A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

Chapter 155 Reunion with Shen He

Zhou Yuan stopped and turned to look.

A woman in a light blue dress stood under the corridor, holding an oil-paper umbrella. Raindrops slid down the edge of the umbrella, weaving a hazy curtain of water in front of her.

Liu Rong.

Zhou Yuan was indeed somewhat surprised; he didn't know why Liu Rong was here.

Seeing the fleeting surprise on Zhou Yuan's face, Liu Rong covered her lips with a handkerchief and chuckled softly.

"I originally lived in the county government office, but there were many things to do at the embroidery tower, so I've been staying there all this time," she explained, taking light steps down the corridor.

Zhou Yuan then realized what was happening.

Liu Wenju was the county magistrate, and this county government office was practically her home. She herself had become a guest.

"I forgot," Zhou Yuan replied, sounding slightly awkward.

Liu Rong's smile deepened. She walked up to Zhou Yuan, took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her sleeve, and handed it to him.

"This is last month's profit sharing. Feiyun Embroidery Shop has opened several new branches, and business has improved considerably. It's a total of ten thousand taels, Brother Zhou, please keep it safe."

Ten thousand taels.

Zhou Yuan took the silver note bearing the "Huiyuan Money Shop" mark. Although the paper was light, it was quite heavy.

Feiyun Embroidery Building expanded even faster than he had anticipated. Liu Rong's business acumen was indeed not to be underestimated.

"Let's leave it with Miss Rong for now."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yuan handed the silver note back.

Liu Rong didn't take it, but just looked at him, asking half seriously and half jokingly, "What? Brother Zhou, now that you've joined the Jingye Division and become the most powerful person in Luochuan City, you look down on this little bit of money?"

She changed the subject, her tone becoming slightly resentful.

"Or do you feel that being merely an affiliation with my humble Feiyun Embroidery Pavilion is beneath Lord Zhou's status?"

"Miss Rong is joking." Zhou Yuan shook his head, his expression frank. "After joining the Jingye Division, the demand for pills and medicinal herbs will only increase. Which one of them isn't bought with money? My need for money is no less than before."

He paused, his tone becoming exceptionally firm.

"As for the affiliation, no matter where I, Zhou Yuan, am, as long as Feiyun Embroidery Pavilion still needs me, this promise will remain valid."

o

This truly reflects his true feelings.

Now that he is in charge of Luochuan and holds power, as long as he doesn't fall, no one will dare to cause trouble for Feiyun Embroidery Tower.

You don't have to do anything, and a large sum of money comes in every month. Why not take advantage of such a good thing?

Moreover, he could sense that Liu Rong was someone worth getting to know better.

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's words, the trace of resentment on Liu Rong's face vanished instantly, replaced by a bright smile, charming and beautiful.

"That's good. I thought Brother Zhou had become successful and forgotten about us old friends."

Looking at her, Zhou Yuan felt that Liu Rong's attitude towards him had a somewhat ambiguous meaning.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, mostly Liu Rong talking and Zhou Yuan listening.

She recounted amusing anecdotes from the boudoir and the preferences of the ladies of the city, while Zhou Yuan listened quietly, occasionally responding with an "o".

He noticed that there always seemed to be a strange light in Liu Rong's eyes.

A moment later, Zhou Yuan took his leave.

He had just turned around and taken a few steps when Liu Rong's clear voice came from behind him again.

"Brother Zhou."

Zhou Yuan stopped.

"You said you owed me a favor, does that still stand?"

Her voice came clearly through the rain.

"Naturally, it counts," Zhou Yuan replied, turning around.

"That's good."

Liu Rong stood there, holding an umbrella, smiling like a cat that had just stolen some cream.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly, said no more, and disappeared into the end of the rain with a flash.

As Zhou Yuan walked along the bluestone path leading to Qingyang Martial Arts School, Liu Rong's words and expression were still echoing in his mind.

This woman was the most unconventional person he had ever met.

Despite being a woman, she possesses an independence and sharpness that rivals any man.

At such a young age, he has managed Feiyun Embroidery Building with great success. Perhaps he will be able to expand this business to Qingzhou Prefecture in the future.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Yuan stopped thinking about it and quickened his pace.

Half an hour later, the familiar gate of Qingyang Martial Arts School came into view.

He still vaguely remembers the scene when he first stepped into this place.

Because of his poor physical constitution, he was neglected by the master Zhu Xiaowen, and even the most basic Liuhe Zhuang Gong was taught to him privately by Li Dazhuang.

Times have really changed.

Just as Zhou Yuan was about to step inside, he caught a glimpse of two white-clad figures not far away, also heading towards the martial arts school.

Upon closer inspection, he recognized one of them as Zhu Xiaowen's daughter, Zhu Mengran.

Walking alongside her was none other than Bai Su, an elder of Medicine King Valley.

Judging from their cheerful and talkative manner, the two seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation and had a close relationship.

The two women clearly saw Zhou Yuan as well. Zhu Mengran's face first showed a hint of surprise, and she quickly took a few steps forward.

"Junior Brother Zhou, it's been a long time."

They stopped about ten feet in front of Zhou Yuan.

"I've been busy with official duties lately, so I haven't been able to come to the martial arts school as often," Zhou Yuan explained to Zhu Mengran.

Then, he turned his gaze to Bai Su beside him, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Greetings, Elder Bai."

Bai Su simply nodded slightly, but the next moment, her usually calm and pretty face revealed an undisguised look of surprise and doubt for the first time.

She stared at Zhou Yuan, as if trying to see right through him.

"You—have entered the second level of Blood Transformation?"

She didn't even realize that her voice trembled slightly as she asked the question.

She remembered clearly that when the martial arts competition was held at the martial arts school, this person was only at the Yi Jin stage. How long has it been?

Half a month! Even if the Jingye Division had extraordinary abilities, it couldn't possibly be this outrageous!

"Just lucky," Zhou Yuan replied casually.

As Bai Su sized him up, he was also sizing up Bai Su.

Previously, his cultivation level was too low to see through Bai Su's true strength. Now that he has also entered the Blood Exchange Realm, he can finally sense the other party's true cultivation level.

Five layers of blood transfusion.

But the more this was the case, the deeper Zhou Yuan's doubts became.

Who is Shen Xuantong? A top expert in the Dragon Transformation Realm, yet he treats Bai Su as an equal.

There is an insurmountable chasm between these two, spanning the entire fourth level of Inner Cultivation; they are simply not on the same level.

What puzzled him even more was that although Bai Su's cultivation level was high, the strength of her internal energy and blood seemed to be—not as strong as his own.

This is completely illogical.

However, Zhou Yuan did not show his doubts on his face. Anyone who could earn Shen Xuantong's special attention must have extraordinary qualities.

"That's good, it's always a good thing to break through." Bai Su quickly composed herself and returned to her usual aloof demeanor. "With Commander Shen gone, Luochuan City will depend on you."

She offered a word of encouragement, then turned to look at Zhu Mengran.

"Remember to diligently practice the *Su Nu Xin Jing* that I taught you. Also, think carefully about the matter I told you."

"Yes, Elder Bai." Zhu Mengran nodded obediently.

Afterwards, Bai Su nodded to Zhou Yuan, then quietly turned around and drifted away.

The Classic of Plain Girl Heart Sutra? It sounds like a martial art.

"Recently, I've been treating martial artists in the city who have mistakenly taken Blood Spirit Pills, and I often interact with Elder Bai. Elder Bai saw that I have some talent in pharmacology, so—he wanted to take me into Medicine King Valley." Zhu Mengran noticed Zhou Yuan's confusion and took the initiative to explain.

"Then congratulations, Senior Sister Zhu!" Zhou Yuan said sincerely.

She was forced into marriage with the Wu family by Zhu Xiaowen, but the engagement was later broken off, which was a great blow to her.

Being able to join a major sect now can be considered a turnaround from adversity to prosperity.

"But—Qingzhou Prefecture is too far from here. If I leave, Father will be all alone at home." A trace of worry appeared on Zhu Mengran's face again.

"Master Zhu was eager to secure a bright future for you, and now that he has heard you can join the six major sects of Qingzhou, he must be very happy and probably won't object," Zhou Yuan comforted him.

"Okay, I'll listen to my junior brother." Zhu Mengran looked at Zhou Yuan, a smile returning to her face.

Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "By the way, Junior Brother, now that you are the Night Envoy of Jingye, you are very busy with official duties. You must have come to the martial arts school today for something else, right?"

"That's good." Zhou Yuan nodded. "My elder sister has a leg ailment, and I obtained an ancient prescription from my master. The last step requires a special acupuncture technique, which is quite complicated. So I would like to ask my senior sister to perform acupuncture on my sister."

"Yes, of course." Zhu Mengran nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"Alright, after I go in to pay my respects to my master, we will set off immediately."

After Zhou Yuan finished speaking, he and Zhu Mengran walked into the Qingyang Martial Arts School side by side.

Inside the martial arts school, a group of disciples were sweating profusely on the training ground.

When they saw Zhou Yuan, everyone stopped what they were doing.

"I've met Zhou—"

A disciple was about to address him as "Senior Brother Zhou," but then abruptly changed his mind and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Lord Jingye Envoy!"

Upon hearing this, all the disciples present followed suit and bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Lord Jingye Envoy!"

The sound echoed across the training ground.

Zhou Yuan simply nodded calmly and said, "No need for such formalities."

However, the next moment, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Because in the crowd not far away, he saw a figure that shouldn't have been there.

It was none other than Senior Brother Shen He!

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