Chapter 39 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 39

The Shen family manager was in a panic.

The Shen family had once been a famous martial arts clan, but after the previous head abandoned martial arts for trade, they had gradually faded from the Jianghu. As a lifelong servant of the Shens, the manager knew exactly how terrifying martial arts experts were. They were impulsive, righteous to a fault, and didn't care for laws—if they caught you, breaking a limb was considered a light punishment.

In Jixi, he knew he had offended a master. He hadn't slept for a night, trembling with fear, until he finally dared to flee early, hoping to shake off that "Death God." He thought he had succeeded. He didn't expect to bump into him again at the very gates of Yangzhou.

The manager wanted to cry but had no tears. He stiffly turned his head away, pretending he hadn't seen a thing. Luckily, it was their turn to enter the city. He frantically slapped the driver's back: "Go, go, go!"

Under Ji Xiu’s calm gaze, the Shen family caravan slowly entered the city. The manager slumped back in the carriage, relieved. Yangzhou was the Shen family’s stronghold, but the things he had done were shameful; if a martial artist exposed him in public, he’d rather have his legs broken in private.

…

The caravan hurried back to the Shen residence. Old Master Shen had passed away, and the funeral rites—conducted by masters from Lingyin Temple—were to last forty-nine days. Madame Shen had summoned all managers back to assist the Eldest Young Master in taking over the family business.

The manager felt a trace of disdain for Madame Shen. A mere woman, making such a fuss over a small matter. However, thinking that the Eldest Young Master—raised by a woman and easily manipulated—would now be in charge, he grew excited. The vast Shen family would essentially be at the mercy of managers like him.

Inside the Shen residence, Madame Shen and her son were draped in mourning white, sitting in the high seats of the side hall, their faces showing a triumph they couldn't quite hide. After receiving oaths of loyalty from the managers, they dismissed them to pay respects to the deceased.

As the managers left, the real mourners—the concubines' children—remained kneeling by the brazier, their faces full of fear for the future. Without the Old Master’s protection, would Madame Shen let them stay?

"Father loved me most," the Eighth Miss, Shen Li, whispered tearfully. "He said he’d find me a good marriage. Now what will I do?"

The Ninth Miss wept silently. "Sister, Madame won't be soft-hearted."

They looked at the empty space where the Sixth Miss, Shen Lang, used to be. Back then, they had mocked her for marrying a penniless commoner just to escape the family. Now, they realized how wise she was. She had traded her dowry and status for freedom.

"The Sixth Miss and the Sixth Son-in-law have arrived!" the herald announced.

…

Ji Xiu and Shen Lang entered, offered incense with a natural air, and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Shen Li called out, unable to hold back. "Sixth Sister, are you leaving? I... I want to talk to you."

Shen Lang looked at her mourning clothes. Shen Li didn't care. "It's the Tenth and Eleventh sisters' turn tonight. I'm free."

"I'm staying at the Yuelai Inn. Come if you wish," Shen Lang replied.

Before leaving the residence, Ji Xiu and Shen Lang went to bid farewell to Madame Shen. The woman was arrogant. "I didn't expect you to return so quickly," she sneered. "Go down now. Remember to keep watch by the coffin tonight."

Shen Lang’s expression turned cold and ironic. "Madame, I am married. I am no longer a daughter of the Shen house."

To keep watch out of filial piety was a choice; to be ordered was an insult. Madame Shen was stunned by the defiance. "How dare you! If you don't listen, don't expect to rely on the Shen family's name ever again!"

"Madame overthinks. We live in Huizhou. We have no need for the Shen name," Shen Lang countered calmly. She turned to Ji Xiu. "Husband, let's go."

Ji Xiu, slightly surprised by his wife's newfound backbone, smiled warmly. "Whatever you say, my lady."

…

As they tried to leave, the servants—taking cues from Madame Shen—refused to lead the way.

"Since the lady is lost, I'll find a guide," Ji Xiu chuckled. He waved at a figure trying to hide in the courtyard.

The Shen manager, who had just been boasting to friends, froze. Why me again?! "Great Hero..." the manager stammered, not knowing Ji Xiu was actually the "worthless" son-in-law.

"My wife and I lost our way after paying respects," Ji Xiu said casually.

The manager, assuming Ji Xiu was a powerful martial arts connection from the family's past, ignored his confused friends and led them out with a flattering smile. The cloth store manager, who knew Ji Xiu’s "lowly" identity, tried to stop him. "Are you crazy? Why are you flattering the Sixth Miss?"

The manager snapped back, "Shut up! I'm coming right back!" He didn't care about the Sixth Miss; he cared that Ji Xiu was a terrifying martial master.

Ji Xiu released a sliver of internal pressure, a cold aura that chilled the bones of everyone in the yard. The cloth store manager’s words died in his throat. They watched in silence as the family walked out.

…

Back at the inn, Ji Zian was waiting. Ji Xiu sat down and asked, "What did you do while we were gone?"

Ji Zian looked at him flatly. "I went to find Zhang Peng."

Ji Xiu was speechless. His son was truly petty. "Did you hurt him?"

"I controlled my strength," Zian replied with a hint of pride.

Later that night, Shen Li visited. When she left, Shen Lang sat by the window, her face pale.

"I want to learn martial arts," Shen Lang said suddenly.

Ji Xiu was startled. "Why the change of heart?"

"Eighth Sister came to ask for help moving out. In exchange, she told me something..." Shen Lang’s eyes turned icy. "She said there might be more to my mother's death than a simple difficult labor."

Ji Xiu wasn't surprised. In a world of protagonists and villains, there were no accidents. He held her hand. "Do you want to learn to take revenge?"

"I... I don't know."

…

The next day, the family returned to the Shen residence. They were met at the door by an arrogant servant who sneered: "A good dog doesn't block the way. Don't you know that?"

Ji Xiu glanced at Ji Zian and thought: It's over. The next second, Ji Zian lunged. The servant was sent flying three meters, slamming into a stone pillar and coughing up blood.

"How dare you!" the butler roared. "Call the guards! Kill this brat!"

Over a dozen Shen family guards rushed out. Ji Zian, eager to test his five months of training, met them head-on. He fought like a small whirlwind, his movements getting faster and sharper with every strike. He was delighted—he finally had real opponents to practice on.

"Husband..." Shen Lang said, worried.

Ji Xiu held her hand. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

He let Ji Zian vent. It was better to let the boy release his rage now through a fair fight than to have him return in ten years to slaughter the entire household in their sleep.