A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

The next day, before dawn, the inner city streets were silent under the gray sky.

Occasionally, a few vendors would hurry by pushing their carts, rushing past to grab a good spot in the morning market. The wheels would make a monotonous rumbling sound as they rolled over the bluestone pavement.

Zhou Yuan walked side by side with his sister Zhou Ting, and the Feiyun Embroidery Building was not far away.

A squad of patrol soldiers, dressed in standard armor and carrying long spears, marched past the street corner in neat steps, their armor clanging together with a crisp, resounding sound.

In just half an hour, three squads of patrol soldiers had already passed by on this long street.

The defenses were indeed much tighter.

The previous incident of bandits breaking into the prisoner's home had clearly made County Magistrate Liu Wen take the matter seriously.

Placing my sister in the boudoir is the safest option at present.

He had considered settling his sister in Chen Shaoshang's household, but since she was a woman, it would be inconvenient.

Moreover, given the Wang family's significant loss, it's impossible to say whether they might retaliate against the Chen family.

Unlike the embroidered pavilion, the manager here is Liu Rong, the daughter of the county magistrate.

Here, let alone the mere Wei family, even the Wang family, the head of the five major families, would not dare to act recklessly.

Fifteen minutes later, the siblings finally arrived at the entrance of the embroidered tower.

The main gate of the embroidered tower had just opened, and several servants were sweeping in front of it, the air filled with a damp, dusty smell.

Zhou Yuan led Zhou Ting straight into the hall.

"Please inform them that we have a guest," Zhou Yuan said to a maid who was wiping the counter.

The maid looked up at the sound, and her eyes lit up slightly when she saw Zhou Ting beside Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Ting is now a favorite of Miss Rong in the embroidery building, so she naturally recognizes her.

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's words, the maid still showed a hint of difficulty.

"Sir, it's still early, and our manager... probably hasn't gotten up yet."

"Just say that Zhou Yuan has come," Zhou Yuan added casually.

Zhou Yuan?

The maid's heart skipped a beat; this name had recently become a household name in Luochuan City.

Moreover, this man was the one who saved his shopkeeper when he was in danger a few days ago.

She dared not delay, quickly responded, and hurriedly ran up to the attic, lifting her skirt.

In just over ten breaths, the maidservant hurriedly ran down again.

"Master Zhou, Sister Zhou Ting, the shopkeeper invites you in."

The maid led the two to an elegant room on the second floor. The room was furnished in a simple and elegant style, and a faint sandalwood fragrance lingered in the air.

The two had just sat down when a series of slightly hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Liu Rong pushed open the door and entered.

She had clearly just been woken up; her long, black hair was unkempt and casually draped over her shoulders. She wore only a loose purple dress, which made her look less sharp and capable than usual, and more languid and graceful.

"Sister Zhou Ting, Master Zhou, why did you arrive so early?"

Before Zhou Yuan could speak, Liu Rong asked first, while quickly pouring each of them a cup of warm tea.

"Could it be that Master Zhou has come to his senses and is willing to become a contracted retainer at my embroidery shop?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan shook his head slightly, a smile appearing on his face.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Miss Rong, but I haven't decided on the affiliation matter yet."

"I've come today because there's something I'd like to trouble Miss Rong with."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rong showed no sign of disappointment; instead, her beautiful eyes shone even brighter.

The Zhou siblings must have encountered some difficulties to come to our door so early.

The fact that Zhou Yuan was the first person to think of coming to him at this time shows that he trusts him.

This trust made her even happier than his agreement to become a nominal patron.

"Please speak freely, Master Zhou."

Liu Rong sat down opposite the two men, her gaze fixed on Zhou Yuan.

"I would like my elder sister to stay at the embroidery building for a month," Zhou Yuan said, getting straight to the point without any hesitation.

"Moreover, it might cause some trouble for the Embroidery Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rong's expression unconsciously became serious.

A problem that can cause even Zhou Yuan, who is now famous in Luochuan, to feel trouble must be no ordinary one.

However, his willingness to openly disclose the risks earned him even higher regard from Liu Rong.

She thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, Master Zhou. Sister Zhou Ting is staying with me, and I will take good care of her."

Liu Rong's tone was resolute.

Since the last abduction, the patrol battalion has raised the protection level of the embroidery tower to the highest level.

Zhou Yuan took in her reaction and saw that she had not agreed readily, but rather thought it over carefully. His last bit of concern completely disappeared.

"Thank you for your help, Miss Rong. I owe you a favor today." Zhou Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute, his attitude sincere.

In just one night, he owed two people favors.

"Master Zhou, you must remember this favor. You have to repay it." Liu Rong blinked her beautiful eyes, her tone slightly teasing.

"Definitely." Zhou Yuan smiled slightly.

Once the matter was settled, he didn't linger and got up to leave.

"Sister, stay here in the embroidery building. I'll come to pick you up and take you home in a month," Zhou Yuan said gently to Zhou Ting.

"Ah Yuan, don't worry about me, just go ahead and do it."

Zhou Ting's words surprised Zhou Yuan slightly.

Having gone through so much, my sister is no longer the weak and helpless woman she once was.

Zhou Yuan felt a warmth in his heart, said no more, turned around and strode downstairs.

Walking on the streets of the inner city, the early morning mist, carrying a chill, rushed towards me.

Zhou Yuan's five senses were unconsciously amplified to the extreme, alert to any possible unusual movements around him.

With his sister settled in, he could now focus wholeheartedly on his cultivation.

Liuhe Zhuang Gong, Longxiang Prajna Gong.

Once the former breaks through, one can officially enter the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Realm) and make up for the shortcomings in the realm.

Once the latter breaks through to the second level, their arms will possess a force of six thousand jin, and their combat power will undergo another qualitative change.

If stability is desired, it's best to achieve both.

Wei Tianhe's ambush still leaves him with lingering fear.

He didn't want to experience that feeling of life and death being out of his control again.

Wei Tianhe, you forced me to abandon my family and flee. Sooner or later, I will make you pay for this with your blood!

Zhou Yuan quickened his pace and headed straight towards the Qingyang Martial Arts School.

About two hours later, Zhou Yuan finally arrived at the martial arts school.

By this time, the sky was bright, and the martial arts hall was already bustling with activity.

Upon seeing Zhou Yuan arrive, all the apprentices stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.

Good morning, Senior Brother Zhou!

Zhou Yuan nodded calmly, greeted everyone, and then went to a corner of the training ground to prepare to start practicing the Six Harmonies Stance Technique.

But just then, a familiar figure came into his view.

Wang Li.

Wang Tengfei's older sister.

She was coming out of the backyard of the martial arts school, but she was no longer the rich and noble woman she used to be, dressed in gold and silver. She had changed back into her old, faded fisherwoman clothes.

The signs of hardship on his face seemed even more pronounced than before.

What's striking is that she's tightly clutching a thick medicine packet wrapped in oil paper.

......