Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 74: Changing Circumstances

Back in the day, Xu Yuniang was known as quite the beauty; countless men had their eye on her. Who would’ve thought she’d end up with a night soil worker?

It caused a stir across several streets at the time—many people couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

Some even drank a bit and thought about dragging that night soil man out, running him off, breaking both his legs.

But then, word spread from the Xu family that Xu Yuniang was quarreling with her father.

One thing she said in that argument made all the scheming, hopeful men pale.

’Live and die with you!’

Mr. Xu knew he couldn’t strong-arm his daughter, so all he could do was target the night soil worker instead.

Sure enough, not long after, the night soil worker left on his own—and never came back.

Now, Xu Yuniang has lost her youthful looks, and any wealthy families still coveting her have long moved on. Who could have guessed that this extravagant bridal procession was headed for the Xu family?

"Wait—is there really someone still pining for Xu Yuniang?"

Just as the crowd was scratching their heads in doubt, the groom with the celebratory Red Cloud pinned to his chest dismounted and shouted toward the Xu family’s gate, "Night soil man Zhao Hu has come to propose, as promised!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a resounding bang—the sound of several burly men hauling a huge chest up to the door.

The chest hit the ground, letting out a deep thud.

But no matter how loud, it couldn’t compare to the shock of hearing "night soil man."

"He’s really that night soil man from back then!"

"Good heavens!"

Some onlookers remembered what happened years ago, and everyone was stunned.

"Zhao, aren’t you being a little childish with this stunt?"

Not far off, a group stood at a window overlooking the scene from an inn.

Liang Yun gave a bitter chuckle and spoke up.

Lu Chang’sheng understood what he was getting at.

In Liang Yun’s view, even though Zhao Hu had suffered for years, Xu Yuniang hadn’t been forced into anything all this time—clearly her taciturn father must have made his peace with it.

If he were in Liang Yun’s shoes, he’d just let bygones be bygones and settle down happily with Xu Yuniang. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

But Lu Chang’sheng saw it differently.

"No one’s perfect. Mr. Zhao has a fiery temper, but if he doesn’t let it out, it’ll hurt him and his family later. That stubborn old man never said a word about it and made Aunt Yun bring her daughter to see Zhao—he must still have a thorn in his heart!"

"This move might look awkward to us, but maybe it’ll finally help both sides put down their grudges."

"You really do think things through!"

Liang Yun pondered for a moment, then got it.

His own view had been too narrow—Lu Chang’sheng thought one step ahead.

"Chang’sheng really does live up to his name!"

Liang Yun felt moved.

······

The groom at the Xu family’s door was Zhao Hu. He looked up at the house, memories flooding in, and a rush of satisfaction welled up in his chest.

Moments later, footsteps echoed from inside.

An old man nearing sixty burst out with his family. On seeing Zhao Hu, he immediately looked baffled and suspicious.

Unlike the others, he’d spent every night these years dreaming of Zhao Hu stealing his daughter away.

Even if Zhao Hu had changed somewhat, he’d know him anywhere—even if he turned to ashes!

He was about to scold him when the old woman beside him pointed to the chest on the ground and the big, flashy wedding party.

Mr. Xu was left speechless.

And Zhao Hu saw Xu Yuniang behind them, eyes brimming with tears. A sweet little girl clung next to her, staring fearfully at him, and all the old bitterness suddenly melted away.

He gazed at the elderly couple and said calmly, "Your son-in-law, Zhao Hu, has come to wed Yun, as promised!"

Up at the inn, Lu Chang’sheng and the others were quietly stunned.

The youth who left in humiliation ten years ago was now middle-aged.

They couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental—and powerless too.

Mr. Xu paused, then sighed deeply. "Come inside. From today on, Yun and Xi’Er are yours to care for!"

Zhao Hu nodded firmly.

That afternoon, the feast that had been put off for more than ten years was finally held.

Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu greeted old friends, when suddenly—

A voice rang out from outside, causing a stir all around.

Soon, This Year’s Top Scholar Lu Chang’sheng—Scholar Lu—arrived at the Xu family, accompanied by several Child Scholars.

Keep in mind, the imperial exam means everything in Great Yuan, and everyone pays attention; this year’s top scholar Lu Chang’sheng was a household name.

His visit sent the wedding banquet’s atmosphere soaring. The friendships Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu had made in their youth, who’d kept their distance since the family fell on hard times, rushed over with lavish gifts, leaving the old couple amazed and emotional.

For the first time, they felt proud of their daughter’s choice.

This time, not only did Lu Chang’sheng’s friends come—even Wei Feng showed up.

Midway through the feast, Wei Feng got up to take his leave.

Zhao Hu had matters to attend to, so Lu Chang’sheng and Liang Yun walked him out.

Just outside the door, Lu Chang’sheng asked, "Wei, you seem preoccupied. Something wrong in Red Water County?"

"Sharp as ever, Bro Chang’sheng!" Wei Feng hesitated, then said, "It’s quiet in Red Water County—our Black Mountain Army is plenty fierce. If the rebels hadn’t pulled back to Baili Peak, we’d have finished them off by now!"

"That’s good news, isn’t it?"

Lu Chang’sheng looked puzzled.

Wei Feng shook his head. "Remember that group from Black Mountain Army that defected in Guangnan County? They went missing for a while—we thought they’d gone to join the rebels near Red Water. Turns out, they snuck into Liyang Prefecture, and rumor is, they’ve linked up with the Liyang Gao Family!"

"Liyang Gao Family?" Lu Chang’sheng felt a jolt.

"Yes, the same Gao Family said to have assigned the governor himself! That’s why I’m back—our Black Mountain Army needs to expand!"

Lu Chang’sheng hadn’t expected things to be so serious.

The Gao Family now controls all of Liyang Prefecture—their power is staggering.

The rebels may look fierce, but they’re nothing against a prefecture’s army. Now that the nobles are getting involved, it’s clear the fighting is reaching its boiling point.

Jinghua Prefecture must be just as chaotic now, with tensions bubbling to the surface.

"Wei, when you expand the army, can you help me slip a few men in?" Lu Chang’sheng asked suddenly.

"How many do you want?" Wei Feng didn’t refuse—he asked first.

"The more the better!"

"Ten’s the max!" Wei Feng shook his head.

Liang Yun was puzzled. "Wei, you command a whole Black Mountain regiment. If you’re expanding, you’ll need at least a hundred new men—wouldn’t ten be too few?"

Before Wei Feng could answer, Lu Chang’sheng nodded straight away, "Thanks, Wei! As for silver coins, we’re short right now, but tell me—are you interested in True Qi Martial Arts?"

Wei Feng’s pupils shrank, and even his body trembled a little.

"True Qi Martial Arts are secret techniques—most Martial Arts Halls don’t even have them. How’d you get your hands on that?"

"I can’t give you details yet—just know that within ten years, I’m confident I’ll have it!"

Lu Chang’sheng spoke gravely.

"Of course, if you think ten years is too long, I’ll pay you with silver coins instead—"

He hadn’t finished when Wei Feng waved him off, "Silver’s not an issue. You said ten years—fine, I’ll wait! For you, I’ll bump the quota up to fifteen. Any more and I can’t help—you know what I mean!"

Lu Chang’sheng nodded his thanks.