Chapter 16: As an older brother, one must always worry more

Chapter 16: As an Older Brother, One Must Worry More

In the cockfighting arena, the winner and loser had already been decided.

The lackeys of the Fuguang Chamber of Commerce were sighing in disappointment.

Liu Shirong, however, was slapping his forehead and laughing heartily, "Lost, lost! Brother Ning's Golden-Winged Thunder Cock is still a cut above."

Even though he had lost, he seemed even happier than if he had won.

Ning Xuan said with high spirits, "That goes without saying."

Liu Shirong clapped his hands, and servants naturally came to collect the "Iron-Beaked General" into its cage. He didn't spare a single glance at the defeated rooster, instead walking straight toward Ning Xuan's viewing pavilion. He said, "Brother Ning, you can send someone to my Fuguia Chamber of Commerce later. I, Liu Shirong, am a man of my word; those two crates from the Western Regions will certainly belong to you."

Ning Xuan asked, "Old Liu, what are you up to?"

Liu Shirong smiled, tilted his head, and said, "Let's talk at the Drunken Flower Pavilion."

After saying that, he added, "The Drunken Flower Pavilion has gained two new courtesans. If you and I go today, they will naturally be groomed and released to become red courtesans. It will be their blessing to be able to serve two noble young masters like us for their first time.

Speaking of which, I wonder when my family will arrange a marriage for me.

Once I'm married, you and I won't be this free anymore. Even if we want to visit the pleasure quarters, we'll have to consider the feelings of our legal wives. Ha, let's go!"

Ning Xuan laughed, "I've been to the Chenxiang Pavilion in the prefectural capital many times, but I've found not a single one that compares to Xiao Jie."

Liu Shirong said vexatiously, "Why don't I have a Xiao Jie as a maid?"

Ning Xuan said, "Old Liu, out with it. What do you want?"

Liu Shirong gave a meaningful look.

The lackeys understood and dispersed one after another.

Ning Xuan also gave a signal, and his people quickly departed as well.

Only the two of them remained.

Only then did Liu Shirong speak, "I won't hide it from you, brother. My father has assigned me a death mission: I must marry his daughter off to you. Even the dowry is negotiable."

Ning Xuan was surprised. "With Yu Shu's qualities, countless men must be pursuing her, right? Besides, your Fuguang Chamber of Commerce is a powerful force in its own right. Why go out of your way to marry the Eldest Miss to me?"

Liu Shirong gritted his teeth and said, "This was arranged by my father. I don't know his specific intentions; after all, the old man is still very much alive.

Brother Ning, why don't you just try seeing how things go with Yu Shu? That girl is quite wonderful."

After speaking, he slapped his own cheeks and said, "I'm practically begging you, throwing away my dignity here. Brother, help me out.

Moreover, if you marry Yu Shu, there are at least two benefits.

First, Yu Shu is extremely skilled at managing household affairs; she will certainly ensure you have no worries at home.

Second, didn't I just say that after marriage, if we want to visit the pleasure quarters, we'd have to consider our wives' feelings? Well, you won't have to worry about Yu Shu's feelings. You can go whenever you want. If she gets angry, I, as your brother-in-law, will help you manage her."

Ning Xuan said, "Does saying that not make you feel guilty toward your sister?"

Liu Shirong replied, "What is there to feel guilty about? As long as my sister lies on your bed and handles some established transactions and affairs, even if she makes a mistake, it won't be a big deal. As her older brother, I have so much to worry about. I am truly walking on thin ice, living in constant trepidation.

Sigh... Brother, though we are just drinking buddies, there is genuine friendship between us. I am truly begging you. The old man gave me a strict order: I must secure you as my brother-in-law."

Ning Xuan said, "Don't beg, and don't play tricks. That takes the fun out of it."

He thought for a moment and said, "How about this: when my father returns, I'll mention it to him. If he doesn't shake his head, I'll give it a try."

Truth be told, Liu Yu Shu had been quite attentive to him, and he had seen her appearance; she was quite pleasant.

As for her temperament, she was virtuous and suitable to be a wife.

Furthermore, because she was the one eager to marry him, she wouldn't be able to restrict him after marriage; she would defer to him.

The trade routes of the Fuguang Chamber of Commerce could become an intelligence network for him, helping him investigate many demons and monsters, which would assist him in understanding this world and refining the Heavenly Demon Record.

If he were to go out of his way to marry the daughter of a larger power, it might seem better on the surface, but it would bring trouble after marriage.

Liu Shirong laughed, "With those words from you, Brother Ning, I can finally report back to the old man. Thank you."

***

Regarding the "Ghost-Shadow Monkey" Heavenly Demon Record, Ning Xuan was in no hurry to refine it; he wanted to gather more information first. Even a horse can stumble, and even a master can slip. If he failed, it would be the end. If he could ensure absolute success, why take risks?

As for the "Mysterious Buddha Statue," he was also in no rush to worship it. Even if he had to use such a strange demonic art, he had to understand it thoroughly and find someone to test it on first, waiting until it was safe.

The injury from the Ghost-Shadow Monkey's strike was recovering rapidly; in two or three days, he would be basically unscathed.

Ning Xuan changed locations and resumed his "daily training."

Weighted long-distance running, rock climbing, push-ups, sit-ups...

Day after day, he underwent brutal training.

In the blink of an eye, another half-month passed.

His physical constitution had increased from 1.8 to 2.2. The bonus provided by the "Mountain-Crashing Bear Demon" Heavenly Demon Record changed from "2.3" to "2.1."

As for his height after summoning the Bear Record, it had changed from eight feet to seven feet, becoming increasingly normal.

On this day, he returned to the city once more and boarded the carriage waiting at the city gate.

Today, he thought it would be like usual—Xiao Jie would take him back, and a banquet would be arranged for the evening.

But, something was different.

As soon as he entered the carriage, Xiao Jie told him solemnly, "The Master has returned."

Master Ning, who had been away for nearly two months, had finally... returned.

Ning Taiyi was a very peaceful man. He had celebrated his fiftieth birthday the year before last. Ning Xuan had calculated that his father must have been thirty-five when he and his mother prepared to conceive him.

Originally, he thought his father was simply a man dedicated to his career, working hard before the age of thirty-five, then growing weary of the worldly life and coming to this remote prefectural city, where he fell in love at first sight upon meeting his mother and settled down peacefully.

However, after seeing Han Ba and that yellow-robed Taoist who could suspend golden snake chains in mid-air, his thoughts changed.

There were too many suspicious points about his father.

His father's attitude toward him was also somewhat strange.

He did have feelings for his father.

Therefore, the more it was like this, the more he hoped his father would not be heartless toward him.

With a complex heart, Ning Xuan walked into the study.

Inside the study, a figure sat quietly with eyes closed, resting. Hearing the footsteps, the figure opened its eyes.

Ning Xuan was startled when he saw his father.

His physical constitution had now reached 2.2, making all his senses much sharper. He could hear people talking even through two walls, so he could naturally perceive things he had never noticed before.

His father had grown old.

He had grown old very quickly.

On the surface, he looked refined, elegant, and composed, but his vital energy and blood were decaying at an inconceivable rate.

His hair was entirely black, yet white patches appeared at several roots, indicating he used "this world's method of hair dyeing" to keep it black.

Beyond that, there was an indescribable, mysterious majesty about his father. That majesty made it feel as though, by simply sitting there, he gave off a sense of vastness, as if he were seated upon the earth with his back against the infinite sky—a sense of enormity, solitude, and insignificance.

Looking at him was like looking at mountains and rivers.

Ordinary people would not observe him so closely; they would only call out "Master Ning, Master Ning."

But at this moment, Ning Xuan saw clearly.

While he was looking at Ning Taiyi, Ning Taiyi was also looking at him.

Ning Taiyi smiled kindly, "Master Zhang said you were lazy, fishing for three days and drying the nets for two. I didn't expect you to be practicing so deeply in secret."

Ning Xuan scratched his head.

Ning Taiyi said, "Your Master Zhang probably can't beat you anymore. I never expected it, never expected it—my Xuan'er is actually a martial arts prodigy."

Ning Xuan put on the honest expression of "a child being praised by an elder" and smiled, "I just had a sudden breakthrough."

Ning Taiyi clearly had not discovered his true level. After all, Ning Xuan's "strength" was internalized; as long as he did not deliberately manifest it, it was like a calm sea—at first glance, one would think it was merely a small river.

The fact that Ning Taiyi could see so much with a casual glance already put him above many people.

At this moment, Ning Taiyi rubbed his forehead and said, "Practicing martial arts is fine; it can be for self-defense. But martial artists have vigorous blood and energy, making them prone to anger and impulsiveness, which easily leads to trouble... Xuan'er, you should read more books. For martial arts, just aim for physical fitness; do not go learning those killing techniques of the martial world."

Ning Xuan keenly sensed his father's disdain for "martial world killing techniques" and understood his meaning.

His father was afraid that if he only had a superficial understanding, he would cause trouble, thinking himself extraordinary, only to end up in a mess.

"Your son understands."

He responded, intending to bring up the matter of "Liu Yu Shu" to ask for his father's opinion.

But just then, Ning Taiyi suddenly said, "During this trip, I have promised a marriage for you."

Ning Xuan froze and asked, "Who?"

Ning Taiyi said, "Qin Jin'er, the concubine's daughter of Great General Qin Shanjun, and the mistress of the Hanzhou Ranch. After you marry, you... should also go to the Hanzhou Ranch. It would be good to gallop across the plains in the future."

Hanzhou Ranch?

A concubine's daughter?

Ning Xuan was stunned.

Hanzhou was a very distant place. He had never been there, nor had he ever thought of going there.

"Father, are you trying to marry me off to them? Do you no longer want me to fulfill my filial duties at your side?" Ning Xuan suddenly asked.

Ning Taiyi answered with a single, concise word: "Yes."

The air suddenly fell silent.

Then, Ning Taiyi suddenly laughed.

His laughter was like a spring breeze, capable of dissolving all resentment.

"Xuan'er, I know you have many doubts, but you must believe that this is the best arrangement I can make for you.

Go back to your room first... I am a bit tired.

If you want to talk, we will have time to chat later, father and son."

Ning Xuan did not say much. Since his father had put it that way, he could afford to wait.

He said, "Father, please rest well," and then withdrew.

He left, but his senses sharply locked onto his father's study.

He went very far away, to a distance where even a martial arts expert could not lock onto that study.

Suddenly, he felt someone watching him.

Not from beside him, but from afar.

He forced himself not to turn his head, and that prying gaze suddenly vanished.

Immediately after, he sensed another voice echoing from his father's study.

"Are you really going to send Xuan'er to Hanzhou?"

"He doesn't understand; do you not understand either?"

"I understand. Xuan'er only needs to fulfill his role as your only descendant and then enter into a political marriage.

The more he acts like a playboy and the less he inherits any of your legacy, the more relieved the people above will be.

At worst, it will just be family conflict—he'll just have played with a few more women; he won't commit any great crimes.

And as his older brother, I will have to worry about many things. I am truly walking on thin ice, living in constant trepidation.

Father, I truly don't know if you are biased toward me, or biased toward him."

The figure let out a long sigh, then said, "Using this wave of dragon qi from the extermination of the Bear Demon clan, I have taken another step forward beyond the Heavenly Master realm."