12dz Chapter 13 Forced Cohabitation
Chapter 13 Forced Cohabitation
After Feng Changrong left to carry out his orders, Shen An sat in the study for a while before Li Qingde came in and said that he had made arrangements for Xiaocao and so on.
"Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother Li," Shen An said. "There's another matter I need the workshop's help with. I've had some new insights into swordsmanship recently, and I feel that my old sword is no longer suitable. I'd like to ask the workshop's craftsmen to reforge one for me."
Li Qingde smiled and said, "Senior brother, you're too kind. Hundred Refinements Workshop does just that. What kind of sword do you need, senior brother?"
"It's about 50% heavier than the standard Songshan iron sword I'm using now." Shen An gestured, "The sword shape and style will still follow the broad and thick style of the Songshan sword, but the center of gravity needs to be adjusted slightly. It would be best to make the weight of the tip of the sword more prominent, so that when it is swung, it is heavy and powerful, and the point of thrust can be more concentrated."
Li Qingde was knowledgeable in the field. After a moment's thought, he nodded: "I understand. Senior Brother wants to take an even more extreme and powerful approach. A 50% weight increase is no problem; our Hundred Refinement Workshop has plenty of good iron. Adjusting the center of gravity isn't difficult either. Just add more material when forging the tip, or make some internal adjustments. I'll arrange for the best craftsman right away, and the furnace can be opened tomorrow. I'm sure Senior Brother will be satisfied."
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you, Junior Brother." Shen An paused, his tone becoming serious. "Also, due to a special mission, I killed Zhao Da Kui, and all our gambling dens, usury, and other shady businesses must cease operations. Everyone must keep a low profile and avoid any further trouble! This is the sect's order; everything must give way to the mission. Hmm... to prevent others from seizing the market, have the brothers who have stopped operating do their best to crack down on others who intend to do this. If we don't do it, they shouldn't either!"
Li Qingde's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered. He lowered his voice and said, "Senior brother, your considerations are thorough. It's only right to temporarily scale back for the sake of the sect's mission. However..."
He rubbed his hands together, looking slightly troubled: "As you know, Senior Brother, our Songshan Sect is a large and powerful organization with significant expenses. In Hengyang, the Bailianfang business... has been lukewarm at best, with limited profits. If those businesses remain idle for too long, the 'results' on the books won't look good when we return to the sect at the end of the year to report back. And what about the Left Sect Leader and the other senior uncles...?"
I told you, nobody cares about Zhao Da Kui.
Shen An nodded, knowing that what he said was true and understanding his difficulties.
Moreover, if one wants to change the martial arts world, rising to power from Mount Song is naturally the easiest path for him.
Whether it's proving one's management skills in the present to increase one's chances of advancement, or transforming Songshan into a sect with a solid foundation, upright conduct, and a true "leader of the righteous path" in the future, finding a new source of revenue is essential.
For the time being, Shen An really didn't have any clue, so he could only make some changes under the current circumstances.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Junior Brother Li is right. I've observed that the business of the Hundred Refinements Shop in Hengyang is indeed somewhat lacking compared to other places. But is it because the Hengshan School's swordsmanship differs from that of the Songshan School, with disciples mostly using light and swift swords, that they don't seem to favor our heavy and solid style?"
Li Qingde sighed and said with a wry smile, "Senior brother, you are wise. There is indeed such a reason. Our swords are of the best quality, but many Hengshan disciples feel that they are too heavy, which affects the agility of their swordsmanship. Moreover, the martial arts practitioners throughout the Huguang region are also influenced by Hengshan and are accustomed to using light and varied sword techniques. I have noticed this for a long time, but... this matter of changing the tradition of sword making involves the style of the sect. As a junior brother, I have little influence and dare not act on my own."
He said he "didn't dare to act on his own initiative," but in reality, he was afraid that if the changes didn't work, he would have to take responsibility.
Shen An nodded: "I understand. Since I'm here, I can make a decision. So, Junior Brother Li, tomorrow go to the market and try to get a few swords that are commonly used by Hengshan disciples and have a good reputation. Whether they are new or old, study them carefully and see if you can maintain the core advantages of Songshan swords and make appropriate adjustments to forge a batch of 'light and agile' Songshan swords that are more suitable for the needs of Hengshan swordsmanship. There's no need to make a big fuss. Let's start with a small batch to see the reaction. If we can get things going, that will be a way to increase revenue, and it won't be in vain that we've been working on this here."
Li Qingde's eyes lit up. Shen An's words were like a magic sword, allowing him to avoid risks. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Brother, your insight is brilliant! This method is excellent! It preserves the essence of Songshan Mountain while also catering to their preferences. I will carry it out tomorrow!"
Then, he hesitated for a moment and said, "But... relying solely on the income from Bailianfang might not be enough to support such a large operation..."
Shen An rubbed his forehead: "Let me think of another way."
After discussing the matter with Li Qingde, Shen An returned to his small courtyard deep within the Hundred Refinements Workshop.
The courtyard was quiet and secluded, with three main rooms (one bright and two dark) plus east and west wing rooms. He lived there alone, and it was usually quite peaceful.
However, he was stunned as soon as he pushed open the courtyard gate.
In the previously empty wing room to the west of the main house, a dim light shone through the window, casting a slender figure busily sweeping. Beside the stone steps in the courtyard, the familiar shovel leaned quietly.
Li Qingde acted quickly... but could he have misunderstood something? Shen An rubbed his temples.
Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, the door to the side room creaked open.
When Wang Xiaocao came out and saw Shen An, her face immediately turned red. She twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers and whispered, "Well... Brother Shen, Steward Li said that there are many rooms in this courtyard, and they are just sitting empty anyway, so he let me... let me stay in this side room, so it's convenient... so that he can take care of things."
Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and she lowered her head, revealing only her reddened ears.
Shen An was speechless. However, since things had come to this point, asking Wang Xiaocao to move elsewhere would seem deliberate, and besides, the courtyard was indeed spacious.
He said gently, "Don't overthink it, just settle in. I'm usually the only one in this courtyard, your presence will bring some life to it. If you feel bad about it..." He thought for a moment, "If you have time, please help with the cleaning. If any of my clothes need washing, please lend a hand, okay? Consider it payment for the room and meals."
No work, no food.
Wang Xiaocao looked up, somewhat disappointed but also relieved, and nodded vigorously: "Yes! I'll do my best! Don't worry, Brother Shen!"
She felt more secure and dignified than being sold off like merchandise by her brother and sister-in-law.
"Then get some rest." Shen An smiled at her and turned to walk towards his main room.
Back in my room, I closed the door, and the day's events flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.
My transmigration has only lasted a day at most, yet there are so many things happening. I need to find a way to improve my strength more quickly.
Shen An immediately recited the Ice Heart Mantra and entered a state of clarity to begin cultivating the Songshan Heart Method.
As for the effect... it's not bad; it's several times faster than the original owner's cultivation speed in her memories. But like water dripping on a stone, even if you keep the tap running on the stone, expecting immediate results is wishful thinking.
Accumulating inner strength is ultimately a slow and gradual process, and it is currently the biggest weakness.
There are only four other martial arts manuals stronger than the Songshan Heart Sutra: the Yi Jin Jing, the Zixia Divine Skill, the Star Absorbing Technique, and the Pure Yang Limitless Skill. I'm afraid I won't be able to get them in a short time.
However, with the help of the Ice Heart Technique, I can learn those external sword techniques very quickly. Perhaps after I perfect the Songshan Sword Technique, while cultivating my internal energy, I can try to collect the sword techniques of the other four mountains, which should greatly improve my combat strength.
After planning his future route, Shen An let out a long sigh of relief, walked to the window, and opened it.
The night sky was vast and the starlight was faint. The lights of Hengyang City stretched out in the distance, while nearby, only the warm glow on the window paper of the next room and the shovel leaning quietly against the steps could be seen.
The night wind rustled through the old trees in the courtyard, sounding like the low clang of metal.
The next morning, Shen An washed up and went out.
About fifteen minutes after Shen An left, Wang Xiaocao carried a basin of water, with a rag draped over her shoulder, and tiptoed into his room.
The room was fairly tidy, but the first thing she noticed was some clothes she had changed out of the day before draped over a chair. She put down the basin, walked over, and carefully picked up the pile of clothes.
As she moved, she unconsciously lowered her head and took a light sniff. The scent made her pause slightly, and then her ears felt hot.
Wang Xiaocao's cheeks turned bright red. Realizing that her actions were somewhat inappropriate, she quickly moved the clothes aside, picked up a rag, soaked it, wrung it out, and began wiping the tables, chairs, and windowsills.
When she wiped the desk, she noticed a few strands of hair scattered between the desk and chair, and on the bed. These were obviously left by Shen An when she combed her hair or rested.
She crouched down and gently picked up a few strands of hair with her fingers. They felt slightly resilient, carrying a subtle coolness after life had passed. For some reason, she didn't simply brush them away or throw them away.
As if possessed, she carefully smoothed out the few strands of hair one by one, then gently stuffed them into the purse in her bosom, clutching the purse tightly to her chest.
After finishing all this, her heart was pounding in her chest. She quickly got up and began wiping even more diligently.
Being busy is good.