Chapter 3: Chapter 2 Becoming a Widower, I Can Also Remarry Chapter 3: Chapter 2 Becoming a Widower, I Can Also Remarry Yang Zhenshan returned to his room and sat on the edge of the kang, scratching his head vigorously.
He really wasn’t used to having a house full of children and grandchildren.
Especially when his eldest grandson called him “Grandpa,” it made him feel completely numb.
Sigh~~
Yang Zhenshan let out a long sigh. Right now, it seemed he had no other choice; even if he was uncomfortable, he would have to slowly get used to it.
Instead of sighing here, he was better off thinking about how to get by in the days to come.
He opened a wooden chest at the head of the kang and took out a smaller wooden box.
Inside the small wooden box were two silver hairpins, two silver bracelets, and thirteen taels of scrap silver.
Next, Yang Zhenshan took out a pottery jar from the corner of the kang, which was filled with Copper Coin.
After counting, aside from the jewelry, there was about fifteen taels.
For such a big family, this little amount of stored silver was really not much.
Fortunately, the family still owned twenty acres of farmland, and now that autumn had set in, it wouldn’t be long before the harvest.
For the coming year, the family would still be able to get by.
As for the future, that would be up to fate.
Whether a farmer could have enough to eat all depended on nature; with good wind and rain, there might be enough food, but in the event of a natural disaster, starving was inevitable.
Having accepted reality, Yang Zhenshan had to consider how to live in the future.
Following the trope of transmigration novels, should he start making glass, soap, firearms, and then rebel to become a king?
However, after giving it some thought, he rolled his eyes.
Novels were really deceiving.
He knew sand could be used to make glass, but how? He was full of question marks.
Lard could apparently be used to make soap, and then what? Still, he was full of question marks.
As for firearms, he was totally clueless; it would be a struggle for him even to make firecrackers, let alone firearms.
Most modern people know a little about gunpowder and firearms, but knowing a little does not mean they can make them.
Moreover, this world has Martial Artists who are extraordinary beings, capable of flying across the skies, facing thousands single-handedly.
Against Martial Artists, primitive gunpowder weapons are useless, unless one manages to develop black powder and manufacture modern firearms and ammunition. Otherwise, it’s better to be an obedient citizen—at least that way, one won’t be killed.
The original host was a Martial Artist, becoming one at the age of fifteen, and would not have joined the military otherwise.
But unfortunately, after a great battle, the original host was seriously injured, and the path of Martial Arts for him was completely cut off.
“Martial Artist!”
Thinking of the Martial Arts the original host practiced, Yang Zhenshan clenched his fist.
Although this body appeared weak and had many hidden injuries, it was surprisingly strong and should be stronger than an average person.
However, to re-cultivate Martial Arts, he would first need to heal the hidden injuries and replenish his vital energy.
This was not something that could be resolved with ten or twenty taels of Silver; otherwise, the original host would have sought treatment long ago.
Thinking of his hidden injuries, Yang Zhenshan suddenly froze.
Spiritual Spring Water: It has the effect of healing injuries, and long-term consumption can improve physique and potential.
An inexplicable piece of information appeared in his mind, and then a familiar scene came into view.
A rock pool, clear water, endless darkness.
This was a scene from his dreams.
“Spiritual Spring Water!”
Yang Zhenshan had a revelation and quickly walked out of the room to get a porcelain bowl.
He extended his index finger into the bowl, and with a thought, water flowed along his finger into the bowl.
Soon, a bowl of clear water appeared in front of him.
Could this water be drunk?
Yang Zhenshan looked at the clear water in the bowl with some doubt.
The dark rock pool had become empty, but at the bottom of the pool, it seemed like water was slowly seeping out.
So, Spiritual Spring Water can regenerate continuously!
After hesitating for a moment, Yang Zhenshan picked up the porcelain bowl and poured it down his throat.
Crisp and sweet, as the spring water entered his stomach, a warm sensation spread throughout his body. His sore left shoulder felt much more comfortable, and his entire body was filled with an unprecedented sense of comfort.
“Does it really work?”
Yang Zhenshan moved his body, feeling indeed much lighter than before, but there was still some pain when he lifted his left arm.
The Spiritual Spring Water worked—it could heal his hidden injuries, but one bowl was not enough.
Yang Zhenshan’s eyes lit up sharply.
If he could heal his hidden injuries, he could re-cultivate Martial Arts, and with the foundation laid by the original host, he should easily become a Martial Artist.
More importantly, his body could recover to its peak condition.
Although he was ten years older, as long as his body could return to its peak, he was still a fine young man.
At thirty-eight, he was still a young man!
Even if he was a grandfather, he was still young and definitely not an old man.
Thinking this, Yang Zhenshan not only felt lighter in body but also in spirits.
Being ten years older wasn’t a big deal, as long as he wasn’t a weakling and could still be lively and energetic, that was enough.
With a slight focus of his mind, the rock pool in the darkness reappeared. Although the spring water at the bottom was seeping out very slowly, Yang Zhenshan saw hope.
It’s okay if it’s slow, as long as there’s hope, that’s enough.
Putting away the silver, Yang Zhenshan walked out of the room with his hands behind his back.
“Grandfather!”
The eldest grandson, playing in the courtyard, saw him and immediately rushed over with a cheerful shout.
Now, looking at his eldest grandson, Yang Zhenshan felt less resistant in his heart.
The little fellow was tiger-headed and tiger-brained, quite endearing indeed.
Yang Zhenshan deftly picked him up; a bowl of Spiritual Spring Water hadn’t completely healed his hidden injuries but had made it possible for him to lift his grandson.
In his memories, the original body seldom held the grandson; not out of unwillingness, but because lifting him would cause a dull pain in his left shoulder.
“Grandpa, teach me the Spear Technique!”
The eldest grandson, held by Yang Zhenshan, had a face full of joy.
Yang Zhenshan looked up at his little daughter, Yang Yunxue, in the courtyard. The ten-year-old Yang Yunxue was wielding a long spear.
The ancestral Spear Technique of the Yang family.
Although it was not a mystical or secret art, it was a Spear Technique derived from battle experience.
The moves were sharp and decisive, without any superfluous flair, following a principle of continuity.
All five children of the Yang family had practiced Martial Arts and had also learned to read and write.
Martial Arts were passed down from the ancestors of the Yang family, while literacy was taught by the original body’s wife.
It may sound like they were proficient in both literacy and Martial Arts, but in reality, they were neither accomplished scholars nor adepts in Martial Arts.
Practicing Martial Arts hadn’t made any of them true Martial Artists, and their reading was merely at a level sufficient to recognize words; they could not be considered genuine scholars.
Usually, the eldest, Yang Mingcheng, and the second oldest, Yang Mingzhi, had to take care of the farm work, so they had fallen behind in their Martial Arts practice.
The fourth son, Yang Minghao, had been sent to apprentice at an ironworks shop in the county town and probably had neglected his Martial Arts as well.
Now, only the little daughter, Yang Yunxue, maintained the habit of practicing Martial Arts every day.
Watching his little daughter brandish the long spear powerfully, Yang Zhenshan felt an itch to join.
Every man harbors a dream of becoming a martial hero in his youth.
Yang Zhenshan’s dream had been shattered long ago, but in this world, where real Martial Artists existed, his broken dream of martial heroism began to resurface.
“Grandpa will perform the Spear Technique for you, is that alright?” Yang Zhenshan said with a slight smile at his grandson.
“Okay!” The eldest grandson clapped his hands in cheer.
Yang Zhenshan put down his grandson, turned, and walked into the bedroom, returning moments later with an iron spear.
The spear was about one meter eighty in length, with a seven-inch spearhead and a weight of four taels. Its edges were flat like buckwheat.
Recalling the memories of the original body, Yang Zhenshan thrust the iron spear out like a snake striking, then moved swiftly, continuously brandishing the spear with its movements wide and full, each move with full force, spinning abruptly as if to shock the soul. The tip of the spear vibrated, shooting dazzling cold glints. Within an area of a fathom, the dense spear light enveloped everything.
On the battlefield, one must give their all, never holding back, for any reservation could lead to being killed by the enemy in an instant.
As such, the essence of the Yang family’s ancestral Spear Technique was to use each move fully, without reserve.
With each thrust of the spear, it was a matter of life and death, without consideration for subsequent moves.
Seeing Yang Zhenshan practicing the spear, Yang Yunxue stopped, both surprised and delighted.
“Dad is practicing the spear again?” Yang Yunxue’s voice, only ten years old, was soft and pleasant to hear.
“Grandpa is so amazing!” The eldest grandson, Yang Chengye, clapped his hands in cheer.
The doors on the east and west sides opened, and the eldest daughter-in-law, Ms. Wang, and the second daughter-in-law, the Li family’s daughter, came out with their children, also looking at Yang Zhenshan in astonishment.
The original body hadn’t practiced the spear in a long time. Since his wife’s death, the original body had been in deep mourning, with no interest in practicing the spear.
In this respect, the original body was a man of deep feelings.
Feeling everyone’s gaze, Yang Zhenshan suddenly felt a sense of accomplishment, his iron spear becoming even more ferocious.
But joy often leads to sorrow.
Following a powerful lunge, Yang Zhenshan stumbled.
Pain, pain, pain~~
The pain in his left shoulder, as if pressing on a nerve, nearly caused Yang Zhenshan to black out and falter.
“Dad, are you okay?” Yang Yunxue quickly came forward to support Yang Zhenshan, asking with concern.
Looking at his little daughter’s worried face, Yang Zhenshan felt a warmth in his heart.
Although he had got her easily, his little daughter’s concern was indeed very genuine.
“I’m fine!”
“But I can’t practice the spear for now!” Yang Zhenshan said, regretfully.
Practicing the spear felt great, but the hidden injuries in his body were too severe, preventing him from fully indulging in the practice at once.
He only hoped that the Spiritual Spring Water would work faster and heal the hidden injuries on his body sooner.
“Dad, should we invite a physician to take a look?” The eldest daughter-in-law, Ms. Wang, holding the eldest granddaughter, came over to ask.
Although Ms. Wang was the mother of two children, she was only twenty years old.
After the original body’s wife passed away, Ms. Wang took care of the household.
They say the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother, and it wasn’t easy for Ms. Wang to take care of this large family.
“No need, I’ll be fine after some rest!”
Yang Zhenshan felt somewhat embarrassed.
His sons and daughters were one thing, but having a daughter-in-law always felt somewhat awkward to him.
He had been in a couple of relationships, but had never been married.
He didn’t even have a wife, let alone a daughter-in-law.
Upon reflection, Yang Zhenshan felt quite miserable.
This couldn’t do; he must find himself a wife.
Even if he became a widower, he could remarry.
Just wait, he would certainly find them a stepmother in the future.