Under the fist

Chapter 74 The Old Medicine is Nearing Completion, Heading to Cangzhou
……

As the year draws to a close, Xi'an was blanketed in a heavy snowfall.

With the saying "A timely snow promises a bumper harvest," Zhao Lanxiang, who happened to be on holiday, led Lian Youming and the two children to a busy cleaning session at home, sweeping snow and dust.

Lian Youming, still a child at heart, grabbed a handful of snow and secretly stuffed it into the collars of his younger sister and brother, causing the two to chase and play around.

Just as things were getting chaotic, a person from the neighborhood committee came in with small, quick steps, holding half a roasted sweet potato, and said while eating, "Lanxiang, we have your phone number. It was called from Guangxi."

Zhao Lanxiang initially thought it was Shen Qinghong calling, and her face lit up with joy. She threw down the broom and headed outside, but when she heard it was a call from Guangxi, she paused for a moment, then smiled even more broadly, her eyes crinkling with laughter, "Son, I don't mind your lovely mother listening..."

Lian Youming strode out of the courtyard and ran off without looking back, saying, "I mind."

Zhao Lanxiang snorted, "You've forgotten your mother now that you've got that thing, you ingrate."

But her face always wore a happy expression, with a motherly smile, "You've grown up."

Lian Shuang also sidled up to her mother and grinned mischievously, "Mom, let me eavesdrop on what my brother is saying."

Zhao Lanxiang quickly pressed her daughter down, saying, "Don't listen to what you shouldn't hear. Who knows what embarrassing whispers are going on?"

Lian Shuang asked curiously, "Mom, did Dad ever whisper anything to you?"

When this matter was mentioned, Zhao Lanxiang first looked thoughtful, then her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and then her brows tightened. She went through all the memories of her life, and finally, under the gaze of her daughter's big eyes, she managed to squeeze out a sentence, "Your dad said he was cow dung and I was a flower, and he could make me strong."

Upon hearing this, the siblings almost burst out laughing.

Lian Youming had already arrived at the street office and was standing in the snow, peering through a small window to pick up the phone.

The two of them had so much to say to each other in their letters, but when they connected on the phone, all they could hear was each other breathing.

Lian Youming broke the silence first, smiling and saying, "Feeling hungry again? What would you like to eat?"

"There's so much! I want to eat the cured pork your aunt makes, and spicy sausages too. Could you send me some chili peppers, and some other Sichuan seasonings? Do you still have any red sausage? I really want to eat that too. Could you send me some millet from Northeast China? I also want to drink corn porridge..."

Seeing the young woman from the neighborhood office trying to suppress her laughter through the window, Lian Youming felt a little embarrassed. He changed his posture and covered the microphone, saying, "Wait a minute, there's a lot to write down."

After taking out a piece of paper and writing down most of the various foods, Yan Lingyun suddenly changed the subject, "When are you coming to see me?"

Hearing Yan Lingyun's familiar voice, Lian Youming couldn't help but smile and teased, "Are you starving? You even want to eat me?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Lingyun on the other end of the phone spat, her pretty face flushed red, "You're talking nonsense again."

Lian Youming asked, "What should we do with the Eastern Pearl?"

Yan Lingyun hurriedly said, "Don't touch that thing. I've got my eye on it. Bring it to me next year. It's a precious thing that can be passed down to future generations. It would be a waste to exchange it for money."

Lian Youming feigned surprise and said, "How much money can you offer? It's not enough for just you. I'm thinking of exchanging some money to buy some property. If I ever get the chance, I'd like to experience what it's like to be a landlord..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lian Youming heard the voice on the phone suddenly rise a notch, so loud it hurt his eardrums, "Lian Youming, you worthless bastard, all you care about is money! You want to be a landlord and a rich man? And what do you mean, 'and what'..."

Lian Youming picked at his ear. "Getting married and having children costs money, and then there's the cost of their education. If I marry a gluttonous wife, how can I afford to support her without some family wealth?"

Yan Lingyun's words came to an abrupt halt, but the sounds of a rapid heartbeat and hurried breathing could be heard.

After a long while, the little girl's breathless, trembling voice finally rang out: "Really?"

“It’s fake.” Lian Youming laughed heartily.

Yan Lingyun snorted coldly and lowered her voice, saying, "Whether it's true or false, I'm telling you, I'm almost finished preparing the old medicine. This medicine is called 'Earth Spirit Mending Heaven Powder,' which can heal broken tendons and set broken bones to a certain extent. It's used to treat old injuries... Moreover, I'm afraid my family won't be able to keep it."

The little girl's tone became somewhat serious as she finished speaking.

“My dad and the others are already looking for help, and I want to help too, but you’re the only one I can think of.”

Lian Youming's smile gradually faded, his tiger-like eyes narrowed slightly, but he still said gently, "I understand. Some people in the martial arts world have their eyes on the old medicine. Don't worry, since that's the case, I'll go there after the New Year. If things really come to a critical moment, your own safety is the most important thing. It doesn't matter if the medicine is lost; I will definitely help you get it back."

Yan Lingyun hummed in agreement, and after a long while, she lowered her voice and said, "Then I'll hang up. My dad and my brother don't know yet, so we can't let them find out."

Lian Youming asked in confusion, "Know what?"

Yan Lingyun sighed, "Oh, stop talking nonsense, hurry up and send me the food..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lian Youming said gently, "It's alright if the medicine is lost, just take good care of yourself."

Yan Lingyun's tone softened, "I understand, I'll wait for you to come."

After the call ended, a glint of light flashed in Lian Youming's eyes. This old medicine that could mend tendons and bones was incredible.

Many people's martial arts journey ends because of these old, chronic injuries.

Moreover, he also thought of the junk collector's lame leg. After settling the phone bill, Lian Youming turned and went home.

There's not much time left until the last day of the year.

The reason it's called the "year-end" is because in the old days, people who owed money had to pay off their debts at this time. Passing the New Year was like passing a test, hence the name "year-end".

This year's debts must be settled this year.

After receiving Yan Lingyun's call, it was time to prepare to go to Cangzhou.

When Lian Youming declared he would go and help the Eagle Claw Sect, he wasn't acting rashly. If he couldn't strike first, who knew what other tricks awaited him? He could avoid them, but who knew if those guys would retaliate against his family and friends in a fit of rage?

Moreover, there is absolutely no reason to back down in the path of martial arts.

But whether this hurdle will lead to the Eagle Claw Sect's disgrace or his death by the quest to master Youming remains to be seen, depending on who has the superior skill.

Besides helping out in Cangzhou, I also need to visit Xie Laosan's granddaughter.

Wait a minute, Xie Laosan seems to be a member of the Eagle Claw Sect.

Back in the courtyard, Lian Youming said to Zhao Lanxiang, "Mom, I want to go on a long trip."

Zhao Lanxiang didn't immediately object, but asked curiously, "Are you going to Guangxi?"

Lian Youming chuckled, "No, I'm going to Hebei."

Zhao Lanxiang was very open-minded and had confidence in her son. She only asked one question before agreeing, "I'll tell your dad tonight, and you should remember to come home early."

Lian Youming nodded. Once he made a decision, he wouldn't procrastinate; he was always swift and decisive.

After breakfast, he went out again and bought all the things Yan Lingyun wanted to eat, sending a whole bagful that would last her for a month or two.

evening.

Lian Youming had already packed his luggage and bought his ticket in advance, and he would set off at dawn the next day.

He took advantage of delivering food to visit the junk king's courtyard.

The old man remained huddled in that small doorway, fiddling with his chess set.

Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, the ragpicker, without even looking up, said, "You've already decided to kill someone? Are you going to kill someone?"

Lian Youming grinned and said, "Let's go on a long trip."

The ragpicker said calmly, "That's true. With the end of the year approaching, we need to settle all our old and new debts. Don't be careless."

Lian Youming said with a grin, "Don't worry, this is a matter of life and death, how could I be careless? And this time, I will definitely not leave any future troubles."

The ragpicker sighed, "Is there anything you'd like to ask before we part?"

Lian Youming put down the lunchbox he was holding. "Have you heard of the Earth Spirit Mending Powder? Will it have any effect on your leg?"

Even at this point, hearing that the boy still cared about him, the ragpicker shook his head with deep emotion, "That stuff is good, but my leg has been damaged for too many years, so I'm afraid the effect will be minimal."

Lian Youming nodded, "As long as it's effective."

The ragpicker finally raised his head and looked into the boy's eyes, which were so fearless, so unstoppable, so arrogant and domineering, sharp and unparalleled, young and full of vigor.

Such a person should overlap with the memories of every aging warrior.

“I’ve never gone back on my word in my life. You’re the first one to do so. I’ve given you that word. I don’t need you to serve me tea or bow. Just come back alive.”

The old man didn't offer any words of advice, because he too had been young once.

Lian Youming asked curiously, "I've lived this long and I still don't know your last name?"

After a long silence, the ragpicker finally said, "My surname is Liu."

Lian Youming nodded. "I've got it."

After saying just a few words, he turned and left, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw the ragpicker throw something over—a yellow gourd.

"The tiger bone wine is ready."

Lian Youming took the gourd and waved his hand without turning his head.

Watching the boy's retreating figure, the ragpicker chuckled and sighed, "This kid's quite the actor. Heh, practicing Tai Chi with such ferocity, he's probably the first one since Yang Luchan to achieve this."

(End of this chapter)