"An internal cultivation manual? Those are hard to come by."
Uncle Jiu was taken aback.
"Internal cultivation manuals involve the meridians, acupoints, and vital junctures of the human body. One small mistake could lead to qi deviation."
"That's why ordinary internal cultivation manuals start at Yellow Rank, High Grade."
"Even ordinary Yellow Rank, High Grade techniques cost dozens of taels of silver on the Black Market. An internal cultivation manual would cost at least a hundred taels."
"Most importantly, they have a price but no market. Hardly anyone would sell one."
Bai Yu found himself in a bind. He had indeed rarely heard of internal cultivation manuals appearing on the Black Market.
He asked again,
"What about elsewhere? Is there any way to get an internal cultivation manual?"
Uncle Jiu shook his head.
"Not to mention Aristocratic Clans. Their internal cultivation manuals are family heirlooms and basically never passed on to outsiders."
"As for martial halls, the techniques they sell are all ordinary external cultivation methods."
"Gangs might have some possibility, but only core members can obtain their inheritance."
It seemed there was no way to obtain an internal cultivation manual through normal channels.
Just then, Uncle Jiu brought out another pot of medicinal soup and poured Bai Yu a bowl as well.
"I brewed a pot of tiger bone tonic soup. Have a bowl too, Little Yu."
Recently, Baleful Corpses had been appearing all over Jiang City. Uncle Jiu's vitality had also been greatly depleted, so he brewed tonic soups every now and then to replenish himself.
It had to be said that Uncle Jiu truly treated Bai Yu as his final disciple.
Bai Yu accepted the tonic soup and gulped it down. Warmth spread through his body, and his qi and blood increased slightly.
Overall, its effects were less than half those of Essence Nourishing Powder.
Bai Yu took out a prescription and said,
"Uncle Jiu, I've noticed that your qi and blood loss has been rather severe lately."
"I have a family blood-nourishing prescription here. Its effects are quite good. You can give it a try."
Uncle Jiu accepted the prescription, moved in his heart.
"Good lad. I was right about you. Fine, I'll try it when I have the time."
"You've just finished the first volume of the Yin Talisman Scripture. Go to my room and bring me the middle volume from beneath my pillow."
"Once you finish the middle volume, I'll take you to deal with Baleful Corpses after some time."
Bai Yu beamed with joy. He had long wanted to see what the middle volume contained.
He wiped his hands and went into Uncle Jiu's room.
The moment he lifted the pillow, he found a copy of "White Fox Erotic Tales" beneath it!
Well, well. He had not expected even the thick-browed, big-eyed Uncle Jiu to appreciate art.
Just then, Uncle Jiu darted in from outside and swiftly snatched up the "Erotic Tales."
His old face turned bright red.
"Well, Little Yu, listen to my explanation. I'm tempering my state of mind and cultivating myself."
Bai Yu gave him a look all men understood and said with a smile,
"Ahem, I understand, I understand. Men are always especially fond of art."
"I have a copy of 'Immortal Romance Compendium' too. I'll bring it over later to aid Uncle Jiu's cultivation."
With a wicked grin, Bai Yu took the Zhu You Yin Fu Jing and headed straight back to the front hall.
Though he flipped through the Yin Talisman Scripture, his mind remained fixed on internal cultivation manuals.
"How can I obtain an internal cultivation manual?"
"Why don't the Black Wolf Gang and the Divine Strength Sect just have a few more people die?"
Just as he was thinking that, a furious shout came from outside.
"Time to pay protection money! Hurry up and get the money ready, unless you want Second Master to do it himself!"
Second Master Zuo entered the funeral home, surrounded by a crowd of lackeys bustling before and after him.
Zhu Tong hurriedly put on a smile and greeted him.
"Oh, Second Master, what brings you here? Isn't it only the first day of the month today?"
Second Master Zuo shouted,
"The rules have changed! From now on, you pay the regular fee twice a month, on the first and fifteenth!"
The smile on Zhu Tong's face froze.
Ever since the Black Wolf Gang had suffered a minor defeat in its struggle against the Divine Strength Sect, it had exploited the common folk with increasing savagery.
The fee had already been raised by half before. Who would have thought it would double outright this time?
Seeing the funeral home's people remain silent, Second Master Zuo sneered.
"Can't pay? Easy enough. Borrow from us. Nine out, thirteen back."
Bai Yu's heart sank.
Everyone knew the fate of those who borrowed usury loans from the Black Wolf Gang.
Old Zhou from Willow Street had been driven into complete bankruptcy.
Still, Bai Yu took out one hundred and fifty copper coins and said,
"Since Second Master Zuo has spoken, we'll certainly support your work."
Zhu Tong and the others could only pay up as well.
Yet when Second Master Zuo saw how readily everyone paid, he became displeased instead.
If no one borrowed usury loans from him, how was he supposed to strike it rich?
His single eye rolled around before settling on Bai Yu.
"Kid, I hear you keep a big black dog. A particularly spiritual one."
"There have been many strange happenings in Jiang City lately. Second Master was just thinking of getting a black dog for our deputy gang leader to eat and ward off evil."
Killing intent surged within Bai Yu.
Step by step, Second Master Zuo had pressed closer, and now he had set his sights on Old Mo.
But killing Second Master Zuo would amount to declaring war on the Black Wolf Gang.
The Black Wolf Gang had quite a few fifth- and sixth-rank experts.
When Second Master Zuo saw Bai Yu remain silent, he glared and snapped,
"What? Our deputy gang leader wants to eat a dog, and you're unwilling?"
The lackeys behind him noisily crowded forward as well.
Bai Yu suddenly smiled.
"What are you saying, Second Master? It's only a black dog. Why would I be unwilling?"
"But unfortunately, the dog went up the mountain to catch rabbits during the day. It won't return until tonight."
"If Second Master needs to ward off evil, I'll give you a few Evil-Suppressing Talismans to use first. My master, Daoist Lin Jiu, personally drew these. They work far better than any black dog."
At the mention of Daoist Lin Jiu's name, Second Master Zuo's expression shifted.
Though Daoist Lin Jiu's martial arts were not particularly strong, he held considerable prestige among Yin-Yang Practitioners and possessed some standing in Jiang City.
He had not expected him to take Bai Yu as a disciple.
Second Master Zuo grabbed the yellow talismans in one sweep.
"For your master's sake, I'll let this slide for now."
"On the fifteenth of this month, have that dog tied up and ready. Second Master will come collect it."
"If I don't see the black dog on the fifteenth, Second Master will take your life."
With that, he snorted coldly, turned, and left.
Not long afterward, cries and wails rose from Willow Street across the way. Who knew which household had been ruined again?
Bai Yu's expression darkened.
At once, Zhu Tong hurriedly tried to persuade him.
"Little Bai, don't do anything foolish. Second Master Zuo is a Third-Rank Martial Artist. You can't take him head-on."
Old Zhang chimed in from the side.
"One Third-Rank Martial Artist would be bad enough, but Zuo Er is the brother-in-law of Liu DuLong, the Black Wolf Gang's deputy gang leader."
"Back in the day, Zuo Er got rich by relying on his sister selling her ass."
"That old bastard Liu DuLong is a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist. Zuo Er only dares act this arrogantly because he leans on Liu DuLong's power."
Bai Yu's expression became even uglier.
He had not expected Second Master Zuo to have a brother-in-law who was a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist.
The people in the funeral home all tried to dissuade Bai Yu. An arm could not twist a thigh.
Bai Yu suddenly laughed, as though he had figured it out.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'm not stupid enough to risk my life against Second Master Zuo."
"Besides, doesn't he just want to squeeze out a little money? When the time comes, I'll just slip him some cash and settle it."
Only then did the funeral home's people relax, saying one after another that it was good Bai Yu could see things clearly.
Though he said so aloud, Bai Yu knew people like Second Master Zuo were like blood-sucking bats. Once they set their sights on you, they would not rest until they had drained you dry.
Even if he bribed Second Master Zuo with silver, it would only make him greedier.
Second Master Zuo had to die!
Before you continue