The Longxiang Army!
Hearing these three words, Shen Xiuhan's eyelids fluttered slightly.
Numerous clues quickly connected in his mind, and everything suddenly became clear.
So that was it...
He finally understood why Tian Erhu's younger brother, Tian Ping'an, was able to serve in the Longxiang Army, which was known as one of the five great armies of the Great Qi.
It was highly likely that he had joined the military through his connections with the Wang family.
And now, listening to the underlying meaning in Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting's words, they most likely valued his talent for reaching the Blood Tempering Rank in just sixteen days and wanted to pull him into the Zhendong Escort Agency with them.
They could then use it as a springboard to join the Longxiang Army together, fighting for a bright future that would bring honor and security to their families.
To others, this might be a broad, golden path.
But to Shen Xiuhan...
...not necessarily!
Because of Tian Ping'an.
This man was not only at the late stage of the Mingjin Rank, but also a Centurion in the Longxiang Army. Having been in the military for many years, there was no telling what kind of deep-rooted connections he had established.
Shen Xiuhan had killed Tian Erhu. Going into the man's territory now would be like walking straight into a trap, wouldn't it?
In times of chaos, survival was the top priority.
Although Tian Ping'an might not necessarily trace it back to him, Shen Xiuhan had absolutely no desire to take that risk.
Having made up his mind, he showed none of it on his face. Instead, he put on a thoughtful expression and spoke slowly:
“I am deeply grateful for your kind intentions, Senior Brothers. As men, we naturally want to go out and make a name for ourselves in the world. However, I am easygoing by nature and cannot bear the strict discipline of the military...”
This was a polite refusal.
Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting exchanged a look, a hint of disappointment flashing in their eyes.
But immediately after, Shen Xiuhan shifted the topic:
“I actually aspire to join a martial arts sect for bitter cultivation.”
“Coincidentally, a few days ago, I happened to hear a traveling expert in the streets mention a sect called the Diaohai Pavilion.”
“I heard that their methods are heaven-defying and that they have countless powerful cultivators. It sounds fascinating... Since you two have traveled far and wide, have you ever heard of this power?”
“Diaohai Pavilion?”
Hearing this, both of them frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
After a long while, Xiang Yunting shook his head slowly, a look of confusion in his eyes:
“Over the past few years, I've traveled all over with the escort agency. I know almost all the sects and gangs in Nanxiang Prefecture, big and small, as well as people from all walks of life, both righteous and chaotic. Yet, I've never heard of this Diaohai Pavilion you speak of.”
Xu Chuan also scratched his head:
“I haven't heard of it either, Junior Brother Shen. Could that traveling Daoist have just made up a name to trick you into buying him drinks?”
“No, it might not be made up.”
Xiang Yunting shook his head, his expression turning serious:
“Our Great Qi has nine provinces and thirty-six prefectures, spanning an incredibly vast territory. Nanxiang Prefecture is but a drop in the ocean on the map of the Qi State. It's highly possible that this Diaohai Pavilion is an organization from outside Cangzhou. Perhaps it is located in a distant province, or even a sacred martial arts ground in the imperial capital of the Great Qi...”
Listening to Xiang Yunting's words, Shen Xiuhan took a sip of his tea to conceal the trace of suspicion in his eyes.
They haven't heard of it?
It's far away in another province?
That... doesn't seem right, does it?
Reasoning logically, since the Diaohai Pavilion could send a core disciple deep into Cloudwater Lake, it should be a sect within Cangzhou, or at least not far from Nanxiang Prefecture. How could it be an out-of-province power?
However, after that core disciple died in Cloudwater Lake, his corpse had been left there for who knew how long.
If the intelligence hadn't pointed it out, it would probably have remained hidden forever...
Could it be that he really was from another province, traveling a long distance to seek opportunities, only to lose his life here?
Or perhaps... he had traveled with others, only to be murdered here in the end?
Doubts swirled in Shen Xiuhan's mind, but he showed none of it on his face.
Fortunately, this conversation successfully diverted the topic away from him joining the military.
Having been asked this, Xu Chuan and Xiang Yunting instead grew excited and eagerly chatted about when the Longxiang Army would come to Changyun County, guessing it would be sometime this year.
They also mentioned that a few years ago, a disciple from the Mei Family Martial Arts Hall had joined the Longxiang Army. He had supposedly made quite a name for himself by now, and they might be able to pull some strings through him when the time came.
Shen Xiuhan listened quietly, pouring tea for his two senior brothers from time to time.
...
In the evening, twilight descended.
The alley was dark and quiet, with only the occasional sound of a dog barking in the distance.
As Shen Xiuhan passed by Chen An's house, his footsteps paused.
A rusty iron lock hung from the wooden gate.
He peered through the fence.
Inside, the firewood, the water jar, and the miscellaneous household items in the courtyard had all been cleared away. The place was completely empty, showing that the occupants had left.
Returning to his own courtyard, before he could even ask, Madam Zheng, who had been busy in the kitchen, walked out carrying hot water.
“Dalang, your Auntie Li's family moved away today.”
“They left today?”
“Yes. I heard they rented a side room in a neighborhood near the West Market. Just the rent alone costs three taels of silver a year!”
Property prices in Changyun County were uneven; the closer one got to the wealthy district in the northern part of the city, the more expensive it became.
On the other hand, the neighborhoods around the East, South, and West Markets were noisy, so their rent and property values were naturally a notch lower.
Yet even so, it still cost three taels of silver a year.
For ordinary citizens, this was truly a massive sum of money.
Shen Xiuhan had also thought about moving into the Inner City, but he did not plan on renting.
He wanted to buy.
He didn't need to buy some massive multi-courtyard estate.
A small courtyard with a few rooms to shelter them from the wind and rain would be more than enough.
If conditions permitted, it would be best if it came with a small storefront facing the street.
Even if it was just a tiny space, it would allow Madam Zheng to set up a stall or open a small shop selling hot soup and meals.
Born at the bottom of society, even though she no longer had to work at the textile mill during this period, she was ultimately a hardworking person who couldn't bear to stay idle.
She managed the household, washed clothes, and cooked during the day. At night, she would sit on a low stool, continuously weaving fishing nets and baskets, hoping to exchange them for some money at the East Market when spring arrived to help support the family.
Several times, she had woven nets by the dim light of a bean-oil lamp late into the night, leaving her eyes bloodshot.
Shen Xiuhan had advised her against it, but though she agreed verbally, she would go right back to her old ways the next day.
If they had such a small shop, his mother would have a proper livelihood to pass the time and wouldn't push herself so hard.
Thus, after dinner, Shen Xiuhan voiced his thoughts about purchasing a residence in the Inner City.
“Buy a house?!”
Madam Zheng's hand trembled as she wiped the table. She looked at her son in disbelief.
“Yes.”
Shen Xiuhan said with a serious expression:
“Mother, the world is becoming more and more chaotic. If we move into the Inner City and settle down early, I won't have to worry about our safety and can focus on my martial arts.”
“But... but I heard the older women in the neighborhood say that buying a house in the Inner City is very expensive.”
Madam Zheng squeezed the rag tightly, her tone filled with worry:
“Even in the area near the West Market, any random house with a courtyard costs ten to twenty taels of silver. The remaining money we have at home... is probably far from enough.”
“You don't need to worry about the money, Mother. I'll find a way.”
Shen Xiuhan pulled Shen Momo, who had been eavesdropping with wide eyes, into his arms. He pinched her slightly chubby cheek and smiled comfortingly:
“I'll look for a job in the next few days to save up some money. When the time comes... I'll set up a storefront in front of the courtyard and open a small restaurant for you.”
“What restaurant...”
Madam Zheng's eyes welled with warmth, and she waved her hands repeatedly:
“As long as we have a house, I'll be at peace. When the time comes, we should save the money to find you a good match for marriage...”
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