Fear

Trouble? What kind of trouble could he run into? *The Huang family!* Huang Tian quickly understood why Bai Yuanfu had given him the jade token. It seemed Bai Yuanfu was well aware of the messy affairs surrounding the Huang family, and had offered the token to give him backing. "Many thanks, Pacification Commissioner!" "A minor matter, nothing more." Bai Yuanfu waved his hand. "Now that you have entered the eighth rank, you may go register your records. You are dismissed." "Yes, sir!" Stepping out of the room, Liu Kuo led the two of them to the registry office in the government compound to be enrolled. Both were conferred the rank of Platoon Commander. Luo Chan was assigned to Zhenhua Ward to lead a patrol detachment in maintaining local order, taking up his post formally in three days. Huang Tian, on the other hand, received no external posting. He held the titular rank of Platoon Commander, drawing his stipend as usual without assigned duties. From a clerk, he also received the gifts bestowed by Bai Yuanfu: a large box of Blood Condensation Pills, five thousand taels of silver, a property deed, and a uniform and waist token of a Martial Restraint Guard Platoon Commander. After stowing everything away, Huang Tian was about to go inspect his new residence when Luo Chan said excitedly, "Brother Huang, the courtyard assigned to me is in Zhenhua Ward, right on the way to yours. Why don't we head over together?" "Fine by me." The two left the government compound, strolling leisurely along the bustling streets. Carriages and horses flowed like dragons beneath an endless canopy of officials' umbrellas and scholars' hats. There were scholars in brocade robes holding folding fans; martial artists clad in form-fitting tunics with sabers and swords slung across their backs; modestly dressed, elegant women; and peddlers shouldering carrying poles along the thoroughfares. Row upon row, shop signs stood thick as trees, banners fluttering in the wind: wine taverns, teahouses, eateries, clothiers, rouge shops, weapon smithies, theaters, and entertainment houses... "It truly is bustling!" Having been cooped up in the Guard Academy for over twenty days, Luo Chan was in high spirits finally being able to step outside, his eyes dazzled by the sights all along the way. Huang Tian also felt at ease walking among the crowds, soaking in the leisurely, ancient ambiance. Before long, the two arrived before a compound. The residence occupied a vast tract of land, flanked by vermilion gates, above which hung a lintel bearing three large characters: *Qinghui Garden*. A young man dressed as a clerk stood at the entrance. Seeing the two approach, he stepped forward to greet them. "Are you Platoon Commander Huang?" Huang Tian nodded and drew the deed from his sleeve. The clerk glanced at it, returned it, and said with a smile, "Allow me to show you both inside and help you get acquainted with the property." With that, he pushed open the heavy main gates. A tall glazed screen wall immediately caught the eye, carved in relief with several clusters of bamboo. Before the screen sat a stone basin, where several fish swam leisurely in the clear water. Rounding the screen wall brought them into the first courtyard, flanked on either side by outer quarters. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, clean and austere. Passing through the outer courtyard, they reached the second courtyard, the main living quarters. After viewing the main hall and the east and west wing rooms, they proceeded into the third courtyard. Stepping inside, an airy tranquility fell over them, as if they had entered a private garden. Craggy artificial rockeries rose above a running stream, while a winding covered walkway followed the contours of the rocks and water, leading toward a hexagonal pavilion. By the corner of the wall near the pavilion stood several stalks of slender bamboo, a few plantain palms, and a red maple, complemented by seasonal blooms like winter jasmine and sweet osmanthus to ensure picturesque scenery throughout the four seasons. "This courtyard is truly magnificent!" Luo Chan felt a tinge of envy. As a Platoon Commander, he had also been allotted quarters, but his was only a single courtyard—a far cry from Qinghui Garden. After showing them around, the clerk took his leave. Luo Chan did not linger long either, departing after reminding Huang Tian not to forget the celebratory banquet tomorrow. Huang Tian agreed. Walking alone into a room in the main courtyard, he stored away the Blood Condensation Pills, silver banknotes, and property deed. Looking out at the elegant yet empty estate, he mused, *A place this large cannot be left unattended. It is time for a visit to the Huang Manor...* *** Just as Huang Tian was preparing to set out for the Huang Manor, news of his advancement to the eighth rank thoroughly spread through the Martial Restraint Guard's academy and offices, detonating like a thunderclap! At the Guard Academy's Drill Ground Xuan Three, the burly Instructor Xu grinned cheerfully as he addressed the assembly of martial students. "My eye for people has always been sharp. The very first time I laid eyes on Huang Tian, I knew he was no ordinary creature trapped in a shallow pond! "Sure enough, in a mere twenty days, he broke through to become an eighth-rank martial artist. His current strength might even surpass my own!" The martial students chimed in with laughter and flattering praise. After all, Instructor Xu had taught Huang Tian for a time and had shown him considerable favor, serving as an early backer who shared good ties with him. If Huang Tian became an influential figure in the future, Instructor Xu was bound to benefit immensely from that connection. Yet among the students, not everyone wore a smile. He Xu, who had once shared a dormitory with Huang Tian, had a face flushed bright red with sheer mortification. He felt that everyone was looking at him with bizarre glances—glances laden with ridicule, mockery, and pity. They had already been ostracizing him to varying degrees, but today, the moment the news of Huang Tian's breakthrough broke, He Xu felt like a pile of filth that everyone avoided at all costs. By contrast, Jiang Hou's circumstances were vastly superior. Instructor Xu treated him with warmth and kindness, and fellow students gathered round to flatter him. Though both had been Huang Tian's roommates, their fortunes were worlds apart. *Huang Tian!* At the thought of that name and that perpetually calm, aloof face, He Xu felt as if ants were gnawing at his heart—jealousy, hatred, and regret tangling together in an overwhelming surge of unspeakable misery. In Room Jia Six, Huang Rui lay in bed, struggling to swallow a cup of warm water. As it passed through his throat, it brought bursts of pain, making him scowl deeply with smoldering hatred. Suddenly, the door was shoved open, and a panic-stricken Huang Jian rushed in. Puzzled, Huang Rui asked in a barely audible rasp, "Aren't you supposed to be at the drill ground right now? Why did you come here?" Huang Jian stood before him, thoroughly distraught, clutching his hair with both hands. "A huge event happened today! None of the martial students across any of the drill grounds have the heart to train, and the instructors haven't bothered to stop them..." "What huge event?" "Huang Tian... Huang Tian, he..." "Speak clearly! What happened to him?!" "He broke through again!!" Huang Jian slumped dejectedly into a chair, exuding an air of despair and dread. Hearing that familiar name, Huang Rui shuddered. His eyes went wide, and frantic rasps forced their way from his throat. "What did you say?!" "Huang Tian broke through again—martial eighth rank!" Huang Jian repeated dully. Huang Rui was instantly stunned. It had only been ten days since he was beaten and injured, hadn't it? And Huang Tian had already achieved the second transformation of qi and blood? Was this even real?! *** Inside the Merit Registry Bureau at the government compound. Sitting in his office, listening to the murmurs of his colleagues outside and the admiration dripping from their words regarding Huang Tian's natural talent, Huang Qian wore a ghastly expression, his knuckles turning white. In truth, he had mentally prepared himself for Huang Tian eventually reaching the eighth rank. But even with that preparation, he had never imagined it would happen so fast, so abruptly! *Too fast! Far too fast!* It was fast enough to inspire genuine terror, fast enough to strip away any thought of resistance! Clenching his teeth in secret, he muttered a few words under his breath: "Huang Tian!"