Yang Shifei sat bare-chested on the edge of the bed, his consciousness growing hazy, his eyes gradually closing.
Vaguely, apart from the flickering lamplight in the room, a shadowy figure seemed to move back and forth.
And behind it, sharp blades appeared to pierce through clothing, extending like tentacles in all directions—
Yang Shifei's eyes snapped open. He felt as if he'd woken from a nightmare, his forehead slightly damp with sweat.
That… was it really a dream?
"Young Master, when did you learn martial arts?"
A cool female voice sounded beside him, startling Yang Shifei back to his senses. He turned his head to look at the servant girl, Tanxiang, who was helping him apply medicine.
Her cool, pretty face seemed devoid of makeup, yet it was exceptionally fair, smooth, and radiant. Her beautiful eyes stared directly at him, a hint of scrutiny in them.
"Uh… I'm not too sure myself."
Yang Shifei rubbed his forehead. "For some reason, these past two days, my body has become very strong. When I was fighting with that bandit earlier, it was purely reckless brawling, relying on brute force."
As soon as he finished speaking, he grimaced and hissed, quickly looking at his right arm, which throbbed with pain.
The wound originally inflicted by the saber was now wrapped in gauze, and a faint trace of crimson could be seen seeping through.
He figured Tanxiang must have bandaged it for him while he was disoriented.
"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Tanxiang."
"Your body looks thin and weak, yet it is remarkably tough and resilient."
Tanxiang was applying ointment to his left arm, her voice cool. "Although there are numerous bruises, most will heal in a few days. Even the saber wound on your arm only injured the flesh and didn't reach the bone. You should be able to move without hindrance in half a month."
Yang Shifei smiled. "That would be for the best."
He also felt quite emotional inwardly. In the past, even a small scrape would have made him grimace in pain, but now he could chat and laugh as if nothing had happened.
The scene of the fight flashed through his mind again, recalling the dull impact of his fist shattering his opponent's facial bones. He only felt a slight discomfort in his heart, nothing more.
He didn't know if his mentality had changed, or if the influence of that cold energy hadn't yet dissipated.
But what he could confirm was that this mysterious cold energy had significantly enhanced his physique and even brought him extraordinary senses and intuition. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have been able to defeat last night's assassin.
"I can apply the medicine for the injuries on my body myself."
Yang Shifei gathered his thoughts, took the medicine bottle from her hand, and said seriously, "You all need to be more careful. There's a group of people intending to harm the Luo Residence."
Tanxiang straightened up from adjusting her skirt and turned her head, avoiding his gaze. "Moli already interrogated that assassin. He's from the Feilin Gang."
"Finished questioning him?"
Yang Shifei was applying medicine and looked up in surprise upon hearing this.
"He was scared out of his wits by your beating. He confessed everything with just a little questioning."
Tanxiang said calmly, "He was instructed by the Feilin Gang to investigate the Luo Residence's background. If an opportunity arose, he was to take the heads of everyone in our residence."
Yang Shifei frowned upon hearing this. "What deep-seated hatred is this?"
He had heard a little about this gang in the past two days.
It seemed to be entrenched in the deep suburbs outside East City. Because their business was doing well, they also had influence within East City. The Yellow Crane Tower he had planned to go to before seemed to have some connection with the Feilin Gang.
"It's just a business conflict."
Tanxiang walked to the side and began tidying up the various medicine bottles on the table.
"You should have heard Miss mention that we have some businesses in East City. Perhaps this led to a feud with the Feilin Gang. We just didn't expect them to directly send someone to attack; it truly crossed a line."
"And it's… quite a coincidence."
"Indeed. Young Master had only been at the Luo Residence for less than two days before they sent someone."
Tanxiang looked back at him. "The reason they made a move was also because of you, Young Master Yang."
"Me?"
Yang Shifei looked astonished.
Tanxiang nodded slightly. "They probably thought that the Luo Residence had heard some rumors beforehand and specifically invited you, a helper of unknown origin. So they wanted to probe the situation. If it was nothing serious, they would strike directly. If you were truly strong, they would have to go back and reconsider their plans."
Yang Shifei's mouth twitched as he listened.
Their hearts were truly black.
That man in black had been stalling and talking nonsense with him in the tree, perhaps to observe his martial cultivation.
Only after confirming it thoroughly did he decisively draw his saber.
"However, we must also thank Young Master for intervening in time."
Tanxiang closed the medicine box, her voice faint. "Thanks to you, we and Miss were able to escape disaster."
Yang Shifei could only manage a couple of sheepish laughs at her words.
He still wasn't sure if the people in the Luo Residence possessed any extraordinary abilities. If they did, his actions tonight might have been superfluous.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Yang Shifei put his robes back on and placed the medicine bottle back in the box. "Since the Feilin Gang has sent someone, they will know something has gone wrong by tomorrow at the latest."
"No need to worry, Miss has her own judgment." Tanxiang picked up the medicine box and turned to leave. "Young Master just needs to rest and recuperate here. If you need anything, just open the door and call for me."
After the servant girl closed the door behind her, Yang Shifei pondered for a while but ultimately decided against acting on his own.
Compared to him, an outsider, Eldest Miss Luo should have a clearer understanding of the situation.
Besides—
Yang Shifei clenched his left hand. Although his physical fitness had improved rapidly, he could clearly feel that the cold energy within his body had almost completely dissipated.
"Is it a one-time consumable?"
He couldn't figure out the mechanics of it for the time being. Feeling the resurgence of fatigue and drowsiness, he decided not to force himself anymore, fell back onto the bed, and sank into a deep sleep.
It was nearly noon.
Yang Shifei had a long sleep, a rare occurrence for him. After getting up and washing, he quietly listened for any movements in the courtyard.
After what happened last night, it seemed calm had been restored today?
"Young Master."
Tanxiang's cool, quiet voice sounded from nearby.
Yang Shifei had just finished adjusting his robes when he turned to see the little servant girl approaching along the corridor, carrying a tray of hot lunch.
"Seeing that you just woke up, I took it to reheat. Eat it while it's hot."
"Thank you for the trouble, Miss." Yang Shifei chuckled. "I woke up a bit late today."
"Young Master was injured last night; it's normal to be drowsy."
Tanxiang arranged the dishes on the stone table in the backyard, her voice calm. "Today's food will be a bit lighter. Young Master, please don't mind too much."
"With your careful attention, Miss, I'd be happy to eat two more bowls."
Yang Shifei chuckled and picked up his rice bowl, his gaze sweeping over the several small dishes laid out on the table, and began to eat with gusto.
Compared to the food in Niu Family Village, the Luo Residence's three meals, even if 'lighter,' could be considered homely delicacies. There was no need to be picky.
"…"
Tanxiang curtsied and sat opposite him, her gaze calm as she looked at him.
Yang Shifei's pace of eating slowed slightly. He asked awkwardly, "Is my face not clean?"
"I'm just a little surprised."
Tanxiang blinked her bright eyes. "You're recovering faster than I expected. The bruises on your face have already faded."
"It must be because your ointment is quite effective, Miss."
Yang Shifei laughed it off, not planning to reveal the matter of the cold energy for the time being.
After all, their relationship wasn't particularly close yet; it was always good to keep some secrets.
But he quickly thought, if he could absorb cold energy from the mysterious little girl yesterday, then could Tanxiang before him…
"What is Young Master thinking about?"
"Cough!"
Yang Shifei quickly swallowed a mouthful of rice and smiled. "It's just that when I first arrived these past two days, I didn't have the leisure to look around much. Only today did I realize that Miss Tanxiang is extremely beautiful."
"…Thank you."
Tanxiang's pretty face showed no joy or sorrow, betraying little emotion.
This made Yang Shifei feel a little awkward.
She clearly looked to be a youth of fifteen or sixteen, yet her temperament was frighteningly cold.
"Oh, right."
Yang Shifei quickly changed the subject. "About last night's incident, are there any leads?"
"Miss and the others have already gone to the authorities." Tanxiang's pink lips moved slightly. "The Luo family has some connections within the government. While it might not be enough to completely eradicate the Feilin Gang, they can at least give those villains a good rapping on the knuckles."
Yang Shifei felt much more relieved after hearing this; even the rice in his bowl tasted more fragrant.
No matter how arrogant and domineering the Feilin Gang was, they wouldn't dare to act so recklessly right under the government's nose.
Although the little rich lady could be scary, she was quite reliable at times like this.
"After Young Master finishes eating, I will take you for a stroll around town."
"Ah?" Yang Shifei looked at her, astonished.
Tanxiang merely said with a calm expression, "Miss is not here today, so we can't let Young Master stay at home alone. Besides, Young Master has been out looking for suitable work these past two days; I can also help with some introductions."
Yang Shifei was overjoyed. He had been worrying about not having a good 'intermediary' familiar with the local area.
He hastily finished his meal, helped clear the bowls and chopsticks, and then they set off from the Luo Residence together.
At noon, the streets of East City were even more bustling and lively.
Carriages and horses flowed endlessly along the streets, shouts of hawkers echoed, and cooking smoke rose from all around.
Yang Shifei looked around and asked with some curiosity, "Where are you planning to take me, Miss?"
"Clear Moon Pavilion."
Tanxiang, walking beside him, moved her delicate lips slightly. "This is the restaurant Miss bought back then. It has been in operation ever since, and business is quite good."
Yang Shifei clicked his tongue inwardly upon hearing this.
Such a grand gesture, he couldn't imagine how much silver it must have cost.
"So, is it also because of Clear Moon Pavilion that the Feilin Gang bears ill will towards the Luo Residence?"
"Perhaps."
Tanxiang nodded slightly, her steps unceasing.
Yang Shifei observed the streetscape along the way. He could see many lively stalls on both sides of the street.
East City was the provincial capital of Shanzhen Province, located in the north-south central region. The local cuisine was a fusion from both directions, and one could see exotic dishes from other provinces in almost every street and alley, which looked quite novel.
"Ah, be careful."
Yang Shifei quickly pressed Tanxiang's shoulder, guiding her to avoid a speeding carriage. Along the way, many commoners cried out in alarm or anger.
"This kind of thing, don't the authorities manage it?"
Tanxiang glanced at him and said softly, "They are either rich or noble. The authorities don't intervene much."
Yang Shifei smiled helplessly; it was the same in every era.
He quickly retracted his gaze, silently clenching the left hand that had just rested on her shoulder.
Unlike with that little girl, there was no cold energy from this first touch.
Or perhaps, did he need to silently chant 'bite her' like before to absorb the cold energy?
Yang Shifei deliberated for a moment and temporarily suppressed the urge to try.
He'd wait until they had more contact.
The two walked along the street for about a few li before stopping in front of a restaurant.
Yang Shifei looked up and felt that this building was indeed extraordinarily decorated, looking quite grand and elegant, very much in line with the artistic conception of the name 'Clear Moon.'
"Business is busy now, so it might be a bit noisy."
Tanxiang stepped into the restaurant first, heading towards the counter with familiar ease.
They passed two waiters along the way, both of whom respectfully nodded in greeting upon seeing Tanxiang, clearly aware of her identity.
Yang Shifei was somewhat puzzled, merely assuming she wanted to help introduce him to the manager of Clear Moon Pavilion.
"Aiyo, Miss Tanxiang, what brings you here?"
The middle-aged man behind the counter hurried over, a benevolent smile on his face as he cupped his hands. "First, allow me to send my regards to the Eldest Miss."
At the same time, he looked at Yang Shifei beside her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
The Luo Residence had been in East City for two years, but he had never heard of any man getting even half a step close. Who was this person?
"Shopkeeper, there's no need for pleasantries."
But Tanxiang merely waved her hand coolly. "I've come to ask you for something."
The shopkeeper patted his chest and laughed heartily. "Whatever Miss Tanxiang needs, I will definitely—"
"The account books."
Tanxiang's pink lips parted slightly as she said faintly, "Bring me all the account books from the past two years for inspection."
"…"