[In the seventh year of cultivating the Tiger-Crane Form, you attempted to comprehend the true meaning of the first form but gained nothing.]
[In the eighth year of cultivating the Tiger-Crane Form, you attempted to condense the Tiger Form, but you failed.]
...
[In the thirteenth year of cultivating the Tiger-Crane Form, you finally grasped the rudimentary form of the Tiger Style.]
Bai Yuan poured all 41 enhancement points into his Tiger-Crane Form.
He felt as if he had truly practiced the Tiger-Crane Form for thirteen years. His breathing became calm and deep, and his body felt suffused with an immense power that would be astonishing if unleashed.
This was the power of the Tiger-Crane Form.
While it didn't offer many combat techniques, it could subtly improve his body and build a solid foundation.
Only with a firm foundation could he push his limits without restraint.
If Bai Yuan wanted to continue upgrading the Blood Tiger Saber, he first had to raise the level of his Tiger-Crane Form. Otherwise, the saber would undoubtedly drain him dry.
Calm had returned to the Huwei Arts Hall.
However, many of the apprentices and Outer Disciples who had died came from well-off families. The hall master, Xue Gui, would likely have a headache for a long time to come.
None of this had anything to do with Bai Yuan. Right now, he just wanted to get stronger.
The day's events had only strengthened his resolve to practice martial arts. To survive in this world, one had to be powerful enough.
...
"Master, I'd like to have a Firewood Cutting Saber forged, just like this one."
Bai Yuan arrived at a blacksmith's forge and handed the bloodstained Firewood Cutting Saber to the middle-aged blacksmith before him.
The middle-aged blacksmith glanced at the Firewood Cutting Saber.
The blade was badly corroded, and its style was ordinary.
"Little brother, I happen to have a few decent blades here that are more than good enough for cutting firewood."
Bai Yuan shook his head.
"The blade I want must be exceptionally sharp. It needs to be made from high-quality iron."
As he spoke, he pulled two taels of silver from his robes.
The sight of the gleaming silver in Bai Yuan's hand instantly softened the middle-aged blacksmith's attitude. No one argues with silver.
'A sharp Firewood Cutting Saber... How interesting.'
Seeing the blacksmith accept the silver, Bai Yuan prepared to leave.
He often went into the mountains to hunt, and a Firewood Cutting Saber was more practical than a long saber for hacking through thorns and brambles.
Unlike a long saber, which had a long blade and a short hilt suited for cutting opponents, the Firewood Cutting Saber had a thicker, longer handle that allowed for greater force. Even without a sharp edge, its killing power was considerable.
Bai Yuan spent his days fighting beasts in the mountains, all of which had tough hides and thick flesh.
A sharp edge alone had difficulty piercing their defenses quickly, making the Firewood Cutting Saber a more effective choice.
...
"Sister-in-law, I'm back."
Although he had done his best to wash off the bloodstains, Xiao Qiaoniang still noticed the telltale signs.
"Brother-in-law, did something happen again?"
Bai Yuan didn't hide anything and told Xiao Qiaoniang what had happened at the Martial Arts Hall that day.
Xiao Qiaoniang patted her trembling chest, a wave of fear washing over her in retrospect.
"Thank goodness you're alright, Brother-in-law."
Bai Yuan had returned earlier than usual today.
So, the two of them had lunch together.
As Xiao Qiaoniang cleared the table, she spoke in a probing tone.
"Brother-in-law, Sister Chen came to see me this morning. She said she wants to open a dye workshop in town with me."
Bai Yuan smiled faintly.
"That's a wonderful thing. You should do it, Sister-in-law."
The reason Mrs. Liu of the Chen Family was willing to partner with Xiao Qiaoniang was, naturally, because she hoped Bai Yuan would protect the dye workshop.
He spent his days either at the Martial Arts Hall or in the mountains and wasn't home for long. Most of the time, Xiao Qiaoniang was left alone in their large courtyard.
'Rather than keeping Qiaoniang cooped up like a bird in a cage, it's better for her to find something to do.'
If the dye workshop business did well, it could also earn a good amount of silver coins.
'I don't subscribe to the notion that women shouldn't appear in public. As long as my sister-in-law is happy, who cares what other people think?'
Hearing Bai Yuan agree, the worry in Xiao Qiaoniang's heart finally dissipated, and a smile blossomed on her face.
"Sister-in-law, once you've decided on a location for the workshop, be sure to tell me. I'll bring a few friends over to show support."
"You're always so thoughtful, Brother-in-law."
'If we're going to open a dye workshop, we have to take it seriously,' Bai Yuan thought.
He planned to bring Liu Qingshan and Li Ting to back them up, and it would be even better if he could get Zhang Yang to come along too.
That way, as long as it wasn't one of the city's major families, most people would give the dye workshop some face.
'It's better to find a way to earn our own silver than to rely on working for others.'
...
Mrs. Liu of the Chen Family moved quickly.
In just half a month, she had found a suitable property in Qinghe County and procured the dyeing vats.
Mrs. Liu of the Chen Family provided the capital, and Xiao Qiaoniang provided the labor.
On the opening day of the Hongqiao Dye Workshop, Bai Yuan lived up to expectations and brought over many disciples from the Huwei Arts Hall. Even Zhang Yang and Zhou Qian came to show their support.
Any discerning person could see that the Huwei Arts Hall stood behind this newly opened dye workshop.
Anyone looking to cause trouble would have to think twice and pay some respect to the Huwei Arts Hall's reputation.
Mrs. Liu of the Chen Family was meticulous in her work and shrewd in her dealings, so business at the Hongqiao Dye Workshop was smooth sailing.
Xiao Qiaoniang was able to take home a share of five taels of silver a month.
Bai Yuan was naturally happy that they were earning money.
Even though she helped at the dye workshop all day, Xiao Qiaoniang always had a hot meal ready for Bai Yuan whenever he returned late at night.
Gazing at the steaming noodle soup, Bai Yuan felt a warmth spread through his heart.
"Sister-in-law, maybe we should hire some help."
"Brother-in-law, are you saying my cooking isn't good enough?"
"I'm just worried you'll tire yourself out, Sister-in-law. Aunt Zheng is a good person. What do you think?"
Xiao Qiaoniang was tempted by Bai Yuan's words.
Aunt Zheng was Hunter Zheng's wife. They had been neighbors with Bai Yuan and Xiao Qiaoniang before, and the two families were on good terms.
"I wonder if Aunt Zheng would be willing."
"I'll go ask her tomorrow."
"You really know how to care for someone, Brother-in-law."
...
The next day, Bai Yuan went to see Hunter Zheng to explain his intentions.
When Aunt Zheng heard she could earn one hundred cents in copper coins a month, she agreed without a second thought.
Bai Yuan and Xiao Qiaoniang were both easy to get along with.
The Bai Family Ancestral Mansion wasn't that large, so it wouldn't be too difficult for her to manage on her own.
Hunter Zheng grasped Bai Yuan's hand, his face full of gratitude.
He knew part of the reason Bai Yuan had offered his wife such generous terms was to repay their past kindness.
He felt that not turning away Xiao Qiaoniang when she came to borrow grain that one winter was the best decision he had ever made in his life.
Aunt Zheng went to the Bai Family Ancestral Mansion that very day.
Watching Aunt Zheng bustling about inside and out, Xiao Qiaoniang felt a strange sensation blossom in her heart.
'Without even realizing it, I've begun to live the life of a lady from a wealthy household.'
'If I wanted, I could live a life where I never have to do a day of manual labor.'
With Aunt Zheng's help, she could now devote more of her attention to the dye workshop.
...
Before they knew it, winter had come again.
Bai Yuan practiced martial arts all day while Xiao Qiaoniang was busy managing the dye workshop. The only time they saw each other each day was for a brief hour after dinner, a far cry from how things used to be.
Xiao Qiaoniang had a talent for business. Although she had never attended a single day of school, she kept the dye workshop's accounts with perfect clarity.
She remembered something Mrs. Liu of the Chen Family had once said.
"A woman doesn't need to have grand ambitions, but she can't let her man leave her too far behind. Otherwise, she'll be like a kite that has flown too high—no matter how strong the string, you'll never be able to pull it back."