CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 29: MONEY-MAKING IDEAS

A call of "Brother Luo," and everything had changed.

Luo Yongcheng looked up at Jiang Shu, his eyes somewhat blank. He vaguely remembered how, in his first month at the martial arts hall, Jiang Shu had sidled up to him to indirectly inquire about some situations within the inner city of Pingling County.

He had answered every question, and their interactions were comfortable and harmonious.

The way Jiang Shu addressed him unconsciously changed from "Brother Luo" to "Brother Luo."

How had things suddenly become like this?

"Next round."

The maid did not care about Luo Yongcheng’s inner thoughts as she circled around him to the middle of the square and loudly announced the names of the apprentices for the next round of sparring.

Jiang Shu bowed and exited the arena, as a semi-transparent panel floated into view in his mind:

Jiang Shu—

Da Jing Dynasty Language/Writing: small success (20/1000)

Horse Stance: Great Success (400/1000)

Hungry Tiger Sit-in-Cave Stance: small success (985/1000)

Hungry Tiger Breathing Method: small success (985/1000)

Tiger Form Three Moves: small success (850/1000)

During his first sparring session, when he discovered Master Chou highly valued the apprentices’ hand-to-hand combat skills, Jiang Shu decided to slightly slow down his cultivation progress in stances and breathing methods to first improve his proficiency in the Tiger Form Three Moves.

In the arena, the forms of two apprentices could be seen. Below, Master Chou sat in a lounge chair, occasionally lifting his eyelids to slant a glance at the sparring apprentices.

Jiang Shu took in the scene before him.

He was just three to five days away from achieving Great Success in the Three Fundamental Martial Practices; soon, he would be able to verify the guess in his mind.

"Brother Jiang, you were so fierce!"

The chubby Zhou Yang was completely astonished. Now he was utterly convinced: Jiang Shu was far more talented than Han Dali.

Even if Han Dali were still practicing martial arts at the hall, and Zhou Yang’s restaurant provided him with three pounds of meat daily, Han Dali would not have been able to defeat Luo Yongcheng within a mere two months.

Not to mention, Jiang Shu won with such ease.

How could such martial arts talent not lead to him becoming an official disciple?

Envy filled Zhou Yang’s eyes. Though young, he saw things more clearly than many older apprentices. It might seem like everyone at the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts Hall called each other "brother," but it was just a way of adding luster to their own faces. Once outside the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts Hall, who would recognize their training outfits?

Only by catching Master Chou’s eye and becoming an official disciple could one truly be considered part of the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts Hall.

An official disciple.

Outside, they had the backing of the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts Hall and Master Chou, a Bone Forging Realm expert.

Inside, they had access to martial arts resources superior to mere meat—the Hungry Tiger’s secret medicine.

As for apprentices like them, in Master Chou’s eyes, they were probably just tools who handed over ten silver pieces each month.

Having made a decision, Zhou Yang ventured, "Brother Jiang, why don’t you come and lend your name to our restaurant? We’ll pay you the rate we offer martial artists." Though he still wore a smile, his face had taken on a few shades of earnestness.

"Stop making such a fuss. Keep your voice down; no one will think you’re mute if you say a bit less," Jiang Shu replied, looking at Zhou Yang. "Patronage is out of the question. I don’t have that much time to spend in a restaurant. However, we could discuss some business. Zhou Yang, what’s the best-selling dish in your restaurant?"

"Dishes? I can’t really say. How about after Master Chou’s advice, Brother Jiang, you grace our restaurant with a visit? I’ll have the chef prepare a table full of our signature dishes."

Although Zhou Yang didn’t understand what Jiang Shu meant by "talking business," he believed that if he forged a good relationship with Jiang Shu, his family’s restaurant could certainly do some small business ventures with him. Even if it meant taking a small loss, it would be worth it!

After all, once Jiang Shu became an official disciple, his status would rise significantly. By then, the Zhou Family wouldn’t even get a chance; numerous shops in the inner city would be eager to have Jiang Shu lend his name to them, seeking his protection.

"All right."

Jiang Shu nodded, his thoughts racing.

He had been in Pingling County for a full six months now.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about making money.

It was just that any path to making money in the outer city couldn’t avoid the gangs, and in the inner city, one couldn’t bypass the major households.

Without sufficient strength and status, forcing one’s way into business might earn enough for subsistence, but one misstep could lead to being devoured, leaving nothing behind.

But in a few more days, I should be able to become an official disciple.

Making money can be moved up the agenda then.

Meat and medicinal herbs are crucial resources for martial arts practice, and they are undoubtedly tightly controlled and monopolized by the major households.

As long as I avoid those two, and only deal in some food seasonings like salt and MSG to enhance the flavor of restaurant dishes, it shouldn’t significantly impact the interests of the major households.

With the martial arts hall’s backing, earning a little money shouldn’t be a major issue.

My parents have supported my martial arts practice for so long.

I should give something back to them.

In the square, the sparring session ended. After giving some advice, Master Chou retired to his room to rest.

After finishing the secret medicinal soup, Jiang Shu stood in his stance, breathing and rapidly digesting. It wasn’t until an hour and a half later, when a low rumble came from his intestines, that he relaxed his stance. Standing up, he looked at Zhou Yang, who had long since complained of fatigue and stopped to rest, and said, "Let’s go."

"Alright."

Zhou Yang got up from the ground and the two turned around, but just at that moment, a voice suddenly arose from behind them:

"Jiang Shu."

"What is it?"

Jiang Shu paused mid-step, without turning around, recognizing the voice as Luo Yongcheng’s.

Regarding Luo Yongcheng, Jiang Shu felt he had already done everything he reasonably could. When he had suggested offering the blood-nourishing medicinal recipe to Master Chou as a gift of gratitude, it also signified his own need to get involved in the matter.

After all, Luo Yongcheng was no official disciple.

A mere apprentice, and one not favored by Master Chou at that. Even if he presented the secret recipe, he would likely only face Master Chou’s rejection.

If the recipe were to be successfully presented, it could only be after he, Jiang Shu, became an official disciple. He would have to offer it in the name of an official disciple!

"I... I want to fight you again!"

Luo Yongcheng stared hard at Jiang Shu’s back, unable to define his emotions.

Was it unwillingness to accept defeat? Or was it jealousy and resentment?

After the sparring match, he was in no mood to practice his Hungry Tiger Sit-in-Cave Stance or circulate the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method. He kept wondering why he had lost.

Jiang Shu had only just achieved Qi Blood Transport.

It wasn’t as if Jiang Shu possessed innate great strength; their physical power was about the same. There was no reason I should have lost!

I’ve sparred more than a dozen times; I have far more experience than him!

I must have been too impatient; that’s how he found an opening.

There’s too little time left for me. I can’t afford to lose a single portion of the Hungry Tiger’s secret medicine!

"I bet you, if you lose, you give me the Hungry Tiger’s secret medicine. If you win..."

"Not interested."

Jiang Shu turned his head without waiting for Luo Yongcheng to finish, his tone cold.

What could Luo Yongcheng possibly wager?

The only thing he could offer was that blood-nourishing medicinal recipe.

The recipe was undoubtedly good, but it wasn’t something I can touch right now.

Betting against me with such a hot potato?

Even if I won, what good would it do me?

Could I really use that blood-nourishing medicinal recipe to make a fortune? Not likely.

Jiang Shu’s gaze towards Luo Yongcheng grew colder and more indifferent, and without saying anything more, he simply turned toward Zhou Yang and gently said:

"Let’s go."