Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Pedestrians along the way turned their heads to look, and some merchants who recognized the Su family's escort flag peeked out and whispered among themselves—the appearance of this group clearly indicated that they had been through a bloody battle.

People gradually gathered on both sides of the street to watch the spectacle.

The whispers drifted into the convoy on the wind:

"It's someone from the Su Family Escort Agency... Judging by their appearance, they've run into some tough opponents?"

"The Black Wind Ridge line, right? I heard it's been rather unsettled lately..."

"Look at the blood on that car! Has anyone died?"

"It seems the young master is injured..."

As Su Derong listened, he waved his fan even louder, and even nodded to several familiar passersby, his nonchalant smile undiminished.

Chen Jianghe frowned slightly.

In chaotic times, flaunting wealth invites disaster, while flaunting weakness invites calamity.

This carload of blood and wounds parading through the streets, in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, was a signal that the Su family's security force was weak and vulnerable.

He turned his head and whispered, "Senior brother, isn't this kind of ostentatious display too conspicuous?"

Su Derong glanced at him sideways, tapped his fan on his palm, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Jiang He, remember this—in the escort agency business, seven parts skill and three parts reputation. We may have been in a sorry state today, but we came back alive and the goods were safe. Once this news gets out, those who want to take advantage of the Su family will have to think twice."

Chen Jianghe remained silent, understanding in his heart.

This is a show of weakness, but also a show of strength. In chaotic times, being overly low-key can sometimes be seen as an indication of vulnerability.

Just then, Su Derong gently tapped his arm with the rib of his fan: "Jiang He, look up."

Chen Jianghe looked up as instructed.

Su Derong looked him up and down, then clicked his tongue twice: "You've been at the Xingyi Martial Arts School for almost a year now, haven't you? What were you like when you first came? You were as skinny as a reed, I was afraid a strong wind would blow you away. And look at you now—"

With his uninjured hand, he lightly tapped Chen Jianghe's arm and shoulder with his index finger. "This physique, this energy, wow."

Chen Jianghe looked down at himself.

The indigo outfit was covered in dust and dried bloodstains, and the cuffs were torn in several places, revealing the strong arm muscles underneath.

Indeed, he is a world apart from the young laborer who was hunched over and reeking of fish in the Shen family's slaughterhouse a year ago.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "It's all thanks to my senior brother's usual care."

Su Derong waved his hand, about to say something, when suddenly his eyes darted around and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"By the way, Jiang He, if I remember correctly, you should be almost eighteen, right?"

Chen Jianghe nodded: "He'll be eighteen in another month."

"Eighteen..." Su Derong drawled, stroking his chin as if to say, "I suddenly remembered something important. At this age, in ordinary families, it's time to talk about marriage and get married. Settling down and starting a career—it's about starting a family first, then building a career!"

Chen Jianghe frowned almost imperceptibly, a vague premonition rising in his heart.

Sure enough, Su Derong smiled and leaned closer, lowering his voice so that Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, Zhao Tieshan, and the others around him could hear him clearly: "You know, I happen to have a distant cousin's younger sister here. She's incredibly beautiful! And the key is her figure..."

"She's lean where she should be, and curvy where she should be! That bottom, round and firm, definitely fertile; that waist, slender yet strong, absolutely the kind of woman who can bear sons! So, Jiang He, how about your senior brother plays matchmaker for you, give it a try?"

Chen Jianghe: "..."

He opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know how to react.

All that remained in his mind was Su Derong's mocking smile, and the buzzing words "buttocks," "waist," and "giving birth to a son."

"Pfft—!" Zhou Yong, who was drinking water nearby, spat out a mouthful of water, choking and coughing repeatedly. He laughed between coughs, "Young...Young Master! You're not talking about that Qing girl from the escort agency, are you?"

"Exactly!" Su Derong slapped his thigh.

Zhou Yong winked at Chen Jianghe: "Brother Chen, that Qing girl is really something! Her looks, her figure, tsk tsk, you can't find another one like her in all the streets outside the city!"

Wang Gui chimed in with a simple, honest voice, "Yeah, Brother Chen, now that you're married, you have a wife and a warm bed, and someone to help take care of your mother. Isn't that great!"

Even the usually calm and taciturn Zhao Tieshan couldn't help but smirk and chime in, "Master Chen, the young master isn't teasing you. Although Miss Qing is a bit arrogant, her character and appearance are impeccable. If you're truly interested, let the young master put in a good word for you; it might not be a bad match."

Several busy porters and镖局 staff around them also pricked up their ears to listen, their faces showing expressions of watching the spectacle.

Having just returned from a mission, having narrowly escaped death, listening to these down-to-earth, everyday banter brought a sense of relief to my tense mind, which had been on edge for many days.

Chen Jianghe was somewhat taken aback by this sudden "marriage proposal." He took a deep breath, composed himself, and then clasped his hands in a serious manner, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, senior brother and all the brothers. However, Jianghe is currently focused on martial arts training, my mother is not yet settled, and my job at the escort agency has just begun. I really cannot spare the mind to consider marriage."

Su Derong stared at him for a few moments, then suddenly burst into laughter, patting his shoulder heavily with his fan: "Good! You have ambition! But let me tell you this first, my cousin has very high standards, and there are plenty of suitors! If you don't consider it now, you might regret it later."

He added with a smile, "When I was your age, I already had kids. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have a loving wife at home."

Chen Jianghe could only shake his head helplessly: "Senior brother, please stop teasing me."

"Alright!" Su Derong didn't press the matter further, tapping his fan on his palm. "Then we'll wait until you're famous throughout Yilin County! At that time, suitors will be lining up to break down your door, and your senior brother will help you vet them!"

Everyone laughed.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the convoy entered the western part of the district, where the plaque of the Su Family Escort Agency came into view.

A large crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the security escort agency.

The old shopkeeper, Uncle Yang, was waiting at the bottom of the steps with two employees. As soon as they saw the convoy, they rushed to greet them.

Several bodyguards and porters who remained behind also came over and helped unload the cart, lead the horses, and carry the wounded.

......

Half an hour later, everyone had changed and dressed neatly and gathered in the main hall.

Su Jingming was already waiting in the hall, dressed in an indigo silk robe and with a jade belt around his waist, sitting in the main seat.

Several trays covered with red cloth were placed on the long table in front of him.

Upon seeing everyone enter, Su Jingming stood up to greet them. His gaze first fell on Su Derong, and seeing that although Su Derong's face was pale, he was in good spirits. His worry lessened slightly, and then he turned to Chen Jianghe and the others, examining them one by one.

"Please sit down," Su Jingming gestured.

The group took their seats in order. Su Derong sat to the left of Su Jingming, followed by Chen Jianghe, Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, and Zhao Tieshan.

Su Jingming first asked about the injuries, and everyone answered in turn.

Su Jingming's gaze swept over the people present, finally landing on Chen Jianghe, and he slowly said, "The details of this escort mission have already been roughly reported by the men. But there are some details that you need to tell us in person."

Zhao Tieshan stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Reporting to Second Master, the first few days after this shipment left the city were relatively smooth. Before entering Black Wind Ridge, we rested at Old Yang's Inn as per custom, and at night..."

He recounted the attack in detail, speaking at a calm pace, yet explaining every single detail clearly.

Su Jingming listened quietly, his face expressionless, but his fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the teacup.

After Zhao Tieshan finished speaking, he looked at Zhou Yong and asked, "Zhou Yong, what about you?"

Zhou Yong stood up, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Second Master, I... I don't have much to say. If Brother Chen hadn't remained calm that night, I probably would have lost my life. I used to misunderstand him, thinking he was afraid of death, but now that I think about it, it's really..."

He paused, then said solemnly, "I, Zhou Yong, am completely convinced of Brother Chen's skill, courage, and character."

Wang Gui stood up, his honest face full of sincerity: "Second Master, that's what I think too. Brother Chen may be young, but he's experienced and decisive. In that situation last night, I probably would have panicked long ago."

Su Jingming nodded, his gaze finally landing on Su Derong: "Derong, you speak."

Su Derong didn't get up, but leaned back in his chair. His face was pale, but his tone was serious: "Uncle, Old Zhao and the others have already said what they needed to say. I'll just add one point—"

He turned to look at Chen Jianghe beside him and said slowly, "If it weren't for Jianghe that night, I would have been crippled or dead. He saved not only me, but also this shipment, and even more so, the reputation of the Su Family Escort Agency."