Shen Han stayed home for a few more days of intense cultivation.
Refining his qi and blood, his physical strength remained inexhaustible.
With the aid of the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill, Shen Han felt that his physical strength had greatly increased.
Besides, his body was also changing.
No excess flesh, his figure becoming ever more perfect.
Shen Han, who was originally quite handsome, had gained even more charm.
Feeling his own condition, he seemed to be advancing towards the Ninth Grade of Martial Arts.
Having neglected the Martial Path for seventeen years, it was astonishing to see such improvement in such a short time; the Mountain and River Body Refining Skill was indeed mysterious.
Besides refining the body, the Lonely Wind Snow-Treading Step was also not neglected.
His steps were light, brushing through the snow without a trace.
The Body Technique is the most difficult cultivation technique.
Without absolute power suppression, a martial artist with superior Body Technique is definitely stronger than others.
Shen Han knew very little about the Martial Path of Great Wei.
Even most of it was understood through hearsay.
With his limited knowledge, Shen Han felt that now, at least he could hold on for a few moves against his peers.
No longer, as before, to be oppressed with angry stares, feeling his muscles and bones aching as if they would split.
Shen Han was well aware of his predicament.
The closer the wedding date, the more dangers he would face.
Now that he had an excellent Cultivation Method, he must cherish it.
The rations had been eaten up in these few days.
After the physical enhancement, his appetite had increased tremendously.
He needed to earn some money, buy some rations to have enough time for cultivation.
After pondering for a while, Shen Han picked up the manuals he had previously purchased.
After extracting the negative entries, although these manuals were not much use to him, they could certainly be sold for some money.
Shen Han pulled out a piece of cloth, wrapped the eight manuals, and headed toward the East Market.
The East Market was bustling daily, with numerous buyers and sellers.
There was an empty space in front of the tavern, so Shen Han sat down and laid out the eight manuals.
After extracting the negative entries, these manuals were precious enough for ordinary people.
Sitting on the ground, Shen Han was in no hurry, waiting patiently for customers to come.
Inside the tavern behind him, drinkers were chatting over drinks about interesting events in Yun'an City.
Taverns and such places were typically hubs for information; all kinds of news liked to make a round in them.
The drinkers also enjoyed having others listen to their conversations.
A group of people listening to one's highbrow discourse always gave a shallow sense of superiority.
Shen Han sat against the wall, listening quietly.
News about how the rich man from the New Market took a concubine, a fire broke out on Eight Mansions Street days ago, a Fairy moving into Yun'an Tavern...
The tavern was noisy, with all kinds of news.
After a while, amidst the tavern's clamor, the name Su Jinyu drifted out, and Shen Han couldn't help but turn his head.
"What are we betting on? She definitely won't marry that ill-fated Shen Han. Su Jinyu is so adored by the Su Family, how could they let her suffer?"
"This is a marriage granted by the Imperial Family. Can the Su Family really annul the engagement?"
"Why can't they annul the marriage? If that ill-fated Shen Han suddenly dies, wouldn't the marriage be easily annulled?
"Seems plausible, cut off that ill-fated one's descendants, then how could the Royal Family force the Su Family's pride to marry a eunuch?"
The drinkers laughed heartily while munching on peanuts.
"I recently heard that Su Jinyu had joined Xiaoyao Immortal Mountain and severed the Xiansha River with one sword.
Xiaoyao Peak stated she's expected to step into the realm of the Sword Immortal, becoming Great Wei's first Female Sword Immortal.
If this is true, she indeed cannot marry that ill-fated neglect of the Shen Family."
"She could pair well with the Shen Family's eldest young master, both being the top talents of the era; it's said they even fancy each other. Who knows why the Royal Family would mess up the match?"
"If so, wouldn't that mean Shen Han is stealing his sister-in-law?"
"Hahaha, being such a waste, Su Jinyu might get excited just by glancing at him, yet he thinks of 'stealing' his sister-in-law~"
The drinkers laughed loudly again.
In the idle chatter, Shen Han was often the clownish figure.
Though he had already been as low-key as possible, living a miserable life within the Shen Family.
He had to endure such disgraceful situations.
After sitting for about two hours, Shen Han finally sold all eight manuals.
Eighty maces of silver for each book, sold quite well.
Now having over six taels of silver, it was already a fortune for Shen Han.
He stocked up on some rations, saving some money without spending it all.
After autumn it would be a cold winter; he needed to save up some money to buy thicker clothes.
Also had to prepare some charcoal; the winter in Yun'an City was quite cold.
In past years, Madam Yun would send some over, but given his current situation, the Shen Family feared he wouldn't survive the winter.
Carrying the rations home, he saw Cailing anxiously pacing at the door.
"Young Master Han, why are you back just now..."
"Did Madam encounter some trouble? I'll go right away!"
Seeing Cailing's anxious look, Shen Han instinctively thought Madam Yun had encountered trouble.
"It's not Madam, but Young Master Han, you need to be vigilant; people from Xiaoyao Peak arrived.
Madam thinks they're coming for you, Young Master Han, you must be careful.
If you really can't stay, maybe think about escaping the Shen Family..."
Escape? Where to escape?
After his birth mother fled the Shen Mansion, the surveillance on Shen Han never ceased.
The Old Dowager despised Shen Han, but she absolutely would not allow Shen Han to escape the Shen Family.
Otherwise, rumors would circulate again, and the Shen Family's prestige would surely be damaged.
The ministers in the Imperial Court might say who knows what about Marquis Shen.
"Tell Madam not to worry. The Shen Family, after all, is a Family of Generals and Marquis; they wouldn't dare lay hands on me at the Shen Mansion."
Cailing didn't know what to say, just habitually urged Shen Han to stay safe.
As they spoke, a finely dressed woman carefully walked over a muddy section.
Her brows slightly furrowed, she probably didn't expect such a muddy passage in the Shen Mansion.
"Cai He, why are you here?"
Little Cailing saluted the woman in front of her. Although they were all maids of the Shen Mansion, Cai He was by Madam He's side, the lady of the main house.
Every maid and servant in the mansion had to show her some respect.
"The Madam asked me to tell Young Master Han that there's an important guest at the mansion; we kindly request Young Master Han to tidy up and accompany us to Yun'an Tavern to meet them."
Cai He pointed at Shen Han's attire with her slender fingers.
Wearing the slightly floral outfit given by Madam Yun, Cai He implied he should change it.
Shen Han didn't argue, changed into plain clothes, and headed towards Yun'an Tavern.
The Shen Mansion was so vast, yet they had to entertain guests at Yun'an Tavern.
Shen Han kept a cautious mind.
After Shen Han walked away, Cai He tugged at Little Cailing's sleeve.
"Cailing, take some advice from your sister, stay away from Shen Han.
Madam Yun too, helping Shen Han, can nothing good come from it?"
"Young Master Han is quite kind, does the Shen Mansion really have no place for him..."
Little Cailing weakly retorted.
"We're just servants and maids, better not to meddle too much in the masters' affairs..."
Cai He actually felt some sympathy for Shen Han, but what could sympathy do?
After today, Shen Han's life is expected to undergo dramatic changes.