Chapter 112: The Year's End Approaches

With only half a month left until the Lunar New Year, Wuzhou City was still blanketed in white snow.

Taking advantage of the cold weather, when various foods could easily be preserved, Yang Cheng instructed the food factory staff to produce extra supplies—either to be stored away or distributed in larger quantities to franchisees. This way, workers could be given a few days off in advance.

When Yan Shuihan returned, he brought along Duan Yuanqing, who was still recovering from injuries, and his entire family—more than a dozen people in all.

Duan Yuanqing maintained a cold and arrogant demeanor toward the Qing Gang members who came to see him off, showing no warmth. Fortunately, Yan Shuihan was always gentle and polite, treating him with respect and assuring him to rest assured: the Yang family head would not give him any trouble.

Duan Yuanqing understood the wisdom of not biting the hand that fed him, especially since Yan Shuihan wasn't affiliated with the Qing Gang. With his injuries and his whole family having nowhere else to go, he decided to accept the situation.

Yang Cheng was busy and had no time to inquire further, so he arranged for Duan’s family to stay in the residential area, selecting two adjacent villas to accommodate them—next to Yan Shuihan’s place for easy care.

After settling the Duan family, Yan Shuihan returned to his own residence. As a sworn loyalist of the Yang family, he had his own villa. But living alone without family, the place felt particularly cold and empty.

Though handsome and skilled, he lacked companionship. Having been taken to the sect as a child to train, he had no time to think about relationships. Some fellow disciples, who once shared close bonds, had been captured with no news, leaving him especially solitary.

After changing into fresh clothes, he sat on the sofa to rest. When he first moved in, the family head had sent a full set of household furnishings, regardless of how many people would live there. The bedrooms were outfitted with soft beds and wardrobes—items he had never seen before.

There were also numerous sofas, tables, and chairs for entertaining guests. Yan Shuihan barely dared to use them, knowing their market value. The furnishings alone were worth five or six thousand spirit coins, an extravagant sum for a sect disciple.

Shortly after sitting down, there was a knock at the door. He rose to open it and saw Wei Xu.

Wei Xu smiled, “Brother Yan, you’ve finally returned. It’s rare to have a day off today. Come on, let’s go to Brother Zhong’s place for hotpot.”

Wei Xu was now dedicated to guarding the library. Even back when it was still the Seeking Knowledge Hall, he single-handedly managed administration, security, and lending records. His easygoing nature made him well-known among the Yang family’s core warriors, and they were all quite familiar with one another.

Under the influence of Young Master Yang, the family’s warriors didn’t observe strict rank distinctions like sect disciples did. All who knew each other called one another brothers. Of course, the three senior figures in the back courtyard were exceptions. They were renowned figures in the martial world who had offered invaluable guidance, greatly benefiting the others’ cultivation. Such a relationship was rare in sects or clans, and so everyone respected them deeply, addressing them as seniors regardless of age.

Yan Shuihan did not refuse the invitation. Staying alone was dull; he readily agreed and followed Wei Xu out. Although Zhong Qiang and Wei Xu’s cultivation was somewhat lower than his, the three were quite compatible and often visited one another for drinks.

They chatted on the way and soon arrived at Zhong Qiang’s small courtyard. Even before reaching the door, the sound of men laughing and shouting drifted out. Without knocking, they pushed the door open and saw six or seven people seated around a table. Besides Yang family warriors, there were several guards from the front yard—among them Zhong Qiang’s friend Liu Feng, and three brothers he had befriended while serving as the fourth team leader. A large copper pot of bubbling hotpot sat at the center, filling the air with a savory aroma. Many dishes were already laid out around it.

Zhong Qiang, sitting in the place of honor, greeted Yan Shuihan warmly. “Brother Yan, you’re finally back. You’ve been gone almost a month, haven’t you? Just in time—dishes aren’t all on the table yet.” The others turned to welcome Yan and Wei Xu, quickly pulling out extra chairs.

Even Yan Shuihan’s usually stern face brightened with a smile. “The family head’s orders leave no room for slack. The Qing Gang’s hospitality was decent, but this hotpot is something else—I’ve heard the flavor is excellent and have been eager to return.”

Laughter broke out. Liu Feng asked, “I heard from the front yard duty brothers that Brother Yan brought quite a few people back today?”

Yan Shuihan explained, “Entrusted by the Blade Gang leader, I brought one man back; the others are his family. This man is quite a hero, apparently well-known in the underworld. None of us are locals, so we don’t know the local affairs or how formidable he truly is. But the Qing Gang said he is invincible at his level, able to take on five fusion-stage masters alone without defeat. In the end, the Blade Gang leader had to personally intervene, using six men to capture him. He didn’t want to kill him but was unsure how to handle him, so he asked me to bring him here.”

Everyone was intrigued. Zhong Qiang said, “Oh? That impressive? How does he compare to our Captain Li?”

Li Tianjun oversees all security affairs and is always busy, unlike those of them who have days off, so he wasn’t invited. Still, he was highly respected—not only for his formidable combat power but also for his conduct. He had even become the top outer disciple in the grand Wuji Sect.

Yan Shuihan replied, “Hard to say. But Captain Li is both intelligent and brave, with swift agility. The odds might be about 70-30.”

The others exclaimed, “That’s incredible! Why not invite him here for a drink?”

Yan Shuihan hesitated. “No, he’s injured and might suspect we’re helping the Qing Gang harm him. Young Master Yang is busy; it’s better to let him rest for a few days. The arrangements are careful—he won’t be treated poorly. There’s no guard watching him, but with his pride, he’s unlikely to run.”

The group relented. Then a beautiful woman entered carrying dishes. Yan Shuihan and Wei Xu stood and respectfully greeted her as sister-in-law. She was Zhong Qiang’s wife, a mercenary alliance expert hired by the family head a month ago, safely escorted from another region. Along with her came Zhong Qiang’s parents and child.

Zhong Qiang was furious that the sect had never informed his family of his capture or possible death. His whole family had waited at home in anguish with no word. Fortunately, the escorts carried letters and tokens from Zhong Qiang as proof; otherwise, his family, thousands of miles away, would never have dared to trust and follow them.

Everyone congratulated the reunion with heartfelt empathy, moved deeply. They understood that if they had died or been sold off, their own families might have suffered long years of waiting.

The first eight or nine family warriors who had relatives had already seen their families safely escorted back. Just in time for the year’s end, the families reunited joyfully, inspiring envy among many guards.

Zhong Qiang waved his hand, saying to Yan and Wei, “It’s not the first time you’ve come—no need for formalities. Come, it’s about time. With the New Year approaching and the cold weather, brothers gathering for hotpot is a happy thing.”

He gestured at the dishes, “Since my wife arrived, she’s had nothing to do, so I asked Steward Su to arrange for her to help in the kitchen. She’s learned quite a few recipes and took a special day off to prepare this for everyone to enjoy.”

Everyone smiled broadly at the lavish spread and raised their glasses to drink.

One person joked, “I hear the kitchen recipes all come from the young master himself. So, sister-in-law is a disciple under the young master.”

The woman replied, “I dare not presume to reach his level. The family head is extraordinary, knowledgeable in all things, truly unparalleled.”

Wei Xu added, “Indeed, the family head is remarkable. This wine, the hotpot, all the activities at the Yang estate—none of it is without his touch.”

Everyone nodded in agreement—it was no wonder, having seen so much of it by now.