Covered in dust and looking utterly miserable, Gao Chuwu was quickly helped aside by Zheng Daniu and lowered beneath the shade of a large tree.
Not far away, Xing Honglang was busy trading with the villagers. Laughter and excitement filled the air, but Gao Chuwu sat apart from it all, head lowered, completely dejected.
"Daniu," he muttered, his voice heavy with frustration. "I'm too weak."
Zheng Daniu gave his shoulder a firm pat. "We're about the same, brother. If you're weak, then so am I."
Gao Chuwu let out a bitter sigh.
"I always thought I was the strongest fighter in Gao Family Village. I thought I was formidable. I never imagined that women outside the village could be this strong..."
Zheng Daniu spread his hands helplessly.
"I didn't expect it either."
At that moment, Cheng Xu walked up and stopped in front of them.
"Do you know why you lost?"
Gao Chuwu slowly shook his head.
Cheng Xu spoke calmly, his tone steady and instructive.
"The martial art she used is called Hong Fist. It dates back to the Zhou and Qin dynasties, rose to prominence during the Tang and Song, and has since spread widely throughout the realm. Over time, it has developed into many different branches. The version she used is Jin Hong Fist, a Shanxi branch known for its power."
He paused, then added bluntly,
"As for your crude village techniques, they're not even worthy of polishing Jin Hong Fist's shoes. Losing was inevitable."
Gao Chuwu looked up at him, grievance flickering in his eyes.
"Instructor He... you said you'd teach me martial arts. But these past few days, you've only made me practice formations. You haven't taught me a single move."
Cheng Xu chuckled softly.
"Feeling wronged?"
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Good. A little resentment will make you train harder."
Then he leaned forward slightly.
"Do you want to defeat her?"
Gao Chuwu's eyes lit up with determination.
"Yes."
Cheng Xu smiled.
"Hong Fist is indeed powerful, but Jin Hong Fist is not its strongest branch. The true pinnacle lies in Guanzhong Hong Fist from Shaanxi."
He tapped his chest lightly.
"And it just so happens that I know Guanzhong Hong Fist."
His smile deepened.
"Do you want to learn it?"
Joy exploded across Gao Chuwu's face.
"Yes! I want to learn!"
Zheng Daniu immediately chimed in.
"I want to learn too!"
Cheng Xu nodded.
"Then come with me. We'll take the militia to Zhengjia Village. We'll avoid everyone's attention and train in secret. When the time comes, you'll all return stronger and surprise them."
The militia quickly reassembled, forming a long single-file line resembling a winding snake as they ran toward Zhengjia Village.
Watching from above, Li Daoxuan chuckled inwardly.
Excellent. Now they have motivation. With that drive, they'll grow stronger and protect my villagers.
Then his attention shifted.
He noticed someone standing still among the road construction crew.
It was the new refugee who called himself Flat Rabbit.
Flat Rabbit had stopped working. He stood frozen, staring toward the place where Gao Chuwu and Xing Honglang had fought. His eyes were filled with longing.
Li Daoxuan zoomed in for a closer look.
Flat Rabbit's face was full of envy.
"So those who train really are different. If only I could become that strong..."
Smack!
The road crew leader struck him lightly on the back of the head.
"New guy. Stop slacking off or you won't get paid."
"Ow!"
Flat Rabbit flinched and hurriedly turned back to his work.
"I'm working, I'm working!"
Gradually, the crowd began to disperse.
The villagers who had been gossiping about the "romance" lost interest and returned to their homes, leaving behind only those who wished to trade with Xing Honglang.
Xing Honglang sheathed her waist saber and secured it at her belt. Her gaze drifted toward the distance, where Gao Chuwu was disappearing with the militia.
She let out a quiet snort.
Her left hand rubbed the knuckles of her right fist.
It still hurt.
That brute's physique was terrifying. Even though she had won, striking him had left her own hand aching. His techniques had been crude, but if he ever learned proper martial arts...
Her expression darkened slightly.
Damn it. Men truly have a natural advantage in physical strength. I've trained relentlessly, yet in pure physical power, I still fall short of a truly strong man.
Just then, she saw Gao Yiye approaching with a gentle smile.
Xing Honglang immediately perked up.
"Are you the leader of this village?"
Gao Yiye quickly shook her head.
"Oh no. I'm not the leader. I'm just an ordinary girl."
Before she could say anything further, a villager approached respectfully.
"Saintess, we're making braised pork tonight. We'll prepare an extra bowl and bring it to you later."
Gao Yiye waved her hands modestly.
"Oh, you really don't have to—"
The villager laughed.
"Our good fortune today was all granted by the Tianzun. And you are the Tianzun's Saintess. Respecting you is the same as respecting the Tianzun."
With that, he left cheerfully.
Gao Yiye stood there awkwardly before turning back to Xing Honglang.
"Ahem..."
Xing Honglang narrowed her eyes slightly.
"So the Tianzun is the true leader here?"
She studied Gao Yiye carefully.
"And you're his woman?"
Gao Yiye's face instantly turned crimson, red all the way to her ears.
His woman?
She just said it so directly...
Her heart pounded.
This woman really has no restraint... but somehow... hearing it said like that...
It made her strangely happy.
Meanwhile, Xing Honglang was drawing her own conclusions.
So I was right. This Tianzun must be some kind of charlatan, and this girl is his woman. This village isn't as simple as it looks. They're probably engaged in shady dealings, just like me.
She smiled faintly.
"Saintess, what does the Tianzun want with me?"
Gao Yiye straightened slightly.
"The Tianzun asked me to speak with you, Miss Xing."
Xing Honglang nodded.
"I'm listening."
Gao Yiye spoke calmly.
"The Tianzun said that the great drought has devastated the land. The people are suffering, and bandits have risen everywhere. Trade routes have collapsed, and goods can no longer circulate properly."
She looked at Xing Honglang with sincere admiration.
"Yet despite the chaos, you continue traveling far and wide, conducting trade. That is truly remarkable."
Xing Honglang smiled inwardly.
Flattery first. As expected. They want something from me.
"Speak plainly," she said.
Gao Yiye continued.
"The Tianzun said that every time you visit, Gao Family Village prospers. He hopes you will come more often and purchase more goods from the villagers."
Xing Honglang understood immediately.
So he wants a stable merchant partner.
That wasn't unusual.
Her former salt supplier had done the same.
But still...
Why me?
Why would I return here regularly?
There must be something in it for him.
Just as she was pondering, Gao Yiye spoke again, her lips curving slightly.
"The Tianzun also said that for every purchase you make, he will privately give you an additional ten percent."
Xing Honglang froze.
"...Ten percent?"
Gao Yiye nodded.
"If you purchase one hundred jin of sugar, the Tianzun will give you an additional ten jin."
For a moment, Xing Honglang couldn't process what she had heard.
Then realization struck.
Joy surged through her.
The goods here were already cheap. But now, he was offering an additional ten percent for free.
This was no different from money falling from the sky.
But her excitement quickly gave way to suspicion.
Why?
Why would the Tianzun do this?
What benefit did he gain from her buying goods here?
He was sacrificing profit just to ensure her return.
What was his true objective?