First, choose young men from good families with a clear background and steady temperament, and start cultivating their sense of obedience and loyalty to the Song Family from a young age.
At the same time, Exotic Beast Meat is provided without limit, and Martial Dao masters offer ongoing guidance and instruction, so by the time they reach adulthood, they can generally become Martial Artists of the Second Realm.
But this is only the beginning. Once they meet all the requirements in various aspects, the Song Family will have tailored armor made for them.
This Black Armor is crafted with exceptional skill, unmatched by any craftsman throughout Yunxiao County.
Therefore, these armors are all ordered by the Song Family from the distant Wanshou County, and each set is quite expensive.
After donning the armor, they must train for at least three years to become qualified Black Armor Army members.
It can be said that these Black Armor Army members present are created step by step by the Song Family with real money, and they are the true strength of the Song Family.
Zhao Ya took a deep breath and once again gained a new understanding of the foundations of these grand families.
Even the Song Family, the weakest of the three families, has such a formidable team. It is conceivable how strong the Hong Family must be.
"So the Hong Family and Yang Family also have similar contingency forces?" Zhao Ya asked.
"Of course they do. The Hong Family’s Martial Dao True Army and the Yang Family’s Medicine Man team are all formidable. But our Black Armor Army is in no way inferior to them. If it weren’t for the difficulty of training making their numbers too few, it wouldn’t be certain who holds the number one spot in the Inner City!"
"Although conquest is tough, defending ourselves is absolutely no problem. If the Hong Family dares to make a move against our Song Family, these Black Armor Army members would be their nightmare," Song Linqing said confidently, patting Zhao Ya on the shoulder.
"I really appreciate what you’ve done this time. I’ve been reflecting recently on whether I’ve shown too much weakness in the past, leading even a small character like Yang Zisong to openly disdain our Song Family. So your battle has certainly raised our Song Family’s prestige. Keep it up, I have high hopes for you!"
After visiting the Song Family’s core secrets, Zhao Ya returned home.
As soon as he entered, Tan Dong approached him, followed by Tan Ziwang and Tan Bin.
Tan Dong gave a thumbs up, full of admiration.
"Brother Zhao, Boss Zhao, you are my big brother now. Once a big brother, always a big brother. We’ll be brothers from now on..."
His flattery was interrupted by a reprimand from Tan Ziwang.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Stand back!"
Tan Dong dared not defy him and obediently stepped aside.
Tan Ziwang looked at the vigorous young man before him and nodded silently.
Indeed, he hadn’t misjudged him.
The boy who was once just a small servant at the Escort Agency has now grown into a remarkable figure.
By this time, what happened with the Yang Family had spread throughout the Song Family.
Tan Ziwang knew Zhou Chuan, the commander of the Yang Family’s guard unit, a renowned Martial Dao master for many years.
Yet, to his surprise, this person was knocked out by Zhao Ya in public.
And according to the guards who went with them, Zhao Ya subdued him with just one move.
It was evident that Zhao Ya’s Martial Dao cultivation had reached an unimaginable height, at least not something an ordinary Third Realm martial artist could challenge.
As he pondered this, Tan Ziwang couldn’t help but pat Zhao Ya on the shoulder.
"Well done. Lately, our Song Family has indeed been too weak."
While saying this, Tan Ziwang couldn’t help but recall the time when the old patriarch was still alive.
At that time, the Song Family was in its heyday. Not only the Yang Family, even the Hong Family had to give way.
But these thoughts Tan Ziwang only dared to harbor in his heart, not even sharing them with his own son.
"Brother Zhao, how did you manage to knock out that damn commander from the Yang Family with just one move?" Tan Dong asked eagerly.
He deeply regretted not knowing back then that Zhao Ya was going to break an engagement at the Yang Family, otherwise, he would’ve followed no matter what, missing such a major spectacle.
Zhao Ya smiled, "Honestly, I don’t know how I knocked him out with just one move, maybe he was just too weak!"
Tan Dong was left speechless, having to admit that Zhao Ya’s act was quite on point.
The Tan family’s father and sons had dinner at Zhao Ya’s place.
Moreover, all the guards came too, and seeing this, Zhao Ya simply invited them to stay for dinner.
With so many people, it was naturally impossible for Zui’Er to handle all the cooking on his own.
Fortunately, the most capable helper, Song Renqiang, showed up just in time, had a few tables of banquets prepared in the kitchen, and personally brought them over.
Not only that, he also asked for a cup of wine during the meal.
As for this, Zhao Ya naturally had no objections.
That Li Chunfeng deserved what he got, that’s his problem. But Song Renqiang had always behaved appropriately. Take this matter, for instance; he hadn’t even mentioned it, yet Song Renqiang took the initiative to bring over several tables of feast.
Therefore, Zhao Ya even offered Song Renqiang a toast in gratitude.
Song Renqiang was overwhelmed by the favor, quickly emptied his cup, and felt at ease.
For the past two days, Song Renqiang had been restless, closing his eyes only to see the tragic scene of Li Chunfeng’s death.
He wasn’t saddened by the death of this godson.
Even if he once shared a life-and-death friendship with Li Chunfeng’s father, he had done enough over the years, fulfilling his duty.
The real reason for Song Renqiang’s unease was fear.
He feared that it was Zhao Ya who killed Li Chunfeng.
If that were the case, would he be next?
Song Renqiang had a strong sense of self-awareness.
Although currently, he was the general manager of the Song Mansion and handled the management of the Meat Field,
essentially, he was just a mere servant.
Zhao Ya, however, was a young Martial Artist with a promising future, a distinction clear to anyone.
If Zhao Ya indeed intended to target him, even the Patriarch wouldn’t intervene.
Especially today, upon hearing that Zhao Ya had caused a ruckus at the Yang Mansion, knocking out the commander of the Yang Family’s guards with a single move and slapping the young master of the Yang Family twice, he grew increasingly concerned.
With such domineering methods, if Zhao Ya wanted to deal with him, possibly even his life would be at stake.
So he willingly brought over a feast to gauge Zhao Ya’s attitude.
Fortunately, Commander Zhao didn’t seem intent on making things difficult for him, even offering him a toast.
This certainly put Song Renqiang’s mind at ease.
Zhao Ya was unaware of all this.
If he knew what was on Song Renqiang’s mind, Zhao Ya would probably find it amusing.
Song Renqiang certainly had a vivid imagination.
I only killed Li Chunfeng because he asked for it; why would I mess with you for no reason?
The meal lasted over an hour before dispersing.
The servants brought by Song Renqiang cleared away the leftovers, and tranquility returned to the small courtyard.
Zhao Ya had a few drinks, but as the cold wind blew, he felt completely sober.
Zui’Er poured him a cup of hot tea, and Zhao Ya sat in the courtyard, slowly sipping it.
It was already the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, with the moon high in the sky, casting everything in its pure light.
Unknowingly, it’s almost New Year again, and with the help of the Jade Brocade Snake, my cultivation has been advancing by leaps and bounds.
In just a few days, the progress of unlocking the liver has reached 18%. At this rate, within two or three months, the liver will successfully be unlocked. I wonder what kind of talent I’ll gain then?
Zhao Ya was pondering over his cultivation when suddenly there was a knock on the courtyard door.
"Commander Zhao, are you asleep?" The voice was sweet, surprisingly a woman’s voice.
Just as expected.
When he opened the courtyard door, there stood Xiaoman grinning and holding a food box, with Song Peiwan right behind her.
Tonight, she wore a white dress, making her look even more graceful and charming under the moonlight.
"Miss was afraid you hadn’t eaten, so she specifically had the small kitchen prepare some dishes for you," Xiaoman said with a chuckle.
Zhao Ya was slightly taken aback, then he also smiled.
"Thank you very much, please come in!"
Although he had already eaten, at this moment, Zhao Ya would not say so and ruin the mood.
Upon entering the courtyard, Zui’Er, who had been peeking out from the window, quickly pulled back and shut the window upon seeing Song Peiwan.
"The moonlight is so lovely, why don’t we eat in the courtyard?" Song Peiwan suddenly suggested.
Zhao Ya had no objections.
So they both sat by the stone table in the courtyard, Xiaoman set the food from the box, made a funny face at Zhao Ya, and then ran off.
The courtyard became quiet.
After a while, Song Peiwan picked up a wine pot and poured two glasses of wine.
"Thank you!" Song Peiwan merely said these two words, then downed the wine in one go.
Zhao Ya accompanied her with a drink.
After drinking a glass of wine, a faint blush appeared on Song Peiwan’s face.
Zhao Ya didn’t look too much, just put down the glass and started eating by himself.
I have to say, the food made by the small kitchen is indeed tastier than the main kitchen.
Song Peiwan just quietly watched Zhao Ya eat.
After a moment, Zhao Ya looked up at her.
"Why aren’t you eating?"
"I’m not hungry."
"Oh, then I’ll continue eating."
"Okay!"
Zhao Ya continued to enjoy his meal.
Nothing is more delightful than eating heartily.
Soon, all the dishes were in Zhao Ya’s stomach.
"Are you full?" Song Peiwan asked.
"Hmm, let’s just say so."
Zhao Ya replied, thinking that to get full on such a meal, he’d probably have to eat until morning.
Song Peiwan chuckled, "Full means full, not full means not full, what do you mean by ’let’s just say so’?"
"You don’t know, I was born with a tremendous appetite. Although these dishes are exquisite and tasty, they’re far from enough to fill me up."
"Oh, then I’ll bring more food for you next time."
"Great."
Looking at the composed Zhao Ya, Song Peiwan suddenly felt her mood improve.
"To be honest, when I heard you slapped that guy twice for me today, do you know how I felt?"
"How did you feel?"
"I found it amusing, especially funny. That guy is probably cursing at me now, I can even guess what he’s saying."
"He’s probably calling me a slut, cursing me for being disgraced by a scoundrel, perhaps even accusing me... of having an affair with you."
Song Peiwan said with a laugh, as if she were talking about someone else.
Zhao Ya listened, then after a moment of silence, he seriously said, "Then next time I see him, I won’t just slap him; I’ll pull out all his teeth, okay?"
"Really?"
"Could a Martial Artist speak nonsense?"
"Alright, let’s make a pinky promise!"
Nobody knows where the custom came from, but after making a promise, they seal it with a pinky swear.
Although it felt childish, seeing Song Peiwan’s sparkling eyes, Zhao Ya still reached out to link her pinky with his.
Song Peiwan was extremely pleased.
"After you pull out his teeth, don’t throw them away, bring them back for me to see!"
"Alright!"
"How do you think he’ll eat without teeth?"
"He probably can’t eat, but he can drink porridge!"
"Hehe, you’re so smart!"
"You’re welcome."
Chatting aimlessly like this until late into the night, even Xiaoman couldn’t help but urge them several times before Song Peiwan finally left.
Watching her departing figure, Zhao Ya was lost in thought.
"Ya, the young lady seems very happy!"
Zui’Er suddenly popped up out of nowhere.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I heard her laughing all the time inside."
"Then why didn’t you come out?"
"Because I was scared!"
Zhao Ya: "...."
He then knocked on Zui’Er’s head, "Come on, time to go to sleep."
Meanwhile, in a manor within the Inner City, a tall woman was glaring at the portrait before her with anger.
The person depicted was Zhao Ya.
"Is it this guy?"
"Yes, Third Miss, it’s him!"