Su Yu’s words were met with a variety of expressions.
Lin Yunshu’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he shook his head again.
’This future brother-in-law of mine has had it too easy. He became famous in Black Stone City at such a young age and is showered with flattery wherever he goes. It’s easy for him to become arrogant and lose his way.’
’The Wind Evil Stronghold has three Muscle Forging Realm masters, and their Village Chief is even at Muscle Forging Realm Perfection. On top of that, they have the advantage of terrain. How could a Martial Artist who hasn’t even reached the Muscle Forging Realm possibly deal with such a powerful force?’
’If one of his own juniors had said something like this, he would have slapped them silly. He has no idea what he’s up against!’
He wasn’t the only one who thought so. Jiang Yanchu folded his Feather Fan, looking as though he wanted to say something, but he ultimately swallowed his words.
His eyes, however, held a clear look of disappointment. He hadn’t expected Su Yu to be so rash.
Still, Su Yu was Master Qin’s chosen successor, so it wasn’t his place to comment further.
"Younger Brother Su, do you have any idea how formidable the Wind Evil Stronghold is? This isn’t some martial arts tournament. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Only Xu Luan, who wasn’t one for beating around the bush, stared with wide, bronze-bell eyes and questioned him directly.
Faced with their veiled doubt and disappointment, Su Yu’s expression was as calm as still water.
He didn’t rush to argue, nor did he reveal that he had already reached the Muscle Forging Realm. He simply spoke calmly,
"Seniors, please rest assured. Since I dared to accept this task, I am not speaking without basis. Besides, a share of my Su Mansion’s assets was among the stolen supplies. I will personally collect on this debt."
The three Patriarchs had their own thoughts upon hearing this, but seeing that Su Yu had spoken so resolutely, they all tactfully fell silent.
Lin Wanzhu’s heart was in a turmoil. Why did that troublesome man have to take this upon himself?
Although she had already broken through to the Muscle Forging Realm, she knew very well how terrifying the Wind Evil Stronghold was. Even with Ah Yu, the two of them were no match for that gang of fierce bandits.
’Oh, forget it. I’ll be his sooner or later anyway. Whatever he says, I’ll just do my best to help him.’
’If we can’t deal with the Wind Evil Stronghold, Master and my brother can’t do anything to Ah Yu anyway.’
"Su Yu, this is a dangerous and tricky assignment. That you dare to take it on voluntarily is a testament to your courage, which pleases me greatly,"
Qin Fangqiong glanced at Su Yu, easing the atmosphere. "However, you must act within your capabilities. Whether or not you can recover everything in the end, just do your best. Don’t try to be a hero. This time, your Second Senior Sister will accompany you. The two of you can look out for each other on the road. Remember, your safety is the top priority!"
"Rest assured, Master. Junior Su and I will be extra careful on this trip and do our best to recover the families’ losses," Lin Wanzhu quickly stood and replied, setting the final tone for the matter.
Su Yu took in everyone’s expressions, knowing full well what they were thinking, but he said no more.
He had never been one to explain himself with empty words. In this world where the strong devoured the weak, truth was only found on the edge of a blade. Results spoke louder than any argument.
’The Wind Evil Stronghold took my Martial Arts Resources. They must die!’
A flicker of killing intent flashed in the depths of Su Yu’s eyes.
"There’s no time to waste. The two of you will go to the Public Security Bureau today to hand over your defense duties. You will depart at first light tomorrow!"
"Yes, Master!"
...
「Su Mansion. Night.」
Warm yellow candlelight flickered inside the room. Yang Zhen, dressed in a silk nightgown as thin as a cicada’s wing, was bent over, carefully packing a change of clothes for Su Yu by the bed.
From Su Yu’s perspective, the thin gauze did little to conceal the young woman’s breathtakingly perfect curves. As she folded the clothes, her round hips, like ripe peaches, swayed slightly, radiating a stunning allure in the candlelight.
’There truly is a special allure to a young woman’s full figure,’ Su Yu couldn’t help but feel a stir within him.
He walked over and pulled her soft, warm, and fragrant body into his arms from behind.
"AH—"
Yang Zhen let out a soft cry, her body instantly going limp as she leaned back against Su Yu’s broad, warm chest.
"Zhen’Er, you don’t need to pack so much," Su Yu said softly, inhaling her faint, sweet scent. "It’s a long horse ride to Linyuan City. I’ll be back before you know it, ten days at most. No need to pack as if we’re moving."
Yang Zhen turned around, her soft, supple arms naturally wrapping around Su Yu’s neck. Her breath was as fragrant as an orchid as she spoke,
"Brother Su, we have a Storage Ring anyway, so it’s no trouble to bring extra. Zhen’Er has prepared everything for you, so you won’t be stuck in the middle of nowhere without a clean set of clothes to change into."
"Alright, I’ll listen to you," Su Yu said, lowering his head to place a light kiss on her smooth forehead, a flicker of heat in his eyes. "Since you’re done packing, stay here tonight. Don’t go back."
Feeling the searing heat gradually rising from Su Yu’s body, Yang Zhen couldn’t help but squirm.
’Ever since Brother Su’s Martial Arts Realm has gotten higher, his physique has become more and more like a primeval beast. Tonight is destined to be another sleepless night of being thoroughly ravaged.’
...
「The next day. Early morning.」
A thin mist shrouded the South City Gate.
Dressed in smart traveling clothes, Su Yu had just led his Dragon Scale Horse out of the gate tunnel.
"Sir, please have mercy, spare some food..."
A tattered, skeletal old man leaning on a broken wooden staff trembled as he blocked Su Yu’s path.
The old man held a chipped, broken bowl, and tightly clutched behind him was a little girl. The girl was so starved her eyes bulged, her face was sallow, and she looked to be only six or seven years old. She stared expectantly at Su Yu.
"Sir, I beg you. If my granddaughter doesn’t get a bite to eat, she’ll starve to death on the roadside today..." the old man said, about to kneel.
Su Yu’s brow furrowed slightly.
’Starving people like this haven’t appeared at the city gates recently. It seems the consequences of the defeat on the front lines and the doubling of grain prices are already showing among the common folk outside the city.’
’In these chaotic times where lives are treated like grass, this is the ultimate fate of a commoner without strength.’
Su Yu sighed and casually retrieved a small cloth pouch from his Storage Ring. It contained about a pound or two of coarse rice mixed with chaff, and he tossed it to the old man.
The old man was stunned at first, then clutched the bag of rice as if it were a priceless treasure, stuffing it deep inside his tattered cotton jacket. He glanced around warily, and after confirming no other starving people had seen, he pulled his granddaughter to kowtow repeatedly to Su Yu, his eyes red. Then, he staggered away and disappeared into the dense fog ahead.
"Ah Yu, the chaotic times have arrived. There will only be more and more starving people. You can’t save them all."
Lin Wanzhu walked up from behind, leading her horse. She had seen the whole exchange, and her voice was tinged with sadness.
"I know, Senior Sister."
Su Yu swung himself onto his horse, his voice calm. "But since I came across them, it’s a simple act to ease my own mind."
They watched the grandfather and granddaughter disappear into the mist, remaining silent for a moment before simultaneously kicking their horses’ flanks.
"HYAH!"
The two magnificent Crimson-Blooded Dragon Scale Horses let out a high-pitched neigh, transforming into two red gales that shattered the morning mist as they galloped northeast toward Linyuan City!
The Dragon Scale Horses lived up to their reputation as top-tier mounts with Exotic Beast bloodlines; their stamina was astounding.
With a clear destination, the pair traveled day and night. By evening, they had left the territory of Black Stone City completely and arrived at a wilderness settlement called Wild Fox Ridge.
The settlement wasn’t large, consisting of only seven or eight shops offering rest. As dusk fell, only the largest establishment, an inn of earth and wood, had hung two faintly yellow lanterns that swayed in the dusty wind.
"WHOA—"
Lin Wanzhu pulled on her reins, glanced at a sheepskin map, and said, "Ah Yu, this is the Wild Fox Inn. It’s the only place to rest for a hundred li around. Let’s stay here for the night."
"Alright."
The two dismounted. Just as they reached the inn’s wooden door, a young attendant with a rag slung over his shoulder expertly came out to greet them.
The attendant’s gaze swept over the two magnificent Dragon Scale Horses, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. He immediately put on an enthusiastic smile, bowing as he took the reins. "Honored guests, please come in! The wind is fierce out here!"
Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu entered the inn’s front courtyard, their eyes casually sweeping the area.
A few rickety wooden tables were scattered around the yard. Two men and a woman were sitting in a corner, drinking tea.
In the open-air stable in the distance, three or four horses were tied up. It seemed that due to the chaos of war, there were few merchants and guests traveling this trade route.
"Attendant, feed our horses some high-quality soybeans, and chop up ten pounds of fresh bloody meat to mix with their fodder. Take good care of them, and you’ll be well-rewarded," Su Yu said, casually tossing a piece of Broken Silver.
The attendant caught it steadily, his smile growing even wider. "Right away! My lords, you can rest easy. These are top-grade Crimson-Blooded Dragon Scale Horses. This humble one has eyes; I wouldn’t dare to be the least bit neglectful!"
Watching Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu head up to the second-floor guest rooms, the attendant immediately dropped his smile. He turned, called over the stable hand, and ordered sternly in a low voice,
"Keep your eyes peeled! People who can afford to ride such high-quality Dragon Scale Horses are definitely not small fries! Go prepare the good feed now, and don’t you dare cause any trouble for the inn!"
"I understand," the stable hand replied meekly, taking the reins and carefully leading the horses to the back courtyard.
At that moment, the three people drinking tea in the corner of the courtyard also had their eyes fixed on the two Dragon Scale Horses.
One of them, a skinny man who resembled a monkey, licked his chapped lips, a greedy glint in his eyes. He lowered his voice and said,
"Big Brother! A fat sheep! Those are top-quality Dragon Scale Horses! If we sell them on the black market, each one could fetch at least two or three hundred taels of Snowflake Silver! Should we make a move tonight and take them?"
"WHAP!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the burly man in the main seat—a Ghost-Headed Broadsword resting by his feet—slapped the back of the skinny man’s head, sending him stumbling.
"Fuck your mother! If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you!"
The burly man lowered his gruff voice and cursed, "Use your pig brain for a second! Do you think ordinary people would dare travel with just two people on Dragon Scale Horses at a time like this?"
The skinny man was dazed from the blow. He clutched his head and said aggrievedly, "But Big Brother... that man and woman looked so delicate, and I couldn’t feel a single fluctuation of a Martial Artist’s Qi and Blood from them. They’re probably just some young master and miss who snuck out of their home to have some fun..."
"Idiot!"
The burly man sucked in a cold breath. "There are two possibilities for not revealing Qi and Blood! One is a good-for-nothing who has never practiced Martial Arts. The other is an expert who has polished their Qi and Blood to the point of returning to true simplicity, one who has comprehended a Presence!"
"Only by condensing one’s own Presence can one conceal their Qi and Blood! This means that even if those two aren’t high-and-mighty Muscle Forging Realm experts, they are definitely masters at Refining Flesh Realm Perfection who have comprehended a Presence! You want to rob them? They could crush you into meat paste with a single finger!"
The monkey-like man was terrified, his back instantly drenched in a cold sweat. ’Damn it, I almost provoked such powerful figures!’
Hearing this, the pretty female bandit next to them covered her red lips, her eyes shining with disbelief. "Heavens! That man looks so young and handsome, yet he’s already a master of such a high Realm? Big Brother, I... I want to go offer him a toast and get to know him!"
"Hey, Second Sister, don’t you dare! What if a big shot like that has a short temper and decides to just... take care of you on the spot!"
"Wouldn’t that be perfect?" The female bandit’s eyes shone even brighter.
...
Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor.
The attendant announced the last of the dishes as he served them: two pounds of braised beef and a pot of Shaodaozi liquor.
"Honored guests, your food is all here. Enjoy! By the way, a little reminder for you both. It’s getting dark, and it’s not safe outside in Wild Fox Town at night. Best not to wander around."
Su Yu picked up a dagger and leisurely sliced the beef, nodding casually.
There had always been stories circulating in Wild Fox Town about the Wild Fox Immortal—how at night a white fox immortal transforms into a beautiful woman to lure away souls, and a Black Fox Immortal carves up human flesh in the woods...
But for a Martial Artist, such stories were just that—stories.
Even if there really was some kind of strange creature, as long as a Martial Artist’s Qi and Blood was strong enough, they could blast it to pieces!
After all, Su Yu had killed his fair share of strange things.