Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Brother Jing, let's get a divorce.

Yang Guo stretched his legs forward.

His shoe tip slid up along the edge of Huang Rong's skirt.

Huang Rong wore a light purple long-sleeved shirt with a loose pleated skirt; the fabric was very soft.

Yang Guo's toes touched her calf through the fabric of her skirt.

Huang Rong's body froze instantly.

She sat in the main seat, with Lu Wushuang standing next to her.

Servants could pass by outside the door at any time.

Huang Rong put down her teacup, and the porcelain clinked softly on the table.

She turned to look at Yang Guo.

Yang Guo, however, was drinking his porridge with his head down, not even glancing at her, and his feet didn't stop moving at all.

He was overjoyed.

He stirred up trouble last night and then left without a word. This morning, that woman must be seething with anger.

Perfect timing, let's add some more firewood for her now.

Huang Rong gritted her teeth and pulled her legs back.

Yang Guo persisted and continued to probe forward.

His instep brushed against the outside of her knee, and she could feel the skin taut even through the fabric of her skirt.

Huang Rong gripped the chopsticks tightly in her right hand, her knuckles turning white.

She dared not make any big movements, so Lu Wushuang stood three steps away, head down, serving food to Yang Guo, occasionally glancing at the table.

That bastard!

I tormented her like that last night, and this morning she put on a serious face, but she's anything but serious in reality.

She wanted to stab his foot with her chopsticks, but that would be too much of a move, and Lu Wushuang wasn't blind.

A series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

"Where's Yang Guo? I heard he's here. Where is he?"

A clear, crisp female voice drifted in from the courtyard, revealing the spoiled temperament of a pampered young lady.

Upon hearing this voice, Huang Rong's hand trembled, and she nearly knocked over the plate in front of her with her chopsticks.

She quickly pulled her legs back, clasped her hands in front of her, straightened her back, and adopted the demeanor expected of a mistress of the Marshal's Mansion.

A thin layer of sweat had just appeared on my back when I was startled by the sound, even more so than by the foot I had just kicked.

Yang Guo pulled his foot back and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

His movements were so natural, as if nothing had happened.

Guo Fu strode in through the moon gate.

Today she wore a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a ribbon embroidered with peach blossoms tied around her waist, and a jade hairpin in her hair.

The eighteen-year-old girl was bright and pretty, her skirt fluttering as she walked.

She was followed by the brothers Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen.

However, both of them are in rather dire condition.

Wu Dunru limped, while Wu Xiuwen was even more exaggerated, barely able to lift his right leg, taking two steps and then resting, his forehead covered in sweat.

When Yang Guo saw this scene, he almost spat out the porridge in his mouth.

Yesterday at the city gate, he used his One-Finger Divine Skill to flick the pressure points of the two brothers.

At the time, it seemed fine, but the effects only kicked in overnight.

The penetrating force of One-Finger Divine Skill travels deep into the meridians without harming the skin or flesh; it specifically numbs and soothes the muscles and bones.

This lingering pain is even more torturous than the immediate onset; the more you move, the more it hurts, and the more it hurts, the more you want to move, creating a vicious cycle.

It won't go away in three to five days.

Who told those two to be so cheeky at the city gate yesterday?

Yang Guo felt no guilt whatsoever; on the contrary, he felt that he hadn't been beaten enough.

As soon as Guo Fu entered the front hall, she saw Yang Guo and paused in her tracks.

Her expression changed several times, showing happiness, awkwardness, and a little bit of inexplicable coyness.

After all, she was Huang Rong's "fiancée" whom she had publicly betrothed to.

Although Yang Guo initially agreed to the marriage purely to spite Huang Rong, Guo Fu was unaware of the true reason.

In her heart, she and Yang Guo were engaged.

Although the marriage agreement was not formally announced and no betrothal gifts were exchanged, her mother's words could not be disregarded.

She wanted to rush up and question him about why he hadn't written to her in a year, but she felt that doing so would make her seem too concerned about him, and she would lose face.

"You still know to come to Xiangyang?"

Guo Fu's first words were a question, her tone filled with resentment.

"He's been staying in Zhongnan Mountain for almost a year and hasn't even written a single letter!"

Yang Guo put down his chopsticks, stood up, and strode forward, looking Guo Fu up and down.

"Fu-mei!"

He clicked his tongue.

"It's been a while, Fu-mei has become even more beautiful. This pale yellow dress looks great on you, it complements your complexion, you look like someone who stepped out of a painting."

He was telling the truth.

This girl has indeed grown up a bit; her figure is starting to develop, and her features resemble Huang Rong's—she's a beauty in the making.

Her waist was noticeably thinner than when we last met, and her collarbones were more defined.

However, compared to Huang Rong's mature and graceful charm, it's still a long way off.

If we raise it for another ten years, then it's hard to say.

Yang Guo mentally rated the girl: seven points for potential, three points for experience. She's a good prospect, but unfortunately, she's still too green.

Guo Fu was a little dizzy from the praise, and most of the anger on her face subsided. She couldn't help but smirk, but she still refused to give him a good look.

She was used to being praised by Da Wu and Xiao Wu on Peach Blossom Island, but those two clumsy talkers just kept repeating the same few sentences, unlike Yang Guo who spoke so eloquently and pleasantly.

Don't give me that!

"You arrived yesterday, right? Da Wu and Xiao Wu told me!"

"Why didn't you come to see me first when you arrived? Why did you go to find my mother?"

Yang Guo slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, I should report to Chief Huang on official business first."

"As you know, I, as the sect leader, bear a heavy responsibility. When I arrive in Xiangyang, I must first pay my respects to the local authorities."

"I only dared to handle personal matters after finishing official business. I was planning to come to see you first thing this morning, but you arrived first."

"snort."

Guo Fu was skeptical, but she still pressed on, "You were doing official business until midnight? Da Wu and Xiao Wu said you didn't leave my mother's courtyard until 7 PM."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guo glanced at Huang Rong out of the corner of his eye.

Huang Rong's expression remained unchanged as she slowly took a sip of her tea, as composed as a temple.

Yang Guo admired him immensely; he himself couldn't match that level of composure.

If it were someone else, they would have been exposed by now.

"We need to review the defense deployment of the Marshal's Mansion, and we also need to discuss intelligence sharing between the Quanzhen Sect and the Beggars' Sect."

Yang Guo sighed, "Fu-mei, you don't know the cost of living until you're in charge of the household. These things are all very time-consuming."

Guo Fu was taken aback by the saying "You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household," and though she wanted to refute it, she couldn't find the words, so she just snorted and gave up.

She really didn't understand these things. Her parents never let her get involved in anything serious, and she was too lazy to touch it either.

At this moment, her gaze fell on Yang Guo's back.

Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen finally made it to the front hall. Wu Xiuwen had to hold onto the door frame to stand up, his face pale.

When Yang Guo saw the two brothers, he immediately showed a "concerned" expression.

The Best Actor has arrived.

"Oh dear, brothers, what happened to your legs?"

"He's walking with a limp; he was perfectly fine yesterday."

Wu Xiuwen's face was ashen as he stared intently at Yang Guo without uttering a word.

He was seething with hatred, but he couldn't produce any evidence.

This indescribable feeling is even more unbearable than the numbness in my legs.

Wu Dunru, being more composed, forced a smile: "I twisted my ankle while practicing yesterday, but it's nothing serious."

"Can you really get this bad aches and pains from practicing martial arts?"

Yang Guo walked over, his face sincere. "How about I take a look at you two? I do have some basic medical knowledge. You practice the Quanzhen School's internal energy cultivation method, and I know your meridian pathways very well. If it's just a matter of your bones and muscles being damaged, it could get troublesome if left untreated."

As he spoke, he reached out to check Wu Xiuwen's pulse.

This move is purely malicious and deliberately disgusting.

I'm the one who made your leg crippled. If I were to offer to treat your leg, would you dare let me touch it?

You dare not.

The way you don't dare to is quite amusing.

Wu Xiuwen took a step back, his movement swift, instinctively blocking his leg: "No need! No need for Headmaster Yang to trouble himself!"

He didn't realize what was happening at the city gate yesterday. He just felt a sudden numbness in his leg, but he didn't pay attention to it at the time. As a result, he was woken up in pain in the middle of the night and tossed and turned all night.

Although he was slow-witted, he wasn't stupid either. After thinking it over and over, he felt that it was inextricably linked to Yang Guo.

But he had no evidence.

Yang Guo didn't even touch them, not even his sleeves. So how could he complain?

No one would believe it if I told them.

"Are you two really not going to look?"

Yang Guo asked again, his tone incredibly sincere.

Wu Dunru tugged at his younger brother's sleeve and answered for him, "Thank you for your kindness, Headmaster Yang. The ointment has already been applied, so it's nothing serious."

He was much calmer than Wu Xiuwen, and knew that it was not the right time to break off relations.

Yang Guo was the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, while the brothers were merely Guo Jing's nominal disciples. Their status was vastly different, and if things really escalated, they would be the ones to suffer.

Yang Guo shook his head, looking regretful: "Alright then, if you're not better in a couple of days, come find me anytime."

Wu Xiuwen gritted his teeth so hard they almost broke, but he didn't utter a single word.

Seeing that her two followers were limping badly, Guo Fu felt a little sorry for them. She turned to Huang Rong and said, "Mother, please take a look at Da Wu and Er Wu. They started limping yesterday, and it's getting worse."

Huang Rong glanced at the legs of the Wu brothers.

With her keen eyesight, she could tell at a glance that the acupoints had been sealed with hidden force.

The force was extremely subtle; once it entered the body, it did not dissipate, but slowly traveled along the meridians in the legs, numbing wherever it went.

This technique is clean and efficient, leaving no external wounds, yet it causes immense suffering.

She glanced again at Yang Guo's harmless face.

In an instant, everything became clear.

That little rascal's One-Finger Divine Skill has improved again. He now uses a layer of innate primordial energy as a catalyst within his finger strikes, making them silent when they strike, yet their effects are continuous and persistent.

This is more than one level higher than simply sealing acupoints.

Da Wu and Xiao Wu didn't know how they offended him, but given their attitudes, it wasn't surprising that they did.

Huang Rong knew the truth, but she didn't intend to interfere.

These two people were always following Guo Fu around, and she had long found them an eyesore.

"Just go back and have the army doctor take a look; it's nothing serious."

Huang Rong spoke calmly and did not ask any further questions.

Yang Guo silently gave Huang Rong a thumbs up.

This woman's cooperation is always spot on.

Without exposing the truth or pressing for answers, the matter was smoothly resolved by using minimal effort.

Other people raise wives, he raises strategists and accomplices.

Da Wu and Xiao Wu awkwardly retreated to stand by the door.

Wu Xiuwen's gaze darted back and forth between Yang Guo and Huang Rong twice, feeling that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The tacit understanding between Chief Huang and Yang Guo is just too good.

They're clearly the gang leader and an outsider, but they seem to get along better than a family.

Guo Fu turned her head and only then noticed that Lu Wushuang was standing behind Yang Guo.

"Who is she?"

Guo Fu's tone suddenly turned cold, and she raised her chin towards Lu Wushuang.

"My personal maid, Lu Wushuang," Yang Guo introduced.

Lu Wushuang bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Miss Guo."

Guo Fu looked Lu Wushuang up and down.

From top to bottom, hair, face, chest, waist, and legs are all included.

Lu Wushuang had a slender figure and delicate features. Although she was dressed simply, her lively spirit was undeniable, especially her bright and expressive eyes.

Guo Fu's expression darkened further.

From childhood, she was surrounded by obedient followers like Da Wu and Xiao Wu, and she had an instinctive hostility towards young and beautiful women.

What's more, this woman was right next to Yang Guo.

"A personal maid? You, a sect leader, having a young girl serve you personally? What kind of talk is that?"

"The leader of the Quanzhen Sect is extremely busy; surely someone needs to serve him tea and water?"

Yang Guo shrugged. "Do you expect me, the dignified sect leader, to do my own laundry and cooking?"

"Why don't you just hire a Taoist priest to serve you? Why do you have to find a young girl?"

Yang Guo sighed, looking aggrieved: "Fu-mei, what are you saying? Taoists are so clumsy, they can even drop a teacup while carrying it. Besides, Wushuang used to have a leg disability, which I cured. She stayed as a maid out of gratitude. If you don't believe me, ask your mother later; she knows everything about this."

He brought out Huang Rong to bolster his position.

This trick always works; no matter how unruly Guo Fu is, she's a docile kitten in front of her mother.

Guo Fu turned to look at Huang Rong.

Huang Rong picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "I know about Wushuang's matter, so don't make trouble for me."