Wen Qingye sat cross-legged by the bed and began to circulate the Magic Technique from his past life, the Longevity Technique.
The surrounding Primordial Qi surged madly into Wen Qingye's Dantian, and he felt as if that barrier was about to break.
As the Longevity Technique continued to circulate, the barrier seemed to loosen. Since this was the first time he had circulated the Longevity Technique, Wen Qingye felt as if this body was about to explode.
BOOM!
Suddenly, Wen Qingye's mind went slightly blank. The Primordial Qi in his body gushed forth like a surging tide, relentlessly crashing against the barrier.
Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Heaven!
Wen Qingye knew that this body's aptitude was truly poor. He had only broken through because it was the first time he had circulated the Longevity Technique. He wouldn't be so lucky with his next breakthrough.
It was already late at night. When Wen Qingye opened his eyes again, he found Zhang Xiaoyun crouched over, watching him with wide eyes.
"It's so late, you're not asleep yet?" Wen Qingye asked with a smile.
Zhang Xiaoyun said in a small voice, "Husband, you aren't asleep. How could I dare to sleep first?"
A sense of pity rose in Wen Qingye's heart. He said, "I don't have so many rules. Just go to sleep when you're tired."
As he spoke, Wen Qingye pulled up the covers and lay down to sleep.
After a moment, Wen Qingye suddenly heard the sound of sobbing.
Wen Qingye grew curious. He sat up and looked at Zhang Xiaoyun, only to see her hiding in a corner, secretly wiping away her tears.
He quickly asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen to upset you?"
Zhang Xiaoyun choked out, "Husband, do you find me repulsive? Is it because of the scar on my left cheek? You don't want to... consummate our marriage?"
"Of course not. Don't overthink it." Wen Qingye was in a difficult position, but he suddenly thought of an excuse. "It's just that the Magic Technique I cultivate requires me to maintain my virginity. Otherwise, I'll lose my cultivation."
'This sudden marriage and consummation are just too absurd.'
"Ah!" Zhang Xiaoyun exclaimed in surprise.
Wen Qingye smiled. "So, don't let your imagination run wild. You still have to make me breakfast tomorrow morning."
Zhang Xiaoyun nodded, then obediently curled up in the corner and went to sleep.
Seeing Zhang Xiaoyun close her eyes, Wen Qingye breathed a sigh of relief and lay down to sleep. He was exhausted from his recent cultivation breakthrough, so he fell asleep almost as soon as he closed his eyes.
The next day, Wen Qingye was slowly awakened by a clamor of voices.
"Little Sister Yun, how was your wedding night?"
"Come on, tell your big brother here how it was last night."
"That coward Wen Qingye, he must have wronged you last night, didn't he?"
Zhang Xiaoyun, who was fetching water by the nearby well, couldn't help but snap at the surrounding Zhang Family disciples, "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Ooh, getting tough, are we? Already speaking up for that brat Wen Qingye."
"Yeah, it hasn't even been a full day since you married into his family."
"Wen Qingye was really unlucky to marry you. Have you forgotten what you look like?"
"Tell Wen Qingye to get his ass out here! Let us get a good look at his pathetic face!"
Zhang Xiaoyun stood there, silently drawing water, her eyes filled with tears.
"HAHAHAHA!" "HAHAHA!"
The members of the Zhang Family all laughed without restraint.
"Have you had your laugh?"
Suddenly, a cold voice rang in everyone's ears.
"Well, well, Young Master Wen is awake. How was your night?" a youth with sharp, ape-like features sneered when he saw Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye frowned. He had some impression of this man in his memory. His name was Zhang Qiu, and his strength was mediocre—only at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Heaven—but he loved to stir up trouble.
Wen Qingye had run into him a few times on the streets before. He would always subtly mock Wen Qingye, but back then, Wen Qingye was weaker than him and had a timid personality, so he endured it again and again. This only made Zhang Qiu more and more brazen.
"I'd be quite happy if you'd hurry up and get lost," Wen Qingye said coldly.
Zhang Qiu felt as if he had misheard. He glared and demanded, "What did you say? Say that again!"
The surrounding Zhang Family members were also stunned for a moment before staring at Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye nodded and said nonchalantly, "Fine. I'll say it again. I told you to... scram!"
Scram!
That word echoed endlessly in the small courtyard.
"Good. Good. Very good," Zhang Qiu said, biting his lip and nodding.
"Wen Qingye, this is the Zhang Family! You don't get to act so insolent here!"
"Zhang Qiu, go! Teach him a lesson!"
"Yeah, show him the might of our Zhang Family!"
Zhang Qiu cracked his neck, making a "CRACK, CRACK" sound. "I'd like to see what gives you so much courage."
Zhang Xiaoyun said anxiously, "My husband is the eldest son of the Wen Family Patriarch! How dare you attack him?"
Zhang Qiu sneered, "The eldest son of the Wen Family Patriarch? Hmph, you're dreaming. Wen Qingye is just an abandoned pawn of the Wen Family."
The moment he finished speaking, he stomped his foot, and the surrounding Primordial Qi rippled outwards like a wave. Zhang Qiu threw a punch with devastating momentum.
Wen Qingye stood protectively in front of Zhang Xiaoyun, not dodging or evading. The light in his eyes grew increasingly icy as he met the attack with a seemingly ordinary punch.
BANG!
Both of them retreated several steps. Wen Qingye channeled the massive Primordial Qi aftershock directly into the ground beneath his feet, and a crack appeared in the earth. It seemed neither had gained an advantage.
'Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Heaven!' A look of horror flashed through Zhang Qiu's eyes as he stared at Wen Qingye. 'He actually broke through!'
"Fierce Bull Rushing into the Wild!"
Zhang Qiu's fist flickered with a dark glow, like the thick horn of a fierce bull. It carried a boundless sharpness and Qi Aura, and the surrounding air whistled, "SWOOSH! SWOOSH!"
Wen Qingye had intended to use a Fist Technique from his past, but he suddenly realized that even the most basic of them required a cultivation of at least the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer Heaven.
Wen Qingye had no choice but to sidestep like a fluttering butterfly, letting Zhang Qiu's fist graze past him.
'I developed this Butterfly Step in my past life after chancing upon two butterflies dancing in the air. I never thought I'd use it today.'
Seeing Wen Qingye dodge his Fist Technique, Zhang Qiu was delighted. Primordial Qi surged through his body like a raging river, gathering heavily in his palms.
"Bull Charge!"
Zhang Qiu threw another punch. The might of this strike was thirty percent greater than his previous use of Bull Demon's Strength. He lunged like a charging bull, filled with unstoppable momentum and might.
But Wen Qingye simply shifted his feet, stepped out with his left foot, and clenched both fists. A layer of dark, dazzling light enveloped them, enough to strike fear into anyone's heart.
"Fierce Bull Rushing into the Wild!"
BANG!
Zhang Qiu's entire body flew backward like a kite with a snapped string and crashed to the ground, where he howled in pain.
The surrounding Zhang Family disciples' eyes went wide. They rubbed them and looked again.
"Zhang Qiu is no match for Wen Qingye? This is unbelievable!"
"Is that really Zhang Qiu on the ground? How is that possible? I remember Zhang Qiu cornering Wen Qingye at the intersection on West Street just last month."
"How does Wen Qingye know our Zhang Family's Basic Boxing Skill? And he uses it even better than I do!"
Zhang Qiu stared at Wen Qingye in stunned disbelief, as if he were seeing a ghost. "How do you know the Fierce Bull Fist Technique? That's our Zhang Family's introductory Fist Technique! And why is your execution even better than mine?"
Wen Qingye said casually, "I learned it from you. Weren't you just using it a moment ago?"
"You're lying!" Zhang Qiu immediately shot to his feet and roared, "I've practiced the Fierce Bull Fist Technique for two or three years to be able to perform it completely! How could you possibly learn the Fierce Bull Fist Technique just by seeing it once? I don't believe it!"
'The true meaning of this Fierce Bull Fist Technique is so simple,' he thought. 'I understood it with a single glance. After that, it was just a matter of copying the moves, which was easy.'
Zhang Qiu gritted his teeth and said, "Wen Qingye, your cultivation has broken through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer Heaven, and you've diligently studied our Zhang Family's Fierce Bull Fist Technique. I am not your match, but..."
BANG!
"I told you to scram. Why are you still spouting so much nonsense?"
Wen Qingye punched Zhang Qiu in the face, sending him flying to the courtyard gate with a single blow.
Zhang Qiu shot Wen Qingye a venomous glare and was about to speak, but when he saw the fury in Wen Qingye's eyes, he swallowed hard, turned around, and fled.
Wen Qingye's eyes swept over the remaining Zhang Family disciples as he said coolly, "Scram!"
The expressions of the surrounding Zhang Family disciples changed drastically. One of them shouted, "Wen Qingye, don't get ahead of yourself! This is the Zhang Family! Let me tell you..."
Wen Qingye rushed forward. The charge of a fierce bull, the valor of a fierce bull, the power of a fierce bull—Wen Qingye perfectly channeled all of it in an instant. He threw a punch with his right hand, and the air seemed to tear apart.
SPIT!
That Zhang Family disciple was sent flying, and once he hit the ground, he couldn't get up for quite some time.
"Let's get him together! I don't believe we can't take one guy!"
"Yeah, let's all attack at once!"
"Let's teach Wen Qingye a lesson and get out of here!"
The Zhang Family disciples all shouted loudly.
"You... you're shameless!" Zhang Xiaoyun couldn't help but cry out when she saw the Zhang Family disciples rushing Wen Qingye together. She turned anxiously to Wen Qingye. "Husband, let's run! We can find the head steward! The head steward is a kind man, he'll definitely handle this!"
"No need. You should step back first," Wen Qingye said with a faint smile.
Zhang Xiaoyun froze. For some reason, Wen Qingye's words carried great force. She couldn't help but take several steps back, her eyes fixed on his back. It was as if he were an entire world unto himself. For the first time, she felt what it was like to be protected.