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The eldest young lady of Ruyi Commerce Chamber's surname was An, first name Chenyu.
She had a cleanliness obsession.
So Song Cheng and Tong Jia were taken by the servants for a bath and change of clothes before meeting her.
The first time Song Cheng saw her, he not only saw "Strength: 8~8," "Affection: 60," but also saw coldness.
Coldness was a feeling, how could it be seen?
Just because this was not a shady cold but a cold beauty.
It was a cold built from her dignified appearance, etiquette, gentle beauty, regal demeanor, and the respectful attitudes of those surrounding her while she sat at the center.
Yet, when she glanced over with a warm expression, that cold beauty melted away like an iceberg in the spring, like the dawn breaking after a long night, making one feel immensely comfortable and yearn to be close to her.
However, it was merely closeness, never daring to nourish any disrespectful thoughts.
This was a kind of charismatic authority.
Combining what Song Cheng saw all the way in the servants and guards' attitudes and some stray words, he roughly knew... this young lady had already completed the "Palm Seal" procedure, and her capabilities were enough to manage the entire merchant chamber.
Because everything here appeared so well organized and orderly.
"Where is Guan Xi?"
The young lady eagerly asked.
Song Cheng saluted and clearly narrated the events.
After speaking, he sighed and said: "Miss Guan Xi called me sir, yet I couldn't bring her out, I feel guilty."
The young lady replied: "Sir should not blame himself, if you feel guilty, how could I not? I was truly unaware of the bandit affair."
She too sighed lightly, revealing a trace of anger in her almond eyes.
She had thought about her brother's despicable acts but never thought he was not only wicked but also stupid.
Colluding with bandits?
Was he not afraid that the tiger would be so greedy as to swallow him too?
Yet, now the turmoil had settled, elders had passed the "seal" to her, exchanging for her brother's indulgent luxury.
At such a juncture, even if she accused her brother of "colluding with bandits," it would be suppressed and deemed by the elders as being "cold-hearted, petty-minded, deliberately fabricating reasons to secure her position," and so on.
Numerous thoughts flashed through her mind, and the young lady rested her chin on her hand, observing the young man below, then suddenly inquired more.
She asked.
He answered.
Answering gradually, the young lady dismissed those beside her.
Because Song Cheng knew too much.
Previously, deep in the mountains, Guan Xi, in order to persuade him, told him everything, just to make Song Cheng believe that "as long as she gets out with him, they could certainly rise up, maybe not in wealth and glory, but definitely better than the mountain village."
Song Cheng mostly "quoted Guan Xi's original words," which were filled with a person's speaking style, tone, even if the information was consistent, it revealed deeper layers like "closeness or distance."
As Song Cheng spoke, he saw the young lady's favorability increase from an initial 60 to 65, then 70, and finally to 75.
As the conversation concluded, the young lady said: "Since Guan Xi called you sir, and you indeed killed bandits, would you like to try your swordsmanship?"
Song Cheng understood this evolved from the initial "casual chat" to "interview," and now to an "assessment."
He nodded and said: "Naturally."
Whether he and Madam Tong could settle smoothly in the county depended on this "assessment," otherwise... he could only be randomly assigned to some unknown place as a refugee.
On the other side, the young lady instructed a maid, who soon returned, saying: "Miss, they have arrived."
The young lady smiled and said: "Mr. Song, let us meet in the courtyard."
Song Cheng followed her out.
Outside the door stood a burly man with a small mustache, towering like a pagoda with his hand on a blade.
"Ding Kui, just demonstrate," the young lady instructed, then turned to Song Cheng and said, "Mr. Song, our commerce chamber has guards who do not engage in production but practice martial arts. Ding Kui is among the best, having reached Great Achievement in Power Realm. Would you like to spar with him?"
Song Cheng looked at Ding Kui.
The data appeared:
[Strength: 10~15]
[Affection: 40]
Such low affection?
Song Cheng was a bit puzzled.
Was he, unlike a novel protagonist, destined to be targeted everywhere, with everyone against him?
As for strength...
He glanced at himself again.
The Fine Blade had been lost during the escape, currently only 35~35.
The opponent relied on the advantage of a weapon, if he cut his neck, he would still die.
The young lady said: "If Mr. Song is willing, choose a weapon from the rack."
Song Cheng boldly said "Alright," then stepped forward and picked the only blade, flicked it in his hand, and his strength instantly changed to "37~74."
"Brother Ding, please proceed."
Ding Kui snorted coldly.
A country bumpkin, a sir?
Go back home and practice for a few more years!!
Obstructed by the young lady's presence, he too cupped his fists, then channeled his power into the blade, charged forward, and clashed with Song Cheng. The two exchanged twenty or thirty moves without a clear winner.
When another clash separated them, the young lady gave a signal.
The maid said: "Stop!"
The two, who were about to charge again, froze.
The anticipatory glint in the young lady's eyes for "assigning important duties" faded slightly, her expression shifted, and as she looked at Song Cheng, she smiled and said: "Mr. Song's strength indeed is remarkable."
Ding Kui's affection dropped again to 35.
Seeing Ding Kui's fierce attacks, Song Cheng initially wondered how he had offended this strong man and suddenly understood, thus he said: "Young Lady, the title of sir is too much, I, Song, have only practiced some farming skills in Tang River Village, how can I compare with the heroic figures of the chamber?"
No sooner had these words fallen than Ding Kui's affection immediately shot up.
It rose directly from "35" to "70."
Just like that, once someone had despised him, in a moment he became a friend, that's the wondrous power of language. After all, two fruits killing three warriors is all about face.
Of course, if Song Cheng exposed his true strength entirely, he could reduce Ding Kui to submission, but the result... would more than likely become "after defeating Ding Kui, a stronger guard would come."
He would fight his way through and disgust everyone since he was not one of the chamber, but an outsider.
Simultaneously, he would instantly be on the sharp edge. Whether the young lady believed him or not would become a problem. Even if she did, even if she used him, the issues he needed to solve would correspond to the level of his full strength. Would he gain any benefits?
No, he wouldn't.
In the deep woods, his approach was wrong, but the fault was not in "silently growing strong," rather in wanting convenience in a "Yang Qi insufficient, hard to replenish Yin" wilderness.
On the journey, he had thought it through.
Clearly being a master yet pretending to have no power at all, he could not commit such folly.
Does he not want to eat well and drink well, to improve his life?
Song did not seek aggression and fierceness, but he wanted a good life.
Thus, he set a way of living for himself: hide six or seven parts, reveal three or four parts.
Use the "six or seven parts of strength" to counter potential risks, and the "three or four parts" to gain status.
Now, he was merely adhering to his choice.
Many thoughts turning over...
On the other side, the young lady asked: "Then how old are you this year?"
Song Cheng said: "Seventeen."
"Seventeen?"
The young lady showed a smile.
A seventeen-year-old, reaching the Great Achievement in Power Realm from the countryside, was a rare good seedling.
What force wouldn't appreciate a good seedling?
Nurture, recruit just in time. Suppression, targeting, impossible.
Hence, she said: "Seventeen, two years younger than me. So, Song Cheng, where did you learn your swordsmanship?"
Song Cheng replied candidly: "An absolute skill passed down by a family in the village, granted to me, called 'White Snake Blade.'"
Ding Kui beside him clapped and praised: "What a White Snake Blade, no wonder when exchanging moves with Brother Song, I felt Brother Song's swordsmanship is agile; it indeed is extraordinary!"
Song Cheng waved his hands repeatedly and said: "Not as proficient as Brother Ding's seasoned swordsmanship, I still have a long way to go. If we had a few more rounds, I would surely be defeated."
Ding Kui's affection soared again from 70 to 80.
Most martial artists valued face, if you spar with them and concede face, they would like you. Otherwise, they might chop you down, even considering it a mortal feud wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Hence, Ding Kui laughed heartily: "Brother Song, we get along, let's have a drink later, huh."
As he said "drink," he winked and raised his brow.
Evidently, the "drinking" wasn't ordinary but rather had some intrigue.
Song Cheng smiled and said: "That needs reporting to the family, Madam."
Ding Kui laughed heartily and said: "Shouldn't women listen to us? Brother Song afraid of Madam?"
After saying this, the air suddenly became silent.
Ding Kui abruptly realized, the young lady still loomed above.
An Chenyu mildly said: "Ling, the guards work hard daily. Xiao Song is new; it's only right for them to greet him. This expense should be recorded; think of it as my treat."
The maid acknowledged.
Ding Kui quickly said: "Thanks to the young lady for the treat."
An Chenyu said: "Guard Ding, you may go back now."
Ding Kui took his leave.
An Chenyu looked at Song Cheng and said: "Xiao Song, would you like to settle in with our An family?"
Song Cheng smiled and said: "Afraid I'll not meet the threshold."
An Chenyu said: "Then it is settled."
With this, she added: "Ling, go find the steward, let him make a trip to the county office today to help Song Cheng and his Madam settle in."
The maid named Ling acknowledged and hurried out.
In the courtyard, only the young lady and Song Cheng remained.
An Chenyu smiled and said: "Xiao Song, I want to nurture you, are you willing?"
Song Cheng was not one to refuse respect or eat penalty wine, more so he had no better option, so he said directly: "Willing."
An Chenyu exhaled, her almond eyes moved slightly as she focused on him, asking softly: "Did you conceal your strength when sparring with Ding Kui?"
Song Cheng said: "I did."
An Chenyu's almond eyes brightened: "By how much?"
Song Cheng said: "Twenty percent."
An Chenyu's lovely face displayed a smile, saying: "Be my brother, I have an unworthy elder brother, now I want to take an accomplished younger brother."
Song Cheng knew this was a transaction.
There was no love without reason in the world.
Though he displayed just the right amount of strength and potential, exhibited good qualities, and maintained a sincere and pure background, an intimate connection ceremony was needed to gain special privileges.
He nodded and decisively hailed: "Sister An."
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