A few weeks passed, and Shu Yang's fields were almost all harvested for the year. Now, he just had to focus on making his wine, which would start selling next spring, before welcoming winter.
'It's time to leave for Kuo City, or I won't get away until next year.'
"Dad, I feel like I can't do much about Tianhu's sword even after I advanced. Maybe I should start practicing with a sword as well?" Tianren stepped up to Shu Yang and asked.
Shu Yang smiled and asked, "Are you sure you don't just think swords are cool?"
"Well," Tianren hesitated. His brother did look cool, wielding a sword. "I just want to be as strong as possible. If one of those murderers shows up with a sword, I'd be defenseless."
'It's true that the martial art I've deduced doesn't offer much help in quick movements that would help evade swords. It's more focused on pure power from slow and steady punches.'
"If you really want a sword, I'll get you one," Shu Yang answered, "But you need to think it through. Our martial art doesn't help with sword moves; you'd have to rely entirely on your own understanding to practice. And while your skin might still be fragile, and swords are dangerous, you're still only a 3rd-grade warrior. It might be the case in the future that you're strong enough to ignore sharp blades, and you can just punch through the fancy moves of swordsmen.
"If you're asking me, I'd say you should focus on advancing, slow and steady, like you have been. At the same time, keep practicing fighting with your cousins and see where your shortcomings are. It might very well be that the best answer is for you to practice swordsmanship yourself, but don't rush into anything."
"I understand," Tianren said, nodding.
"Well, it's up to you in the end," Shu Yang said, smiling, "If you think swords are cool, that might be reason enough. I can only offer some advice. You're the one who has to decide what kind of warrior, and what kind of person, you want to become, and then implement the correct steps to take you there."
While Shu Yang thought practicing with swords was the wrong way for Tianren, he didn't want to limit his son too much now that he was a 3rd-grade warrior.
It wasn't that he looked down on swordsmen; it was just that Shu Yang himself knew nothing about it, and as far as he knew, no one in the surrounding area had practiced it to any high degree. Tianren would probably become a much better fighter if he stuck to his fists. There were plenty of people to guide him on that path.
The reason he had given Tianhu a sword was that, firstly, he was so adamant about it. Three years ago, he started talking about swords all the time, asking his father about everything he knew about swordsmen.
Shu Yang told a few stories inspired by things he had read in his previous life, and after that, there was no going back. Tianhu refused to consider anything else but becoming a famous swordsman in the future.
Seeing how Tianhu didn't inherit any particular talent for martial arts, Shu Yang didn't mind too much and bought him a sword.
Shu Yang didn't know if he had any talent for swordsmanship; so far, it didn't seem like it. But he sure did practice a lot. Over the years, it was bound to have some result. Talent isn't everything, after all.
'The only worry is that he looks a little too good swinging that sword around. Tianren is one thing; he is mature and won't be too swayed. But Tianxu is a different matter.'
Shu Yang sighed slightly as he watched Tianhu swinging his sword in the yard, with Tianxu a bit further away watching him intently.
Shu Yang's youngest son was very similar to Tianan in his lively and mischievous personality. But the one he looked up to and always tried to copy was his second brother, Tianhu.
It was fine at the moment, as Tianxu was only five years old and Shu Yang could ignore his request to practice swordsmanship by saying he was too young. But it would be harder in the future.
'It would be a shame if Tianxu, with his talent, wasted his time on swords instead of practicing martial arts.'
'Maybe I can try to find a martial art that incorporates the sword on my trip to Kuo City.'
In the next few days, Shu Yang finally put his plans into action. He now had strength and money, and he needed to make use of it to invest in his and his family's future. He couldn't just keep staying in this small place waiting forever.
Shu Yang was still worried about the safety of his family, though. So he arranged for them to stay with the Ren family. His father-in-law and both brother-in-laws were 2nd-grade martial artists. That should offer enough protection. His trip would only take a week or so, after all.
He also asked Zhangye to keep watch and help out in case anything happened.
"Be careful," Qianyue said with a worried expression as Shu Yang got ready to leave in the early morning.
"Don't worry. I'm quite strong," Shu Yang said with a smile. "Stay home these next few days and make sure to contact Zhangye if something comes up. He has a few friends at the Tiger Claw Hall, so he should be able to take care of anything."
"Did you forget how strong my father and brothers are?" Qinayue asked, rolling her eyes.
"Well, just be careful," Shu Yang said. He knew that the Ren family was the strongest in the village, not counting Liang Huang, but he couldn't help but worry. This was the first time he had to separate from his family, even if only for a few days.
After lingering around for a few minutes, exchanging hugs and kisses with his family, Shu Yang left for Chunsi Town. He had arranged to travel with a merchant company leaving for Kuo City.
As he walked, Shu Yang went through all his belongings in his mind, making sure he didn't forget anything.
'I brought most of the silver coins our family has saved up. I need to be careful not to flaunt it around people.'
On the way, Shu Yang passed by his house. He saw that the construction workers he had hired were already getting busy early in the morning.
Now that he had the money, he thought it was time to renovate the family house. Since no one would be staying there for the next few days, it was the perfect time to get things done.
'I'll set aside some money from the wine sales next year to build a house for Tianren and his future family next to ours.'
It was still a while away, but Shu Yang wanted to get everything ready for his son's wedding as soon as possible. He just hoped he could find a nice girl to get engaged to soon, so he could rest assured.
Shu Yang really feared that his children would drag out starting a family of their own. That would delay Shu Yang getting feedback from his grandchildren.
Of course, he wouldn't force his children to breed just to give him more power, but he thought that finding a partner and starting a family was the best way to live a fulfilling life. He, like all parents, certainly hoped his children would go that route, and not end up all alone in old age.
'If I can gain more power through my children's happiness, isn't that just a nice bonus?'
Arriving in Chunsi Town, Shu Yang made a quick visit to his friend Zhangye before leaving for the merchant company that would give him a ride.
"Shu Yang, right?" An old man asked as he saw Shu Yang approach, "We're getting ready to leave any minute now."
"Alright, just tell me if you need help," Shu Yang responded politely.
"Just take a seat in the carriage and get comfortable," The old man said with a friendly smile, "If we encounter trouble on the way, I'll count on your help."
"Of course," Shu Yang said. The whole reason he had been allowed to travel with the merchants was that he was a 2nd-grade martial artist and could help fight in case anything happened.
Bandits were rare, at least in Kuo County, but things had been getting a little more restless in the past few years, so no traveling group of merchants would decline having an extra guard traveling alongside them.
Shu Yang got into the carriage pointed out to him by the old man and took a seat. There was no one else inside, so Shu Yang looked out the window and scrutinized his travel companions.
Besides the old man, there were five other people, three young men and two middle-aged men. The two older men seemed to be martial artists, but Shu Yang couldn't tell how strong they were.
'It's good that there are other fighters; it should be pretty safe even if we encounter troublemakers.'
Shu Yang had considered going alone. He had been sparring with Zhangye for the past three years, and now he was, if not skilled, at least a lot more experienced than when he encountered the murderer at his house.
But traveling with the merchants offered a lot of benefits. He would get to Kuo Town two days earlier than if he had traveled on foot. And that is if he could actually find the way on his own.
Since he had never left the area around Chunsi Town before, it was better to leave these things to experts. He could learn all there was to learn by asking any questions he had along the way, and in the future, he could make the trip on his own.
The men outside soon finished loading the carriage. It was filled to the brim with freshly harvested rice and vegetables.
The three young men got inside and sat down next to Shu Yang while the two martial artists traveled on horses, and the old man sitting in front, steering.
'At 28 years old, I'm finally leaving my place of birth to see the wider world.'