Chapter 517: Chapter 51: Newcomers
Using the alias Yang Yi, Hong Yi—son of Hong Qingyi, leader of the Qingyi Gang—was led to the back door of the Zhu Mansion.
“Remember!”
“From this day forward, you are a member of the Zhu Mansion’s Nursing Home.”
Elder Zhang from the Orphanage ruffled his hair with a coarse hand, his voice filled with emotion as he spoke:
“For the past two years, you’ve had plenty to eat and drink at the Orphanage and have even been able to practice Martial Arts. This is all thanks to Young Master Zhu’s benevolence. You must never forget it. Once you enter the Zhu Mansion, you absolutely cannot slack off. Do whatever you’re told.”
“Yes.” Yang Yi felt a sting in his nose.
“I know.”
He wasn’t made of stone. For two years, Elder Zhang had treated him like his own nephew, looking out for him in every way. Now that they were parting, they would only be able to see each other once a month during his leave. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness at the separation.
“Young Master Zhu may be kind, but that doesn’t mean you can forget your place.”
Elder Zhang warned,
“Once you enter the Zhu Mansion, always remember that you are merely a servant. You must be respectful to the master’s family.”
“And whatever you do, don’t be reckless…”
He continued to ramble, going over various matters.
CREAK…
The back door opened, and a man poked his head out, his gaze scrutinizing the two of them for a moment.
“Yang Yi from the Orphanage?”
“Come in!”
“Yes.” Yang Yi replied, clasping his hands in a farewell gesture to Elder Zhang, and followed the Zhu Mansion servant into the courtyard.
In the early morning, the cold wind had not yet subsided.
In the Martial Arts Arena, built specifically for the Nursing Home, people had already begun to polish their Tendon and Bone. Standing in the center was a youth about his age.
The youth had a sturdy, robust build and lively eyes. Seeing Yang Yi approach, a simple and honest smile appeared on his face.
“You must be Yang Yi. I’m Qian Hu. I’m also becoming a member of the Zhu Mansion’s Nursing Home this time.”
“Qian Hu?” A flicker of recognition crossed Yang Yi’s eyes.
“I’ve heard of you.”
The headmaster and teachers at the Orphanage often cited several role models when they taught.
Qian Hu.
He was one of them.
He was also one of the homeless people taken in by Zhu Ju, and he had already achieved Grade Entering at a young age.
Hmm…
Yang Yi, however, was also a role model for others.
“Qian Hu!”
A lovely figure appeared before them, accompanied by a fragrant breeze.
“Those clothes look good on you. How about you become my personal bodyguard from now on?”
“Miss Zhenzhen.” Qian Hu lowered his gaze, his smile vanishing as he spoke with great respect,
“I only take orders from the Young Master.”
“My brother?” Zhu Zhenzhen frowned.
“How boring!”
She was afraid of Zhu Ju deep down and would never go looking for him unless it was absolutely necessary.
Her gaze shifted, and when it landed on Yang Yi standing to the side, her eyes immediately lit up.
“You’re Yang Yi from the Orphanage?”
“You’re much better looking than Qian Hu.”
Yang Yi gave a dry laugh.
Compared to the sturdily built Qian Hu, his figure was slightly thinner, and his features were more defined.
But as for looks…
He subconsciously glanced at Zhu Zhenzhen, then his face flushed slightly, and he quickly lowered his head.
The Zhu Family was blessed with extraordinary looks. Zhu Ju could make women swoon with his appearance alone, and his younger siblings were no different.
Zhu Zhenzhen was fair-skinned and beautiful, completely different from the girls at the Orphanage. Her presence stirred a strange ripple in Yang Yi’s heart.
But he was still young.
He didn’t understand where this feeling came from, only that he subconsciously didn’t dare to get too close.
“You two!”
Nursing Director Zhang appeared nearby and shouted,
“Follow me to see the Young Master.”
…
“Qian Hu!”
“Yang Yi!”
“We pay our respects to the Young Master!”
“Rise.” Zhu Ju raised a hand, gesturing for the two to stand. A layer of Spiritual Light quietly surfaced in his eyes.
Formless Divine Light!
Under the illumination of the Divine Light, the abnormalities within Qian Hu and Yang Yi were revealed one by one.
These two children were only ten years old, yet they had already achieved Grade Entering in Martial Arts. Their Talent was truly remarkable.
However…
They were each different.
Qian Hu was a Half-Demon who had already activated the Demon Race bloodline within him and learned some kind of inheritance from it.
‘Chong Ghost…’
His gaze paused briefly on Qian Hu’s chest, and Zhu Ju fell into thought.
‘A Tiger Demon?’
‘Tiger Demons possess the innate talent to perform the Refinement of Chong Ghosts.’
‘However, a member of the Demon Race capable of passing down bloodline Divine Techniques to its descendants is no ordinary demon. Therefore, his bloodline couldn’t be that of a common Tiger Demon.’
‘To perform the Refinement of a Chong Ghost, one must kill with their own hands. No wonder he’s had a hint of Evil Qi about him these past few days.’
His gaze shifted to Yang Yi.
This boy had no special bloodline, but in his abdomen was an Inner Refining Blazing Divine Intent, which must be a Qi Blood Divine Weapon.
Moreover.
Its Grade was not low; it was most likely a Sixth Grade!
A Sixth-Grade Qi Blood Divine Weapon would cost at least one million taels of silver. Hong Qingyi was certainly willing to spend.
With the help of a Sixth-Grade Qi Blood Divine Weapon, it was only natural for Yang Yi’s Martial Arts Cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.
If he were to fight someone and unleash the Divine Weapon, even an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist might not be his match.
“Not bad.”
Retracting his gaze, Zhu Ju nodded slowly.
“To achieve Grade Entering in Martial Arts at such a young age makes you favored sons of heaven in all of Taiyuan Prefecture.”
“Given time, I fear I will have to take pride in you both.”
“We wouldn’t dare!” Qian Hu said hurriedly.
“Young Master, you saved my life. My sister taught me that you are like a second parent to us.”
“In life, Qian Hu is a member of the Zhu Family; in death, he is a ghost of the Zhu Family.”
“…” Yang Yi glanced at Qian Hu in surprise, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly. He then said,
“It is the same for me.”
“Heh…” Zhu Ju chuckled and waved his hand.
“There’s no need for that. Just do your work well from now on.”
“You have both achieved Grade Entering in Martial Arts, but you are still young. Don’t take your guard duties too seriously. Focus your minds on Martial Arts. When you achieve greatness in the future, my Zhu Mansion will be all the safer.”
After a pause, he added,
“Besides food and lodging, you’ll receive three taels of silver per month, with extra rewards on festivals and holidays. That will be all.”
“Thank you, Young Master!” Qian Hu dropped to his knees and shouted.
Yang Yi was slightly speechless.
He felt as if there was something wrong with this Brother Qian’s intelligence. With his rough voice, he was quick to kowtow and pledge loyalty at the drop of a hat.
But he could only follow suit, fearing he would be a step too slow and give others reason to talk.
“Get up.”
Zhu Ju said,
“You two are of similar age. Qian Hu seems to be a few months older. You will live together from now on.”
“Young Master.”
Just then, someone came in from outside, bowed, and reported:
“Someone from Lu’s Boxing Hall is here to pay a visit.”
“Oh!”
Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.
“Show them in.”
*
*
*
Zhu Ju held the formal invitation, lost in thought.
“Master Lu is leaving Taiyuan Prefecture for the Divine Capital?”
“Yes.”
Lu Yifei’s face was flushed, unable to hide his excitement.
“My older sister sent a letter, saying she has settled down in the Divine Capital and wants us to go live there.”
“Although living in the Divine Capital is no easy feat, my father thought it over and decided to move.”
He was still young.
Young people are naturally more excited about a bustling big city, the legendary Divine Capital.
“Is that so…” Zhu Ju said with understanding.
“Then what about the boxing hall?”
“It will be left to Brother Zhang, Zhang Luo,” Lu Yifei said.
“Brother Zhang has already inherited my father’s Martial Arts legacy and even advanced to the Eighth Grade last year. There’s no one more suitable to take over the Martial Arts Hall.”
“By the way.”
“Has Miss Shuang’er sent any letters to you, Young Master Zhu?”
Zhu Ju shook his head gently.
Apart from one letter at the very beginning, Shuang’er hadn’t sent another in several years.
Perhaps it was inconvenient, perhaps she had forgotten, or perhaps she simply no longer cared.
“The journey to the Divine Capital is long. Allow me to be the first to wish you a smooth journey.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Young Master Zhu.”
Lu Yifei said with a smile,
“The day after tomorrow, we’re holding a banquet at the boxing hall for guests from around the city to prepare for our long journey. You must come, Young Master Zhu.”
“Definitely!”
Zhu Ju nodded.
A smile was on his face, but a flicker of something passed through his eyes.
‘The Giant Spirit Divine Skill is not yet in my possession. Of course, I don’t want Lu Dingkui to leave, but there’s no rush.’
‘Someone is definitely more anxious about this than I am.’