: The Guard Chopping Wood?

"Um?"

Su Yang paused slightly with his axe, then brought it down again, splitting a piece of wood with a crisp "crack" that was still clearly audible in the somewhat noisy backyard. His movements didn't stop, but his ears perked up.

In my memory, the wealthy man Huang Shiyun had three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Huang Zhenggang, was said to work at Duba Manor.

A short while later.

Su Yang saw Fei Jianhua, accompanied by two followers, stride into the backyard. He wore the same pressure-inducing smile he usually wore when addressing the kitchen manager, and his gaze swept over everyone in the yard.

His gaze first fell on Zhang Laosan, who was diligently gathering firewood. His brows furrowed subconsciously, clearly indicating that he was not satisfied with the progress of chopping the wood.

But when his gaze swept past Zhang Laosan and landed on the familiar figure beside him, the smile on his face froze, and his pupils contracted slightly: "Huh? Su Yang? What's he doing here? Still... chopping wood?!"

Fei Jianhua almost thought he was seeing things.

This newly recruited guard, who was favored by Yang Yunxing yesterday, should be eating in the canteen or practicing extra to curry favor with the instructor at the training ground right now. Why is he hanging around in the kitchen backyard, doing such lowly and menial work?

When Zhang Laosan saw Steward Fei arrive in person, he was so frightened that he quickly put down the firewood and bowed, saying, "Steward Fei!"

Fei Jianhua ignored him. He stared at Su Yang's back, his eyes flickering a few times. His usual fake smile returned to his face, but this time with a hint of inquiry and an imperceptible chill.

He cleared his throat, raising his voice slightly to ensure everyone in the backyard could hear him: "Oh? Isn't this our newly promoted Guard Su? What... do you have time to come to the kitchen backyard to experience life?"

Su Yang seemed to only then hear this, stopped what he was doing, turned around, casually propped the axe on the ground, a few drops of sweat hanging from his forehead, and said calmly to Fei Jianhua, "Manager Fei, after morning exercise, my muscles and bones need to be stretched. Seeing Brother Zhang chopping wood alone and working hard, I came to lend a hand and also to work up my strength."

"To build up strength?"

Fei Jianhua took two steps closer, his gaze sweeping over Su Yang's guard uniform, which was slightly damp with sweat, and then glancing at the pile of firewood at his feet that was being chopped quickly and neatly. His surprise and suspicion grew even stronger—this kid is indeed quite strong, he can chop firewood so skillfully...

He suppressed his thoughts and said with a forced smile, "Guard Su is indeed diligent, but these rough tasks are left to the servants. Now that you are a guard, you should focus your energy on the right path and practice your martial arts to prepare for any eventuality in the household."

These words, seemingly out of concern, were actually a warning to Su Yang for "not doing his job properly," and even implied that he was lowering his status.

Su Yang seemed oblivious to the implied meaning, simply nodding: "Steward Fei is right. I practice the Guardian's Knife Technique, and chopping wood is perfect for generating power. May I ask what brings Steward Fei here in person?"

Fei Jianhua was slightly annoyed by his neither forceful nor soft rebuke, but remembering the important matter, he temporarily suppressed his displeasure and turned to the somewhat bewildered kitchen manager and cooks, raising his voice again:

"Listen up, all of you! The young master has just returned from the Duba Manor, exhausted from his journey! The master has ordered that a feast be prepared immediately—it must be exquisite and quick! Show us your best skills! If you delay, you'll be in big trouble!"

"Yes, yes! Don't worry, Steward Fei!"

Everyone in the kitchen responded immediately and sprang into action, slaughtering chickens and fish, lighting fires and heating oil, becoming even busier than before.

After giving his instructions, Fei Jianhua gave Su Yang a meaningful look, and smirked, "Since Guard Su is in the mood for 'building up his strength,' then... continue. Just don't forget what a guard's duty is."

After saying that, he snorted coldly and turned to leave with his followers.

After Fei Jianhua had gone some distance, Zhang Laosan approached Su Yang and whispered, "Guard Su, what...what did you do to offend Steward Fei? What he said just now..."

Su Yang shook his head and picked up the axe again: "It's alright. Brother Zhang, let's continue."

Fei Jianhua's doubts and subtle disdain about chopping wood were precisely the cover he needed. No one would have guessed that his strength was improving at an astonishing rate amidst this monotonous chopping.

.......

Lunchtime, at the nursing home's canteen.

Su Yang carried his own meal—a large bowl of brown rice, a spoonful of oily stew with a few pieces of fat the size of a finger, two meat buns, and a meat pie—found a spot to sit down, and began to eat.

After becoming a guard, the food was much better than when he was a servant. It was oily and juicy, and he could eat his fill. This was crucial for Su Yang, who needed a lot of energy to strengthen his body.

This is also an important source of simplification.

[Simplification point +0.1]

[Simplification point +0.65]

[Simplification point +0.4]

【...】

After a meal, I accumulated quite a few simplified points.

"After training breaks in the afternoon, I still need to chop wood; that's the most important way for me to improve my skills!"

While eating, Su Yang was secretly making plans in his mind.

Just as he was finishing his meal, a sturdy figure carrying food sat down opposite him.

"Brother Su, are you eating?"

Su Yang looked up and saw that it was Wang Tiezhu.

The old nurse wore his usual simple smile, but his eyes revealed a shrewdness.

"Brother Wang." Su Yang nodded and put down his chopsticks. He maintained the necessary respect for this veteran who had initially taken him to his residence and later assisted in managing the new nursing home.

"Don't be shy, eat up." Wang Tiezhu waved his hand, took a couple of bites of rice himself, and then lowered his voice to say, "Brother Su, this morning... the eldest young master came back, did you see him?"

Su Yang's heart stirred, but his face remained calm: "I saw it from afar, its aura is extraordinary."

"It's more than just extraordinary." Wang Tiezhu looked around and lowered his voice even further: "Young Master has returned with military orders! The Duba Manor has already issued orders for the Jianghuai Army to surround the city, and all the guards of the wealthy families in the city must be registered and may be conscripted at any time to assist in the defense! I heard that Li Mi of Wagang and Du Fuwei are going to join forces to do something big, and Jingling... I'm afraid it won't be peaceful for long."

Su Yang's gaze narrowed slightly.

In the original story, although Jingling was defended with the help of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, it was eventually occupied by the Jianghuai Army. He had to speed up his pace and improve his strength in order to survive in the chaotic world!

"Brother Wang is well-informed."

Su Yang said.

"Hey, staying in the manor for too long, you're bound to hear some rumors." Wang Tiezhu waved his hand, then changed the subject, looking at Su Yang with a hint of advice in his tone: "Brother Su, you're a capable man, and Instructor Yang also values ​​your potential. However... this manor is a deep well."

He paused, then tapped the table lightly with his chopsticks: "Some people just can't stand seeing others do well, especially newcomers who rise too quickly. After your morning practice... did you go to the kitchen or the backyard?"

Su Yang looked up at Wang Tiezhu.

The other party's information network was indeed well-informed; it seemed that news of Fei Jianhua encountering him in the kitchen backyard had already spread.

"Yes, I went to stretch my muscles."

Su Yang said frankly.

"Stretching your muscles... chopping wood?"

Wang Tiezhu smiled, a smile tinged with helplessness and understanding: "Brother Su, listen to me, practicing martial arts is the right thing to do, but where and how you practice it matters. You, a newly promoted guard, are doing menial servant work. In some people's eyes, that would be seen as 'not knowing what's important,' 'willingly degrading yourself,' or even... 'having ulterior motives.'"

Su Yang remained silent.

He understood what Wang Tiezhu meant.

Fei Jianhua's sarcastic remarks this morning were clear evidence of this.

In the rigidly hierarchical inner courtyard, your behavior must conform to your status; otherwise, you will be considered an outcast and will attract criticism and persecution.

"Thank you for the advice, Brother Wang."

Su Yang said sincerely.

Whatever Wang Tiezhu's purpose was in saying these words, it was at least outwardly a gesture of goodwill.

"I just like you and wanted to say a few more words."

Wang Tiezhu waved his hand, his tone turning serious: "However, the situation is different now. The eldest young master has returned with military orders. The guards in the manor will definitely have to intensify their training, and they might even select elites ahead of schedule. Then, we'll see real skills! All those tricks and schemes will have to give way before the sword!"

He stared at Su Yang, and said meaningfully, "So, Brother Su, you still need to practice, but it's best to practice where it's 'necessary' and in the 'appropriate' way. Since Instructor Yang appreciates you, it won't hurt to spend more time with him. When it really comes down to who's needed, only those with the strongest fists and the fastest blades will survive and rise to the top!"

After saying that, Wang Tiezhu stopped talking, quickly finished his meal, patted Su Yang on the shoulder, and got up to leave.

Su Yang sat there, slowly chewing the last bite of his steamed bun.

Wang Tiezhu's words contained a great deal of information.

First, it was confirmed that the situation in Jingling was dire, the guards were about to be conscripted, and the value of individual combat skills soared.

Secondly, it points out the potential jealousy and suppression from petty people within the household.

Thirdly, it offered advice: closely follow Yang Yunxing, demonstrate value within the "rules-abiding" scope, and let strength speak for itself.

"The proper way to practice... the correct method..."

Su Yang seemed to be deep in thought, but then his eyes narrowed and his mind suddenly cleared.

No, Wang Tiezhu is wrong!

His path was different from everyone else's!

Others need to systematically hone their strength, practice their moves diligently, and seek guidance from renowned teachers.

But he has the "Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication" panel! For him, "chopping wood" is the fastest, most stable, and most essential cultivation method!

Priorities must be clearly distinguished!

We need to do the work on the surface, but there's only one core task: do everything we can to chop more wood!

"Chopping firewood is attracting attention? Hmm? Can I take some firewood back to my room?"

A bold idea popped into Su Yang's mind.

The panel only says "chop firewood", but it doesn't specify the size of the firewood or the location!

Is a twig as thick as a finger considered firewood?

Does slowly chopping with a knife in a room count as "chopping"?

If it can be done, then eating, walking, and even squatting in the toilet can all be "cultivated"!

"After you finish eating, go to the kitchen and get the small wooden stick to try!"

Thinking of this, Su Yang quickly finished the rest of his food, felt the simplified points of version 1.3, stood up, and went to the backyard of the kitchen.