Chapter 34: Purchasing a Cultivation Technique

"The plain-looking ones go for five or six taels of silver at most. The prettier ones range from a dozen to a hundred taels of silver. As for the exceptional ones—like virgins from prominent families or those with special skills—they’ll cost even more," Li Yuan explained to Xu Guang, putting on the air of an insider.

He talked a big game, but Xu Guang seemed to see a reflection of his past life in the man. Li Yuan was like one of those guys who could endlessly spout theories about women on the internet, but in reality, was just a shut-in who had never touched a woman—an absolute virgin.

Xu Guang gave perfunctory nods, occasionally humming in agreement.

Soon, the two arrived at their living quarters. Their military documents were marked with numbers, and the area was a sprawling expanse of shanty-like buildings, exceptionally crude and run-down.

Xu Guang’s document was marked ’136’. Since his assigned direction was different from Li Yuan’s, the two parted ways. He walked alone to Yard 136. Near it stood a structure resembling a guardhouse, from which an old man emerged.

"Newcomer?"

Xu Guang hastily cupped his fists. "Yes, I was assigned to Yard 136."

Hearing this, the old man shot Xu Guang a surprised and somewhat peculiar look. However, he didn’t say much. He simply took Xu Guang’s document, scrutinized it to ensure there were no mistakes, and tossed him a set of keys.

"These are the keys to Yard 136. You can change the locks yourself, and you’re allowed to move your family in."

Xu Guang quickly bowed. "Thank you for the information, sir."

The old man waved his hand casually, saying no more, and walked back the way he came.

Xu Guang headed toward Yard 136. When he pushed the door open, even though he had mentally prepared himself for harsh conditions, he still couldn’t believe his eyes. He wondered why it was so incredibly dilapidated.

The run-down little yard was only about fifty square meters. The two small brick-and-tile rooms looked exceedingly shabby, likely only good for blocking the wind; they would probably leak in the rain.

Xu Guang silently cursed Feiyun City. To provide such derelict housing for military soldiers was truly stingy.

However, the overall environment of the Inner City was stable. The chaos of the Outer City made Xu Guang unwilling to let Mrs. Xu and Ji Xiaolu live in fear, so he gritted his teeth and accepted it. Although the living conditions were poor, it ultimately gave him a greater sense of security.

When he returned home, Ji Xiaolu was washing clothes. He nudged aside the tamed, dog-like Little Black Tiger with his foot and hugged her from behind.

Ji Xiaolu let out a startled shriek, which prompted Mrs. Xu to open the door, holding a broom. "Lu, what’s wrong?"

Turning around, she saw an awkward Xu Guang. Mrs. Xu glared at him and went back inside.

Ji Xiaolu’s face flushed bright red as she coquettishly scolded him. "Brother Guang, what are you doing? It’s broad daylight, you startled me."

Xu Guang picked her up. Her slender body weighed less than a hundred catties, making it effortless to spin her around in the air. He told her that he had joined the army, received his military documents, and that their family would soon be moving to the Inner City.

Hearing this, Ji Xiaolu didn’t look happy. Instead, her face filled with worry. "Brother Guang, our life is good enough already. Can you not join the army? I don’t want to be... so far away from you."

Xu Guang rubbed her head. "I know what I’m doing. When we tell my mother later, help me convince her."

Ji Xiaolu was very obedient. Although she was reluctant, Xu Guang had spoken. In her simple value system, her husband was her sky, her everything.

"Okay."

Seeing that her spirits were still low, Xu Guang simply picked her up and carried her into the house. In the somewhat dim space, he pulled off the white cloth wrapped around his forehead.

The sight of his half-open third eye instantly left Ji Xiaolu stunned.

"Brother Guang... you..."

Although Ji Xiaolu also came from a commoner background, she had broadened her horizons during her arduous flight as a refugee. Only one explanation existed for someone as different from ordinary folk as Xu Guang—he was one of the Abnormal People!

Xu Guang chuckled softly, pinching her smooth cheek. "Your husband is one of the Abnormal People. Joining the army might be difficult for normal folks, but for me, it’s an opportunity. I will make sure you and my mother live a good life. When the time comes, I’ll even hire a few maids to serve you."

Ji Xiaolu had heard many legends about the Abnormal People and knew how powerful they were. Her worries eased a little.

Having experienced the warmth of a woman, Xu Guang had learned a few ways to coax one. He changed the subject and began describing the scenery of the Inner City.

"Don’t worry. Once we move to the Inner City, you can take my mother out for walks. I’ve heard the night markets there are very bustling. Plus, with the Three Guards suppressing the city, there won’t be any thugs daring to act out easily.

"Although I joined the army, I’m among the Mercenaries. I only need to take missions on time. The rest of the time, I’ll be at home keeping you company.

"When the time comes, I’ll show you what I’m truly capable of. From then on, you can spend your days touring scenic spots and enjoying the delicacies of the Inner City. We’ll have a few sons together..."

Imagining the future Xu Guang described, Ji Xiaolu couldn’t help but fall into a state of intoxication, somewhat forgetting the dangers of him joining the army.

Suddenly, she spoke up, "I can do the chores, so Brother Guang shouldn’t hire any maids..."

Her tone was shy, carrying an indescribable hint of underlying meaning.

Although Xu Guang didn’t entirely understand, he naturally agreed to such a trivial matter; he just cared about Ji Xiaolu’s well-being. "I just want you to do less work. Since Lu says no to maids, then we won’t hire any."

At noon, the couple went to find Mrs. Xu and told her about Xu Guang’s decision.

It was obvious that since Xu Guang started practicing Martial Arts, Mrs. Xu had stopped trying to rein him in. She knew he was a man of his own mind, so despite her worried expression, she agreed.

They didn’t have many belongings. With the help of Wang Ming, they borrowed a carriage from the Government Office and took only one trip to move everything to Yard 136. Of course, it wasn’t a passenger carriage. After all, as commoners, the Xu family was not permitted to ride in carriages within Feiyun City.

Once the chores were finished, Wang Ming spoke with a sigh, "Erlang, you’re a man with a ruthless streak."

Xu Guang smiled and shook his head. "Wang Ming, I heard some people from your Government Office also live in this area. Why don’t you move your family over too? Wen is currently attending a private school, and the teachers in the Inner City are always more knowledgeable than those in the Outer City."

Hearing this, Wang Ming looked thoughtful. He lived in the Outer City simply because he didn’t want to be too close to the arrogant main bloodline of the Wang Clan. However, in these chaotic times, the Inner City was indeed much safer.

Turning around, Xu Guang saw Ji Xiaolu looking rather forlornly toward the direction of their old house in the Outer City’s Ping’an Square. He squeezed her soft fingers. "What’s wrong? Are you reluctant to move?"

Ji Xiaolu shook her head, wrapping both arms tightly around Xu Guang’s arm. "Wherever Brother Guang is, that is my home."

When night fell, Xu Guang returned to the original small yard alone. He dug out the money he had obtained from the Fierce Tiger Gang from a corner of the wall and headed to the black market. He planned to buy more Secret Manuals and use his Searcher to correct all of them for his Cultivation.

The black market didn’t have much else in abundance, but after spending one Large Blade Coin to enter the inner market, the number of people selling various Martial Arts Secret Manuals noticeably increased.

"Great Strength Divine Skill, giving you the strength of nine bulls!"

"Vajra Unbreakable Skill, making you invulnerable to blades and spears upon mastery! It includes the creation method for the Secret Medicine!"

The constant shouts of the peddlers did not disappoint Xu Guang. He spent all his excess Gold, planning to save the remaining silver to pay for the blacksmith’s fees later.

After a massive shopping spree, he procured three Cultivation Techniques that went all the way up to Refining Viscera. Xu Guang was very satisfied. Knowing that he had already been targeted, he didn’t retreat; instead, he used his Blood Eye to closely observe the two or three people tailing him. Most of them were Martial Artists with Skin Grinding Cultivation.

He wondered what gave them such courage.

In a certain alleyway, Xu Guang walked out, his clothes spotless and his face glowing with health.

No one knew that three corpses had been left behind in the alley.

Early the next morning, the sky was just turning bright.

Ji Xiaolu rose from Xu Guang’s embrace. Her soft, delicate body rubbed against him, bringing a suggestive wave of heat that caused Xu Guang’s internal fire to surge.

She let out a lazy yawn. As if teasing him, she breathed hot air into his ear with a mischievous expression. "Husband, it’s time to get up. I’ll go fetch some hot water for you."

Xu Guang patted her head, feeling very satisfied with how she addressed him.

"Don’t go to so much trouble. I’ll be leaving the city with my unit soon. I’ll be gone for two or three days at the fastest, or three to five days at the slowest. Take good care of my mother."

"Mhm."

Having just moved into their new home, Ji Xiaolu wasn’t familiar with anything yet. Besides, yesterday’s move had been tiring, so he wanted to let her sleep a little longer.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Brother Xu, are you awake?"

It was Li Yuan’s voice. Today, they were heading out of the city together to complete their first mission as Mercenaries.

Interrupted during a tender moment with his wife, Xu Guang felt a flash of annoyance. Nonetheless, he quickly got out of bed, put on his clothes, and walked out.

"Lu, don’t get up. Sleep a little longer. I’m leaving now. Tell my mother later so she won’t worry."

Pausing for a moment, Xu Guang spoke with a mix of tenderness and tension. "Remember this: after I leave, if any outsiders try to bully you, don’t argue with them. Give them whatever they want, and just wait for me to return."

Her eyes misty with sleep, Ji Xiaolu nodded.

He had left some money to buy food for the Little Black Tiger. Of course, this usually just meant the offal that the butcher shops threw away.

Although grain was tight, the butcher shops in the Inner City still operated normally. Especially recently, they had begun supplying fish meat, which counted as another food source. Times were undoubtedly hard, but at least people wouldn’t starve to death.

The little creature was just a small breed of tiger, slightly larger than a leopard when fully grown, but with a temperament closer to that of a dog. It was extremely loyal to humans, making it an excellent choice for guarding the house. Xu Guang was more than happy to keep it around, especially since Ji Xiaolu seemed so fond of it.

His biggest worry was actually the people behind that female among the Abnormal People. However, since he had already moved, there shouldn’t be any trouble in the short term.