37: Chapter 37 An Ziyao

Su Xuanming found it difficult to adjust for a moment.

It was clearly just a step away, yet it was divided into two different worlds.

These past few days, Su Xuanming had witnessed the prosperity of the Cultivation Market, learned more business theories, and also experienced the cold-blooded indifference of the Cultivators.

Those Cultivators who appeared to be chatting and laughing were constantly guarding against each other in private.

Even the Qian Family, who cooperated with them, occasionally revealed greed and murderous intent deep in their eyes, but they stopped at the last moment, which allowed the cooperation to be established.

If Cultivators are always on guard against each other, how can they make true friends?

Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the cold nature of Cultivators.

Su Xuanming could only surmise this, while feeling fortunate that his father was different from most Cultivators; thankfully, he had a good father.

Bang!

A small, thin figure fell nearby, blood trickling from his forehead. He clutched a short knife in his hand, his bruised and swollen face filled with unwillingness.

He struggled to get up from the ground, his legs trembling from weakness.

Standing before him was a robust Martial Artist, his eyes mocking as he spoke, "With your small frame, you dare to come looking for trouble with the Ghost Foot Gang?"

"Ah Hu, hurry up! What's the point of wasting words on a dead man?"

A man's impatient urging came from inside the house.

"Got it. I just savored the taste of it, so I couldn't help but say a few more words."

The man named Ah Hu smiled lecherously, licking his lips with a look of recollection.

Hearing this, the youth's breathing grew heavy. He fiercely tightened his grip on the short knife, his eyes tearful and his expression twisted.

He let out a sharp roar and stabbed toward Ah Hu with all his might.

But Ah Hu didn't even lift an eyelid, kicking him away directly.

He picked up the dropped short knife, laughed arrogantly, and threw it forcefully toward the youth's head.

Swish!

The short knife flew with perfect accuracy; with that much force, it was certain to pierce the youth's skull.

Just as the tip of the blade was about to embed itself in the youth's brow, the flying short knife abruptly stopped, hovering in front of the youth.

Ah Hu's expression stiffened, his face instantly turning pale, and he quickly retreated several steps.

Looking left and right, he quickly locked onto Su Yang and Su Xuanming not far away.

"I am Ah Hu of the Ghost Foot Gang. I greet the Immortal Master."

Ah Hu was quite perceptive, immediately cupping his fist and bowing.

The Mortals in the small town were filled with terror toward the Cultivators, mainly because the Cultivators in the Market killed without blinking, especially the terrifying Foundation Establishment Cultivators—even a Martial Arts Grandmaster had been slapped to death by one of them.

The person who saved the youth was not Su Yang, but Su Xuanming.

"Father, it's the boy who sold himself to bury his mother that day."

He explained to Su Yang, feeling uncertain whether saving an unrelated person on his own initiative was right or wrong.

The youth's tear-filled eyes showed no fear of death, only murderous intent and rage toward Ah Hu.

But he suppressed the urge to continue attacking the other party and turned his gaze to Su Yang.

A subtle change appeared in his fierce gaze. He parted his cracked lips and called out 'Benefactor' in a hoarse voice.

Su Yang's expression was calm; of course, he remembered this youth.

A few days ago, he had given alms to a group of beggars, which included this boy who sold himself to bury his mother.

It was merely an act of following his heart, and he hadn't dwelled on it, but he hadn't expected to meet him again, and moreover, the other party had kept his kindness firmly in mind.

"You decide for yourself."

Su Yang replied faintly.

He did not want his son to seek his opinion for everything; only those with their own opinions would know how to think and be capable of bearing heavy responsibilities in the future.

Su Xuanming immediately walked toward the youth and handed him a Primal Origin Pill.

The youth stubbornly refused to open his mouth; he didn't want to incur any more debt of gratitude, because he already couldn't repay what he owed.

Su Xuanming released his spiritual power, forcibly pried open the youth's mouth, and stuffed the Medicinal Pill inside.

"I will not avenge you. Your revenge should be resolved by yourself, but with your current ability, you are just throwing your life away."

Su Xuanming said calmly, "I can give you a choice: follow us back to the Su Family, and we will teach you martial arts, but from now on, you must fight for the Su Family."

Saving him was a momentary impulse, but since he had done it, he would take responsibility to the end.

Looking at this youth, who was about the same age as his sister, who should have been carefree, yet had to sell himself to bury his mother.

Su Xuanming felt a pang in his heart.

Especially after hearing the conversation between the Ghost Foot Gang members, he could guess what kind of humiliation the youth's mother had suffered before her death.

The reason the youth sought revenge against his mother at this moment wasn't because he couldn't recognize the gap in strength between the two sides, but because if he didn't seek revenge now, he would starve to death on the streets.

He had no future left...

The silver Su Yang gave him was only enough to buy a coffin for his mother.

Hearing Su Xuanming's words, the youth clenched his fists tightly. He looked at Ah Hu, who was still maintaining the posture of cupping his fist and bowing, his eyes filled with hatred and unwillingness.

The Primal Origin Pill diffused within his body, restoring some of his strength.

The youth suddenly knelt before Su Xuanming, tears falling onto the sand, and shouted in a hoarse voice: "An Ziyao thanks the Benefactor for saving my life! Please, Benefactor, take me in. An Ziyao swears to follow the Su Family to the death!"

Seeing this, Su Xuanming nodded almost imperceptibly and helped An Ziyao up.

It was good that he was a smart person, knowing that he shouldn't act rashly at this moment, nor should he trouble the Cultivators to avenge him.

Only by improving his strength to take revenge personally was the correct course of action.

Ah Hu broke out in a cold sweat after hearing their conversation.

The people from the Ghost Foot Gang inside the house were also scared pale, hiding inside and not daring to come out, pretending not to know what was happening outside.

Su Yang and Su Xuanming ignored Ah Hu from beginning to end. After settling this small interlude, they turned and left.

An Ziyao silently followed behind the two.

Before leaving, he shot a hateful glance at Ah Hu and said through gritted teeth: "I won't let you wait too long!"

Ah Hu collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen: "It's over. I should have just slapped him to death earlier."

"You idiot..."

The people inside the house were so angry their teeth ached, wishing they could directly slap Ah Hu to death, but they were worried that killing Ah Hu without authorization would anger the Cultivators outside.

After all, Ah Hu was meant to be left for An Ziyao to deal with.

But if An Ziyao returned after learning martial arts, would he let the Ghost Foot Gang go?.

Obviously not!

They could only hope that An Ziyao had no talent for martial arts and would remain an ordinary person his entire life.

...

Su Yang arranged for a carriage in the small town, and the three departed by vehicle.

If it had only been Su Yang and Su Xuanming, they would have chosen to walk for greater speed, but bringing the seriously injured An Ziyao, they had to choose a slightly slower method of travel.

Every time they traveled, Su Yang envied the Foundation Establishment Cultivators who could fly and burrow underground. The spiritual power of the Qi Refining Stage could not lift a person's weight; it could only control the weight of a Flying Sword.

Su Xuanming acted as the coachman outside the carriage.

An Ziyao sat inside the carriage. He initially tried to stay alert, but the exhaustion of his body finally caused him to fall into a deep sleep.

Su Yang, having nothing to do, reached out and placed his hand on the youth's wrist to check his injuries.

Suddenly, he exclaimed in surprise, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.