Gathering Momentum, the He Family Invests

"Sanlang, the Chief Escort really values you,"

Qian Laosan and Gao Huan, along with a few other veteran escorts, looked at the youth organizing equipment in the storeroom, unable to hide their envy.

"You brothers jest. Working in the storeroom is still doing work for the escort agency, so what's this about being valued or not?"

Li Cunxiao sorted through the blades, spears, and leather armor in the room while checking the ledgers, chatting with them as he did.

Although the old steward who handed over the duties had told him the work here was leisurely and the regular maintenance was handled by the helpers, and they only needed to check for wear and tear and manage inventory, Li Cunxiao was a meticulous person. After politely seeing off the old steward, he still wanted to personally verify everything before he could be at ease.

As for Gao Huan and the others, they had heard that Li Cunxiao had switched jobs and came specifically to congratulate him.

Although they hadn't spent much time together, the veteran escorts all admired this young man with a formidable appearance.

He cultivated martial arts diligently, was serious in his work, kind to others, and had even saved Big Foot Li's life on their last escort mission.

If not for his parents dying early and having no one to help him at home, people would have already come to arrange a marriage for him by now.

"Silly boy, escort missions pay well, but you have to endure wind and rain, and there are demons and bandits on the road. Which one of us isn't risking our lives? Fearing that one day, the wives and sons at home will have to wear mourning clothes."

"This storeroom is different. Although you won't get a share of the profits, the work is less, and you have plenty of time for fun. If I were you, I'd have gone to a brothel long ago."

Seeing Qian Yu and the others getting carried away, Gao Huan quickly coughed.

"Sanlang, don't listen to these unreliable fellows rambling. While you have time, train more, seek more guidance from Escort Leader Cui Yao, and cultivate martial arts properly. That's the important thing."

"Back then, the great Escort Leader Shi Tie also started with escort missions before coming to the storeroom. He studied and trained hard, and later became Chief Escort Zhang Lishi's eldest disciple."

"You're still young, you need to apply yourself!"

Li Cunxiao could tell these words came from the heart. Looking at these men, who were all at least thirty years old, he suddenly spoke:

"Old Brother Gao, Old Brother Qian, if I become Chief Escort's disciple in the future, will you escort missions with me?"

"Hahahaha! You kid, Lao Gao said a few words, and you actually took it seriously!"

Qian Laosan and the other men roared with laughter, but Gao Huan was somewhat surprised. In his understanding, Li Cunxiao wasn't someone who liked to brag, nor was he someone who liked to joke.

But if Zhang Lishi were to take Li Cunxiao as a disciple... wasn't the most talked-about person recently that Ye Chengxiao?

Gao Huan chuckled in disbelief. It seemed Li Sanlang was still young and sometimes indulged in dreams.

It's good to dream.

In another ten years or so, when you've aged like us, you won't be able to dream anymore.

Gao Huan didn't voice this thought. The other escorts also didn't take Li Cunxiao's words seriously. They just agreed to have a drink after work at dusk and then turned to leave.

In their opinion, Li Cunxiao did have talent within the escort agency. Now that he had been transferred to the storeroom, it was indeed because the Chief Escort valued his character displayed during escort missions and intended to promote him.

But at most, after four or five years, he would reach Blood Qi Perfection, and then perhaps become a disciple of one of the four escort leaders like Ge Yingyang. Another four or five years later, in his thirties, he could become an escort leader, and that would be his peak.

Let alone becoming Zhang Lishi's disciple, even becoming a disciple of the Cui brothers was something many people desperately sought!

But over the years, the Cui brothers hadn't taken in a single disciple.

Li Cunxiao watched their retreating backs and didn't say much.

Actions speak louder than words. When he breaks through to the Muscle Realm and formally enters Zhang Lishi's tutelage, everything will become clear.

Regardless, Gao Huan and the others were right about one thing: the work in the storeroom was indeed leisurely.

Li Cunxiao spent most of the day inventorying supplies, and then he stayed until the end of work at dusk without anyone disturbing him.

For him, who was accustomed to being busy, the sudden leisure made him feel a bit unaccustomed.

When he worked at the restaurant before, even the brief moment he stole to drink water would be caught and reprimanded.

Shopkeeper Sun wasn't a bad person, but when it came to the wages he paid out, he truly wished his employees would wipe the latrine while they were taking a dump.

"There are few people here in the storeroom, but to be safe, I'll practice visualization at home. Here, I can continue with stance training and boxing."

"Right, Master Zhang's residence must have a lot of books. I came from a poor background and only know a few characters."

"As the saying goes, reading is beneficial. The more chaotic this world becomes, the more valuable knowledge is. Understanding more might be useful later on."

Li Cunxiao planned everything out, and only when his day's tasks were fully scheduled did he breathe a sigh of relief.

As for relaxation time, he only allocated a portion of it to Mucha.

If it were his past self, he probably couldn't last three days in such a life before crying out in misery. But in this life, the sense of fulfillment brought by the intense competition actually reassured him.

After work, Li Cunxiao met with his colleagues as planned and only returned at a quarter past the ninth hour.

The night was deep, and on the silent street, only the footsteps of the night watchman could be heard, drawing near and then receding. The striking of the watch announced that the first watch had passed, and ordinary households had long since fallen asleep.

In the small courtyard house, Li Cunxiao, by the candlelight, gently opened the sandalwood box. Inside lay five ferocious Tiger Insect Jerky.

Along with this Tiger Demon Jerky, he also received three catties of high-grade Demon Meat, pills for calming the mind, regulating internal heat, detoxifying, and healing injuries, as well as external trauma medicine. These resources covered all aspects of cultivation and combat.

According to Zhang Yuelu, these resources were enough for half a month of cultivation.

"Half a month?"

Li Cunxiao examined the strange jerky, which looked like a mix of a tiger and a centipede, feeling a bit helpless.

This Tiger Demon Jerky was to be taken once every three days, along with visualization of the fundamental diagram. It could last half a month because Li Cunxiao later discovered that visualizing the fundamental diagram also consumed mental energy.

If I meditate again without sufficient rest, not only will the effect be poor, but it will also lead to mental agitation. Too much is as bad as too little.

But with the remaining resources, especially the demon jerky, Li Cunxiao could eat a pound a day now. Half a month's worth wouldn't even last half a day!

"Could it be that after getting the Vajra Scepter to absorb Malevolent Qi, my consumption rate of demon meat is completely on another level compared to other martial artists?"

"They don't eat just one or two ounces a day, do they?"

Li Cunxiao suddenly got a headache, feeling like he had become one of those protagonists in cultivation novels who relied on pills.

The same pills that allowed others to establish their foundation with a single dose required him to take a whole bottle. He was truly a big spender, a pay-to-win player.

Fortunately, his cultivation speed was directly proportional to his meat consumption. As long as he had enough demon meat and replenished his Malevolent Qi vigorously, he wouldn't encounter any bottlenecks in cultivating martial arts, and his future would be bright.

So, the current problem was, how to deal with the shortage of demon meat?

"I can apply for more from Master Zhang. Maybe eating a lot is also a sign of talent?"

"But I can't ask for too much, another pound or two is the limit. I'll probably have to go to the Black Market for the rest. I ordered Second Order Demon Meat last time, I wonder if the Chai Gang has any leads yet."

"Anyway, I'm not afraid of Malevolent Qi. I can ask them to skip the preparation process and see if I can get it for less silver. Demon meat that costs a hundred taels per pound."

Thinking of this, Li Cunxiao's head started to hurt again. He decided to find an opportunity to sell Shen He's jade pendant for some silver.

At the very least, he could get seventy to eighty taels for it. Combined with his current savings, he'd have a hundred taels or so.

"Since it's come to this, I'll eat meat first."

After putting away the Tiger Demon Jerky, Li Cunxiao took out the leftover demon meat he bought from the Black Market last time and placed it on the table along with what Zhang Lishi had given him.

He didn't know how much charge these items would provide for the Vajra Scepter after he broke through to Blood Qi Perfection!

Flying Tiger Escort Agency training grounds, morning practice.

"Oh, He Bi, Qin Yu, you two have made quite a bit of progress recently!"

Cui Yao walked back and forth among the sparring teams, carrying a white ash wood pole. If there was the slightest mistake, he would strike with the pole.

After going around the circle, he spent a quarter of an hour observing Qin Yu and He Bi. He couldn't find any flaws to correct them on, which surprised him.

Seeing Cui Yao put down the pole, Qin Yu's tensed heart finally relaxed a little. He Bi also breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"Instructor Cui, you flatter us. We don't deserve such praise. However, recently, Qin Yu and I have often sought guidance from Li Sanlang, and we have gained a lot."

Li Sanlang? Li Cunxiao?

Upon hearing this, Cui Yao couldn't help but think of the young man who had been transferred from the escort team to the storeroom.

To be honest, Zhang Lishi's decision to commend his heroic deed was not wrong. But having known the young man for many years, he could sense something a little different.

However, when that possibility surfaced in his mind, he found it hard to believe and even harder to confirm.

Ten years ago, he often did things like this on impulse. But after being lectured by his elder brother many times, Cui Yao gradually learned to suppress his curiosity.

If he could see it, his elder brother Cui Wei could definitely see it too. Since his elder brother didn't react, he wouldn't interfere either.

Whether a horse is a dragon or a donkey will eventually be revealed. He would just wait and watch the show.

"Li Cunxiao is indeed quite good. If he had family support, his martial arts journey would likely be smoother than it is now."

He said casually, and Cui Yao walked away with the white ash wood pole.

The speaker meant nothing, but the listener took it to heart.

He Bi immediately remembered that he had mentioned to his father his plan to have Li Cunxiao officially registered at the grain shop.

For a Martial Master to be registered at a shop was actually a form of protection fee. When others knew you had connections, you would encounter much less trouble.

With Li Cunxiao's strength in "manipulating Blood Essence," Old Master He initially opposed his son's plan. But now that Li Cunxiao had become the storeroom manager, the situation had changed.

He Bi came to the escort agency to cultivate martial arts, partly because he had illusions about his own martial arts talent, and partly because he wanted to find a job at the agency.

After more than a month of cultivation, eating demon meat and practicing boxing every day, he had gradually reached his limit. He was not as good as the best, but better than the worst. It wouldn't be a problem for him to reach Blood Qi Perfection in a few years, but reaching the Muscle Realm, even finding a master was difficult.

With such illusions shattered, finding a job became his concern.

The He family's grain shop was financially strong, but it lacked martial might. They feared that if something happened in the future, they would be unable to protect themselves.

The strength of the hired protectors was not bad, but how could it compare to the escort agency's golden signboard?

Other people might not value the position of storeroom manager, but for He Bi and Old Master He, it was an excellent position.

No escort missions, no risk, and the opportunity to interact with escorts frequently. Perhaps a meal or a drink occasionally could forge deep connections.

Now that Li Cunxiao was the storeroom manager, if there was a suitable opportunity in the future, and he could help out, He Bi might also be able to secure a stable job at the escort agency.

The amount of money was not important. Wasn't the reputation of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency firmly established?

Under these circumstances, did his father have any reason to refuse?

The more He Bi thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. After the morning practice ended, he excitedly went to find Li Cunxiao, wanting to invite him to his residence that evening.

"Tonight?"

Li Cunxiao's heart rejoiced.

He had also planned to visit his angel investor for a while, but the timing of this visit was perfect. This was because he discovered that after breaking through to Blood Qi Perfection, the effect of demon meat had declined significantly.

Now, whether it was the meat from the Chai Gang's shop or the ones bought from street vendors, he had to eat a pound of it to see a slight increase.

Before reaching Blood Qi Perfection, consuming a pound of demon meat daily would fill the Vajra Scepter once every twenty days. Now, that time has doubled, and the effect has significantly decreased.

Li Cunxiao had anticipated this day and specifically kept a piece of Blood-Patterned Mountain Spectre meat for a comparative test. The results were clear: the flesh and blood of this demon, suspected to be at the Blood Qi Perfection level, provided stronger Malevolent Qi than the black market jerky.

Therefore, some patterns can now be summarized:

The higher the strength and the fewer the processing steps for demon meat, the higher its Malevolent Qi content. If the Blood-Patterned Mountain Spectre is taken as the standard for a First Order Demon, then the black market jerky has a Malevolent Qi content of 0.6 Spectres and a Blood Qi content of approximately 0.4 Spectres, which translates to a strength equivalent to a Martial Artist who can manipulate Blood Essence.

After all, demons at this strength level are relatively easier for Martial Artists at Great Accomplishment of Blood Qi and Heart and Lung Circulation to kill and harvest.

And the "superior grade" demon meat given by Zhang Lishi was indeed superior. Its Blood Qi content was about 0.7 Spectres, and after consumption, the Malevolent Qi was very little, approximately 0.3 Spectres. For ordinary Martial Artists, it was undoubtedly an excellent training item that could be consumed without burden.

However, what Li Cunxiao needed was precisely the opposite of ordinary Martial Artists. Others viewed Malevolent Qi as a deadly poison, but he relished it.

Fortunately, after discovering the problem last night, he immediately went to the black market. At the Chai Gang stall, there was finally news of Second Order demon meat.

The good news was that demon meat was now in stock.

When Li Cunxiao requested that the meat not undergo any preparation processes, the shopkeeper's expression became very strange, but he reluctantly agreed. He offered a discount from the original price of one hundred taels per jin, lowering it to seventy taels per jin, and stated that it could be picked up the next day, saving the processing time.

The bad news was that, with Li Cunxiao's consumption rate of one jin per day, seventy taels was still very expensive. Regardless of how effective the Second Order demon meat was, he would need to buy at least ten days' worth, which meant seven hundred taels of silver.

Seven hundred taels!

Even selling Shen He's jade pendant would at most fetch one hundred taels, not to mention that after careful consideration, he realized this item could not be sold.

Shen He's personal jade pendant entering the black market would be too conspicuous. Such an item was like a custom-made luxury car for the rich second generation in his previous life; ordinary people wouldn't notice anything, but those in the know would immediately recognize its significance.

His and Zhang Lishi's master-disciple relationship had not yet been made public, and it was best not to create any complications.

Thinking of this, Li Cunxiao looked at He Bi with even more gentleness, as if looking at a savior.

"Brother He, you are truly my timely rain!"