Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 229: Chapter 220 The End of the Year Approaches

Yimu Chang Chun Skill, from the name alone it’s clear this is a cultivation technique that emphasizes longevity.

Practicing this skill can prolong life, rejuvenate the body like spring returning to withered wood, and reverse aging.

Simply put, it turns white hair to black, erases wrinkles, revitalizes an aged body, allowing a person to live an additional decade or even several decades.

If one masters it, they can then wield Yimu True Qi. Such True Qi is the concentrated Jin Qi of a Postnatal Martial Artist, whereas the hallmark of an Innate Martial Artist is the ability to release True Qi.

Different cultivation techniques endow one with different characteristics of True Qi.

The quality of Yimu True Qi is its enduring and long-lasting nature, supporting a martial artist in prolonged battles without draining their energy.

Of course, advantages come with disadvantages. A long-lasting breath means less explosive power; enduring means that progress must be made gradually without shortcuts.

After thoroughly understanding the Yimu Chang Chun Skill, Yu Qingyi’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Reversal of aging!”

Well, women!

Their points of focus always differ from men’s.

However, Yang Zhengshan doesn’t seem to be a normal man, or rather, not a normal person.

“Reversal of aging!”

His eyes also shimmered with brightness.

Oh, the ten years I’ve lost!

I am roughly thirty years old, in my prime, and yet now I am nearing an old man’s state!

Age is an eternal sore spot for Yang Zhenshan. Now that there’s a chance to reverse his aging, naturally, he is thrilled to no end.

He doesn’t even demand to become young again; being ten years younger would be enough for him.

“It seems the heavens still care for me, willing to give back the ten years I’ve lost!”

Yang Zhenshan was truly ecstatic.

But thinking about this now might be premature. The Yimu Chang Chun Skill is an Innate level technique. To achieve the effect of reversing aging, one must at least reach the Innate Realm.

For those in the Postnatal Realm practicing Innate techniques, it’s only laying the foundation, a beginning.

For Yang Zhenshan, to cultivate to the Innate Realm, it would take at least years of effort.

Even with the aid of Spiritual Spring Water, this remains true.

“The prerequisite for practicing Innate techniques is to unblock the meridians!” said Yu Qingyi, looking at the content of the technique.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, “It seems we’ll need to find a way to unblock the meridians in the future!”

Unblocking the meridians means using Jin Qi to open the Twelve Main Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

This requires high control over Jin Qi, and unblocking meridians is also a lengthy process.

Yu Qingyi frowned slightly at the description of unblocking meridians, “I’m still far from controlling Jin Qi effectively!”

“Don’t worry, take your time!” Yang Zhenshan took her hand and smiled, “We have plenty of time ahead of us!”

Hearing this, Yu Qingyi’s eyes softened with tenderness.

Indeed, they had a long time ahead, no need to rush.

…

As time entered into the 28th year of Chengping, in the twelfth lunar month, Liang Hui and Mrs. Han brought Liang Jinyan to An Yuan City again to set a wedding date with Yang Zhenshan.

According to Yang Zhenshan’s request, they would wait until Yang Yunxue turned sixteen to marry, setting the date for the eighth day of the tenth month next year.

It was nearly eleven months away.

The wedding date set, both families now became in-laws, simply waiting for the marriage next year.

And as Yang Yunxue’s marriage was settled, the end of the year approached.

Following annual tradition, Yu Qingyi prepared many New Year’s gifts. Once again, Yang Mingcheng returned to Anning County with the gifts, but this time, Jiang He and Yang Yunyan also went back.

Ever since Jiang He and Yang Yunyan came to the Yang family, four years had passed without them returning, so it was time to go back and visit.

Meanwhile, Yang Mingzhi also went to Jianning Guard. He was acting on Yang Zhenshan’s behalf to deliver New Year’s gifts to Zhou Lan and Zhao Yuan, and he would also check on Yang Chengze and Yang Mingwu among others, finally staying for two days at his father-in-law, Third Master Liang’s place.

Mrs. Liang, who was pregnant, did not accompany them.

As for other places, Yang Zhenshan would personally visit.

First was the Marquis Mansion at Chongshan Pass. Previously, the Yang family could not afford to give gifts to the Marquis Mansion, but now that they were about to become relatives by marriage, it was naturally necessary to prepare a present for the holidays.

Next were Wang Bin and Tan Jingtai, as they were the immediate superiors. One must maintain necessary courtesies.

However, the news of the Yang family’s impending marriage alliance with the Marquis Mansion had already spread. The officials in Jia City found it incredible: some envied, some were jealous, while others thought the Yang family had struck dumb luck.

Some said the Yang family was reaching above their station, others argued that Yang Zhenshan was using his daughter’s marriage to climb the social ladder. In short, it was a blend of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Yang Zhenshan had anticipated this. These things were unavoidable.

After all, it is a fact that the Yang family’s social status is lower, and since Marquis Changping Liang Chu was the General of Chongshan Town, if this marriage went through, it would inevitably provoke gossip.

Yang Zhenshan naturally wouldn’t take such idle chatter to heart, nor would he care about those envious and resentful bureaucrats.

With a large cart of New Year’s gifts, Jiang He directly arrived at the Wang family.

Wang Bin personally welcomed him at the door. Upon seeing Yang Zhenshan, he laughed heartily, “Master Yang, congratulations, congratulations!”

Yang Zhenshan dismounted and replied, “General, there’s no need for such pretense between you and me!”

“Ah, what pretense is there? You’re different now, after all. You’re the Marquis’s in-law. I’ll have to rely on you in the future!” Wang Bin laughed.

Of course, he was clearly jesting.

Given his status, he certainly didn’t need to rely on Yang Zhenshan. Although the Yang family had married into the Marquis Mansion, it didn’t mean that the Yang family could leap through social classes and raise their family’s status.

After all, one must be strong in their own right.

The Yang family could leverage the power of the Marquis Mansion but could not rely on it to improve their social rank.

The status of the Yang family depended on the brothers Yang Zhenshan and Yang Mingcheng, not on a daughter who had married out.

“General, dare you say that to the Marquis! Hahaha~~” Yang Zhenshan laughed loudly.

The two joked and entered the Wang family estate. Wang Sheng was not present today, having gone out to deliver New Year’s gifts.

Once in the main hall, Wang Bin gestured for Yang Zhenshan to take a seat, laughing, “There’s nothing urgent today. Why don’t you stay and have a good drink with me?”

Yang Zhenshan considered for a moment, “Should we invite Lord Tan as well?”

He still had to deliver New Year’s gifts to Tan Jingtai. If Wang Bin was inviting him to eat, it would be best to include Tan Jingtai, saving him another trip.

“Good, I’ll send someone to invite him right away!” Wang Bin said with a smile.

He didn’t have any ill feelings towards Tan Jingtai. No, more accurately, he admired the current Tan Jingtai.

The Tan Jingtai of the past was just an official who idled away his days, someone Wang Bin disdained and ignored. But ever since Tan Jingtai was promoted to Commander of the Songzhou Guard, he seemed rejuvenated, not only personally handling all matters but also acting with a reasonable and measured approach.

In the past two years, Tan Jingtai had managed the Songzhou Guard exceptionally well, to the extent that even Wang Bin had to acknowledge his competence.

Some people aren’t incapable of handling affairs; it’s the environment and fetters they face that prevent them from acting according to their wishes.

And once those fetters are removed, a person who seems mediocre may display extraordinary ability.

Tan Jingtai was evidently such a person. Had he really been incapable throughout his more than twenty years in the Songzhou Guard?

No, it was just that he lacked the environment and opportunity to display his talents.

Otherwise, he couldn’t have risen from a Hundred Households to the position of Deputy Magistrate.

Wang Bin summoned a servant and gave instructions; Yang Zhenshan also called over Ding Qiu to accompany the Wang family’s servant to invite Tan Jingtai, and, by the way, deliver the New Year’s gifts.

New Year’s gifts are merely a formality; in truth, for Wang Bin and Tan Jingtai, they’re nothing substantial, and they don’t covet such tokens.

By contrast, Yang Zhenshan’s opportunity to have a meal with both Tan Jingtai and Wang Bin and to strengthen their relationship was far more significant for Tan Jingtai.

Sure enough, it was not long before Tan Jingtai arrived at the Wang family’s estate, all smiles.

After the three exchanged pleasantries, and the timing was just right, the dishes were served, and they began to share toasts.

All being acquaintances, the three drank with great abandon.

After three rounds of drinks and plenty of small talk, Tan Jingtai couldn’t help but turn to pressing concerns.

“General, are we truly going to campaign next year?”

His sources of information weren’t as good as Yang Zhenshan’s. Yang Zhenshan had long surmised the campaign, while he was still uncertain.

Now that he had the rare opportunity to drink with Wang Bin, he couldn’t resist seeking confirmation.

“Hmm, unless something unexpected happens, we are set to campaign!” Wang Bin put down his cup, waved his hand to dismiss the attending servants.

Tan Jingtai looked slightly uneasy. A campaign meant war, which meant casualties. Perhaps for many commanders, this was an opportunity to achieve glory, but for Tan Jingtai, who was responsible for land cultivation, it was only a hassle.

He wouldn’t join the army in the field, and even if he was ordered to, it would be hard for him to earn distinctions—at nearly sixty, his cultivation had declined to less than forty percent of its peak.

Surviving the battlefield would already be fortunate, not to mention earning accolades.

“I must prepare thoroughly then!” Tan Jingtai said.

His preparation didn’t mean readying for battle but ensuring supplies to provide logistical support to Wang Bin.

Wars are fought on logistics; during the first campaign to Chongshan Town, Yang Zhenshan was tirelessly transporting provisions, and logistics is just as crucial for this campaign.

If nothing unexpected occurs, Tan Jingtai, as Commander of the Songzhou Guard, would have the important task of ensuring the supply of provisions for the troops under Wang Bin’s command.

Wang Bin nodded, “Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll assign a thousand commander to work with you. After all, we have Brother Yang! Hahaha~~”

At this moment, Wang Bin showed no hint of concern, precisely because of Yang Zhenshan’s presence under his command.

The previous two battles had proven Yang Zhenshan’s strength, and he also had witnessed the transformation in the An Yuan City garrison over the past two years.

He believed that with Yang Zhenshan and the An Yuan City garrison, they were worth at least three thousand soldiers!

Adding to this his own two rescue camps, he would effectively command an army of ten thousand.

With ten thousand troops at hand, Wang Bin was brimming with confidence.

Moreover, he was confident in Liang Chu, so he was eager to embark on the campaign.

He wanted to erase the shame of four years ago.

Hearing Wang Bin say this, Tan Jingtai felt considerably relieved. It wasn’t that he feared the battlefield at his age; he was not afraid of dying in battle. His only concern was failing in his duties for Wang Bin.

Though he had done his utmost to transform the Songzhou Guard over the last two years, the foundation there was too weak, and he lacked Yang Zhenshan’s talents. Hence, despite his efforts, he still had little confidence in the soldiers of the Songzhou Guard.