Su Yu took the heavy Flying Tiger Order Book with both hands. He then discreetly slipped two ingots of ten taels of Official Silver to Commander Xue.

"Thank you for delivering the good news, Commander Xue. Please take this small token to treat your men to some drinks."

The smile on Xue Ting’s face grew even wider. He handed over a brocade box. "Captain Su, we’re all on the same side now. Haha, you’ll have to find me for a drink when you have time. Here are the keys to your residence, the deed, and the Black Stone Skill manual. I still have to make another stop, so I won’t stay."

"You’re too kind, Commander Xue. I’ll definitely look you up for drinks sometime."

Su Yu watched the Black Stone Army depart. Before he could even turn to go back into the martial arts hall...

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Su!"

"Congratulations, Captain Su!"

A tide of congratulations washed over him. Su Yu smiled and responded to each one, his heart pounding with excitement.

Ninth Grade, Jing’an Captain!

’I’m a man with an official title now!’

’Even though the imperial power of the Great Xia is waning, it’s still the legitimate authority.’

’This official status is still the best protective talisman. Establishing my own household, exemption from corvée labor... these are all tangible privileges.’

"Brother Su! Let’s go see your house! Anle Square is a great area, not just anyone is qualified to live there."

A fragrant breeze drifted over as Yang Ai popped out from who-knows-where. Today, she wore a pink ruqun, looking like a delicate little butterfly.

Behind her, Yang Zhen approached at a slower pace. Though reserved and poised, the smile in her beautiful eyes was impossible to hide.

"Alright, let’s go together." Su Yu didn’t stand on ceremony.

...

「Outer City East District, Anping Square.」

As the carriage entered the square’s gate, the clamor of the city immediately ceased.

The streets here were wide and clean, lined with towering ancient trees. Everyone passing by was dressed in fine silks and brocades. Compared to the sewage-filled streets of Que’er Alley in the west of the city, it was like the difference between the clouds and the mud.

The carriage stopped before a large, vermilion-lacquered gate.

The lintel was high and imposing, giving it a grand air, but there was no plaque.

"This must be the place. Let’s go."

After alighting from the carriage, the three of them walked up to the main gate. Su Yu took out the key, unlocked the gate, and pushed open the vermilion doors.

CREAK...

With the dull groan of the pivots, a huge spirit screen decorated with pines and cranes for longevity came into view.

The three of them walked around the spirit screen and entered a spacious front courtyard. It was paved with gray bricks and featured a dedicated Martial Arts Arena and weapon racks, clearly designed for martial practice.

In the center of the courtyard stood a towering ancient tree.

It was a century-old Iron Heart Copper Locust Tree, so thick it would take three people to encircle its trunk.

Its gnarled trunk was like a dragon, its bark coarse and dark, glinting with a cold, metallic light. Although it was the dead of winter, its leaves hadn’t all fallen. Golden leaves hung from the branches like a tree full of coins, rustling in the cold wind.

"What a magnificent Iron Heart Copper Locust Tree!" Yang Zhen exclaimed in admiration. "This tree symbolizes a great future. It must be over a hundred years old. You’re very fortunate, Brother Su!"

Su Yu’s eyes lit up as well. He stepped forward and slapped the trunk, producing a dull THUD THUD sound. A few golden leaves fluttered down from the canopy.

The three of them crossed the Martial Arts Arena and came to a gate with intricate floral carvings.

"Brother Su, this residence is so grand!" Yang Ai lifted the hem of her skirt and spun around on the gray bricks like a butterfly. "It’s even more spacious than many of the great mansions I’ve seen!"

Yang Zhen, on the other hand, walked slowly to the floral-carved gate. A flash of admiration crossed her eyes before she turned to explain to Su Yu, "Brother Su, this is a two-courtyard residence. Passing through this gate leads to the Inner Courtyard, where the main hall and side-chambers are."

A "two-courtyard" layout meant there was a gate within a gate, and a courtyard behind a courtyard.

Listening to Yang Zhen’s explanation, Su Yu strolled through the floral-carved gate.

The Inner Courtyard presented yet another new vista.

Winding, covered walkways connected the main hall with the east and west side-chambers. A stream of running water had been diverted into the yard to create a small lotus pond, where several koi fish swam.

Although no one lived here, the air of the Inner Courtyard was still thick with an aura of tranquil opulence.

As they stepped into the Inner Courtyard, a wave of warmth washed over them. Surprised, Su Yu looked around.

In each of the four corners stood a ferocious Suanni Swallowing Mouth Bronze Furnace. No smoke came from their maws, yet they belched rolling waves of heat, warming the entire Inner Courtyard as if it were spring.

"This is..."

Seeing Su Yu’s curiosity, Yang Zhen smiled and explained, "Brother Su, those bronze furnaces contain Fire Sun Stones. They come from subterranean fire veins and can radiate heat for a long time without being lit. In addition, there’s underfloor heating laid beneath these gray bricks. If you burn some silver-thread charcoal in it, you could wear just a single layer of clothing in this courtyard even if it were snowing heavily outside."

Su Yu was filled with emotion.

Back in Qingxi Village, he could only shiver through the winter wrapped in a moldy quilt. Here, even the bricks he walked on were warm.

He stood in the center of the courtyard, looking at the high walls surrounding him, and felt an unprecedented sense of security.

’From now on, this will be my new home in Black Stone City.’

Yang Ai, like a happy little bird, darted through all the rooms before running back. "Brother Su, the furniture is all here, but it feels so deserted. How can such a big mansion not have a few people in it? You need to hurry up and find some nimble-handed servants."

At this, her eyes darted mischievously. She suddenly leaned in close to Su Yu and winked playfully. "Servants are easy to find. What I think this mansion is really missing... is a mistress."

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke, half-joking and half-testing the waters. "How about... my sister and I move in to help you warm up the place? There are plenty of side-chambers, after all!"

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Su Yu quickly coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.

’This girl is getting bolder and bolder.’ 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"You wretched girl! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Yang Zhen’s pretty face instantly turned beet red. She reached out as if to pinch her sister’s mouth shut, but her own watery, beautiful eyes darted nervously toward Su Yu, holding a trace of imperceptible expectation and shyness.

An ambiguous atmosphere seemed to fill the air.

Su Yu was silent for a moment.

’It’d be a lie to say I’m not moved by these two charming beauties. But I’m more worried than anything. The world is so chaotic; who knows when danger might strike. That’s why I’ve always been focused on getting stronger. They say the land of tender affections is a hero’s grave. Right now, I don’t have the luxury of indulging in romance. Maybe one day, when I’m strong enough, I’ll consider it.’

"Miss Yang, you’re joking."

Su Yu didn’t just brush it off. His voice was gentle but clear. "The world is in chaos. Although I was fortunate enough to achieve a breakthrough, I still feel like I’m treading on thin ice. My heart is set on the martial path, and I haven’t yet considered starting a family."

The light in Yang Zhen’s eyes dimmed for an instant. But she was a smart woman and knew that what Brother Su said was likely the truth.

She quickly concealed her feelings and changed the subject. "Brother Su, let’s not talk about that."

"Look, the weapon racks are a bit empty. And you’ll need to stock up on some daily necessities."

The three of them tacitly moved on from the previous topic and began discussing the arrangements for the residence.

...

"Brother Su."

Before leaving, Yang Zhen suggested, "It’s a little unsettling to rely solely on hired servants for this residence. If you have any relatives outside the city, you should bring them here to live with you. It’s better to have people you know and trust."

Su Yu’s heart stirred. He thought of his elder brother and the others.

He’d had some ideas about this before, but back then he was all alone, without any foundation.

’Now, maybe I can give it a try.’

’Tomorrow, I’ll go back to Qingxi Village and see.’