Chapter Seventy-One: Six Ninth-Rank Warriors as Subordinates

"Everything is going smoothly. The wedding is set for the tenth day of next month," Su Yang's face brimmed with irrepressible joy, which only made Wang Chunxiao feel even more sorrowful.

"Oh, that's good."

"Yes, it's quite good."

In front of the Wang family gate, an elderly man passed by, hunched over, with mung bean-shaped eyes, a drooping mustache, and wrinkled skin. He carried a rope in his hand and leaned on a cane, though this time he no longer had a daughter tied behind him.

The sly angle of his mung bean eyes glanced at Su Yang and the others, sniffing the air with effort. Suddenly, a glimmer of cunning flashed in his eyes, and foul-smelling drool glistened as it dripped unconsciously from his mouth.

"Fragrant, so fragrant, truly fragrant...!"

Housekeeper Huang fixed his mung bean eyes firmly on Wang Chunxiao, swallowing secretly and muttering softly, "Master will like it, Master will certainly like it... Heh heh heh...!"

Seeing Wang Chunxiao and Su Yang enter the courtyard, Housekeeper Huang reluctantly turned to leave, though every few steps he couldn't help but cast another glance at the Wang residence.

"Tonight, sleep in my room."

On the road, Wang Chunxiao spoke in a calm tone.

Su Yang was momentarily stunned, then recalled his previous agreement with his mother-in-law and nodded in assent.

The matter of sending the betrothal gifts to the Zhang family kept him busy until noon. After lunch, Su Yang seized a free moment to go out, hoping to find suitable informants among the three major families of Yanggu County.

Besides that, he needed to recruit more martial masters for his own household.

This task proved somewhat difficult for Su Yang. After the rebel army laid siege to the city, many ordinary folk outside were on the verge of starvation. If someone offered them a meal, they would be willing to risk their lives in return.

If you extended a helping hand now, even saving their family members, they would be deeply grateful, and with the aid of the Heart-Control Worm, such a person would surely become a loyal subordinate.

However, for ninth-rank martial artists, the besieged Yanggu County was a haven for rogues. Most were not starving; if they truly could not survive, they could always join one of the three great families as a martial master.

Ordinary folk might be rejected as servants by the major families, but a ninth-rank martial artist would be warmly welcomed as a martial master.

Every ninth-rank martial artist was considered the foundation of a family.

Thus, finding suitable ninth-rank martial masters directly was extremely difficult. If one were to recruit by public notice, loyalty would be questionable; when disaster struck, everyone would scatter, and some might even turn against their master.

If that's the case, it's better not to recruit at all.

Therefore, martial masters for the household needed to be cultivated from among the family’s own servants, and for now, Su Yang would settle for recruiting ninth-rank martial artists as informants.

Whether informants or constables in the magistrate's office, all counted as his own men, and could serve as martial guards for the residence. If necessary, they could simply don the household martial master's attire, and thus the matter would be settled.

"Damn it, hurts like hell...!"

A youth, not yet twenty, walked out of the Zhou family mansion, his body covered in bruises, even the socket of one eye was darkened, clearly the result of a beating.

Leaving the Zhou family mansion, he wound through several streets and alleys on his way home, cursing as he walked, "Damn young master, what does he think he is... just lucky to be born well! Damn it, what's so great about that...!"

"When I make my mark someday, even your own mother won't recognize you after I’m done... damn, it hurts like hell...!"

Su Yang followed behind, noting from the youth’s clothing that he was likely a martial master of the Zhou family, with ninth-rank strength.

[Book of Qi Observation]

Above the young man's head, amid a swirl of white fortune, there was a touch of blue luck, and a large amount of black misfortune, though the latter was gradually dissipating.

"Brother, you got beaten up?" Su Yang approached, carrying two jars of wine, and asked.

"Who are you?"

The Zhou family’s martial master looked at Su Yang with displeasure, but upon seeing the two jars of wine in his hands, a light of interest flashed in his eyes. Anyone daring to carry wine openly at such a time surely had some skill.

"Su Yang, at your service."

"You're a martial artist too? Which rank?"

"Ninth rank."

"Ninth rank... What can I do for you, brother?" The Zhou family martial master immediately changed his demeanor, looking at Su Yang with a fawning smile.

He wasn't sure if Su Yang was truly a ninth-rank martial artist, but it was better to be cautious. If Su Yang really was ninth-rank and he provoked him, he could only endure a beating, even if nothing worse happened.

This alley was deserted, the perfect spot for a mugging.

"I saw you seem to have taken a beating. Would you mind telling me what happened?"

Su Yang spoke humbly and modestly. After the rebels besieged the city, strength truly reigned supreme. Having revealed his ninth-rank status, the previously arrogant youth was now meek and submissive.

The Zhou family martial master dared not refuse Su Yang’s small request and recounted his recent experiences in the Zhou household: he had been accompanying a young master in martial training.

During a bout, he accidentally won against the young master, breaking his arm. In response, he was subjected to a barrage of blows—a storm of fists. He had just received a dozen lashes to his backside, explaining why his trousers were so torn.

Hence, his cursing as he left the house.

Seizing the opportunity, Su Yang suggested he join him as a subordinate. Naturally, the Zhou family martial master refused, and Su Yang forcibly implanted a Heart-Control Worm in him.

"The consequences have been made clear. Life or death, the choice is yours."

Su Yang’s tone was icy.

Feeling the tearing pain within, the Zhou family martial master no longer dared to resist. No one is unafraid of death. He hurriedly nodded, "I accept... I accept...!"

"What’s your name?" Su Yang’s face showed a hint of pleasure as he asked.

"The humble one is Wan Jian."

"That’s a fine name."

Su Yang nodded in satisfaction, then took a slab of white meat fungus from his pocket. "Since you are willing to serve me, work for me, naturally I won’t neglect you."

"This is ninth-rank aged medicine, white meat fungus. I gift it to you."

White meat fungus?

No sooner had Su Yang finished speaking than Wan Jian's eyes shone with wonder. He stared fixedly at the aged medicine in his hands, "Thank you, master, thank you, master... I’ve never used such a large piece of white meat fungus before...!"

Wan Jian took the white meat fungus with trembling hands, his excitement and joy nearly overflowing from his face, and his gratitude toward Su Yang deepened.

A stick, then a sweet date—this has always been the best way to train a servant.