6: Spring Breeze Tower

Aside from practicing martial arts and archery, honing his Qi, and researching its uses, Xu Qing actually didn't have much in the way of entertainment.

After all, it was ancient times, a period of spiritual and material scarcity, where most people couldn't even manage to eat and dress warmly.

Let alone find things to play with.

However, there were still wealthy people, and thus, the Chunfeng Brothel came into being.

The Chunfeng Brothel was the most famous restaurant in Yuan City.

Its wine was the most mellow and fragrant, and its dishes were also unparalleled.

Naturally, there were entertainers who performed dances and sang, creating an even more beautiful scene.

When not practicing martial arts, Xu Qing would go there periodically to drink and listen to music, sometimes alone, sometimes bringing Yang Long along.

After the tiger incident, Xu Qing had been at home honing his Qi, striving to explore new effects.

A letter arrived from Yang Long.

He said his injuries were mostly healed and that he wanted to host a banquet at the Chunfeng Brothel to thank him for saving his life from the fierce tiger.

Xu Qing naturally agreed.

When the time came, Xu Qing went to the Chunfeng Brothel alone.

As soon as Xu Qing arrived, he saw Yang Long already waiting for him at the entrance of the Chunfeng Brothel.

"Xu Qing, over here!"

Yang Long waved his hand, then led Xu Qing to a simple yet elegant private room.

Only after entering the private room did Xu Qing realize that someone was already waiting inside.

This person was none other than Yang Long's father, Yang Hong.

Yang Hong was the Family Head of the Yang Family.

The Yang Family and the Xu Family had a good relationship; in such a small city, there weren't so many conflicts of interest.

The three great Families—the Xu Family, the Yang Family, and the Wang Family—had deeply entrenched Family power, spreading throughout the entire Yuan City.

From a certain perspective, the three great Families could be said to have united into a single force.

"Greetings, Uncle Yang."

Xu Qing bowed and cupped his hands in salute to Yang Hong.

"This time, I really must thank you, Xu Qing!"

Yang Hong held Xu Qing's hand, not allowing him to lower it.

At the same time, Yang Hong gripped Xu Qing's hand tightly, his eyes full of kindness and gratitude.

"This unruly boy of mine just practices martial arts all day and does nothing else.

If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would never have seen him again this time."

As he spoke, Yang Hong glared fiercely at Yang Long.

"Uncle Yang will remember this matter, and in the future, if you need anything, just come to Uncle Yang!"

"Yes, Uncle Yang."

Xu Qing replied to Yang Hong with a smile.

Then the three of them took their seats, exchanging toasts, with enticing dishes laid out.

During this time, beautiful and charming courtesans came to play music, and the elegant private room was filled with lively chatter among the three.

After some time, Yang Hong had drunk quite a bit of wine, his face flushed, and he smiled at Xu Qing, saying,

"Xu Qing, Uncle Yang will be leaving now; I won't disturb you young people's conversation."

He then gave Yang Long a look, signaling him to treat Xu Qing well, and then left his seat with a smile.

Yang Long watched his father, Yang Hong, leave, and his expression suddenly relaxed as he let out a deep breath.

"Oh, he's finally gone, Xu Qing, I toast you with this cup."

Yang Long said, raising his wine cup.

Xu Qing drained his cup and said with a smile,

"What, are you still afraid of your father?"

Yang Long poured out his grievances.

He said his father constantly forced him to take over the Family business, made him marry and have children, and urged him not to be obsessed with practicing martial arts anymore.

But Yang Long didn't want to live his life by following the established routine.

Yang Long most wanted to achieve great deeds, or to roam the Jianghu like in Wuxia novels, becoming a great hero respected by all.

Yang Long wanted to join the army, but Yang Hong absolutely disagreed.

He even flew into a rage and subjected Yang Long to Family discipline, leaving Yang Long unable to get out of bed for several days.

Only then did Yang Long dare not say similar things in front of his father.

Xu Qing sighed, expressing understanding, but he was also powerless.

Yang Long wanted to join the army, kill enemies, achieve merit, and become a great general, but he only saw the glory in it, or underestimated the risks, and it was mostly youthful impetuosity.

Yang Hong was different; he saw clearly. Not to mention the uncertain fate after joining the army, even if he miraculously achieved merit and became a general, how much bloodshed and countless bones would be behind it.

Yang Long fiercely gulped down a cup of wine and stood up.

His body swayed slightly, but his voice was incredibly firm,

"I must join the army! I want to achieve great deeds! I want to be a great general!"

Having escaped from the tiger's jaws and experienced life and death, Yang Long saw himself clearly.

If there must be a death, Yang Long hoped he could die a glorious one.

If he were to follow his father's wishes and live a lifetime obediently, Yang Long was unwilling.

At the very least, Yang Long had to try.

Compared to dying peacefully in bed, Yang Long would rather die on the battlefield.

The Yang Family still had descendants; Yang Long's older brother, Yang Wei, could inherit the Family business for him.

But would his father, Yang Hong, agree to let him go?

Yang Long then fiercely gulped down a few more cups of wine, his face flushed, his expression melancholic, and he plopped down onto the table.

His head swayed slightly on the table, and he kept muttering,

"I want to be a great general, I want to be a great general..."

Xu Qing drank a cup of wine and sighed.

He waved his hand, signaling the courtesan to withdraw.

Yang Long's vision was to be a great general and achieve great deeds.

Then what about me, Xu Qing? I possess a long and endless life; what should I do?

Xu Qing fell into deep thought.

After a long time, Xu Qing still couldn't find an answer.

Xu Qing shook his head, helped Yang Long out of the Chunfeng Brothel, and sent Yang Long back to the Yang Family.

As for the bill, Yang Hong had already paid it.

Walking out of the Yang Family, the sky outside gradually darkened, and a cold wind blew, invigorating Xu Qing somewhat.

Walking slowly forward, Xu Qing quietly pondered what to do in the future.

The vendors on both sides of the street were still there, still operating even though it was almost dark, all for their livelihood.

As he walked, Xu Qing saw a crowd of people gathered ahead and became curious.

Xu Qing also walked forward, wanting to see what was happening.

"Selling oneself to bury one's father."

Four crooked characters were written on a tattered wooden sign.

Next to it knelt a small boy, about ten years old.

The boy was very thin, and his clothes were old and patched.

The little boy kept kowtowing, his expression pleading, his voice tearful,

"Please have mercy and help me."

The surrounding onlookers all looked troubled. Those who came to watch were mostly from ordinary families and were not wealthy.

Even if they had the money to arrange the boy's father's funeral, having an extra mouth to feed at home would be even more difficult.

So, even though the boy had been kneeling there all day, he hadn't waited for the kind person he had hoped for.

A passerby noticed someone behind him, turned around, and saw a face like the morning star, unable to look away.

Upon closer inspection.

"This... isn't this Young Master Xu of the Xu Family?!"

"The tiger-fighting hero who carried that tiger corpse!"

The people nearby heard the sound, turned around, and all saw Xu Qing; the topic of discussion actually shifted to Xu Qing.

As for the little boy kneeling on the ground, he was now completely ignored.

Xu Qing looked at the people around him who were all staring at him, feeling a bit helpless.

Being too famous was not necessarily a good thing.

Xu Qing sighed, feeling some sympathy for the little boy. If he had no money, then so be it.

But now he was a young master from a prominent Family, not lacking in these things.

Moreover, this little boy could become his servant, raised from a young age, which would also be reassuring.

So Xu Qing stepped forward, picked up the sign, and said to the little boy,

"I'll take care of your father's matter. From now on, will you follow me?"

The little boy stopped crying. He rubbed his swollen eyes and looked up at the tall man in front of him, whose face was handsome and whose smile was gentle.

Then the little boy immediately kowtowed repeatedly, the ground continuously emitting dull thuds.

"Thank you, sir, thank you, sir."