Chapter 43: New Year

Cheng Feng made his choice while deep in thought.

People must always learn to blend into their environment.

There should be no shortages at home.

Cheng Feng took the one tael of silver he had left.

He bought three jars of wine in total—one large and two small—along with some small pieces of candy.

Only five small coins remained.

He left the two small jars of wine at Room One.

He took the large jar home to drink.

After spending a day each at Room One and Room Two,

Cheng Feng carried the wine jar on his back and headed home.

This time, he did not encounter any ambushes on the road.

There were quite a few people returning home for the New Year.

Cheng Feng had specifically chosen to wear a set of gray clothes,

but among the crowd returning home, he still stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens.

He looked for all the world like someone who was doing very well for himself.

This was not what Cheng Feng wanted.

He hurried to the side of the road and sprinkled some dirt on his clothes.

He also messed up his hair bun.

He put on a slightly weary and troubled expression.

Hmm, that was better.

No one would imagine that a Martial Artist in the Skin Refining Realm would look like this.

On the road, he even saw Mazi and Niu Si.

They had once been somewhat ill-intentioned when Cheng Feng was Fishing.

But later, it seemed they had gone into the city to work.

Their children were actually quite close with Lao San.

Perhaps the changes in Cheng Feng from practicing martial arts were too great.

When Cheng Feng passed by them, he only glanced at them.

They did not recognize him.

Cheng Feng was naturally happy to be left in peace.

He was now moving forward steadily, one step at a time.

He would avoid trouble whenever he could.

At Room One and Room Two, he had also instructed that since there were many people during the New Year, the pregnant women should not run around.

They could go out together once Cheng Feng returned.

With the women in the city settled,

and having enough food and clothing,

he could then go back to the village to properly celebrate the New Year.

Drinking wine and eating meat.

Only in front of his family could Cheng Feng truly let his guard down.

Having sailed through a thousand trials, he remained a youth upon his return.

Returning home,

everything was indeed well.

Lao San had also grown much sturdier.

When not practicing archery, Lao Da helped Lao Cheng dig the cellar.

Cheng Feng placed the wine jar on the table and called out happily, "Dad, Mom, I'm home!"

Lao Cheng and his wife came out at the sound, their faces full of smiles.

The family sat around the table, and Cheng Feng opened the wine jar to pour drinks for his parents. Lao

Cheng raised his cup and said with emotion, "Son, you've grown up and are becoming more and more successful."

Cheng Feng smiled and said, "Dad, that is all thanks to your wise guidance."

After dinner, Cheng Feng and his family sat in the courtyard to watch the stars.

He told everyone about his experiences while away, which made them all laugh heartily.

At this moment, Cheng Shu walked over and patted Cheng Feng on the shoulder, "Second brother, thank you."

Cheng Feng looked up at his older brother, "What are you thanking me for? We are one family, no need for such talk. By the way, brother, how are the preparations for your wedding with your future wife coming along?"

Cheng Shu smiled, "Almost done, just waiting for a lucky day after the New Year to get married."

Hearing this, Cheng Feng felt very happy, "That is truly great. Brother is finally going to start a family. We can rest easy knowing someone will be taking care of you."

The family chatted happily, and before they knew it, the night was deep. Cheng Feng returned to his room, lay on the bed, and reflected on the bits and pieces of the past year, his heart filled with emotion.

The next day, Cheng Feng followed his father to a corner of the house. This corner was very well hidden; if one did not observe carefully, it would be difficult to discover that there was an entrance here.

Cheng Feng looked curiously at the covered cellar entrance.

Cheng Fu gently lifted the lid, and a damp scent rushed toward them. Cheng Feng could not help but frown,

but he still followed his father carefully down into the cellar. The light inside the cellar was dim, and he could only make out the surroundings by the faint candlelight.

Cheng Fu lit an oil lamp, illuminating the area.

Cheng Feng was surprised to discover that the cellar was at least three meters in length, width, and height.

Except for the entrance.

It was truly about the same size as a room.

There were wooden planks overhead, and several logs in the middle acting as supports.

The old tables and such that had been replaced earlier had also been moved down.

Cheng Feng said in surprise, "Father, you moved everything down here?"

Cheng Fu smiled, "Didn't you say it was too crowded at home before? Isn't digging a cellar for storing things?"

Cheng Feng nodded in agreement.

But the damp environment all around and the smell of earth were truly quite heavy.

Previously, Cheng Feng had even intended to turn the cellar into a room that could be lived in.

Now it seemed that even with further renovations, it could only serve as a small base for storing items.

However, in Cheng Feng's view, this was already enough.

After coming out of the cellar, Cheng Feng and Cheng Fu chatted more about how the cellar could be paved with gravel on the floor and walls, and that it would be best to dig a slightly wider ventilation shaft, and another exit could also be dug.

And to make some appropriate cover.

Cheng Fu said in a dilemma, "Er Gou, everything you said is right, and I can do it, but Lao Da is getting married soon, and after that, we won't have money for materials and such!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feng thought it was something else; it turned out to be a matter of money.

Cheng Feng felt that this small base was still very important.

He asked Cheng Fu about how much money it would roughly take.

Cheng Fu made an estimate, "At the very least, it will take four taels of silver."

Cheng Feng frowned slightly.

Four taels, that was still acceptable.

It was just that he would have to take money from the bottom of the chest again.

Cheng Feng nodded to show he understood.

He said he would bring the money back after the New Year.

Seeing Cheng Feng easily say he could produce four taels,

Cheng Fu hurriedly said, "Feng Ge'er, you must not engage in illegal or criminal business; if you are caught by the government, you will be beheaded."

Cheng Feng laughed inwardly; he had already seen blood himself.

And he hadn't seen those government officials come to hold him accountable!

Perhaps the Blood Wolf Gang had suppressed it themselves.

To put Cheng Fu's mind at ease, Cheng Feng whispered, "Father, let me tell you something, you must not tell anyone else."

Seeing Cheng Feng's serious expression, Cheng Fu's face also became firm, "You say it, I will absolutely not tell anyone."

Cheng Feng, knowing Lao Cheng's character of keeping his word, leaned in and whispered, "I have already been secretly accepted as the Tenth Disciple by the Martial Arts Hall Master. The Master is afraid others will be jealous, so he told me not to speak of it for now, saying he will announce it later."

Hearing that his second son was telling him about the instructions of such a big figure as the Martial Arts Hall Master, and the good news that his own second son had been accepted into the sect,

Cheng Fu was smiling from ear to ear inside, but his face was serious, looking as if he understood, "Rest assured, I will absolutely not tell anyone."

Seeing that Lao Cheng was no longer questioning the origin of the money,

Cheng Feng also felt relieved.

He had a great sense of crisis regarding the outside world.

But there was a war in the east; that was how Cuier was bought by him.

Who knew what it would be like in the future?

First, get the cellar fixed up.

Cheng Feng prepared to store more food inside, in case of emergency.

The Great Zhou already had the appearance of a dynasty in its final years at this time.

Cheng Feng did not know if he was right, but he could only prepare for a rainy day.

The ones who fled from the east first were the wealthy and powerful families.

Then, would the ones coming later be the common people or the Red Lotus Sect?

A jar of wine was quite large; Cheng Feng and his family drank most of it in three days.

The remainder was left for Cheng Fu to have a small drink or two by himself.

After staying at home for two days, Cheng Feng went back to Room Two once more to spend some intimate time with Chen Min twice.

Two Fortune Points were obtained.

He took another five taels from the bottom of the chest, leaving thirty-five taels for backup.

He kissed, touched, and listened to the bellies of the women in Room One.

Then he returned to Liujiacun.

He gave the silver to Cheng Fu, and in order not to let Cheng Fu slack off, he added, "Father, my Master said the war in the east might spread here. Our cellar will be very useful for storing food and such later. You must do a good job with the moisture-proofing. The Master didn't specify a time, but he hopes it can be finished as soon as possible."

Cheng Fu didn't hesitate after hearing this, saying he would contact people to haul gravel after the New Year, and Lao Da's wedding was around the middle of the second lunar month.

It should be finished in a month if he and Lao Da worked on it together.

Listening to Cheng Fu's arrangements, Cheng Feng felt a bit more at ease.

He checked the reinforcement areas and the ventilation shaft to be dug with Cheng Fu again.

After keeping his lips sealed to ensure secrecy,

Cheng Feng left.

In the city, the Martial Arts Hall Master Wang Tieshan was still expecting him.

The skills on the Panmian still require Fortune Points.

The matter of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple still needs time for the news to spread.

The family's emergency savings are not much anymore, and there is a need for income.

Cheng Feng felt that he was becoming busier and busier.

Fortunately, Lao Cheng is helping with the matter of the cellar at home.

Aside from the family, no one dares to speak of this cellar matter to outsiders.

This is a matter of trust.