Song Cheng picked a weapon and returned to his quarters.

He was already familiar with this staff-like Fine Blade and knew it needed to be sharpened first.

Ling felt uneasy and nervous, silently following him.

"From now on, it's like we're family" was not an empty phrase.

Only when exchanging information, providing value, and starting to work together for a common cause and mutual benefit, did it truly mean they were like family.

If they couldn't share their fortunes and misfortunes together, "family" was merely lip service.

Ling came to discuss business, or rather, to complete the ritual of "tying to the same rope."

...

...

Swish...

A ladle of cool water soaked the sharpening stone.

The youth sat down and began to skillfully sharpen the thin iron rod.

Ling, dressed in pink garments and skirts, with her hair done in two circular buns, stood nervously by with her hands hanging down.

Young Mrs. Tong, who had already been practicing with the blade until she was out of breath, suddenly said, "I'll step out for a while."

Song Cheng said, "Don't, I'm not hiding anything from you."

Young Mrs. Tong said, "But I don't want to listen."

Song Cheng said, "It's very important."

Young Mrs. Tong playfully laughed, "I know it's very important, but I just don't want to hear it."

Women are unpredictable like needles at the bottom of the sea; many thoughts flashed through Song Cheng's mind, yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly what his wife was thinking.

Perhaps perceiving Song Cheng's thoughts, Tong Jia laughed, "You deal with your troubles, and I have mine."

Song Cheng said helplessly, "Alright then."

Ling suddenly pulled a token from her bosom and hurriedly approached, saying, "Physician Tong, with this token, you can go to the Commerce Chamber's Scripture Room to read. Although there are no Cultivation Techniques, there are many collections of books gathered by the young madams, including some on medicine."

Young Mrs. Tong did not refuse and took the token, saying, "Thank you, Miss Ling."

Ling quickly waved her hand.

Young Mrs. Tong turned and left, also firmly closing the door behind her.

The yard immediately quieted down, leaving only the repetitive sound of the blade being sharpened.

The area around the sharpening stone immediately showed murky yellow rust water, seeping into the soil.

Song Cheng scooped another ladle of water, washed away the rusty water, picked up the Fine Blade to inspect it, and continued to reverse and polish the rusty surface, then suddenly said softly, "I killed Shi Yi."

Ling's body shook, and she said in a trembling voice, "The servant knows."

Song Cheng asked, "You don't hate me?"

Ling bitterly said, "A rootless duckweed, a servant who betrayed her master, almost ended up with nothing in prison; how could I possibly have the right to hate."

Song... Mr. Song, what... what do you need from the servant?"

Song Cheng quietly continued to sharpen the blade, the blade rust snapping off, especially at the joint.

Suddenly, Song Cheng stopped, stood up, and drew the blade from its handle.

Crack... crack, crack, crack...

The rusty blade emerged.

The power bonus it provided unexpectedly increased from 5 to 6.

Song Cheng exerted his power, a surge of blood energy entered the blade, and a miraculous fusion sensation of the blade as an extension of his arm emerged.

Humm~~~

The blade hummed, its material clearly not ordinary iron.

Song Cheng smiled, praised "Good blade", and then swung a "Transforming into Jiao".

At that moment, even though Ling was unfamiliar with blade techniques, she could see the terror of that swing.

It was a combination of speed, force, and ferocity; the blade was far from her, but the blade's wind brushed past her closely.

She felt as if Song Cheng had swung away half the courtyard's wind with a single slash.

In the yard, stunned insects, as if hearing the roar of a great beast, fell silent in shock.

The old tree's new buds, struck by the blade's wind, shivered significantly, and the rustling of the leaves sounded almost like a dreamy wind chime.

'How terrifying...'

Ling drew herself in, her face down, looking at her toes.

Though she knew Shi Yi was killed by him, though she knew he must be very strong, seeing it firsthand still filled Ling with a sense of dread.

Especially considering such a fearsome person was pretending not to have reached the Force Realm when he came to Ruyi Commerce Chamber, allowing the young madam to nurture him... his plans must be very significant.

After swinging one blade, Song Cheng continued sharpening his blade and said, "Miss Ling may think I am up to no good, that my intentions are significant.

But in reality, I, Song, am just looking for a place to settle...

I, Song, have seen evil spirits, and coming to Ruyi Commerce Chamber was also a matter of fate. I thought of sharing fortunes and misfortunes together."

Ling looked up in surprise.

She had thought that Song Cheng had come on purpose.

However, when Song Cheng had just returned, she saw him, and his shabby appearance certainly didn't seem intentional.

Therefore, she asked, "Mr. Song, the ghost... the ghost calamity in Tang River Village, is it really that terrifying?"

"A ghost calamity? Quite apt.

But it's not just Tang River Village, it's even in the Wilderness, rampant with evil spirits..."

Song Cheng's eyes showed gravity and fear. He murmured, "If Ruyi Commerce Chamber gets involved, I fear it will be annihilated, not a chicken or dog spared."

He looked up at Ling and said, "Therefore, I want to save myself, but I need the Ruyi Commerce Chamber. I will also save the Ruyi Commerce Chamber, because this is where I belong.

Therefore..."

He looked intently at Ling and said seriously, "I want to marry An Chenyu."

"Aiming to be a son-in-law, huh..." Ling sighed in relief, looked at Song Cheng, and felt, in terms of strength, talent, or appearance, he wasn't far behind. If he truly became the son-in-law, as long as he did not abandon her, she too would rise with the tide... As for whether he would abandon her, it would depend on her own abilities.

She nodded firmly and said, "I will help you, sir."

After speaking, she frowned and said worriedly, "Miss said she wants to find a son-in-law living with his wife's family, and this son-in-law is chosen by the Commerce Chamber's Chief Lady. It's said to be a useless scholar.

I discussed this matter with Shi Yi before.

Shi Yi said this scholar is just a facade brought in by the young lady. He can't even touch the young lady, but I'm still worried.

Because the young lady is very independent; she has always striven to be the best, like a determined man. I grew up with her and saw her grit her teeth and refuse to admit defeat...

So, the young lady actually needs such a useless scholar as her puppet.

In contrast, strong individuals like you, although she would get close and use for her confidant, she will definitely not choose as her husband."

Song Cheng said, "A mountain cannot contain two tigers?"

Ling nodded repeatedly, showing agreement.

Song Cheng thought for a while.

Should he... change the target?

After all, he needed to merge with a force to address many needs, thus enabling him to cultivate better in a safe environment. It wasn't necessary to marry An Chenyu.

At that moment, he wanted to ask if "Miss Ling knew any other family of great power and wealth, marrying whom could get him into the core circle", but he held back the thought.

First, how easy could it be?

Being a "one shot" thief is easy.

But to marry into a family and integrate into their power is difficult.

Second, his relationship with Ling was actually limited to the Ruyi Commerce Chamber.

If he changed his target, Ling would still obey him out of fear, but because of losing a common strategy and mutual benefits, there could be extra complications.

And over time, this connection might fade.

With many thoughts flashing through his mind, Song Cheng said, "Each has its needs; the scholar can give the young lady freedom, and I can too."

Ling clenched her fists and said, "Then I will also try my best to help you become the son-in-law as soon as possible."

...

...

"Yawning, when will the young lady let us go back?"

"Right, right, no one from this ghost village is coming out anymore... It's unfortunate for Guan Xi."

"Let's wait a bit more; didn't we end up waiting for Song Cheng before?"

Outside Tang River Village, the waiting guards of the commerce chamber changed shifts, from the previous duo including Gao Yiwen to another two.

These two sat on the ox cart, legs crossed, drinking some liquor.

What they needed to do every day was wait.

The sky was not dark yet, dusk was not upon them, suddenly... moisture formed in the woods, swirling upwards, covering above the knees.

The two guards exchanged looks and decided to pull back, retreating to the countryside inn where they were temporarily staying.

Thus, one took to the driver's seat, and the other sat at the back of the cart.

Just as they were turning the cart head and about to crack the whip, suddenly the guard sitting at the back shouted, "Wait a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"There's someone, someone came out!"

"What?" The man at the driver's seat, startled, said tremblingly, "Could it be... a ghostly figure?"

The man at the back replied, "No, it's a woman."

Having said that, he squinted his eyes for a better look, feeling vaguely that this woman looked familiar.

Finally, he saw clearly and exclaimed with a mix of delight and incredulity, "Guan Xi! It's Guan Xi!"

The mist thickened, like a rising tide from the sea. The woman in the mist walked towards them ethereally, her features flickering in and out of sight, but the way she walked was strange, as if... she was still learning how to walk.

The mist... quickly engulfed the guards and the ox cart...

In the mist, it soon became deathly silent, as if no signs of life had ever existed.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.