NABC Chapter 9 Investigation
Chapter 9 Investigation
Strength +1, Agility +1, Spirit +1. Feng Xiu knew that the intuitive numerical display would make him stronger.
But overall, it wasn't as transformative as he had imagined.
"Is the improvement from 0 to 1 due to excessively high life strength, thus overriding changes in other attributes?"
As he thought about it, Feng Xiu took another step forward, his waist sinking, and the power rose from his legs, rotating his hips and shoulders, all while coordinating with a rhythmic breathing.
He casually threw a punch, and a clean, muffled air explosion rang out.
After finishing, Feng Xiu looked down at his hands and fell into deep thought.
"My overall blood circulation and the strength in my core and hips have definitely improved significantly."
"Moreover, this technique of generating power is very similar to the whip-like effect used by athletes in my previous life. In martial arts, would it mean integrating it into one's instincts?"
The whiplash effect sounds sophisticated, but it's actually a process of continuous force transmission through the legs, hips, core muscles, breathing, and exertion.
Like a powerful smash in badminton, a powerful flick in table tennis, or a wrist snap in a standard basketball shot.
And the most typical example, javelin throwing, is an application of the whiplash effect.
"No wonder you have to get rid of stiffness in your body before practicing martial arts; people with poor coordination really can't learn it."
Feng Xiu suddenly realized something, and after making a brief self-assessment, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
Martial arts training involves refining the body, muscles, bones, and skin, progressing step by step. However, the Five Strengths Fist encompasses all four stages of this cultivation.
With constant practice, the boxing techniques remained fresh and new. By persisting, he gained new insights each time he practiced. To be honest, Feng Xiu had truly fallen in love with cultivation.
The sweat running down his face, the smell of sweat mixed with the effort of growing up, was especially captivating to him.
Immediately afterwards, Feng Xiu loosened his muscles and bones.
Suddenly, a crackling sound, like popping beans, came from his body as he walked towards Uncle Zheng under the covered walkway.
"Duke Zheng".
"Young Master."
Zheng Bo had a towel draped over his right arm and handed it to Feng Xiu, who wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.
He was so engrossed in practicing his skills that he didn't notice that Uncle Zheng had been there for quite some time. When he finally looked at him, he saw that the old man had a worried expression on his face.
"Uncle Zheng, what's wrong? Is there any problem with Bailiu Village?" Feng Xiu asked.
Currently, even after Feng Ao pointed out what Feng Xiu should do, Feng Xiu did not listen.
He always felt things weren't that bad.
"Now that grain prices in the city are showing signs of rising, and the River Law Office is completely inactive, although there has been no outbreak in Bailiu Village, public opinion is hard to predict."
Zheng Bo remained silent for a while.
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiu frowned deeply.
"I'll figure something out. I'll find some time to go to Tangku and see what the River Law Enforcement Bureau is up to!"
Feng Xiu would not use the镖队 (bodyguard team) to suppress bloodshed unless absolutely necessary.
Ultimately, all the tenants wanted was water.
Go back five hundred years, whose ancestors didn't toil in the fields for food?
After listening, Zheng Bo nodded, then remembered the important matter and solemnly reported to his superior.
"Young Master, we've made progress on the matter you asked me to investigate."
Feng Xiu paused, wiping his sweat, and looked at him, his expression suddenly changing. "What do you mean?"
Uncle Zheng stepped forward. "Regarding Su Wantang, this old servant has ordered people to investigate her carefully. This woman... seems rather strange."
"How strange? How so?" Feng Xiu asked in surprise.
Zheng Bo paused slightly, as if organizing his thoughts, and a hint of doubt replaced the composure on his face.
"She did sign a contract with Xianghua Pavilion, but I managed to get a glimpse of the contents through connections, and it wasn't a typical contract for a prostitute to sell herself into servitude."
"It's more like a business partnership agreement; her autonomy within the cabinet is astonishing."
"She chooses her clients independently; she sells her art, not her body?" Feng Xiu raised an eyebrow.
Fragrant Flower Pavilion is a place of pleasure, and in such a place that devours people without spitting out their bones, the concept of selling art without selling one's body will never exist.
As long as the money is right, even a madam can become a guest of pleasure.
"Not entirely. This woman is skilled in all kinds of music, including the zither and Southern opera. She is very popular with many wealthy families in the city. One wealthy family offered five hundred taels of silver to redeem her, but Xianghualou refused."
"At the private appreciation party that night, Liu Wenjun and his buddies kept whispering in the Second Young Master's ear all night, saying how good and rare this woman was."
As Zheng Bo finished speaking, his face unconsciously darkened.
"When the second young master offered two hundred taels, she immediately told her mother to put down the hammer, and afterwards, she only agreed to entertain the second young master."
Feng Xiu pondered for a moment, then said, "Uncle Zheng, there are too many strange things. It's normal for courtesans to wait for a high price, but to only entertain Shou Zhuo, then this isn't about making money."
"Young Master, you say this is a setup?" Zheng Bo understood. "But the Feng family is not a minor clan..."
He had considered the possibility that Su Wantang was part of the scheme, specifically targeting Feng Shouzhuo.
However, this idea is not realistic. You have to know that the Feng family is not a small family. Their strength is not weak.
Has Su Wantang lost her mind to provoke a three-generation family?
"Precisely because the Feng family is not a small clan, they may be her target." Feng Xiu interrupted, his voice turning cold.
"If it's just about money, there are plenty of other options. But what if she's after an easily controllable member of a powerful family?"
"Besides, with all that little bit of savings and pocket money, is this all you're after?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Bo fell into deep thought, recalling that he had encountered a similar situation in his younger days.
They just didn't think about it that way. What family would set up a scheme to turn a member of a family into something neither human nor ghost using the art of sexual cultivation?
"Uncle Zheng, are you sure she's a refugee?" Feng Xiu asked again.
"Confirmed. Su Wantang said it herself. She was born in Jinzhou and had no one to rely on," Zheng Bo replied, regaining his composure.
"That settles it then. What right does a mere courtesan have to defy Mother?"
From every angle, Feng Xiu could not explain Su Wantang's actions.
Conversely, besides their grain business, the Feng family owned three farms, ten restaurants, nine corner shops, and six streets.
What could possibly be worth such a huge sacrifice, even to the point of losing one's innocence?
Surely they couldn't be after me, their eldest son?
"By the way, how's Shouzhuo doing lately? Is he feeling any better?"
"The second young master is still thin. Besides not having any appetite, he still keeps asking to see Su Wantang."
"Okay, let's lock him up for a while."
"Never mind," he rubbed his temples, suppressing the thought, "I'll make a note of this for now and talk to Uncle Zhou about it later."
In the past few days, the relationship between Zhou Gang and Feng Xiu has improved rapidly. The debt of passing on his knowledge has always carried a sense of master-disciple affection.
Zhou Gang has power and influence; if you explain things properly, he probably won't refuse.
All those ingenious schemes and seductive traps are futile against Zhou Gang's strength, which is enough to cut through stone and iron.
The principle of "one force can overcome ten techniques" is very simple.
However, Feng Xiu also understood that if the other party really dared to attack the Feng family, they could disregard the combined martial prowess of Feng Ao and Zhou Gang.
But behind them, there might very well be their own "force."