Chapter 46

As the night deepened, the heavy snow covered all excess colors, but it could not cover the gloom in the hearts of the Huang family.

Lu Ren’s betrayal and the Third Young Lady’s body not yet cold dealt a heavy blow to this rising family, and the laughter of the past was gone.

Once it turned dark, every room became quiet, with only the howling cold wind raging.

Huang Jin stepped through the ice and snow, pushed open the door, shook off the snow, and strode in. He said to his second brother, Huang Ping: "Xu Yang is still unwilling to marry into the family, but he stated that if the Huang family needs it, he can withdraw from the Liu family."

Anger appeared in Huang Ping’s eyes: "My Huang family is willing to marry off a noble daughter, yet he dares to refuse repeatedly. Does he think my Huang family’s noble daughter isn't good enough for him?"

He subconsciously ignored the part of Huang Jin’s words about being able to withdraw from the Liu family at any time to repay a debt of gratitude, feeling only that the Huang family’s willingness to marry their daughter to Xu Yang was a tremendous favor.

Huang Jin frowned. Xu Yang didn't even want the Liu family’s daughter, which didn't mean he looked down on the Huang family’s women. His second brother’s words clearly implied that since the Huang family had spoken, Xu Yang should comply regardless of the matter.

Just like with Lu Ren before, they used past favors to demand repayment, forcing things upon Lu Ren that he didn't want, believing that as long as it was given by the Huang family, Lu Ren had to accept it even if he didn't like it.

Although the main reason was that Lu Ren had long had a heart for betrayal, his second brother’s methods were still problematic.

In his second brother’s heart, whether it was Xu Yang or Lu Ren, they were still those starving lackeys; he didn't truly treat them as martial artists who had already grown up.

"Second brother, he just doesn't want to get married; it’s not that he looks down on our Huang family’s women. I also feel that we don't necessarily have to use marriage to bind him."

"For someone as ungrateful as Lu Ren, even if we married him, if we couldn't give him enough benefits, he would still abandon our Huang family."

"I think Xu Yang is a person who knows gratitude. We don't have to force a marriage to cultivate him; we can just provide support directly. If he remembers our Huang family’s kindness, he will naturally lean toward us..."

"Say no more!"

Huang Ping waved his hand to interrupt Huang Jin: "I never thought much of him to begin with. He only has C-minus grade bones. How much money would my Huang family have to throw in to cultivate him? It was only because you insisted repeatedly, thinking he was a talent worth molding, that I gave him a chance."

"Ungrateful wretch, he will have his regrets. If not for that little bit of past sentiment, I wouldn't have looked at his talent at all."

"Second brother..."

"Alright, you may go. Tomorrow, release the news that my Huang family will once again select usable talents for cultivation. This time, I will personally oversee the selection."

Huang Jin wanted to say more, but was impatiently interrupted by Huang Ping, who even blamed him for the Lu Ren affair, believing he had made a mistake in the screening.

He opened his mouth but eventually retreated helplessly.

Even now, his second brother still didn't understand that talent wasn't the most important thing. Lu Ren had good talent, but it was all in vain, and he couldn't be used by the Huang family.

What the Huang family needed wasn't a genius, but someone who could remember the Huang family’s kindness, be loyal, and be used by them.

Xu Yang had good comprehension but poor bones. If Huang Jin provided help at this time, he would surely win Xu Yang’s heart.

But he wasn't of the direct line, and with his eldest brother in seclusion seeking a breakthrough in Marrow Cleansing, Huang Ping was the one who truly called the shots in the Huang family.

No matter how many advantages he listed for Xu Yang, it was useless if Huang Ping looked down on his bones. Huang Ping hadn't learned the lesson brought by Lu Ren at all; he just wanted to win big with small stakes, using little money to cultivate experts.

"Forget it!"

His second brother was convinced Xu Yang would have little achievement, so saying more was useless.

After cupping his hands, he turned and left.

[Martial Dao Longevity Points: 42]

The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was to look at the panel.

After slaughtering Bao Gang yesterday, he received ten points as a reward. Added to the reward for reaching Small Success in Qi Refining, his points had accumulated to over forty.

According to his past habits, these points could be used to improve his bones, but this time he didn't touch them.

Yesterday’s incident with Bao Gang made him realize he needed to keep some points in reserve. In case of an emergency, if he couldn't win, he could temporarily use the points to improve his techniques.

If the person who ambushed him yesterday hadn't been Bao Gang but a Small Success Qi-refining expert, even if he could kill them, it wouldn't have been easy.

"Brother, time to eat!"

After standing in the Turtle-Snake Great Stance for a while, the sky was still dim, and Xu Qing had already prepared breakfast.

Xu Yang pushed open the door, and the snow outside had already reached the height of his calves.

"Such heavy snow; I'm afraid many people will freeze to death this year."

This year’s snow was heavier than in previous years. It was only the second day, and it was already this thick.

After eating, the heavy snow hadn't stopped. Xu Yang first cleared the snow from the roof to prevent it from collapsing, then took his firewood knife and rope and headed into the mountains.

It took him half an hour, and he returned carrying a load of firewood.

"Don't go out. I'll buy grain from the city."

The snow was too deep, and he was worried about Xu Qing freezing. After giving her instructions, he set off for the Liu family.

The world was one color, a vast expanse of white.

The goose-feather snow fell incessantly. His blood and Qi were too vigorous, and his whole body was like a furnace. After walking for a while, the ice and snow falling on him kept melting, and his clothes were soaked through.

His body, like a furnace, kept emitting high temperatures, and he was like a walking steamer, emitting a large amount of mist.

"It is said that Great Success Qi-refining experts have True Qi covering their entire body, forming a protective shield that keeps out water and prevents flies and insects from landing. It’s a pity I haven't reached that realm yet."

"Otherwise, even if I walked in the snow for several hours, not a single snowflake would land on me."

Although he didn't feel cold, having to constantly vibrate his blood and Qi to evaporate the snow water on his body wasn't a pleasant experience.

When he arrived at the Liu family, a group of servants was clearing the snow.

Xu Yang walked to the Offering Courtyard. The snow here had already been cleared, and Wu Yongfeng and the others weren't practicing martial arts but were gathered in a room roasting charcoal, mist steaming from their bodies.

With such heavy snow, there probably wouldn't be anything to do today.

He moved closer and noticed that besides Bao Gang, Zhang Bo hadn't appeared either.

The others didn't care about Bao Gang’s absence, assuming he was delayed by the heavy snow.

It wasn't until an hour later that Zhang Bo hurried over: "Who among you saw Bao Gang yesterday?"

???

Everyone had a face full of question marks. Everyone had seen Bao Gang yesterday; he had even asked Xu Yang to borrow money.

Zhang Bo said with a serious face: "Bao Gang is missing. His family came looking for him, saying he didn't return all night and they couldn't find him."

Wang Yun spoke up: "He recently got addicted to gambling and received his pay yesterday. Could he still be at the gambling house?"

Zhang Bo shook his head: "I’ve already asked at the gambling house; he left yesterday afternoon."

"Then we don't know. We haven't seen him since he left here yesterday."

He wasn't at the gambling house, the martial arts school, or the Liu family. Everyone realized that something must have happened to Bao Gang, and the faces of those who had lent him money turned ugly.

If you’re going to die, you should at least pay back the money first!

"Something must have happened to him. You all be careful; this might be the work of the Liu family’s enemies. I’m going to ask the Master to send people to investigate."

Zhang Bo gave instructions and hurried away.

Everyone’s expression changed again. It really might be the work of the Liu family’s enemies. It seemed they had to be careful.

"They shouldn't be able to trace it to me," Xu Yang pondered.

Bao Gang had wanted to rob him on the way, so he shouldn't have told outsiders about such a thing. Plus, the heavy snow covered all traces; even a master detective would be helpless.

"It’s a good thing you didn't lend him money yesterday," Wang Yun laughed.

Xu Yang shook his head: "For a gambling addict like him, not lending him money is for his own good."

The others nodded in agreement, soon forgot about Bao Gang, and began chatting about interesting news in the martial arts world.