At the age of eight, he impersonated the orphan of a military officer and went to the martial world.

Chapter 29 Moving to Willow Lane

Xiao Yang didn't speak, but nodded reservedly, which was taken as tacit agreement.

He didn't linger any longer and said to Afu, "Afu, let's go."

Afu quickly responded, protecting his young master as they turned and left the alley.

Behind him, several beggars gazed at him with a mixture of excitement and awe.

"Xiao Bancheng... Good heavens, we've really struck gold today! First it was Young Master Zhang Qingyang, and now it's the young master of the Xiao Bancheng family..."

"Good heavens, Xiao Bancheng! Isn't that the richest family in Fengming County? I heard they own half the shops in the county!"

The youngest beggar, gazing in the direction Xiao Yang had disappeared, his eyes filled with unrealistic envy, murmured, "If I die, I hope I can be reborn into such a wealthy and noble family in my next life... I'll have meat buns to eat every day, new clothes to wear, and I'll never have to be beaten or freeze again..."

"Stop dreaming!" The lead beggar gripped the money bag in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He glanced around at his companions' sallow faces and yearning eyes, his voice low and somber: "This is fate! None of us have ever had a lucky ancestral grave; we wouldn't be able to be born into such a family even in ten lifetimes!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the direction Zhang Yuan had disappeared in at the alleyway entrance, then looked down at the money pouch in his hand, his eyes flickering: "However... perhaps we still have a chance to gamble on our own wealth!"

The other beggars, though puzzled, showed genuine joy upon seeing the bulging money bag.

"Hey boss, we're rich now! I want to buy two meat buns! Hot ones, please!"

"I want to make a thick coat; it's freezing cold in this awful weather!"

"I want to eat some meat! Big chunks!"

"Look at you, so pathetic..."

The oppressive gloom in the alley was temporarily dispelled by joy, filled with anticipation for a small improvement in the future.

Outside the alley, Xiao Yang's pace gradually slowed.

"Afu," he spoke softly, breaking the silence, "that Zhang Qingyang... Zhang Yuan, have you heard of him?"

"Young Master Zhang Qingyang?" Afu nodded immediately, his face filled with emotion. "Of course I know him! In the entire Fengming County now, who doesn't know about this young master of the Zhang family? At the age of eight, he killed a strong ox with three punches, bare-handed!"

"Tsk tsk, such skill, such courage! Like father, like son! Everyone says Captain Zhang has a worthy successor!"

As Afu spoke, he seemed to remember something, and his tone carried a hint of regret: "Speaking of which, young master, you and this young master Qingyang are actually... distant cousins."

"Cousin?" Xiao Yang paused, looking at Afu in surprise.

"Yes," Afu sighed, "when your mother was still alive, she and Captain Zhang's wife... who is also Young Master Qingyang's mother, were distant cousins. The two families had some contact in their early years."

"But later... alas, the mistress passed away early, and the master was often away on business trips. Gradually, the Xiao family was taken over by... the second mistress. The previous relationships and connections faded and were severed."

Xiao Yang fell silent, a complex expression beyond his years appearing on his youthful face—a mixture of disappointment, helplessness, and a hint of resentment.

He looked down at the creases in his brocade robe, torn by the thugs, as if deep in thought.

After a moment, he raised his head, his eyes hardening, and asked, "Afu, do you know Zhang Qingyang... Zhang Yuan, where he lives now?"

Afu pondered for a moment, seemingly recalling something: "I know. The Zhang family's old house, it's in Willow Lane in the east of the city, the one at the very end of the lane, an old house that's been around for quite some time."

"The old plaque with the words 'Zhang Mansion' hangs above the door. Although it's a bit old, it's still quite clean."

"Willow Lane..." Xiao Yang repeated softly, a glint in his eyes. "Ah Fu, I remember there should be some of our Xiao family's properties in Willow Lane, right?"

Afu paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Look at what you're saying. Our Xiao family is known as 'Xiao Half-City.' How could we not have any properties in a place like Willow Lane, which is close to the old city and has fairly good residents?"

"There are three empty houses in good locations over there that belong to our Xiao family."

"One of them is a two-courtyard house with a small yard facing the street. It has the best location and has been vacant for several years. It has never been rented or sold and has just been left there."

"It's been empty for several years? It's facing the street with a small courtyard?" Xiao Yang's eyes suddenly lit up, and an idea quickly formed in his mind.

He stopped abruptly, his tone carrying an undeniable determination: "Alright! Ah Fu, I'll go back and tell Second Aunt that I'll move to that empty house in Willow Lane from now on!"

"What?! Move to Willow Lane?" Ah Fu was shocked, almost thinking he had misheard. "Young Master! This...this is absolutely unacceptable! You're moving out?"

"The Second Madam of the Xiao family... already dislikes you. If you move out again, what will happen to the Xiao family's assets in the future..."

"Property?" Xiao Yang's lips curled into a cold smile that seemed completely out of place for his age, carrying a hint of stubbornness and sharpness unique to young people. "Rather than staying in the Xiao mansion, seeing that wicked woman's face every day, being constantly harassed and controlled by her, and not even having a close friend, it's better to move out and have some peace and quiet!"

He gazed intently towards Willow Lane: "Besides, isn't there still a 'cousin' in Willow Lane?"

He lowered his voice to the second half of the sentence, as if he were talking to himself.

Looking at his young master's resolute and opinionated demeanor, Afu was speechless for a moment. His lips moved, but in the end, he let out a heavy sigh and followed behind the boy with a heavy heart.

He knew that this young master was determined.

Moreover, as Xiao Yang said, it would be better to move to Willow Lane than to stay in the Xiao residence and suffer mistreatment.

------------------

The old Zhang family house, study.

The oil lamp flickered, illuminating Zhang Yuan's focused profile.

He sat upright at his desk, flipping through the book "On Learning" given to him by Chen Wenyuan, his expression calm.

The physical weakness caused by the severe loss of lifespan has not completely subsided, but the mind is unusually focused.

He put down his book, got up and walked into the courtyard under the cool moonlight, slowly assuming the stance of the Wild Bull Fist.

One punch!

"call!"

The wind howled fiercely, its sound heavy and still as a mountain.

Although he deliberately restrained his strength, his muscles, bones, skin, and membranes emitted a subtle hum as his blood and qi circulated. His movements were smooth and fluid, and every punch and kick carried a sense of calm and power that returned to simplicity.

This power subtly resonated with the Qi-guiding method taught by Zheng Chaoyang, causing Qi and blood to flow through the body, nourishing the depleted body.

He practiced the boxing techniques several times until his whole body felt slightly warm and his blood and qi circulated smoothly before he stopped.

His gaze fell on an old wooden sword leaning against the weapon rack in the corner.

That was what he used to practice his swordsmanship.

He walked over and picked up the wooden knife.

The moment I got my hands on it, the complete essence of the seven forms of the "Rock-Splitting Mountain Blade" clearly appeared in my mind.