First came the argument.
Then, the brawl.
Finally, they went their separate ways.
In the carriage.
Zhou Ruxuan’s hair was a mess, the anger on her face yet to fade. She panted, muttering curses under her breath.
"Actually... I don’t really blame her."
Taking a deep breath, her expression grew complicated. She said slowly,
"She’s about to be married off to a man she’s never met. It’s only natural she’d be desperate and grasping at straws."
"Oh?" Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow. "A daughter of the Nie Family can’t even control her own fate?"
"The more prominent the family, the less control you have over your life." Zhou Ruxuan shook her head and gave a bitter smile.
"We receive the family’s protection and a lion’s share of its resources. How could we take all the benefits without paying a price?"
"Nie Leyao is to marry the third young master of the Huo Family Manor. The Huo Family of Water City is no weaker than the Nie Family. The engagement was decided last year, but Nie Leyao only just learned of it from her father."
"I see." Zhu Ju understood now. He changed the subject, asking, "I heard your father was injured?"
"An old ailment." Zhou Ruxuan’s beautiful eyes narrowed, but her expression remained unchanged. "It just wasn’t as serious before. The sudden turn for the worse gave me quite a scare."
She didn’t give any specifics, offering only a vague answer.
"Brother Zhu."
Pursing her lips, Zhou Ruxuan said slowly, "If you find someone you love, you don’t need to worry about me at all. Just... let me know in advance."
"Making you wait until after you’re thirty to marry is indeed a bit unfair to you."
"Ru Xuan, you’re overthinking things," Zhu Ju said with a smile. "You used the Zhou Family’s name to help Zhu’s Cloth Workshop expand its business, and I give you a share of the profits."
"This is a transaction."
As for marriage... he had never planned on it.
But Zhou Ruxuan took his words as mere comfort. She gave a radiant smile, the gloom in her heart dissipating.
"By the way, I heard you were injured during the Demon attack?"
"Let me see!"
Without waiting for Zhu Ju to refuse, she moved to pull at his clothes. Left with no choice, he revealed the ’scar’ on his back.
"Hiss..."
Many days had passed, and the wound had already healed, but the vicious-looking scar told the story of what had happened.
Zhou Ruxuan couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath, her beautiful eyes flashing.
"You, with your Ninth-Grade Cultivation, killed an Eighth-Grade Demon?"
"It was a fluke." Zhu Ju pulled his shirt back on. "I also had help from the estate guards. I’m afraid it would have been a close call if I were alone."
"That’s still incredible." Zhou Ruxuan’s gaze was complicated. "It seems you have great Talent for Body Refining. A shame... practitioners of Body Refining can’t suffer severe external injuries if they wish to achieve mastery. Otherwise, it’s difficult for the Physical Body to reach Perfection, and Powerful Qi won’t flow smoothly."
"It’s fine." Zhu Ju’s expression remained calm. "Heaven never seals all exits. I’ll just take it one step at a time."
* * *
Back at the Zhou Mansion, an oppressive, suffocating atmosphere washed over them, making it hard to breathe.
It seemed even arguing with someone outside was better than being here.
"Miss."
A maidservant approached with small, hurried steps.
"The Second Young Master requests your presence."
"Mm." Zhou Ruxuan returned to her senses and nodded. "I understand."
In the study.
Zhou Jingren had taken his father’s place, the desk piled high with all sorts of documents related to the Zhou Family.
"Second Brother."
Zhou Ruxuan pushed the door open and entered cautiously.
"You were looking for me?"
"Yes."
Zhou Jingren rubbed the bridge of his nose, his face looking worn and haggard. "You know Father’s condition. Although his life was saved, he can no longer handle family affairs. So, the Zhou Family must choose a new Patriarch."
"Is there even a choice to be made?" Zhou Ruxuan asked, confused. "You’re the strongest in the family, and you’re Father’s son. Isn’t it only natural for you to inherit the position of Patriarch?"
"Heh..." Zhou Jingren gave a bitter laugh. "It seems Father spoiled you too much. Things are never that easy, not to mention the Ancestor... Never mind."
"You just need to know that I have the best chance of becoming Patriarch, but it will come at a cost."
"A cost?" Zhou Ruxuan frowned. "What kind of cost?"
"I have to give benefits to the branch families and the various houses of the Zhou Family. Otherwise, why would they willingly give up the position?" Zhou Jingren narrowed his eyes. "It’s an exchange of benefits, and it won’t be easy."
"This..." Zhou Ruxuan blinked. "What does that have to do with me?"
"It does," Zhou Jingren sighed. "Your future monthly salary will be cut in half, and you’ll need approval to acquire certain things."
"So... while you still can, you need to get your hands on a Qi Blood Divine Weapon as soon as possible. Otherwise, you won’t get another chance for several years."
He was confident that after securing the Patriarch’s seat, he could claw back those benefits bit by bit, but that wouldn’t happen overnight.
A few years, if he was fast.
More than a decade, if he was slow.
During this period, to stabilize the interests of the various houses, he couldn’t act too obviously.
Even if he showed favoritism toward his own sister, it would be nothing like the extent their father had.
"A Qi Blood Divine Weapon?"
A chill went through Zhou Ruxuan’s heart.
She had long wanted to acquire a Qi Blood Divine Weapon, but a Low-Tier Divine Weapon would be of little use to her, while a High-Tier one was far too expensive.
Even with her father doting on her, it was still difficult to obtain a suitable Qi Blood Divine Weapon.
"Soon, the Pai Sect will hold an internal trade fair. The Sanhe Gang has a few slots," Zhou Jingren continued.
"I can give you one of the slots, along with some silver taels, but it’s far from enough."
"Mundane things like gold and silver are crucial for ordinary people, but they won’t catch the eye of a true master."
"Primordial Crystals!"
"You’ll need to raise at least fifty Primordial Crystals to have any hope of buying a Seventh-Grade Qi Blood Divine Weapon."
One Primordial Crystal was worth ten thousand taels.
Fifty of them...
Five hundred thousand taels!
Zhou Ruxuan’s face paled.
She had some personal savings and Treasures her father had given her privately, but even if she sold them all, it wouldn’t be nearly enough for fifty Primordial Crystals.
"I can give you some, but you’ll have to figure out a way to get the vast majority yourself," Zhou Jingren sighed. "Or... you could lower your standards?"
"No!" Zhou Ruxuan’s eyes gleamed as she said, "I have shares in the Zhou Family Cloth Workshop that earn me fifty thousand silver taels in dividends each year. I’m willing to trade ten years of dividends to the family for fifty Primordial Crystals."
"You’re very clever." Zhou Jingren smiled in relief, then shook his head. "But it’s obvious you don’t have much experience in business. Fifty is too many. You can get thirty at most."
’Thirty. Plus what Father and Second Brother will give me. It’s enough!’
Zhou Ruxuan nodded emphatically.
*
*
*
Li Xianshan, the Gang Leader of the Sanhe Gang, was a low-key person, a stark contrast to Hong Qingyi of the Qingyi Gang.
Since his gang rose to supplant the Qingyi Gang, he kept his disciples under strict discipline.
He also recruited commoners to expand the canals and waterways, a single act that provided a livelihood for thousands of households.
Furthermore, he promoted commerce and stimulated the fishing industry.
Under his intentional or unintentional guidance, Taiyuan Prefecture actually began to show signs of prosperity.
「In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.」
Zhu Ju sat cross-legged in the Quiet Chamber, the Skin and Flesh of his entire body trembling slightly as his vast Qi Blood washed over and refined him.
The Dragon Elephant Force was merely a Low-Tier Martial Art, but in his body, it could reach every limb and bone. His Qi Blood permeated everything, even to the point where he could channel force into his hair—it was simply inconceivable.
As time passed...
BOOM!
A silent roar erupted from within his body.
Zhu Ju slowly opened his eyes. He made a fist with one hand, and a series of sharp crackling sounds immediately followed.
’Lower Eighth-Grade!’
’To reach Lower Eighth-Grade Cultivation before the age of eighteen... I’d be considered a minor genius here in Taiyuan Prefecture.’
’But... I can’t compare to those two kids who’ve risen to prominence.’