```

The reception hall was bustling with maids attending to Old Master Zhao and his two disciples standing behind him.

The two disciples, one male and one female, both appeared to be about the same age as Song Cheng.

As Song Cheng approached, Old Master Zhao stood up and, with a clasped hands salute, said, "Younger Brother Song, my sudden visit is indeed presumptuous!"

Song Cheng smiled and replied, "Your visit graces my humble abode."

While speaking, he gently turned to the maid in charge of greeting and said, "If the president is available, ask her to join us."

The maid acknowledged with a reply and turned to leave.

Old Master Zhao also said, "Xiaohua, Xiaojun, you two wait outside for now; I have some matters to discuss with Younger Brother Song."

The two young martial artists looked at "Younger Brother Song" with a bit of speechlessness, but still bowed and exited to the doorway.

Inside the room, it quickly became quiet.

Old Master Zhao leaned in with an intense gaze and asked Song Cheng, "This Ghost Tide has lasted a full forty days... Younger Brother Song, what do you make of it?"

Song Cheng replied, "We're heading towards a major incident."

Old Master Zhao went straight to the point, "Good! Younger Brother Song is a man of understanding, so I'll just ask directly, what do you... and President An plan to do?"

Song Cheng smiled and asked, "Elder brother wishes to join hands?"

Old Master Zhao narrowed his eyes and after a moment, said, "Indeed, that's the intention."

No one was a fool; during the Ghost Tide's siege, the most anyone worried about were the spirits, but once the Ghost Tide receded, it was time to guard against human calamity.

The duration of this Ghost Tide exceeded the last historical record by more than tenfold, and its scale could only be imagined.

And the last Ghost Tide, which occurred decades ago, lasted merely three days before the Northern Barbarians moved southward, leading to a fierce slaughter...

This time it lasted forty days, and no one could imagine what would come next.

Moreover, with the winter wheat they should have tended to half a year ago completely destroyed, and the failure to plant the spring rice in time for the rains, things were even more disastrous.

Could they survive on the stored grains for a second year?

Song Cheng asked, "Then are you willing to leave?"

Old Master Zhao understood his implication; if the Northern Barbarians moved southward, Six Towns would be the first to bear the brunt, and the ripple effects could devastate the surrounding counties, with Hanping Prefecture directly in the line of fire...

To evade the danger, naturally, one would have to flee.

Most of the martial arts halls to the south of Shanghe County had deep roots here; for them to leave would require great courage.

Old Master Zhao said indignantly, "Let those who want to leave do so, and those who don't can stay behind!"

Having said that, he looked up at Song Cheng and continued, "Younger Brother Song, what we old folks wish for the most is the stability and continuation of our descendants and our heritage.

But in chaotic times, such things are hard to protect.

We don't know many of the esteemed experts, but Younger Brother Song, we all respect and are convinced by you; we all feel that you are definitely a person of great importance.

So, once the Ghost Tide ended, I came right here to ask what your and President An's plans are, so that we may follow suit."

Song Cheng asked, "Old Master Zhao, have all of your schools agreed?"

Old Master Zhao replied, "Of the nine martial arts halls to the south of the city, the five with masters who've reached the level of 'Jin' and the four that haven't. Four 'Jin'-level schools and three non-'Jin' schools agree to leave, seven in total."

Song Cheng thought for a moment and said, "There are plans, but we cannot leave just yet."

Old Master Zhao nodded and said, "I understand. The Baojia system was those people's rule, designed to prevent you from leaving recklessly.

If such a large force of us were to relocate, they would surely send someone to deal with it.

White Camel Estate, Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple, Shanhe Martial Arts Hall..."

As Old Master Zhao muttered these three names, it was clear he also knew the real power structure of this region.

Song Cheng said, "Old Master Zhao, if you trust my word, you can wait a while longer."

The old master said solemnly, "We shall swear a blood oath to advance and retreat together, or suffer death."

No sooner had the words fallen than a cold female voice came from outside the door, "I'll do it."

Old Master Zhao looked up and saw an icy, crystal-clear woman stride in from outside.

An Chenyu took a seat beside Song Cheng, both of them turning to Old Master Zhao and said together, "We can swear a blood oath, Old Master Zhao."

Old Master Zhao mulled it over for a moment and said, "That's fine..."

He then scratched his head and asked, "President An, between you and Younger Brother Song, who's in charge?

He meant to ask who ranked higher between them.

Before An Chenyu could speak, Song Cheng immediately smiled and said, "She's in charge."

Miss An was taken aback.

Old Master Zhao was surprised too but quickly stood up and saluted her, saying, "A couple in harmony, I admire that."

An Chenyu said, "The rain has passed, and the gardens are in full bloom, making today a good day for a blood oath, don't you think?"

Old Master Zhao replied, "Let's make it tomorrow, I shall bring the other six martial arts hall masters with me.

Then, the nine of us will swear a blood oath to advance and retreat together, with violators suffering death.

Afterward, our seven houses will be following Miss An...

But first, Miss An, you should have a detailed discussion with this old man about your plans."

An Chenyu smiled and said, "Alright."

As she said this, she clapped her hands; Ling then walked in from outside, bringing a pile of maps and documents with her.

Old Master Zhao was startled upon seeing them, and thinking back to Song Cheng's recent frequent visits and the fat-steamed buns sent the day before, suddenly realized, "Very good, it's like angling with one's sleeves rolled up, waiting for the fish to bite, isn't it?"

An Chenyu laughed and said, "Not quite, it's just that in chaotic times, everyone needs to stick together for warmth."

Old Master Zhao stroked his beard, waved his hand, and laughed heartily, "I didn't mean it that way, just expressing my admiration. You, young lady, have profound wisdom and strategy, and Younger Brother Song is outstanding. Following you both puts this old man's mind completely at ease."

...

...

Late at night.

Before dawn.

The entire Ruyi Commerce Chamber was still bustling with activity, with An Chenyu issuing complex commands in a frigid tone, making all sorts of arrangements.

Song Cheng briefly listened and felt his head swell.

```

There were matters of donating to the canal supervisor's work, of handing over the An Family's assets, of purchasing cattle, sheep, and demon beasts, of handling internal family conflicts and making pre-arranged plans, of sorting out the influence of officials in the new location, of scrutinizing intelligence reports from afar, of exchanging silver notes and jewelry for cash, and so on...

Too many to count.

Tonight, he was to sleep with Miss An.

But it seemed Miss An was in no state to sleep at all tonight.

So, he stood alone in the courtyard, leaning on his sword as if lost in contemplation, occasionally striking out with slashes, each as swift as thunder and as deceptive as a venomous serpent.

In the darkness, he pulled off the black cloth; as the Ghost Tide receded, his pupils, shrunken to the size of beans, slowly dilated again, stabilizing. His vision settled at around six to seven hundred degrees of nearsightedness, but it was manageable.

Before dawn...

At last, An Chenyu finished her hectic tasks, dragging her exhausted body back to the inner courtyard with a troubled heart, for all the arrangements she made were fraught with uncertainty.

Yet, that turmoil settled somewhat at the sight of the young man in the courtyard.

Her cool cheeks broke into a shallow smile, and with a teasing tone, she spoke, "Song, you've been busy too?"

Song Cheng replied, "With you handling so many things, I have to do something myself."

The young man straightened up, took a couple of steps forward, and then, with a casual tone, asked, "Sister An, I have a new move. Would you like to see it?"

An Chenyu responded, "You've made progress again? Impressive."

After saying this, she crossed her arms and leaned against the arch of the full moon gate, smiling, "Let's see it."

Song Cheng smiled as well.

Through their time together, he came to understand An Chenyu better and better. If Madam Tong needed his protection in this Chaotic World, then... An Chenyu was the one who would fight shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Because the many things An Chenyu did, he truly could not do.

Well...

It wasn't that he couldn't do them.

But if he were to do them, he would have to pour all his energy into them, spend all day thinking about them, all day pondering over complex interpersonal relationships.

He resisted this internally.

Thus, An Chenyu filled this gap, complementing the areas where he was lacking.

Similarly, he fulfilled the areas where An Chenyu fell short.

So, in this moment, he decided to give his woman a glimpse of his hand, to let her know exactly what strength he held, so she wouldn't make the wrong decisions at critical moments.

With his mind made up, he took a step forward, the black cloth covering his eyes rustling in the pre-dawn wind. His right hand lightly caressed the hilt, and the robust Gang Qi, born from the perfection of the Four Forms, surged into the blade as naturally as a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

The suppressed hum resonated in the scabbard as if thunder were trapped inside a bag.

A faint mist-like vital energy violently swirled around the young man, extending an inch from his skin, even causing his hair to whip madly without wind.

Shh...

As the sword left its sheath with a slash into the void, An Chenyu saw a golden dragon, plunging from the depths of tumultuous dark clouds.

The air in the entire courtyard seemed to be propelled by his sword stroke, whipping up a fierce wind that directed thousands of leaves and petals in its wake.

An Chenyu's hairpin fell from her hairdo, and her ink-black hair danced in the wind.

For a moment, she was spellbound.

But in the blink of an eye...

The young man slowly sheathed his sword.

All things settled back into place.

An Chenyu looked up at the green leaves being swept into the sky by the whirlwind and it took her a long time to lower her gaze, observing the familiar yet strange, powerful young man from afar.

Her lips pursed gently, revealing a relieved smile.

Her own martial arts were not high, but she knew the goods when she saw them.

What's a merchant if not with good judgement?

"Pfft."

Miss An laughed out loud, the first time she laughed so heartily.

Song Cheng laughed too.

Together, they headed inside the house.

Miss An playfully punched him with her fist and said, "You should have said something earlier!"

Song Cheng just smiled.

An Chenyu thought for a moment, then leaned in close and whispered, "Today Old Master Zhao asked who was in charge, and you said it was me. Are you resentful?"

"Resentful about what?" Song Cheng asked.

An Chenyu's expressive eyes twinkled, revealing a rare glimpse of her girlish side, "If you want to be on top, it's not impossible."

The air grew quiet...

And then it ignited.

...

...

The next day, the masters of seven Martial Arts Halls from the south of the city arrived at the Ruyi Commerce Chamber to pledge a blood oath with Song Cheng and An Chenyu, agreeing to move together in this Chaotic World.

In truth... this brought the strength of seven Martial Arts Halls to the Ruyi Commerce Chamber.

...

...

Several days passed.

A fast horse rushed into Hanping Prefecture with a letter, making its way to the An Family.

The courier hurriedly handed the letter to the "lady pondering over which son-in-law to choose for the young lady."

The lady was the eldest son's biological mother; as for An Chenyu's own mother, she had passed away early.

Taking the letter with a nonchalant attitude at first, she snapped to attention when she saw it was from Shanghe County, her eyes flashing with a keen light. She tore open the envelope, drew out the letter, and read through it.

The more she read, the paler her face grew.

Upon reaching the last word, she slammed her palm down on the table, her eyes seething with rage, her face twisted with fury as she bellowed, "To marry without notification! This is outright rebellion!!"

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