Unorthodox Wuxia: While Others Practice Martial Arts, I Cultivate Immortality - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Selling Horses

Out of curiosity, Yuan Zhao peeked outside—and saw that the person being shoved out was none other than Guan Xiaoniu.

Cries and scolding immediately followed from within the courtyard.

“You’re a grown man with hands and feet, and yet you still freeload at your uncle’s house? You’ve done plenty of chores all these years, but not brought a single coin back home! Have you no shame? If it were me, I’d have died of embarrassment already!”

That was the voice of his aunt, Wu Xiaohui.

“Boohoo… Da Jinzi, say something! Speak up! Are you really going to just stand there and watch your wife kick your nephew out like this? He’s your own blood!”

That was Granny Zou crying.

“Mom, what Xiaohui says makes sense. Xiaoniu is already grown. He can’t expect us to support him forever. It’s time he stood on his own.”

That voice belonged to Hu Jin, Guan Xiaoniu’s uncle.

“Bull****! Didn’t you take all of your sister’s inheritance back then? You heartless bas****! And now you’re saying this? I’ll beat you to death! Beat you to death, you animal!”

That was Old Man Hu, Guan Xiaoniu’s grandfather.

The courtyard was noisy for a while before it finally quieted down.

Yuan Zhao and the others didn’t think much of it. They closed the courtyard gate and went inside. But Guan Xiaoniu remained outside, eyes cold as he stared at the spot where Yuan Zhao had just been standing.

It’s her.

It’s all because of her.

If she had just accepted him back then, would he be like this now—kicked out like a stray dog?

Only when the gate of Granny Zou’s house creaked open did he slowly look away.

Granny Zou stepped out, her face soaked with tears. Through the narrow crack in the gate, she whispered to Guan Xiaoniu: “Xiaoniu… It’s Grandma’s fault. I couldn’t control your uncle, and I couldn’t convince your aunt either… sob… I’m useless!”

She pulled a handkerchief from her clothes, opened it, and revealed a few broken pieces of silver inside.

“This is the burial money your grandfather and I saved. It’s all here—take it.”

She pressed the silver into his hands. “This is all I can do for you. Be careful out there. Once you’re settled, come back and let Grandma know, okay?”

She kept chattering and fussing, unaware that her grandson was staring at her with eyes full of resentment.

After a long while, Guan Xiaoniu slung a thin bag over his back and left.

At first, he intended to find a job in town and settle down quickly. But the more he thought about it, the more bitter he became.

He wanted to rise above. He wanted those who looked down on him to bow their heads. He wanted them all to pay.

In the end, he decided to leave Tianmen Town and head into the world. He was determined to make a name for himself.

And so, Guan Xiaoniu walked step by step into the boundless desert.

No one knew how long he walked, but eventually hunger and thirst overwhelmed him, and he collapsed.

Just then, he heard the sound of voices in the distance.

Thinking it was a passing merchant caravan, his heart soared. He thought he was saved.

But as the figures approached, his face turned pale with horror.

They were not merchants, but desert bandits.

“Boss! There’s someone here!”

A bandit soon spotted him, and Guan Xiaoniu was immediately surrounded. The bandits circled him on horseback, making his dizzy, parched state even worse.

“Well, well… a pretty little face, isn’t he?” the leader sneered.

Compared to most in Tianmen Town, Guan Xiaoniu was indeed more fair-skinned. Thin frame, delicate limbs—he had the look of a pampered youth.

“He’d fetch a good price,” another bandit grinned.

The rest burst into loud, mocking laughter.

“Grab him,” the leader ordered.

At his command, one of the bandits dismounted and strode toward Guan Xiaoniu.

Panicked, Guan Xiaoniu backed away. “No! Don’t come any closer!”

The bandit leader reminded, “Don’t forget to search him.”

“Don’t worry, boss! I won’t!” the underling chuckled.

He yanked open Guan Xiaoniu’s collar, pulled out his bag, and quickly found the silver Granny Zou had given him.

As for the little savings Guan Xiaoniu had managed over the years? His aunt had secretly taken it all when she kicked him out.

“Jackpot, Boss! A fat little lamb!” the bandit beamed.

Seeing his last bit of money about to be stolen, Guan Xiaoniu suddenly surged forward with a burst of strength and desperation.

“That’s my money! Give it back, you thieves!”

But how could he be a match for them?

Before he even touched the bandit, a heavy kick sent him flying. He collapsed, head spinning, and passed out cold.

“You don’t know what’s good for you!”

The leader scolded his underling, laughing.

“Watch yourself—he’s merchandise now. Break him, and who’s gonna buy?”

“Haha! My bad, Boss. Heavy feet—guilty as charged!” the bandit cackled, slapping his leg.

And just like that, the bandits took Guan Xiaoniu away.

***

No one knew how much time passed before Guan Xiaoniu slowly regained consciousness. He tried to move, but pain flared from his chest.

The intense pain cleared his mind—and he realized he was trapped inside a wooden cage.

“Where… am I?” he asked instinctively.

“Where do you think? You’re on a human trafficker’s wagon,” came a voice beside him.

Only then did he notice—there was another person in the cage.

A skinny boy, fifteen or sixteen at most, who clearly hadn’t had a full meal in a long time.

“Human traffickers…” Guan Xiaoniu muttered. Then he asked, “Were you also caught by the desert bandits?”

The boy scoffed. “Bandits? Nah. My own parents sold me.”

Guan Xiaoniu went silent.

He thought: ‘If my parents were still alive, they’d never sell me…’

After a long pause, he asked: “Do you know where they’re taking us?”

The boy shook his head. “No idea. But wherever it is, it won’t be good.”

As for Guan Xiaoniu’s fate—no one cared.

***

Back home, Yuan Zhao had sent Han Rang away and told Ah Qing: “Ah Qing, Sis has been on the road for days and is a bit tired. I’d like to rest properly for a while, okay? Don’t come bother me.”

“Mhm~ Don’t worry, Sis! You rest well!” Ah Qing readily agreed.

Yuan Zhao nodded and went into her room, closing the door behind her. The old wolf followed her closely, not leaving her side for a moment.

Once inside, Yuan Zhao immediately sat cross-legged on the bed and began circulating her energy to heal, while the old wolf quietly lay underneath the bed.

He, too, was seriously injured.

Ah Qing truly didn’t disturb her sister. She swept the house and courtyard thoroughly, fed the chickens, and watered the vegetable patch.

During the past few days while the sisters were away, Han Long had arranged for people to feed the chickens on schedule.

After finishing all that, Ah Qing began practicing Heaven-Sweeping Hand at the wooden stakes in the courtyard. In just a few days, her skills had visibly improved.

In fact, during the time apart, Ah Qing had immersed herself in cultivation to keep her mind off missing her sister—training from dawn till dusk.

This, of course, was tough on Han Rang. Every time Han Long saw Ah Qing training at daybreak, he’d scold Han Rang mercilessly: “Look at that little girl! Now look at you, you useless thing!”

Han Rang was aggrieved. His father always boasted to outsiders about his martial talent, yet here he was, constantly getting compared and reprimanded.

***

The next morning, just as Yuan Zhao stepped out of the house, she heard shouts and grunts coming from the courtyard.

She looked up to see Ah Qing, drenched in sweat, practicing hard.

“Ah Qing, you’re up early.”

Upon hearing her sister’s voice, Ah Qing immediately stopped and beamed: “Sister, you’re awake! Did you sleep well last night?”

“Refreshed and energized!” Yuan Zhao smiled.

Hearing that, Ah Qing broke into a radiant grin: “Sis, I made breakfast. Want to eat?”

Yuan Zhao touched her stomach. “Just in time. I’m starving.”

Ah Qing happily ran toward the kitchen: “Let’s eat together!”

Before long, she brought out a set of dishes already prepared and laid them out in the main hall.

While eating, Ah Qing asked: “Sis, what are you planning to do with all those horses? Keeping them in the yard doesn’t seem very convenient.”

Their courtyard wasn’t small, but it was definitely cramped for housing more than a dozen horses.

Yuan Zhao thought for a moment and said: “Let’s keep one for our own use. We’ll take the rest to the market and sell them.”

Ah Qing’s eyes lit up. “Sis, are horses worth a lot?”

“They should be,” Yuan Zhao replied. “They’re certainly more valuable than cattle or sheep.”

“That’s great! We’re gonna be rich!” Ah Qing cried excitedly.

Yuan Zhao gave her a helpless smile.

“Little money grubber!”

“Hehe~” Ah Qing giggled and immediately sped up her eating.

***

After breakfast, she ran eagerly to the courtyard and started grooming the horses, wiping them down and making them spotless—hoping to fetch a good price.

And sure enough, once cleaned up, the horses looked much more spirited.

When Yuan Zhao stepped out, Ah Qing pointed at a black horse and said: “Sis, let’s keep this one. It’s the tallest, strongest, and super gentle!”

Yuan Zhao took a closer look, it really was the best of the bunch.

“Alright, we’ll keep it,” she agreed.

Ah Qing was overjoyed and led the horse out separately.

Yuan Zhao then instructed: “Take it to the courtyard next door, it’s more spacious.”

Their house and the neighboring one had been connected through a wide gateway, making the transfer easy.

Once the black horse was secured next door, the two sisters led the rest toward the market.

***

As soon as they entered, they drew a lot of attention.

It wasn’t every day you saw two girls leading over ten horses.

Some people recognized who they were and didn’t dare bother them. But others, who hadn’t yet caught on, didn’t have the sense to stay away.

Most had only heard the name Yuan Zhao, not seen her face.

Sure enough, just a few steps into the market, they were blocked by a horse trader.

“Selling horses, ladies?”

Yuan Zhao stopped.

“You’re buying?”

“Of course, this is my line of work.” The trader grinned.

“Name your price,” Yuan Zhao said flatly.

His eyes lit up as he eagerly examined the horses, then rubbed his hands and asked: “Where did the horses come from, miss?”

Yuan Zhao gave him a frosty glare. “You want them or not? Cut the questions.”

The trader flinched but quickly smiled again. “Of course, of course. If you’d rather not say, I won’t ask. How about… 12 taels per horse?”

Yuan Zhao actually laughed out of disbelief. Clearly, he was trying to lowball her, assuming she didn’t know the market.

Even if she didn’t know much, she knew enough—warhorses were much more valuable than common mounts.

He was offering the price of farm animals. Her horses were trained for battle!

“If you’re not serious, don’t waste my time.”

With that, she started to lead the horses away.

Panicking, the trader chased after her: “Wait, wait! No need to rush—if the price isn’t right, we can negotiate.”

“13 taels! I’ll go up to 13!”

Still no response.

“Alright, 15 taels! That’s really my limit!”

As he tried to speak again, Ah Qing stepped in front of him with arms spread wide: “Didn’t you hear my sister? If you’re not sincere, don’t bother us!”

Seeing this, the trader’s face darkened slightly. A strange glint flickered in his eyes.

Others nearby watched eagerly.

This horse trader had some clout in the market—he had a reputation for coercion.

But this time, he was wary. Anyone who could casually lead out over ten fine horses was no ordinary girl.

After thinking it over, he subtly signaled to those nearby. Those who were eyeing the situation hungrily instantly backed off.

He opened his mouth again—only to freeze when he saw a group of people approaching.

At the front was a richly dressed, middle-aged man with a beaming smile.

He walked up to Yuan Zhao and bowed slightly: “You must be Miss Yuan, correct?”

The horse trader blinked. Miss Yuan? Which Miss Yuan?

But he did recognize this man, anyone doing real business in Tianmen Town would.

He was none other than the Chairman of the Baiyu Trade Guild.

The Baiyu Guild was a powerful alliance of large trading companies, specializing in business between the Great Liang and Great Xiao empires.

Tianmen Town’s branch was just a local office, but their influence far exceeded that of Xiaoyue Pavilion. They essentially controlled the economic lifeline of the entire region.

If you wanted to trade in Tianmen Town, you had to register with the Baiyu Guild. Without their approval, it was nearly impossible to move large quantities of goods.

Yet here was this powerful man, treating a young girl with such courtesy.

The horse trader began to sweat.

Wait a minute—Miss Yuan? Could this be… the “Heaven-Prison Blade” Yuan Zhao everyone’s been talking about lately?

He broke out in a cold sweat.

Yuan Zhao, for her part, looked puzzled at the smiling man.

“And you are…?”

“Ah! Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself.” He chuckled warmly.

“I am Si Jin Haoran, President of the Baiyu Guild’s Tianmen Town branch. I’ve heard of your exploits for some time now and had planned to visit in person. What luck, meeting you here today—it must be fate!”