Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lu Wenbin left Yan Liqiang’s study while holding Yan Liqiang’s drawing of the pulley in his hands and his heart was filled with excitement. He had no doubts about Yan Liqiang’s plan, but being appointed as the manager of the so-called construction company by Yan Liqiang meant he might be leading many people, and this made him feel a little nervous. However, he understood that this was also the most important opportunity in his life. If he failed to grasp this opportunity, he would be stuck as a steward at the Lu Residence forever. There were about ten stewards in the Lu Residence with moderate status. If he seized this opportunity, his life might become very different and he could rise above others in the Lu Residence. He was aware that Yan Liqiang had chosen him for his capability. It was also because he could trust him wholeheartedly due to his affiliation with the Lu Clan which Yan Liqiang was very familiar with.
I must seize this opportunity!
As someone who wasn’t that old yet and was still thinking about his future, Steward Lu had secretly made his decision when he left Yan Liqiang’s study. He took another look at the design of the pulley that he was holding tightly in his hand and was deeply astonished by Yan Liqiang’s capability. He couldn’t figure out how those rollers could aid a person in lifting heavy objects, but if it was as what Yan Liqiang had claimed, this thing called a pulley would quickly take the world by storm and bring good business to countless blacksmiths.
Young Lord called this a pulley, but this name sounds plain. We might as well name it the Yan Pulley or Yan Rollers. Once people hear the name, they would know that it is one of Young Lord’s inventions.
As he left the study, Steward Lu almost ran into someone outside the corridor. However, that person was agile. Just as they were about to collide, Steward Lu thought his eyes were playing tricks on him because that person was already a few steps away from him.
“Ah, Lady Yu, I’m so sorry that I almost ran into you…” Steward Lu greeted Yu Qing courteously. Although Yu Qing was Yan Liqiang’s maid, the shrewd Steward Lu would never treat Yu Qing as an ordinary maid. For Yan Liqiang to bring this young lady all the way from the Imperial Capital City to Gan Province, he knew it was best not to offend her regardless of her status. Of course, Lu Wenbin didn’t have any filthy impressions of Yan Liqiang as he observed that the relationship between the latter and Yu Qing was strictly platonic up until now.
“Steward Lu, you’re too polite. It’s me who should be saying sorry!” Yu Qing was a bit shy as she added, “Steward Lu, is Young Lord still inside the study?”
“Yes, he is still there!”
“Um, is he busy?”
“He should be free!” Steward Lu thought about it again, “I just came out from his study, so he should be free now!”
“Alright, thank you Steward Lu!” Yu Qing smiled to Lu Wenbin and walked toward the study.
Seeing that Yu Qing had left, Lu Wenbin quickly walked toward the direction of the blacksmiths workshop. As he walked, his mind kept replaying the scene when they were about to collide. He couldn’t help but feel the way Yu Qing dodged was quick and light — it was completely beyond his expectations. “Could it be that Yu Qing also possesses impressive martial arts skills?” Steward Lu mumbled to himself.
When Yu Qing was in front of Yan Liqiang’s study, she hesitated for a while. Just when she was about to knock on the door, Yan Liqiang’s gentle voice came from inside of the study, “Is it you, Yu Qing? Come in!”
The moment Yu Qing arrived, Yan Liqiang already knew. He stopped writing and looked at the piece of paper which he had written down the simplest steps for clay burning based on his memories. Before calling Yu Qing in, he gently kneaded the paper into fragments.
Yan Liqiang had a feeling that Yu Qing wanted to tell him something since last night. However, he returned very late yesterday, so he only managed to greet and briefly speak with his father before retreating into his room to sleep. Hence, Yu Qing did not have the opportunity to speak with him. During the morning patrol, Yu Qing looked like she wanted to tell him something a few times, but then hesitated, so Yan Liqiang had been expecting her to come.
“Alright, there’s no outsider here. If there’s anything you wish to tell me, you may do so!” Yan Liqiang smiled at Yu Qing. As the proverb goes, ‘A girl changes eighteen times between childhood to womanhood.’ It had only been six months since they last met, but Yan Liqiang noticed that Yu Qing’s face was slightly elongated, making her look even more beautiful.
“I…I indeed have something to tell you, Young Lord!” Yu Qing was still a bit shy, not knowing how to start the conversation.
“Go ahead, I’m listening!”
Yu Qing took a deep breath and calmed down a little, “Young Lord, do you still remember those martial arts techniques you taught me half a year ago?”
“I remember!” Yan Liqiang was slightly taken aback before he laughed, as he thought he knew what Yu Qing wanted to talk about, “Why, did you come across any difficulties during your cultivation? If there’s anything you do not understand, you can always ask me!”
“I didn’t encounter any difficulties, but…” Yu Qing hesitated slightly for a moment.
“But what?”
“But I noticed that what Young Lord told me was slightly different from what happened during my practice!”
“Tell me, how was it different?” Yan Liqiang was suddenly interested, “Was it because it was difficult to practice? Or was it because your body could not adapt to it?”
“It’s not that!” Yu Qing shook her head, “Young Lord, you mentioned that it was difficult to advance as a Martial Warrior as one needs to pass three stages, right?”
“Yes!”
“I…I realized that I have already progressed to a Martial Warrior!” Yu Qing said while slightly blushing.
“What?” Yan Liqiang was shocked. He looked at Yu Qing in disbelief, “You’re saying that you’ve already passed the Horse Stance, Stretching Tendon and Extending Bone, and Establishing Dantian stages?”
“Yes, I felt my dantian open up last month!” Yu Qing slowly began to speak smoothly, “When I passed the Horse Stance stage, as well as the Stretching Tendon and Extending Bone stage, everything went according to what you had described to me, Young Lord. I felt as though there was a fire burning beside me while doing the Horse Stance before the silhouette of a horse appeared and entered my body. I immediately felt my body being filled with energy, and establishing dantian became very easy!”
“How many months did it take for you to pass the Horse Stance stage?”
“I think it was three months, so around a hundred days!” Yu Qing nodded affirmatively.
With a flash, Yan Liqiang suddenly moved to Yu Qing’s side from behind the table. He grabbed one of Yu Qing hands and channeled a hint of vital Qi into her body.
In just a short moment, an astonished expression appeared on Yan Liqiang’s face. He looked at the innocent and pure Yu Qing in shock — this girl had really progressed into a Martial Warrior…!