Chapter 15

Today is the great day of our book club member apple5555555@Chen Min. We have known each other for many years, and upon hearing the good news, I am extremely delighted. I specially dedicate this chapter to congratulate him, wishing him a happy marriage and an early arrival of a precious child. Congratulations!

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Returning to the small village, it was just past noon.

Yang Shouwen walked through the courtyard gate and saw You Niang sitting on the porch outside the main hall, her hands clasping her chin, lost in thought.

In the past, when Yang Shouwen returned, You Niang would always come to greet him.

But today, she ignored him, as if she hadn't seen him at all. She twisted her small body and pouted, seemingly angry with someone. Yang's wife was busy at the kitchen door. Seeing Yang Shouwen, she let out a gentle sigh and smiled at him, saying, "Big Brother has returned, please wait a moment, lunch will be ready soon."

"Auntie, I've told you not to call me Big Brother."

Yesterday, he finally managed to convince Old Hu, but he didn't expect there would be someone like this at home.

Every time he heard the words "Big Brother," Yang Shouwen felt uncomfortable, as if his whole body became uneasy.

Yang's wife smiled and said, "I did forget about that. I'll be more careful in the future."

Calling him "Big Brother" for over a decade, it wasn't easy to change suddenly.

Yang Shouwen leaned his spear against the porch pillar, walked to You Niang's side, and squatted down, grinning, "What's wrong, You Niang? Who bullied you? Tell Brother Nizi, and I'll get revenge for you... Look, look, that little mouth could hang an oil gourd."

"Brother Nizi is bad!"

"What?"

You Niang pouted, her big, watery eyes brimming with tears.

"Brother Nizi didn't tell You Niang when he went out. You Niang has been worried since morning. Brother Nizi is the worst."

Yang Shouwen felt a warm feeling in his heart and sat down, hugging You Niang in his arms.

"You Niang, don't be angry. Brother Nizi went out to do something. In the future, I'll definitely tell You Niang so you won't worry."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

Yang Shouwen said, extending his little finger, "Come, let's make a pinky promise."

"Cross my heart and hope to die, a hundred years I won't change."

You Niang said in her childish voice, her tense little face breaking into a radiant smile.

"You Niang knew you went out last night and waited for you here."

Yang's wife finished her chores, stood up, and wiped her hands on the floral apron at her waist. "Nizi, don't take such risks in the future. The mountain paths are difficult, and there's heavy fog. If anything happens, both I and You Niang will worry."

Her words were gentle and calm, but they carried deep concern.

No wonder, after living together for ten years, Yang's wife had long considered Yang Shouwen part of the family.

Yang Shouwen quickly apologized, "Auntie, don't worry. I'll be more careful in the future."

He decided not to tell Yang's wife and You Niang about his encounter at Little Maitreya Temple last night. If they knew he was attacked and had to kill someone, they would worry even more, and there would be endless nagging.

The feeling of home is truly wonderful!

After a tense night, returning home made him feel much more relaxed.

Yang Shouwen had lunch and then led two oxen out, with You Niang following like a little tail. He picked her up and let her ride on the ox's back, which made her laugh happily.

It was the same stream and the same hill as before.

The two oxen walked familiarly along the stream, while Yang Shouwen lay on the hill. The warm autumn afternoon sun shone on him, making him feel very comfortable. You Niang lay on the grass beside him, and together they looked up at the blue sky, seeing the clouds drift by. The wind from the mountains was gentle and soothing, and Yang Shouwen gradually felt drowsy.

He hadn't slept all night and was quite tired.

Previously, he had been tense, but now, with a full stomach and basking in the sun, the gentle breeze made him unable to stay awake.

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It was still the same majestic palace, magnificent and beautiful.

It was still a sea of fire, with palace maids, concubines, and eunuchs running about in panic.

Shouts of battle echoed, now far, now near. The woman with an indistinct face appeared again in Yang Shouwen's line of sight, calling out "Prince Consort" and stumbling toward him... Behind her, a young man with a sword suddenly appeared.

Yang Shouwen suddenly opened his eyes, breathing heavily.

"Brother Nizi, what's wrong?"

You Niang's gentle voice sounded in his ear, bringing him back to his senses.

He turned his head and saw You Niang, her face full of worry, sitting beside him.

"You Niang, don't worry. I just had a nightmare."

"Nightmares are the worst. You Niang has had nightmares too."

You Niang's tone carried a hint of anger, but the smile on her face suggested she was happy because she and Yang Shouwen had both had nightmares.

"You Niang, what did you dream about?"

You Niang was taken aback, suddenly looking lost, and softly said, "You Niang dreamed that Brother Nizi didn't want You Niang anymore. You Niang kept calling out to Brother Nizi, but he ignored her and just kept walking... You Niang chased and chased, but Brother Nizi kept getting farther away. Then, then You Niang fell, and Brother Nizi didn't come to help... sniff, sniff!"

As she spoke, she began to cry, tears streaming down her face.

The sight of her made Yang Shouwen's heart ache, and he quickly hugged her, saying softly, "You Niang, don't cry. How could Brother Nizi ignore you... Dreams are the opposite. Brother Nizi won't ignore you and will always protect you."

"But, but..."

You Niang sobbed, trying to say something.

Yang Shouwen held her tightly, saying softly, "You Niang, don't worry. No one in this world can stop Brother Nizi from protecting you. If anyone dares to bully you, Brother Nizi won't forgive them. Don't worry, Brother Nizi is always by your side."

"Forever?"

"Yes, forever."

You Niang's face broke into a smile.

Her tear-streaked face was heartbreakingly adorable.

Yang Shouwen's eyes twinkled, and he stood up, looking around.

Not far away, there was a patch of blooming wildflowers. He ran over, picked the flowers, and quickly made a flower wreath, then ran back and placed it on You Niang's head.

"Look, You Niang is so beautiful, more beautiful than these flowers. How could Brother Nizi ignore you?"

Hearing these words, You Niang immediately smiled.

In the sunlight, her smile was absolutely beautiful, making even the flower wreath seem dull in comparison...

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Night was approaching.

You Niang, who had been running around with Yang Shouwen all afternoon, was tired. After dinner, she went to bed early.

Yang's wife was tidying up the kitchen, while Yang Shouwen stood alone in the front yard, holding his spear. Bathed in the moonlight, he suddenly began to wield his spear. The large tiger-swallowing spear in his hands became exceptionally light and agile, as if it had come to life.

Yang Shouwen's grandfather was once a fierce general who later retired to live below Wudang Mountain.

He had studied Daoism on Wudang Mountain and learned the Golden Toad Guiding Technique, which he passed on to Yang Shouwen. It is said that this technique was created by a Daoist on Wudang Mountain who, by chance, observed a golden toad swallowing the moon and thus created this guiding and breathing technique.

The Yang family's Nine-Linked Spear technique is extremely fierce and powerful.

However, because the spear technique is too fierce and carries a heavy killing aura, it can cause many hidden injuries, making it difficult to live a long life. The Golden Toad Guiding Technique can neutralize this fierce power. In Yang Shouwen's view, the so-called Golden Toad Guiding Technique is essentially an internal breathing technique from the future. Over the past seventeen years, he had been practicing the Golden Toad Guiding Technique and the Nine-Linked Spear technique under Yang Dafang's supervision, making the originally fierce spear technique more flexible and ruthless.

"Excellent spear technique!"

Just as Yang Shouwen was immersed in his spear technique, he suddenly heard a voice of praise.

He quickly stopped and held his spear in front of him, looking to see two people standing at the courtyard gate: one was Yang Chenglie, and the other was a burly man.

The burly man was not unfamiliar to Yang Shouwen.

In fact, he had already seen him earlier at Little Maitreya Temple. He was Yang Chenglie's assistant, the head of the Changping County constabulary, Guan Hu.

Guan Hu was about 175 centimeters tall, with a sturdy and robust build, a full beard, and a somewhat fierce appearance.

Yang Chenglie's eyes also showed admiration, but his face remained calm, seemingly indifferent to Yang Shouwen's spear technique.

"Why didn't you inform us in advance, Master? There's no food left on the fire."

Yang's wife hurried over, her face showing alarm.