Tiger Skin Added

"Could it be that Zhao Heishe's matter has been discovered?"

Li Cunxiao's heart skipped a beat, but he immediately dismissed the thought.

Setting aside the hidden location of the body, Zhao Heishe's face had been smashed beyond recognition, and his tattoos were obscured by blood and gore.

Even the most skilled constables in the yamen, experts in tracking down criminals, wouldn't be able to find the killer overnight. What hope did a bunch of thugs and ruffians, only good for drinking, whoring, gambling, and bullying businesses, have?

He calmed himself and continued forward as if nothing had happened. However, he deliberately and casually re-buttoned his collar, which he had opened earlier to cool down, revealing the large character "Tiger" embroidered in red thread on his left chest.

The Green Snake Gang hadn't discovered Zhao Heishe's death, that was true.

But their reason for being here was quite similar to Zhao Heishe's last night.

"Damn it, the whores at Red Sleeve Pavilion are really something, but they're too expensive. They cleaned me out in one night!"

Hearing their boss's double entendre, the lackeys around him chuckled lewdly.

People like them, who didn't do honest work and lived by bullying businesses, had no one at home to care about them. Would they save money to start a family?

If they didn't have enough money, they'd just go and rob someone.

After all, they were young and strong, and ordinary civilians with families were powerless and afraid to resist.

Whether they could win a fight or not was one thing, but if they injured the able-bodied workers in their families, leaving them crippled, their families would lose their livelihood and be left with nothing but the wind.

How could they afford to gamble? How could they risk it?

If they reported it to the yamen, it might be handled well, or it might not. Once the county lieutenant got involved, those yamen runners and clerks were the real ones who devoured people without spitting out bones.

It didn't matter who won or lost; as long as you went to court, you had to pay. No money? That meant disrespecting the authorities, and both sides would be punished equally. They'd be beaten until their skin was torn and their flesh was bloody. Unless the officials were appeased and pleased, you would never be allowed to leave.

Therefore, the people in the outer city, compared to the yamen, sometimes trusted the gangs more. At least after paying, they could get some peace. Unlike the latter, even if they won their lawsuit, they would be ruined!

"But speaking of which, Zhao Heishe hasn't shown up all night. Where did he go?"

The Green Snake Gang boss rubbed his bald head. A lackey beside him chimed in:

"In my opinion, he probably got caught cheating at gambling and had his legs broken!"

Everyone burst into laughter, without a hint of worry in their expressions.

Brothers of the underworld, what true brotherhood was there?

"Hey, isn't that Li Sanlang?"

Noticing the approaching figure, the bald boss couldn't help but wear a malicious grin.

"I thought this kid looked like he belonged with us back then. I wanted to give him a chance, but he didn't know what was good for him. He'd rather pay protection fees than accept my kindness."

"Look, he's even changed into new clothes, and there's embroidery on them. I'm illiterate, who knows what he's embroidered on his chest?"

The lackeys exchanged glances. After a moment, someone squinted and said uncertainly:

"Boss, it looks like the character 'Tiger'."

"Tiger? That's quite imposing. You all watch today, and I'll show you how I..."

The bald guy stopped mid-sentence, his smile freezing on his lips.

Tiger?

He widened his eyes and looked closely. Although he couldn't read, he was familiar with the sight of a white round-collar robe with a crimson embroidered tiger character.

Flying Tiger Escort Agency!

What incredible luck did this Li Sanlang have?

The bald guy's expression changed. Seeing that the person was not far away, he immediately turned around and shouted in a low voice:

"Let's go quickly!"

"The Flying Tiger Escort Agency's name is that effective?"

Li Cunxiao watched the group turn and flee without daring to greet him, his impression of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's prestige deepening.

But he wouldn't let these thugs who had extorted him off the hook.

"Once I learn Tiger Form Fist and gain the ability to protect myself, the first thing I'll do is take care of these guys, leaving no loose ends."

He cast a deep glance at the retreating figures of the thugs, then turned and entered the room. Not long after, he came out carrying a bag. Inside were a few of his and Mu Cha's relatively clean and intact clothes. The ten taels of silver had already been tucked into the hidden pocket of his trousers.

As for his other belongings, they were mostly tattered. He was going to the escort agency, where he would get two meals a day, so he didn't need anything else.

With swift steps, he retraced his path back to the escort agency.

It was nearing dusk. The escorts mostly had their own families, and most of the workers lived and ate there. Therefore, even the group who had gone to the birthday banquet during the day had mostly returned.

Room D-3, where Li Cunxiao lived, was originally for four people. One of them was Qin Yu, who had led the way during the day. His family ran a medicinal herb shop.

Another was Run Dong, whose family sold burial clothes and coffins.

"...But there are actually only three of us living in this room. Why would he only come to the escort agency when practicing martial arts? He doesn't live here at night."

Qin Yu said this with a hint of envy, clearly indicating that He Bi's family background was even better.

"Never mind that. I'll take you to dinner. Dongzi, are you coming?"

Run Dong, a young man with a flat nose bridge, responded sullenly, "You all go ahead."

With that, he left the room.

"Run Dong has been here for two months and still hasn't sensed his Blood Essence."

"Every time before meals, he sneaks off to the training grounds to practice."

At the dinner table, Qin Yu spoke in a low voice, while Li Cunxiao held a bowl of stew in one hand and a steamed bun in the other, devouring it greedily.

Apart from some dry rations in the morning, he hadn't eaten anything all day.

Besides cabbage and vermicelli, pork belly made up a full half of the stew. It was likely added by the cook because of the good news today.

"But I can't blame him. Learning martial arts at the escort agency costs a hundred taels of silver a year. Who wouldn't give it their all?"

A hundred taels?!

Li Cunxiao almost choked upon hearing this. He knew the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's reputation was valuable, but he hadn't expected it to be this expensive.

Keep in mind that dockworkers only earned a little over one tael of silver a month, while skilled laborers like carpenters and masons could earn two to three taels, and that didn't even include their daily living expenses.

In other words, for ordinary people like them to join an escort agency, it would take ten years of saving, let alone dealing with family illnesses or accidents.

"No wonder all these families own shops. If they aren't small business owners, they simply can't afford such expenses."

Li Cunxiao thought, and subconsciously asked, "Do you get paid then?"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes. "No."

"We pay to learn. Working here is part of the 'tuition'."

"Only the young masters and ladies from the inner city, and those with powerful families like He Bi, who have substantial financial backing and strong connections, don't have to do odd jobs and can focus on practicing martial arts."

Li Cunxiao understood that this was essentially a form of scarcity marketing. The higher the price paid, the more these martial arts practitioners would cherish the opportunity.

However, even without wages, those from small business owner families could expand their social networks by joining. It was similar to some clubs in his previous life; even if they didn't learn martial arts, it wasn't a loss.

"I was personally recommended by the Chief Escort. Not only is my tuition of a hundred taels waived, but I also receive my regular wages."

"That's going to make you quite unpopular."

As expected. The next morning, facing the unfamiliar new faces, the dozens of employees gathered on the training grounds cast various glances at Li Cunxiao and whispered amongst themselves. They were mostly saying things like he'd struck it lucky, or even "sold his brother."

One of the three Great Escorts in the agency, Cui Yao, was a burly man with a scar across his face.

He merely glanced at Li Cunxiao before looking away and shouting in a deep voice, "Still got time to worry about others? Some of you have been here for over a month. Let me be clear."

"Only those who can master their Blood Essence within three months will be qualified to become escorts."

"If you spend three to four months just trying to sense your Blood Essence, it means you're not cut out for martial arts. Go home early and stop wasting your family's money!"

At these words, all the employees, including Li Cunxiao, felt a chill in their hearts, and the training grounds fell silent. Run Dong, in the same room, had a face flushed crimson.

"For you apprentices who haven't sensed your Blood Essence yet, the most important thing is to practice the Tiger Form Static Stance until it's perfect, combine it with stone locks to build strength, and lay a solid foundation."

"Only when you've grasped the basics of Tiger Form Fist and sensed your Blood Essence will you be qualified to learn dynamic stances and fighting techniques."

"When you achieve minor success in Tiger Form Fist and can control your Blood Essence, you'll be eligible to learn weaponry and escort missions with the senior escorts."

His speech ended abruptly. Cui Yao, without any further ado, immediately put his hands on his hips, lowered his stance, and contracted his abdomen, resembling a crouching tiger.

"Alright, begin your stances!"