Chapter 5

In the early morning, the eastern sky was illuminated by the red glow of dawn.

Under the old tree, Zhao Yun finally awoke, took a deep breath, and stretched his body vigorously, hearing the cracking sounds from within. After a night of body cultivation, his realm had stabilized.

Unconsciously, he glanced at the Moon Goddess.

This glance revealed a peculiar expression. The woman was sleeping soundly, but her posture was far from graceful—she was sprawled out, one arm and one leg dangling down, devoid of any feminine reserve. Her once perfect image was completely ruined by this posture.

"Xiu'er?"

For some reason, Zhao Yun instinctively called out this name.

The Moon Goddess slowly opened her eyes and glanced at Zhao Yun, "Are you calling me, little boy?"

"Senior, could you teach me a powerful combat technique?"

The quick-witted Zhao Yun quickly changed the subject, rubbing his hands and chuckling.

The Moon Goddess got up and yawned.

"Preferably a domineering one, the kind that can shatter a mountain with a single palm."

Zhao Yun continued, quite animated, and even gestured with his hands.

"You must be out of your mind."

"What do you mean?"

"A domineering combat technique requires a domineering expenditure of energy." The Moon Goddess stretched, "With your small frame and low cultivation, you would instantly be drained to a dry corpse. Forcing it would be no different from suicide. Without a matching foundation, even if you were given a divine technique, you wouldn't be able to use it."

"Got it." Zhao Yun laughed awkwardly.

"At this stage, the Muscle Transformation Classic is sufficient. Solidifying your foundation is the most important." The Moon Goddess said slowly, "A strong foundation means that even an ordinary palm can shatter the heavens. The path of cultivation is long, and there are no shortcuts. At your current level, don't belittle yourself."

"Thank you, Xiu'er... um... Senior."

"You are teachable." The Moon Goddess yawned and leaned back on the moon, her posture still very appealing.

Is this a deity?

Zhao Yun scratched his chin, really wanting to draw the Moon Goddess to make her see herself.

"Zhao Yun."

Suddenly, a timid and clear voice called out from the room, it was Liu Ruxin.

Zhao Yun focused and slowly approached.

Before entering the room, he peeked through the door crack and saw Liu Ruxin.

She had already gotten out of bed and was kneeling on the ground, feeling around with her small hands, as if searching for something.

What is she looking for? Food.

The floor was littered with food.

Indeed, he had overturned the table in a fit of rage last night, scattering the tea and snacks all over the floor.

The girl must have been very hungry, and she was desperately shoving a piece of cake into her mouth.

Whether it was out of pity or because the scene was heart-wrenching, Zhao Yun felt a pang of pain in his heart.

Perhaps, this was how Liu Ruxin lived in the Liu family.

He even suspected that the Liu family hadn't given her a proper meal before she was married.

Creak!

He finally pushed open the door.

Liu Ruxin was terrified, quickly getting up and trembling, her dirty little hands still holding half a piece of cake covered in dust. If she hadn't tasted it, she wouldn't have known how delicious it was.

"Wash up and go pay respects to your father."

Zhao Yun spoke calmly, brought a wooden basin, and gently wiped the tears from Liu Ruxin's face. Then he took her to the dressing table, removed her jade hairpin, and combed her long hair.

Looking at Liu Ruxin in the mirror, he laughed again.

This was the first time he had combed a woman's hair and the first time he had carefully observed his wife. Liu Ruxin was a year younger than him, though blind, her face was delicate. She wasn't a beauty that could topple a kingdom, but she was definitely a promising beauty. Due to chronic malnutrition, she looked quite pale and thin.

Liu Ruxin felt like sitting on pins and needles.

Growing up, apart from her mother, no one had ever combed her hair.

"I can be a maid."

Liu Ruxin said timidly, as a blind girl, she felt she didn't deserve to be the young master's wife.

"This is the Zhao family, and you are my wife."

Zhao Yun said calmly, making the little girl's heart flutter.

After speaking, Zhao Yun left the room.

Immediately, he heard the sound of water being splashed. After a night of cultivation, his body was covered in grime, and a basin of cold water was poured over him from head to toe.

After washing up, he took Liu Ruxin out of the small garden.

In the early morning, the Zhao family was bustling with activity, with maids and servants coming and going. When they saw Zhao Yun and Liu Ruxin, they all showed a look of surprise. The events of last night had spread throughout the city, and they couldn't have been unaware.

They had expected Zhao Yun to drive Liu Ruxin away.

Who would have thought she was still in the Zhao family.

Whispers and pointing were inevitable.

Zhao Yun ignored them.

As they passed the training ground, they could hear shouts, as the Zhao family's disciples were practicing their martial arts. A man in black was wielding a whip, barking orders, looking like a very strict teacher.

"Stop."

Seeing Zhao Yun, the shouting stopped.

Before he could speak, a young man in purple leaped over the railing and blocked their path. It was the second son of the third elder, Zhao Kang, who was known for his arrogance and tyranny.

"Is there something you want?"

Zhao Yun said calmly, while Liu Ruxin hid behind him.

"Why haven't you driven her away?" Zhao Kang shouted, referring to Liu Ruxin.

"Why should I drive her away?"

"She is from the Liu family."

"She is also my wife."

"Wow, you're quite bold today!" Zhao Kang exclaimed, "Do you really think you're the young master? The elders' meeting last night has already stripped you of your title, and you still dare to show me a sour face."

"Fourth Young Master, are you idle? Go back to practice."

Before Zhao Yun could retort, the Zhao family's instructor shouted, making Zhao Kang shudder.

"A cripple and a blind girl, a perfect match."

Even as he left, Zhao Kang couldn't resist a final taunt, laughing wildly.

Jerk!

Zhao Yun walked away, and if it weren't for the instructor's intervention, he would have beaten Zhao Kang up. At the Sixth Level of the Condensation Realm, Zhao Kang was nothing to him. Even with a three-level difference, he could still make Zhao Kang cry. Before his meridians were severed, he was a genuine True Spirit Realm cultivator, and his combat skills were far superior to Zhao Kang's. Now, although his realm wasn't as high, his mental state was something Zhao Kang couldn't match.

As for the loss of his title, it was expected.

Although his father was the head of the family, he didn't have absolute power, and everything had to be decided by the elders' council.

As they spoke, they arrived at a pavilion.

Inside, Zhao Yuan was already there. Seeing Zhao Yun and Liu Ruxin enter, he sighed. He knew his son well; he was always clear about right and wrong. The one who caused trouble was Liu Ruyue, and he would never blame Liu Ruxin.

"Father."

Zhao Yun stepped forward and knelt down, and Liu Ruxin followed, burying her head.

"Stand up and speak."

Zhao Yuan smiled warmly, unlike the harsh tone of the elders. Since Zhao Yun had made the decision, he would unconditionally support it. Since Zhao Yun recognized Liu Ruxin as his wife, he would also recognize her as his daughter-in-law.

"Yu'er, take the young lady to the back hall for a meal."

"Okay."

A young maid came forward, gently helping Liu Ruxin to the back hall.

"Let's have a drink."

Zhao Yuan smiled, pulling Zhao Yun to a table already set up behind the screen.

"Father must have something to say to me."

Zhao Yun filled a cup for Zhao Yuan.

"Last night, the elders' meeting stripped you of your title as young master." Zhao Yuan sighed.

"I was prepared for this." Zhao Yun smiled.

"Father did his best." Zhao Yuan's words revealed his age.

"Who is the new young master?"

"In three months, there will be a competition. The winner will be the new young master."

"Alright, that's good."

"Tomorrow, go to the armory. It will be a good way to clear your mind." Zhao Yuan smiled warmly.

"As you wish, Father." Zhao Yun smiled.

The armory was a business of the Zhao family in the city, selling weapons.

Although his father spoke subtly, Zhao Yun understood the meaning.

According to the elders' council, the Zhao family did not support idlers. Even a deposed young master must work and contribute to the family. This had always been the practice of the Zhao family.

Not just the Zhao family, but other families as well.

Disciples with poor potential and no bright future were sent out to manage the family's businesses. In a good light, they were managers; in a bad light, they were exiled. Even if they did well and earned a mountain of gold for the family, they would never be part of the family's power center.

If it weren't for his father's protection, he would have been sent away long ago.

Going out might be a good thing, a chance to live a carefree life.

Zhao Yun was open-minded; this way, he could focus on cultivation.

As for his secret, he didn't reveal it.

In three months, he would give his father a big surprise.

What was his, he would take back.

"Yun'er, the road of life is long. Don't take it to heart. As long as you have a clear conscience, that's all that matters." Zhao Yuan smiled warmly, sending Zhao Yun out of the family was for his own good. The family seemed peaceful, but it was actually full of hidden dangers.

"I understand, Father."

Zhao Yun smiled and filled another cup for Zhao Yuan, then started eating heartily, having been hungry after a night of cultivation. He was sure that his appetite would only grow more astonishing in the future.

Zhao Yuan wanted to say more but held back, feeling that Zhao Yun was using eating to hide his inner bitterness.

After the meal, a small garden was prepared for Liu Ruxin to live in. Zhao Yuan was very considerate, sending two young maids to take care of her, as Zhao Yun would be away and couldn't often return home.

The blind bride felt very uncomfortable.

In the Liu family, she was treated worse than