The main house of the Su Mansion.

Su Yu withdrew his hand from Yang Zhen’s soft peaks, smoothing her disheveled black hair.

Yesterday’s wild passion, which had lasted from the afternoon deep into the night, had been a complete release for all his pent-up stress, leaving him feeling utterly refreshed.

However, the tempestuous affair had clearly worn Zhen’Er out. She was now curled up like a lazy kitten under the brocade quilt, fast asleep.

Su Yu didn’t wake her, slipping silently out of bed.

After dressing and washing up, he opened the door and stepped into the courtyard. No matter how he had indulged the night before, his daily morning fist practice was a routine carved into his very bones—unbreakable.

[Mountain-Shaking Demon Ape Fist Skill Level +25]

[Mountain-Shaking Demon Ape Fist Skill Level +25]

...

「An hour later.」

"Brother Su, breakfast is ready. Go wash up and come eat."

Yang Zhen had woken up at some point. She had changed into a simple yet exquisite housedress and was now standing prettily under the veranda. Her gorgeous face still held a trace of last night’s rosy allure, and her eyes, as she looked at Su Yu, were filled with a love and affection so deep it was almost tangible.

To watch her beloved man train so hard every morning, to help him dress and prepare his meals with her own hands, to simply be by his side... this sense of security and stability made her feel incomparably blissful.

Seeing Su Yu walk over while wiping away his sweat, she obediently went to greet him. She naturally looped her arms through his, pressing her ample bosom snugly against him as they walked into the dining hall together.

After breakfast, Su Yu did a quick mental calculation. ’The medicinal potency of the lotus seed wine I started brewing last night should be fully released by now.’

With a flicker of his spiritual sense, he retrieved the emerald-green Azure Spirit Essence-Transforming Gourd from his storage ring.

Seeing this, the ever-perceptive Yang Zhen immediately fetched two white jade wine cups and placed them gently in front of Su Yu.

Uncorking the wooden stopper, Su Yu tilted the gourd slightly.

An unusual aroma, several times clearer and purer than any fine wine, instantly filled the dining hall. A single sniff seemed to open up all of one’s pores, bringing a wave of comfort over the entire body.

With a soft GURGLE, a viscous, bright green liquid like molten jade slowly poured into the white jade cups.

Su Yu lifted the cup and downed it in one gulp.

BOOM!

The moment the wine passed his lips, there was none of the spiciness or ferocity he expected. Instead, it transformed into an exceptionally gentle, unceasing current of vitality!

This vitality, like spring rain nourishing the earth, seeped silkily into every fiber of Su Yu’s being—his limbs, his bones, his organs.

As Su Yu carefully focused on the sensation, he discovered that the minor, hidden injuries and muscle strains buried deep in his marrow—remnants of his frantic training and his battles against higher-level foes, injuries so subtle he could barely perceive them himself—were now healing at a visible rate under the wine’s medicinal effects!

The faint sense of sluggishness from pushing his body to its absolute limits completely vanished. It was as if his entire physical form had shed a heavy set of shackles, leaving him feeling lighter and more unimpeded than ever before.

’This wine... actually has such miraculous healing effects?’

Su Yu’s eyes flew open, his expression one of delight. He immediately turned his head, his gaze intense as he looked at Yang Zhen.

"Zhen’Er, you try some!"

With that, Su Yu immediately filled the other wine cup and handed it to Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen obediently accepted the cup. Parting her red lips, she took a small sip of the green wine.

"Mmm..."

The moment the wine hit her stomach, Yang Zhen couldn’t help but let out a soft, pleased moan. She narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, focusing on the gentle medicinal energy circulating through her body.

A moment later, she opened her eyes in pleasant surprise. "Brother Su! This is magical! Not only does this lotus seed wine soothe the muscles and invigorate the blood, but it can also repair hidden injuries. The pure life force it contains is remarkably similar to the Wood Spirit Qi I cultivate. It can even faintly nourish my Spirit Body in return!"

Yang Zhen continued excitedly, "This is fantastic! As long as the Nine-Revolution Azure Lotus is nourished by my Spiritual Qi, it will produce an endless supply of lotus seeds. That means we can keep brewing this healing Spirit Wine indefinitely!"

Listening to Yang Zhen’s words, a thoughtful look flashed in Su Yu’s eyes.

’If this Spirit Wine, brewed from the Ancient Azure Lotus Seed, has the power to repair hidden injuries... I wonder if it could have some therapeutic effect on my big brother Su Hong’s crippled legs?’

’The Su Mansion is flourishing, and a rising tide lifts all boats. But Big Brother is still suffering from his crippled legs. It’s time I gave him some hope.’

"Zhen’Er, let’s hold off on drinking the rest of this. I’m going to take it to my big brother, Su Hong, for him to try," Su Yu said, standing up decisively.

"Okay! Go on, Brother Su. If Big Brother can stand up again, he’ll be overjoyed!"

Yang Zhen straightened his robes with a knowing smile. As she watched him push open the door and stride away, her heart swelled with pride and happiness.

’Brother Su is truly a loyal and principled man, someone you can entrust your life to. Whether to the Su Family or the Yang Family, he’s never forgotten his roots or failed anyone who has treated him well, even after his meteoric rise.’

...

A room in the quietest part of the Su Mansion’s rear courtyard.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Su Yu knocked gently on the door.

With a CREAK, the wooden door was pulled open from inside.

A slender young woman with a delicate face peeked her head out. When she saw who was at the door, her large eyes lit up with undisguised delight.

"Brother Su! You’re here!"

It was Yaya who had opened the door.

The pitiful, emaciated girl from the neighborhood, whose eyes were once filled with despair, had been nurtured by the comfortable environment of the Su Mansion. Combined with her constant studies in Reading and literature with a tutor, she had long since blossomed into a poised and gentle young woman.

"Is my brother in?" Su Yu asked, smiling as he patted her head.

"He is, he is! I’ll go get Brother Hong!"

Yaya excitedly ran into the inner room, returning a moment later pushing a specially made wooden wheelchair.

Seated in the wheelchair was Su Hong, his legs crippled.

Su Yu had been swamped with official duties lately and hadn’t been able to visit the inner courtyard for some time. He was gratified to see his older brother looking so vigorous and in high spirits today.

"Brother, it looks like you’ve got some good color in your cheeks lately," Su Yu said, stepping forward to naturally take the wheelchair handles.

"Haha, little brother, it’s all thanks to you!"

Su Hong affectionately squeezed Su Yu’s hand, his good-natured face beaming with contentment.

"Now our Su Family wants for nothing here in the Outer City. We no longer have to live those bitter days, not knowing where our next meal would come from. When your heart is at ease, your health naturally follows."

They went into the room and stopped by the table.

Su Hong’s tone was laced with concern. "You hold a high position at the Public Security Bureau now, with countless important matters to handle every day. How did you find the time to come all the way here to see me? If you need anything done around the mansion, just send a servant with instructions. Please don’t let me get in the way of your official duties!"

Su Yu shook his head with a smile and sat down at the table. "It’s nothing. I mostly came to see you today because I got my hands on some good wine and wanted to bring it for you to try."

With that, Su Yu turned and asked Yaya to fetch a clean cup, then poured the translucent green lotus seed wine, filling it to the brim.

In an instant, that soul-refreshing aroma filled the entire room. Just a single sniff made Su Hong feel a sense of comfort spread through his body. He couldn’t stop his Adam’s apple from bobbing as he swallowed hard.

"This... Little Brother, I can tell just by the smell that this wine is no ordinary treasure. It must be worth a fortune! For a cripple like me to drink it would be a terrible waste. You should keep it for your martial arts training!" Su Hong said, waving his hands in refusal, even though his mouth was watering.

"Brother, material things are the last thing I’m lacking right now. This wine will be very beneficial for you. Go on, try it."

Seeing Su Yu’s insistence, Su Hong didn’t stand on ceremony any longer. He raised the cup and drank the green liquid.

The instant the wine went down.

Su Hong’s eyes shot wide open. He gripped the arms of his wheelchair, his hands clenched so tight the veins on their backs bulged.

"This... This..."

He felt a gentle warmth spreading through him, nourishing the meridians in his legs that had been atrophied for years. Under the stimulation of this vibrant medicinal energy, the muscles and pathways that had long been necrotic and stiff began to spasm and tingle!

Su Hong suppressed the surging excitement in his heart and asked, his voice trembling, "Little Brother! What treasure is this wine? My useless legs... I actually have a bit of feeling in them!!!"

Seeing his brother’s ecstatic reaction, Su Yu inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as it’s working!" Su Yu placed a hand over his brother’s trembling ones and explained with a smile, "Brother, this Spirit Wine has the power to repair hidden damage and restore vitality. I thought it might have a special effect on your legs, and it looks like I was right."

"It’s working! It’s really working!" Su Hong was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

Su Yu nodded, then his tone shifted. "But Brother, don’t get your hopes up too high just yet. This wine is amazing, but its potency is still limited. My guess is that, at most, it can rejuvenate the meridians in your legs and restore some basic sensation. To get you back on your feet completely, we’ll likely need a precious Treasure Pill."

He knew that Ding Mianyue of the Flying Fish Martial Arts Hall had recovered from a fatal injury after taking a Profound Tier Treasure Pill.

And Sun Yan of the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall had also restored a leg with the help of a Treasure Pill.

’Then Brother’s leg injury should also be curable. It’s just that getting a Treasure Pill or a similar treasure medicine of that caliber won’t be easy.’

At these words, Su Hong’s excitement visibly calmed.

"Little Brother, I got a bit ahead of myself. You’re right; a cure for my legs won’t come easily. I’m already incredibly grateful for your consideration. These are chaotic times, and the entire Su Mansion depends on you. You can’t afford to waste your energy on account of my legs!"

Su Yu looked at his brother, feeling a surge of emotion.

’My brother’s simple and honest nature hasn’t changed one bit, even after the gang’s suppression and the despair of being crippled.’

’These are chaotic times, and the Su Mansion needs more trustworthy people to guard it. If my brother can recover, then with him, our third brother, and the others, the mansion’s defenses will be that much stronger.’

’Besides, if they become stronger, they’ll at least be able to protect themselves, which will make my own future easier.’

’Besides, Su Yu knew better than anyone that his path would not end in a small place like Black Stone City.’

’To pursue the ultimate peak of Martial Arts, he would have to leave this place one day.’

’When that time comes, he needs to leave a faction of his own behind in Black Stone City, and the Su Mansion would be an excellent foundation!’

"Brother, don’t worry. I always act with measure."

Su Yu patted Su Hong’s hand, his tone exuding a reassuring calm. "You keep this jug of lotus seed wine for now. Drink a small cup every three days. This jug has enough to last you three months. We’ll use it to slowly nourish your damaged meridians. After three months, we’ll see what kind of progress you’ve made."

"As for a treasure medicine capable of mending shattered bone... Brother, trust me. When the time is right, I will get it for you!"

Hearing Su Yu’s calm promise, Su Hong was moved beyond measure.

’He knew his little brother’s temperament well. He always planned before acting, and his word was as good as gold. Since he had made such a promise, he would undoubtedly do everything in his power to help him heal his legs!’

’Perhaps, in the near future, the day would truly come when his crippled legs would stand once more!’

’When that day comes, my life—Su Hong’s life—will be his!’

"Alright! Little Brother, I believe you!"

Su Hong nodded emphatically, then added a reminder. "But I have to say it again... you must not let my affairs slow down your own training! In this dog-eat-dog world, your own strength is the true foundation of the Su Family!"

"Don’t worry, Brother. I know." Su Yu gave a small smile, turned, and left the room.