News of the annihilation of the Seven Killers Gang spread rapidly throughout Cangxi City.
The townsfolk and merchants cheered and applauded, singing praises.
This gang had plagued the people, oppressed merchants, coerced women into prostitution, and lured others into gambling, causing countless families to fall apart.
Now, finally, a chivalrous hero from the martial world had stepped in to eliminate this scourge.
The authorities, however, paid little attention to the matter.
Feuds and killings in the martial world were commonplace in this realm. The officials merely collected the corpses, confiscated the Seven Killers Gang's assets, and then went about their lives as if nothing had happened.
Ye Xuezhang was slightly surprised when he heard the news.
Who could the Seven Killers Gang have offended?
To be wiped out in a single night—this grudge must have been immense.
Nonetheless, since someone else had taken care of the Seven Killers Gang, it saved him the trouble.
Ye Xuezhang had originally planned to eliminate Feng Ke and his hall Masters that very night.
Now, there was no need for such a hassle.
Realizing an opportunity, Ye Xuezhang called for Ye Xiaoyu and instructed her, "Take a banknote for ten thousand taels of silver to the county office and meet with Magistrate Lu. The Seven Killers Gang must have left behind a large stock of spiritual herbs—buy them all."
In this world, martial artists often used spiritual herbs and elixirs as aids to accelerate their cultivation.
However, ordinary people couldn't absorb these herbs or elixirs.
The reason lay in their potency; without internal energy techniques to temper their effects, such substances could harm rather than help.
Thus, spiritual herbs and elixirs circulated only within the martial world and were inaccessible to common folk.
Over the years, Ye Xuezhang had acquired some spiritual herbs through the system's rewards, but it was far from enough.
Yet he couldn't venture into the martial world easily to seek out more herbs.
The Seven Killers Gang must have accumulated a considerable stockpile of spiritual herbs over the years. Now that they were confiscated by the authorities, Ye Xuezhang had a chance to obtain them.
It was well known that the authorities were supposed to turn such items over to the court.
However, it was not uncommon for some to embezzle these goods in exchange for money.
"Yes."
Ye Xiaoyu responded promptly and ran off toward the accounting room.
According to the rituals of this world, newlyweds could only share a bed on their wedding night. For the next three years, they were only permitted to sleep together on the first, fifth, tenth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-fifth, and thirtieth days of each month.
So, after the morning passed, Qi Yixuan moved to the Western Courtyard.
Recalling the passion of the previous night, as well as his wife's graceful figure and tender affection, Ye Xuezhang silently cursed.
Which bastard came up with such inhuman rituals?
In truth, Ye Xuezhang could disregard these customs.
But doing so would invite ridicule from the neighbors and possibly frighten his wife.
Qi Yixuan was a refined and gentle lady of a noble family. If he acted too impatiently, she would surely be scared.
Fortunately, three years wasn't a long time. He could endure it.
Besides, it wasn't complete abstinence—there were still seven days each month they could be together.
Meanwhile, in the Western Courtyard, in the Young Madam's room...
Qi Yixuan frowned and huffed coldly, "Which bastard invented such a ritual? It keeps me from reuniting with my husband every day!"
"It's utterly infuriating!"
The Old Witch standing nearby said, "Miss, it's something we have to abide by. We can't break the ritual, can we?"
"If we did, not only would people mock us, but the Young Master might also look down on you."
Qi Yixuan let out a long sigh. "Sigh, I suppose there's no other choice."
"Is the matter with the Seven Killers Gang resolved?"
The Old Witch nodded. "It was the Great Evil King who acted."
"Where is he now?"
"He's in the city, awaiting your orders."
Qi Yixuan pondered for a moment and said, "Have him return for now to handle the sect's affairs. Then summon the Seven-Finger Divine Lord to secretly protect my husband's jade mine."
By midday, Ye Xiaoyu returned from her errand.
She brought back ten second-tier spiritual herbs!
Entering the study, Ye Xiaoyu reported excitedly, "Young Master, we've really gotten a bargain this time."
"Magistrate Lu kept twenty spiritual herbs for himself, and a second-tier herb is selling for just one thousand taels of silver."
"I didn't bring enough money this time; otherwise, I would've bought them all."
"Oh, and there are also two third-tier spiritual herbs at Magistrate Lu's place, going for only five thousand taels each."
"Young Master, should we buy those too?"
Hearing her report, Ye Xuezhang's heart skipped a beat. Two third-tier spiritual herbs? And at such a low price?
"Xiaoyu, how much money is left in the accounting room?"
"About eight thousand taels."
Ye Xuezhang said, "Take five thousand taels and borrow some from the Shen family. Once the next batch of jade stones is sold, we'll repay them."
"Alright, I'll go right away."
"Oh, Xiaoyu."
"You mustn't mention the Young Master's purchase of spiritual herbs to anyone."
"Understood."
Ye Xiaoyu nodded and left the study.
Ye Xuezhang trusted her deeply.
Although nominally a servant, Xiaoyu was more like a sister to him.
This girl was very sensible and attuned to his thoughts. She never asked unnecessary questions or said things she shouldn't.
Though the Ye family had over a hundred members, before Qi Yixuan's arrival, there were only five core figures:
Ye Xuezhang, Ye Xiaoyu, Chun Mei, Uncle Chen, and Liu Dalu.
Ye Xiaoyu served as Ye Xuezhang's personal maid, taking care of his daily needs and doubling as his secretary.
Uncle Chen managed the family's finances and household expenses.
Chun Mei oversaw all the maids.
As for Liu Dalu, he was an odd one. Nominally a servant of the Ye residence, he was more like a friend to Ye Xuezhang.
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