaned back against the window and planted her little foot against his chest. It slid downward, inch by inch. Just as it was about to touch a certain spot, she gave him a sly smile, turned, and swiftly fled the storeroom.

"Pan'er!"

Fu Shaoping let out a muffled, beastlike groan.

With teasing like that...

Who could possibly stand it?

Fu Shaoping drew in a deep breath of Pan'er's unique, delicate orchid fragrance lingering in the room. Unable to bear it any longer, he went into the courtyard, hauled up several buckets of well water, and doused himself.

The next day...

After reluctantly leaving home, Fu Shaoping headed straight for the Training Hall at the Hundred Households Office.

Now that he had a Stone Origin Pill...

It was time to enter seclusion and break through to the fourth level of the Body Tempering Realm!

After paying the required spirit shells...

Fu Shaoping chose his usual training room. Once the door was closed, he first brought his body and mind into their best possible condition, then began circulating the Mysterious Tortoise Qi-Nourishing Art.

Three days later...

He felt the moment had come.

Only then did he tip back his head and swallow the Stone Origin Pill!