Chief

Inside the hunter's wooden cabin.

Chen Mu stared fixedly through the gap in the window at the White-Haired Old Man outside.

Only after seeing the man vanish at astonishing speed despite seeming to stroll leisurely did Chen Mu finally let out a breath.

When he wiped his forehead, he found it drenched in sweat.

"Is that old man an assassin?"

"Who wants me dead?"

"What does he mean by saying the employer is dead?"

"Could he be bluffing me, waiting for me to relax before coming back to kill me?"

Chen Mu's thoughts were a tangled mess.

He had honestly practiced writing and drawing, earning his hard money in an upright way, yet someone actually wanted to kill him?!

These were hard times, and people's hearts were sinister!

"I have to gain strength as soon as possible!"

The White-Haired Old Man had completely disappeared.

Chen Mu tied the waterskin containing a mixture of several venomous snake venoms around his waist.

He arranged the Lime Powder packets inside his sleeves.

His right hand clenched several dozen sharp, jagged pebbles.

He tucked the Mountain-Opening Firewood Knife into the back of his waist.

Carrying the cleaned wild rabbit, Chen Mu fully unleashed the Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique and rushed toward one side of the forest.

It was the complete opposite direction from where the old man had left.

Though it meant taking a detour, he felt much safer.

He absolutely did not want to run into that White-Haired Old Man.

He proceeded cautiously the entire way.

Chen Mu was like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring; every rustle of wind or grass left him trembling with fear.

Only around dusk did he sneak back home in Qingshan County.

"If he can find Chen Family Village, he can probably find this place too."

"I need to move as soon as possible!"

Today's encounter had left Chen Mu feeling extremely unsafe.

After putting away his things and hastily eating dinner, Chen Mu did not rest at home.

He grabbed his bedding, climbed over the wall, and slipped into the neighboring courtyard.

Having lived here for so long, Chen Mu had already investigated the area thoroughly.

The residence to the west had been vacant for a long time.

He decided to make do here for the night.

"I need to find a way to rent this courtyard too."

"No, it's still a little too close." Chen Mu looked westward.

"That residence looks pretty good too."

The next day, Chen Mu went to the East Market Brokerage and rented both neighboring residences together.

The annual rent was only one tael of silver, something Chen Mu could now easily afford.

After locking the doors, he began climbing over the walls repeatedly to move his basic daily necessities into his New Home.

He would sleep in the westernmost courtyard.

He would practice in the middle residence.

He did not return the old house either, intending to use it as a decoy.

Afterward, he made a large purchase of medicinal herbs and buried himself in training.

The Secret Medicine used with the Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique could improve one's physique and repair injuries.

Previously, he had only taken it once a day.

Now, desperate for strength, Chen Mu took the Secret Medicine twice a day. With moderate rest between sessions, he increased the number of times he trained.

Previously, after practicing the Body Tempering Technique six or seven times a day, his body would grow sore and weak, leaving him unable to continue.

Now, with the Secret Medicine aiding his recovery, he could train eight or nine times a day.

His Proficiency soared rapidly.

Feeling his muscles grow increasingly solid and his speed and reactions become ever faster, Chen Mu threw himself into training even more wholeheartedly.

He even deliberately reduced the number of times he went out to draw portraits.

One month later

Writing: 1336/10000/Second Tier;
Drawing: 1034/10000/Second Tier;
Throwing: 2465/10000/Second Tier;
Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique: 5352/10000/Tier 1;

"Soon. At most two more months, and I'll complete Muscle Strengthening."

The Body Tempering Technique had three stages of transformation: Muscle Strengthening, Bone Strengthening, and Marrow Cleansing.

The names were merely rough descriptions.

According to Sheng Hong, the three transformations were three breakthroughs of the human body's Limit, continuously transforming and strengthening one's overall capabilities.

Every transformation was earth-shattering.

Without years of accumulated practice, one could forget about achieving them.

But once a transformation was complete, one could easily surpass ordinary people.

"If only I could keep training like this forever." Chen Mu frowned.

After spending a month training single-mindedly, his consumption of medicinal herbs and food had greatly increased.

He had also gone out to draw fewer portraits, and his savings had visibly shrunk.

He counted all the silver, copper coins, and loose silver in the Clay Pots around the house.

Forty-three taels...

"I need to draw a few more portraits this month."

Increasing his use of the Secret Medicine had sharply raised his expenses.

Buying Thousand Beard Grass directly from herb gatherers did save a great deal of money.

But the remaining medicinal ingredients were still not cheap.

Without more income, he could only hold out for another month.

"I'm still poor."

In the days that followed, he moderately slowed his training pace and gradually resumed his former number of portrait commissions.

Fortunately, his Drawing ability had continued improving, and he worked faster now. It only took half a day to draw someone's portrait.

He could still use the other half of the day to grind Proficiency.

That day, Chen Mu was returning home after drawing a portrait.

He suddenly noticed a gaunt Middle-aged Man standing by his door.

The man stood right outside his house, with two Burly Men beside him.

Chen Mu recognized those Burly Men. They were Master Yan's bodyguards.

If not for those two, he would have gone to have a private chat with Master Yan long ago.

"Wonderful Painting Workshop!"

"What trick is Master Yan trying to pull this time?"

"Looks like the gift I sent last time wasn't generous enough!"

He truly did not want anything to do with these local snakes.

But before he could turn and leave, the gaunt Middle-aged Man in gray had already noticed him.

"Young Master Chen, please wait!"

Glancing at the arms of the two Burly Men, thicker than his own thighs, Chen Mu regretfully gave up on the idea of knocking all three unconscious.

"What is it?"

"Our Wonderful Painting Workshop's owner, Master Zhen, would like to see you. Please come with us." The gaunt Middle-aged Man smiled.

Chen Mu glanced once more at the two expressionless Burly Men.

He knew he had no choice.

"Please wait a moment. I need to tidy up." Chen Mu cupped his hands.

"Please be quick. Master Zhen does not like waiting." The Middle-aged Man continued smiling.

Under the watchful eyes of the three men, Chen Mu opened the front gate.

Just as he was about to close it, one of the Burly Men braced it open with a hand.

"Young Master Chen, please be quick." The gaunt Middle-aged Man was still smiling.

Chen Mu nodded expressionlessly.

After entering the room, Chen Mu stood beneath the western window. Through the holes in the window lattice, he watched the three men at the gate and silently tucked two packets of Lime Powder into his sleeves.

After thinking for a moment, he gripped a small Porcelain Bottle from the windowsill in his palm.

Finally, he grabbed a handful of pebbles and put them into his money pouch.

Ruyi Abode, Anle Ward.

Chen Mu looked up at the three-story Wooden Tower.

It was noon, and business inside was booming, with an unending stream of customers.

"This way, Young Master. Master Zhen is in a private room on the third floor." The gaunt Middle-aged Man led Chen Mu upstairs.

Ruyi Abode covered a vast area and was packed with customers.

The first-floor hall was bustling with noise, but the private rooms on the third floor were quiet.

Chen Mu followed the gaunt Middle-aged Man to the third floor.

A plump Middle-aged Man was already seated in the private room. Two tall, sturdy bodyguards stood behind him.

Was this Master Zhen? Why was Master Yan nowhere to be seen?

"Are you Young Master Chen?" Master Zhen smiled.

"I am." Chen Mu replied calmly.

"Come, come, please sit." Master Zhen was all warmth and enthusiasm.

"I've long heard that Young Master Chen's painting skills are extraordinary. I've always wanted to meet you, and today I finally have." Master Zhen praised him.

"You flatter me, Master Zhen." Chen Mu replied calmly.

Master Zhen was indeed a businessman, smooth and sociable, exceptionally skilled at conversation.

One moment, he spoke of amusing stories from Anle Ward; the next, he praised Chen Mu's outstanding painting skills.

Chen Mu responded halfheartedly, but inwardly he could not help relaxing. This probably was not a trap.

"I won't beat around the bush. I would like to invite Young Master Chen to become the Chief painter of my Wonderful Painting Workshop." Master Zhen came straight to the point.

"The Wonderful Painting Workshop will find commissions for Young Master Chen, and we will not take a single coin from your fees. On top of that, we will offer a monthly stipend of ten taels of silver." Master Zhen looked utterly sincere.

He wants me to be the Chief painter? Chen Mu was surprised.

What about Master Yan?

They would help solicit business, and he would receive an additional monthly stipend of ten taels. It sounded rather good.

Could such favorable terms really come without a catch?

"As the Chief painter, Young Master Chen only needs to create a few portraits for my Wonderful Painting Workshop when necessary." Master Zhen said with a chuckle.

Chen Mu understood.

His painting skills, combined with modern techniques, were difficult for anyone to imitate at present.

The Wonderful Painting Workshop wanted to use him as their signboard.

He would earn money steadily, while they would increase their influence.

"Fine! I accept." Chen Mu no longer hesitated.

As for Master Yan—

If he dared cause trouble, Chen Mu would give him another grand gift!

What followed was a banquet of food and drink. Chen Mu did not leave Anle Ward until dusk.

Inside a private room at Ruyi Abode.

Master Zhen leaned against the window, admiring Anle Ward as the lanterns first lit up. He slowly cracked sunflower seeds. "Did he get home safely?"

"Yes, Master. He went back." The gaunt Middle-aged Man entered carrying a cup of ginseng tea and replied.

"With Young Master Chen, our Wonderful Painting Workshop will be secure. The owner truly has excellent methods." The gaunt Middle-aged Man smiled.

Master Zhen spat out a seed shell. "Who knows where that Old Man Yan has died off to. Without that signboard, a lot of business has been snatched away by the Red Workshop in the west of the city."

"Could the Red Workshop have secretly harmed Master Yan?" The gaunt Middle-aged Man asked gravely.

"That bitch is perfectly capable of it!" Master Zhen flicked away a seed shell and said coldly.

"Here's what we'll do. Tomorrow, find two capable men to protect Chen Mu. We can't let anything else go wrong."

"Yes."

Outside the Wooden Tower's window, a dark figure clung to the eaves, hanging silently in midair.

"So they really did want to hire me as their Chief painter." Chen Mu let out a sigh of relief.

He flicked out a pebble, knocking the ginseng tea from the thin Middle-aged Man's hand.

"Since you're the real employer, I can't let you get poisoned to death."

"What a waste of my bottle of concentrated snake venom."

Ignoring the chaos inside, he nimbly flipped onto the roof.

After a few leaps, he vanished into a narrow alley.