Chapter Eighty-Eight: Eighth Level of Qi Refinement

"Has Young Master Yang been comfortable staying in my household?" Lord Lü smiled gently as he personally brewed tea for Yang Wenhao.

Yang Wenhao took a small sip, set the cup down, and replied, "Lord Lü, please speak plainly if you have something to say."

Lord Lü said, "I see that Young Master Yang is of impressive bearing and will surely achieve greatness in the future. You have previously mentioned that you are not yet married, so I would like to offer my youngest daughter, Lü Zhi, to you in marriage."

Recently, Yi Xiaochuan had been whispering suggestions in his ear, to the point where Lord Lü found it somewhat tiresome. Coincidentally, Liu Bang was most wary of Yang Wenhao, and Lord Lü himself was very interested in him. Thus, he thought to do a favor in passing, which might also resolve Liu Bang’s ambitions.

Yang Wenhao set down his cup. "Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Lü, but I feel I am still too young and not yet ready for marriage."

Lord Lü hesitated. "Then how about Lü Su? You two are closer in age and would be a good match."

Yang Wenhao’s lips twitched—Lord Lü had misunderstood his meaning. It wasn’t that his age was too young for Lü Zhi specifically, but rather that he wasn’t ready for marriage at all.

Yang Wenhao glanced at Lord Lü. "If you find Liu Bang troublesome, I can help you deal with him."

Lord Lü was startled; he could sense the hint of murderous intent within Yang Wenhao’s words. If he nodded now, that rough Liu Bang would likely not escape death.

Lord Lü smiled. "Young Master Yang, you speak too strongly. You and Young Master Yi are both benefactors to my family, and Liu Bang is sworn brother to Young Master Yi. How could I do such a thing?"

He wanted to kill Liu Bang, but dared not, for it would risk the condemnation of the world.

After finishing his tea, Lord Lü hurriedly refilled Yang Wenhao's cup.

Taking another small sip, Yang Wenhao said, "Allow me some time to consider."

Lord Lü smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening.

After Lord Lü left, Yang Wenhao shook his head. It seemed that being too exceptional was also a problem. It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but that his heart could not let go. He already had someone he cared for, and felt a great sense of guilt; now another, perhaps even two, had come into his heart, leaving him restless.

"Ah, I should have let Yi Xiaochuan rescue her first, and simply watched from the side, lending a hand when needed." Yang Wenhao shook his head in regret. At the time, he hadn’t known Yi Xiaochuan was nearby; he simply acted as soon as he received the task.

That night, Yang Wenhao sat cross-legged atop the roof, circulating the Dao of Heaven cultivation technique within his dantian.

Gathering the essence of heaven and earth within his body, Yang Wenhao believed there were indeed cultivators in this world; yet after so long, he had not found any. Perhaps in the future he would.

He reached this conclusion because the world’s energies here were very different. Compared to modern society, the spiritual energy here was far superior, at least not requiring as many rare treasures to supplement cultivation as in the modern era.

Thinking about the rare treasures he had used for cultivation—the centuries-old ginseng alone had already been refined several times, and dozens of others of lesser age as well.

Clearly, the resources consumed for cultivation were immense. This was why, when leaving his previous world, Yang Wenhao used his authority to bring along many valuable items; otherwise, he would not have been able to afford such expenditure, nor would his progress have been so rapid.

After circulating his energy through several great cycles, a beam of light shot from the crown of Yang Wenhao’s head, piercing the sky.

A crackling sound followed, as if all the bones in his body were growing, his meridians expanding.

When the light faded, Yang Wenhao slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a misty breath.

"Qi Refinement, eighth tier."

Having broken through to the eighth tier of Qi Refinement, his body had once again improved.

Now, Yang Wenhao possessed strength in the thousands of pounds, enough to kill an elephant with a single punch.

With his body transformed once more, dirty residue appeared on his skin.

After bathing, he returned to his room.

"Techniques are a problem. If I can’t obtain some useful techniques in the next world, I’ll have to buy them."

Though the techniques in the system’s marketplace were expensive, purchasing them meant a loss.

Still, they weren’t useless, just not as good as those he gathered himself.

"I’ll avoid buying if possible; I’m already deep in debt." Yang Wenhao shook his head, pushed the thoughts aside, and lay upon his bed to continue cultivating.

For someone like him, time was money; sleep and cultivation were equals.

The next day, bright sunlight streamed through the window.

Knock knock knock—

Outside came an urgent knocking.

Yang Wenhao opened his eyes and waved his hand; the door swung open automatically.

Yi Xiaochuan stood stunned at the self-opening door, while Yang Wenhao was still on his bed.

But urgency made him forget to dwell on it. He hurried to Yang Wenhao’s side, saying, "I’m planning to visit Xianyang for a bit. Would you like to come?"

"Just you?" Yang Wenhao asked.

"Of course not," Yi Xiaochuan shook his head. "My elder brother is coming too."

"Liu Bang, then." Yang Wenhao knew Yi Xiaochuan wouldn’t head to Xianyang alone; it was far from here, and a solitary trip would be lonely.

Yi Xiaochuan said, "He’s under orders to take a team of laborers to Xianyang. I thought I’d tag along and explore. Want to come? You’d have company."

"No," Yang Wenhao shook his head, uninterested in the trip.

He had nearly exhausted his rare treasures and needed to gather more.

Whether by gentle or forceful means, he always found a way.

"Ah," Yi Xiaochuan looked visibly disappointed at Yang Wenhao’s refusal.

No matter how Yi Xiaochuan tried to persuade him, Yang Wenhao remained firm.

Yi Xiaochuan could only sigh. "Fine, I’ll go alone."

He left, departing with Liu Bang.

In truth, the Lü household cared little for Yi Xiaochuan; it was Yang Wenhao who held their interest.

To them, Yi Xiaochuan’s worth paled in comparison to Yang Wenhao’s.

Yang Wenhao showed ambition, while Yi Xiaochuan was content, living a carefree life, never considering what a man ought to.

A few days after Yi Xiaochuan left, Yang Wenhao prepared to bid farewell to Lord Lü.

Lord Lü smiled. "Young Master Yang, you seek me? As it happens, I have something to discuss with you as well."

"Please, Lord Lü, you first," Yang Wenhao said.

Lord Lü replied, "A few days ago, you said you would consider my daughter’s marriage proposal. Have you reached a decision?"

"To be honest, Lord Lü," Yang Wenhao said, "I have come to take my leave."

"Leave?" Lord Lü frowned in confusion. "Why are you suddenly departing?"

Yang Wenhao replied, "I intend to travel across the land of Qin, to see if I can fulfill the ambitions within my heart."

(End of chapter)