Chapter 022: Encountering an Attack

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. Among the soldiers undergoing training, two mediocre fighters had broken through to become third-tier warriors. Though the others had yet to reach such heights, all felt a remarkable improvement within themselves.

Fang Xian began to teach them the methods and abilities of team combat, organizing daily group matches. The losing team was required to wash the others’ filthy socks and shoes, prompting everyone to take the competition seriously.

Laughter echoed across the courtyard that afternoon. Suddenly, Zhou Tianming swept over, clasped his hands before Fang Xian, and announced, "Thank you, brother, for helping me break through to the rank of first-class master."

Not long ago, Zhou Tianming had cultivated internal energy, successfully entering the ranks of first-class warriors. Once he had stabilized his strength, he didn’t even pause to tell his family; he hurried to the square to thank Fang Xian.

"Congratulations, big brother! Double happiness has come to you," Fang Xian replied, returning the gesture. Zhou Tianming had gained both a son and the status of a first-class expert—a true double blessing.

"Congratulations, big brother!" Ye Hongxiu exclaimed, delighted.

"Congratulations to Young Master Zhou!" The soldiers resting on the square, hearing the good news, rose to their feet and offered their congratulations.

"Thank you all! In half a month, there will be a banquet for my son’s one-month celebration. Everyone is invited for a drink!" Zhou Tianming waved excitedly, then clasped his hands once more to Fang Xian and hurried back to share the good news with his family.

"Husband, the number of experts in our fortress keeps growing," Ye Hongxiu said with joy.

"Daniu, how about you? It seems you’re almost there," Fang Xian nodded, smiling at Daniu. Although Daniu hadn’t previously been at the peak of second-tier strength, he was not far from it, and he was among the first to bathe in the medicinal solution with Fang Xian. Thus, his gains were great, and he had already reached the peak of second-tier strength.

"Son-in-law, I think I’m about ready, but I don’t know exactly when," Daniu replied with a simple smile.

"No need to rush—train as you’re used to, and everything will come naturally. As you’ve seen, following my training and cultivation, you’ll all become first-class masters, perhaps even grandmasters. Do you have confidence?" Fang Xian nodded to him, then addressed the others.

"We do!" everyone shouted in unison, their voices thunderous. After half a month of training, they had developed strong habits, and their spirits were transformed.

"Big brother, you’ve really found a treasure. With such a talented nephew-in-law, our fortress’s future will surely be extraordinary," Ye Qingyun said to Zhou Boxiong, standing with him on a distant hillside, watching the training below and listening to the resounding voices.

"Xian’er is both learned and brave, clever and resourceful. He and Hongxiu together managed to slay Cai Golden Blade—he has truly impressed me. Moreover, Xian’er’s ambitions are not small. We elders should shield them for a while; the future belongs to them," Ye Qingyun replied with a satisfied nod.

---

"Indeed, I trust my judgment. With Hongxiu and our nephew-in-law leading the fortress, they will surely achieve great things," Zhou Boxiong said, smiling as if he could already see the brighter future.

Life in the mountains was peaceful. People harvested corn and rice; though yields were modest, combined with other grains, it was just enough to keep the fortress folk fed.

This year, thanks to Fang Xian’s discovery, they also planted over fifteen hundred acres of red creeper. It had only been a month since planting, yet the vines had already grown one or two meters long.

Fang Xian had the villagers pinch off the tender tips of the red creeper, which were then cooked as vegetables. Surprisingly, the taste was pleasant, sparking a new culinary trend among the locals.

With so much red creeper, the villagers had enough to eat for a while. Moreover, the vine had another purpose: pig feed. In the past, pig farming was scarce, relying mostly on scraps and wild greens.

Now, with abundant red creeper, Fang Xian encouraged everyone to raise more pigs. Every household started pig farming, increasing the numbers by more than a thousand compared to previous years. By the New Year, they would surely have plenty of pork.

Another half month passed, and the Zhou family held a banquet for the baby's first month, laying dozens of tables and inviting all notable figures in the fortress—including many elders—for a lively feast.

At the banquet, Zhou Ming’en officially recognized Fang Xian as his godfather, and Fang Xian gave him the nickname Fang Bin, hoping he would grow up both learned and brave.

As the festivities continued, a group of riders arrived at the fortress gate. At their head was a pale-faced man of about forty, followed by a man in green and a handsome young gentleman in his twenties, along with ten more riders, galloping toward the fortress.

The main fortress of Qingyun Fort was set atop Qingyun Peak, with the forward fort located five miles ahead at a strategic pass—easy to defend, hard to attack, requiring only a few soldiers to hold.

Between the forward fort and the main fortress lay three peaks, five ridges, and a scattering of villages where the people of Qingyun Fort lived.

"Open the gate quickly, the third master has returned!" The soldiers on lookout recognized the leading man—Huang Yuantao, the third master of Qingyun Fort.

"Welcome back, third master!" The soldiers below promptly opened the gate. The squad leader led dozens of soldiers to line up, shouting a neat welcome.

This was thanks to Fang Xian, who had been sending his hundred elite trainees every few days for short drills in formation and discipline, gradually instilling new habits among the soldiers.

"Greetings, brothers," Huang Yuantao reined in his horse, smiled, nodded, and rode onward. The soldiers closed the gate and resumed patrol.

A straight road led from the forward fort to the base of Qingyun Peak, improved over more than ten years. Huang Yuantao’s party reached the peak in moments.

---

Below Qingyun Peak was a place for feeding warhorses. The group dismounted, handed their horses to the stable hands, and received respectful greetings.

"Father, I'll go ahead and deliver Sister Hongxiu’s gift," the handsome young man, Huang Shuhua, clasped his hands to his father, then dashed up the mountain.

His cultivation matched that of Zhou Tianming and Ye Hongxiu—he was at the peak of second-tier strength. Though his talent was not as great as Ye Hongxiu’s, it far surpassed Zhou Tianming’s, especially for a man of twenty.

"Young Master Huang has returned!" As soon as Huang Shuhua reached the summit, he encountered Erniu, who stopped to greet him.

"Erniu, where is the young master?" In Qingyun Fort, "young master" referred specifically to Ye Hongxiu; Zhou Tianming and Huang Shuhua were also called young masters, but their surnames were always used for distinction.

"Young Master Huang, you’ve come at the perfect time. Today, Young Master Zhou's son is having his one-month celebration. Everyone’s at the banquet, including the young master and son-in-law," Erniu replied with a smile.

"What did you say? The young master and who?" Huang Shuhua was stunned, not quite hearing or believing what he’d been told.

"Son-in-law. Oh, Young Master Huang, you’ve been gone for several months, and a lot has happened. The young master and son-in-law have been married for over a month now," Erniu answered.

"No..."

Huang Shuhua’s face changed dramatically. He cried out and rushed like lightning toward Zhou Tianming’s house.

"Oh no, I remember Young Master Huang always following the young master around, wanting to marry her. This could get ugly," Erniu muttered, his expression shifting.

At that moment, Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu, hand in hand, stepped out of the Zhou courtyard. Fang Xian had drunk quite a bit and was about to rest, as he always took a midday nap.

"Villain! Come meet your fate!" Suddenly, a white-clad figure dashed forward. Seeing the two holding hands, he roared, drew his blade, and slashed at Fang Xian.

"Careful, my love!" Fang Xian pushed Ye Hongxiu aside, dodged, but Huang Shuhua’s blade still tore his sleeve.