Chapter Twenty-Two: Stripping the Goose of Its Feathers? Clearly Making the Most of Every Resource

Is this cultivation method really that effective? A single manual can make someone risk their life?

Zhao Ang was somewhat bewildered. It seemed cultivation manuals were extremely important in this world!

Should he find a way to get more copies from the old master?

With that thought in mind, Zhao Ang’s gaze brightened as he looked at the steward.

Seemingly sensing Zhao Ang’s intentions, the steward smiled knowingly.

“Young master, the prince will be heading to the library soon. I shall take my leave first.”

The library? That must have plenty of cultivation manuals, right?

Noting it down, Zhao Ang nodded.

After the steward left, he turned to Liu Yu, who was kneeling.

“Alright, get up. Since the old master gave you this manual, practice it diligently.”

“Yes, young master. I will return to the courtyard to train.”

Liu Yu stood, her heart brimming with eagerness.

Zhao Ang naturally would not stop her, but practicing this fist technique required more than just posture.

“Fugui, arrange for a training ground to be set up in Liu Yu’s courtyard.”

“Yes, young master!”

Fugui hurried out. After they left, Zhao Ang realized he needed to have a talk with the old master.

At the very least, the old master should prepare a couple more manuals for him, right?

“Already here? Sit down.”

The old prince seemed to have anticipated his arrival; tea and snacks were prepared on the table.

“You knew I was coming?”

Casually sitting on the stone bench, Zhao Ang picked up a pastry and popped it into his mouth.

“Of course. Not only did I know you’d come, I also knew why!”

Filling the teacup before him, the old prince pulled several manuals from nearby.

“Swordsmanship, boxing, whip techniques—all you want, take your pick!”

“Old master, are you a walking library of cultivation manuals?”

Ignoring the pastry in his hand, he wiped his mouth and skillfully caught the manuals as they were handed to him.

However… though these manuals were fine, none seemed suitable for him…

“Nothing caught your eye?”

The old prince smiled slyly, like a cunning fox.

“No, do you have anything better?”

Setting the manuals down, Zhao Ang felt embarrassed. None could compare to the “Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic.”

“I figured you wouldn’t be interested in those,” the old prince said knowingly. “But…”

He circled around and lightly pinched Zhao Ang’s bone structure, then continued.

“Although I don’t know where the cultivation method you possess originated, there might be matching manuals in the library.”

“Really?”

Zhao Ang grew excited. If there were manuals compatible with the “Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic,” he definitely wanted to learn them.

“Then why not take me there?”

“No,” the old prince waved a finger. “I can’t take you to the library. You have to go yourself!”

Alright, even a fool could see the old prince was dangling a carrot.

“Fine, I get it. I guess I have to control the Black Tiger Army before I can go?”

“That’s right! As expected of your grandfather’s grandson, you’re sharp!”

The old prince confirmed Zhao Ang’s guess—it was clearly a promise meant to entice him.

“Alright, I understand.”

Actually, he didn’t need prodding; Zhao Ang planned to bring the Black Tiger Army under his command anyway.

Although these manuals weren’t suitable for him now, they could be kept for future use.

Perhaps next time he encountered another Liu Yu type, one manual might just save a life.

Thankfully, the old prince understood Zhao Ang’s thoughts; otherwise, he would scold him for wasting such treasures.

Any of these manuals alone could be worth a small noble family risking their entire lineage to seize.

Trading one manual for one life was hardly a fair bargain!

“The young master’s habit of picking every little thing is just like you, old prince!”

Watching Zhao Ang leave with all the manuals, the steward couldn’t help but sigh.

When their eyes met, he quickly fell silent.

“I spoke out of turn and should be punished!”

“Enough. There’s no need to be so cautious around me.”

The old prince muttered, shaking his head. This wasn’t mere picking at scraps; it was making the most of resources.

“You’re back, young master! Come quickly and see the training ground I set up for Miss Liu!”

Seeing Zhao Ang, Fugui approached excitedly, eager to take credit.

“So soon?”

Zhao Ang was surprised; the efficiency was impressive.

“This is slow compared to when my father orders such things! Then it’s even faster!”

The servants of the Southern Town Prince’s mansion were experienced in building training grounds—their lord earned his title on horseback, after all.

Besides, the warehouse was well stocked with everything needed; they simply moved it out and set it up.

“Alright, I’ll go have a look.”

Putting the manuals in the study’s cabinet, Zhao Ang went to Liu Yu’s courtyard.

To be honest, the training ground was quite well built.

Except… Liu Yu was practicing fist techniques, so the swords, axes, and spears wouldn’t be used.

And the whip—pink in color—looked hardly serious!

“Young master, I thought training only fists might be dull.”

“With these things, if Miss Liu gets bored, she can play around a bit.”

Hearing Fugui’s words, an image suddenly appeared in Zhao Ang’s mind—Liu Yu wielding that pink whip.

Tsk, the picture was too beautiful; he didn’t dare imagine it.

“Your servant greets the young master!”

Just as he was lost in thought, Liu Yu knelt before him again.

The allure of cultivation manuals was truly formidable, though he was a bit unaccustomed to it.

“Alright, no need to be so formal as before!”

Helping Liu Yu up, Zhao Ang added, “I hired you as a guard, not as a servant!”

Does it make a difference? Liu Yu was puzzled.

But Zhao Ang’s insistence suited her well—it was tiring to bow so frequently.

Besides, she wanted to spend more time practicing, not kneeling.

“Then I’ll go train now?”

“Mm.”

With Zhao Ang’s permission, Liu Yu stood and prepared to leave.

Watching her fierce display of the fist technique, Zhao Ang stroked his chin.

Her punching strength seemed stronger than before; hitting him must hurt more… no, it should help unblock his meridians better.

“Fugui, do you remember those few sets of medicine I asked you to get?”

“Of course! It’s engraved in my heart!”

Fugui patted his chest and glanced at Zhao Ang with a sly smile.

“Young master, you need them tonight?”

“Yes. Bring them here and leave them in Liu Yu’s courtyard.”

Seeing Fugui’s expression, Zhao Ang knew he had misunderstood again.

Let misunderstandings be; he didn’t mind them.

Though the Southern Town Prince’s mansion had been inspected, what if a few bugs were missed?

Time flew, and night fell again in the blink of an eye.

Fugui stood at the courtyard gate, his expression as solemn as at the Jade Green Pavilion earlier.

Listening to the sounds inside, he comforted himself.

“The young master hasn’t practiced in days. It’s only natural that he’s more intense now!”

“Put your strength into it!”

Zhao Ang gritted his teeth, veins bulging, sweat falling like raindrops.

“Yes, young master!”

Liu Yu threw a punch, secretly adding internal force. Zhao Ang cried out in pain.

“Ah!!”