Chapter Four: Silent Schemes, Quietly Gathering Strength

Upon returning to his quarters, Su Jin was not unsettled by the events that had transpired behind the mountain. He sat calmly at his desk, setting the piece of black cloth aside, and began to re-evaluate his current situation and subsequent plans. He knew full well that since someone had already sensed his intention to change and grow stronger—and had begun to monitor him in the shadows, even attempting to set traps—he must conduct his affairs with greater secrecy and thoroughness. The training regimen he had previously devised could not be easily abandoned, but the location and method of its execution needed to be adjusted.

Su Jin recalled a long-abandoned small courtyard within the Duke’s Mansion. It was situated in a remote corner, overgrown with weeds, and almost entirely forgotten. It might serve as his new training ground. He decided to scout the area under the cover of darkness, and once he ensured it was sufficiently safe and concealed, he would quietly transport the necessary training equipment there. That night, under the cover of profound silence, Su Jin donned dark attire, kept his movements hidden, and made his way toward the courtyard. Throughout the journey, relying on his familiarity with the mansion's layout, he skillfully avoided the patrolling servants and any potential eyes watching him.

Upon finally reaching the courtyard, he found the gate locked, the copper padlock on it thick with rust. Su Jin scanned his surroundings to ensure he was not being followed, then employed a subtle lock-picking technique he had learned from the original owner’s memories to gently open the gate. Stepping inside, he was met with a stale, decaying air. The walls of the house were mottled, and the ground was pitted and uneven, but fortunately, the space was relatively open—enough for him to conduct various types of training. Su Jin carefully inspected every corner of the courtyard and, finding nothing out of the ordinary, finally set his mind at ease.

In the days that followed, Su Jin began to transport his simple, homemade training equipment in batches. He deliberately chose the busiest times for the household to move, acting as if nothing were amiss while carrying seemingly ordinary items that actually concealed components of his equipment, making trip after trip between the courtyard and his living quarters. Though he occasionally encountered curious gazes from others, he skillfully neutralized them by maintaining his usual persona of being worldly, detached, and slightly timid, leading people to believe he was merely tinkering with harmless trifles.

In the courtyard, Su Jin arrived quietly before dawn every day. One morning, as the first light of dawn emerged, Su Jin began his training as usual. He started with a warm-up jog, circling the perimeter of the courtyard with light, rhythmic steps, each stride seemingly measuring the distance between him and his past self. After several laps, he stood still, took a deep breath, and began his strength training. He picked up his homemade barbell, constructed from two thick wooden poles and several stones. Su Jin held the ends of the barbell firmly with both hands and slowly lifted it above his head, the muscles in his arms tightening and rippling with his movements.

"One, two, three..." he counted in a low voice, each lift accompanied by a soft exhale, his gaze focused and resolute. By the tenth set, sweat was streaming down his cheeks, dripping onto the earth beneath his feet and stirring up fine dust. After a short rest, he began to practice swordsmanship. Picking up the slightly worn long sword from the corner, Su Jin unsheathed it gently; the blade flashed with a cold light, as if expressing its reluctance to remain idle. He took his stance, recalling the sword techniques from military manuals in his mind, and began to practice them move by move.

"Thrust!" he shouted, the long sword striking forward like a dragon emerging from the sea; followed immediately by a turn, "Sweep!" The blade sliced through the air from bottom to top, stirring a gust of wind. His movements were somewhat stiff at first, but as he practiced repeatedly, they gradually became fluid. During the process, Su Jin accidentally cut his finger, blood dripping onto the ground.

He merely frowned slightly, bandaged it simply, and threw himself back into his training. "I cannot stop," he whispered to himself. "Only by becoming stronger can I control my own destiny."

One day, while Su Jin was resting in the courtyard, A'Fu came to bring him water. Setting down the kettle, A'Fu said softly, "Young Master, you have been working so hard lately; you must take care of your health."

Su Jin wiped away his sweat and smiled faintly. "A'Fu, I am fine. Have you heard any rumors in the mansion?"

A'Fu frowned slightly and whispered, "Young Master, I heard people close to the eldest young master whispering about you, saying your recent behavior is abnormal and that you are likely plotting something."

Su Jin’s eyes sharpened. "Oh? What else did they say?"

A'Fu shook his head. "I don't know the specifics, but they just told me to warn you to be careful."

Su Jin nodded. "I understand. A'Fu, keep paying attention, and if there is any news, inform me immediately."

Aside from A'Fu, the maid Cui'er was also frequently by Su Jin's side. Once, while she was tidying his clothes, she said with concern, "Young Master, you are training so secretly—what if you are discovered?"

Su Jin patted her shoulder gently. "Cui'er, do not worry. This is all I can do now; if I do not strive to become stronger, how will I secure my footing in this mansion in the future?"

Cui'er bit her lip. "Young Master, but you must not take too many risks."

Su Jin looked at her and said earnestly, "Cui'er, I appreciate your kindness. But I can no longer allow myself to be bullied as I was before. I want to change all of this."

Cui'er nodded firmly. "Young Master, Cui'er will always be with you and support you."

Su Jin understood that for the moment, he was still weak and isolated. Only by laying these plans in the shadows and quietly accumulating strength could he possess the confidence and capital to strike back when facing the overt attacks and hidden arrows of the future, and truly realize his goal of protecting his family and establishing a firm foothold within the Qianyuan Dynasty.