Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s flustered reaction, both Ou Yan and Qiu Tong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Then, Qiu Tong, still chuckling, said: “Don’t look so glum. Miss was just joking with you. Think about it—what kind of bank would issue a one-tael silver note? These silver notes here all have a denomination of five taels. Miss specifically asked the accountant to exchange these at the bank.”

Only then did Zhang Xiaohua realize that these two big sisters were teasing him. However, even so, four hundred silver notes of five taels each added up to a total of two thousand taels of silver. The sheer amount made Zhang Xiaohua feel a bit dizzy.

He couldn’t help but wave his hand and say: “Big Sister Ou, isn’t this too much? The Sect Master only rewarded me with one thousand taels in silver notes, and now you’re giving me this much all at once. I feel like my hands are burning.”

Ou Yan smiled and replied: “This silver isn’t just a reward for your performance at the martial arts competition. Last time, when you saved my life, I only gave you a hundred-tael silver note as thanks, which left me feeling guilty. So, I prepared a little extra this time. Besides, I heard from the Sect Master that you requested leave on behalf of your second brother, planning to return home for a while. Considering how you and your brother have been traveling and likely haven’t saved much silver, you probably intended to exchange that thousand-tael silver note into smaller ten-tael ones to bring home, didn’t you?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied honestly: “Yes, Sister Ou, that’s exactly what I was planning to do.”

“Well, then it’s settled. Take these silver notes as well and bring them home to your family. Let them see that you’re doing very well outside so they won’t have to keep worrying about you and your brother.”

Zhang Xiaohua still tried to decline. Though he had saved Ou Yan’s life, her brother had already accepted Zhang Xiaohu into the Piaomiao Sect and even passed the Piaomiao Step technique to him, which more than repaid that favor. Now, Ou Yan was giving him such a large sum in silver notes. If it had been just the initial amount of four hundred taels, which was already a significant figure for Zhang Xiaohua, he could have managed to accept it. But two thousand taels truly left him feeling overwhelmed.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s continued hesitation, a hint of displeasure appeared on Ou Yan’s face. Qiu Tong, noticing this, quickly shot Zhang Xiaohua a meaningful look and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, Miss’s generosity is not only to honor your contributions to the manor’s reputation but also to repay the life-saving grace you extended to her. How could you refuse? Besides, the villa will likely need your help in the future. If you’re truly grateful, keep the villa in your thoughts and support it as best you can. Who’s to say that in the future, the contributions you make to the villa won’t far exceed the worth of this mere thousand taels of silver?”

Realizing that continued refusal would only appear ungrateful, Zhang Xiaohua immediately bowed deeply to Ou Yan and said: “Thank you, Sister Ou. I shall humbly accept your kindness.”

Ou Yan’s expression softened into a smile. “That’s better, Zhang Xiaohua. Your sister here is fair in rewards and punishments. If you hadn’t achieved anything for the villa, I wouldn’t have given you this reward. Since I’ve already offered it, don’t make me take it back.”

After Zhang Xiaohua carefully stored the silver notes, Ou Yan asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, since you’ve already requested leave from the Sect Master, when do you plan to return home?”

“In two or three days,” Zhang Xiaohua replied. “My second brother has just received instruction from Great Hero Wen and might need a little time to consolidate what he’s learned. I came today to inform you, Sister Ou, that I’ll be returning home with him.”

There was, of course, no reason for Ou Yan to refuse. She readily agreed and even reminded Zhang Xiaohua to spend more time at home with his parents, urging him not to rush back to the manor.

Zhang Xiaohua felt deeply grateful in his heart.

Ou Yan then inquired about the matter of the herbs in the medicine field wilting and then coming back to life. Zhang Xiaohua answered her questions one by one. However, in a moment of impulsiveness, he nearly revealed the existence of the Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth. Fortunately, just as the words were about to leave his lips, he remembered his secret act of stealing the [Carefree Heart Sutra]. If Ou Peng were to find out about that, it would lead to serious trouble. With this realization, he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Still, Ou Yan’s kindness toward him left a deep impression, and Zhang Xiaohua silently resolved to help her solve the issue of the seeds failing to sprout.

After leaving the inner courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua found himself at a loose end. He went to the small grove where he used to practice martial arts and trained in his fist techniques and sword moves until he had thoroughly gone through them. Then, he returned to his small hut to meditate and cultivate.

Although he couldn’t practice drawing Qi into his body, he could still temper his meridians and increase his True Qi. He cultivated until nightfall, by which time the True Qi in his meridians had slightly recovered, replenishing the depletion caused by practicing the Qinggong technique.

Since he would be returning to Guo Village in a few days, Zhang Xiaohua decided to skip visiting the medicine field altogether. Ever since the incident with the field, Nie Xiao’er and the others had become much more diligent in their work. Even He Tianshu, when not practicing the Piaomiao Step, often went to the fields to help. It seemed Zhang Xiaohua’s presence there had become unnecessary.

Thus, Zhang Xiaohua spent most of his time practicing martial arts in the grove and cultivating his internal technique in the small room. The grove was quite secluded, with no one passing by on most days. Sometimes, Zhang Xiaohua even meditated there. After a day of replenishing the True Qi expended by practicing the Air Floating technique, he not only felt fully recovered but also sensed a slight increase in his True Qi. Moreover, Zhang Xiaohua found that he much preferred practicing in the grove. While the room was too quiet and caused his True Qi to remain steady, the grove’s environment made his True Qi lively and vibrant, giving him a sense of joy.

One day, as Zhang Xiaohua was refining Qi in the grove, he suddenly thought of Li Jinfeng, a fellow villager from his hometown. Li Jinfeng had visited his home during the New Year. Now that Zhang Xiaohua was returning to Guo Village, it would only be proper to visit Li Jinfeng’s residence. Furthermore, since returning to Huanxi Villa, Zhang Xiaohua had only seen Li Jinfeng once, months ago. Zhang Xiaohua had a favorable impression of this young master Li, who lacked the airs of arrogance and pretension. Naturally, he was happy to cultivate their friendship.

With this thought, Zhang Xiaohua stopped his martial practice and hurriedly left the villa to visit Li Jinfeng at the academy.

Zhang Xiaohua had never been to the academy where Li Jinfeng studied, so he asked for directions along the way. After much inquiry, he finally found it. However, it turned out that Li Jinfeng had accompanied his teacher on a literary excursion and wouldn’t return for several days. Despite this, Zhang Xiaohua didn’t leave empty-handed. From the teacher at the academy, he obtained Li Jinfeng’s address in Lu Town.

Relieved to have settled this matter, Zhang Xiaohua returned to the villa to continue his cultivation, patiently waiting for Zhang Xiaohu. Yet, after three or four days, there was still no sign of his second brother. Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but feel puzzled and began to wonder: “Could something have delayed him?”

That day, while Zhang Xiaohua was reading in his room, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps outside. The steps grew closer and were heading straight for his room. A smile appeared on Zhang Xiaohua’s face—who else could it be but his second brother?

He quickly walked to the door, opened it first, and smiled: “Second Brother, you’re finally here.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua suddenly step out, Zhang Xiaohu was startled and said: “Xiaohua, how did you know I was coming?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “I’ve been listening to your footsteps for over ten years; of course, I can tell it’s you.”

“But…” Zhang Xiaohu looked puzzled. He was still quite a distance from the room. How could Zhang Xiaohua have heard him?

Zhang Xiaohua didn’t bother with such details and anxiously asked: “Second Brother, how’s your internal energy technique training going? Are you ready to leave?”

Zhang Xiaohu smiled: “Of course, it’s complete. Otherwise, how could I be here to find you?”

“Why did it take so long? Didn’t you say it would only take two days?”

“Sigh, cultivating this internal technique is indeed risky. When I was practicing, I got a little impatient and almost suffered Qi deviation. My True Qi almost went astray. Fortunately, Master was by my side, and since I was only working on the first level, which is quite basic, no serious harm was done. After a few extra days of nurturing my condition, Master finally allowed me to leave.”

Zhang Xiaohua exclaimed in shock: “Second Brother, are you sure you’re all right?”

Zhang Xiaohu waved his arms and said: “Look, I’m perfectly fine. The Piaomiao Divine Technique is our Piaomiao Sect’s ultimate martial art. Its strength isn’t even its main feature; its cultivation process is known for being smooth and safe. Master said my impatience was the only issue. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any problems. Now that I’ve taken the time to stabilize everything, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Zhang Xiaohua pressed a hand to his forehead. “Smooth and safe? You’ve already had trouble at the very beginning. How can anyone trust that?”

Zhang Xiaohu shrugged. “It’s all in the past now. Anyway, are you ready to go?”

Zhang Xiaohua pointed to the bundle on the kang and said: “I’ve been ready for ages, just waiting for you to show up so we can leave.”

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said: “That’s great. I’m all set as well. Shall we head out?”

Zhang Xiaohua leaped up with a grin, ran to the kang, grabbed the bundle, and said: “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

The two exited through the side gate of Huanxi Villa. Just ahead, tied to a tree, were two magnificent chestnut horses. When Zhang Xiaohu walked straight toward the tree, Zhang Xiaohua froze, staring at the horses in disbelief. He hesitated and asked: “Second Brother, you’re not about to tell me these two majestic horses are what we’re riding back on, are you?”

Zhang Xiaohu approached the horses, adjusted a saddle, and turned back to Zhang Xiaohua with a smile. “You guessed right, but there’s no prize for it.”

“Really?!” Zhang Xiaohua exclaimed in delight. He had never imagined they’d ride horses back to Lu Town. When he had returned from the south before, he had longed to ride a horse but hadn’t had the chance. The last time he went to Piaomiao Sect, he had finally experienced riding one, though it had ended poorly with him being thrown off.

Even so, riding a horse home was far more exhilarating than sitting in a carriage. Plus, it was both stylish and effortless—truly the best of both worlds.

Zhang Xiaohua walked over to the other horse, inspecting it joyfully from top to bottom. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohu explained how they got the horses.

It turned out that Piaomiao Sect disciples were typically provided with horses for travel. All they needed to do was register to borrow one and return it after their mission was complete. Zhang Xiaohu, being new, hadn’t known this until he mentioned taking a carriage home to his master. Wen Wenhai informed him of the sect’s policy and suggested borrowing a horse. Initially, Zhang Xiaohu had planned to take just one horse and let Zhang Xiaohua ride with him. But remembering how much Zhang Xiaohua had always wanted to ride his own horse, he decided to ask if he could borrow two. When the stablekeeper heard that the direct disciple of the Sect Master wanted an extra horse, how could he refuse?

Such a small favor was the perfect opportunity to curry favor! It would be foolish not to oblige.

And so, they ended up with two magnificent horses.