Chapter 86 : Chapter 86
Chapter 86. A Change in Attitude
On the way back to the street, the sound of hooves rang crisply against the blue stone pavement.
Chen Sanli and Liu Kun rode at Xu Yuan’s sides. They exchanged glances several times, each wanting to speak but holding back.
At last, Chen Sanli could no longer restrain himself and asked carefully, “Brother Xu, have you... already entered the Fifth Meridian?”
Liu Kun also looked over, holding his breath. His gaze carried both reverence and an indescribable shock.
Xu Yuan glanced at the two of them and gave a slight nod. “Mm. I was lucky enough to break through last night.”
His voice was light, yet it felt as though a giant boulder had been dropped into everyone’s hearts.
Even though they had already suspected it, hearing it confirmed with their own ears was still an entirely different kind of shock.
Liu Kun sucked in a cold breath, while Chen Sanli’s eyes widened into circles.
“The Fifth Meridian... already the Fifth Meridian?” Liu Kun muttered to himself, unconsciously tightening his grip on the reins, his heart churning like overturned seas.
He had been stuck at the Third Meridian for several years and knew full well how difficult every step forward was.
Yet Xu Yuan’s jump from the Fourth Meridian to the Fifth Meridian had actually seemed even faster than many people going from the Second Meridian to the Third!
For an ordinary martial artist, who didn’t spend years of bitter effort going from the Fourth Meridian to the Fifth? Many even remained stuck before that bottleneck for life.
So how had it turned upside down with Xu Yuan?
From first entering the Fourth Meridian to breaking into the Fifth Meridian, a full count came to only a little over two months. What kind of terrifying rate of progress was that?
Amid his shock, Liu Kun also felt secretly fortunate. Thankfully, he had always done his work properly and had never shown even the slightest disrespect.
Otherwise, with Xu Yuan’s speed of advancement and thunderous methods, crushing a mere Third Meridian martial artist would probably take no more effort than crushing an ant.
Chen Sanli, meanwhile, was overjoyed, to the point that he could barely stop himself from grinning from ear to ear.
He had gambled right!
Back at the training compound, he had made a decisive bet on Xu Yuan, and it had simply been the wisest decision of his life.
With thighs this thick to cling to, what was there to fear about the road ahead?
Good food and fine drink would be the least of it. There might well be even greater fortune waiting for him in the future.
Chen Sanli could practically picture the faces of those who had once mocked him in private for “having no shame” and imagine what kind of expressions they would wear one day.
Beside him, Liu Kun glanced at Chen Sanli, who was still immersed in wild delight, and felt rather bitter inside.
Some people just naturally knew exactly who to lean on.
The group continued on in silence, each carrying his own thoughts. Only the clatter of hooves echoed on, shattering the dusk over the long street.
...
The news of Xu Yuan breaking into the Fifth Meridian spread even faster than expected.
Not long after Xu Yuan returned to the Changning Street Guard Station, Hong Qianshan had already arrived upon hearing the news.
He strode into the hall in great steps. Before he even entered, his laughter had already preceded him.
“Brother Xu, congratulations, congratulations! You’ve finally reached the Fifth Meridian. Your future is limitless!”
A servant followed behind him, carrying a tray covered with red silk.
Hong Qianshan personally lifted the cloth, revealing ten ingots of snowflake silver. “Just a trifling gift, a small token of congratulations. Brother Xu, you mustn’t refuse.”
Xu Yuan cupped his hands with a smile. “Brother Hong, you’re too courteous.”
He noticed clearly that although Hong Qianshan still addressed him as a brother, there was now a touch more solemnity in his warmth.
That attitude—one reserved for an equal, or even carrying the faintest trace of caution—was no longer the simple support and appreciation of before.
This was the change in status brought by strength. Xu Yuan understood it perfectly well and accepted it calmly.
“As I should be.”
Hong Qianshan patted Xu Yuan’s shoulder and said with emotion,
“Your old brother here spent years floundering at the Fourth Meridian before I was lucky enough to break through with the help of a Meridian-Opening Pill.”
“But you, little brother, are like a ship riding wind and waves—unstoppable. In the future, Changlin Ward will probably have to rely on you quite a bit.”
After chatting for a while, Hong Qianshan tactfully took his leave, saying that he would host a banquet another day to celebrate properly.
Not long after he left, Lin Yue’e and Zhao Tieshan arrived together.
They too had brought a congratulatory gift, eight taels of silver in total, presented in an embroidered box that looked rather refined.
Lin Yue’e still wore her ever-smiling expression, and Zhao Tieshan also cupped his hands in congratulations, his words earnest and sincere.
But Xu Yuan sharply sensed that there was now an extra layer of restraint and caution in their bearing, subtle though it was.
The casual warmth that had once been almost like friendship had faded away, replaced by the respect one showed a superior expert.
Xu Yuan understood inwardly and did not mind.
The martial path was like rowing upstream. To be able to walk side by side for even part of the journey was already a matter of fate.
His steps were simply too fast. Some people were destined not to keep up, and some were destined to readjust the distance between them because of that speed.
That Lin and Zhao had been able to quickly find their proper place and adjust the way they got along with him instead marked them as clever people.
With a smile, he accepted the gift and exchanged a few polite words with them. His attitude remained unchanged—neither deliberately drawing closer nor intentionally distancing himself.
Seeing him like this, Lin Yue’e and Zhao Tieshan felt somewhat reassured. After sitting a while longer, they too took their leave.
After seeing the two of them off, Xu Yuan sat alone in the hall, lightly tapping the tabletop with his fingertips.
The joy of breaking into the Fifth Meridian had long since settled. What he was thinking about now was what should come next.
A tall tree caught the wind. Over the past half year, he had been far too sharp and conspicuous. He had slain several of the Bai family’s experts in succession and had even uprooted one of their important strongholds. He had already become a thorn in their side.
If he continued staying on the Changning Street front line, he likely would not have many peaceful days ahead.
Just as he was thinking this over, a personal guard came to report from outside:
“Street Guard Xu, someone has come from the Ward Lord’s Manor. Ward Lord Xue requests that you go over for a talk.”
...
Changlin Ward, study of the Ward Lord’s Manor.
Xue Zhan dismissed everyone else, leaving only Xu Yuan behind.
He did not sit in the seat of honor. Instead, he sat across from Xu Yuan with a tea table between them and personally took up the teapot to pour.
“Xu Yuan, sit.”
Xue Zhan pushed a cup of clear tea toward him. “Try it. Top-grade Yunwu Tip, newly picked this year.”
“Thank you, Ward Lord.”
Xu Yuan accepted it with both hands and took a light sip. The tea was clear and fragrant, with a mellow sweetness lingering on the palate.
Xue Zhan also took a drink, then set down his cup. His gaze fell on Xu Yuan as he said slowly, “The Fifth Meridian already. Faster than I expected by quite a bit.”
He paused, and his tone turned rather solemn.
“With your current cultivation, you are fully qualified to take on a more important post. There are also several key positions within Changlin Ward still vacant. If you are willing, I can make arrangements for you.”
This was a direct offer of recruitment and promise.
As a Sixth Meridian Ward Lord who controlled an entire ward, Xue Zhan naturally needed capable subordinates.
With Xu Yuan’s age and potential, if he could be brought under his command and carefully nurtured, he would definitely become a major pillar of support in the future.
Xu Yuan set down his teacup and cupped his hands. “Thank you for your high regard, Ward Lord, but this subordinate is young and inexperienced. I fear I would be hard-pressed to shoulder such an important responsibility.”
“Besides, I’ve repeatedly clashed with the Bai family lately and have already become a thorn in their side. If I continue to remain here, I may well bring even more trouble to you, Ward Lord.”
Xue Zhan’s eyes flickered. He understood the meaning beneath Xu Yuan’s words. After thinking for a moment, he said, “You’re worried about retaliation from the Bai family?”
“Yes.”
Xu Yuan answered calmly, “Open spears are easy to dodge; hidden arrows are hard to guard against. I do not fear a direct fight, but I do fear implicating the streets and my colleagues, affecting the greater situation of the ward.”
Xue Zhan slowly nodded, and when he looked at Xu Yuan again, there was deeper meaning in his gaze.
Not greedy for power or position. Not enamored with empty fame. Able to judge the situation, knowing when to advance and when to retreat to preserve himself.
This child’s temperament was even rarer than his talent.
If Xu Yuan had known what he was thinking, he would definitely have burst out laughing.
He simply thought the environment was too dangerous and that it was time to lie low for a while.
“Then what are your plans?” Xue Zhan asked.
“This subordinate wishes to temporarily leave the third-tier area and return to the main residence to see whether there are any other assignments.”
Xu Yuan pondered for a moment before continuing, “First, to avoid the spotlight for a bit. Second, I also need some time to quietly consolidate and settle myself.”
Xue Zhan fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
“That’s fine. If you find you’re not used to staying elsewhere, or if you want to come back, the gates of Changlin Ward will always remain open to you.”
“Thank you, Ward Lord!” Xu Yuan rose and bowed solemnly.
These words from Xue Zhan were no longer merely a superior trying to retain a subordinate. They also carried a rare and genuine appreciation for talent.
...