Chapter 72: Harvest
Chapter 72: Harvest
Moments later, Chen Mu departed from the Main Tower, his figure gradually fading into the distance.
Xu Hongyu stood by the window, her gaze fixed on Chen Mu as he left the tower. She watched his silhouette disappear into the winding alleys.
"Miss, what are you thinking about?" Xiao He suddenly asked, approaching her.
Xu Hongyu turned around, deep in thought. "For now, not many people know about his extraordinary talent and understanding in the Way of Techniques. Our clan should make plans early on."
When she had learned from Xiao He that Chen Mu had mastered the Triple Technique with his sword, she was truly amazed. Having trained in swordplay since childhood, she had only managed to grasp two sword techniques herself.
The fact that Chen Mu, without any guidance, could comprehend and master the Triple Technique on his own was truly astonishing.
With such profound understanding of swordplay, if he doesn't enter the Sinew Marrow Realm, it's acceptable. But once he steps into that realm, even if he doesn't reach the pinnacle, he will still be a formidable figure capable of standing on his own. It's definitely worth considering drawing him closer to the Yu Family.
Xu Hongyu had even returned to the Yu Family to discuss this matter. However, after several days, there had been no response from the Yu Family.
"Miss, do you think he will like Sister Xiaoru?" Xiao He asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Xu Hongyu shook her head slightly. "It doesn't matter if he doesn't like her. Once he enters the Sinew Marrow Realm, whoever he chooses from the fourth generation of the Yu Family will be up to him."
Xiao He looked at Xu Hongyu, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What if he takes a liking to you, Miss?"
Xu Hongyu paused, as if considering the question carefully. "Well, that might be a bit of a stretch."
After all, her status was not just that of a core direct descendant of the Yu Family but also one of the most outstanding members of the fourth generation. Even if Chen Mu were to take a liking to her after entering the Sinew Marrow Realm, it might still be insufficient in the eyes of the Yu Family.
Xiao He couldn't help but suppress a giggle, covering her mouth with her hand as she watched Xu Hongyu's solemn expression.
Oh, Miss.
You should really think about what you're saying.
"What's wrong?" Xu Hongyu gave Xiao He a curious look.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Xiao He sighed quietly.
...
After returning from the Grand Office, Chen Mu did not go to the City Guard. Instead, he went straight home to sort through his recent gains.
First was the silver coins confiscated from the Zheng Family.
The total amounted to seventy-six thousand four hundred taels, give or take. In the past, during times of strict governance and a thriving imperial court, these would have been fully handed over. But in the current chaotic world, where wealth and power were seized by force, it wouldn't be an issue to keep most of it for himself. However, Chen Mu chose to discuss this with Xu Hongyu.
After careful consideration, Xu Hongyu decided to report only sixteen thousand four hundred taels. Ten thousand taels would be handed over to the Grand Office, and the remaining six thousand four hundred taels would be deposited into the City Guard's treasury in Willow Grove.
As for the sixty thousand taels that had seemingly vanished, Chen Mu would keep them for himself.
Naturally, Chen Mu had no objections to this arrangement.
With the agreement between superior and subordinate, there was no room for others to intervene. In fact, if the Chief Magistrate were someone else, there might have been attempts to take a share. But with Xu Hongyu, a direct descendant of the Yu Family and the Chief Magistrate of the Southern District, no one dared to interfere.
Xu Hongyu could have even kept the entire amount for herself. However, she had no shortage of silver coins, and the Yu Family was already considering how to further draw Chen Mu into their circle. There was no need to take silver coins from Chen Mu.
For Chen Mu, sixty thousand taels was undoubtedly a substantial sum. Even if he were to serve as a magistrate for decades, amassing wealth through corruption, it was unlikely that he would accumulate much more.
Even if he had purchased the deed to a luxurious mansion or even an estate outside the city, he had no plans to settle down just yet, so he slowly exchanged them all for gold leaves.
Next was the Black Jade Sinew Transformation Pill.
After Chen Mu's thorough research, he was almost certain that the corresponding 'Black Jade Sinew Technique' wouldn't be hard to find, and he didn't even hide this fact from Xu Hongyu. Xu Hongyu, surprised, mentioned that the Yu Family possessed this technique and could provide him with a copy in a few days.
Xu Hongyu even directly pointed out the origin of this Sinew Transformation Pill, suggesting that the Zheng Family had paid a hefty price to obtain it from the He Family, but they hadn't had a chance to use it before it fell into his hands.
Lastly, there were those unknown medicinal herbs.
After carefully examining each one, Chen Mu was able to find their sources. Some were primary ingredients for nourishing Qi and blood, while others were medicinal catalysts for regulating the inner body. In any case, they all shared one thing in common—they were precious.
Almost every type was worth several thousand taels or more.
Chen Mu carefully collected them all.
Of course, he also set aside some rewards for the City Guard's patrol officers.
"Thank you for the resources provided by the Zheng Family."
Standing in the room, Chen Mu looked over his gains and silently muttered to himself. At least for the foreseeable future, he wouldn't lack resources.
Even the most sought-after Sinew Transformation Pills were now in his possession, and entering the Sinew Transformation stage was just a matter of time.
Skin Tempering and Muscle Cultivation were merely the beginning; only upon reaching the Sinew Transformation stage could he truly step into the ranks of the strong within Yu City.
Although Chen Mu's current strength was no less than that of an average Sinew Transformation cultivator, he still eagerly sought to enhance his power. After all, this time, he had to face the He Family's threat head-on, and he couldn't rely solely on the Yu Family and Xu Hongyu's protection.
...
The annihilation of the Zheng Family caused a huge stir in Willow Grove, and it also shook the Southern District. However, there was barely any commotion in the Inner City, as the Zheng Family was considered insignificant compared to the influential Inner City factions.
The numerous gangs that had been entrenched in Willow Grove, such as the Sandflow Gang and the Bandit Gang, all became more subdued within a day. Even the Nan Family, which had been on par with the Zheng Family, toned down significantly.
In fact, on the very next day, the head of the Nan Family personally visited Chen Mu to pay his respects, explaining that he had been in seclusion and couldn't welcome Chen Mu on his first day in office.
Various gangs then followed suit, either offering goodwill or showing weakness. For a while, the residents of Willow Grove felt that the City Guard's officers had become more assertive. In the past, the patrol officers and gang members would merely nod at each other, but now, gang members would actively smile and greet the patrol officers.
Chen Mu was well aware of these changes but didn't pay them much mind. He had no interest in managing gang affairs and instead resumed his cultivation routine from his time in Nine Streets.
Time flew by.
The first change to occur was in his swordsmanship. With the fourth sword aura mastered, his system panel finally showed new progress.
(End of Chapter)
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