novel-bin 45, "One-line knife"
45, "One-line knife"
After taking a shower, Ren Qingshan packed up his old clothes and changed into the black shorts and vest he had just bought.
This type of clothing is one of the common garments for martial artists, and it is inexpensive, costing only thirty copper coins.
Liang Dachang, who had his own intention to curry favor with the group, smiled and suggested that they have dinner and drinks together next. He had already booked a table at Shili Xiang Restaurant to celebrate today, so the four of them went together.
After exchanging toasts and chatting about things in the county town, Liang Dachang suggested going to Jinyulou to relax after they had eaten and drunk their fill.
This was a popular social activity in ancient feudal society.
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaokang's face flushed red, and his instinct was to decline.
Jin Yu Lou is a den of iniquity. Every woman there is exceptionally beautiful and talented. You can't even get in without ten taels of silver. If you want to spend the night, the minimum is one hundred taels!
I am too poor to ferry the beautiful woman across.
But Guan Shanyue said calmly, "Brother Qingshan, what do you think? It's a joyous occasion today."
Ren Qingshan smiled and waved his hand: "It's inconvenient to bring my nephew along. Maybe next time, definitely next time."
Liang Dachang smiled and tried to persuade him a few more times, but seeing that Ren Qingshan still refused, he had no choice but to give up.
Ren Qingshan glanced at the table and saw that there were still many good dishes left. He told Xiao Kang to pack them up and take them away to avoid wasting food.
Seeing his unassuming nature, Liang Dachang and Guan Shanyue smiled and flattered him a few times before leaving.
……
"Sixth Uncle, why didn't you accept the money Liang Dachang offered you?"
As they walked toward the small courtyard they had previously rented in the outer city, Ren Yaokang asked softly.
When we parted, Liang Dachang insisted on seeing me off and stuffed a money bag into my hand. It was bulging with at least two hundred taels of silver, but Uncle Liu refused it with a smile.
He was both envious and puzzled.
"Of course I don't want it. Am I only worth two hundred taels of silver? Or am I only worth a meal at Jin Yu Lou?"
"Having a meal with him is me doing him a favor."
"And this little bit of money can't buy me any favors. If he asks me for help in the future, he won't even dare to ask for less than five hundred taels."
Ren Qingshan and his nephew were enjoying themselves, with Ren Qingshan putting his arm around Ren Qingshan's shoulder and passing on his knowledge.
Although I've never been an official, I'm still a man in my thirties, and I'm very adept at navigating social situations.
Ren Yaokang nodded silently, his eyes filled with admiration, and said with a smile, "It has to be my sixth uncle."
The uncle and nephew entered the courtyard.
Ren Yaohui was eating, a large bowl full of brown rice mixed with rice bran. Ren Qingshan frowned slightly but didn't say anything.
Ren Yaokang immediately boasted about his sixth uncle's achievements that day, and put down the food he had packed, saying that he was not full and wanted to eat some more with his third brother, carefully protecting his third brother's self-esteem.
Ren Yaohui suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and managed not to shed any more tears.
Having lost sixty-seven taels of silver from the family, how could I possibly have the face to ask my family for money again?
After being enlightened by Uncle Liu last time, her mentality never collapsed again. Even when she was eating chaff and wild vegetables, she still had confidence and hope for her future!
Hearing that his sixth uncle had already taken off, he was overjoyed.
……
The next day.
Early in the morning, both nephews had already left home, one to the martial arts school and the other to the government office.
Ren Qingshan practiced his fist and foot techniques in the courtyard, familiarizing himself with the circulation of internal energy.
After infusing true energy, every punch and kick possesses immense power, and the true energy can leave the body and be released to injure others, comparable to the Six Meridians Divine Sword.
After finishing the exercise, calm your mind and blood, and take a bath with cool water.
Clear water droplets clung evenly to the well-defined, full, and bulging muscles, making him look nothing like a thirty-five-year-old man, but rather like a man at the peak of his eighteenth year.
Ren Qingshan's eyes showed satisfaction, and his mood was even more pleasant.
At this time.
Suddenly, footsteps came from the alley entrance. The person was clearly a martial artist with a steady stance. Ren Qingshan quickly dressed.
Knock knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Upon opening the door, he saw Steward Li standing outside with a beaming smile: "Lord Ren, I apologize for disturbing you. I went to the yamen early this morning and found your nephew, only to learn that you live here."
Since he had already addressed him as "sir," he immediately explained the situation to avoid being misunderstood.
After all, tracking down the address of a top martial artist is quite offensive.
"We're all old friends, no need to be so polite. Did you need something?"
Ren Qingshan asked calmly.
"Yes, my wife sent me to invite you. This is a visiting card."
He handed over an exquisite visiting card, which exuded a faint fragrance. The card was written in delicate small characters, with words of congratulations and thanks for his help in Yushugou. Finally, he expressed his hope to meet with him when he had time.
That's quite sophisticated.
Ren Qingshan, of course, knew what the Lu family was after. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and asked, "I'm going to see the county magistrate after noon. Where is your wife? At Lu Family Manor?"
Steward Li had a sudden thought, and sure enough, Ren Qingshan had already caught Magistrate Fang's eye!
His smile grew even brighter: "Madam has come to the inner city today to inspect the business of several shops. My family is in the city, and we also have a house here."
"Then let's go."
"Don't waste your time."
Ren Qingshan nodded and said, but he didn't seem to care.
This trip will, of course, require a considerable sum of money.
Although he has made some progress in martial arts, he is still short of money.
Buying land aside, we also need to acquire some weapons, and the baby is expected to be born this summer... There are so many things to spend money on!
……
Sitting in the Lu family's carriage, the interior was filled with a subtle fragrance that permeated the air. After entering the inner city, we headed straight for the Lu family's residence.
The salt merchant's mansion was exquisitely decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, pavilions and towers, and every step revealed a new vista. It was also filled with maids and servants, exuding grandeur.
Steward Li greeted them warmly, ordered a servant to report, and led Ren Qingshan to the main hall.
Just as he sat down and brewed some tea, Jin Xiulan, supported by two maids, came out from the inner room and smiled with a rather elegant air, saying, "Lord Ren, it is an honor to have you here. I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner."
This is... Lu Qingyi's mother?
Like mother, like daughter. The mother and daughter look at least seven or eight points alike, both possessing top-tier beauty bone structure. However, the mother exudes a more mature and noble air, and her figure is more graceful.
Salt merchants really do enjoy the benefits!
Ren Qingshan exchanged a few pleasantries with her, then sat down and sipped his tea.
She dismissed the steward and maids, her eyes becoming more serious: "The method that Lord Ren instructed my daughter on yesterday was truly ingenious. If this succeeds, my Lu family will naturally gain the upper hand."
"However, my family has just found out the identities of those knife-wielding bandits in the past few days. They are a group of notorious strongmen who are based in the mountains east of the prefectural city. Their nickname in the martial arts world is 'One-Line Blade'."
"Their swordsmanship is astonishing; most of them kill with a single strike, and they move as fast as the wind."
Ren Qingshan knew she was asking about his quality, but he didn't prove anything. He simply picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly with a smile, "So you've come to invite me, haven't you?"
The implication is quite clear.
Your Lu family is no good.
But I can do it.
Jin Xiulan's eyes flickered slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
The other person's voice wasn't loud, but it conveyed a strong sense of confidence and determination.
Although his clothes were simple, he truly possessed an extraordinary air about him.
……
……