Qinghe County, the Zhu Estate.

"That old bastard..."

Elder Wu, the Zhu Family’s only Martial Artist at the Yijin Pass, cursed under his breath, his face dark.

He had gone to the Huwei Arts Hall yesterday to personally inquire about Zhu Huan’s murder, but he never expected Old Xue to show him no respect whatsoever, even throwing him out.

After Old Xue’s realm had fallen, they were both now at the Yijin Pass.

But Elder Wu still felt uncertain. After all, just a year ago, Old Xue had killed a Yijin Powerhouse.

Although forcefully breaking through that pass had left Old Xue’s Qi and Blood even more depleted, who knew if he could reach the Organ Fortifying realm again? Elder Wu was unwilling to test that possibility with his life.

His reason for going to the Huwei Arts Hall was the Iron Saber Gang.

For some unknown reason, the Iron Saber Gang was paying extremely close attention to that disciple named Bai Yuan. Their Vice Gang Leader, Han Tie, had even come to the Zhu Family personally and instructed the Zhu Family Master to investigate Bai Yuan’s background.

’What’s so special about this kid that he’s drawn the attention of the Iron Saber Gang?’

The Zhu Family Master’s brow was tightly furrowed.

He had been gathering intelligence on Bai Yuan for some time now.

Bai Yuan was indeed a young Martial Artist with a promising future, but that still wasn’t enough for the Iron Saber Gang’s Vice Gang Leader to be so invested.

The Iron Saber Gang had several geniuses just like Bai Yuan; there was no need to go to such great lengths.

"Have the men sent to tail him discovered anything?"

Elder Wu’s expression gradually softened as he looked toward the Zhu Family Master, Zhu Shiping. His tone held little respect.

If it weren’t for him protecting their interests, the Zhu Family’s vast fortune would have long been seized by others.

Zhu Shiping paid Elder Wu’s attitude no mind.

"The kid spends his days at the Five Flavors Pavilion and his home in Baisha Town. We haven’t found anything out of the ordinary."

His father, the previous Zhu Family Master, had helped Elder Wu when he was down on his luck. Later, after Elder Wu broke through successive levels to reach Yijin, he accepted the position of Grand Elder out of gratitude for that past kindness, and also because the Zhu Family offered him a hefty sum.

"Keep following him for now. This boy might be hiding a big secret."

Elder Wu said flatly.

A secret that even the Iron Saber Gang valued—naturally, he was very interested in it too.

...

"Brother Yuan, this soup is delicious! It makes my whole body feel warm."

Xiao Qiaoniang sipped the meat broth Bai Yuan had brought back from the Five Flavors Pavilion.

Bai Yuan was now the Second Shopkeeper of the restaurant. Bringing a little something home couldn’t be considered embezzlement, and no one would dare to object anyway.

Ever since opening the dye workshop, Xiao Qiaoniang’s worldly knowledge had expanded greatly.

This meat broth was no simple thing; it actually had the effect of nourishing the body, no less potent than the Body Refining Medicine she usually soaked in.

"If you like it, I’ll make it for you every day from now on."

Bai Yuan smiled faintly.

Xiao Qiaoniang couldn’t compare to him in martial arts, so she could only break through her levels faster with the aid of medicinal power. In fact, this was the case for most Martial Artists.

This was also why Zhang Yang would scornfully call the Martial Artists from the Iron Saber Gang and Flying Eagle Castle "medicine jars."

Xiao Qiaoniang had a tenacious personality and was suited for martial arts. With the addition of his soup, he estimated it would only take her a year and a half to break through the Skin Tempering realm.

And he, in turn, could practice the Blood Tiger Saber without reservation, free from any worries about her.

The more he practiced the Blood Tiger Saber, the more malevolent it became. After his cooking skill reached the master level, he happened to know a few recipes that could expel the evil from one’s heart. He had already entrusted Liu Qingshan with keeping an eye out for the key ingredients.

"Sister Qiao, don’t go out for the next few days. Just stay home and focus on your training."

Bai Yuan’s instructions came out of nowhere.

Xiao Qiaoniang nodded obediently. Since her man had spoken, she would do as he said. At her core, she still possessed the simple way of thinking of a Baisha Town native.

The two of them trained late into the night until they were exhausted, and only then was the candle in the east wing extinguished.

By now, Bai Yuan and Xiao Qiaoniang were inseparable, and the west wing had long been left vacant.

Xiao Qiaoniang was sleeping soundly in his arms when Bai Yuan’s eyes snapped open in the pitch darkness.

Ever since becoming a Martial Artist, he had become a very light sleeper; the slightest sound would wake him.

’How much longer are the Zhu family’s men going to stake out this place?’

The Zhu Family Master, Zhu Shiping, thought his actions were covert, but the men he had sent to monitor Bai Yuan had been discovered long ago.

Ever since his tracking skill had been upgraded to the master level, his hearing far surpassed that of an ordinary person.

Although the Zhu family members hiding in the corner of the Bai Family courtyard kept their voices low, he could still hear them clearly.

"Damn it, that kid is inside sleeping with his woman while we brothers are out here getting a gutful of wind."

"Quiet down. The kid inside is being targeted by the Iron Saber Gang. We can’t afford a single mistake."

"Boss, how do you think this kid pissed off the Iron Saber Gang?"

"How should I know?"

...

’The Iron Saber Gang?’

Bai Yuan repeated the name in his mind. He had originally thought it was just the Zhu Family being relentless, but he never expected the Iron Saber Gang to be involved.

He couldn’t help but become vigilant.

It was highly likely that the Iron Saber Gang was targeting him because of the Tiger-Crane Form and the bearded man who had died at his hands.

’Let them keep watching, then.’

Bai Yuan closed his eyes again.

Killing the spies outside now would only lead to bigger trouble. Since the Zhu Family was so keen on tracking him, he would just let their men suffer out in the cold.

The wind outside grew stronger.

The Zhu family’s men tightened their coats and couldn’t help but curse a few more times.

「The next morning.」

Xiao Qiaoniang awoke from her slumber, stretching lazily like a cat.

Ever since she started practicing martial arts, she had been sleeping better and better, waking up early feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Bai Yuan was already gone, but the lingering warmth in the bed proved he hadn’t left long ago.

’Brother Yuan went out again,’ Xiao Qiaoniang thought.

At that moment, Bai Yuan was walking toward the Bai Family residence, carrying a basket of steamed buns he had bought from Aunt Wang’s bun shop at the east end of town.

The early morning chill seemed to seep into one’s bones, but thankfully, his muscles and bones were strong, and he didn’t fear the cold.

Just as he approached his own courtyard gate, he saw several men in the corner pretending to chat.

These were the very same men from the Zhu family who had been staking out his house last night.

There were four of them in total, all looking quite sturdy. They were likely disciples with some martial arts training, but whether they were true Martial Artists was impossible to know.

However, Bai Yuan felt it was unlikely they were Martial Artists.

Martial Artists weren’t a dime a dozen. Even a family as wealthy as the Zhu Family wouldn’t have enough to spare to send them out here to freeze in the wind.

Bai Yuan didn’t make any unnecessary movements.

He simply glanced at them once before pushing open the gate and entering the courtyard.

As soon as he entered, he saw Xiao Qiaoniang in the courtyard, practicing her forms with a serious expression.

Train in the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer. Practice must be persistent and never slacken. Xiao Qiaoniang understood this principle well; since her natural aptitude wasn’t enough, she had to practice all the more.

"Sister Qiao, eat something first. These are buns from Aunt Wang’s shop."

Bai Yuan held up the buns in his hand as if seeking praise.

Xiao Qiaoniang wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and broke into a smile.

"Coming."

She picked up a steaming hot bun, her heart filled with emotion. Just over a year ago, she couldn’t have even dreamed of waking up every day to hot buns, let alone ones filled with meat.

Bai Yuan ate two meat buns and dusted off his hands.

It was getting late. Time to go kill some chickens.