Chapter 39, The Li Family’s Misfortune

Translator: StarReader

 

Haze and mist swirled around the massive mountains, blanketing the Su River in a thick, murky veil. The faint image of a crude bamboo raft drifted along the river, tossed by the currents.

 

Su Chen had taken an errand to deliver a message to Lou County. After completing his task, he was heading back to Gusu County City on a bamboo raft.

 

Since it was downstream, he let the raft drift freely along the mist-shrouded river, moving toward the city’s direction. He sat cross-legged on the raft, meditating and cycling his energy, focusing on his Middle Dantian for cultivating. He was attempting to comprehend and refine True Qi.

 

Su Chen’s Lower Dantian had reached its peak in cultivation, so he rarely used it anymore for replenishing blood. Instead, he took herbs to nourish and cultivate True Qi.

 

As he cultivated, his sense of Qi grew increasingly intense.

 

Su Chen calculated that, by continuing to take the herbs, he should only need anywhere from three to fourteen days before he could gather True Qi within his Middle Dantian.

 

Once even a faint trace of True Qi was cultivated in his Middle Dantian, he would officially step into the realm of second-rate practitioners. In the vast Wu Region’s thirteen counties, a second-rate martial adept was still a respectable figure.

 

At this moment, half a mile ahead of Su Chen’s bamboo raft, a large rice-carrying cargo ship slowly navigated its way along the mist-shrouded river.

 

Because the fog was so thick, they could barely see thirty meters away.

 

The vessel had watertight cargo holds and an expansive, bright passenger cabin. On the broad deck at the bow stood a table laid with various dishes, wine, and seven or eight sets of bowls and chopsticks.

 

Merchant Li, who was quite plump, along with his glamorous and aristocratic wife, sat at the head of the dining table.

 

Li Jiao was pouring wine and fulfilling her filial duties on one side while numerous attendants, both maids and servants, were waiting nearby, ready to add more wine and dishes as needed. Across the table sat Wang Fugui, handsome and charming. Tall and composed, he wore a magnificent gold-threaded, silver-trimmed silk robe, with a gleaming sword at his waist. His graceful demeanor perfectly matched the refined air of an aristocratic gentleman.

 

After a few drinks with Mr. and Mrs. Li, Li Jiao’s cheeks flushed slightly. Whenever she glanced at Wang Fugui, her eyes betrayed a deep admiration. Also seated at the banquet were several inner disciples from the Medicine King Group, companions of Wang Fugui, there to support and add to the lively atmosphere.

 

Everyone was enjoying their wine, chatting and laughing as they took in the hazy mountain views along the river. Mr. Li had ventured out to purchase grain from the rural towns and was transporting it back to his rice shop in Gusu County City. Earlier, Li Jiao had asked Li Kui for a few days off to accompany her parents on their trip.

 

Wang Fugui naturally accompanied Li Jiao on their countryside excursion.

 

He had been pursuing Li Jiao for quite some time and wanted to capitalize on this chance by establishing good relations with her parents to finalize this promising match.

 

At fourteen or fifteen, both were ready to be married. Moreover, the two of them had long since attained the rank of a third-rate practitioner, no longer fearing instability in their Lower Dantian.

 

“In our Medicine King Group’s younger generation of disciples, Senior Brother Wang is a rare standout, top-tier talent with limitless prospects!”

 

“When Senior Brother Wang reaches the rank of a first-rate expert, he will surely rise to prominence within our Medicine King Group and ascend to high-ranking positions. We will certainly need his support then. Come, let’s toast to Senior Brother Wang!”

 

At the gathering, several other inner disciples also praised Wang Fugui.

 

“No need for that; we support each other as brothers.”

 

Despite his deep-rooted arrogance reminiscent of a nobleman from the Wu Region, Wang Fugui remained outwardly humble, constantly waving off their praise.

 

Madam Li constantly sized up Wang Fugui, this low-key ‘future son-in-law,’ with a smile that couldn’t contain her delight. Clearly, she was more than pleased.

 

She heard that Wang Fugui was the nephew of the magistrate from Gusu County City, a descendant of the prestigious Wang family in the Wu Region. Such lineage was nothing short of illustrious, and his prospects were boundless.

 

Merchant Li was well aware of Wang Fugui’s intentions.

 

In recent years, his daughter had grown increasingly beautiful and enchanting, and as an inner disciple of the Medicine King Group, she attracted an overwhelming number of suitors—so many that the matchmakers in Gusu County City were ready to break down the doors of the Li house with their constant visits.

 

Yet, her daughter had not married, as she was waiting for a suitable and affluent husband.

 

Among her daughter’s many suitors, Wang Fugui stood out as the one with the most illustrious family background. However, while noble lineage might be desirable, it meant little if he had no personality—a man of no substance. The Li family would never trade their daughter’s happiness for mere social climbing.

 

Over these past few days, Merchant Li had carefully observed Wang Fugui’s manner of speech, demeanor, and cultivation. His poise and grace left her thoroughly impressed; he certainly carried himself like a gentleman from a prominent family.

 

Only Merchant Li was still uncertain about Wang Fugui’s background and details of his family. After all, the claim that Wang Fugui was the nephew of the magistrate was just a rumor circulating in the streets, and he couldn’t confirm it personally.

 

He needed to ask him directly to avoid any embarrassment.

 

“Young Master Wang! I heard your father works at the governor’s office in Wu Region.” Merchant Li asked tentatively.

 

“My father holds the position of a clerk at the governor’s office. He sent me to Gusu County so I could gain some experience under my uncle’s jurisdiction,” Wang Fugui replied modestly.

 

He knew that Li Jiao’s father was inquiring about his family connections and subtly indicated who his uncle was.

 

While the people of Gusu County City might not know the name of the governor’s office clerk, they were all aware that the one overseeing Gusu County City was Magistrate Wang.

 

“Good, very good! One should seize their youth and strive to learn more!”

 

Merchant Wang mentally calculated the situation before smiling broadly.

 

As an inner disciple at the Medicine King Group, he was no ordinary person—his family background was solid. Even if his status as the nephew of a magistrate was somewhat embellished, he was still distantly related to a high-ranking official, giving him a bloodline that far surpassed that of a mere merchant.

 

Both Li Jiao’s parents were thoroughly pleased with this arrangement. With such esteemed connections, their family stood to rise in prominence and achieve great success in no time.

 

Typically, it was uncommon for martial nobility to marry into merchant families, as societal customs often dictated otherwise. However, the situation involving Wang Fugui and Li Jiao was special—they trained together under the same roof at the Medicine King Group, and over time, it was only natural for their feelings to grow.

 

The union between a senior brother and a junior sister was a match celebrated in the martial world. Since Wang Fugui operated within the martial realm rather than pursuing a career in bureaucracy through examinations, he paid little heed to such customs.

 

These years, Li’s family had been in business and had amassed quite a fortune, making them one of the prominent merchant households in Suzhou City.

 

His daughter, Li Jiao, admired this senior brother greatly. If the Wang family wasn’t particular about the merchant background of their potential bride, a favorable match could very well be arranged.

 

The guests drank and chatted merrily together.

 

Though not explicitly stated, there was an unspoken agreement between both sides. Since everyone was satisfied, it was just a matter of time before the Wang household sent a matchmaker to Li’s family to propose formally, thereby sealing the promising union.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Li, along with Wang Fugui and the others, were enjoying drinks and laughter together, completely unaware that from the side, more than a hundred feet away, a sleek, fast boat carrying over ten people came slowly into view.

 

At the bow of the fast boat stood a lean and rugged man with a hooked nose, his skin tanned, holding a gleaming saber in his hand as he gazed at the Li family’s cargo ship ahead, greed and ferocity shining in his eyes.

 

“Men, row harder! Catch that fat sheep, and each of you will get ten taels of silver!”

 

A lean, grim-faced man barked fiercely from the fast boat. Over ten muscular ruffians rowed hard, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they chased after the cargo ship ahead. Their boat was light and nimble, ideal for river battles. With all hands rowing together, they sped forward.

 

Silently, the fast boat broke through the thick mist of the river, cutting through waves swiftly to catch up with the cargo ship. On Li’s cargo ship, a sailor had drunk some wine and was feeling its effects. He went to the stern to relieve himself when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, a fast boat emerging from the thinning mist, chasing their vessel.

 

The sailor looked closer at the approaching boat and saw the fierce-looking men with their sharp weapons. Terrified, he wet his pants. “P-pirates! Pirates are attacking!”

 

A shrill scream echoed through the cargo ship.