Ning Yue, still sitting cross-legged, glanced at his panel. The wealth value, which had just been so abundant it made Xie Yanming unable to lift his head, had now shrunk to less than ten thousand points.
It would likely be difficult to even cultivate Moon Shadow Evasion to minor accomplishment.
Ning Yue activated the panel, and the progress of Star Mark Step began to soar. Inside the dormitory, the evening breeze swept through, and one after another, ethereal images of Ning Yue appeared, accompanied by a scattering of starlight on the floor.
The embroidered blue silk bed curtains gently undulated, dyed golden by the starlight, but as time passed, the golden hue gradually faded, and a moon-white glow slowly began to shine.
The starlight outside the window also receded, and the bright moonlight streamed in.
Moonlight spilled across the ground paved with black obsidian, filling the room with an ethereal glow...
【Ding! Congratulations, Host, Star Mark Step has been upgraded to Consummation!】
Cost: five thousand taels!
【Ding! Congratulations, Host, Moon Shadow Evasion has been upgraded to Minor Accomplishment (31%)!】
Indeed, it was barely a minor accomplishment.
It was said that cultivating an Earth-grade martial art to the Consummation Realm allowed one to comprehend a trace of Martial Dao True Intent, enabling the weak to defeat the strong. Even within the same realm, fighting across minor ranks would be as easy as turning one's hand.
Unfortunately, Ning Yue had yet to achieve consummation in a single one, and his wealth value was already depleted!
He was poor!
Ning Yue looked at Jie Mai Qinlong (Arresting Dragon Vein), the Earth-grade unique skill still at the Great Accomplishment Realm on his panel, and sighed. To comprehend True Intent, it would likely cost at least three thousand taels of silver.
Helpless, he turned over and fell asleep!
...
Ten days later, Gu City, entering the latter half of April, had completely warmed up.
This northernmost city of Great Yuan naturally had short springs and autumns.
After only one cold snap in April, the scorching summer was already approaching.
Citizens and nobles, regardless of their status, shed their long robes and thick padded jackets.
Small vendors wore coarse short-sleeved old clothes, while aristocratic families dazzled with their silk and brocade.
Xie Qing, who had just taken a restorative nap all morning, stared intently at Ning Yue, who had an innocent expression, his face as dark as the Bixie at the entrance of a prison.
"You want to borrow three thousand taels of silver?!"
"What do you take me for? A rich and handsome man?!"
Ning Yue looked up at Xie Qing, whose wide robes and large sleeves still seemed too tight, and whose Flying Fish Uniforms were custom-made. He asked against his conscience, "Brother... aren't you?"
"Oh!" Xie Qing's anger turned to joy, then he asked in confusion, "You found out even though I hid it so well?"
"That's right, little brother's eyes are even sharper than an eagle's!" Ning Yue said righteously.
Xie Qing was still a bit hesitant, his hand in his chest pocket reluctant to come out. "But that's three thousand taels of silver. Even the top courtesan at the Joyful Tower doesn't cost that much for one night."
"And you eat too well. Even I, your brother, only occasionally sleep with a courtesan from a small boat-brothel. This money is almost enough to buy her freedom!"
But Ning Yue, whose eyes were sharper than an eagle's, saw Xie Qing's intention. His hand moved so fast it left afterimages, and he cleanly emptied the other's chest pocket.
"Thank you, Brother Xie!"
With the money in hand, Ning Yue was about to make a run for it, but Xie Qing, with a mischievous smile, stopped him.
"Come on, come on! Gaoyang Restaurant has new dishes today. Let's change clothes and go try them out!"
"Brother Xie, this money of mine has other important uses."
"I know, I know, you don't have to treat!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Yue's hesitant steps immediately became smooth. "I say, Brother Xie, can we change to a different restaurant?"
"That won't do!"
They walked in silence. Ning Yue changed into his casual clothes, tied his hair back with a long rope, and accompanied Xie Qing to the restaurant.
They ascended to the second floor and entered a private room.
Xie Qing began serving dishes and pouring wine, so solicitous it was as if he had borrowed three thousand from Ning Yue.
Ning Yue, at a loss, said, "Brother Xie, no, no, no. Just say what you want to say. When you act like this, I, your little brother, feel truly uneasy."
Xie Qing smiled meaningfully, "I heard you're about to be promoted?!"
Ning Yue said shyly, "It's not even a certainty yet, Brother Xie, please don't spread rumors."
Xie Qing laughed heartily, "Good, good, good! When things are finalized, I, your brother, will give you a big gift!"
Today's dishes were noticeably much more refined than last time, but Ning Yue only took a small taste; the flavor wasn't as good as before.
He tasted the tea, finding it sour and astringent, like brewed willow leaves.
"Pah! What kind of terrible tea is this? It's not even as good as plain water!" Xie Qing also noticed something was off and stopped eating.
"Eating a free meal, and you still dare to be picky?!"
The curtain was pulled back, and Xie Mu Han stood at the doorway with an displeased expression.
She must have thought her words last time weren't clear enough. She didn't expect her brother's old habit to resurface after only a few days, so she no longer needed to show any deference.
Xie Mu Han's gaze scrutinized Ning Yue, who had already stood up, from head to toe, then she said, "His appearance is passable, but these clothes are made of ordinary satin from Yunshan Workshop, not costing more than one tael. The sleeves are too short, the hem is messy, and the collar is a bit too thin. It seems he bought ready-made clothes."
"Aside from a worn ebony knife at his waist, there are no other accessories. It seems a Xiaoqi officer of his standing wouldn't have any precious jade or jewels on him. Hehe... As for his shoes, though made of deerskin, the leather surface is coarse and heavily worn. It seems he only has this one pair to wear!" Xie Mu Han chuckled.
Xie Mu Han smiled with pursed lips, then raised an eyebrow and concluded, "Forgive my bluntness, but this Xiaoqi officer is of meager means. This restaurant is expensive, not a place for someone like you."
"Mu Han! What nonsense are you spouting?! Ning Yue is not only my colleague but also my closest friend. How dare you insult him?!" Xie Qing was furious.
Recently, the news of Ning Yue's impending promotion had been widely rumored throughout the guard post. Many aristocratic families wanted to win him over, yet he hadn't visited any of them as a guest or gone to any brothel for pleasure.
He had gone through great lengths to trick Ning Yue here, paying a full three thousand taels of silver, only to find that his own sister not only didn't show support but also immediately ruined the atmosphere.
He had originally wanted to bring the two together, but now it seemed, not becoming enemies would be a good outcome.
"Why don't you quickly apologize to your elder brother!" Xie Qing's finger almost poked his sister's face.
Xie Mu Han, however, stiffened her neck and turned away. Her maid, dressed in blue brocade behind her, saw this and kindly advised, "Young Master Xie, please calm your anger. The young lady is just outspoken, she didn't mean to—"
"That's enough, that's enough, don't say any more." Xie Mu Han rudely interrupted the maid's speech, then looked directly at Xie Qing and asked, "Although Brother is born of a concubine, he is still a scion of a prominent family, of extraordinary status, incomparable to ordinary people. How can he spend his days mingling with common petty officials, not simply sullying the family's name?!"
"Slap!" Xie Qing's hand, swung with force, was firmly gripped by Ning Yue, unable to move.
Xie Qing shook his hand twice with effort but still couldn't break free. His entire hand felt as if it were embedded in a mountain, and he couldn't help but look at Ning Yue in astonishment.
He had long known that his younger brother was formidable; Xiao Wenjie, who was at the Great Accomplishment of Yi Jin (Tendon Changing) Realm, had been defeated by him. But it wasn't until now that he truly realized the difference between them!
Ning Yue looked at his elder brother's uncontrollable rage and had no choice but to pull him out of the private room, then said gently, "Brother Xie, I didn't expect that I would cause discord between you and your sister. Ning Yue apologizes to you first, and I ask Brother Xie not to be angry."
"This has nothing to do with you. It's all because my little sister is too ill-mannered!" Xie Qing shook off the sleeve Ning Yue was holding and was about to go back and discipline his sister.
The diners in the private rooms on the second floor all poked their heads out at this moment. A quarrel between the owner's family was a rare spectacle.
Many people in the hall on the first floor also heard the commotion and were now gathered at the stairwell.
Unexpectedly, Xie Mu Han, her pretty face frosty, fanned herself with a Suzhou silk fan and walked gracefully out of the private room, opening her mouth to say, "You, Xiaoqi officer, are quite perceptive, but you lack foresight. Still lingering here, are you perhaps still thinking about the wine and dishes just now, not having eaten your fill?!"
"I'll tear that rotten mouth of yours right now." Xie Qing erupted in rage.
Ning Yue hurriedly blocked him. If he allowed the Xie Family siblings to fight today, no matter what, it would become a thorn in their hearts in the future.
Just then, the sound of footsteps, "thump, thump, thump," suddenly echoed from downstairs.
A messenger in a black robe ran up the stairs with a smile and said to Ning Yue, "Xiaoqi Ning, you've been hard for this official to find. Zhenfu Xue has ordered you to return to camp immediately!"
Xie Qing's heart skipped a beat. He no longer cared about disciplining Xie Mu Han, but instead asked in a low voice, "Did Zhenfu Xue say what the matter is?"
The messenger bowed to the two of them upon hearing this. "I must also congratulate Master Ning. The appointment for Zongqi has come down. Zhenfu Xue is calling you to attend the promotion ceremony!"
"Master, it's not too late to change your clothes first before going." With a wave of the messenger's hand, a person behind him, holding a silver-white Flying Fish Uniform, respectfully presented it to Ning Yue with bowed head.
The dazzling silver patterns made all the onlookers, both upstairs and downstairs, squint their eyes.
"Clatter!" Xie Mu Han's hand slipped, and her fan fell to the ground!