Dusted and disheveled, Gao Chuwu was soon helped aside by Zheng Daniu. Head hung low, he sat under a large tree.

Watching Xing Honglang busily conducting deals with other villagers, everyone appeared joyful—only he remained unhappy.

Gao Chuwu drooped his head. “Daniu, I’m so weak.”

Zheng Daniu patted his shoulder. “We’re both about the same. You’re weak; I’m weak too.”

Gao Chuwu spoke. “I always thought I was the toughest in Gaojia Village—someone impressive. Never imagined women outside our village could be this strong…”

Zheng Daniu spread his hands. “Ah…I didn’t expect that either.”

At that moment, Cheng Xu stepped before him. “Do you know why you lost?”

Gao Chuwu shook his head.

Cheng Xu spoke. “The fist art that woman used is called Hong Fist. It originated during the Zhou and Qin dynasties, gained fame in the Tang and Song, and prevails in our current dynasty. Divided into many schools, her style is Jin Hong Fist—a formidable branch from Shanxi. Your country tricks aren’t fit to even carry shoes for Jin Hong Fist. Losing to her was inevitable.”

Gao Chuwu glanced up at Cheng Xu, resentment flickering in his eyes. “Instructor He, you promised last time to teach me martial arts. But these days you’ve only made me practice standing in queues and formations—not a single actual move.”

“Feeling wronged?” Cheng Xu grinned. “Good! Bitterness sharpens learning. Want to beat that woman?”

Gao Chuwu straightened. “Yes!”

“Good.” Cheng Xu chuckled. “Though Hong Fist is powerful, Jin Hong isn’t its strongest branch. The truly potent one is our Shaanxi Guanzhong Hong Fist. And by coincidence, I happen to know it. Wish to learn?”

Gao Chuwu beamed. “I want to learn!”

Zheng Daniu beamed too. “Me too!”

Cheng Xu waved them onward. “Then move! We’ll take the militia to Zhengjia Village. Train Hong Fist secretly, away from these people.” His voice lowered conspiratorially. “All of us will grow stronger in secret…then amaze everyone.”

The militia stirred into action. Forming a long serpentine formation, they jogged toward Zhengjia Village.

Li Daoxuan inwardly smiled. Excellent! This drive to improve…only this way can they grow strong enough to protect our little people.

He paused.

His gaze caught on a newcomer in the distant road construction team—a refugee calling himself Ground Rabbit. The man had stopped working, eyes locked on the spot where Xing Honglang and Gao Chuwu had fought earlier.

Zooming in, Li Daoxuan saw longing etched across Ground Rabbit’s face. “So good…” he murmured, envy thick in his voice. “Trained people really are different. If only I could be that strong…”

Thwack!

The Captain of the construction crew rapped his head sharply. “Newcomer! No slacking, or you forfeit your pay!”

“Oww!” Ground Rabbit clutched his head, turning quickly. “Working! Right away sir!”

The clamoring crowd gradually quieted. Villagers who had gathered for gossip about love stories dispersed. Only those wishing to sell goods to Xing Honglang still surrounded the salt smugglers.

Xing Hong retrieved her waist knife, reattaching it to her belt. Her eyes flickered toward Gao Chuwu—dirt-streaked and trotting away with the militia. She snorted softly then rubbed the knuckles of her right hand unobtrusively with her left.

Her fist ached. Damn that big lummox! Solid muscles. Beating him had rattled her own hand. A peasant with nothing but country moves, untrained in proper fist arts…if he ever learned a real system, she might be…

Xing Honglang felt immense pressure. Damnation! Men really do have natural advantages over women. I’ve trained relentlessly, yet even brute strength falls short against a true powerhouse.

As these thoughts roiled, Gao Yiye approached her, smiling warmly.

Xing Honglang rushed with pride. “So you’re the boss here?”

Gao Yiye shook her head. “No, not boss at all. Just an ordinary girl.”

She had just finished her modest reply when a villager approached her, “Saint Lady, my family is cooking braised pork tonight. We will prepare an extra bowl and bring it over to you at dinnertime.”

Gao Yiye responded, “Ah? How could I possibly impose?”

The villager chuckled, “Ah, these good days are all bestowed by the Deity. You are the Deity’s Saint Lady. Honoring you is honoring the Deity.”

Gao Yiye couldn’t refuse. The villager left cheerfully.

She turned back to Xing Honglang, her expression slightly awkward, “Ahem… well…”

Xing Honglang asked, “Is this Deity the boss of this village? Are you his woman?”

At these words, Gao Yiye’s face flushed crimson to the tips of her ears. What’s this! Calling me the Deity’s woman right away. This woman’s way of speaking is really… too… far too… far too much… that much… how delightful.

Seeing her expression, Xing Honglang thought: I guessed right. That Deity must be a ‘divine being’. This young girl is his woman. It seems this village isn’t a kind-hearted family either. Like us salt smugglers, they must be involved in gray operations.

Xing Honglang inquired, “What instructions does the Saint Lady have?”

Gao Yiye said, “The Deity sent me to discuss something with Miss Xing.”

Xing Honglang replied, “Please speak, I am all ears.”

Gao Yiye continued, “The Deity says that due to the great drought, it was difficult for people to survive. This has caused bandits to rise everywhere, and trade routes have been largely destroyed. The inability to circulate various goods is a very bad situation. Miss Xing, your ability to travel north and south continuing your business in these troubled times makes you an extraordinary person.”

Xing Honglang smiled. Praising me, eh? Looks like he needs a favor from me. Let’s hear what he wants.

Gao Yiye relayed, “The Deity says that every time Miss Xing arrives, you re-energize Gaojia Village. Therefore, he hopes you can come here frequently, and take more goods.”

Xing Honglang understood now. This ‘Deity’ just wants merchants to come often. Nothing strange about that. The salt merchant I used to buy from also wanted me to come for goods frequently. But…

Why should I? Why should this lady buy from you every time? There needs to be a proper reason.

As she thought this, she heard Gao Yiye say with a smile, “The Deity says that from now on, whatever quantity of goods you purchase from the villagers, he will secretly give you an extra rebate of ten percent.”

Hearing this, Xing Honglang was momentarily stunned, “A rebate?”

Gao Yiye nodded, “That means, if you buy one hundred jin of sugar from the villagers, the Deity will privately give you an extra ten jin.”

These words struck Xing Honglang, filling her with immense joy.

The goods she already got from Gaojia Village were cheap. Now, to learn she could get an extra ten percent for free? Damn, that’s like a pie falling from the sky!

But…

Why?

Why would this Deity do such a thing? What relation does it have to him, me taking goods from these villagers? Just to get me to come back, he takes such a big loss? What benefit could that possibly bring him?