No news is small news in Shu State.
By midday, the events that took place in West Market’s Heiyu Lane had spread like wildfire.
One rumor claimed that some reckless fools from Poshisu Country had been indiscriminately killing innocents in Heiyu Lane, angering the spearman who then killed them with a single thrust of his spear.
Another said the spearman had accepted a bounty from Bright Moon Building to kill the men from Poshisu Country for a reward.
Yet another claimed the man from Poshisu was a horse bandit, one of the horse bandits under the Peacock Banner led by King Landu.
This version said the spearman had hunted him down for revenge because the bandit had killed his friends or family on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road.
The theories were endless, with every sort of story being told.
Some busybodies even gave the spearman the title "Dragon Spear."
Such a resounding title was well-received by the people of the Jianghu.
Most considered him one of the most remarkable rising stars in the Shu State Jianghu in recent years.
But upon hearing all this, Chen Yi just curled his lip in disdain.
"Dragon Spear? What kind of name is that?"
"It should at least be ’Cyan Dragon Crescent Blade Spear’ or ’Coiling Dragon Spear.’ Even ’Snow Gall Silver Spear’ would be acceptable."
’They really don’t have a shred of culture.’
Xiaodie earnestly agreed, "Master Chen is right."
"’Dragon Spear’ sounds awful. They’re uncultured."
Chen Yi nodded in satisfaction. This girl, Xiaodie, was certainly worth having around; she knew how to keep people happy.
Joking and laughing, the two of them returned to Spring Lotus Garden.
Xiao Wuge had already returned from the Martial Arts Arena and was currently in the pavilion, practicing his Stand Form.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, his small frame stood ramrod straight, his long shadow stretching over the pond and stirring the Golden Carp into a frenzy of splashing.
Chen Yi watched for a moment before gesturing to Xiaodie, signaling for her to go report back to Xiao Wan’er so she wouldn’t worry.
Xiaodie nodded and tiptoed toward Jiaxing Garden.
As he watched her go, Chen Yi sat down quietly to the side, observing Xiao Wuge with great interest, a faint light glittering in his eyes.
Using his Qi Observation Skill, Chen Yi could clearly see a faint aura being generated from deep within Xiao Wuge’s body, strengthening his muscles, bones, and skin.
The process was slow, but for a boy not yet six years old, the effects of this Pile Skill were already outstanding.
’It seems the grade of the "Little Yellow Court" Pile Skill is quite high.’
’To have this kind of strength-enhancing effect without anyone using True Essence to clear Wuge’s meridians... it must be a much higher grade than the Big Spear Pile Skill.’
’This is good, too.’
Chen Yi had already planned to teach Xiao Wuge the Black Tortoise Concealment Technique before he left for Jinling. The better his Foundation Establishment, the better.
That way, he would be sure to meet the threshold for cultivating that particular Pile Skill.
’With the Black Tortoise Concealment Technique to mask his progress, outsiders won’t be able to perceive Wuge’s cultivation level.’
’And with old Mr. Sun Fu’s help, I believe Wuge will be able to spend ten comfortable years in Jinling.’
Just as Chen Yi was lost in these thoughts, a Golden Carp leaped out of the pond, slapped its tail twice, and splashed water all over him.
He had just wiped himself dry when several more Golden Carp thrashed to the surface.
They "bombarded" him one after another.
Chen Yi feigned a strike, and the Golden Carp, as if understanding him, went SPLASH SPLASH and dove to the bottom of the pond.
He couldn’t help but curse them with a private chuckle. ’Just you wait. After Wuge goes to Jinling, I’ll definitely catch every last one of you to be fried, boiled, and roasted.’
At that moment, Xiao Wuge seemed to notice the commotion. He slowly concluded his practice and exhaled.
"HOOO."
He stood up straight, tilted his head slightly to see Chen Yi, and a smile spread across his small face. "Brother-in-law, when did you get back?"
"Big Sister was just worried about you. She sent Xiaodie to the gate to wait for you."
Chen Yi patted his head and said with a smile, "I just got back. I already told Xiaodie to report to Big Sister."
After a brief explanation, he asked, "How did you do at the Martial Arts Arena today?"
Xiao Wuge chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "I still think I have a long way to go."
"But Second Uncle said my talent is excellent and that my Pile Skill training is very solid."
"He also said he’ll teach me how to use a spear tomorrow, to lay the foundation for cultivating our Xiao Family’s Spear Technique in the future."
Chen Yi smiled and said, "The spear is the king of a hundred weapons. It can be used both on horseback and on foot."
Having achieved Spear Dao Perfection, he naturally held the Long Spear in high regard.
Of course, if Xiao Wuge were to cultivate the Saber Dao or the Fist Dao, he would support that as well.
"That’s what Second Uncle said, too."
"He even had someone demonstrate a few Spear Techniques for me. Like this, and this, and this..."
As he spoke, Xiao Wuge mimicked the spear movements with his empty hands.
He actually looked quite the part.
As they were chatting, Xiaodie ran over and said, "Young Master, Master Chen, the Eldest Miss has prepared a banquet for this evening and asks you to come over."
Chen Yi nodded and led Xiao Wuge toward Jiaxing Garden.
"Brother-in-law, where is Sister Guanli?"
"She went out with the visitors from the Mountain Race."
"Oh. I wanted to ask her for some advice about Martial Arts."
"There’s no rush..."
The three of them chatted idly as they arrived at Jiaxing Garden, where the dining table in the main hall was already laden with dishes.
Four small dishes, four large dishes, plus a soup.
After taking his seat, Chen Yi looked at Xiao Wan’er and asked, "Big Sister, what’s the special occasion? This is quite a feast."
While instructing Cui’er to serve the two of them soup and rice, Xiao Wan’er replied with a smile,
"Nun Jingci from Wumeng Mountain wrote back."
"I don’t have to go there to recuperate this year."
Chen Yi suddenly understood. He remembered Xiao Wan’er mentioning this after they returned from Tonglin Town last time.
At the time, Xiao Wan’er had still been hesitant.
He hadn’t expected that in just three to five days, she would have already made her decision and sent a letter.
"How is the search for the Medical Saint Hands going?"
"I’ve just finished writing the letters. You can look them over for me later, Brother-in-law."
"Alright..."
Since the Old Master had already agreed to widely distribute the "Divine Doctor invitations," Xiao Wan’er wasted no time.
She had also commissioned a blueprint for a Medical Dao Academy and asked the butler to hire a hundred laborers.
She planned to have them head to Tonglin Town first thing tomorrow morning to begin construction.