Free Web NovelChapter 412: Chapter 195: Newlywed Spear Dance, Spear Intent Forms
"It’s up to Boss Zhuang to decide."
Guo Wei didn’t want to embarrass Hei Hu, but he was worried Hei Hu’s portrait might hurt Boss Zhuang’s business.
"Thank you, Master."
"Boss Zhuang, so we have a deal!"
Hei Hu had been bracing himself for a harsh scolding from Guo Wei. He never expected his master not to object, so he hurriedly grabbed Boss Zhuang’s hand in excitement.
"Uh... all right, it’s a deal then."
When Boss Zhuang saw Guo Wei agree so readily, he immediately felt a pang of regret. It wasn’t that he thought Hei Hu’s name wasn’t a big enough draw; he was pained by the thought of parting with one or two hundred arrows.
In the end, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu returned with a bountiful haul.
Because it was a transaction, Chu Lingguang received no Favor Points in return.
That evening, the master and his two disciples returned to the Martial Arts Hall. Guo Fang had received a letter a few days prior, so she knew the three of them would be back today. She and Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had prepared a meal in advance, ensuring the trio had food to eat the moment they arrived.
After dinner, Hei Hu returned to his own home.
Chu Lingguang also bid farewell to Guo Wei and returned to his own small, three-room tiled house in Liu Family Gully. He had been away for several months, but Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had come by often to clean, so his home was neat and tidy.
He had received a reward from the Court for defeating Samba and was now quite well-off. He was planning to purchase some farmland soon, but he had also paid Zhang Da to hire people to renovate his three-room tiled house.
Returning after several months, he found the little tiled house had been completely transformed. It was now the most magnificent courtyard in Liu Family Gully. Aside from being a bit small, everything about it was brand new.
The courtyard was now paved with bluestone bricks, and a drainage channel had been dug. The surrounding fence had been replaced with a brick wall, and two large lanterns hung by the entrance. Written on the lanterns were the two words: Martial Scholar.
Knowing Chu Lingguang was returning today, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had asked someone to light the lanterns for him at dusk, so he could see them from a distance.
When the villagers of Liu Family Gully saw the lanterns lit at Chu Lingguang’s gate, they realized he had returned from his travels and gathered at his door to wait for him. ƒreewebɳovel.com
When Chu Lingguang returned on his Little Red Horse, a crowd of people swarmed around him.
His next-door neighbor, Mrs. Liu, had already prepared a pot of steamed sweet potatoes.
Mr. Niu, from the village entrance, was sitting by Chu Lingguang’s gate and holding a pot of goat’s milk. He was the one who had lit the lanterns. Chu Lingguang had helped him gain an exemption from his taxes. While Chu Lingguang was away, Mr. Niu had pitched in to help every time Zhang Da brought workers over to renovate the house—something Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had mentioned during dinner.
In the end, Chu Lingguang only accepted Mr. Niu’s pot of goat’s milk.
Just then, a line of text appeared before his eyes.
[Helped Mr. Niu get a tax exemption. Received 6 Favor Points.]
Chu Lingguang was taken aback. ’Mr. Niu already thanked me for the tax exemption, and I received Favor Points from him back then. I didn’t expect to get another six just for coming back.’ It seemed Mr. Niu hadn’t been swayed by the other villagers and had remained deeply grateful, which was why Chu Lingguang could continue to be rewarded for the favor.
"Everyone, please go home now. I need to rest."
Chu Lingguang dispersed the crowd.
He noticed there was even a new hitching post by the gate. Zhang Da had done a remarkable job with the three-room house; it had all the trappings of a wealthy household. Aside from its small size, it was now impeccable.
Once inside, Chu Lingguang discovered that not only had the house been renovated inside and out, but all the utensils—pots, bowls, ladles, and basins—had also been replaced with new ones.
Only a few of his frequently used personal items had been kept.
He had trained day and night precisely for the chance to live a better life, so Chu Lingguang had no reason to reject these changes.
「The next morning.」
"Young Master Chu."
Landlord Zhang and Mr. Liu arrived for a visit, bringing along Zhang Jiatting and her husband.
"Chu!"
Butcher Hu had also heard the news and came over in a sedan chair with Chun Ju, who was nearing her due date.
"Mr. Liu, Hu... Everyone, please come in."
Chu Lingguang warmly welcomed his guests.
The visitors were grateful to him for helping them with the tax exemptions and had all brought many gifts. He also learned from Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family that Butcher Hu and Landlord Zhang were the ones who had arranged for many of the new things in his house. Chu Lingguang silently committed this to memory.
As he saw them off.
Two lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[Helped Butcher Hu’s family get a tax exemption. Received 63 Favor Points.]
[Helped Landlord Zhang’s family get a tax exemption. Received 57 Favor Points.]
’So it’s true, Favors can provide a continuous return, as long as the other person keeps it in mind and expresses their gratitude accordingly.’
A realization dawned on Chu Lingguang.
He hadn’t expected that Favors could provide a continuous return, but he also noticed that this wave of points was diminishing. Furthermore, even if he received gratitude from multiple people at once, it wouldn’t grant him a Cultivation and Martial Arts reward.
Still, the fact that he could get a continuous return at all was beyond his expectations.
But he also realized that the gratitude for a single favor would eventually run out. If he wanted to keep receiving Favor Points from people like Butcher Hu and Landlord Zhang, he would have to grant them other Favors.
He told them all to come to him if they ever needed anything.
In the afternoon, Teng Qingshan and Lin Yuanfu made a special trip to visit him. The two of them knew Chu Lingguang’s strength had greatly increased and came seeking his guidance.
Chu Lingguang still remembered how the two had helped clear his name.
Since they had come from so far away, Chu Lingguang did not neglect them. He hosted a banquet for them on Wine Street and invited Hei Hu to join. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, he indulged their request and sparred with them.
The outcome was, of course, no surprise. Even by joining forces, the two of them could not withstand a single spear thrust from Chu Lingguang. Through the exchange, he learned that they, like Hei Hu, had only recently succeeded in Opening the Dantian and Qi Sea, reaching the Qi Sea Introduction realm.
Lin Yuanfu was a few years older than Teng Qingshan and had participated in the Provincial Examination before, but like Wang Chao, he had failed. Although he had now opened his Dantian Qi Sea, he wasn’t fully confident about the Provincial Martial Arts Examination in a few months.
