Grinding to the Martial Sage from the White Ape Fist

"That’s right, that’s right! Sir, we may be rough men from the countryside, but we’re clear in our heads. We know what’s what!"

The other guard, who looked honest and was a bit younger, quickly puffed out his chest and chimed in, "You have no idea how many people are jealous of us for getting to work at the Su Mansion! Just give the order, Sir. Even if you tell us to walk through fire, we won’t so much as frown!"

Su Yu looked at these two simple men and nodded slightly.

Most of the Su Mansion’s guards were fellow villagers, handpicked from Qingxi Village and the surrounding fishing villages. These men of humble origins knew each other’s backgrounds and were good-natured, loyal, and dependable.

"Mm. What are your names?"

The dark, thin man immediately straightened his back and answered loudly, "Replying to you, Sir! My name is Su Erhu, and I’m from Qingxi Village!"

"I’m Su Datian, from Bishui Village!" the honest-looking man added right after.

"Mm. Work hard. As long as you are loyal, the Su Mansion will never treat you unfairly. When you’re off duty, you should also learn some martial arts from Su Can. In these chaotic times, having a skill to rely on is the only way to be secure."

"Thank you for your guidance, Sir! We’ll take it to heart!"

The two replied in unison, their faces flushed with excitement as they watched Su Yu’s figure step over the high threshold.

Once Su Yu was far in the distance, completely vanishing behind a screen wall, Su Datian couldn’t help but lower his voice and mumble in adoration, "Brother Erhu, our Sir is nothing like those other high-and-mighty lords. He’s such a powerful official, yet he even cared about whether we got paid for the night shift. He’s a really good person!"

"Goes without saying," Su Erhu said, thumping his chest with vicarious pride. "If you ask me, with our Sir’s incredible martial arts and character, it would only be natural for him to become the City Lord of Black Stone City one day!"

Su Yu’s senses were exceptionally sharp, so he naturally overheard their conversation. He just smiled.

’When successful, one should benefit the world,’ he thought. ’While I haven’t reached that level yet, I can at least protect the people of the Su Mansion.’

’And the Water Snake Gang... no matter who’s behind them, wiping them out will save countless lives.’

At this thought, Su Yu felt the weight in his chest lift, his mind becoming clear and unimpeded. Humming a small tune, he pushed open the carved wooden door to the main house in the rear courtyard.

Inside the room, a single lamp burned dimly.

Yang Zhen sat at the wooden table, dressed in a thin, purple silk nightgown. With her face cupped in her hands, her large, expressive eyes—usually as limpid and lively as autumn pools—were now closed, her head nodding as she dozed off.

’She must have been waiting up for me.’

Su Yu tiptoed to her side. He had just picked up a cloak, intending to gently drape it over her shoulders, when the faint sound unexpectedly roused the lightly sleeping beauty.

"Brother Su, you’re back!"

Yang Zhen’s eyes snapped open, and when she recognized the handsome face before her, the drowsiness on her pretty face was instantly replaced by joyful surprise.

She threw herself into Su Yu’s arms, wrapping her hands around his firm waist and burying her face in his broad chest.

Feeling the soft, delicate body in his arms tremble slightly, Su Yu’s heart melted. His large hand gently stroked her cascading, silky hair.

"Don’t worry. With my current strength, I won’t run into any danger."

"Mm, I know. I believe in you, Brother Su. But I just can’t help missing you."

Yang Zhen settled into Su Yu’s embrace and tilted her head up. Her beautiful, shimmering eyes held an unconcealed sweetness and devotion.

He looked down at the peerless beauty in his arms—at her lovely eyes, her elegant, shapely nose, and her rosy, cherry-like lips, which were slightly pouted like a tempting, ripe peach.

Su Yu could no longer suppress the fire in his heart and lowered his head to kiss her.

"Mmph..."

Yang Zhen let out a soft, alluring moan, her hands unconsciously wrapping around Su Yu’s neck as she responded with fervor.

Tantalizing red lips, a soft, sweet tongue...

As their lips and tongues intertwined.

Strands of pure Wood Spirit Qi flowed from Yang Zhen’s tongue, pouring continuously into Su Yu’s body.

This cool Spiritual Qi was like a soothing rain after a long drought, quickly circulating through Su Yu’s entire body.

It was only at this moment that Su Yu abruptly realized that using his ultimate technique had left hidden injuries in his body!

Although he had taken three high-grade medicinal herbs at the time and seemed to have made a full recovery on the surface, minuscule tears and fatigue still lingered deep within his muscle fibers.

Now, enveloped and healed by this gentle Wood Spirit Qi, those deep-seated injuries were being rapidly mended.

The two remained passionately entangled under the dim candlelight for what seemed like an eternity.

It wasn’t until Yang Zhen had transferred nearly all of her accumulated Wood Spirit Qi to Su Yu, leaving her breathless with exhaustion, that she reluctantly pushed gently against his chest.

As their lips parted, a glistening, silvery thread stretched between them.

Seeing the thread, Yang Zhen’s already gorgeous face instantly flushed crimson, and she bashfully lowered her head.

"Brother Su, you were fighting outside for so long tonight; you must be exhausted. Sit down and rest for a while. I’ll go fetch a basin of hot water for you to wash your feet and relieve your fatigue."

With that said, she rushed out the door to fetch the water before Su Yu could refuse.

「A short while later.」

Yang Zhen returned carrying a steaming, brass-rimmed wooden basin, which she carefully placed at Su Yu’s feet.

She knelt down with perfect naturalness, skillfully removed Su Yu’s black combat boots, and immersed his large feet into the warm water.

Then, her slender, flawless hands, as if carved from the finest white jade, began to gently massage the insteps and acupressure points on the soles of his feet.

Watching her, Su Yu couldn’t help but feel a powerful surge of emotion and sentimentality.

’In my past life,’ he thought, ’I would never have been so lucky as to have such a stunningly beautiful and virtuous woman love me so deeply.’

Just as Yang Zhen finished carefully drying his feet with a cloth and picked up the basin to leave, Su Yu stopped her, his large hand reaching out to grasp her slender arm.

He pulled her lithely, drawing her soft, curvaceous body into his embrace before sitting her down on the edge of the soft bed.

"Brother Su? What... what are you doing?" Yang Zhen was taken aback by his sudden movement, her face blushing.

A gentle smile played on Su Yu’s lips as he crouched down, his gaze intense. "Zhen’er, you work so hard managing the mansion, practicing your martial arts, and taking care of me. It’s been tough on you. Today, let Brother Su serve you for a change and wash your feet."

"Ah! I can’t let you do that! Brother Su, you’re a man destined for great things. How can you... for Zhen’er..." Yang Zhen waved her hands frantically, trying to refuse.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, with its strict social hierarchy, for a dignified Commander of the Public Security Bureau to wash a woman’s feet was simply unheard of.

"There are no such rules with me. Now, be good and sit still."

Su Yu gave her no chance to refuse, his large hand closing around her delicate, slender ankle.

He gently removed her soft-soled satin slippers. Then, his large hand slid slowly down her slender ankle, peeling away the pure white silk sock, thin as a cicada’s wing.

A pair of jade-like feet, looking as if they were carved from the finest white jade, were revealed to Su Yu’s eyes.

Their skin was flawless, tinged with a healthy pink hue. Her ten toes, like perfect little pearls, were rounded and lovely, exuding an exquisite and irresistible allure.

Su Yu held these flawless, jade-like feet and slowly immersed them in the water, which had not yet completely cooled.

He kneaded them gently, his fingertips brushing over the Yongquan Acupoint on her soles and her sensitive arches.

This Qi and Blood massage, tinged with flirtation, made Yang Zhen’s gorgeous face flush instantly, and even her long, fair neck took on an alluring shade of pink.

"Brother Su... don’t... it tickles..."

Yang Zhen was too shy to meet Su Yu’s fiery gaze. Her small, fair hands clutched the bedsheets beneath her, her breathing grew ragged, and her long, slender legs squirmed restlessly in his grasp.

Feeling her delicate body tremble in his hands and seeing her captivating, infinitely shy appearance that seemed to say ’I’m yours for the taking’, the lustful fire in Su Yu’s heart could no longer be contained.

Su Yu quickly dried her perfect feet. Then, with a sweep of his powerful arms, he lifted her from the edge of the bed.

Amidst her soft, surprised cry, Su Yu pressed her down onto the wide, soft mahogany bed.

The red candles flickered, and the bed curtains were drawn.

Tonight, the moonlight was intoxicating, and the room was filled with an amorous air.