Chapter 217
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To be honest, Sect Master Ou has treated him quite well. Not to mention repaying kindness, whether it was accepting his second brother, Zhang Xiaohu, into the Piaomiao Sect, or the rewards given after the Martial Arts Competition, all of it made him extremely satisfied.
Yet Zhang Xiaohua still felt a bit uneasy.
It was merely unease, not dissatisfaction.
All he did was demonstrate his own jumbled and random fist techniques, yet the covert hints and implications from others made it seem as though the techniques would now belong to their Piaomiao Sect, no longer exclusively his own.
People often have an inherent sense of possessiveness. Even if something belongs to them but goes unused, they dislike seeing it taken by others. Once someone else takes it, regardless of its value, they can’t help but feel concerned.
In truth, Zhang Xiaohua himself still couldn’t fully grasp the mysteries of the Big Dipper Divine Fist. He didn’t understand why it had the effect of tempering the bones, nor whether it would have the same effect if others practiced it. He had obtained the technique so easily—it wasn’t something he risked his life to acquire—so he didn’t consider it particularly precious. However, Sect Master Ou’s attitude toward the Big Dipper Divine Fist, his air of absolute determination, made Zhang Xiaohua faintly sense that this fist technique wasn’t simple.
And it was precisely this complexity that puzzled Zhang Xiaohua. This technique, clearly something he had pieced together on his own, somehow felt connected to Ou Peng. The man even asked if it consisted of 360 moves and whether it came from a secret manual, as if Zhang Xiaohua had stolen something that belonged to him.
Thinking back to Zhang Chengyue personally and secretly recording the technique, Zhang Xiaohua also understood that this set of fist techniques must have some significance!
But what exactly was this significance? Was it merely the bone-tempering effect, or something else? Zhang Xiaohua didn’t know.
As he pondered this, Zhang Xiaohua recalled the token and stack of silver banknotes that Sect Master Ou had given him. He couldn’t help but let go of his concerns. Everyone acted according to their own abilities and took what they needed. He realized he was overthinking things.
With that, he laughed and said: “That’s right, you all can just be envious. If you could also defeat those monks from Dalin Temple, the Sect Master would personally send you as well.”
He Tianshu said: “You only defeated two low-ranking novice monks, and yet you’re already so full of yourself? How will you ever make progress in the future?”
Zhang Xiaohua helplessly replied: “I have to give you all something to be proud of, don’t I? Naturally, this is the most boast-worthy thing.”
He Tianshu shook his head and said: “Your victory was pure luck. In terms of martial skill, you’re far behind them, not just by a little.”
Then, as if something came to mind, He Tianshu said: “Oh, Zhang Xiaohua, a few days ago Zhang Chengyue suddenly came to me and took away the floating technique from the third level of the Piaomiao Steps. He even specifically asked if anyone else had seen it.”
Zhang Xiaohua said: “I know about it. That day, when the Sect Master asked me, I mentioned seeing the floating technique in the Piaomiao Steps. He seemed quite surprised. That’s when I found out that Uncle Master Zhang gave it to us by mistake. If they took it back, so be it. You’ve already seen it anyway. By the way, did you manage to practice it?”
He Tianshu shook his head repeatedly, saying: “That’s a legendary technique. How could I possibly practice it?”
Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly and asked: “Captain He, were you serious when you said that? You weren’t teasing me, right? Is this floating technique really just a legend, and no one can actually perform it?”
He Tianshu laughed and said: “If it weren’t a legend, would Zhang Chengyue have taken that specific technique away? The rest of the steps were still left for us.”
Zhang Xiaohua nodded thoughtfully.
He Tianshu then asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, what did you come to see me for?”
Zhang Xiaohua suddenly remembered and said: “Captain He, here’s the thing. Didn’t I mention to you before that it’s been nearly two years since I left Guo Village and came to Pingyang City? I really miss home. Right now, the villa doesn’t have much going on, so I’d like to ask for leave to go back and visit.”
He Tianshu replied: “It’s perfectly reasonable for you to go home, and I’d certainly approve your leave. But have you forgotten? Back then, Villa Owner Ou said you were free to come and go while helping us manage the herb fields. I don’t have any reason to restrict your movements.”
Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said: “How could I have such high privileges? That was just something the Villa Owner said casually.”
But He Tianshu didn’t think so. People like Ou Peng and Ou Yan, at their level, wouldn’t say things carelessly.
Left with no choice, Zhang Xiaohua decided to seek out Ou Yan.
It had been quite some time since Zhang Xiaohua last visited the inner courtyard. As he approached the small courtyard where Qiu Ju resided, the small gate was still open. Zhang Xiaohua knocked on the door and called out: “Sister Qiu Ju, are you there?”
“Who is it?” A voice responded as Qiu Ju emerged from inside.
Zhang Xiaohua greeted her with a bow and said: “Sister Qiu Ju, I’d like to see the Villa Owner. Could you help me pass on the message?”
Seeing it was Zhang Xiaohua, Qiu Ju smiled and said: “Sure, Zhang Xiaohua. Wait here for a moment, and I’ll be back shortly.”
With that, she turned to head toward the inner courtyard. After a few steps, she looked back and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, don’t touch anything in my courtyard. I’ll be right back.”
Zhang Xiaohua, who had been pacing, immediately stood still and said: “Got it, Sister Qiu Ju. I’ll just stand here and not move.”
Seeing this, Qiu Ju covered her mouth, chuckled, and quickly walked into the inner courtyard.
Before long, Qiu Ju returned. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua still obediently standing there, she couldn’t help but laugh again. “Zhang Xiaohua, the Villa Owner is in the main hall, talking with Sister Qiu Tong. You can head over now.”
However, Zhang Xiaohua acted as if he hadn’t heard her, remaining completely still. Qiu Ju asked: “The Villa Owner said you could go in. Why aren’t you leaving yet?”
Scratching his head, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Uh, Sister Qiu Ju, you see, I’ve been to the inner courtyard a few times, but I’ve already forgotten the way. Could you lead me there?”
Qiu Ju sighed helplessly, thinking to herself: “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Now I have to make two trips.”
When Zhang Xiaohua arrived at the main hall of the inner courtyard, sure enough, Ou Yan and Qiu Tong were both present. The two of them were delighted to see him.
Ou Yan smiled and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, you’ve finally returned from Piaomiao Manor. I was beginning to think the Sect Master wanted to keep you there permanently.”
Zhang Xiaohua bowed and replied: “How could that happen? The Piaomiao Sect is full of elites. If I stayed there, I’d only end up planting herbs for the Medicine Hall.”
Qiu Tong asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, I heard from the disciples of the Piaomiao Sect that you were quite impressive at the Martial Arts Competition. You managed to pass three rounds and even defeated the disciples of Dalin Temple in the end.”
Embarrassed, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Um, Sister Ou, Sister Qiu Tong, please don’t flatter me. Others might not know my background, but how could you two not? You probably already know what happened during the three rounds. In the first round, I only made it through by relying on the Piaomiao Steps for some clever tricks. I barely scraped by with nine draws and passed as the last contestant.”
“As for the final match against that young monk—honestly, he lost because he’s a vegetarian and didn’t have the strength to keep up with me. I simply outlasted him. When it comes to actual martial skills, even Captain He said I’m far inferior to him.”
Ou Yan was delighted upon hearing this. Regardless of anything else, Zhang Xiaohua was considered part of Huanxi Villa. His ability to stand out at the Martial Arts Competition, especially in the face of Dalin Temple’s challenges, not only reflected well on himself but also brought glory to her brother and the villa. As the villa’s leader, she felt a sense of pride. Initially, she had worried that Zhang Xiaohua, being young and successful, might lack humility and grow arrogant. She had even considered reprimanding him a bit. But now, it was clear that her concerns were unnecessary.
Squinting slightly, she said with a smile: “Zhang Xiaohua, there’s no need to be so modest. For decades, neither Huanxi Villa nor the Lotus Escort Agency dared to participate in the Martial Arts Competition, and for good reason. This time, I heard that the Lotus Escort Agency sent two participants, both of whom suffered crushing defeats. It’s likely that for decades to come, no one from their agency will attempt it again. Yet, you represented Huanxi Villa and earned us respect and recognition. I’m truly proud.”
Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands and replied: “Big Sister Ou, you’re being too kind. You’ve always treated me well, and I didn’t expect to win, let alone bring honor to the villa.”
Ou Yan chuckled: “You’re quite honest. But after performing so well at the Martial Arts Competition, weren’t you disappointed that the Piaomiao Sect didn’t reward you?”
Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head. “Not at all. Before I went, Sister Qiu Tong had already told me not to expect any rewards.”
At this point, Qiu Tong joined the conversation, saying: “That’s right. I even asked the Piaomiao Sect’s steward about it back then. However, I completely forgot to check our Huanxi Villa’s own records. While you were away at the Martial Arts Competition, I took the opportunity to go through our archives, and I found something quite interesting.”
Zhang Xiaohua was curious. “Sister Qiu Tong, what did you find?”
Ou Yan interjected: “It’s nothing too surprising. It turns out that someone from Huanxi Villa had achieved victory at the Martial Arts Competition in the past. While the Piaomiao Sect might not offer rewards, it’s only right for us to reward our own people.”
“Ah!” Zhang Xiaohua exclaimed in delight. There’s such a good thing?
Qiu Tong chuckled and said: “Our Huanxi Villa isn’t like the Piaomiao Sect. They reward people with internal cultivation techniques, but we don’t have those. However, we’re not short on silver. So, we’ll reward you with that instead.”
Zhang Xiaohua’s face lit up with joy, his grin almost stretching ear to ear. This is exactly what I love the most! If not silver, what else could they possibly reward me with?
Ou Yan added with a smile: “Not only is there a silver reward, but there’s also a provision for a promotion in position. However, Zhang Xiaohua, you’re still young, so we’ll skip the position upgrade for now and just reward you with more silver instead.”
Zhang Xiaohua nodded vigorously like a pecking chick. What would I do with a promotion? I’d rather not have to deal with Ma Jing and the others. Getting more silver is far more practical.
Seeing his agreement, Ou Yan gestured to Qiu Tong and said: “I already instructed Qiu Tong to prepare it when I heard from Qiu Ju that you were coming.”
With that, Qiu Tong exited the room. Shortly after, she returned with several thick stacks of silver notes. Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he exclaimed inwardly: “Good heavens! Our Huanxi Villa’s generosity is no less impressive than the Piaomiao Sect’s! Sect Master Ou of the Piaomiao Sect once casually mentioned tens of thousands of taels of gold, but our Villa Master Ou here isn’t falling behind either. Truly a heroine among women! I’m impressed.”
As Qiu Tong approached, Zhang Xiaohua quickly waved his hands and said: “Sister Ou, please don’t scare me. With this much silver, I don’t think I can handle it.”
Ou Yan laughed. “You haven’t even looked yet—how do you know it’s a lot?”
Zhang Xiaohua pointed at the stack of silver notes in Qiu Tong’s hands. “Sister Ou, just look at that pile! Isn’t it worth tens of thousands of taels?”
Qiu Tong couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh, not at all! Miss heard that you once had Zhang Chengyue exchange thousand-tael notes for ten-tael ones, so she instructed me to follow suit. I’ve gone even further and exchanged them into one-tael notes. There are four hundred notes in total, making four hundred taels. Go ahead and count.”
“Clunk!” Zhang Xiaohua nearly fell to the floor. Big Sister, you’ve got to be kidding me! Couldn’t you have at least given me ten-tael notes?
