activa-t Chapter 12 Opportunity
Chapter 12 Opportunity
November has arrived in the blink of an eye.
The weather in the south of Dayong is not as bitterly cold as in the north, but the chill in the wind is becoming increasingly biting.
Song Shen stood behind Qian Huan, steering the boat. Wei Dashu and many other servants of the Cao family patrolled the lake vigilantly.
Qian Huan stood with his hand on his sword, not daring to be negligent, displaying a diligent and conscientious demeanor.
Old Pig Hollow and Crocodile Pond were the key areas they were patrolling this time. They were divided into three teams. When they arrived, the atmosphere was solemn, but now that the patrol was nearing its end, everyone was much more relaxed.
"Boss Qian, are you retiring?"
On the way back, Wei Dashu suddenly asked.
Qian Huan, who was still engrossed in his observation, was completely pulled back from his thoughts upon hearing this topic.
"Yes... I'm almost sixty, and I've worked at the Cao family for over thirty years. It's time for me to retire."
Qian Huan was very old and had a long service record, much older than Feng Zhiyuan, and had even served by the head of the household.
Whether he used some connections or the head of the family remembered past favors, Qian Huan was about to be transferred back to the main family mansion in Xinyu City as a first-class bodyguard.
Over the years, Qian Huan has always worked diligently. Although his martial arts skills are not particularly outstanding, he is experienced and loyal, which has earned him widespread respect and the love of his subordinates.
"Yes, I'm leaving next month. I'll treat the brothers to a good meal in the city then, as a way of saying goodbye to our time working together."
Wei Dashu sighed with emotion: "Brother Qian, I'm so envious. If I were like you one day, I would die with a smile on my face."
Among the guards and servants of the Nine Wings, Qian Huan's conduct influenced many people. After becoming wealthy, he never went out to indulge in debauchery, but instead saved the money to buy property and manage his family.
This is not easy for a martial artist who has been fighting on the edge of a knife for years.
Qian Huan smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "Don't say that. You're all still young. Just do your best. The Cao family won't treat you unfairly."
Everyone said, "After Elder Qian retires, Brother Wei will definitely be the team leader. Please take good care of us from now on!"
Wei Dashu laughed heartily: "No way, that depends on the Third Miss's decision."
Even so, Wei Dashu's joy was undeniable upon hearing that he had a great chance of being promoted.
Of course, his own recommendation after Qian Huan left was also very important, which is why Wei Dashu was so concerned about it.
Qian Huan was an old man, and after hearing everyone's words, he just smiled innocently and said ambiguously, "No problem, no problem."
*
*
*
[Hun Yuan Gong (Level 1, 83%)]
……
"This blood-nourishing pill is so effective."
Song Shen couldn't help but sigh, "The saying 'poor scholars, rich warriors' is undoubtedly a wise saying; without money, it's really hard to get by."
"Ah Shen, you're taking a rest tomorrow. Are you still cultivating today?"
Wei Dashu quietly watched Song Shen practice boxing in the courtyard, smoking his pipe with great interest.
Apart from the guards, all the ordinary servants lived in these small courtyards, which were better than the large communal sleeping quarters.
"This Ah Shen... shouldn't become my competitor."
After observing for a while, Wei Dashu made a judgment in his mind.
Song Shen is still just a novice at grasping qi and blood, and has not yet shown any signs of mastering it.
In other words, as long as Qian Huan is transferred, he will become the team leader.
The Great Yong Dynasty has been established for over five hundred years, yet the local powerful families still retain the habit of raising private armies. The Cao family has been a prominent family in Xinyu since the end of the previous Great Kang Dynasty, and has long since formed a stable power structure.
The number of guards in the Cao family is fixed and variable. Once Qian Huan is transferred, he will become the captain. Although his strength is only at the entry level, he will have a high probability of becoming a guard. At that time, his monthly salary will increase significantly.
This is also his ultimate goal.
Song Shen was so engrossed in his cultivation that he didn't even hear Wei Dashu's voice.
Qi and blood surged within his meridians; with each punch, qi and blood flowed, and with each retraction, his heart contracted.
Actions and Qi and blood resonate perfectly, the scattered Qi and blood in the whole body condense, and with continuous control, they become as responsive as an arm and fingers, gradually coordinating closely with the punches, like a musical movement.
This is the source of a martial artist's powerful strength and the foundation for all subsequent cultivation.
[Hun Yuan Gong (Level 1 83% + 0.1%)]
[Hun Yuan Gong (Level 1 83% + 0.1%)]
[Hun Yuan Gong (Level 1 84% + 0.1%)]
……
Song Shen only stopped when the exhaustion in his body gradually exceeded his capacity.
"I've used up two Blood Nourishing Pills, and now I only have one left. I don't know if it will be enough to help me reach the Qi Refining stage."
Song Shen was also quite shocked by the extent to which he was consuming resources. According to Feng Zhiyuan, even he could barely use two Blood Nourishing Pills a month. How come he was consuming so many pills?
However, considering the progress of his cultivation, Song Shen was able to accept it.
After all, every step forward comes at the cost of consuming certain resources.
When he finally finished cultivating, Song Shen realized that the sun had completely set, and there was only a layer of gradually darkening red light on the horizon.
Wei Dashu had finished showering, put on clean clothes, and walked out of the house with an air of nonchalance.
"Why are you still practicing?"
Wei Dashu was astonished. He had wanted to check on Song Shen's progress in his cultivation, but the kid was so engrossed in his practice that he ignored him. Even after Wei Dashu had finished maintaining and repairing his sword and taken a bath, the kid was still practicing.
"So young, yet so hardworking? When I was your age, I couldn't sleep at night, haha."
While wiping his sweat with his handkerchief, Song Shen asked, "Is Brother Wei going into the city?"
The courtyard was empty. Green Lake was some distance from the city. After disembarking from the boat, it was still a walk to get into the city. The servants all had families in the city and had already left.
The next few days were some of the few days off each month, so everyone naturally wanted to rush home.
Only Wei Dashu is still unmarried, not because he hasn't gotten married.
Song Shen had only vaguely heard about this guy. He had gotten married in his twenties, but his wife ran off with someone else, and he never remarried, remaining a bachelor to this day.
Wei Dashu was tall and wore a silk robe that he rarely wore, but today he finally did.
"Going off to have some fun again?" Song Shen grinned and teased. This guy was usually brave in battle, but he had a lot of hobbies, and he was completely different from the average servant.
"Hey, wanna come with me?"
Song Shen laughed and said, "What's so fun about it?"
Wei Dashu said with a hint of smugness, "Don't be so arrogant, kid. You don't know much about the ins and outs of this city."
Song Shen shook his head and said, "They're nothing more than brothels and gambling dens."
Wei Dashu clearly disagreed with Song Shen's attitude, saying, "I think you're just unsophisticated. You'll understand how fun it is once you try it."
Song Shen shook his head vigorously. Having lived two lives, he had no interest in Hong Langman and Macau casinos. He only wanted to climb to the highest peak of martial arts and had long since transcended such low-level interests.
"Boring, really boring. You can keep practicing like crazy here, I'm off."
After saying that, he strode outside.
Song Shen glanced at Wei Dashu's back and thought to himself, "We're both servants, so why am I so poor and destitute while Wei Dashu is so carefree?"
Practicing martial arts is actually more expensive than gambling or going to a den of iniquity.
Thinking of this, he went inside, preparing to consume the last Blood Nourishing Pill, rest for a while, and continue cultivating. He planned to visit his sister at the mansion tomorrow.