Chapter Fourteen: Li Doukou

In the dimly lit room, only a sliver of light filtered through the narrow window. The pain in Pan Yinlian’s ankle furrowed her brow.

Su Yang took hold of Pan Jinlian’s delicate embroidered shoes and white socks, gently slipping them off to reveal her fair, jade-like feet—soft and warm to the touch. Su Yang had once learned a few rudimentary bone-setting techniques alongside his massage studies; arms and ankles were relatively simple, easy enough for him to manage.

Pan Yinlian sat at the edge of the bed, biting her lip softly. Her slender legs stretched out straight, resting in Su Yang’s hands.

A crisp "crack" sounded.

Pan Yinlian couldn’t help but let out a faint moan; the pain in her ankle vanished instantly, replaced by a tingling, comfortable sensation.

She intended to rise quickly, put on her shoes and socks, and send Su Yang out, but the feeling in her foot was so pleasant that she merely bit her lip in silence.

Half an hour passed.

Pan Yinlian, overcome by comfort, had fallen asleep. Su Yang quietly took the Taishan Blood Ginseng, closed the door, and left through the back courtyard. To take advantage of someone’s vulnerability could only quench thirst, not satisfy hunger.

Moreover, although Pan Yinlian’s husband, Wu Dalang, was nothing special, his brother Wu Song was not easily trifled with. This matter required careful planning, not recklessness—for Wu Song was, after all, the chief constable, and Su Yang could not risk his life.

Two hours later, Wu Dalang returned home and roused Pan Yinlian from her sleep. She hurriedly checked her clothing—nothing had been disturbed; her quilt was neatly covering her, and her embroidered shoes lay beneath the bed.

Thinking of Su Yang’s refined, handsome appearance, Pan Yinlian felt a faint affection rise within her and murmured, “It seems I underestimated him.”

“Big sister, what do you mean, underestimated?”

“Oh, big sister… where did the Taishan Blood Ginseng from the table go?” Wu Dalang’s coarse voice called from outside.

“I’ve been feeling weak these days, so I boiled it into soup and threw away the dregs. If you want some, go look outside—maybe you can snatch a bit from a stray dog’s mouth,” Pan Yinlian replied with disgust.

Having put on her shoes and socks, she walked lightly across the floor, feeling as nimble as a swallow. Her body was more relaxed than ever before; that young man truly was remarkable, though she hadn’t asked his name.

Looking out the door, Pan Yinlian sighed deeply, uncertain if she would ever see him again.

From then on—

By the second-floor window of Wu Dalang’s house, Pan Yinlian would often sit for an entire day, hoping to catch a glimpse of that young man through the thin gauze window.

...

“Manager Qian, please stew this for me—add a chicken,” Su Yang handed the Taishan Blood Ginseng to the manager of Jiangnan Tower.

“Oh, this is fine Blood Ginseng—I'll see to it at once.” Manager Qian hurried to the kitchen.

Su Yang moved a chair outside the front of Jiangnan Tower. Beside him sat a tea cup; before his eyes stretched the bustling world, hawkers’ cries echoing through the streets and alleys. He had thoroughly integrated into this world. Across the street, Fortune Tower was thriving—far better than Jiangnan Tower.

After all, they had poached two of Jiangnan Tower’s chefs. Jiangnan Tower could barely cover expenses; if they failed to find new chefs soon, their regular patrons would leave, making survival difficult.

But in these times, who knew how long they could endure?

Since the Han family next door was slaughtered at dawn and their property confiscated by the authorities, Su Yang had resolved to focus solely on strengthening his own abilities; with power, resources would follow.

At the end of the street, a group of constables appeared, led by Shen Lian, whom Su Yang knew—a ninth-rank martial artist.

“Brother Shen,” Su Yang greeted.

“So it’s Scholar Su. Since you’re here, it’s just as well. You’ve heard about the massacre of the Han family last night?”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

“The bandits are rampant. The magistrate of Yanggu County has resolved to organize the local militia to hunt down the bandits outside the city. Those with money will contribute money, those with manpower will contribute people. Is Jiangnan Tower planning to offer money or men?”

“Brother Shen, please come inside and have a seat. I’ll fetch the silver at once.”

Shen Lian followed Su Yang into Jiangnan Tower, where the kitchen was instructed to prepare some food. Su Yang withdrew twenty taels of silver from the counter, accompanying Shen Lian for a few drinks. As a seasoned fox from his previous life’s drinking tables, a few cups and words soon won Shen Lian’s confidence.

“Oh, Brother Shen, do you have a younger sister?”

“Rest assured, Brother Shen—your sister’s affairs are of utmost importance to me. I promise to find her a worthy husband.”

“You know, Scholar Su, my position seems impressive, but the wealthy families look down on me. If my sister marries an ordinary man, I’m not satisfied; but if she marries into a noble house, I fear she’ll be mistreated.”

“All depends on you, Su Yang.”

“Brother Shen, don’t worry. In a few days, I’ll bring wine to visit and discuss this matter thoroughly.”

For now, the world was still orderly, suppressing human nature. But when order fell and strength ruled, those so-called noble houses would be nothing but lambs for slaughter.

As chaos approached, Shen Lian’s value would only increase.

“Hurry, take your chief home to rest,” Su Yang said.

...

The constables saw their chief drunk with Su Yang; clearly, Scholar Su was on good terms with him. Their respect for Su Yang grew, and they dared not gossip.

“Ah, another twenty taels gone.”

Su Yang shook his head helplessly, watching the constables depart. The magistrate had collected a hefty sum from Yanggu County; truly, officials excelled at squeezing the people dry.

“How many taels did Scholar Su just give the authorities?” A coarse voice sounded nearby.

Dressed in black, with burly limbs, dark skin, a scruffy beard, and a centipede-like scar across his face, he wielded a black long knife still stained with fresh blood—a ninth-rank martial artist, Scar Wolf.

Aside from the three major families in Yanggu County, there were also gangs; Scar Wolf was a leader of the Black Wolf Gang near Jiangnan Tower. Local businesses and residents paid protection fees monthly, and the authorities turned a blind eye as long as things didn’t go too far.

“Brother Scar Wolf, Jiangnan Tower has already paid this month’s protection fee, hasn’t it?”

“Who said anything about protection fees? I asked how much silver you just gave the authorities.”

“Twenty taels.”

“You’ve heard about the bandit troubles outside the city—the massacre of the Han family. The authorities plan to hunt bandits outside; our Black Wolf Gang will search for fugitives inside. You’re a scholar, Su Yang—I need not explain further.”

Scar Wolf and his men watched Su Yang with sinister eyes.

“We all rely on Brother Scar Wolf to protect the people. I’ll fetch some silver at once.”

Su Yang returned to the counter for another twenty taels and handed them over, finally sending the gang away. Fortune Tower across the street was likewise extorted; refusal meant disaster that night—murder as a warning.

These gangs had no scruples about killing. Though Scar Wolf was only ninth-rank, the Black Wolf Gang housed eighth-rank martial artists—Su Yang’s own strength was insufficient to contend with them.

Unless absolutely necessary, Su Yang preferred not to reveal his true strength.

Forty taels gone in a day—Jiangnan Tower could hardly stay open. Yet he needed to create the illusion that the Wang family was out of funds, dismissing some maids and servants.

If anyone schemed, they would not target the Wang family.

“Son-in-law, the Blood Ginseng chicken soup is ready.”

...

Wang family residence.

Xi Liu wrestled with her conscience all day before finally seeking out the eldest lady, subtly reporting the matter between Su Yang and the mistress.

“Is what you say true?”

Wang Chunxiao’s eyes widened, filled with shock and anxiety, unable to believe Xi Liu’s words as her heart churned with confusion.

That wretched scholar—was he courting death?

Previously, Wang Chunxiao had thought the scholar might flirt with the maids; she could deal strictly with them and prevent future infractions. But she never imagined he would offend her own mother!

What was to be done?

“Eldest lady, if it weren’t true, I wouldn’t dare tell you. This must be handled carefully—not recklessly.”

“If word got out, it would be a tremendous scandal.”

Xi Liu earnestly reminded, “I’ll keep watch over the mistress; if they act out, I’ll intervene. But there will be times I’m absent or sent away.”

“To resolve it completely, you must devise a solution quickly—otherwise...!”

“Ah...!”

In the end, all words faded into a sigh.

“Very well, I know what to do. Go now—I need to think.”

Wang Chunxiao waved Xi Liu away, wishing for solitude. Her jealousy had flared many times, sourness flooding her heart.

Though Su Yang hardly met her standards, he was, after all, her nominal husband.

...

In the sturdy maid’s room, Plum Blossom searched the bed thoroughly but could not find the missing letter.

Her mind drifted to last night’s affair by the rockery—could the letter have been dropped there? Plum Blossom hurried to look, but found no trace. Perhaps the son-in-law had picked it up? Red Plum thought this quite likely.

No matter—just a letter. Losing it was not important; her greatest concern was her younger sister, Little Plum. She must not be sold into the brothel.

“Plum Blossom, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Another maid ran over, panting.

“What is it?” Plum Blossom asked, puzzled.

“Word just arrived from your home—your brother was harmed... They say his manhood was cut off. You should ask the mistress for leave to go home and see him.” The maid’s tone was laced with gossip.

“What?”

Plum Blossom’s beautiful eyes widened in shock and disbelief. “How could such a thing happen? Was the culprit caught?”

“No. If a passerby hadn’t found him, your brother would have died there.”

“I’ll go ask the mistress for leave.”

Plum Blossom hurried to Liu Wenxiang. She was a Wang family maid, having signed a death contract long ago—she should have severed ties with her family. But the Wang family was benevolent, and such matters were hard to prevent; Liu Wenxiang could easily have refused her request.

Perhaps out of compassion, Liu Wenxiang allowed Plum Blossom to return home, to come back once things were settled.

On her way home, Plum Blossom remained perplexed, finally suspecting that the son-in-law had found the letter, learned her family’s situation, and then emasculated her brother.

Perhaps that was the only explanation.

Otherwise, how could the letter have vanished one day and her brother been castrated the next?

Now that her brother was emasculated, he would have no thought of remarrying, and so would not sell her sister into the brothel. It was only a guess—Plum Blossom could not be certain.

...

After eating the Blood Ginseng chicken soup, Su Yang felt his body flush with energy, his whole being feverish. He hurried to a private room and began practicing the Incense Fire technique.

He mobilized his internal energy, tempering his skin to be as tough as iron—the sign of breaking through to eighth-rank martial artist.

Time ticked by.

Night fell, Jiangnan Tower closed for the day, yet Su Yang’s energy was not spent. He asked Manager Qian to lock the doors; he would leave by jumping out afterwards.

By the second day, Su Yang still hadn’t left the private room. The Taishan Blood Ginseng’s effects were powerful—if Wu Dalang had eaten it, perhaps he might have been reinvigorated. But Su Yang had seized it first; he could not let Wu Dalang squander Pan Yinlian’s beauty.

Wang Chunxiao heard that Su Yang hadn’t returned home all night. She had wanted to question him about her mother, but found no opportunity. Her anger only grew, her jealousy ever more intense.

That wretched scholar had never massaged her shoulders, yet had tended to her mother first.

Not until nightfall did Su Yang finally open his eyes. The medicine was spent, his strength had taken a leap forward—though still short of eighth-rank.

Even so, he was now stronger than ordinary ninth-rank martial artists, and the incense fire value needed for eighth-rank had decreased somewhat.

He had been gone a day; who knew if Peach Blossom missed him, and he still needed to find an opportunity to poison Zhang Hu, that dog. As he stepped outside Jiangnan Tower, he saw a constable posting a missing person notice.

“Sir, who’s missing? Even you are involved?” Su Yang asked, tea in hand.

“Oh, Scholar Su. It’s the daughter of the county deputy—she disappeared yesterday. The whole city is searching.”

“If you have any clues, report them at once.”

“Of course.”

Su Yang glanced at the notice. It described the missing person’s name, attire, height, and features.

Li Doukou!

Such a fine name—perhaps she was a beautiful girl. Had she been taken by Han family survivors?

A county generally had three main officials:

The magistrate, the deputy, and the registrar.

Usually, the magistrate was a strong fighter, presiding over the yamen but not managing affairs, which fell to the deputy. This was a difference between Great Qian and his previous life’s ancient bureaucracy.

Su Yang returned home, indulging in intimacy with Peach Blossom. Perhaps his newfound strength made her seem lacking, and required a cooling-off period.

It was time to win the heart of another beauty.

...................

ps: Brothers, I beg for a wave of monthly tickets. Now is the double ticket period—one vote counts as two. If you have spare tickets, please vote for Little Dou. Much gratitude, and an early New Year’s greeting to all.