During the Republic of China era, I achieved unparalleled success by returning to the past.

[Sacrificing ten years of lifespan in an attempt to break through limits, the breakthrough was successful! Obtained "Longevity Tai Chi - Hidden Strength".]

Success! The mask hanging on the Book of Impermanence immediately shone brightly, emitting a hazy purple light.

With only fifteen years left to live, Song Beiyou stared at the center of the mask, and a new clue appeared once again:

[It takes thirty years of lifespan to reach the peak of Dark Strength.]

"Not enough lifespan!" Song Beiyou turned to the fourth page of the Book of Impermanence. The fourth person destined for calamity was still hidden in the mist and had not yet appeared in the world.

He scooped up the purple face with both hands and covered it with his own. In an instant, the power of yin and yang, softness and strength, flowed silently into his body, reaching every part of his body, his internal organs, and his dantian.

His eyes snapped open, his posture as steadfast as an ancient pine standing in the snow, or a lone crane emerging from the dust, as he walked in circles. There was no forceful opening or closing of his body, only the feeling of his muscles and bones spinning silk like a silkworm in spring, layer upon layer, with hidden power circulating and concealed between his pores and joints.

The withered leaves on the ground rose slowly with his steps, swirling around him. Song Beiyou flipped and circulated his palms, shaking and trembling, and any withered leaves that touched his palms were crushed into dust and scattered into smoke.

With a flash of insight, Song Beiyou pointed his fingers like a sword and casually slashed through the remaining leaves. *Swoosh!* Wherever the trail passed, it severed everything in one fell swoop.

With a thought that flashed through his mind, the "inheritance" technique switched to "Master Butcher's Skill," and he entered a profound state where his senses were at rest while his spirit moved freely. His body moved naturally and gracefully, his movements balanced and harmonious. His sword strokes were fluid and elegant, like flowing clouds and flying snow, leaving no trace. In an instant, all the withered leaves in the sky turned into fine dust, fluttering down in a gentle breeze.

Song Beiyou finished his stance, his aura calm and profound. He calmly watched the few leaf stalks fall from his palm, a surge of pleasure welling up inside him—this was the taste of wielding power! His chances of winning against the Black Prison Lord had greatly increased.

On the first page of the Book of Impermanence, the two slots for face masks are not enough; at least one more mask slot is needed, one for inheritance and one for internal cultivation, and a third slot for flexibly switching skills.

How can I add more slots?

Manager Chen, who was hiding in the kitchen, was dumbfounded. A chill ran up from the soles of his feet. Was this kid a human or a ghost? It was already outrageous that he had mastered the basics in just a few days. How could he suddenly break through to the level of internal strength?

He practiced for decades, cultivating his inner energy and practicing stances, using the slow and steady methods of water dripping on stone, only to reach the peak of internal strength. This prodigy, however, went directly to internal strength after just entering the basics? Incomprehensible, utterly unbelievable!

Manager Chen swallowed hard, composed himself, and began to curse, "You brat, I've only let you stay here for a few days, and you've made a complete mess of the backyard. Before you leave, you'd better clean it up." Manager Chen's cursing echoed behind him.

Song Beiyou's sharp aura vanished instantly, and he turned around with a fawning smile, saying, "Uncle Chen, don't worry, I guarantee it will be spotless."

As the broom was being swept across the yard, Shen Daguan and Chen Kuan came over. Both of them had changed into new clothes and looked very energetic.

As soon as he entered the backyard, Chen Kuan adjusted his glasses and said with a grin, "Master You, my parents are inviting you to dinner. They've prepared a feast of fish and meat, even more lavish than during the New Year."

Song Beiyou stopped sweeping the bamboo broom and said with a smile, "Uncle and Aunt, why are you being so polite?"

Chen Kuan shrugged and smiled: "The two old men have killed the chicken and chopped the fish, they're just waiting for you to come."

"Okay, come help sweep the yard."

The three Song brothers left Chen's Tavern, their three motorcycles making them quite conspicuous, and headed straight back to Yaoshui Village.

We drove through the streets and alleys, and amidst the envious glances of our neighbors, we soon arrived at Yaoshui Lane.

"Oh my, this young gentleman is so handsome, which family's young master is he?" An old woman with gray hair paused in mid-air while sewing buttons, staring blankly at Song Beiyou and his group passing by the door.

The old woman working beside her squinted at her closely, and after a long while, she spoke in disbelief, "This...this is Ayou, isn't it? Ayou, you're back?"

Song Beiyou slowed down his bicycle and turned around to reply, "It's me, Grandma. Are you well?"

The old woman casually tucked the iron needle into her temple, her face beaming with smiles: "Good, good, Ayou has really made something of himself now."

Song Beiyou nodded slightly, then turned and instructed, "A-Kuan, get some candy for the two old ladies to try." The candy was something he had picked up when he passed through Taomi Street earlier.

These days, people don't care about the old folks' advice to eat less sugar. The two old ladies were so happy that they showed their missing teeth and thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you, Ayou, thank you, Ayou. You are such a thoughtful child."

These days, he rides his bicycle back and forth, and many neighbors greet him. Most of these elderly people have difficulty walking and barely make ends meet by taking odd jobs such as sewing and washing at clothing stores and foreign goods stores.

Turning the corner of the alley, I saw several middle-aged women under the eaves, their fingers red and swollen from the cold, washing clothes and whispering among themselves.

"How does she look?"

"Quite handsome, judging from his clothes he's from the countryside, carrying lots of bags."

The middle-aged women were gossiping about other people's family matters, but Song Beiyou didn't pay any attention. He slammed on the brakes and said, "You two wait for me. I'll change my clothes and we'll go to the bathhouse to take a shower together."

At this moment, Xia Caifei, dressed in a female high school uniform, came out downstairs carrying her schoolbag. Her eyes were lowered and her brows were slightly furrowed, as if someone had upset her.

Seeing her pass by, Song Beiyou called out, "Afei, going to school?"

Xia Caifei kept her head down, not saying a word, and quickened her pace. Her brother chased after her from inside the house: "Wait! Why are you in such a hurry?"

Several middle-aged women stopped talking. Aunt Wang got up and came over, calling out, "Ah You, your wife is here looking for you."

Song Beiyou, who was pushing the cart, paused, startled, and asked, "My wife?"

Aunt Wang nodded and said, "She came looking for me yesterday when the sun was almost setting. I saw you weren't home and it was getting dark, so I opened the door for her. I know where you keep your key."

Shen Daguan and Chen Kuan exchanged a glance and quickly stepped forward. Shen Daguan winked and rubbed his hands together, asking, "Aunt Wang, you just said that Ayou's wife came looking for us?"

"Yes, she said it was a childhood betrothal arranged by Ayou. Now that her whole family is dead, she can't go on living, so she has no choice but to come and find him."

Song Beiyou's thoughts raced. His parents were indeed from the north. Could it be that they were betrothed as children?

Shen Daguan nudged him with his elbow: "Brother You, you don't treat us like brothers at all. You didn't even tell us you had a wife." His eyebrows drooped, and he sighed, "It's a pity that I even gave up my dream girl for you for the sake of my brothers."

Song Beiyou turned and glanced at the two of them: "What are you two doing here?"

Chen Kuan's eyes darted around, and he smiled, "Since your sister-in-law is here, we younger brothers should at least go and pay our respects." Shen Daguan nodded hurriedly like a chicken pecking at rice.

Song Beiyou locked the car and quickly climbed the outer staircase to the second floor, followed closely by the two men behind him.

Seeing that his door wasn't fully closed, he slowed down, thinking about how to handle the situation. Reaching the door, his hand hesitated to push it open, but a "dog paw" behind him pushed the door open for him.

He saw a girl in a floral cotton-padded jacket sitting on the side of the bed with her back to him. She had a long, black braid behind her head, and there were bags and packages on the bed, but he didn't know what they contained.

Song Beiyou turned around and glared at the two of them before walking into the house and clearing his throat: "Miss?"