Chapter Sixty-Eight: An Youyu

"An Youyu!"

Someone beside him muttered. Wang Yuanfeng glanced over and saw that the man who had spoken up earlier was this very person, dressed in scholar’s robes, his gaze gentle and mild, exuding a subtle kindness. The way he looked at the musk deer radiated compassion for all living things—his affinity was unmistakable, an outstanding figure among men.

Wang Yuanfeng studied his features and immediately discerned that this man’s luck was flourishing, destined either for wealth or nobility.

He then employed his Aura Sight and saw a column of azure energy rising from the man’s crown, stretching high above, forming a canopy three fathoms overhead, with signs of further expansion. Wang Yuanfeng couldn’t help but gasp.

“The image of a hidden dragon!”

Nearby, people began to talk in low voices.

“This Young Master An has always been kind-hearted. He often purchases animals to set them free. Looks like the musk deer will find its freedom thanks to him.”

Someone else, doubtful, remarked, “But isn’t Young Master An late this time? The musk deer has already been bought by someone from the Jia Trading House.”

Another laughed and said, “Just watch—if he sets his sights on a creature, he won’t rest until he buys it for release.”

At that moment, An Youyu walked up to the hunter, gazing at the bound musk deer, and said, “Sell me the musk deer—I’ll pay twenty taels of silver.”

The hunter glanced at him and replied, “Forgive me, sir. I have already sold the musk deer to this manager. I cannot go back on my word.”

With that, the hunter took the money from the apprentice of the Jia family and moved to hand over the musk deer.

An Youyu grew anxious and blocked the hunter’s path, saying, “I’ll add ten more taels. Thirty taels for the musk deer!”

The crowd gasped—thirty taels was no small sum. That much silver could build a small courtyard, with enough left over to purchase a few acres of land and live comfortably. With prudent management, in seven or eight years, one could become a minor landowner.

Many watched the hunter nervously, wishing they could be in his place.

The apprentice addressed as manager also looked on, interested to see what the hunter would choose. Though only an apprentice, he was already considered a prospective manager.

Wang Yuanfeng, meanwhile, paid no mind to the hunter’s decision, focusing instead on the bound musk deer.

At first, the musk deer seemed unconcerned, its eyes leisurely surveying the surroundings, as if nothing pertained to it. Yet when An Youyu appeared, the creature grew visibly tense, trembling slightly.

But Wang Yuanfeng, trained in the Way of the Sword Immortal—a path adept at sensing shifts in the heart—knew the musk deer’s tremors were not from fear, but excitement, as if it had encountered something it had long yearned for.

The Way of the Sword Immortal begins with the heart. Only through clarity of mind can one cultivate sword intent, uniting heart and blade. The sword’s strength lies not only in attack but in profound sensitivity to emotion—heart and sword are one. Thus, every flicker of the musk deer’s psyche was clear to him.

The musk deer suddenly glanced, intentionally or not, at Wang Yuanfeng. He quickly suppressed his thoughts, feigning indifference, uncertain whether the musk deer suspected anything.

The path of cultivation is vast and varied; each person follows their own thread. Even when Daoist arts waned in previous eras, methods of cultivation remained diverse. Now, in an age when the Dao flourishes, the possibilities are endless.

Wang Yuanfeng refrained from further attention to the musk deer, lest complications arise.

The hunter then spoke to An Youyu, “Sir, this isn’t a matter of money. I’ve already sold the musk deer to the manager—I won’t forfeit my integrity for silver.”

Those who had been hoping the hunter would accept were now disappointed.

Wang Yuanfeng silently applauded. Trustworthy and honorable—his character was sound.

The apprentice of the Jia family smiled and nodded at the hunter, thinking he had chosen wisely. He’d already extended an invitation to the hunter, and the hunter had accepted. Had he sold to An Youyu instead, he’d still honor his word and accept the goods, but integrity would have been compromised.

But if the hunter persisted in their transaction, he would be trustworthy. The region was rich in mountain produce and herbs; as a local, the hunter could be entrusted with procurement, perhaps managing a branch for medicinal purchases.

An Youyu noticed the musk deer trembling and felt a pang of compassion. Turning to the apprentice, he said, “Manager Jia, the musk deer is yours now. I beg you—please show mercy and release it.”

The apprentice looked troubled, glanced at Wang Yuanfeng, and saw him smiling, unsure of his intent. Resolving to follow the merchant code taught by the trading house, he replied, “I do not believe in mercy, only in the way of commerce. I bought this creature to increase its value. There is no reason to simply let it go.”

An Youyu found this reasoning logical, though to him it seemed the mindset of a profit-seeking petty man, at odds with his own compassionate principles, though not necessarily wrong. He said, “Then, Manager Jia, would you sell me the musk deer at its original price?”

The apprentice had decided to stick to his methods, but he couldn’t be entirely profit-driven. Besides, the An family had business dealings with his own; gifting the musk deer wasn’t impossible, but a favor should be sought in return, though not openly given in a business context. He replied, “Young Master An, your compassion is well known. If you accompany me back, I can offer the musk deer to you. But not here.”

An Youyu thought this unnecessarily troublesome. If one wished to gift, why make it so complicated? One trip in and out of town would take quite some time, and the bound musk deer surely suffered. It was just money, after all, and he had plenty. He said, “Let’s settle it here. Name your price, Manager Jia.”

Manager Jia realized An Youyu wouldn’t return with him, so he said, “Add one coin of silver—fifteen taels and one coin.”

“Agreed.” An Youyu promptly accepted, removed his purse, and counted his silver—only ten taels and a bit more. He addressed the crowd, “Who among you has five taels of silver? Lend them to me and I’ll repay double once I return home.”

Most lowered their heads; some wished to lend but had none, others had silver but were unwilling.

The apprentice spoke up, “Young Master An, if you’re short, you can owe me. Pay when you have it.”

“No need. I won’t borrow from you,” An Youyu said, clearly disapproving of the apprentice’s profit-driven ways.

He scanned the crowd—most wore humble clothing. Those capable of lending five taels looked around evasively, clearly reluctant. Suddenly, he noticed a young gentleman standing beside the hunter, dust-covered yet dressed splendidly, bearing an extraordinary presence—likely someone of wealth or status.

He wondered, for a moment, whether he’d seen the youth in Yinhua County before. Still, given his own standing, borrowing from this man should be possible. He stepped forward and said to Wang Yuanfeng, “Brother, could you lend me five taels of silver? I’ll repay double upon returning home.”

Wang Yuanfeng recognized the name—An Youyu—and said, “Certainly!”

He searched his purse and, finding no silver, produced a gold ingot, handing it to An Youyu. “Will this do?”

An Youyu, expecting him to be short on funds, was surprised to receive a lump of gold. The quality was excellent, worth at least ten taels of silver. He accepted it and said, “Thank you, sir. I am An Youyu, of Yinhua County. May I ask your name?”

Wang Yuanfeng, guessing his origins, replied, “I am Wang Yuanfeng, from Shengjing. Just passing through.”

An Youyu, knowing he would need to return the money, said, “Please wait a moment, Brother Wang. Once I have released the deer, I’ll take you home to repay you.”

“No need. I have business to attend to. You may deposit the money at Jia Bank under my name—I shall receive it.”

An Youyu nodded, familiar with Jia Bank, which was run by the Jia family alongside their trading house. He had some reservations about the Jia Trading House, but there was no alternative. He agreed, “Very well. I’ll deliver the money once I return.”

The crowd, seeing the matter resolved, began to disperse.

The hunter and the Jia apprentice exchanged contact information, settled their affairs, and left with their silver.

An Youyu completed his transaction for the musk deer and headed toward the mountains. Once he was out of sight and the crowd gone, the apprentice bowed to Wang Yuanfeng.

“Jia Yu, acting manager of Jia Trading House’s Yinhua County branch, pays respects to Fourth Young Master.”

Wang Yuanfeng regarded Jia Yu, noting his competence, but wondered how he knew of his arrival. He surmised it must be Jia Cheng’s doing and nodded, saying, “Rise, Manager Jia. I am merely passing through, intending to rest here before crossing Knife-Axe Mountain to the Southern Continent. Is there any news of my father from the waterways of Lake Dongting?”

Jia Yu had received a carrier pigeon message that morning, alerting him that Fourth Young Master might pass through. Every county on the route had been notified. He was fortunate to be present when Fourth Young Master stopped here.

Jia Cheng, once a steward, had been promoted to chief steward thanks to this young master. Naturally, Jia Yu would not neglect him.

“This morning’s reports indicate that the Marquis’s army stirred between midnight and dawn last night, but has since been silent. The specifics are unclear.”

“Oh?” Wang Yuanfeng was intrigued. “Any other news?”

“Please wait a moment, sir.”

He looked around and beckoned to a seventeen or eighteen-year-old apprentice carrying a large bamboo chest.

The apprentice, seemingly awaiting this summons, hurried over. “Manager, what is it?”

“Pay your respects to Fourth Young Master,” Jia Yu instructed.

The young apprentice, recognizing Fourth Young Master from portraits prepared for all notable figures, bowed quickly. “Jia Changfa, apprentice of Jia Trading House, greets Fourth Young Master.”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded. “No need for ceremony.”

The Jia Trading House was rigorously hierarchical—apprentice, manager, steward, chief steward. Jia Cheng had started as steward but was now chief steward.

Jia Yu asked, “Any news from the Southern Continent at the branch?”

Jia Changfa thought carefully. “Yes, a few messages just arrived. First, there’s still no word from our trading houses on the islands within Lake Dongting. Second, a strange phenomenon—the leaders of various factions around the lake have departed, reportedly to attend the Dragon King’s son-in-law selection at Lake Dongting. And third, just now, another message arrived…”

He hesitated, glancing at Wang Yuanfeng.