Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 176 - 116: That’s Just How Tough I Am!_2

Chapter 176: Chapter 116: That’s Just How Tough I Am!_2

Mr. Luo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Fine, I’ll give that brat a lesson, and I’ll take care of the rumors outside as well."

The young woman’s expression finally softened a great deal.

Mr. Luo leaned back in his chair and said offhandedly to the young woman as she was about to leave, "I’m a bit thirsty."

The young woman who had just given birth to a son a month ago paused, bit her lip, and walked over to the desk to pick up an empty cup, gently beginning to unfasten her clothing...

"No need for a cup," Mr. Luo said tiredly, closing his eyes.

The young woman’s delicate body trembled, and after hesitating for a moment, she still walked over to the master, cradling his head in her arms.

——

"Nascent Soul breastfeeding?"

Listening to Lu Renjia making small talk about the Luo Family head’s new nickname, Jiang Shouzhong was rather speechless.

At that time, the three of them were sitting in front of Wufeng Temple, sipping wine and chatting leisurely. They had rare free time during the year’s end and had picked a rather secluded spot to enjoy the lingering festivity.

Lu Renjia, who frequented the Spring Rain Building, had heard all sorts of rumors, and his mouth watered as he talked about the Luo Family’s recent scandal.

Zhang Yunwu, on the other hand, was utterly confused about some nicknames and didn’t understand at all.

Jiang Shouzhong found it quite amusing, though.

Xia He had reverted to her usual cold demeanor, standing alone at the door, fulfilling her duty as guard. She had simply greeted these men without engaging in any of the conversation.

Every now and then, the girl’s eyes would drift to Jiang Shouzhong, filled with a bit of confusion and slight frustration.

After the casual chat, Jiang Shouzhong brought up a serious topic, "Although we’re quite safe at the moment, after all, we’ve offended the Luo Family. We can’t be sure what dangers may lie ahead. I plan to speak to Mr. Yuan to see if he can arrange some kind of amulet for you all.

In reality, the Luo Family hates me the most. As long as I can keep their attention, you are secondary. So, they will definitely target me first."

Lu Renjia slapped his chest and said, "Jiang, don’t worry, if the Luo Family wants to deal with you, they’ll have to get past me, Jia, first. I’m telling you, even though the Luo Family is powerful, I have my people everywhere. They don’t call me ’Face Brother’ for nothing."

Zhang Yunwu, who finally caught on, nodded vigorously, "I will protect you."

Suddenly remembering that Jiang Shouzhong seemed to already be a first-rate martial master, Zhang Yunwu scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly before changing his promise, "I will help you."

"Thank you, then," Jiang Shouzhong said with a smile, not declining the two men’s good intentions, although they were of little help.

Having already thought of a way out for the two men, Jiang Shouzhong changed the subject and teased Lu Renjia, "Speaking of which, what about those gold bars the Emperor awarded you? You didn’t give them to Qing Niang again, did you?"

"How could I? I’ve figured it out clearly, money is for women to look at," Lu Renjia spoke confidently.

"Oh, you’ve become wise?" Jiang Shouzhong said with fake surprise.

Lu Renjia laughed and said, "So, I’ve installed a layer of gold in the thatch hut for Qing Niang. From now on, when Qing Niang goes to the hut, she’ll see my true feelings. She’ll be sure to be moved to tears."

"Alright, forget I asked," Jiang Shouzhong said, not wanting to continue the conversation with him, lest the conversation make him want to punch someone.

Lu Renjia leaned against a door frame, suddenly sentimental, "Back when the three of us brothers got together, I was thinking Jiang would definitely be the first to get married and settle down, since he was dashing and charming. I, Jia, thought I’d be the second one, and old Zhang would surely be the last. It turns out, to my surprise, that the first to get hitched was this simpleton."

At that, Lu Renjia suddenly grew excited and turned to ask Zhang Yunwu, "Old Zhang, I am very curious, given your physique, you must be like a wild bull in the bedroom, scaring people. Hasn’t your wife considered finding you a concubine to share the burden?"

"Get lost!" Jiang Shouzhong kicked him in the shin.

Seeing his robe stained with footprints, Jia cursed and tried to return the kick, but was unable to move as the other man firmly pinned his foot down, so he awkwardly twisted and tried to stomp with his other foot.

After missing, he stubbornly continued to stomp.

And then Zhang Yunwu, somewhat perplexedly, was dragged into the fray as well.

The three brothers sat on the threshold of the abandoned Taoist temple, stomping on each other and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The sun shone brightly in front of them.

Behind them, the broken deity statues watched silently.

In this rare moment of stolen leisure, they would leave faint, indelible marks in the river of time, which, when reminisced, would become warm, intoxicating memories.

The girl watched this scene, her lips curving up slightly.

...

Although there were no problems with Zhang Yue’er’s mental state, to be on the safe side, Zhang still personally went to the academy every day to pick her up after school.

Jiang, having nothing better to do, also went along.

Jia, meanwhile, went to the Spring Rain Building to find Qing Niang.

On their way, Jiang Shouzhong asked Zhang Yunwu about his experience with practicing martial arts.

Zhang’s cultivation level might not be as advanced as his own, but he had established a solid foundation since his youth, including some experiences passed down by the monks of Vajra Temple, which proved to be extremely useful in his boxing techniques.

Upon arriving at the Xuanming Academy, it wasn’t yet time for the school to dismiss, so they waited by the roadside. In the meantime, Zhang Yunwu went to a nearby shop and bought some sweets such as honey dates and sugar-coated chestnuts.

At that moment, Jiang Shouzhong’s expression suddenly turned odd.

This was because, as they drew near the academy, he distinctly felt a very rich presence, which was the pure Supreme Yang Qi.

In his Dantian, the little golden figure representing the Yang amulet had been overworked recently carving out meridian points and was somewhat lackluster, but at this moment, it was as if it had seen a feast fit for an Emperor, wildly absorbing the Qi with frenzied gulps.

Last time, it was the little Yin figure that had its fill because of a certain pearl.

This time, it was finally its turn.

"The sun rising in the east is Yang, the vital force of the four seasons is Yang, joy is Yang, virtue is Yang..."

Jiang Shouzhong quietly recited the words once said by Mr. Yan, looking towards the academy in front of him. He also recalled the Demon Venerable mentioned before that if one wanted to absorb Yang Qi, they should frequent temples, Taoist shrines, and high mountains.

But the best place was the academy.

This was because there resided the vast aura of Confucianism.

"Could this be the vast aura of Confucianism?" Jiang Shouzhong wondered with amazement, somewhat regretful that he hadn’t come earlier.

...

In Xuanming School, within a thatched cottage.

A scholar in a white robe with greying temples, wearing a square cap, sat before a desk engrossed in deep thought and reading.

The robe faintly emitted a light green glow, flowing with the clean and peaceful essence of heaven and earth.

Each turn of the pages of ancient scrolls on the desk brought a breeze that mingled the scent of ink with the aura of immortality, brimming with spirituality.

Suddenly, his expression turned stern, and there was a fierce anger in his eyes.

"The audacity! To dare steal our Confucian vast aura!"

The scholar slammed the desk heavily.

A brush with purple bristles on the inkstone platform zipped out.

The tip of the brush shone with a lustrous light, emanating Sword Intent and murderous aura.

...

That was satisfying.

The little golden figure of the Yang amulet, having feasted and drunk to its fill, even belched.

Patting its round belly, contentedly transforming into a beam of light, it continued to help Jiang Shouzhong carve out energy points, the speed of which was now more than doubled from before.

Indeed, to make an employee work hard, one must offer substantial benefits.

And not simply exploit them mercilessly.

Jiang Shouzhong, who "fed and watered" the little guy thoroughly, touched the position of his Dantian and decided he must often frequent this place from now on.

According to the Demon Venerable, as long as one came to the academy, one should boldly and confidently absorb the vast aura of Confucianism without fear of being beaten up; this thing wasn’t worth much, and nobody would care.

Jiang Shouzhong trusted the Demon Venerable.

If she said it wasn’t worth much, then it was surely free for the taking.

Such a beautiful Demon Venerable sister wouldn’t deceive people, right?

...

The brush, wrapped in mighty Sword Qi, flew into the midair but then abruptly folded back on itself and landed back on the inkstone platform.

The old scholar’s expression changed drastically.

In the cottage, a figure suddenly appeared.

Yan Changqing sat opposite the scholar, smiling, "It’s just a bit of scholarly aura. Read a few more books, teach a few more students, and it’ll be replenished."

The elder angrily said, "Yan Changqing! Are you making an enemy of Confucianism?"

"See? Always escalating to enmity with Confucianism," Yan Changqing replied. He sniffed a wine pot and laughed, "I’m just looking to have a chat with you. That scholarly aura of yours is going to waste anyway; why not make someone happy with it?"

The Confucian elder sneered, "What if I don’t wish to discuss it?"

Yan Changqing thought for a moment and said, "I visited Xuan Mountain the other day to discuss a matter. At first, there really was no room for discussion; those old fellows were stubborn. In the end, I had no choice but to sever their Wuhua Dao Peak, which gave us some room to talk. Do you think, elder, that we have any room for discussion?"

"Are you threatening me?"

The old scholar’s face flushed red with anger, and he laughed derisively, slamming the table,

"You think I don’t dare to have this discussion with you? Let me tell you, Yan Changqing, I couldn’t care less about this bit of aura! If you’ve got the guts, let him absorb it. If I stop him, I’ll be the grandson! That’s how staunch I am! Tough it out if you don’t like it!"