As Kong Jia collapsed unconscious, a strange silence fell over the entire street.

The remaining members of the Golden Jade Guard stared at the unconscious Kong Jia on the ground, their faces filled with shock. Each and every one of them was dumbstruck, cold sweat soaking through their clothes.

’Impossible!’

’Captain Kong couldn’t even take a single blow from Su Yu!’

’Captain Kong has opened his Second Acupoint! Isn’t Su Yu only at the First Acupoint?’

’No, no, no, he must have broken through to the Second Acupoint. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be this powerful.’

’But even if they’re both at the Second Acupoint, to be able to instantly defeat Captain Kong... The gap between them is just too vast.’

The crowd’s gazes turned fearfully toward Su Yu, who stood in the center of the street.

His calm expression and the effortless, crushing pressure he exuded inspired a bone-deep fear.

Su Yu ignored everyone else and walked straight over to Song Mirror and the others.

The two Golden Jade Guard Martial Artists standing guard were so frightened they leaped back, not daring to obstruct him in the slightest.

"L-Lord Su..."

As he watched Su Yu personally untie his ropes, Song Mirror’s throat went dry, and a storm raged in his heart.

’Lord Su’s strength... it’s grown so much again?’

’It felt like every time he saw Lord Su make a move, his understanding of the world was shattered. Is this what a true monstrous genius is like?’

"Are your injuries serious?" Su Yu asked with concern.

"Don’t worry, Lord Su! They’re just flesh wounds. I’ll be fine after a few days of rest!" Song Mirror straightened his back and replied loudly, his eyes filled with fanaticism.

’Serving a lord with such a boundless future... a few minor injuries are well worth it!’

"Good. Untie the others. Go to a clinic and get yourselves checked out."

Nearby, Yuan An, Yuan Shui, and Luo Longyu were also freed from their ropes.

The three exchanged a look, the reverence in their eyes nearly overflowing. Before, when Master Qin had sent them to seek refuge with Su Yu, they had been grateful and respectful, but in their hearts, they simply thought Lord Su had a boundless future. For now, he was just an ordinary Captain.

But seeing Su Yu in action this time had completely changed their minds.

’This Senior Brother Su is an absolute monster! He’s already a figure worthy of admiration right now, not just in the future!’

In that moment, their loyalty to Su Yu became an unwavering fanaticism. To have the honor of following such a monstrously talented Senior Brother was a heaven-sent opportunity!

On the second floor of a distant tavern, several figures who had witnessed the entire scene wore varied expressions.

"A little interesting."

The pretty young woman stood leaning against the railing, twirling a lock of hair that fell over her chest. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. "Judging by his age, that kid is eighteen or nineteen at most, yet he’s already broken through to the Second Acupoint and has astonishing explosive power. It seems Black Stone City isn’t entirely full of trash after all."

But then, the corner of her mouth curved into an arrogant smile, and she huffed softly. "A pity he’s still a long way off from me. At his level, if he were to face me, he wouldn’t last three moves!"

The middle-aged man in the lead, who carried a longsword on his back, nodded with a profound gaze. He didn’t think his daughter was being arrogant or conceited. "Later, investigate the situation with all these martial arts schools. Pick a few of the more famous ones. Yue’Er, you and Pingzhi will make a move and teach them all a lesson, one by one."

"Yes, Master!"

The young man in green robes behind them replied respectfully, a glint of pride also shining in his eyes.

At a teahouse on the other side.

Kou Xun stared intently at Su Yu’s departing back, his hand crushing the teacup he was holding into powder.

’So that’s Su Yu for you!’

’To have broken through to the Second Acupoint in such a short time... his talent and strength really do surpass Sun Shi’s. It’s no wonder Sun Shi died at his hands.’

’But you’ve exposed too much of your strength. Just you wait. You’re a dead man!’

...

「The next day, at the Public Security Bureau.」

Just as Su Yu had expected, the commotion didn’t escalate. Instead, it was quickly suppressed.

Kong Jia was admitted to a clinic with serious injuries. The Golden Jade Guard’s Vice Commander, Zou Wentao, showed up aggressively demanding retribution, but he was forcefully turned away by Lin Wanzhu before he could even see Su Yu.

"Commander Zou, Kong Jia was simply not as skilled. He was the one who started the provocation, so he deserved to get beaten."

Lin Wanzhu, dressed in military attire, looked valiant and formidable. She sneered, "What? The junior loses a fight, so the senior has to come knocking to get even? If this matter gets to the Mansion Master, who do you think will be the one to lose face?"

Zou Wentao’s face turned ashen.

In the Public Security Bureau, the four Commanders each governed their own territory; everyone lived by their own strength. Kong Jia, an officer of the same rank, had been defeated in one blow during a spar with someone of the same realm. It was a bitter pill he simply had to swallow.

"Fine, fine, fine! That brat Su Yu has guts! I, this Commander, will remember him!" Zou Wentao spat out a threat, flicked his sleeves, and stormed away.

After this battle, Su Yu’s reputation within the Public Security Bureau grew considerably.

The Yang Family’s business quickly returned to normal. As for Yang Gang and the others who had been thrown in jail by the Golden Jade Guard, Su Yu sent people to get them released that very same day.

...

「One sunny winter afternoon.」

Su Yu was practicing in the Martial Arts Arena when Yang Ai came running in through the gate, holding up her skirt like a fluttering butterfly.

"Brother Su! I’ve come to thank you on behalf of the Yang Family!"

She waved at Su Yu, and without even waiting for his reply, she began ordering the two servants behind her, who were carrying wooden buckets, as if she were in her own home. "Quickly! Put this precious fish in the Yin-Yang Lotus Pool in the backyard. Be careful!"

Seeing her excited expression, Su Yu shook his head with a helpless smile.

A short while later, Yang Ai returned to the front courtyard with the two servants. After giving them an instruction, she sent them back to the Yang Family estate.

With her hands behind her back and a charming smile on her pretty face, she strolled gracefully up to Su Yu.

"Brother Su?"

Su Yu was in the final few moves of his White Ape Fist and didn’t have time to respond, so he continued his practice.

Seeing Su Yu ignore her, Yang Ai pouted, looking a little unhappy, and sat down on a nearby stone bench to wait.

Su Yu practiced for a while longer before finally completing the White Ape Fist routine.

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +15]

He had already practiced it fifteen times today. Without taking a precious medicine, it was difficult to continue any longer.

The precious medicine from the Cai Family wouldn’t be delivered until tomorrow, so he could only stop and rest for now.

He went to the well to wash his face and body, put on a dry shirt, and walked over to the stone table. He saw Yang Ai cupping her fair chin in her hands, her eyelids drooping as she fought off sleep.

He smiled and flicked the little lady’s forehead, causing her to cry out "Ouch!" and open her eyes.

"Brother Su! You’re finished practicing?"

Yang Ai stood up excitedly and immediately hugged Su Yu’s arm, refusing to let go.

"Shouldn’t you be practicing diligently? Why are you napping here instead?"

Yang Ai stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "Brother Su, my Qi and Blood has almost reached Perfection. I’m just waiting for the right moment to break through to the Martial Artist realm, so I don’t need to practice constantly right now."

"Come to the backyard quickly and see! We bought a very good precious fish. See if it’s helpful to you."

Yang Ai pulled Su Yu by the arm, and the two of them went to the Yin-Yang Lotus Pool in the backyard.

Su Yu looked inside. Mist swirled over the surface of the modified Yin-Yang Lotus Pool.

In the warm waters of the Yang pool, a golden-red shadow was swimming about cheerfully.

It was a golden carp, about two feet long.

Its entire body was covered in scales that glittered like gold, refracting a dazzling golden light under the sun. The most miraculous part was its tail fin, which was a vibrant, luscious scarlet. As it swayed, it looked like a flame burning in the water, and wherever it passed, faint white steam rose from the water’s surface.

The two barbels by its mouth were extremely long, flowing gracefully like a dragon’s whiskers and exuding an extraordinary spiritual quality.

"A Red-tailed Golden Carp! What a magnificent precious fish!"

Su Yu recognized it at a glance. This was a precious fish said to possess a trace of Dragon Blood after atavistic regression. It was extremely Yang in nature, a great tonic for Qi and Blood, and its value was no less than that of the Ice Perch.

"Where did you get it?"

Seeing Su Yu’s admiring expression, a flash of delight crossed Yang Ai’s eyes. "We had people wait at the Black River Crossing Pier for a long time to snatch this one up! It cost over five hundred silver!"

"Thank you! This fish will indeed be of great benefit to me."

"That’s wonderful!" Yang Ai seemed very happy that she could help Su Yu. "Brother Su, I’ll have my people keep buying these precious fish and sending them to you from now on."

"There’s no need to spend so much. The value of this fish alone already exceeds the share of profits and the Monthly Allowance we agreed upon." Su Yu shook his head. He didn’t want to take too much advantage of others; that was no way to maintain a long-term relationship.

"Brother Su, what are you talking about!" Yang Ai said, displeased. She hugged his arm tightly, and the soft sensation made Su Yu’s arm stiffen slightly.

"Father said that the only reason the Yang Family can still do business in Black Stone City is all thanks to you. Just look at the Qian Family—their shops are still sealed, and we’ve taken all their business. Compared to your kindness, this little thing is nothing at all!"

At this, Yang Ai suddenly fell silent.

She lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly as her cheeks turned visibly red.

"Besides... Brother Su..."

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

"We feel that... our gratitude toward you... still isn’t enough."

Su Yu froze, not yet processing what was happening.

He saw Yang Ai suddenly stand on her tiptoes, close her eyes, and press her warm, soft, red lips against his cheek, as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.

*SMOOCH.*

The touch was warm and moist, carrying the unique sweet scent of a young woman, and it was over in an instant.

"B-Brother Su, this is... an extra thank-you gift for you!"

After saying this, Yang Ai’s face was so red it looked like it might start bleeding. Not daring to see Su Yu’s reaction, she turned and ran off like a frightened little rabbit.

When she reached the ornamental gate, she stopped, turned back, and stole a loving glance at Su Yu. Seeing a slight smile on his face, she finally left, her heart filled with joy.