Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu then saw a figure fly down from the boat.
THUD!
He crashed heavily onto the docks.
It was the Turkic man, nearly two ters tall, with Qi Power exceeding a thousand jin.
An uproar erupted.
All the Turkic people on deck shot to their feet at once.
One of them hurled a wine jar at Guo Wei. Guo Wei dodged it with ease, and the jar shattered against the deck. He tucked the cargo receipt into his sash. Then, the terrifying sound of a Dragon’s Roar and Elephant’s Wail erupted from the boat.
Guo Wei didn’t use his Spear Technique on this group.
They weren’t worthy of his Spear Technique; he fought them with his bare hands. Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu heard bloodcurdling screams from the boat as Guo Wei threw the Turkic n, one by one, back onto the docks.
"Stop! I’ll pay! The silver taels are here!"
When only three n remained standing.
One of them frantically pulled out the silver taels and shouted in a panic.
Guo Wei took the silver taels. After confirming it was the correct amount for the cargo, he leaped off the boat and left with Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu.
The fight was over in less than ten minutes. Over a dozen tall, sturdy Turkic n with imnse Qi Power lay groaning on the ground.
The three n still standing on the boat watched Guo Wei’s retreating figure with a mixture of fear and rage.
’It’s them.’
He had spotted Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu.
He realized they had t on the boat earlier. He knew he couldn’t touch Guo Wei, but he was confident he could handle Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu. He silently committed their faces to mory.
"Thank you so much, senior brother."
Master Yan’s heart, which had been caught in his throat, finally settled after he received the silver taels.
"Don’t do business with the Turkic people anymore," Guo Wei advised.
"After a lesson like this, I wouldn’t dare."
Master Yan took the advice to heart.
「The next day.」
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu spent a day exploring South City.
It was on the following day that they and Guo Wei bid farewell to Master Yan and started their journey back to Baiyang County.
Previously, Guo Wei and Hei Hu had ridden to South City, leaving their horses—and Chu Lingguang’s Little Red Horse, which they’d also brought along—at Master Yan’s ho before traveling by water to the Qiling Governor’s Mansion.
For the journey back, the three of them were on horseback.
Two days later, the trio had a al at the Weiyuan Escort Agency. That afternoon, around 3:00 PM, they finally passed through Wine Street and arrived back at the Martial Arts Hall.
"Congratulations, junior brother."
Guo Fang had received a letter and knew Chu Lingguang was returning today, so she had a full spread of food and wine waiting for the three of them.
"Senior sister, I bought so rouge and powder for you near the Governor’s Mansion. I hope you like them."
For the past two years, Guo Fang had been in charge of their als and had always taken good care of him. Now, having beco a Martial Scholar, received a reward from the Court, and gotten a red envelope full of silver taels from Master Yan, Chu Lingguang was much wealthier than ever before.
He returned laden with bags, having prepared gifts for everyone close to him.
"Thank you, junior brother. See? I wasn’t wrong to spoil you."
Guo Fang’s family wasn’t short on money for rouge and powder; it was the thought from Chu Lingguang that was precious.
After eating at the Martial Arts Hall.
Chu Lingguang carried his gifts to the ho of Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family.
"Second Aunt!"
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had been working at the Martial Arts Hall. She had even helped prepare the al Guo Fang made today, but she hadn’t been able to stay and eat with Chu Lingguang.
She was feeling anxious, wondering how she should act around Chu Lingguang now that he had earned a title, when she saw him appear at her door laden with gifts.
"Cousin!"
"Cousin, Mom said you beca a Martial Scholar!"
"My dad said you’re going to be a General! Is it true?"
His two younger cousins, who were still attending private school, ran out first, surrounding Chu Lingguang and peppering him with questions. His older cousin, Zhang Linghua, simply called out "Cousin!" with a look of pure adoration.
"Lin Guang, you just had to co yourself, you didn’t need to bring gifts! We still haven’t used up everything you had Hei Hu deliver last ti!"
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family was obviously a little formal. With his official title as a Martial Scholar and his top rank in South City, Chu Lingguang was no longer just a commoner.
"That’s right. You’ve brought so much, we don’t even have room for it all," Zhang Da said, his face wreathed in a deferential smile.
"Second Aunt, Uncle, I’m still the sa . Please don’t be so formal, or how will I ever be able to visit you again?" Chu Lingguang said quickly, trying to put them at ease.
He carried the gifts inside and chatted happily with his three cousins. Although he had already eaten his fill at the Martial Arts Hall, Chu Lingguang still went into the kitchen to help his Second Aunt. Zhang Da tried to stop him, insisting he should rest, but Chu Lingguang just said he wanted to show off his cooking for everyone.
Gradually, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family and her husband began to relax. They exchanged a look of relief and gratitude, then joined Chu Lingguang in the kitchen.
He ended up eating a second dinner.
Chu Lingguang left enough silver taels for his two cousins’ tuition and gave Zhang Linghua thirty taels for her dowry. He urged his young cousins to study hard and told Linghua to buy so nice accessories for herself.
He also promised to co over for dinner more often.
When he left, his Second Aunt and her entire family walked him to the edge of the village.
Just then, a line of text appeared in his vision.
"Favor to Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family repaid. 567 Favor Points gained."
Chu Lingguang froze. He stared at the number, then glanced back at his aunt’s house. A lantern, sothing they could finally afford, now hung by the door, its light pushing back the darkness. He couldn’t help but reflect, ’Second Aunt took such good care of , even trying to arrange a marriage for . The system might say the Favor is repaid, but our family bond is forever. Once I pass the provincial exams, I’ll get them exempted from taxes, help my cousins make sothing of themselves, and find a good husband for Linghua... Hey, Hei Hu seems like a decent choice.’
(I promised 12,000 characters, and this clearly isn’t enough. I’ll post another Chapter late tonight, so everyone can read it tomorrow morning! It’s going to be a very late one!)
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