Chapter 22: Loose Lips

Situ Ping responded, "Compared to a small gang like our Evil Tiger Gang, there's a world of difference."

Wan Chengjiu said, "Then how about I let our Elder Yunfeng take you as a disciple? From then on, we will be one family. The Evil Tiger Gang and the Ten Thousand Sword Peak will live in harmony. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Situ Ping's face showed joy, but she felt bitter inside. If such an opportunity had suddenly arisen in the past, she would have been overjoyed and would have accepted without hesitation. Now, however, she thought more deeply. By getting involved in the highly confidential affairs of the Ten Thousand Sword Peak, the peak would naturally not let her easily leak any information. But Wan Chengjiu's blatant act of taking away the treasure she had obtained left her disheartened. If she joined the sect, the Evil Tiger Gang would naturally fall under the Ten Thousand Sword Peak. Although the Evil Tiger Gang was not large, it was still hers. Now, to hand it over to someone else, she could not help but feel resentful.

However, Wan Chengjiu's subsequent words reassured her somewhat: "Situ Gang Leader, if you join our sect, you will have made a great contribution this time. You can find a suitable advanced cultivation technique from our sect's library to further your cultivation. You will surely make great progress and join the ranks of the martial arts experts."

Situ Ping weighed the matter in her heart for a moment, then knelt gracefully and bowed to Wan Chengjiu, saying, "I pay my respects to Uncle Sword Master."

Wan Chengjiu chuckled and helped her up, saying, "Good niece, stand up for now. In a few days, we will choose a good day for you to formally become Elder Yun's disciple. Come, Xiangyang, meet your Senior Sister Situ."

Ma Xiangyang stepped forward as instructed and bowed, saying, "I meet my Senior Sister."

Situ Ping also returned the bow, saying, "I meet my Junior Brother."

In the Ten Thousand Sword Peak's meeting hall, the atmosphere was harmonious, and all matters were settled.

Leaving aside the blood and deceit of the martial world, the Zhang family's small courtyard in Guo Village was filled with warmth.

The afternoon sun was so bright, and even though it was winter, it made the sunlight feel even warmer. In the Zhang family's courtyard, with Zhang Cai leading, everyone was basking in the sun. Winter, the slack season for farmers, was the time they enjoyed most, as they did not have to wake up early to work, and the women who usually busied themselves around the stove could chat with their husbands. Seeing the lazy appearance of her family, Guo Sufei felt deeply content, especially with Liu Qian, who was doing needlework beside her.

Liu Qian had come to the Zhang family a few days ago.

Guo Sufei had not expected Liu Qian to come so quickly, thinking that she would wait until after the New Year and come during the spring plowing. When Liu Qian arrived at noon the previous day, Guo Sufei was busy tending to the injured in the family. As soon as Liu Qian entered the house, she greeted everyone and helped Guo Sufei, leaving the butcher Liu who had brought her to talk with Zhang Cai. This made Guo Sufei feel much more relaxed, and many household chores became well-organized. Moreover, Liu Qian brought five-flavored meat for Zhang Xiaohua and a lot of pastries for her grandmother, which made both of them smile. Although the grandmother could not see, she held Liu Qian's hand and praised her non-stop, making Liu Qian blush.

Liu Yuanyuan did not come, and the butcher Liu awkwardly explained that he had things to do at home and that Liu Qian's family also needed someone to take care of them. Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei, of course, did not mind and kept reassuring the butcher Liu, saying, "There's always work to be done at home, and everyone is needed. It's good that the child has the intention." This somewhat alleviated the butcher Liu's awkwardness.

However, the butcher Liu's awkwardness only lasted until lunch. When Zhang Xiaohua returned from buying wine, the butcher Liu started drinking with Zhang Cai, soon forgetting about the matter.

When the butcher Liu left after a satisfying meal and drink, he repeatedly instructed Liu Qian and entrusted her to the care of the Zhang family. At that moment, Guo Sufei thought, "Do you even need to say that? If we don't take good care of her, how can she stay?"

After Liu Qian came, not only did Guo Sufei feel more relaxed and no longer rushed, but the other family members also felt the changes in the household. The small changes in the environment of the house and courtyard made everything feel fresh, and the different ways of preparing meals made everyone's appetite better. Just having such a beautiful young lady join the family made everyone very happy.

Although only one day had passed, this beginning made the Zhang family taste the sweetness of a happy life.

The secret medicine of the Ethereal Sect was indeed effective. In just a few days, Zhang Xiaohu's external injuries had mostly scabbed over, though his bones and internal organs still hurt. Zhang Cai still needed a cane, but his external injuries were also scabbed over like Xiaohu's. Zhang Xiaohua was even more lively, running around with a wooden stick, seemingly practicing martial arts, though his movements were unstructured and wild. The most pitiful, Zhang Xiaolong, was now the happiest. His internal and external injuries were more severe than the others, and he was just starting to recover. His arm was still immobilized, and it would be a while before the next dressing change. What made Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua envious was that whenever Zhang Xiaolong needed something, like eating, Liu Qian would feed him. Although Guo Sufei and Zhang Xiaohua used to feed him, since Liu Qian came, they were pushed aside. The first time Liu Qian fed him, both Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian blushed and felt very awkward, and the food was cold by the time they finished. However, Liu Qian quickly adapted, and Zhang Xiaolong, seeing her confidence, also became less reserved, and the two soon became familiar with each other.

Farmers have their own simplicity and ruggedness. Although Zhang Xiaolong had not read many books and was not particularly handsome, his inherent temperament and steady demeanor deeply attracted Liu Qian, making her admire him greatly. She felt that Zhang Xiaolong was a piece of unpolished jade, born into a poor family, and that meeting such a person was truly the will of heaven.

Zhang Xiaolong, on the other hand, was even more smitten. Liu Qian, with her beauty and the simplicity and practicality of a farmer, as well as the grace and refinement of a well-educated young lady, made Zhang Xiaolong fall deeply in love. He had never thought that such an excellent girl could exist in the rural area where he had lived for so many years. He felt as if he were living in heaven and wished his injuries would take a thousand years to heal so he could watch this girl, who had already etched herself into his heart, grow old with him.

In short, Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian were deeply in love, drawn together like magnets.

Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei saw this in their hearts. Although their son had the looks and the physique, Liu Qian came from a scholarly family, and her standards were naturally different from those of ordinary farmers. Their son did not know many characters, how could he compare to Liu Qian's vast knowledge? Moreover, although the Liu family lived in the countryside, their family was well-off, and according to Zhang Xiaohua's description, their life was far better than their own. This mismatched marriage, even if the girl was willing, her father and brother would not agree. This was indeed difficult. How could they probe the girl's feelings?

The afternoon sun, though making one drowsy, did not stop Guo Sufei from thinking while doing needlework. She wondered how to subtly probe the girl's feelings without leaving a trace. At that moment, the grandmother spoke: "Sufei, I remember that Xiaolong is nineteen this year, right?"

Guo Sufei replied, "Yes, Mother, after the New Year, he will be twenty."

The grandmother asked again, "You mentioned before that you were looking for a wife for Xiaolong. Why haven't you heard anything about it recently?"

Guo Sufei's heart was filled with joy. Just as she was thinking about it, someone brought up the topic. Her mother, though blind, had a clear mind. She quickly responded, "Mother, before the New Year, Zhang Cai and I did have this idea. We looked through all the girls in the neighboring villages, but the ones we liked didn't like us, and the ones who liked us didn't seem suitable. We haven't found a suitable match for Xiaolong yet. After the New Year, with the incident, we lost interest. When the weather gets warmer and Xiaolong recovers, we will look for a good wife for him, one that will satisfy our whole family."

After saying this, she ignored Zhang Xiaolong's "grieved" gaze and added, "While Liu Qian is still here, we can also ask her to help us look and vet the candidates."

Liu Qian, being a clever girl, had already caught the hidden meaning in Guo Sufei's words and blushed, not knowing how to respond, so she lowered her head and did not speak.

The grandmother, however, was not done. She continued, "You should hurry. Look for someone like Qian. These days, Qian has been taking care of Xiaolong, and even I, an old woman, have benefited. This girl is kind and meticulous. Although I can't see, I'm sure she is very beautiful. Sufei, if you find a wife for me who is not as good as Qian, I won't be happy."

Ah, this was too direct. Liu Qian's face turned hot, and she could not bear it, so she got up and ran into the house. Zhang Xiaolong, seeing this, became anxious and said, "Grandmother, Mother, what are you saying? You made her run away." His eyes looked towards the house, showing concern, and if he were not injured, he would have chased after her.

Only Zhang Xiaohua, sitting on his small stool, looked at his blind grandmother with admiration. Old ginger is indeed spicier. A few days ago, he had just told his grandmother about his brother and Liu Qian, and now she had cleverly brought it up, making it clear that his sister-in-law was a possibility.

Actually, Guo Sufei was also surprised. Her mother, who had always been calm, had brought up this matter today, which, although it could help probe the girl's feelings, was too hasty and did not match her usual style. According to her original plan, she would wait another ten to fifteen days to observe further.