In the blink of an eye, it was already autumn. Zhang Rongjun had left Jinzhou City to do business, Liang Sheng could hardly remember his appearance.
His days remained monotonous: cultivation, inspecting the taverns, and listening to music in brothels. However, Liang Sheng enjoyed these activities.
A life without change was the best kind of life. At this moment, Liang Sheng was cultivating the Ten Methods of Health Cultivation simultaneously. Although cultivation progress was extremely slow, there were no bottlenecks, and he could sense his lifespan gradually increasing. Why not be happy?
As for the Golden Dragon Technique, it progressed at an absurdly slow pace, but also steadily and without any bottlenecks.
If he could break through to the Postnatal Sixth Realm in his martial arts, the Golden Dragon Technique would likely reach the sixth level very soon.
Time passed calmly, and on this day, Second Uncle Liang Qiang suddenly came to see him in the evening.
"Sheng'er, don't go out at night during this period. I can't explain the reasons clearly, but you shouldn't go to Yichun Building. When it's safe to go again, I'll let you know."
Liang Qiang's relationship with Liang Sheng had become warmer over the years, and Liang Sheng could sense the seriousness in his tone, not daring to be careless.
Was there some kind of change in Jinzhou City? Otherwise, why would Liang Qiang be so cautious? After all, he was the Liang Family's External Affairs Manager in Jinzhou City!
Although his cultivation level was merely at the Postnatal Fivefold Realm, and he had a hard time breaking through, hardly anyone in Jinzhou City dared to trouble Liang Qiang.
Upon hastily leaving, Liang Sheng couldn't help but be more alert. Alas, he was in a low position, unable to gain any insider information, so he could only be more careful on his own.
For this period of time, it would be best to avoid going to Yichun Building!
Safety first!
Liang Qi, the eldest son of the third family, was in the Postnatal Fivefold Realm. In this generation, his cultivation ranked only behind a few younger members of the Liang family, such as Liang Ying. Since Liang Ying had been confirmed as the young master of the Liang Family, Liang Qi frequented Shengde Building more and more.
Because Liang Sheng was always accommodating, the once-resentful Liang Qi now had a sympathetic friendship with this former "eldest legitimate son".
At this time, Liang Qi saw Liang Sheng and laughed, "Brother Sheng, you are really talented, it only took you a few years to make the business of this tavern thrive."
"Brother Qi, you're joking. This is all trivial stuff. I just focus all my energy here.
Besides, even if it wasn't me, anyone with a little more effort could achieve this."
Upon hearing this, Liang Qi shook his head with a smile and didn't continue the conversation. If it was that simple, why had the family never objected to Liang Sheng, a "Martial Arts Level Two" person, managing Shengde Building for so long?
At this time, he glanced around and then gave Liang Sheng a meaningful look before laughing and directly entering the previously occupied private room.
Naturally, Liang Sheng personally accompanied him. At this moment, Liang Qi's face was gloomy, as if there was something on his mind.
After a few glasses of wine, Liang Qi gradually relaxed and began to pour out his heart. Only then did Liang Sheng understand what was going on.
Liang Qi's face was not looking good. Perhaps due to being drunk and loosening up, he put his arm around Liang Sheng's shoulders.
"These past few days, the family has decided to form a marriage alliance with the Wu Family. Our young master, Liang Ying, is about to marry the second daughter of the head of the Wu family.
This doesn't concern us, but the elders proposed that since the Wu Family head only has two daughters, why not have a double marriage?
So, after weighing the options, the family has made arrangements, and I am to be betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Wu Family."
Upon hearing this, Liang Sheng didn't expect such a situation to occur, but it was a standard practice for martial arts families. However, he wondered why Liang Qi was so upset about it?
Fortunately, Liang Qi didn't keep them in suspense. After a short pause, he gritted his teeth and continued: "And the family decided to have me marry into the Wu family!"
Upon hearing this, Liang Sheng was completely dumbfounded. Marry into another family? Wouldn't that mean Liang Qi would become a son-in-law of the Wu family? What kind of freedom would he have left?
No wonder Liang Qi was so depressed. Any man facing this situation would be frustrated.
At this moment, Liang Qi seemed to be looking for someone to vent to. Having already revealed the truth and under the influence of alcohol, he simply let all his inner thoughts out.
"And I can't even resist. I competed too intensely with Liang Ying for the position of the young master, and I can imagine ending up like this. I can only obey the arrangements of the family."
"Do you know why the Liang and Wu families decided to join together at this time? It's because the head of the Gao family, Gao He, has broken through to the Postnatal Nine Realms.
One family with two people at the Nine Realms - unique in Jinzhou City!
Our patriarch and the Wu family patriarch are both still stuck in the Post-Natal "Eighth" Level, and only our ancestor has broken through to the Nine Realms. If the two families don't cooperate at this time, the Gao family might eventually dominate Jinzhou City."
"And I've become a pawn. Now, thinking about it, I'm actually envious of you, getting away from the family vortex early. Even if there's no hope for martial arts, at least you have a rich and honorable life, unlike me..."
Liang Qi drank another cup of wine after saying this, tasting nothing but bitterness.
At this time, Liang Sheng thought more deeply about what Liang Qi had said. Was it because the head of the Gao family had broken through that his Second Uncle Liang Qiang warned him not to go out at night?
After all, if the situation in Jinzhou City hadn't changed, why would the Liang and Wu Families have to act so quickly to form an alliance through marriage?
Under the cover of night, who knows how much has happened in Jinzhou City during this time? How could the Gao family be willing to maintain the status quo?
Seeing that Liang Sheng seemed to understand the situation, Liang Qi couldn't help but feel envious. If he had been in Liang Sheng's position, would he be the one marrying into the Wu family?
"Sheng'er, you and I know about this matter. Don't say anything about it for the next few days since the family hasn't announced it yet.
Of course, everyone will probably know it three days later, and by then, who knows if I'll be the laughingstock.
As a son-in-law... I don't know if I'll have the chance to go drinking and enjoy the company of women with you again. If it hadn't been so unsettling recently, I would have definitely gone to Yichun Building with you tonight, not leaving until we're drunk."
Liang Sheng remained silent, accompanying Liang Qi in drinking. At this moment, Liang Qi didn't need anyone to speak; he just wanted to vent.
When a servant from Liang Qi's house knocked on the door of the private room to report that the family was looking for him, Liang Qi gave Liang Sheng a wry smile and took his leave.
Liang Sheng helped him to the door, and just before opening it, he whispered, "Brother Qi, it seems I won't be able to drink with you anymore.
In just two days, I've lost two drinking buddies. The young master of the rich merchant Chen family has become a monk due to the death of his beloved prostitute, overwhelmed by grief.
This infuriated his grandfather, who expelled him from the family and had to apologize to the Guo family, with whom they had arranged a marriage. I haven't seen him in a long time."
At this moment, Liang Qi hesitated. Just as the servant outside held the door for him, he got into the horse carriage and took a deep last look at Liang Sheng.
After Liang Qi left, Liang Sheng looked around. With two of the Gao family members at the Nine Realms, Jinzhou City might be in chaos for some time.
He needed to be more cautious during this time. He would probably have to come to Shengde Building less frequently, prioritizing safety. He didn't know when Jinzhou City would return to calm.
He would have to endure it for a while longer.