Martial Arts Crossover: My master tricked Huang Rong into becoming my wife!

The next morning, before the fog in Xiangyang City had completely dissipated, Chen Yanzhou had already tidied himself up neatly.

He wore simple coarse linen clothes, with an old money pouch hanging at his waist for show, and carried two packets of freshly baked osmanthus cakes from Juxianlou.

Old Xu's dwelling was still dilapidated, and the rickety wooden door seemed to be on the verge of collapse at any moment.

Chen Yanzhou pushed open the door with practiced ease and entered. Old Xu was sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard, holding a well-worn copy of the Three Character Classic in his hands, his eyes somewhat glazed over.

"Grandpa Xu, eat it while it's hot." Chen Yanzhou placed the osmanthus cake on the stone table and found a small stool to sit down.

Old Xu snapped out of his reverie, glanced at the steaming pastries, then at the bright-eyed child before him, and instead of reaching for the food as usual, he sighed and closed the book in his hand.

"Yanzhou."

"Yes, I'm here." Chen Yanzhou was about to pour tea for the old man when he heard this and paused.

Old Xu's withered fingers rubbed the book cover a couple of times, a rare solemnity appearing in his cloudy old eyes: "In the past year or so, from learning to read to accounting, from law to criminal law, you've practically emptied out the little bit of knowledge I had. From now on, there's nothing more I can teach you."

Chen Yanzhou grinned and leaned closer, saying, "Grandpa Xu, you're being modest, aren't you? You're just hiding your true abilities."

"Stop joking." Old Xu didn't laugh; his face was stern. "I'm serious."

Chen Yanzhou suppressed his smile and sat up straight.

"You're a smart kid, really smart. You have a photographic memory and can apply what you've learned to other situations. Even the top scholar back then couldn't match you in that respect." Old Xu stared into his eyes, speaking slowly. "But you have a problem, which is what worries me the most."

Chen Yanzhou didn't speak, but listened quietly.

"You're too hard-hearted, yet too opportunistic," Old Xu sighed, continuing, "In your eyes, the law isn't a rule, it's a tool. Business isn't about buying and selling, it's about calculation. Everything in this world seems to you to be just a calculation; as long as the profit outweighs the cost, you'll do it."

Chen Yanzhou frowned slightly, about to explain, but was interrupted by Old Man Xu raising his hand.

"I know what you're trying to say. In chaotic times, it's a skill to remain untainted. But Yanzhou, there are some debts in life that can't be settled, nor should they be. Whether it's your Yiyun Division or the Beggars' Sect, if you only consider personal gain and not human nature, they will eventually become a weapon that hurts both others and yourself."

Old Xu paused, his tone softening with a hint of affection: "Your master, Chief Hong, is a chivalrous and righteous man. Although you have become his disciple, you are a businessman at heart. A businessman without ethics is a treacherous one. I have no other skills, but I hope that when you become powerful or wealthy, you will still have a bottom line in your heart. Don't treat this world as a game of chess."

Chen Yanzhou remained silent for a long time.

He is a modern man, accustomed to weighing pros and cons, and to getting the greatest benefit at the lowest cost.

Old Xu's words, though harsh, were like a needle piercing through his shrewd facade.

He stood up and respectfully bowed deeply to Old Man Xu.

"I will remember Grandpa Xu's teachings."

Old Xu waved his hand, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled as he shooed the man away, "Alright, you don't need to come anymore."

"But remember to practice your handwriting, it's awful!"

"knew!"

……

After leaving Old Xu's place, Chen Yanzhou felt somewhat depressed.

The feeling of being seen through was unpleasant, but he didn't think much of it and went straight back to the Beggars' Sect branch.

Upon returning to the Beggars' Sect branch, he saw Lu Youjiao busy arranging affairs within the sect, his feet barely touching the ground.

"Grandpa Lu!" Chen Yanzhou called out.

Lu Youjiao wiped the sweat from his brow, saw it was Chen Yanzhou, grinned, and pointed in the direction outside the city: "You're back? Perfect timing, the gang leader is waiting for you by the Han River, he wants you to hurry over."

"Master is looking for me?" Chen Yanzhou was taken aback. "Why is he out drinking at Juxianlou instead of by the river at this hour?"

"He said he's leaving, and he has something to tell me before he goes." Lu Youjiao's expression was somewhat complicated. He patted Chen Yanzhou's shoulder and said, "Go quickly, don't keep the gang leader waiting."

Chen Yanzhou's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Was he really leaving?

He didn't dare to delay, and used the Free and Easy Wandering technique, his figure swift as the wind as he rushed towards the Han River.

Before we even reached the riverbank, a strong aroma of meat wafted into our noses on the wind.

It was the aroma of grease dripping onto charcoal, mixed with the savory flavor of some kind of wild game, and interspersed with a faint hint of herbal scent.

Chen Yanzhou swallowed hard and quickened his pace.

Turning past a patch of reeds, you'll see a bonfire burning beside a large blue stone on the banks of the Han River.

Hong Qigong sat cross-legged on the ground, twirling a wooden stick in his hand, on which was a large piece of meat sizzling and dripping with oil.

At his feet lay a dark, indistinct shape.

Chen Yanzhou walked over quietly and then saw that it was a pitifully small puppy.

Its entire body was jet black, except for its four white paws, hence the name "Searching for Plum Blossoms in the Snow." However, this little fellow was so thin that it was skin and bones, and it was huddled next to Hong Qigong's tattered straw sandals, shivering.

"Master, you seem to be in high spirits." Chen Yanzhou leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the roasted meat. "Where did this wild game come from? It smells much better than mutton."

As he spoke, he reached out to tear off a piece to taste its saltiness.

"Snapped!"

Without even raising his head, Hong Qigong precisely tapped Chen Yanzhou's hand with the gourd in his other hand.

"It's not cooked yet, what's the rush?" Hong Qigong snorted, turning the roasted meat in his hand. "This meat needs to be roasted slowly over a low flame to render out the fat and make the skin crispy."

Chen Yanzhou rubbed the back of his hand, pursed his lips, and looked at the puppy.

"Where did you find this little thing? It's so skinny, it's not even enough to fill a tooth gap." Chen Yanzhou squatted down and poked the puppy's head with his finger.

The puppy whimpered, but instead of flinching, it stuck out its pink tongue and licked Chen Yanzhou's fingers.

"Take it."

Hong Qigong suddenly reached out, grabbed the puppy by the scruff of its neck, and shoved it into Chen Yanzhou's arms like trash.

Chen Yanzhou hurriedly caught it, looking completely bewildered: "What? This...this is supposed to be an appetizer? Master, this is too cruel! It's so small...and there's hardly any meat..."

"Eat, eat, all you know is how to eat!" Hong Qigong rolled his eyes at him. "This is for you to raise."

"Let me raise it?" Chen Yanzhou looked at the black, still-weaned baby in his arms, his lips twitching.

"Enough nonsense." Hong Qigong tore off a piece of roasted meat leg, took a bite, his mouth dripping with oil, "I'm going to the north for a trip. This trip will last at least three to five months, and possibly a year or two. I'll leave this little guy with you to keep you company."

"The North?" Chen Yanzhou frowned. "Is it because of the Iron Palm Gang?"

Hong Qigong didn't deny it, chewing on his meat and mumbling, "There are some old scores I need to settle. Besides, the Jin Kingdom has been making quite a stir lately, and I won't feel at ease if I don't keep an eye on things."

"Then I'll go with you," Chen Yanzhou blurted out. "I have the Yiyun Division's caravan as cover, and I can even cover for you while we roast a whole lamb or something."

"Forget it." Hong Qigong sneered and looked him up and down.

Chen Yanzhou was speechless.

"So, just stay in Xiangyang, practice your skills, and make money." Hong Qigong pointed to the dog in his arms. "If you get bored, just tease it."

Chen Yanzhou looked down at the little black dog in his arms. The little guy seemed to feel the warmth, snuggled up in his arms, and found a comfortable position to sleep.

"Isn't Grandpa Lu better than a dog?" Chen Yanzhou couldn't help but complain. "With Grandpa Lu around, how could I be lonely?"

"Has legs?" Hong Qigong said as if he had heard a joke. "After I leave, all the big and small affairs of the gang will fall on his shoulders. He'll wish he could split himself in two to use. He won't have time to bother with an idle person like you."

Chen Yanzhou sighed and resignedly stroked the dog's head.

"Alright, let's raise it. I've almost finished practicing the Dog-Beating Stick Technique, and I just need a live target."

The puppy in her arms seemed to sense its tragic future and shuddered violently.

"But Master..." Chen Yanzhou raised his head, looked at the puppy in his arms, and then at the empty riverbank around him. "Just this one? Dogs are most afraid of being alone. You should get it a companion. Otherwise, it will be so lonely when I'm not around."

Upon hearing this, Hong Qigong paused slightly in his chewing motion, his gaze wandering as he glanced uncomfortably to the side.

"Companion?" Hong Qigong coughed and flipped the roasted meat in his hand over, dripping oil into the fire and sending up a puff of smoke.

"There was someone to keep me company."

"What about the other one?" Chen Yanzhou pressed.

Hong Qigong didn't speak, but silently stretched out his greasy finger and pointed to the piece of roasted meat on the grill in front of him, which was sizzling with oil and smelling delicious.

Chen Yanzhou looked in the direction he was pointing.

The meat was roasted to a golden brown and crispy perfection, tender on the inside and juicy on the outside, with an enticing color.

The air suddenly became quiet.

Chen Yanzhou looked down at the little black dog sleeping soundly in his arms, and then at the "brother" on the shelf.

"..."

"Master," Chen Yanzhou swallowed, his voice trembling slightly, "You mean... the one roasting on this rack is its older brother?"

"That's Second Brother," Hong Qigong corrected, tearing off a piece of meat and handing it to Chen Yanzhou. "Big Brother already ate my fill last night. This one's too skinny, barely any meat, so it won't taste good. I'll leave it for you as a souvenir."

Chen Yanzhou looked at the meat being offered to his mouth, unsure whether to accept it or not.

What kind of hellish joke is this?

"Eat up, what are you standing there for?" Hong Qigong urged. "This dog meat is very nourishing, especially this black dog, which can ward off evil spirits and cold. You've been depleting your energy practicing the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, this is a good way to replenish it."

Chen Yanzhou looked at the clueless puppy in his arms, and smelled the irresistible aroma of meat. He went through a fierce internal struggle that lasted for a second.

Then he reached out and took the piece of meat.

"Master, did you sprinkle cumin on it?"

"Nonsense, how could I forget your secret recipe?"

"Then we'll have to add some Sichuan peppercorn powder," Chen Yanzhou said, taking a big bite.

Mmm, it smells so good.

"By the way, let's give this little thing a name." Hong Qigong looked at his disciple, who was eating with his mouth full of oil, and nodded in satisfaction.

While chewing on "Second Brother," Chen Yanzhou looked at the survivor in his arms, thought for a moment, and said, "Since its Second Brother smells so good, let's call it 'Leftovers' to remind it that it survived purely by luck."

"That sounds awful," Hong Qigong said disdainfully. "Since it's about searching for plum blossoms in the snow and it's black, why not call it 'Black Charcoal'?"

"That's too common," Chen Yanzhou retorted. "Let's call it 'Wangcai' instead, which means bringing in wealth and treasures, and it suits my current identity."

"Whatever you want." Hong Qigong didn't mind and continued to eat his meat.

The baby dog ​​in Chen Yanzhou's arms vaguely smelled the fragrance and stuck out its tongue to lick the bone on Chen Yanzhou's hand.

"Hey, stop licking him, that's your second brother."

As he spoke, Chen Yanzhou quickly lifted it away.