Wen Qingye returned home to find Zhang Xiaoyun nowhere in sight. He couldn't help but wonder, 'Where could she have gone?'
He then found a large wooden basin, filled it with hot water, and slowly added half a packet of medicinal herbs until the water in the tub had completely changed color. Only then did he nod in satisfaction.
Wen Qingye sighed. "My resources are limited, so I can only throw together a simple medicinal bath. Even though some of the herbs' properties won't be fully released, it can't be helped."
These were herbs he had refined through countless concoctions in his past life; they were the very essence. Gazing at the dark medicinal liquid, Wen Qingye removed his clothes and sat down.
The moment he stepped into the tub, a wave of heat washed over him. After he sat down, a pleasant warmth spread through his entire body, like a current flowing through his limbs and meridians.
He knew the medicinal effects were starting to kick in. He immediately sat cross-legged and began to circulate the Longevity Technique.
As the Longevity Technique circulated, Wen Qingye felt a stream of energy slowly surge from his Dantian, filling his meridians with a volatile current.
The medicinal bath amplified the effects, causing the Longevity Technique to absorb Spiritual Qi with even greater intensity.
BUBBLE! BUBBLE!
The water bubbled continuously, turning from dark to pitch-black. Black impurities began to seep out from Wen Qingye's skin.
Half an incense stick's time passed.
Wen Qingye slowly rose, drew another bucket of water, and washed himself clean.
'I'll save these herbs. They can be used one more time tomorrow,' Wen Qingye thought as he put the remaining half-packet away.
Wen Qingye stepped out of his room to find Zhang Xiaoyun still hadn't returned. A sense of anxiety creeping in, he headed out of the courtyard.
Not far from the courtyard, he saw several maids huddled together.
"Yun'Er is so pitiful. She may be a young miss in name, but she works harder than any of us maids."
"I know, right? I don't get why Steward Liu always gives her such a hard time."
"I heard she got married, didn't she? To the eldest young master of the Wen Family, no less. So how come..."
"The Wen Family's eldest young master? He's just an outcast from the Wen Family. He can barely protect himself, so how could he possibly protect Yun'Er?"
"It's so sad. She's still washing dishes, and she's been at it all day."
Wen Qingye's heart sank as he listened from the side. He walked up to the maids. "Where is Zhang Xiaoyun right now?"
The maids were stunned when a man approached them. One of the bolder ones asked, "And you are?"
"I am Wen Qingye."
The surrounding maids froze, then fell silent, suddenly feeling awkward as they recalled their recent conversation.
Wen Qingye addressed the bold maid before him. "Can you take me to Zhang Xiaoyun?"
"Oh, right. Okay," the maid said, nodding instinctively.
As the maid led Wen Qingye away, the others exchanged uneasy glances.
"Steward Liu is an expert at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer Heaven. Wen Qingye is walking to his death."
"We have to go watch!"
Several maids quickly followed after them.
The maid pointed to a side room not far ahead and said hesitantly, "Yun'Er is in there... I won't go in."
Wen Qingye nodded. "I understand. Thank you."
Without another word to the maid, he walked straight in. The moment he entered the side room, he heard some faint noises.
"You bitch! You can't even wash a plate without breaking it. What good are you?!"
CRACK!
"Ah!"
Wen Qingye heard Zhang Xiaoyun cry out and immediately rushed inside.
As soon as he was inside, he saw Zhang Xiaoyun standing there, trembling in fear. Four or five bloody welts marred her body, her eyes were filled with tears, and she clutched broken shards in her blood-soaked hands.
Standing next to Zhang Xiaoyun was a man holding a leather whip, its tip stained with blood. The man's face was filled with a Vengeful Spirit as he pointed menacingly at her.
This was Steward Liu of the Zhang Mansion.
Wen Qingye's fury erupted, especially upon seeing the blood on the whip. He could all too easily imagine it striking Zhang Xiaoyun's slender frame.
"Who are you?" the man demanded angrily upon seeing Wen Qingye enter.
Seeing Wen Qingye, Zhang Xiaoyun whispered, "Husband! Why are you here?"
Wen Qingye walked over to Zhang Xiaoyun. "Are you alright?"
Zhang Xiaoyun pleaded, "I'm fine, Husband. Please, just go back for now."
Steward Liu sneered. "So you're Wen Qingye. I was wondering who it could be."
Wen Qingye's eyes turned to ice. "You deserve to die."
Steward Liu roared with laughter. "Hahahaha! Wen Qingye, do you really think you're still part of the Wen Family? From what I hear, you wouldn't dare act so arrogantly even if you were!"
"I enjoy teaching this bitch Zhang Xiaoyun a lesson. What are you going to do about it?"
At those words, Wen Qingye stopped talking. He took a single step forward, and an overwhelming, sharp aura erupted from him. Like a fierce bull stampeding through the wild, he charged straight at his opponent.
"Bull Charge!"
A cold sneer curled Steward Liu's lips. With a flick of his wrist, the Nine-sectioned Whip in his hand shot out like a nimble snake, striking with a sinister chill.
CRACK!
Seeing the whip fly toward him, Wen Qingye's footwork shifted. He moved like a butterfly, deftly dancing away from the whip's shadow before launching a punch.
Steward Liu hadn't expected Wen Qingye's Body Technique to be so fast; in an instant, the young man was beside him. Suppressing his shock, Steward Liu met the attack with a punch of his own.
"Fierce Bull Rushing into the Wild!"
Wen Qingye threw his punch, its Fist Force surging with roiling Primordial Qi.
BOOM!
The air itself seemed to explode with the impact. The hiding maids turned pale with fright and involuntarily stumbled back several steps.
Both men were forced back four or five steps. Steadying himself, Steward Liu sneered, "Wen Qingye, eldest son of the Wen Family Patriarch. You do have a few tricks up your sleeve."
By now, many of the maids had secretly gathered to watch.
"Steward Liu really is fighting Wen Qingye."
"Steward Liu is the Second Young Master's personal steward. He's learned many of the Zhang Mansion's Martial Arts and is incredibly strong."
"I heard Wen Qingye is only at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer Heaven. How could he possibly be a match for Steward Liu?"
Steward Liu roared. The whip in his hand moved like a fire snake—sinister, vicious, and glinting with a sharp light. Red currents of air swirled around it, exuding a strange and dangerous aura.
"Fire Snake Frenzy Dance!"
A blast of Whip Qi surged toward Wen Qingye like a fire snake with a ferocious visage.
"Your whip technique is amateurish!"
Wen Qingye's footwork shifted again. To the onlookers, it was as if a graceful butterfly had taken flight, spreading its wings in midair, causing the fire snake to strike at empty air.
"Fierce Bull Emerges from the Cave!"
Wen Qingye leaped and threw out both fists. The crowd felt as though a giant, fierce bull had appeared before them, its massive horns thrusting upward with unstoppable force. The horns carried a dense Primordial Qi, their edges impossibly sharp.
BANG! BANG!
"Uwaah!"
Unable to dodge in time, Steward Liu took both of Wen Qingye's fists directly to the chest. His body slammed into the wall before collapsing.
Wen Qingye hooked the whip off the ground with his foot and walked over to Steward Liu.
Propping himself up with one arm, Steward Liu asked in terror, "Wen Qingye, what are you doing?"
CRACK!
"Aaargh!"
A fresh bloody welt appeared on Steward Liu's body. A shrill scream echoed through the room, making the maids hiding nearby shudder.
Steward Liu glared at Wen Qingye. "You dare to strike me? You actually dare to strike me?! Do you have any idea who I am?"
Wen Qingye put force into his right arm and lashed out again, completely ignoring Steward Liu's words.
"Aaargh!"
Wen Qingye's two strikes had split Steward Liu's flesh open, leaving him twitching on the ground.
Zhang Xiaoyun watched Wen Qingye from the side, her hands clasped tightly. For some reason, in that moment, her heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of security.