At the age of eight, he impersonated the orphan of a military officer and went to the martial world.

Chapter 27 A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it in a proper way.

Although his lifespan had shrunk to just over two years in an instant, a strong sense of weakness, accompanied by dizziness from depleted blood and qi, swept over Zhang Yuan, but his heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of exhilaration and power!

This is the power that truly belongs to oneself, the solid foundation on the path to becoming a strong person!

"Young Master, the medicine is ready, the water temperature is just right..."

The study door was gently pushed open, and Zhang Gu entered carrying a steaming basin of medicine. Before he could finish speaking, he saw Zhang Yuan's pale face and cold sweat on his forehead, and was immediately shocked.

"Young Master! What's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Did you hurt yourself practicing too hard? Quick, stop sitting there and go soak in some medicinal soup!"

Zhang Gu's voice trembled with heartache. He quickly put down the medicine basin and went to help Zhang Yuan.

He assumed that the young master had been practicing too hard and had damaged his vital energy.

Zhang Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing the weakness in his body, and forced a smile. His voice was a little hoarse: "Don't worry, Master Gu. I had some insights while practicing, which made me a little exhausted. I'll be fine after soaking in the medicinal soup."

He did not explain the matter of lifespan, as it was too shocking.

With Zhang Gu's help, Zhang Yuan immersed himself in the boiling, thick medicinal soup.

This time, the burning, numbness, and itching caused by the medicine seemed even more intense, frantically stimulating his body, which was exceptionally "hungry" due to the depletion of his lifespan.

【Ding! 】

[Absorbing high-quality "Body Tempering Elixir" (infused with the essence of some top-grade mortal-level spiritual herbs), the medicinal power is being absorbed... Tempering muscles, bones, skin, and membranes...]

[Significantly replenished Qi and blood... Lifespan increased by 25 days!]

[Current lifespan remaining: 2 years and 306 days!]

Twenty-five days!

It is several times more effective than ordinary decoctions!

Zhang Yuan's spirits lifted; although it was a drop in the ocean, it was better than nothing.

He immediately focused his mind and fully activated the Wild Bull Fist technique and the newly comprehended Rock Qi Qi guiding method to direct the medicinal power to repair the deficiency and nourish his muscles and bones.

Under the influence of the heat and the medicine, the pale face finally regained some color.

……

The next morning.

Zhang Yuan still felt a lingering sense of weakness, but his spirits had mostly recovered.

Today was the day for revising the document, and Zhang Yuan arrived at the Chen residence on time.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, Chen Yurong, who was waiting under the eaves, greeted me with a smile.

Today she was wearing a light green dress, which made her skin look even whiter. Her bright eyes looked at Zhang Yuan with undisguised curiosity and a hint of admiration.

"Qingyang! You've finally arrived!" Her voice was clear and bright. "Tell me quickly, yesterday at the Li family's house, did you really kill a big yellow ox with your bare hands?"

"Three punches? The news's going viral! Is it really that powerful?"

She gestured with her little fist, her face full of excitement and a desire to confirm.

Looking at the girl's innocent and curious expression, Zhang Yuan's tense heartstrings, strained by the depletion of his lifespan, relaxed slightly.

A slightly shy smile, typical of a young boy, appeared on his face: "Sister Yu Rong, you've heard about it too? It's not that exaggerated. It just used a bit of skill and hit the vital point right there."

He downplayed the danger of the fight.

"That's amazing!" Chen Yurong exclaimed sincerely. "My dad said even a strong man might not be able to do that! If anyone bullies me in the future, I'll just say your name and say, 'My junior brother Zhang Qingyang can kill a bull with three punches. You dare mess with me?' Let's see who dares then!"

As she spoke, she chuckled to herself, her eyes crinkling with a girlish charm.

Zhang Yuan was amused by her, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart: "Okay, from now on, Sister Yu Rong can give the orders regarding fighting."

As they were talking and laughing, Chen Wenyuan returned from the county government office, his green robe still slightly damp with morning dew.

His gaze swept over the two men who were chatting and laughing, lingering briefly on Zhang Yuan's face. He seemed to notice that Zhang Yuan looked a little unwell, but he did not ask any further questions about the bull betting incident from the previous day.

He walked to the desk in the study and spoke calmly, "Qingyang, come here. I have heard a little about what happened yesterday."

"A salary and a house can sometimes be a shackle for a hero. But one must remember that a gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it in a proper way."

"One can leverage external forces and use intelligence, but one must not engage in deceitful or unscrupulous acts. If the heart is clouded, the path will be difficult to follow."

Zhang Yuan felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that his teacher was giving him a warning about the bet and his use of the Li family.

He immediately bowed and solemnly said, "I will remember your teachings, teacher. Yesterday's actions were solely for the purpose of providing relief to the villagers and upholding the Zhang family's reputation; I had absolutely no intention of deceiving or harming anyone. I will certainly follow the righteous path and live up to your teachings."

Seeing his respectful attitude and clear eyes, Chen Wenyuan nodded slightly and said no more: "Hmm. Come here and let me see your homework from yesterday."

Zhang Yuan stepped forward and presented his copy of the first chapter of "On Learning".

Chen Wenyuan took it and his gaze fell on the paper.

Although the handwriting still appears immature, the strength, structure, and layout of the strokes have become much more stable and refined than in the past few days!

The handwriting subtly exudes a restrained, powerful strength.

One can even sense a subtle yet unwavering focus and tenacity woven into it.

This is by no means a simple imitation, but rather an elevation of mind that naturally flows from the tip of the pen.

A hint of undisguised satisfaction flashed in Chen Wenyuan's eyes. He stroked his beard and praised, "Excellent! Your calligraphy reflects your heart, your strokes are powerful and insightful, steady and measured—a remarkable improvement!"

"It seems that although you are diligent in your martial arts practice, you have not neglected your Confucian and Taoist studies. Very good."

He was increasingly satisfied with Zhang Yuan's talent and temperament.

Then, Chen Wenyuan began to teach new classical texts, on the principle of "investigating things to acquire knowledge," and combined this with the geography of mountains and rivers to explain the importance of "unity of knowledge and action."

Zhang Yuan listened intently, and combined his understanding with the Confucian and Taoist insights imparted by the system. He grasped the concepts quickly and occasionally asked some incisive questions. The two master and disciple were so engrossed in the conversation that time flew by.

Before I knew it, the sun outside the window was almost at its zenith.

"Father, Qingyang, lunch is ready." Chen Yurong's gentle voice rang out from outside the door, tinged with a smile. "You've been in class for two hours already, the food will get cold if you don't eat soon."

Zhang Yuan was then surprised at how quickly time had passed, and how the subtle and profound mysteries of Confucianism and Taoism were equally captivating.

Chen Wenyuan smiled and put down his book: "Alright, let's eat first. Qingyang has made great progress today."

Just as the three got up to go eat, hurried footsteps and an anxious voice from a yamen runner came from the courtyard gate: "Counselor Chen! Is Counselor Chen there? The county magistrate urgently summons you! There's been a major disturbance at 'Blackwater Ferry' in the east of the city. It seems a demon is causing trouble, and more than a dozen canal workers have been injured. County Lieutenant Zhang has already led his men there. Please come quickly for a meeting!"

Chen Wenyuan's expression turned serious: "Understood, I'll go immediately!"

He turned to Zhang Yuan and said, "Qingyang, you go back first. Classes are suspended this afternoon. Be careful on the road."

"Yes, teacher." Zhang Yuan bowed and watched Chen Wenyuan leave in a hurry with the yamen runners.

After leaving the Chen residence, Zhang Yuan began his journey home.

Just as he turned a corner, the crying and commotion coming from the alley ahead caught his attention.

He saw that the few ragged little beggars he had given food to were being cornered by three thugs.

The leader, a thug with a scar on his face, weighed half a hardened steamed bun in his hand, muttering curses:

"You little brat! You dare steal my pancake? You've got a death wish!"

"In this eastern part of Fengming County, besides those protected by our Black Tiger Gang, who the hell dares to feed anyone?"

"Did you ask Scarface?"

As he spoke, he kicked over a slightly older boy who was trying to protect his companion.

"I...I didn't steal it! It was...it was given to me by that young master!"

A small, thin girl tried to explain herself, her voice trembling with tears.

She unconsciously pointed her finger at the figure beside the alley entrance.