Chapter 136: Peach Sprite, Be My Wife!

"Congratulations to Brother Ma on your promotion as well. I hope you will look after our Yangu County well in the future within the Su Residence."

Qiu Changfeng was dressed in a soap-green official robe, looking calm and composed as he exchanged polite pleasantries. Backed by the formidable tree of the Qiu family, even the newly promoted Magistrate Ma had to speak to him with courtesy.

Originally, based on his administrative achievements and the backing of his family's lobbying, he should have been appointed as an Assistant Magistrate within the Su Prefecture. Instead, he had been assigned to this godforsaken Yangu County.

The Seven Counties lay to the west of Su Prefecture. The magistrate of Hulao County had discovered that the cloth businesses across all Seven Counties had been swallowed up by the Su family of Yangu County in a shockingly short span of time. The prices were so exceptionally low that they did not even cover the cost of production.

It could be said that there was not a shred of profit left to be made.

Now, within the Seven Counties, only the Su family's cloth shops remained; all other cloth businesses had either been annexed or forced to flee the region.

However, recently, branch stores of the Su family's cloth business had begun appearing in other counties of Su Prefecture. If this trend continued, it was estimated that in a year or six months, the entire Su Prefecture would be dominated solely by the Su family's cloth shops.

Food, clothing, housing, and transportation—every single sector generated wealth.

Though the fabrics produced by the Su family were of the most ordinary kind, they were precisely the textiles most urgently needed by the common people. Silver flowed into the Su family's coffers like a rushing river. Hulao County had finally managed to uncover the secret behind why these fabrics were so cheap: it was concealed within the factory situated next to the Su family's estate.

Yet, that factory was heavily fortified with towering walls, guarded by martial artists and patrolling demons, making it practically impossible to infiltrate. All the female workers were confined within the large compound and never allowed to step outside, rendering any attempt to extract information utterly futile.

Word had it that within that sprawling compound, Su Yang had even designed a leisure park, an artificial lake, a snack street, restaurants, performance stages, and traditional operas for the female workers, effectively turning it into a miniature society.

His purpose in coming to Yangu County this time was to unravel the secret of the textile business hidden within the Su family, secure that secret for himself, and leverage the cost-cutting methods to rapidly expand the Qiu family's commercial empire across the entirety of Great Zhao.

As for himself, this monumental contribution to his family would earn him massive resource backing, and perhaps even open the door for a triumphant return to the capital for a promotion.

"Indeed!"

Magistrate Ma nodded, then said, "I have official matters to attend to. I must take my leave first...!"

Upon departing, Magistrate Ma immediately instructed a trusted subordinate to deliver a letter directly to the Su Residence.

...

Peach Mountain.

The entire mountain was covered in blooming peach blossoms, a sea of pink, with the faint scent of peach blossoms drifting through the air. Truly, it was a magnificent landscape.

"Within this Peach Mountain, aside from that fourth-rank peach demon, are there any other demonic entities?"

Su Yang asked aloud.

He hoped it wouldn't turn out like last time, where aside from a single fourth-rank wild bone demon, there turned out to be two fourth-rank bone demon brothers lurking about as well.

"Master, this Peach Mountain is extremely mysterious. For years, almost no one has dared to ascend it, and the peach demon has never descended the mountain to harm anyone. Just how perilous it is remains unknown to all, though there used to be only a single peach sprite. As for the current situation, it is hard to say,"

Li Niuniu replied.

"Never mind. I shall ascend Peach Mountain alone; the rest of you wait down here."

After pondering for a moment, Su Yang decided to climb the mountain by himself. If his third-rank strength proved insufficient to handle whatever lay ahead, sending his subordinates up would merely be an invitation to suicide.

With that, Su Yang strode into the depths of the peach grove.

Upon entering Peach Mountain, his vision was filled entirely with blooming peach blossoms. Bees danced and butterflies fluttered, while the sounds of the wind, the fragrance of peach blossoms, and the rustling of small animals scurrying through the undergrowth were all that met his ears. Along the entire path, he did not encounter a single demonic entity.

It seemed quite likely that the peach sprite was the sole inhabitant of this mountain.

Peach Mountain was quite vast.

After walking for three hours without catching sight of the peach sprite, Su Yang found a flat grey rock to sit upon and rest.

So far, he had only explored a small fraction of the entire mountain.

Once refreshed, Su Yang resumed his climb toward the highest peak of Peach Mountain. Half an hour later, he finally reached the summit.

A colossal peach tree stood in the very center of the mountain peak. It was several times thicker than ordinary peach trees, easily the width of a water barrel—far too thick for a natural peach tree of standard growth.

What struck Su Yang as peculiar was that while all the other peach trees were in bloom, this particular tree actually bore fruit!

Furthermore, it bore only a single fruit, which was unimaginably large.

It was fully the size of two clenched fists—by far the largest peach he had ever witnessed in this world. Its skin was a tender pink, dripping with sweetness, and Su Yang could not help but swallow hard.

The peach continuously radiated a rich, intoxicating fragrance that seemed to stir the vital blood within his body.

An ancient medicinal treasure.

Indeed, the fragrance of this peach was akin to that of a precious ancient herb; undoubtedly, it was the prized treasure of the Peach Mountain demon.

At this thought, Su Yang did not stand on ceremony. He leaped forward, immediately plucked the peach from the branch, and felt the rich medicinal aroma intensify. Without hesitation, he bit into it and swallowed in large gulps. A refreshing and sweet flavor burst across his palate—truly more delicious than any fruit he had ever tasted.

A fourth-rank ancient medicine!

The medicinal efficacy of this single peach was absolutely on par with a fourth-rank medicinal treasure, and a top-tier one at that, seemingly just a hair's breadth away from entering the realm of third-rank medicinal herbs.

In a flurry of bites, he consumed the entire peach, leaving only the pit, which he stored away in his Myriad Treasure Pouch.

"Swish...!"

Just as Su Yang finished devouring the fruit and prepared to leave, the peach tree before him trembled violently. The radiant glow suddenly vanished, transforming into the figure of a woman who collapsed onto the ground.

Dark hair draped over her body, her skin was fair as snow, and her facial features were as refined as those of a noble maiden. Her delicate face bore a soft peach-blossom makeup, her slender legs were smooth and flawless, and the graceful curve of her small feet resembled a work of art.

Her delicate, soft body curled up on the ground, and a pair of tear-filled, limpid eyes gazed at Su Yang with a mix of grievance and rage.

Yet, due to extreme weakness, she collapsed entirely and lost consciousness.

"A peach sprite?"

Looking at the woman lying on the ground, Su Yang was momentarily stunned before reacting swiftly. He stepped forward and tapped the peach demon's body, finding no response—she had clearly passed out cold.

He hadn't expected the peach demon to turn out to be such an absolute beauty.

A thought crossed Su Yang's mind. He grasped her slender hand, which felt as boneless and soft as jade, and circulated his vital blood to probe her internal condition.

Root Bone Talent: Grade B.

Sensing the peach demon's innate talent and her stunning facial features, Su Yang felt a surge of joy. He retrieved a blanket from his Myriad Treasure Pouch, spread it on the ground, and gently laid the peach demon's soft body upon it.

The reason she had passed out must have been because he had eaten her peach.

Yet, when he had taken the peach earlier, why hadn't she tried to stop him?

A trace of doubt lingered in Su Yang's mind; he would simply have to wait until she woke up to find out. Right now, the peach demon's body was extremely weak and urgently required medicinal nourishment. Unfortunately, he currently carried neither a fourth-rank medicinal herb nor a fourth-rank demonic corpse.

The physical body of the bone demon he had previously slain could not be used as medicine. Much like a wild ghost, martial artists generally disdained fighting such creatures because killing them yielded no useful materials.

Gazing at the peach demon lying mere inches away, the longer Su Yang looked, the more pleased he became. She was truly breathtaking.

"Whoosh, whoosh...!"

At that moment, a gust of black wind swept in, accompanied by a dense, rapidly approaching demonic aura.

Why was another demonic entity showing up?

Sensing the rapidly approaching pressure, Su Yang frowned, but his expression quickly relaxed.

A fourth-rank wild demon.

"Hehe, my bride, I have come to carry you across my threshold. Have you prepared yourself?"

The black wind dissipated, and a giant black ape emerged. Its massive body, nearly four meters tall, had transformed into a burly, bearded man with rough features, brandishing a heavy black iron staff as he strode forward with bold steps.

Demic energy surged wildly within him, signaling extraordinary combat prowess at a glance.

"Who are you?"

"What have you done to my bride?!"

Upon seeing the unconscious peach demon lying behind Su Yang, the black ape's expression changed drastically. Gripping its black iron staff tightly, fury erupted from within its chest, and it readied itself to launch a ferocious assault on Su Yang the very next second.

"What manner of beast are you? How is she your bride? Clearly, she is *my* bride."

Su Yang frowned slightly and tested him deliberately.

"Nonsense!"

"I came today to carry my bride across my threshold, how did she become yours?"

"Dare to harm my bride, and I shall smash you into a pulp!"

With a furious roar, the black ape charged straight at Su Yang. Possessing a violent temper, it swung its heavy black iron staff, shattering the air and kicking up dirt in all directions, while the surrounding peach trees swayed wildly under the terrifying shockwave.

Close!

The black ape closed the distance in an instant. Gazing at Su Yang right before it, it brought the heavy black iron staff crashing down with ferocious force. The blow was immensely heavy and would undoubtedly have flattened an ordinary man into a puddle of meat paste.

"Hmph!"

A three-inch flying sword shot forth. Before the black ape could even react, the blade pierced straight through its forehead. Brain matter and blood sprayed from the back of its head, spattering onto the ground behind it.

A fourth-rank wild demon, slain!!

"A mere fourth-rank, how dare you act so arrogant before me?"

Su Yang shook his head helplessly. He tossed the iron staff wielded by the wild demon into his Myriad Treasure Pouch, then simply used spiritual incense and fire to purify and extract all the toxic nodes from the black ape's carcass.

Thus, it became a qualified fourth-rank medicinal ingredient.

He had been worrying just moments ago about lacking a fourth-rank medicinal herb, and yet one had delivered itself to his doorstep so promptly.

Where on earth had this black ape come from, anyway?

Within the Seven Counties, aside from this peach demon, weren't all other fourth-rank demons supposedly gone?

Never mind.

Su Yang set up a fire and began boiling the black ape in a large cauldron.

An hour later.

The peach demon lying on the ground slowly regained consciousness, though her body remained weak. Upon seeing Su Yang, a flash of rage crossed her eyes, and she lashed out with a fierce palm strike aimed right at him. Su Yang easily intercepted it, capturing her small hand in his grip as he asked, "Young lady, what is the meaning of this?"

"We have no grievances in the past, nor any enmity today."

"No grievances in the past, nor enmity today? How can you actually say such words? You plucked away the core essence peach that I spent ages condensing, and you dare claim we have no enmity?!"

Knowing she was no match for the man before her, the peach demon could not extinguish the burning fury in her heart.

"Core essence peach? What is that?"

"If worst comes to worst, I shall compensate you."

Su Yang said.

"Compensate me? Can you afford to?"

"With that core essence peach, I was supposed to step into the realm of third-rank wild demons today. I was merely a fraction of a tea's time away from success, yet at that crucial moment, you plucked it away and ate it!"

"If I fail to reach the third rank today, and that black ape comes to seize me by force, I shall have no choice but to perish."

At this, a look of despair crossed the peach demon's face, as if she had already foreseen her grim fate.

"The black ape came to seize you by force?"

"No matter, I am here!"

Hearing her explanation, Su Yang felt relieved. If the black ape and the peach demon had been truly deeply in love, killing her husband might have meant he couldn't spare the peach demon either.

Hearing her words now, however, set his mind at ease.

"You?"

"What is your strength?"

The peach demon looked up and down at the young man. He was barely twenty years old—what kind of strength could he possibly possess?

"A fourth-rank martial artist!" Su Yang replied.

"Fourth-rank?"

"You are a fourth-rank martial artist?"

Hearing this, a look of astonishment crossed the peach demon's delicate face. She then examined Su Yang carefully once more before giving a bitter smile. "To enter the fourth rank at barely twenty years old, your future is limitless."

"This calamity was brought about by you, or else I would not have faced destruction."

"If you manage to enter the third or second rank in the future, I hope you will avenge me and slay that black ape."

Looking at the despair written across her pale face, the corners of Su Yang's mouth curled into a faint smile as he asked, "What is that black ape's strength?"

"Also fourth-rank, but its combat prowess is terrifying. You are no match for it, and neither am I. Unless I enter the third rank, I cannot restrain it."

"Unfortunately, you already know what happened."

The peach demon said weakly, devoid of energy.

"Look over there!"

Su Yang stepped aside, pointing toward the crackling bonfire behind him and the large cauldron sitting atop it.

"This is?"

"That is the very black ape you spoke of. It is currently being stewed inside this cauldron."

"In truth, while you were unconscious, that black ape arrived. It was no match for me and was slain right here. Fortunately, my skill in purifying demonic corpses and extracting toxins is quite proficient, so I processed the beast and set it to simmer in this pot."

"Didn't I eat your core essence peach? Consider this corpse of a fourth-rank wild demon as my compensation to you."

Su Yang said.

"What?"

"You... you killed that black ape?"

Upon hearing this, the peach demon was utterly dumbfounded. Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Su Yang and asked, "Are you telling the truth?"

Although the black ape was only fourth-rank, it specialized entirely in combat.

Ordinary fourth-rank opponents were no match for it; unless a third-rank expert intervened, the black ape was virtually invincible.

For this person before her to have slain the black ape—no wonder he could break through to the fourth rank at such a young age; he was truly a genius.

Seeing that she still doubted him, Su Yang reached out, scooped the peach demon up into his arms by her waist, and carried her straight toward the boiling cauldron.

"Ah... what are you doing?"

Feeling his large hand wrap around her waist, the peach demon's expression shifted, filled with panic and a touch of shyness.

Carrying her right up to the cauldron, Su Yang pointed inside and said, "Now do you see clearly? Is that indeed the black ape inside?"

"It really is the black ape...?"

Gazing at the creature stewing within, the peach demon finally believed him and nodded solemnly.

Su Yang lifted the cauldron down and instructed the peach demon to consume the black ape's flesh entirely to replenish her depleted vital blood and strength. Though her hopes of entering the third rank immediately were dashed, she would likely need ten days to half a month of cultivation for another opportunity to break through.

"That black ape didn't seem like a demon native to our Seven Counties. Where did it come from?"

A hint of curiosity appeared on Su Yang's face as he asked.

"From the south!"

"South of Su Prefecture?"

"Yes. To the south of Su Prefecture lies Dog-Tail Mountain, home to numerous demonic entities. That black ape was one of them, possessing fourth-rank strength."

"The overlord of Dog-Tail Mountain is a third-rank wild demon, and that black ape was his sworn adoptive son. Now that we've killed his adopted son, he will undoubtedly come for revenge. We should consider how to deal with this."

The peach demon said.

Third-rank strength.

He himself was also at the third rank. With the assistance of his magical flying sword, defeating an ordinary third-rank entity was entirely feasible, but accidents could always happen. What if the overlord of Dog-Tail Mountain proved unusually formidable? Wouldn't he capsize in a drainage ditch?

"Young lady, what do you plan to do?" Su Yang asked.

"I plan to go into hiding for a while and return only after I've entered the third rank. If the Dog-Tail Mountain overlord comes, at least I will be able to flee."

The peach demon replied.

"Why not marry me? From now on, I shall protect you. Since I could slay that black ape today, I can slay that so-called overlord of Dog-Tail Mountain tomorrow."

"Besides, given my talent, breaking through to the third rank will take me only ten to half a month. By then, if that Dog-Tail Mountain overlord dares to trouble you, we can join forces and finish that beast off. How about it?"

Su Yang raised an eyebrow and boldly proposed.

"You?"

As soon as Su Yang finished speaking, a blush crept across the peach demon's face. She instinctively took two steps back and stammered, "What nonsense are you uttering? Why should I become your woman?"

"I am Su Yang of Yangu County!"

"If you ever need me in the future, you know where to find me. Since you are unwilling, then so be it."

With that, Su Yang turned and left without the slightest hesitation. Perhaps, he thought, the timing simply wasn't right yet.

"Yangu County, Su Yang?"

The peach demon couldn't help trembling all over as she recalled the conversations of the younger peach sprites who had ventured outside Peach Mountain in recent days.

A human named Su Yang had appeared within the Seven Counties.

He had swept through every single demonic entity in the Seven Counties, starting with the fourth-rank tiger demon, and had even reduced the ancestor of Qingyu Mountain to his pet demon.

And today, he had effortlessly slain the black ape.

She knew the black ape's combat strength all too well; even with her impending breakthrough to the third rank, she remained far inferior to that beast in direct combat.

Yet, unexpectedly, that very black ape had perished at Su Yang's hands.

"Oh, and Peach Demoness, that bone demon of Skeleton Mountain has also been slain by me. You are now the sole fourth-rank demon remaining in the Seven Counties. I hope you refrain from harming people in the future, or this old master will not spare you."

As Su Yang's voice faded, the peach demon shuddered once more.

This...?!

The fourth-rank bone demon had been slain as well?

...

Looking at the changes on his stat panel, Su Yang felt a surge of joy—it was finally completed.

Name: Su Yang (Prospective Immortal)
Incense Value: 11,230
Literary Qi: Minor Scholar
Humanity Merit: 32
Soul Fragments: 22
Realm: Third Rank
Magical Treasures: [Hanguang Flying Sword (Meritorious Magical Treasure)], [Myriad Treasure Pouch]
Techniques: [Incense Scripture+], [Aura-Observing Art], [Fourth-Rank Heart-Controlling Bug], [Root-Detecting Art]
Secret Manuals: [Nine Demonic Niu Strengths], [Fire Dragon Overlord Three Spears+]
Data: [Gynecological Holy Book+]
Lifespan: 917+
Family Descendants: 13 people
Family Progress: You are about to travel to Jiangzhou for the imperial examinations, but the demons around Yangu County have yet to witness the Su family's true might. Establish the Su family's reputation, purge hidden dangers for the family, and make the surrounding demons of the Seven Counties tremble at your name to receive 10,000 Incense points [Fourth-Rank Heart-Controlling Bug], [Nine Demonic Niu Strengths (Upgraded Savage Ox Long Fist)].
Completed!
Family Progress: The demons around the Seven Counties are now terrified at the mention of your name, but as you prepare to depart for Jiangzhou, a fierce tiger has unexpectedly arrived in Yangu County. If it is not cleared out, the family may face trouble while you are away taking examinations. Eliminate this fierce tiger to receive 10,000 Incense points [Blazing Sun Broadsword], [Flying Sword Refining Art].

On the panel, the family progress had finally been completed, granting him not only the cultivation method for the [Fourth-Rank Heart-Controlling Bug] but also 10,000 Incense points.

In addition, he had obtained the [Nine Demonic Niu Strengths].

A new family progress objective had also appeared.

The arrival of a fierce tiger within Yangu County puzzled Su Yang slightly—when had a fierce tiger ever shown up in Yangu County?

No matter; he would find out upon returning.

Aside from the 10,000 Incense points, this family progress reward included a weapon: the Blazing Sun Broadsword. It was unclear whether it was a standard weapon or a magical treasure since no detailed description followed, but if it turned out to be a magical treasure, he would have struck gold.

[Flying Sword Refining Art]: A technique for refining flying swords, capable of elevating a flying sword's grade!

Upon reading the annotation, Su Yang's heart skipped a beat. After acquiring the flying sword magical treasure, he had discussed magical treasures with Huo Luoluo, who had claimed that once a magical treasure was successfully forged, its grade was permanently set—how could its grade ever be enhanced?

This implied that throughout the entirety of Great Zhao, no one possessed a method to elevate the grade of a magical treasure; whatever tier it had upon forging was the tier it remained at forever. But now, things were different—he possessed a method to upgrade a flying sword's grade.

If this technique were to become public knowledge, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar across all of Great Zhao.

This item was something he had to acquire.

As for the identity of the fierce tiger, he would simply have to ascertain it upon his return to Yangu County.

"Master, is it resolved?"

Seeing Su Yang descend from Peach Mountain, Li Niuniu hurried forward to inquire.

"Mm, return to the county seat."

Su Yang nodded and, leading the extermination squad in an imposing procession, headed back to Yangu County.

On the carriages.

They were loaded with demonic carcasses, including the skeleton of the bone demon. Gongs beat and drums threshed at the front as yamen runners shouted loudly, "The fourth-rank wild bone demon of Skeleton Mountain has been eliminated, the fourth-rank wild bone demon of Skeleton Mountain...!"

"The extermination squad's efficiency is truly remarkable; I didn't expect them to dispatch that bone demon so quickly."

"That bone demon was a massive scourge in our region, having devoured countless people. Today, it has finally met its retribution."

"We must all thank Master Su. Without Master Su, who knows how many more years we would have been oppressed by these demons?"

"Removing harms for the people, Master Su is removing harms for the people...!"

"A benefactor of the people, the Su family are great benefactors of the people...!"

"Daughter, your spirit in heaven can finally rest in peace. All these demons have been slain by Master Su, avenging you...!"

Shouts echoed from the citizens of Yangu County, every face brimming with excitement, gratitude, and even tears.

From this day forward, the people of Yangu County could finally walk out into the open with their heads held high—something that used to be utterly unimaginable.

Previously, embarking on a long journey meant hiring guards or joining armed caravans and paying a fee just to venture out safely; otherwise, being targeted by demons meant certain death.

Now, all was well. Demons no longer wreaked havoc.

The heavy boulder pressing upon the hearts of the common folk had finally fallen away, filling them with boundless gratitude toward Su Yang.

Beyond the residents of Yangu County.

The people of Hulao County, Bailiu County, and several other counties also held the Su family in high esteem because they were genuinely doing good deeds for the common folk.

In a short period, the reputation of the Su family spread far and wide across the Seven Counties.

Su Yang's influence and control gradually expanded into the surrounding counties. With people now specifically tasked with hunting heart-eating bugs for him to cultivate into heart-controlling bugs, supplies of ninth and eighth-rank heart-controlling bugs were no longer lacking at all.

...

Shortly after returning to the Su Residence, Magistrate Ma hurried over, his face carrying a mixture of joy and lingering worry.

"Father-in-law, what brings you here?" Su Yang asked as he sat in a chair.

"Su Yang, have the demons within the Seven Counties all been cleared out?" Magistrate Ma asked.

"Mm, pretty much cleared out," Su Yang nodded. "At least, the fourth and fifth-rank wild demons have been thoroughly swept away. As for the rest, they've been given a basic purge. Should any demon dare to harm humans again and leave evidence behind for me to catch, I will execute them personally."

"I imagine these demons will rein themselves in significantly from now on."

"Fourth and fifth-rank demons are easy to remove, but sixth, seventh, and even eighth and ninth-rank demons are simply too numerous. Eliminating them entirely is unrealistic; the best outcome is to make these demons too terrified to cause trouble ever again. That is the ideal result."

"Splendid."

Magistrate Ma breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, this matter was accomplished during his tenure, which would count toward his administrative achievements.

"By the way, there is another matter. In a few days, I am to be transferred away. A new magistrate has been parachuted into Yangu County from above—he is a man of the Qiu family named Qiu Changfeng, possessing fourth-rank strength."

"A Jinshi degree holder, imbued with literary Qi, he should have reached the realm of a Minor Scholar."

Magistrate Ma warned him.

"Oh, Qiu Changfeng?"

"I've made a note of it."

Perhaps this person was the "fierce tiger" mentioned in the family progress objectives; otherwise, no one else in Yangu County seemed to fit the description.

He was coming for him.

Since this man was targeting him, it meant the Qiu family was targeting him. For what purpose, though?

Could it be...?

Had the Qiu family discovered that he had eliminated the former magistrate of Hulao County?

If that were the case, the Qiu family would surely have sent enforcers to seek trouble, not a magistrate.

No matter; soldiers would be met with shields, and water with earthworks!

As for literary Qi, Su Yang didn't care much about it. A Minor Scholar's edict had limited utility; while it could easily punish ordinary mortals or low-grade martial artists, it had entirely lost its effectiveness against him.

Literary Qi was primarily used to benefit the common people's livelihoods, ensure favorable weather, and offer blessings to ward off illnesses.

Qiu Changfeng held an official post, meaning he could not be assassinated rashly. This was no longer a time of chaos; if a magistrate were assassinated, the imperial court would inevitably fly into a rage, and a thorough investigation might lead right back to him.

Therefore, he had to crush this newly arrived magistrate strictly within the bounds of the rules.

Once Magistrate Ma departed, Su Yang headed to the inner courtyard. It had been quite a few days since he had properly attended to his wives.

Though all his wives were pregnant, as long as they were in their second trimesters, it was completely safe—such as Plum Blossom, Cherishing Spring, Jin Ping'er, Silver Lotus, Green Zither, Clear Poetry, and Chinese Bellflower...

In two months, Peach Blossom's child would be born.

Having been away for a long time, and with women of Grade B root-bone talent or higher no longer to be found in Yangu County, Su Yang intended to spend some quality time with his wives.

However, before attending to his wives!

Su Yang first paid a visit to Peach Blossom's chambers. Her belly was noticeably rounded, and her body emitted a faint, milky fragrance.

"Husband, in a few more days, our child will finally be born."

Peach Blossom stroked her belly, gazing at Su Yang with a look of blissful contentment. "Once the child is born, Peach Blossom will be able to serve you properly."

"By then, your husband will demand you serve him every single day."

Su Yang reached out and patted Peach Blossom's head gently, then said, "I have selected a new secret technique that can help you condense an incense body, granting you immortality...!"

Immediately following that!

Su Yang began explaining the intricacies of the incense body to Peach Blossom. Though skeptical at first, Peach Blossom naturally supported whatever her husband wished to do without reservation.

Inside the room.

Su Yang noticed the numbers on his stat panel shift: his soul fragments decreased by 10 points, and his Incense value dropped by 1,000 points.

A wisp of yellowish energy slowly drifted out and entered Peach Blossom's body.

"Husband, my heart feels so warm," Peach Blossom said curiously as she sensed the changes within her body. "What is happening?"

"Nothing to worry about; it should be a normal reaction."

After the span of a cup of tea, Peach Blossom showed no other external symptoms, but a small, earth-yellow figure had condensed inside her body, right where her heart lay.

It hovered quietly within her.

Was this the incense body?

Aside from condensing an incense body, if he accumulated sufficient Incense, he could even condense an "Incense Realm"—effectively creating a world of his own where all his condensed incense bodies could reside.

Leaving Peach Blossom's room, Su Yang made his way to Zhang Qingshi's quarters.

Zhang Qingshi was currently in her second trimester.

Naturally, he had to dote on her properly. Once she was thoroughly pampered, he proceeded to help Zhang Qingshi condense her incense body as well.

The child Zhang Qingshi carried was the one he cared about most.

Root-bone talent: Grade A!

It could provide him with 100 Incense points every single day—the mere thought of it was thrilling.

...

A few days later.

The newly appointed magistrate unexpectedly sent an invitation to the Su Residence, inviting the prominent figures of Yangu County to a gathering at a tavern. Curious to see what methods this new magistrate possessed, Su Yang accepted.

Peach Mountain remained tranquil, with no disturbances from the demons of Dog-Tail Mountain. There was no need to rush; if they took too long to avenge the peach demon, once he broke through to the second rank, he could drop by Dog-Tail Mountain to remind them.

Playing the hero saving the damsel in distress was his specialty.

...

Within the Seven Counties!

The Su family's textile business had completed its expansion, effectively monopolizing the cloth trade across all seven counties. Branch stores had also opened in other counties of Su Prefecture, gradually encroaching outward. The only bottleneck was the shortage of female workers; if not for that, the speed at which they devoured the surrounding textile markets would have been even faster.

A vast area of land in the south of the city had been purchased by Su Yang, cleared, and turned into factories and dormitories. He was continuously recruiting female workers from neighboring counties, though the labor force still fell somewhat short.

A major reason female workers from other counties were reluctant to relocate was that they were tied down with families and unable to travel unless employment could be found for their family members as well.

The soap factory required male workers, but in limited numbers, solving the employment problem for only a small fraction of family dependents.

Recently, the soap business was also thriving. Noble ladies adored it; it left the skin clean and carried a faint, pleasant fragrance, and it was beginning to find popularity among wealthier households.

The tavern business was flourishing too. Stir-frying, in a world accustomed solely to boiling food, was an absolute game-changer.

Having tasted stir-fried dishes, virtually no one wished to return to boiled meals.

A few days later.

Su Yang attended the banquet hosted by the new magistrate.

Peach Blossom Dock.

The venue was one of his own family's properties. Aside from him, the gathering included the heads of the Lin family, Zhao family, Wei family, Chen family, Bai family, Xu family, Liang family, Li family...

Roughly a dozen patriarchs of varying sizes had gathered in a single private dining room, while courtesans played the zheng outside.

Elegant and serene.

Su Yang finally laid eyes on Magistrate Qiu: a man in his thirties with a scholarly demeanor. Being a Jinshi degree holder, he naturally exuded a certain degree of arrogance and disdain.

"Congratulations to Magistrate Qiu on taking office in Yangu County. From now on, I hope Magistrate Qiu will look after us well!"

Patriarch Li was the first to raise his cup and speak, "This cup of wine, I toast Magistrate Qiu."

"Mm."

Qiu Changfeng nodded in satisfaction, followed by the remaining family patriarchs who offered toasts in succession.

"Magistrate Qiu, please look after us well in the future!"

Seeing this, Su Yang raised his cup as well and looked toward Qiu Changfeng, only to find that Qiu Changfeng completely ignored him, continuing to chat amiably with Patriarch Li beside him.

For a moment, the atmosphere at the wine table turned somewhat awkward.

"Patriarch Li, why have you stopped talking? Your family's business is a major enterprise in Yangu County!"

"In the future, I will inevitably need Patriarch Li's assistance."

Qiu Changfeng said.

Patriarch Li wiped a cold sweat and glanced awkwardly at Su Yang, hinting to Qiu Changfeng beside him, "Magistrate, Master Su is offering a toast to you."

"What? You want to drink?"

"Come, let us drink...!"

...

"Magistrate Qiu, please look after us well in the future!" Su Yang frowned slightly and repeated his words.

Yet this time, Qiu Changfeng once again acted as if he saw nothing, continuing, "Patriarch Li, do you keep dogs at home? Are you aware that biting dogs make the least noise, their barks unheard by others, yet they are fiercely vicious when they bite?"

"Such dogs ought to be beaten to death straight away and roasted for meat."

"Patriarch Li, you must know that I am most fond of dog meat. I wonder if your family keeps such a dog?"

"Magistrate... I... my family...!"

Patriarch Li wiped another bead of cold sweat. He could afford to offend neither of the two grim reapers present.

"Magistrate, my... my family has such a dog."

At that moment, Patriarch Ding, who sat not far away, suddenly spoke up to curry favor.

Patriarch Ding's primary family business was the tavern trade, but most of it had been seized by Su Yang, leaving him in dire straits. Sensing that the new magistrate wanted to suppress the Su family, he figured he might as well fan the flames; if the Su family were destroyed, his own tavern business might make a miraculous recovery.

Patriarch Ding had lost his senses to alcohol.

The magistrate held official status, but he himself did not!

"Oh, your family has such a dog? Kill it tomorrow and send it to the yamen; this magistrate wishes to taste it."

"Naturally, such a dog should naturally be slaughtered to be served to you, Magistrate."

"Tell me, are there any other such dogs in our Yangu County?"

"There are, there are! There is one, but it bites too fiercely for anyone to dare capture it...!"

"No matter. In a few days, this magistrate shall go catch it yourself...!"

...

Su Yang set down his wine cup, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes as he said, "Magistrate Qiu, fuck your mother, you are not welcome here!"

"Such audacious boldness! How dare you speak to this magistrate in such a manner?"

Qiu Changfeng's vital blood surged instantly. Dressed in his soap-green official robe, radiating an imposing aura, he sprang up from his chair.

The private room door pushed open.

The proprietor of Peach Blossom Dock walked in and stated, "Magistrate Qiu, Peach Blossom Dock does not welcome you. We won't charge a single copper for this meal—get the hell out. So what if you're a magistrate? We are the hosts; you're merely a passing traveler coming to eat."

The proprietor's words carried a double meaning. The patriarchs who had initially planned to cling to Qiu Changfeng like Patriarch Ding instinctively lowered their heads.

In an instant.

Magistrate Qiu's face turned as dark as ink.

"It seems I must help you leave!" Su Yang said, stepping forward as if to grab Qiu Changfeng.

"Hmph!"

Qiu Changfeng hurried toward the doorway. If he allowed Su Yang to drag him out, where would his dignity as a magistrate remain?

Patriarch Ding dared not linger either and hurriedly trotted after the magistrate.

"Master Su, calm your anger...!"

"Master Su, don't let such a person upset you, it's not worth it."

"Does this Magistrate Qiu even know who calls the shots in Yangu County...!"

...

"Magistrate Qiu, please look after me in the future. I am your man now."

Patriarch Ding trotted close behind Qiu Changfeng, panic coloring his voice.

"Rest assured."

"If I cannot even protect you, who else would ever dare come to pledge allegiance to me?"

...

Nightfall!

Su Yang wore black garments, accompanied by Chu You'er, who had already advanced to the seventh rank, showing astonishing progress.

"Today, I shall bring you along to assassinate someone!!"

"Master, is it Patriarch Ding, who disrespected you today?"

"You guessed it. Since you could guess, I expect that Magistrate Qiu will figure it out tomorrow as well. It matters little; tomorrow we shall watch a good show and see just how thoroughly I have built Yangu County."

With that said.

Su Yang led Chu You'er and sneaked into the Ding Estate.

Patriarch Ding was merely a sixth-rank martial artist. He hadn't even been awakened from his sleep when his throat was neatly sliced by a black snake dagger.

"Master, let's go home."

Seeing Patriarch Ding's throat sliced open so easily, Chu You'er tugged gently on Su Yang's large hand with her delicate, leek-white fingers and whispered.

"Not yet. There are a few more rats to deal with."

Moments later.

Su Yang dragged out a fourth-rank martial artist from a nearby room. The man hadn't even noticed anything amiss while Su Yang was inside Patriarch Ding's chamber. Judging by his unfamiliar face, he was clearly a subordinate sent by Magistrate Qiu.

The next day.

News that Patriarch Ding had his throat slit inside his own estate spread instantly across Yangu County.

Everyone knew who was responsible.

It could only be Su Yang, obviously.

"This Su Yang, he truly has boundless audacity!" A flash of fury crossed Qiu Changfeng's eyes as he ordered, "Tell the constables to investigate!"

"Master Su is prime suspect number one!"

"Understood!"

The subordinate hurriedly withdrew!

At noon!

The chief constable came to report: "Reporting to Magistrate Qiu, Master Su has remained at home all night and showed no suspicious movements regarding the crime. However... the corpse of Patriarch Ding has been stolen!"

"What?"

As the words fell, Magistrate Qiu's eyes bulged wide, and fury flared straight up from his Dantian. "How could it have vanished?"

"Er... unknown!"

The chief constable suppressed a cold smile internally while wearing an expression of utter perplexity. "The yamen runner guarding the body has already been caned and permanently dismissed from the three-rank yamen roster."

"Investigate! Go investigate how that corpse vanished...!"

"Understood!"

The chief constable withdrew.

For two consecutive days, no reports came in. With a cold look in his eyes, Magistrate Qiu finally understood.

The chief constable had already become Su Yang's man.

Immediately!

Magistrate Qiu summoned all constables of the sixth rank; he intended to personally select one of them to serve as the new chief constable.