Chapter 299: Chapter 129: Buying a House in the Inner City, the Master’s Identity, and the Five Sects of Jintai
The next day, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, the River Gang Stronghold was already bustling with activity.
Yang Jing, Zhou Zhong, and the Jiang Family’s Third Elder bid farewell to Li Tieyun and prepared to return to the county seat.
Li Tieyun and his men saw them off to the stronghold’s gate.
Zhou Zhong’s blue-canopied carriage was parked by the road. He smiled at Yang Jing and said, "Young Hero Yang, the road is bumpy. Why not ride with me?"
Yang Jing gave a slight nod. "My thanks, Housekeeper Zhou."
The Jiang Family’s Third Elder vaulted onto his horse. He cupped his hands toward the other two and said, "I must take my kinsmen back to the estate and report. Young Hero Yang, come visit the Jiang Family when you have a moment. We can have a proper chat then."
With that, he flicked his whip and galloped away with a few Jiang Family masters. The sound of their hooves quickly disappeared into the morning mist.
The carriage began to move, its wheels rumbling steadily over the flagstone road.
The carriage’s interior was warm and lined with soft cushions. Zhou Zhong and Yang Jing chatted casually, mostly about recent affairs in Yuhe County.
A little over an hour later, the carriage entered the county seat. It passed through bustling streets before finally stopping at the mouth of the alley leading to the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall in Chengping Square.
Yang Jing lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. Cupping his hands toward Zhou Zhong, he said, "Housekeeper Zhou, I will take my leave here."
Zhou Zhong also disembarked. He smiled and said, "Young Hero Yang. As for the matter you entrusted to me, I’ll begin making arrangements as soon as I get back. You can rest easy and wait for my news."
"Thank you for going to the trouble, Housekeeper Zhou," Yang Jing said with a nod.
During the ride back, he had asked Zhou Zhong about buying a residence in the Inner City.
The Inner City of Yuhe County was an enclave for the rich, powerful, and top martial artists. It was heavily patrolled, and commoners were not even permitted to set foot inside, let alone purchase property. A residence in the Inner City could not be bought with silver taels alone.
But now that he was a Huajin Powerhouse, his status was a world apart from before. He was considered one of the most prominent figures in Yuhe County and was therefore qualified to reside in the Inner City.
Zhou Zhong had said it would be best for him to handle it, so Yang Jing had entrusted him with the task, agreeing to pay the silver taels once it was complete.
After watching Zhou Zhong’s carriage drive away, Yang Jing turned and walked down the alley toward the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.
He had only taken a few steps when he ran into a few disciples from the Martial Arts Hall who were up early sweeping. Upon seeing Yang Jing, they quickly stopped their chores and bowed respectfully. "Good morning, Senior Brother Yang!"
Yang Jing smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, not breaking his stride.
His family was now settled in the courtyard next to the Martial Arts Hall. Although he missed them, he decided to pay his respects to his master first.
When he entered the main gate of the Martial Arts Hall, the training ground in the front courtyard was already filled with disciples. Their shouts echoed one after another as they practiced.
Jiang Haoyang saw Yang Jing and ran over. "Senior Brother Yang! You’re finally back! Where have you been these past two days?"
"I went out of town on some business," Yang Jing replied simply, not mentioning the dangers he faced with the River Gang. "I’m going to see Master. You keep up with your training."
Yang Jing patted his shoulder, then walked straight through the front courtyard toward the back.
Yang Jing passed through the Moon Gate and had just stepped into the inner courtyard when he saw a graceful figure walking from under a covered walkway. It was none other than his senior sister, Sun Ningxiang.
She wore a pale green dress with a simple apron tied at her waist, her figure slender and graceful. In the crook of her arm, she carried an exquisite bamboo basket covered with a fine cotton cloth, from which a faint, sweet aroma emanated.
"Junior Brother, you’re finally back!"
When Sun Ningxiang saw Yang Jing, her eyes lit up. A gentle smile blossomed on her face, and she quickened her pace.
"Senior Sister," Yang Jing said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting. His eyes fell to her basket as he asked curiously, "Are you heading out?"
"Mhm," Sun Ningxiang nodded, lifting the basket and giving it a little shake. Her voice was cheerful. "I made some osmanthus cakes and almond pastries this morning. I was just about to take them to your mother and the others."
A warmth spread through Yang Jing’s chest. He quickly thanked her, "Thank you for being so thoughtful, Senior Sister. I’m sorry to have put you to such trouble."
After his mother and her companions moved in next to the Martial Arts Hall, Sun Ningxiang had indeed taken very good care of them.
"Don’t be so formal with me," Sun Ningxiang said, giving him a mock glare. She gestured toward the main hall. "Father is inside having tea. He was just wondering about you, and here you are."
With that, she turned to leave, basket in hand. "I’m going to deliver the pastries. We’ll talk later."
"Alright," Yang Jing replied. He watched her leave the inner courtyard before turning toward the main hall.
When he reached the main hall, he saw Sun Yong sitting in a Grandmaster’s Chair by the window. He was holding a cup of hot tea, his eyes gazing blankly at the floor, lost in thought.
Hearing the noise, he looked up and his eyes landed on Yang Jing.
"Master," Yang Jing said, bowing respectfully.
"You’re back. Sit down." Sun Yong pointed to the chair opposite him. His gaze, however, swept over Yang Jing, carefully scrutinizing him. It finally rested on a faint red scrape on his neck that hadn’t completely faded, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Once Yang Jing was seated, Sun Yong spoke. "Is the matter with the River Gang finished?"
"Yes, it’s finished," Yang Jing nodded. He then recounted his battle with Li Hongyu, from tracking him down and surviving the ambush with the Fire-Thunder Pellet to finally killing him.
Sun Yong listened in silence. When Yang Jing had finished, he lifted his teacup and took a sip. The lid tapped lightly against the rim of the cup.
He set down his teacup and took a deep breath, a trace of fear in his voice. "It’s fortunate you practice a body-strengthening art, and one of such high caliber. That hidden weapon was incredibly powerful. Had it been an ordinary Huajin Powerhouse, they would have been gravely injured by that blow, if not killed outright. They would have had no strength left to fight back."
Yang Jing wholeheartedly agreed. He nodded and said, "You’re right, Master. Looking back, it was incredibly perilous. If it weren’t for my *Indestructible True Skill* protecting me, I’m afraid I would have died right then and there."
Sun Yong’s eyes fell on the scrape on his disciple’s neck. "You need to rest well for the next few days," he said. "Let that injury heal completely."
