The reason why Captain Zhang Bin of the Mountain Patrol Captain Camp gave a gift of one hundred taels of silver was probably due to the previous incident.
Back then, both he and Huang Yunxiao prepared a thank-you gift of one hundred taels of patterned silver for me, which I refused.
Huang Yunxiao decided on the spot to waive Shi Tou's martial arts tuition at the Martial Arts Hall as a way to return a part of the favor.
This time, Zhang Bin's offering of one hundred taels of gift money was also equivalent to returning the favor.
As for Huang Qingzhou and Master Lu, it seems both knew that I was in financial difficulty, so the one hundred taels of patterned silver presented as a gift was actually a way of lending me money.
In the future, this gift must be repaid, and the favor must be returned.
Right now, I can only hope that our orchard will have a good harvest in the coming spring.
If not, let alone repaying the gift, it will be a problem to feed the whole family.
Days continue to pass by one after another.
In the blink of an eye, it was the annual sacrificial festival again.
Perhaps because we were prepared in advance and Hu Yufen consumed a piece of the Centennial Blood Toad's Exuvia during childbirth, she recovered quickly after the postpartum period.
Knowing the pressure Shen Yuan was under, she took on embroidery work from the textile workshop in town again.
Martial Arts Hall.
It was already deep winter, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.
With the holiday approaching and the cold weather, the disciples inevitably became somewhat slack.
Only Shen Wenxing remained as diligent as ever.
In the Martial Arts Arena, the young boy in thin clothes was waving his fists, training frantically.
Just a little more!
Just a little more!
Sweat covered his somewhat immature face, and a touch of madness was in his determined expression!
Hah!
With a punch, Shen Wenxing let out a burst of explosive shouting!
His right fist suddenly erupted with a terrifying force!
In front of him, the wooden man target made of hard sandalwood was directly broken with a punch!
It's done!
Clearly feeling the flow of Qi Blood Power within, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes!
Since consulting with Huang Qingzhou and after more than a month aided by three free medicated meals, he finally crossed into the Qi Sensing Realm, successfully grasping that thread of Qi Blood Power to become a Postnatal Martial Artist!
The huge commotion caught the attention of Huang Qingzhou who was up early in the backyard.
He came to the Martial Arts Arena and, seeing the fallen wooden man target, had a look of amazement on his face.
"Uncle?"
Upon seeing Huang Qingzhou, Shen Wenxing quickly restrained his joy and bowed in salute.
"Breakthrough?"
With his hands behind his back, Huang Qingzhou asked with a smile.
Shen Wenxing cupped his hands, "Luck had it I broke through."
Successfully feeling the power of Qi blood within and simply being able to control it has already met the standard of a Postnatal Martial Artist.
Looking at the humble and calm Shen Wenxing before him, Huang Qingzhou couldn't help but sigh.
He still remembered his pride when he himself had broken through as a Postnatal Martial Artist. He wanted to run around shouting in the streets, letting the entire Yunshui Town know he had become a Postnatal Martial Artist.
In contrast, Shen Wenxing was only ten, having made such a significant breakthrough in Martial Dao, yet remained so composed, which was truly rare.
A ten-year-old Postnatal Martial Artist isn't much different from the offspring of those Great Noble Families in the County Government and Royal City, is it?
It seems I really need to reconsider.
"Not bad, keep working hard."
"A Postnatal Martial Artist is just the beginning. Next, you need to strengthen the Qi and blood, open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and comprehend the Power of Heaven and Earth to break through to Innate. Do not slack off."
Huang Qingzhou said solemnly.
Innate...
Shen Wenxing's heart tightened!
That was the realm pursued by most martial artists in the world. Innate True Qi to temper the body, life expectancy could reach two hundred years, and capable of controlling the sky by hand, smashing stones to pieces, possessing the courage against ten thousand!
Outside Yunshui Town, at the Mountain Patrol Captain Camp's office.
Huang Yunxiao, who was about to be transferred to Anyang County to serve as County Captain after the sacrificial festival, was preparing for the handover.
For Yunshui Town is the root of the Huang Family, he still had to instruct the incoming Mountain Patrol Captain to establish a good relationship for the Huang Family.
"Sir, the second master has arrived."
A soldier from the Mountain Patrol Captain Camp reported.
Huang Yunxiao nodded slightly and rose to go outside the office.
"Big brother."
Huang Qingzhou said directly, "Shi Tou has broken through to a Postnatal Martial Artist."
"So quickly!?" Huang Yunxiao was somewhat incredulous.
Initially, Huang Qingzhou had only mentioned that the kid was talented and had hopes of breaking through to a Postnatal Martial Artist before reaching adulthood.
Reaching the Postnatal stage before adulthood meant there was still hope to touch the threshold of the Innate in this lifetime.
For people like them who only broke through post adulthood, with age and the gradual decline of Qi and blood, it's very hard to challenge the Innate Realm without a significant opportunity.
Huang Qingzhou smiled wryly, "Over a month ago, Shi Tou entered the Qi Sensing Realm, but I was busy and forgot to mention it to you."
"These days, I've had people enhance his meals with medicated ingredients, but I didn't expect him to break through this morning."
"Big brother, I wanted to discuss Lingxiu with you this time."
"Lingxiu?" Huang Yunxiao was a little surprised, "About the marriage with Su's family?"
Huang Qingzhou nodded, "Lingxiu doesn't like Su Chang, instead, she has quite a fondness for Shi Tou."
"After the sacrificial festival, she will be thirteen, and the Su Family will surely push to finalize the marriage."
The two families had only made a verbal agreement about this marriage back then, and now that both Huang Lingxiu and Su Chang were of age, it was time to formalize with the Three Letters and Six Rites.
The eldest daughter had been away from home for nearly ten years, now only having Huang Lingxiu as his daughter, he didn't want her to be unhappy.
"Are you thinking of annulling the engagement?"
Huang Yunxiao asked with a frown.
The sacrificial festival was only a few days away, and after it, he would officially assume his position as the County Captain of Anyang County.
Su Chang's uncle was the County Magistrate of Anyang. As a County Captain, moving further would require building a good relationship with the County Magistrate.
Annulling the engagement would be equivalent to slapping the Su Family in the face.
"Big brother..."
Huang Qingzhou was about to say more, but Huang Yunxiao interrupted.
"It's not that the engagement can't be broken..."
"Although Su Jingshan is the County Magistrate of Anyang County, he wouldn't dare make things too difficult with the County Captain, or else neither party would benefit."
"I'm just worried that if the Su Family can't do anything to us, they'll turn their attention against the Shen Family."
Huang Qingzhou smiled lightly.
"Big brother, don't forget that the second son of the Shen Family is now Master Lu's prized pupil."
"With Master Lu's prestige..."
Huang Yunxiao shook his head solemnly, "There are things you don't quite understand yet. Master Lu is both an opportunity and a hidden danger for the Shen Family."
A hidden danger?
Huang Qingzhou was puzzled.
"All you need to know is, Master Lu is a respected Confucian scholar revered by the literati across the land, but also an intimidating presence to them."
"Here's what we'll do, you go to Jinliu Village and inform Shen Yuan, see how he decides."
Huang Qingzhou nodded, it was indeed a good approach.
"By the way, tell Shen Yuan that after the sacrificial festival, he and Shi Tou are invited to visit our home."
"Qi'er and Lin'er have already sent letters, they'll be back in two days for a family visit, might as well let the two rascals meet their future brother-in-law."
Huang Qi and Huang Lin, Huang Yunxiao's sons, were both in the Border Army.
"Qi'er and Lin'er are returning?" Huang Qingzhou was surprised, "Those two rascals haven't been back for four or five years, right?"
Huang Yunxiao nodded with a smile, "They've just been promoted to Hundred Generals. In a couple of years, once I'm established in Anyang County, I'll find a way to pull some strings to bring one of them back."
"The Border Army is too dangerous, the Huang Family needs someone to carry on."
Huang Qingzhou nodded, "Alright."
"Big brother, I'll head to Jinliu Village now."
After arriving in Jinliu Village and seeing Shen Yuan, Huang Qingzhou did not conceal anything and directly explained the situation, including the possible retaliation from the Su Family against the Shen Family.
After listening, Shen Yuan stated that he would follow the decision of the two children in all matters.
If the two children were truly in love, he had no objections.
When Huang Qingzhou mentioned the potential retaliation from the Su Family, Shen Yuan merely nodded, without saying a word.
After seeing Huang Qingzhou off, Shen Yuan returned home with a solemn expression.
He knew that Huang Qingzhou's special trip, besides being a reminder, also held a slight taste of a test, to see the father and son's courage.
This didn't trouble Shen Yuan; he was more concerned about the children's future.
If facing such difficulties would teach them to bow their heads and lose their courage, then they should never consider competing in Martial Dao again.
Therefore, in the face of potential retaliation from the Su Family, they must withstand it if they can, and even if they can't, strive to endure it!