At these words, a blush flashed across Yang Zhen’s fair face, and she felt a wave of heat rush to her ears.

"Don’t be ridiculous!"

She glared at her sister, both embarrassed and annoyed, and raised her hand as if to strike. But her sister, like a slippery lark, giggled and dodged behind Su Yu.

Yang Zhen quickly composed herself and said seriously, "Brother Su, this is compensation from my family. Father... acted improperly before. Please don’t take it to heart."

Su Yu looked into her sincere eyes and nodded slightly. "It’s nothing. Uncle Yang is the Patriarch of the Yang Family; it’s understandable he has his considerations. Since I’m receiving a salary, I will naturally do my part."

Hearing Su Yu say this, Yang Zhen let out a sigh of relief in her heart.

’She could guess what her father was thinking. He was likely just afraid that Brother Su’s prestige was growing too great. But it wasn’t even certain if Brother Su had any intention of truly joining the Yang Family.’

’He usually just focused wholeheartedly on his training and was hardly willing to chat with anyone.’

’Besides, he was a Martial Artist. Did her father really think he could play tricks between two Martial Artist Guest Ministers without it backfiring?’

’But she knew her father’s temperament. He had always been the sole decision-maker in the Yang Family’s affairs and would never listen to their opinions.’

"There’s one more thing." Yang Zhen’s gaze fell on Su Yu’s faded, threadbare training clothes. She said softly, "Brother Su, you are a Martial Artist now, and a Guest Minister of the Yang Family. This outfit... is really a bit shabby. The Yang Family is in the silk business. Why don’t you let us have a few new sets of clothes tailored for you?"

Su Yu looked down at himself. Indeed, aside from his Mo Yuan Saber, everything he owned probably wasn’t even worth one tael of silver.

"No need to trouble yourselves. I can just go to a shop and buy a couple of ready-made outfits."

"How could that do!" Yang Ai poked her head out from behind Su Yu. "Ready-made clothes are never as well-fitting as tailored ones! Besides, you can’t buy the Yang Family’s fabrics outside!"

With that, the two sisters pulled Su Yu to his feet without taking no for an answer, one on each side.

"Stand up straight and don’t move!"

Yang Ai held a soft measuring tape, a mischievous look in her eyes.

She was very thorough, wrapping the tape around Su Yu’s chest and arms. Her fingertips brushed faintly against his solid muscles, and her unique, girlish fragrance, carrying a hint of warmth, wafted to his nose.

Su Yu felt a little awkward and could only stand there stiffly.

Behind him, Yang Zhen stood on her tiptoes, using another measuring tape to measure his shoulder width.

Perhaps she lost her balance from standing on her toes for too long. Her body swayed slightly, and her soft, delicate frame pressed against Su Yu’s back.

The soft contact was enough to set one’s mind racing. Su Yu’s breath caught, and the muscles in his back tensed.

Yang Zhen’s face instantly turned as red as a cooked shrimp. She scrambled back half a step, her heart pounding like a drum. Normally so poised and dignified, she had never been this close to a man before and was now too embarrassed to even look up.

An indescribable, flirtatious tension filled the air.

Both of them remained silent, a tacit understanding between them.

"Sis... Sister, what’s wrong with you?" Yang Ai sensed something was off and stood on her tiptoes to peer over Su Yu’s shoulder.

"N-Nothing’s wrong." Yang Zhen forced herself to remain calm, but her voice trembled slightly. "Are... are you done measuring?"

"Yep, all done."

"I’m done here, too."

Yang Zhen hurriedly put away the measuring tape and tucked the booklet with the recorded measurements into her robes.

"Brother Su, we’ll have the clothes sent to you when they’re ready." After speaking, she grabbed her sister’s hand and fled as if escaping.

After seeing the two women off, Su Yu went to the well, drew a bucket of cold water to wash his face and calm his restless thoughts, then headed to the Martial Arts Arena to train.

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

Watching his Skill Level gradually increase, that state of serene focus, completely immersed in his training, returned.

...

「Afternoon. The Main Hall.」

Qin Fangqiong was glowing, clearly in an excellent mood.

"Is everyone here? Come in and talk."

Su Yu and Chen Fan walked into the tea room together, where they saw Senior Brother Qi Linfeng, Lin Wanzhu, and Qin Yu.

Master Qin took a sip of tea to wet his throat and said gravely, "The regulations for the Law Enforcement Team have been set. The Outer City will be divided into thirty-six districts. Each district will have a Commander and a Vice Commander, with several squads under their command. Whether it’s a Commander or a squad, these are positions of real power!"

"Lin Feng, I’ve secured the Commander position for you in the district near the White Ape Martial Arts Hall! You’ll take office in two days. Yu’Er will be your deputy."

"Yes, Master!" Qi Linfeng clasped his fist and accepted the order.

"Wanzhu, the East City Trade District where your Lin Family is located is too lucrative, and too many people have their eyes on it. I was only able to secure a Vice Commander position for you. The main post was taken by someone from the Broken Mountain Pavilion."

"Thank you, Master!" Lin Wanzhu’s beautiful eyes lit up. Securing the Vice Commander position was an unexpected delight, enough for the Lin Family to reap considerable benefits.

After arranging things for the others, Master Qin’s gaze fell on Chen Fan, and his expression grew serious. "Chen Fan, for the remaining month until the Martial Examination, I will personally teach you the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber!"

"Thank you, Master!" An irrepressible joy spread across Chen Fan’s face. ’With his master’s personal instruction, his Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber was sure to improve greatly this month.’

Master Qin waved his hand and continued, "The Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber can’t be mastered through bitter training alone. This month, I will take you to challenge other halls and compete in arenas. I want you to build a name for the White Ape Martial Arts Hall! Then, at the Martial Examination, you’ll secure a top-ten spot. By then, you will have both fame and fortune!"

"I will do my utmost and not disappoint Master’s expectations!" Chen Fan clenched his fists, his eyes burning with ambition.

’This Martial Examination is my chance to leap the dragon gate!’

’Then, I, Chen Fan, will soar to the heavens!’

Finally, Master Qin looked at Su Yu in the corner. "As for Su Yu... although your comprehension is good, your foundation is ultimately lacking. It will be difficult to make any breakthroughs in your realm within a month, so it’s best not to be too hasty."

"However, this is a rare opportunity, so you must also give it your all!" After speaking, Master Qin turned to Lin Wanzhu. "Wanzhu, you will guide him for this month!"

"Take him to your Lin Family. Have him spar with the Lin Family disciples, Guest Ministers, and so on. Or take him to the city arenas to compete. Make sure he at least reaches the entry-level with the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber! If he can place in the top twenty this time, he can join your squad later and serve as your assistant."

A happy expression also appeared on Lin Wanzhu’s face, and her gaze toward Su Yu was full of expectation.

’If Junior Su successfully becomes a member of the Law Enforcement Team, he’ll be a capable assistant—one of my own people within the team!’

"Alright, you’re all dismissed. Do not slack off for this entire month!"

"Yes, Master Qin!"

...

"Junior Su, this month, aside from performing your duties with the Law Enforcement Team, I will do my best to guide you. However, I have many matters to attend to at home, and there are disciples there who also need instruction, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to come to the hall often. For convenience’s sake..."

Lin Wanzhu paused, then extended an invitation, "Why don’t you move into the Lin Mansion for a while?"

"To the Lin Mansion?" Su Yu was taken aback.

He hadn’t expected his senior sister’s first request to be for him to go to the Lin Family, but after a moment’s thought, he nodded and agreed.

"Alright, then I’ll be imposing on you, Senior Sister. When should we leave?"

"Today! Pack your things; I’ll wait for you!"

Su Yu returned to his room, saw he had next to nothing, and came back with just two changes of clothes.

Senior Sister Lin looked at his simple luggage and couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. The movement caused ripples across her chest, and Su Yu quickly averted his eyes.

Senior Sister Lin was a Martial Artist with keen senses. He hadn’t realized this before and assumed she wouldn’t notice. But now that he was also a Martial Artist, he knew better and didn’t dare to be so brazen as to stare.

Seeing Su Yu’s reaction, a hint of amusement appeared in Senior Sister Lin’s eyes. As if on purpose, she seemed to puff out her impressive chest. "Junior Su, you really don’t have many things, do you? You must truly do nothing but train all day. If the disciples in my family were half as hardworking as you, I would be able to rest easy."

"Let’s go. It’s a perfect chance to let them see your strength, Junior Brother. You can teach them a good lesson!"