A Fortune in Hand, Second Order Flesh

Green reeds brushed the mossy courtyard walls; in the central yard, the slanting sun made chrysanthemum petals curl.

Sparrows flew up the steps, while the sun-warmed curtain hung at ease.

"Uncle, this courtyard of yours truly shows exquisite craftsmanship and elegant design."

Li Cunxiao followed behind He Bi through the deep courtyard, past red walls and green tiles. As the other man introduced things from time to time, he chimed in with praise.

The He family of Chuqiu County was not a prominent clan. He Bi's branch had migrated here from elsewhere, and only after three generations of effort did they establish today's "Good Grain Shop"—the He family's grain store was simply called Good Grain Shop.

As one of the Outer City's most prominent wealthy merchants, their residence naturally could not be shabby. Though it could not compare to the great Inner City families, with their acres of land, waterside pavilions, and towers, setting up a few rockeries and keeping several koi carp in a pond was hardly difficult.

"Hahaha, Brother Li, you flatter us. Back then, my father was also a student at the Song Prefecture academy. If war had not broken out everywhere in the realm, perhaps he might even have gone to the capital and earned the title of Jinshi."

Before the words had faded, footsteps behind the screen grew louder. A moment later, a plump middle-aged man came around it. The instant he saw He Bi, he widened his eyes and scolded him.

"Unlearned fool! Under the dynasty's Imperial Examination, only those who passed the Jinshi examination were called Jinshi. Your father took the Mingjing examination. How could you not even remember that?"

As the saying went, thirty was old for a Mingjing, while fifty was young for a Jinshi. The former was indeed far easier than the latter, but after passing as a Jinshi, one would be granted a banquet at Qionglin Garden, celebrate the Shaowei Feast, then ride a fine horse with flowers in one's hair through the streets. That splendor was beyond comparison with the former.

Unfortunately, war was about to rise. Martial men were gaining power, and the world of the future would likely become a hunting ground for beasts. Poetry, books, rites, and music would soon be swept away without a trace.

"This must be young brother Li Cunxiao. If you do not mind, may this old man call you Sanlang?"

Though Old Master He was plump, he did not seem greasy. Perhaps because he had studied in his early years, he even appeared somewhat scholarly. His smile was warm and approachable.

"Uncle, please."

Li Cunxiao returned the smile. He knew perfectly well that, compared to He Bi, this man was the true decision-maker of the He family.

A single shop that earned a hundred taels a month could be called a wealthy household in the Outer City, let alone a large establishment like Good Grain Shop, which brought in several hundred, nearly a thousand taels each month.

The sum of silver he needed this time was no small amount. If he wanted to accomplish anything, he first had to coax this old man into liking him.

With a plan in mind, Li Cunxiao began speaking with purpose during the banquet.

Knowing that the man had not come from a martial background but was a genuine scholar, he deliberately asked him about some books he had recently read.

Old Master He normally dealt with rivals in the business world. This experience of being a teacher was truly novel.

For a moment, it seemed as though he had returned to his younger days. The more he looked at the young man before him, the more pleasing he found him, and he gradually formed an answer in his heart regarding his son's suggestion to support Li Cunxiao.

Old Master He was naturally not someone who made decisions on a whim.

Long before today, he had deliberately sent people to investigate and learn about the man his son kept mentioning. Once, while discussing business, he had even deliberately arranged to meet at East Arrival Restaurant, taking the chance to contact people who had known Li Cunxiao in the past.

After this investigation, Old Master He was both startled and delighted. His usually unreliable son had actually found a golden egg in a chicken coop this time.

There was no need to speak of his character. In terms of ability and conduct alone, Li Cunxiao had leaped from being a restaurant attendant to an escort master of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency. Others said it was luck, but Old Master He knew that there was no love or hatred in this world without cause.

Even making someone laugh was a kind of ability. What was more, Li Cunxiao had made Zhang Lishi, the Chief Escort of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, happy enough to take in both brothers. Who could say that was not skill?

Not to mention that his younger brother, Li Muxia, was now serving as a bookboy in the Zhang residence. Exaggerating a little, was that not like being close to the emperor—a great eunuch who connected the inside and outside?

And his elder brother Li Cunxiao also possessed talent for martial arts. In only a little over a month, he had learned to manipulate blood essence and become an escort master. Recently, he had even been favored by the Chief Escort and transferred to the warehouse.

It might not be obvious now, but in a few years, once both brothers could handle matters and had secured places beneath their own backsides, one working from within and the other from without, would their future not be far brighter than those escort masters who ran Escort Missions?

A promising investment!

Old Master He remembered reading in the history books about a Flying General who had begun as a horse servant and been utterly impoverished. Later, he became a general, while his nephew was raised in the palace by the emperor. Once grown, the nephew became a renowned general of the age like his uncle. The two of them carved up lands and were granted the title of marquis, their honor reaching the pinnacle beneath heaven.

Of course, the achievements of that uncle and nephew could not have been separated from their talent. But then again, the emperor had not raised every other general's nephew at his side, had he?

By the same reasoning, there were many escort masters in the agency, but the Li brothers were absolutely the only pair with family members in the Zhang residence, close to Zhang Lishi's household and female relatives.

Could Old Master He possibly not understand the power of words whispered in one's ear?

Many hard bones that could not be gnawed through only required gifts sent to a man's lawful wife or favored concubine, and the trouble would be solved as easily as a blade cutting through hemp.

"I heard from Eldest Lang that you have earned the esteem of Escort Leader Cui Yao. Recently, you were even promoted by the Chief Escort to warehouse manager because of your merits. You are truly accomplished at such a young age."

"You have already learned to manipulate blood essence while still so young. If you had a little more support, surely your path in martial arts would go even more smoothly?"

Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Old Master He set down his wine cup and spoke with a smile.

Li Cunxiao knew the real business had arrived. He did not put on airs and simply nodded.

"Uncle is correct. Heroes may not be judged by their origins, but practicing martial arts requires silver. The warehouse manager's post may be leisurely and comfortable, but one's money pouch inevitably grows flat."

A sharp glint flashed through Old Master He's eyes.

"Then how about the He family making up the part you lack?"

After saying this, he clapped his hands. The butler, who had long been prepared, came forward carrying a lacquered tray.

Twenty five-tael horseshoe-shaped silver ingots were neatly arranged upon it, along with five hundred-tael banknotes.

Six hundred taels!

Li Cunxiao was startled. With what the other man had given him and a little more from himself, he could go home tonight carrying ten jin of Second Order Demon Meat.

This was no small sum.

The better the treatment, the more cautious Li Cunxiao became.

"Uncle's kindness moves this junior beyond measure. Does Good Grain Shop have some trouble?"

Seeing that he had not been dazzled senseless by the heavy silver, Old Master He admired him even more.

Yet when he thought of certain matters, he could not help sighing inwardly. His smile, however, remained hearty.

"Do not overthink it, nephew. I have only Eldest Lang as my sole son, and you are his friend. As an elder, it is only natural that I lend you a hand."

"But since you have concerns, I will open the skylight and speak plainly."

As he spoke, Old Master He raised three fingers.

"First, this is thanks for teaching Eldest Lang martial arts. My boy is not stupid, but he lacks perseverance in his work and loves shortcuts. Good teachers and worthy friends are hard to find. I hope your friendship will endure for a long time."

"Second, perhaps you do not know your own reputation. Even when I hired an escort service to transport grain, I heard the name Filial and Righteous Li Sanlang. I trust your character, and I trust your potential."

"Third, you are now a warehouse manager, and your future is boundless. You are listed under my grain shop. Even if not for your sake, then for the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's name, the Red Envelope cannot be too small. Twenty taels of regular pay each month—is that not reasonable?"

"So, of these six hundred taels, two hundred and forty are an advance on one year's salary. Another two hundred are a Red Envelope to celebrate your promotion. The final hundred and sixty are a meeting gift from an elder to a junior."

"Sanlang, what do you think? Can you accept the silver now?"

"Father!"

He Bi had been listening beside them in stunned disbelief. Weren't we supposed to be the ones helping him? How had it turned into us begging him to take our silver?

Li Cunxiao looked at the smiling Old Master He and sighed inwardly. No wonder people said that age turned one into a spirit.

Even when giving away silver, the man made it all feel like sentiment, without the slightest smell of copper.

So, should he accept it?

Of course he should. Though it had not been announced, he was already Zhang Lishi's personal disciple. Forget six hundred taels—even a thousand taels would be acceptable.

And the He family would absolutely not lose out. On the contrary, they would profit greatly!

"Uncle's feelings are sincere. This junior would be disrespectful to decline."

"Sanlang thanks Uncle here for his generosity."

The moment he saw Li Cunxiao accept the silver, Old Master He became even happier. He Bi was like a son selling his father's fields without feeling any pain. He merely felt that his father had given his friend tremendous face for the first time, and he was overjoyed as well.

The drinking continued until nearly the first watch. Only then did Li Cunxiao leave, satisfied and carrying his vast fortune.

"Father, when my old friends came to visit, I never saw you act this generously. Did you and I see eye to eye and realize that Li Cunxiao would surely become someone great?"

"You brat, saying I see eye to eye with you? You have turned heaven and earth upside down!"

Old Master He laughed as he slapped away his son's eager massaging hands. But He Bi chuckled and slipped behind his father like a piece of sticky cowhide candy. Once he loosened his hands slightly, the old man gave several comfortable grunts before offering guidance.

"It is not that your father is stingy. Look at those drinking companions of yours from before. Forget accomplishing great things—they are not even worthy of sincere trust! If not for your sake, your father would not even let such people through the door."

"But Li Cunxiao aside, at least he remembers your kindness. He was even willing to teach you his experience in manipulating Blood Essence without holding anything back. That shows a true and sincere heart."

"You are my only son. If I do not help with what you sincerely want to do, who will?"

He Bi was moved. At once, he secretly decided that for the next month, he would not drink flower wine and would strive to manipulate blood essence as soon as possible, so that the old man could enjoy a good New Year.

Yet as Old Master He watched his only son massage him with all his strength, there was affection in his eyes, but even more worry.

Grain merchants were always the first to know whether the realm was falling into chaos.

The grain shop's lack of loyal capable hands was a fatal weakness. If two generations of work could not solve it, how could Old Master He fail to make preparations?

Did Li Cunxiao have potential? He did, but not an extraordinary amount.

Was his character solid? It seemed so for now, but the future was hard to say.

Then was the six hundred taels worth it?

It was!

Whether Li Cunxiao himself was worth six hundred taels was hard to say, but a warehouse manager of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency was absolutely worth six hundred taels—not to mention that he had a younger brother in the Zhang residence.

Old Master He knew that sometimes, what killed people was not some great figure or major action, but precisely a single sentence or glance from a minor person.

Today's kindness might someday become the straw that saved his son's life in a crisis.

As life-saving money for his son, were six hundred taels too much?

Not in the slightest!

"Will the customer truly not reconsider? The Killing Intent within Second Order Demon Meat is far beyond the ordinary. Forget eating it—sometimes, merely breathing in a few extra mouthfuls can leave a person dizzy and swollen-headed."

"Shopkeeper, say no more. Payment and goods exchanged hand to hand. I am in a hurry."

He dared eat unprocessed Second Order Demon Meat? Was he in such a rush to reincarnate?

The shopkeeper of the Firewood Gang's store looked at the black-clothed man before him and grumbled inwardly, but his face remained all smiles. With a single order, a tall, brawny clerk turned and entered behind the curtain.

Li Cunxiao clutched the banknotes in his robe. Amid his anticipation was a thread of tension.

Old Master He's six hundred taels, plus the eighty-odd taels he had saved, plus the dozen or so taels he had borrowed here and there from Qian Laosan and the others—even Wood Fork had contributed one tael and several qian of loose silver—had only barely added up to seven hundred taels.

For these ten jin of Second Order Demon Meat, Li Cunxiao had nearly emptied his entire fortune.

On the way here, he could not help asking himself whether this was worth it.

Because of poverty, because of Wood Fork, he had lived with his belt tightened for nearly eighteen years.

After finally emerging from misfortune into fortune, with money and leisure and seven hundred taels of enormous wealth in hand—

Fine embroidered clothes, wine and delicacies, beautiful maids and fine horses, grand residences and sprawling courtyards. After struggling for so many years, could he not enjoy himself for once?

No.

Li Cunxiao repeatedly denied those indulgent desires within himself.

The closer he came to success, the tighter his nerves became. He was indeed already half Zhang Lishi's disciple. So long as he broke through to the sinews and flesh realm, he could become Escort Leader Li, Third Master Li. But he was not the only one about to become Zhang Lishi's disciple. Ye Chengxiao was also chasing hard behind him.

Though he never said it aloud, Li Cunxiao understood that sometimes, being first or second left entirely different impressions.

Since he had already seized the advantage by reaching Blood Qi Perfection in two months, he had to remain ahead at the stage of breaking through the sinews and flesh, increasing his weight in Zhang Lishi's heart rather than relaxing now and allowing his rival to overtake him later.

For that, Li Cunxiao needed these ten jin of Second Order Demon Meat. And he believed that today's decision would soon bring returns tenfold, a hundredfold greater than what he had paid!

"Customer, here is what you wanted."

The shopkeeper emerged from behind the curtain carrying a tightly wrapped animal-hide bundle. Li Cunxiao promptly took out the silver. While the man checked it, he lifted a corner of the bundle and took a light breath.

A powerful bloody stench surged into his nose. Li Cunxiao had gained enough experience from eating meat that he did not need to taste it. Simply sensing the wisps of Killing Intent stirring his emotions, he relaxed.

"There is no mistake. This is the smell."

Damn it, could he really be some lunatic driven mad from eating Demon Meat?

The shopkeeper had seen martial artists go mad from eating meat before, but Li Cunxiao's intoxicated expression as he held raw demon flesh was truly frightening.

He decisively retreated three chi. Only after the other man had left did he break into a grin, pick up the silver ingots, and gently rub them, tossing everything from earlier out of his mind.

Second Order Demon Meat was far beyond the ordinary, especially Demon Meat that had not been processed. If that man ate it, he would either burst apart and die or go mad.

There were plenty of commoner martial artists who did such things in order to rise in the world. Perhaps somewhere in the city tomorrow, there would be one more wandering ghost.