Chapter 79: Before Departure

Yang Ze could easily see through Yuan Heng’s current enthusiasm, fully aware of what was going on in Yuan Heng’s mind. Yet he merely shook his head and said, “I appreciate your kindness, Lord Yuan, but I’d rather not stay here and trouble you. I just need some time to recover on my own.”

Upon hearing Yang Ze’s refusal, Yuan Heng’s face flashed with awkwardness for a moment, but he quickly composed himself.

“Still, Lord Yuan, could you arrange a carriage for me? In my current state, walking back to Xiangyun Street would be quite difficult.” Yang Ze smiled wryly.

Yuan Heng agreed without hesitation and personally saw to the matter.

Lu Qing supported Yang Ze as they left the square, and by the time they reached the front gate of the magistrate’s office, the crowd had mostly dispersed. Yuan Heng had readied a carriage and was waiting for Yang Ze.

Yang Ze climbed aboard and set out for Xiangyun Street. When he arrived at Tongyang Bank, the gatekeeper saw his face pale as snow and immediately called for Old Xie.

Old Xie was startled when he saw Yang Ze, quickly ordered the servants to carry him inside, and dispatched someone to fetch a physician.

Yang Ze, however, grabbed Old Xie and urged him to bring some spiritual herbs.

Old Xie wasted no time, fetching several ginseng roots and ordering the servants to brew medicinal soup. Once it was ready, he brought it straight to Yang Ze, just as the doctor arrived.

The physician began to check Yang Ze’s pulse, shaking his head as he did so.

“Master Steward’s pulse is in utter disarray, clearly injured in battle. His internal organs have suffered trauma and displacement, though fortunately his meridians are intact. With proper treatment and a few months of rest, he should recover.”

“Thank goodness it’s nothing serious,” Old Xie breathed a sigh of relief; seeing Yang Ze’s pallor had nearly frightened him to death.

“But Master Steward must remember not to engage in any fighting for the next few months. Otherwise, the injury may worsen, and if it affects the heart meridian, there will be trouble. I’ll prescribe medicine to relieve his symptoms for a month, after which I’ll check his progress.” The physician wrote out a prescription.

Old Xie thanked him repeatedly, escorted the physician out, and returned with the medicinal soup, offering it to Yang Ze.

Yang Ze stopped Old Xie, then suddenly pressed several acupoints on his body. His face changed dramatically as he spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura rapidly weakening.

His vision darkened, and he nearly fainted. Wu Yong’s punch had not been easy to withstand—the moment their fists collided, a peculiar force surged from Wu Yong’s fist into Yang Ze’s body.

Though the force was not overwhelming, it nearly destroyed him from within. Fortunately, he had cultivated two disciplines, his internal energy far greater than most, and he quickly locked away the force, allowing himself to endure until now.

Old Xie’s face changed as he caught the nearly collapsing Yang Ze.

Yang Ze, however, grabbed the medicinal soup and drank it all in one go, panting heavily.

Almost immediately, the black stone in his chest began to burn faintly. The ginseng soup he had just consumed was absorbed and transformed by the stone into a new force that infused his body.

The black stone’s power entered his system and fused with the foreign force inside him. The two energies intertwined and battled, and after a fierce struggle, the invading force was finally dissolved.

But his body endured another shock, and Yang Ze spat more blood. Old Xie hurried to Yang Ze’s back, ready to channel energy to him.

Yang Ze waved him off. Though his aura was feeble, his eyes were bright once more.

Thankfully, he had the black stone. He had deliberately released the force to let the stone neutralize it, and it had worked as hoped.

He might appear weak now, but with that force gone, his recovery would be much faster. With the stone’s help, he was confident he’d return to his peak in a month.

“Old Xie, bring me more herbs and brew them all into soup,” Yang Ze said, wiping the blood from his lips.

“Young Master, your body is still frail. Taking so much medicine at once could overwhelm you,” Old Xie cautioned.

“No need to worry. Have I ever been wrong in these matters? Just do as I say, and come by tomorrow morning—I have something to discuss with you.”

Seeing Yang Ze’s firm tone, Old Xie could only comply. An hour later, five bowls of medicinal soup sat before Yang Ze.

Without hesitation, Yang Ze drank them all. The black stone resumed its absorption, and he felt his chest grow warm—not scalding, but wonderfully soothing.

The energy coursed through him, easing the pain in his meridians. Yang Ze began channeling his inner cultivation, using the energy to heal his wounds.

He meditated through the night, only ending at dawn, spitting out several mouthfuls of old blood. Though his face remained pale, his energy flow was much improved.

Old Xie knocked and entered, relieved to find Yang Ze safe. He’d feared Yang Ze’s impulsiveness might bring disaster.

Yang Ze then recounted everything to Old Xie—the deal with Yuan Heng, yesterday’s trial, and his plans for the future of Four Corners Market.

When he finished, Old Xie’s eyes widened. He never imagined Yang Ze would plot something so grand, nor did he have any inkling of it.

He wanted to speak, but could not find the words. Though Yang Ze would lose the Four Corners Market, he would gain entrance to Wuyang Martial Academy—a clear boon for him.

Especially after learning of the existence of ranked martial artists, Old Xie’s worldview was shattered. He knew he could not stop Yang Ze.

“Old Xie, you needn’t worry. The officials will take over Four Corners Market. Now that I’ve passed the trial, I’ll soon be part of Wuyang Martial Academy. I’ll make sure Yuan Heng preserves your benefits—you won’t be left homeless.”

Yang Ze knew Old Xie had sacrificed much to help him, standing firmly by his side. There was no returning to the Yang family; he could not let Old Xie be cast adrift.

Old Xie slowly shook his head. “There’s no need. We people of the martial world are not the same as the officials. I appreciate your kindness, Young Master, but this is for the best. Now that you’re leaving Yuyang City, I have nothing holding me back. Though I’m old, I still wish to roam the martial world, and I won’t let my last years go to waste.”

Yang Ze wanted to persuade him but saw the resolve in Old Xie’s eyes and said no more.

For the next two days, Yang Ze focused on healing, while Old Xie busied himself in Four Corners Market, preparing supplies for Yang Ze.

Dried rations, fresh water, silver, insect repellent, an array of healing stones—all essential. The herbs Yang Ze had ordered were also neatly packed.

Two days later, Yang Ze’s wounds had mostly healed. Old Xie brought him two large bags, which Yang Ze took without leaving.

“These past two days, unfamiliar faces have appeared on the streets. It seems that after you depart, they’ll take over here. I’ve informed Meng Yitian and the others—once you leave, I’ll announce it, so you won’t be troubled,” Old Xie said.

Yang Ze, seeing Old Xie’s thoughtfulness, said, “Old Xie, take my identity token to the treasury. Anything you find useful, take it. We’re leaving anyway—no need to let the officials benefit.”

He shoved the token into Old Xie’s hand; Old Xie sighed helplessly.

Old Xie saw Yang Ze to the gate, where a carriage was already waiting. Yang Ze boarded, and the driver cracked his whip, sending the carriage rolling away.

From the window, Yang Ze looked back, fixing his gaze on Old Xie standing there, his eyes growing moist.

After several months in this world, he’d felt little for anyone—except Old Xie. This old man had helped him selflessly, all for a kindness from years past, willing even to risk his life. Yang Ze would never forget such a debt.

But he had his own path; he could not stay here forever. Suppressing his feelings, he withdrew his head. In the martial world, one’s fate is not one’s own. What choices did he have?

The carriage sped on and soon arrived at the magistrate’s office. This time, there were no guards at the gate, only constables surrounding the entrance.

As soon as Yang Ze arrived, a constable led him inside. In the square, only Lu Qing and Bai Lun awaited him; the others had not arrived yet.

Unlike Yang Ze’s heavy mood, Lu Qing and Bai Lun were visibly excited. Seeing Yang Ze, they greeted him warmly.

“Yang Ze, I’ve recently learned something from my master—would you like to hear it?” Lu Qing asked with a mysterious air.