The ground was slick and muddy from the recent rain and snow, and the carriage left shallow ruts as it passed.

Sunx Yi lifted the carriage curtain and looked out at the street.

"Sis."

He pointed to a street vendor:

"Look! That person’s clay figurines look just like real people."

"Sunx Yi." Sunx Youshan frowned.

"You’re not a child anymore. Stop making a fuss over every little thing like one. You should be thinking more about our family."

"Oh." Sunx Yi pouted and sullenly drew his gaze back inside.

"Who all is coming today?"

"All the more well-known members of the younger generation in Leping County were invited." Sunx Youshan sat up straight and said,

"Hua Wenhua of the Hua Family, Hex Leshan of the Hex Family, Wan Jing of the Wan Family, and Leng Xing of the Leng Family..."

"Brother Leng is coming too?" Sunx Yi smiled.

"At least there’ll be someone I know."

"The Leng Family is run by Second Uncle Leng now, and Leng Xing isn’t well-regarded in the family. You need to be mindful of that," Sunx Youshan said.

"Besides them, there’s also that young master from the Zhu Mansion."

"The Zhu Mansion?" Sunx Yi’s eyes showed his confusion. He thought for a moment before it dawned on him.

"You mean the one named Zhu Ju?"

"That’s him." Sunx Youshan nodded.

"Zhu Ju is the same age as you, but he was born in an earlier month, so remember to call him Brother Zhu when you see him. Be polite."

"Hah..." Sunx Yi curled his lip.

"Is that really necessary?"

"Mr. Zhu has already passed away, and he’s from the second branch of the family. He was sent back to Leping County because he wasn’t favored. I’ve also heard he’s useless at both literature and martial arts. Even if we go to the trouble of getting to know him, we won’t get anything out of it."

"You don’t understand." Sunx Youshan shook her head.

"Master Zhu was a member of San Fen Hall in the Prefecture City. Those connections don’t just vanish overnight. What’s more..."

"Zhu Ju’s brother-in-law has some status in San Fen Hall, and the second wife his brother-in-law married has an extraordinary background. We absolutely cannot afford to be disrespectful."

"Huh?!" Sunx Yi was dumbfounded.

"The second wife of Zhu Ju’s sister’s husband has an extraordinary background? That connection... isn’t that a bit of a stretch?"

WHAP!

Sunx Youshan slapped him on the head.

"Don’t worry about all that. Just listen to the family’s arrangements."

"Ever since Father’s unfortunate death, the Zhou Family has been pressing in on our Sunx Family, and Grandfather’s health is getting worse by the day..."

She sighed and continued,

"Every family has its own troubles. We can’t help with the big picture, but winning over the younger generation is something within our power."

"Later, you must remember to be warmer to people. Don’t put on any airs or make anyone uncomfortable."

"Don’t worry!" Sunx Yi waved his hand dismissively.

"The Sunx Family isn’t some great clan. What airs could I possibly put on?"

...

"Brother Wan!"

"Brother Zhu!"

"..."

"Brother Zhu." Leng Xing clasped his hands apologetically.

"It’s been a while."

"I’ve been busy with trivial matters at home, so I haven’t been out much recently." Zhu Ju returned the gesture and asked curiously,

"Brother Leng, why do you look so haggard?"

It had been a few months, but Leng Xing looked like he had aged more than ten years. Though not yet twenty, he even had white hairs at his temples.

"Worried about trivial matters." Leng Xing shook his head.

"It’s better not to talk about it."

"Then we won’t." Zhu Ju smiled.

"Though you seem weary, Brother Leng, your aura is focused. It looks like you’ve made great progress in your Cultivation. Congratulations."

"..." Leng Xing’s expression was strange.

"You’re too kind, Brother Zhu."

"Sit!"

"Let’s talk sitting down!"

Thanks to the benefits he’d reaped from wiping out the Black Tiger Gang, Leng Xing’s strength had indeed greatly improved over the last six months.

But he had never mentioned this to anyone and had even deliberately concealed his abilities. He never imagined someone would see through him with a single glance.

’Zhu Ju...’

’Does this Young Master Zhu really have no Talent for martial arts?’

"So you’re Zhu Ju?"

A young man with lively eyes came closer.

"My name is Sunx Yi, the seventh in the Sunx Family. I’ve heard so much about you. We must see more of each other in the future."

"Brother Zhu." A lavishly dressed Sunx Youshan pulled her brother back and curtsied.

"My younger brother is still young and a bit boisterous. I hope you don’t mind."

"Before my father passed, he often mentioned Elder Zhu and held him in high admiration. If he could see us, the younger generation, gathered here, he would surely be gratified."

"You’re too kind, Miss Sunx." Zhu Ju stood up.

"I also greatly admire the Liancheng Saber Technique that Elder Sunx created himself. It’s a pity... the heavens are jealous of great talent."

"To the two of you, I offer a toast."

"Let’s drink together!"

...

Those gathered today were all the leading figures of Leping County’s younger generation, most of whom were familiar faces.

Unlike usual, it wasn’t just men this time. There were also quite a few young ladies present, their lively chatter adding a certain charm to the event.

"The Zhou Family didn’t send anyone?"

"Would the Zhou Family deign to look at us? If the Sunx Family weren’t currently being suppressed by them, they wouldn’t give us the time of day either."

"Shhh..."

A few nearby whispers made Zhu Ju turn his head slightly. ’To think that a gathering of young people would be fraught with such scheming,’ he mused.

Before the food and wine were served, most people gathered in familiar groups.

Several people clustered around Leng Xing, vaguely treating him as their leader, like a special little clique.

"In the battle to wipe out the Black Tiger Gang, Leng Xing saved Wan Jing and helped many others. Afterward, they formed the Righteous Society and pledged to help one another."

For some reason, Sunx Youshan didn’t join the other groups. Instead, she sat down not far from Zhu Ju and, seeing the situation, spoke in a low voice:

"Brother Zhu must be used to the young talents of the Prefecture City. I imagine no one in a small place like Leping County can catch your eye, can they?"

"You’re joking, Miss Sunx." Zhu Ju shook his head.

"How could I presume..."

"Brother Zhu!"

Just then, Hex Leshan strode over, clasped his hands, and spoke:

"I just heard that you were looking for a steward who is proficient in accounting and understands business to manage your household affairs, Brother Zhu?"

"Yes." Zhu Ju nodded.

"Do you know a suitable person, Brother Hex?"

"I do!" Hex Leshan turned and gestured to a woman behind him, who had a graceful figure and clever eyes.

"My sister."

"I am Hex Yufu. It is an honor to meet you, Young Master Zhu." The woman curtsied.

"If you would have me, Young Master Zhu, I am willing to serve you."

"This won’t do." Zhu Ju looked astonished.

"Miss Hex, what are you doing?"

"Since childhood, I have diligently studied the *Account Book* and the *Four Pillars Calculation*. I believe I have some small skill in the art of mathematics," Hex Yufu said in a clear voice.

"If you don’t believe me, Young Master Zhu, you may test me!"

"That’s not what I meant." Zhu Ju frowned.

"It’s just that, given your status, Miss Hex, why would you debase yourself with such work?"

"These are not the times they once were." Hex Yufu lowered her head, suppressing the complex expression on her face, and said in a low voice,

"The Hex Family is just a minor household. After a recent catastrophe, almost nothing is left of our family fortune. I am not a child anymore. It is time for me to contribute to my family."

"Please, Young Master, test me!"

"..." Zhu Ju hesitated. Seeing everyone’s eyes turn toward them, he could only sigh softly.

"Very well."

Since Hex Yufu dared to recommend herself, she naturally had some real skill. She gave the answers to several questions after only a moment’s thought.

"Miss Hex, you have great talent!" Zhu Ju nodded in approval.

"However, the situation at the Zhu Mansion is different from other households. I am by nature lazy, and most of the household affairs, large and small, are handled by the steward. That in itself is one thing..."

"But there are also many duties that require appearing in public, and even traveling through the wilderness. It is truly not a suitable position for you, Miss Hex."

"Let’s just drop the matter."

ZING—

The words had barely left his mouth when Hex Yufu took a step back. With the ring of a sword, a Soft Sword sprang from her waist.

The Sword Light flashed through the air—exquisite and beautiful, yet concealing a deadly intent. It was clearly not just for show.

SWISH!

With the sword in her hand, Hex Yufu became one with her blade. She thrust viciously toward Zhu Ju, her movement like lightning, her killing intent overwhelming.

"Look out!"

"Stop!"

"Brother Zhu...!"

The onlookers’ faces changed drastically as they shouted in alarm. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

But Zhu Ju seemed mesmerized, as if admiring the swordplay. He remained perfectly still in the face of the attacking Soft Sword, even slowly raising his wine cup.

VMMMM—

When it was a mere three inches from his brow, the Soft Sword in Hex Yufu’s hand suddenly froze, stopping dead in its tracks.

"Excellent Sword Technique!"

Zhu Ju praised aloud, raising his cup in a gesture.

"Miss Hex, you are skilled in both scholarly and martial arts. I am impressed. In that case, how does a salary of seven taels of silver a month sound?"

Hex Yufu smiled dazzlingly, sheathed her sword, and bowed.

"Yufu pays her respects to the Young Master!"