Three days later...

Fine weather.

In this period, An Ran remained unharmed.

After the attack of the Ghost Servants four days ago, all was completely quiet.

At noon, Song Cheng returned from the east city wall, passed through an area where the wounded were settled, and saw Madam Tong attentively looking over the injured with the town's original physician by her side.

Ying followed closely behind Madam Tong, a sword in her embrace.

And all those who had been treated continuously thanked Madam Tong.

Song Cheng leaned against an old tree and revealed a smile.

He wasn't particularly kind-hearted, could be utilitarian, could be ruthless.

But seeing Madam Tong doing good deeds made him quite happy.

Kindness is always a precious quality.

Anyone would certainly hope that the people around them are kind.

It was at that moment, Song Cheng suddenly felt the approach of footsteps coming his way from afar.

The youth turned around and saw a number.

[Strength: 24~40]

[Favorability: 90]

On a closer look, it was a fat man dressed in official attire, exuding a sense of authority.

It was County Captain Ouyang.

County Captain Ouyang, from a distance, had already folded his hands in advance.

Song Cheng had a clear understanding: that night, when he rushed to aid the north city, the captain hadn't recognized him, but these past few days the captain must have learned of it.

The youth also clasped his hands and went over to meet him.

The two approached each other.

County Captain Ouyang gave a salute and repeatedly exclaimed, "A hero emerges from the youth, remarkable, truly remarkable!"

Song Cheng politely said, "I'm not even close to half of what County Captain Ouyang is."

County Captain Ouyang was stunned.

The two looked at each other.

Then, they burst into hearty laughter together.

County Captain Ouyang smacked his lips and said, "When I met Brother Song that day, how did I fail to realize that Brother Song was quite the remarkable man."

Song Cheng, now with money in his pocket since his union with An Chenyu, felt confident enough to treat others and said with a smile, "Then... how about we drink two jars together?"

"Jars?" County Captain Ouyang was excited. He had long been tired of hearing the phrase "have a couple of drinks" from the wealthy.

Song Cheng assuredly said, "Jars."

"Good! There's been no rain in recent days, and now it's daytime, we should be unoccupied! It's the perfect moment to have a grand drink with Brother Song," said County Captain Ouyang with a smile.

Afterward, the two headed to a tavern in town together.

During the city lockdown, taverns were actually in a semi-closed state, with doors typically shut and transactions being done by "passing cooked food through a window."

But the tavern doors would not be kept shut for County Captain Ouyang.

As County Captain Ouyang stood at the entrance, the firmly closed doors opened as if by magic.

The two were invited into a private room.

The chef cooked, and the waiter delivered wine.

Yet compared to County Captain Ouyang, whether it was the chef, the proprietor, or the waiter, their gaze lingered more on the youth.

Who was the charismatic figure of this period?

None surpassed the son-in-law living with his wife's family from the Ruyi Commerce Chamber An Family.

At first, those who received the initial marriage certification and had a gloomy-faced old wife were too shocked to know what to say;

Thinking Song Cheng was just a puppet-like steward or similar, it was hard to believe...

On the street, people had various thoughts, the most popular being stories of "beauties and heroes."

The hero becomes a son-in-law living with his wife's family for the sake of a beauty.

The beauty hastily holds a wedding for the hero amidst the encirclement of the Ghost Tide.

As for Madam Tong, the rumors were even more exaggerated; some said she was the long-lost younger sister of President An, and others invented melodramatic plots...

People discussed these without malice, rather out of affection.

Song Cheng defended the city, single-handedly turned the tide on that stormy night; Madam Tong bustled about, saving lives with her medical skills; Miss An both defended the city and donated grain...

Who wouldn't like these three things?

All of these were what Song Cheng was pleased to see happen.

"Hide six reveal four," the four that were revealed naturally included gaining status and reputation as part of it.

The incident with the Extreme Joy World made him fully understand that "one cannot survive by hiding away in the mountains."

If that's the case, then he might as well hide in plain sight.

In the private room...

The jar of wine was quickly brought to the table.

Without saying anything, each filled their cups, one cup after another, they downed three in a row.

Drinking, if forced by vigor, could indeed bring out the intoxication, but even without forcing, one could still get drunk.

After the three cups, both of them relaxed a little.

The County Captain said, "Brother Song, my surname is Ouyang, given name Fei. I'm a few years older than you, so if I may be so bold as to call myself your elder brother, would that be alright?"

Song Cheng looked at the plump County Captain, who was at least ten years his senior, and smiled, "Of course, Brother Ouyang."

Ouyang Fei said, "Although the Ghost Tide is fierce and extensive this year, it is bound to retreat sooner or later. I wonder, what are Brother Song's plans after it recedes?"

Song Cheng replied, "I am a son-in-law living with the An family, so I plan to stick with the An Family."

The corner of Ouyang Fei's mouth twitched into a smile as he said, "A hero finds it hard to surmount the entanglement of a beauty."

Song Cheng filled his cup with wine and laughed in agreement, "Isn't that the truth?"

They laughed together, then drained their cups once more.

The waiter knocked on the door and brought in hot dishes before departing again.

The two men interspersed their talk with drinking, and quickly, a jug of strong wine was emptied.

Ouyang Fei immediately slapped the table for a second jug, filled Song Cheng's cup, and then in what seemed like a very casual tone said, "I am an inner disciple of the White Camel Estate. And you, Brother Song?"

Song Cheng replied, "If I had no background, would Brother Ouyang no longer acknowledge me as a brother?"

Ouyang Fei was startled, then with the courage furnished by the wine, he slammed the table and bellowed, "Nonsense! Is that how a person acts?

Apart from anything else, Brother Song, you truly saved my life that night.

I, Ouyang Fei, am someone who mingles in the Martial Arts World. I will not forget the grace of being saved."

Having said this, he spoke in a softer voice, "What I mean is, if Brother Song has no backing, why not let me recommend you to White Camel Estate? With Brother Song's talents, you will surely be noticed and taken as a disciple by the sect's elders or even the Estate Master.

I... have inquired, Brother Song's White Snake Force is tricky, and Ruyi Commerce Chamber's Willow Brushing Force is nimble; these are compatible with the martial arts of our White Camel Estate.

Brother Song studying our sect's cultivation technique would be a seamless transition with no issues at all.

As for me, I get to claim the merit of recommending a talent, and at the same time, repay the lifesaving grace I owe Brother Song, plus there's another aspect..."

Ouyang Fei suddenly fell silent, his eyes narrowing as if he was being extremely cautious, therefore weighing his words carefully.

The two of them drank another round.

Ouyang Fei finally spoke slowly, "Ten Thousand Taels."

Song Cheng didn't even look at Ouyang Fei; he just picked up some food with his chopsticks and naturally put it in his mouth.

Ouyang Fei raised his eyebrows and firmly said, "It's a misunderstanding."

After saying this, he leaned back, carelessly saying, "And you can save Five Thousand Taels as well, since that was Shi Yi's affair. Shi Yi is already dead; how could we implicate Brother Song's Ruyi Commerce Chamber in it?

To be honest, the County Magistrate and I are not in a rush to use money, and we don't want to extort it from a brother.

How about we exchange it for a good relationship instead?"

Song Cheng topped up his glass and said, "Good."

He felt somewhat moved in his heart.

Indeed, if you hide too much, people will take advantage of you.

Show a little bit of your capabilities, and you will be esteemed. Many things that once seemed troublesome will be easily resolved.

Just like climbing a building: many things at the bottom that can't be dealt with and require you to carve out a bloody path, when you climb higher, become nothing at all. Not only do they become nothing, you might even find people willing to help you, making your troubles no longer troublesome.

Originally, he had thought to meet with the County Magistrate in a few days after he had gained some strength, but who would have thought that there was no need for discussion at all?

He had strength, potential, and had given goodwill; this was Ouyang Fei giving back tribute for the peaches.

Ouyang Fei, seeing Song Cheng be so decisive, was first taken aback, then overjoyed, laughing, "Good, good, good! Good, good, good!"

He repeated the word "good" six times and suddenly stood up, saying, "Come, Brother Song, let's go drink somewhere else."

Song Cheng laughed and replied, "I'll follow Brother Ouyang's lead."

Ouyang Fei leaned in close, his chubby face beaming with a grin, "Mainly because we'll bring someone else along."

As he spoke, he clicked his tongue and gestured with a tilt of his head, "Let's go to the County Magistrate's Mansion, and bring the County Magistrate along for the drink."

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