Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty: Simplified Divine Skills Lead to an Invincible Myth

Su Yang wielded the broom and put away the panel. Just then, the lean and short figure of the steward Fei Jianhua appeared in the servants' quarters.

His gaze swept across the room like a knife, precisely landing on Su Yang, who was staring blankly at the broom.

"Su Yang! Hurry up and scan!"

His voice suddenly rose, sharp and stern, as he shouted, "Stop dawdling and cheating! Not a single leaf is allowed to remain in this front yard today. Sweep it all up!"

Su Yang stopped what he was doing and looked up.

Fei Jianhua had already walked up to him, his hands behind his back. His short stature exuded an imposing aura, and his face was full of meanness and impatience.

The pile of fallen leaves in the front yard was originally the work of two servants for a day.

Su Yang didn't say anything, but silently gripped the broom tighter.

Fei Jianhua seemed satisfied with his silence, snorted through his nose, and then condescendingly announced the follow-up arrangements: "After you finish sweeping here, get to the medicinal cuisine room and help! Old Zheng needs someone to clean the herbs. If you dare to slack off again, you'll regret it!"

"Yes, Steward Fei."

Su Yang nodded and agreed.

After sweeping up the mountain of fallen leaves in the front yard, his back was drenched in cold sweat, and his old injury was burning with pain from repeatedly bending over. He dared not delay and hurried to the medicine room as ordered.

.........

The medicinal cuisine room is located in the northeast corner of the main kitchen of the Huang family mansion, and it is a separate side room.

Although this medicinal cuisine room is adjacent to the kitchen, it feels like another world.

Upon entering, a rich aroma of herbs and a bitter smell immediately wafted over, instantly dispelling the smoky and greasy smell from the next room.

An elderly man with gray hair and a thin face was standing with his back to him, carefully tending to several earthenware pots on the stove. This was Zheng Shanfu, the old man from the medicinal cuisine kitchen.

Old Master Zheng's task was to be responsible for supplying the master, madam, young masters and young ladies, and guards with nourishing and martial arts-training medicines.

"Old Zheng."

Su Yang said in a low voice, "Manager Fei asked me to help clean the medicinal herbs."

"Um."

Without turning his head, Zheng Shanfu pointed to the corner of the wall with his withered finger and said, "Those must be washed clean, without a single speck of mud or sand."

Su Yang walked to the medicinal herbs as instructed. Just as he was about to squat down, his back injury was aggravated, causing his mouth to twitch in pain.

The slight movement made Zheng Shanfu turn around.

His cloudy yet sharp gaze lingered for a moment on Su Yang's pale face and stiff back, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Su Yang endured the pain and began to clean.

Thanks to his family's previous business of the "Baicaoquan" winery, he was no stranger to processing root and rhizome herbs. He worked quickly and efficiently, cleaning the herbs until they were spotless and in good condition.

When he placed the last basket of medicinal herbs beside Zheng Shanfu, a hint of surprise and satisfaction flashed in the old man's eyes. A scrutinizing look quickly crossed his cloudy eyes, and he nodded: "Well done... properly."

Zheng Shanfu's voice was less distant as he said, "If you have nothing to do at this time tomorrow, come over again."

As he spoke, he turned around and took a rough earthenware jar from the wooden cabinet, placing it on the cutting board: "This is a topical ointment for wounds. There's no one in that corner over there, so take it and apply some yourself."

Su Yang gripped the pottery jar tightly and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Elder Zheng, I understand."

He went to a corner in the shadows and quickly applied all the ointment to the wound.

A burning sensation seeped into my skin and flesh, which soon turned into a soothing warmth, and the pain lessened considerably.

He gently placed the remaining medicine jar back on the cutting board, bowed deeply to Zheng Shanfu, and whispered, "Thank you, Elder Zheng."

Zheng Shanfu glanced at the pottery jar and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Su Yang understood and turned to leave.

Zheng Shanfu did not turn around, but listened to the footsteps fading away, his eyes thoughtful.

..........

On a crisp autumn morning, the courtyard was covered with fallen leaves.

Su Yang held the broom and slowly swept, stroke by stroke.

Each time he bent over, the wound on his back tore open with excruciating pain, making his movements stiff and sluggish. Fine beads of cold sweat on his forehead turned into wisps of white vapor in the cool air.

Just then, a series of rapid and crisp hoofbeats came from outside the mansion gate, growing louder as they approached, accompanied by shouts and the neighing of horses.

"The Third Young Master has returned home!"

Someone let out a low shout, like a boulder being thrown into still water.

The entire front yard instantly came to life, yet fell into another eerie silence.

All the busy servants and maids, whether they were watering or carrying things, immediately stopped what they were doing, ran quickly to both sides of the path leading to the inner courtyard, bowed deeply with their hands at their sides, and didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Only Su Yang, due to his injury and position, was a step behind, standing somewhat awkwardly under the maple tree a little distance from the path, holding a broom.

"Get out of the way! Everyone get out of the way! The Third Young Master is back!"

A familiar yet obsequious voice rang out sharply. Chen Le, like a hyena that had smelled blood, leaped out from the crowd, his face flushed with excitement. Instead of bowing and standing respectfully like the others, he rushed to the magnificent black-maned horse.

The next moment, a scene unfolded that made all the servants, who had their heads bowed, twitch at the corners of their eyes.

Without hesitation, Chen Le knelt down on the cold bluestone ground with a "thump," right next to the horse's forelegs. He used his back to create a "human bench" between the horse and the ground.

He raised his head, his face plastered with an almost distorted, fawning smile, his voice booming and grating: "This servant, Chen Le, welcomes the Third Young Master back to the manor! Please dismount, Third Young Master!"

Huang Zhengye, on horseback, dressed in a brocade riding and archery uniform, appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. His brows and eyes carried the unique nobility of a scion of a noble family, along with a hint of cynicism. He was clearly not expecting this turn of events, and paused slightly, looking down at the servant at his feet who was prostrate in a posture so humble it seemed to be buried in the mud.

Then, a rather amused smile appeared on his lips.

Huang Zhengye stepped onto Chen Le's back and slowly dismounted, his posture elegant.

Huang Zhengye stopped, casually dusted off his robes, and lingered his gaze on Chen Le for a moment, clearly enjoying the blatant flattery.

"Ha, what a cunning lackey."

He chuckled lightly, his tone carrying the nonchalant air typical of a spoiled brat, and turned his gaze to a burly, imposing follower dressed as a bodyguard.

"Ah Fu, this servant is quite interesting. Reward him."

The guard named Afu responded with a curt "Yes, young master," his face expressionless. He was clearly used to such things, skillfully untying an inconspicuous coarse cloth pouch from his waist—this was what he usually used to tip his servants.

He pulled out a handful of copper coins, and without even looking at them, casually tossed them onto the ground in front of Chen Le.

"Jingle bells—"

Fifty gleaming copper coins bounced and rolled on the bluestone ground, making a crisp, rapid sound. This sound was particularly loud and jarring in the suddenly silent courtyard where everyone held their breath.

"Thank you for the generous gift, Third Young Master! Thank you for your kindness, Third Young Master!"

Chen Le practically threw himself to the ground, his hands trembling with ecstasy as he frantically gathered the scattered copper coins into his arms. He then pounded his head against the ground repeatedly, his voice trembling with excitement: "This servant is willing to serve the Third Young Master like a slave, to the point of sacrificing his life!"

Huang Zhengye stopped looking at him and, surrounded by a group of stewards and servants, walked straight towards the inner courtyard.

Only after the Third Young Master's figure disappeared behind the moon gate did the tense atmosphere in the courtyard seem to ease somewhat. The servants and maids slowly straightened up, their gazes turning to Chen Le, who was still kneeling on the ground, counting copper coins with a face full of ecstasy.

There was envy, there was jealousy, but more than anything, there was a silent contempt and fear.

Chen Le counted the copper coins; there were exactly fifty coins!

He carefully stuffed the money into his pocket before standing up with a smug look on his face.

His first instinct wasn't to brush the dust off his knees and chest, but to immediately fix his gaze precisely on Su Yang under the maple tree.

He strolled over, deliberately making a clattering sound as he tossed the heavy copper coins in his arms, his face revealing undisguised smugness and provocation.

"Did you see that, Su Yang?"

Chen Le tossed the heavy copper coins in his arms, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, and said smugly, "Young Master's reward money is enough for you to earn for half a year, right? With that injury on your back, you're probably not even fit to be used as a horse bench!"

Su Yang didn't even raise his head again.

The broom scraped against the ground, making a soft, steady sound, as if it hadn't heard Chen Le's words.

He seemed not to be sweeping, but rather engaged in some kind of focused meditation. There was nothing in front of him but the ground, and all he could hear was the sound of the wind and the sweeping.

The smugness that Chen Le had deliberately put on his face was like a punch thrown at empty air; all the force was lost, leaving only a stifling embarrassment.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say a few more sarcastic remarks, but found that Su Yang's completely ignoring attitude was more embarrassing than any rebuttal, like an invisible wall that muffled all his provocations back.

"snort!"

In the end, he could only squeeze out this dry, harsh remark through gritted teeth, his face turning red and white in turns. He clenched the string of copper coins in his hand, which suddenly seemed somewhat ridiculous, turned around dejectedly, and walked away quickly.

........

Chen Le, of medium build and thin, felt as if he were carrying a burning coal in his pocket as he held the fifty copper coins. Su Yang's words kept burning in his mind.

"We need to make this money truly worthwhile."

His eyes darted around, and an idea immediately formed in his mind.

He strode to the small courtyard where Steward Fei handled his affairs, his face already displaying an expression of utmost respect and deep gratitude.

"Manager Fei!"

As soon as Chen Le entered, he bowed deeply, holding the string of copper coins high above his head with both hands: "Just now, the Third Young Master rewarded this servant with fifty coins. After much thought, this servant realizes it's all thanks to your good fortune, Steward! If it weren't for your usual guidance, how would this servant have had the opportunity to show his face in front of the Young Master? This reward should rightfully be taken by you, and this servant will be content with just a sip of the soup!"

Fei Jianhua was drinking tea when he heard this. He slightly lifted his droopy eyelids, glanced at the string of copper coins, and then at Chen Le's obsequious expression.

He let out a vague "hmm" from his nose, slowly reached out, not taking all of it, but rather untiing about thirty coins from the string of money, weighing them in his hand with a reassuring crisp sound.

"Hmm, you're a well-behaved kid."

He finally revealed a faint smile, as if to say, "You're smart enough to know what's good for you." "Don't worry, work hard for me, and you'll get your share of the rewards. That Su Yang..."

Chen Le immediately understood and eagerly pledged his loyalty: "Don't worry, Steward! If that brat dares to get in your way again, I'll be the first to kill him without you even having to give the order!"

Watching Steward Fei put the copper coins into the drawer, Chen Le finally felt completely at ease.

What those thirty coins bought was an even stronger backer and tacit approval to deal with Su Yang.

He felt that this deal was worthwhile!