Livelihood

Three days later.

Chen Qing had just finished washing up when someone arrived outside the cabin door.

The visitor was a middle-aged man in his thirties, dressed in a black short jacket, with four or five burly followers behind him.

The middle-aged man smiled. "This must be Brother Chen Qing. I am Xu Chengfeng of the Tiger Gang."

Chen Qing replied without revealing anything, "So it is an expert from the Tiger Gang. I have long heard of you."

Xu Chengfeng cupped his hands. "Starting today, this place will be taken over by our Tiger Gang. I hope Brother Chen will make things convenient for us in the future. If there is anything we fail to do properly, please bear with us!"

Looking flattered, Chen Qing said, "Your Excellency overstates it."

The Tiger Gang had come calling. It seemed Yazi Bay had truly changed hands. The Golden River Gang was now a thing of the past.

Xu Chengfeng smiled. "Brother Chen is too polite."

After chatting idly for a few moments, Xu Chengfeng left with his followers.

After leaving the Chen Family home, Xu Chengfeng quietly instructed, "A Jie, look into where this Chen Qing learned his boxing."

There was never any harm in being more cautious in dealing with people and matters.

"Understood."

The follower behind him nodded.

"A Qing, who was that just now!?"

Madam Han lifted the cloth curtain and asked curiously.

Chen Qing said blandly, "People from the Tiger Gang."

"The Tiger Gang!?"

At once, Madam Han's face filled with worry. "They are not going to raise the Incense Money again, are they?"

Whenever a new gang appeared, they had to pay three months' worth of Protection Fee in advance.

"Mother, do not overthink it," Chen Qing said.

Though Chen Qing comforted her from the side, Madam Han's expression remained dreadful.

Those gangs were, after all, mountains pressing down upon their shoulders.

Chen Qing said no more. He left home and headed to Zhou Academy.

At that moment, the senior brothers in the inner courtyard were exchanging moves and sparring.

The wind from their fists surged, producing a series of crackling sounds.

After tidying himself up, Chen Qing began practicing his boxing.

The hardest part of Tongbei Fist was not its forms, but this subtle control of the body.

Too loose, and the force scattered. Too tight, and the force stagnated. One had to find that perfect point of balance between looseness and tension.

Before he knew it, he had already performed Tongbei Fist twice.

Sun Shun walked over. "Junior Brother Chen, there are several part-time guard appointments available now. Take a look."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing stopped what he was doing, and Sun Shun described the three appointments.

One was a part-time appointment with the Li Clan Chamber of Commerce. Its usual duties included guarding warehouses and freight depot gates, patrolling at night, escorting valuable goods over short distances, and intimidating petty criminals.

The compensation was quite good, however, with a monthly stipend of four taels.

Another was a part-time appointment at Drunken Moon Pavilion. This appointment was somewhat special and was also called an "undercover post."

The usual duties were maintaining order in the establishment, deterring troublemakers and cardsharps, collecting gambling debts, and, when necessary, personally "cleaning up" trouble.

The monthly stipend generally ranged from five to eight taels, but the risks were also high.

Chen Qing shook his head. He was clearly dissatisfied with both.

Though the Li Clan Chamber of Commerce appointment was safe, it offered little freedom.

Working as an "undercover post" at Drunken Moon Pavilion was simply too dangerous. Who knew whether some demon or monster might pop up in the gambling house one day?

"The last one is River Patrol."

Sun Shun said, "The River Bureau is badly short on manpower. As long as you agree, you can be registered tomorrow. It pays two taels of silver a month, with six rest days each month."

"The academy's disciples think the pay is too low, so not many go."

The main duty of River Patrol was to patrol assigned stretches of river, maintain public order, settle minor disputes, inspect suspicious people and vessels, and assist the River Commissioner with river affairs.

When nothing was happening, it was quite leisurely.

After considering it again and again, Chen Qing nodded. "Then I will take this one."

Sun Shun took out a letter and instructed, "This is a letter of introduction. Go to Green River Pier and find Commissioner Cheng."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Chen Qing accepted the letter and headed toward Green River Pier.

The bluestone road was wet, gleaming faintly.

River water lightly lapped against the wooden pilings, while several Covered Boats swayed gently with the current.

The morning market along the shore had already opened. Hawkers' cries mingled with the fishy stench in the damp air.

Chen Qing stepped through puddles, turned into a narrow alley, and arrived before the River Bureau.

The River Bureau's yamen was not large. Its facade looked somewhat worn, with dark wood exposed where the paint had peeled away.

The gates stood open, and a smell of old paper, sweat, and the fishy odor of river water rushed at him.

Figures moved about inside amid a noisy clamor. Most were Patrol Guards dressed in River Bureau uniforms, with occasional shouting and arguments mixed in.

Chen Qing lifted his foot over the high threshold.

The main hall was somewhat dim, and its furnishings were rather plain. Several long desks were piled high with Archives and miscellaneous items, while even the floor bore wet footprints that had yet to dry.

He stopped a runner hurrying past and cupped his hands. "Brother, may I ask whether Commissioner Cheng Ming is here?"

The runner looked Chen Qing up and down. Though he wore ordinary coarse clothes, his posture was upright and his gaze clear. His hands in particular had distinct knuckles, bearing the marks of a martial practitioner. The runner pointed to an even narrower passage beside the hall. "Commissioner Cheng is in the duty room inside. He has been busy all night, so he is probably in a foul mood right now. Go find him yourself."

"Thank you."

Chen Qing thanked him and followed the indicated path inward.

At the end of the passage was a small room. Its door was slightly ajar, with lamplight spilling from within.

Chen Qing stopped before the door and lightly knocked twice on the wooden panel.

"Who is it?" A hoarse, weary voice came from inside.

"I am Chen Qing, here for a part-time appointment," Chen Qing said steadily and clearly.

The door creaked as it was pulled open from within.

"I am Cheng Ming."

A square-faced man in his forties appeared before him. A saber hung loosely at his waist. Looking at Chen Qing, he asked, "Do you have a letter of introduction?"

Chen Qing took the letter from his robes and handed it over with both hands. "I do."

Cheng Ming accepted it and read it. His tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. "Master Zhou Liang's disciple?"

"That is correct," Chen Qing replied.

"The letter is fine, and you look sturdy enough. The River Bureau is short on manpower right now. You have come at just the right time."

After examining Chen Qing, Cheng Ming's tone softened. "You know the River Bureau's rules and monthly stipend, correct?"

"I do," Chen Qing answered.

Cheng Ming nodded and slowly said, "Let me give you a few more instructions. The River Bureau has nine squads. Each squad has one River Commissioner and three Patrol Guards. The work is simple enough."

"Walk along the stretch of river assigned to you and keep your eyes sharp. If you spot thieves, brawlers, or anyone acting suspiciously, do not foolishly rush in by yourself."

He emphasized his words as he instructed, "Come back and report it first. The constables will handle it. As for the Boat Captains at the pier and the managers at the freight depots, do not provoke them for no reason. They are old loaches soaked in oil—slippery as can be. If you truly run into some blind fool of a petty thief and have to fight—"

Cheng Ming lowered his voice. "Weigh your options yourself. Do not let yourself suffer, but do not blow things up either. Remember, you are only 'part-time.'"

He raised his eyes to look directly at Chen Qing, a complicated warning in his gaze. "If you truly poke a huge hole in the sky, even Zhou Academy's reputation may not be enough to cover it."

Chen Qing cupped his hands and said earnestly, "Thank you for the reminder, Commissioner Cheng."

Cheng Ming was fairly satisfied with Chen Qing's attitude. He nodded almost imperceptibly. "Tomorrow, at the start of the Rabbit hour, go to the guard office at the eastern end of the pier. Find Old Li to collect your waist badge and uniform. He will tell you which stretch to patrol. Today counts as your registration. Go back and rest first."

After waiting quietly for a moment, Cheng Ming noticed that Chen Qing was still standing where he was. He could not help raising his eyes to ask, "Is there anything else?"

Chen Qing cupped his hands in salute and said in a low voice, "Commissioner Cheng, this subordinate dares to ask—could I... receive an advance on the next few months' stipend?"

"An advance on your stipend?"

Cheng Ming was slightly taken aback. This was the first time he had heard such a request. His brows drew together almost imperceptibly. "What for?"

"To pay tuition," Chen Qing answered directly.

Cheng Ming's gaze lingered on Chen Qing's face for a moment. After pondering, he said, "The River Bureau has never had a precedent for advancing monthly stipends..."

He paused briefly, then changed tack. "Very well. I will give you five taels of silver in advance. For the next several months, you need not collect your stipend. It will come directly to me."

Chen Qing hurriedly gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Commissioner Cheng, for granting this!"

Cheng Ming waved his hand. "Go."

That afternoon, Chen Qing returned to Zhou Academy to continue training.

"Junior Brother Chen."

Several senior brothers greeted him with smiles.

The disciples who had only recently joined were even more enthusiastic.

Sun Shun beckoned. "Junior Brother, come spar with me."

"Alright!"

Chen Qing nodded, then changed into Zhou Academy's training clothes.

"Then I will not hold back."

Sun Shun loosened his muscles and bones, drove force through his feet and fists, and charged at Chen Qing in quick strides.

Rather than retreat, Chen Qing advanced, taking a large step forward.

Tongbei Fist emphasized "reach," "length," and "speed." Put simply, it meant extending one's strikes far and wide, letting Internal Force flow through without obstruction, and balancing hardness with softness.

With the momentum of three steps, his fist became a gale. His attacks came in linked succession—before one move was finished, the next had already arrived, forming a dense offensive barrage.

Chen Qing's blood and qi surged within him. His waist and legs, feet and fists, and spine all gave off a series of crackling sounds.

The air exploded with a terrifying force. This was what they called "a sound worth a thousand gold"—the realm of Bright Strength.

In that instant, he erupted with sudden force, his fist wind howling forth.

Sun Shun was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He directly performed a donkey roll, dodging the attack, then sprang up and threw a punch.

Bang!

After their fists collided, Chen Qing staggered several steps backward.

"Again!"

Sun Shun shouted and charged forward once more.

His right arm shook, like a Spirit Serpent emerging from its hole, striking straight for Chen Qing's centerline. It appeared direct and simple, yet concealed changes within changes. At any moment, the probing strike could become a chop, or turn into a grab.

Chen Qing focused himself and responded without daring to slacken.

He knew that Sun Shun's foundation was solid and his experience seasoned. He was far from comparable to a novice like himself who had only just entered Bright Strength.

As the fist wind rushed toward his face, he sank his waist and hips slightly. Rather than block it head-on, he swept his left arm outward. What he used was the clever force-dispersing technique within Tongbei Fist. At the same time, his footwork shifted, sliding half a step diagonally backward in an attempt to dissolve the incoming force.

Smack!

Their arms met with a crisp crack.

Chen Qing felt a tremendous force travel into him, leaving his arm slightly numb, but he had at least deflected the swift punch off course.

Taking advantage of the opening, his right fist shot from his waist and drove straight toward Sun Shun's ribs, a swift counterattack.

"Good move!"

Sun Shun praised him, seeming to have expected this move all along.

Unhurried, he drew back his arm and bent his elbow, dropping it downward to barely block Chen Qing's fist. At the same time, his left palm swept upward from below, striking directly for Chen Qing's jaw. His change of moves was so swift it dazzled the eye.

This was the exquisite aspect of Tongbei Fist's close-range short strikes—one wave followed another without end.

Their exchange had been as swift as lightning and sparks from flint. The surrounding disciples could not help stopping what they were doing and gathering to watch.

"Junior Brother Chen is impressive. He has only just entered Bright Strength, yet he can already exchange several moves with Senior Brother Sun?"

"Senior Brother Sun definitely is not using his full strength. He is feeding him moves."

"Even so, that is extraordinary. Look at Junior Brother Chen's reactions. His Internal Force really does look trained."

Sun Shun did not press the attack. Instead, he stood where he was and smiled at Chen Qing. "How does it feel?"

Chen Qing took a deep breath, suppressing his churning blood and qi, then cupped his hands. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. I understand now."

He had truly felt it. Though his strength had clearly increased greatly, when it came to wielding Internal Force, he still felt as though his power could not reach where he wanted it to.

It was obvious that Sun Shun wanted to help Chen Qing become familiar with the force of Bright Strength more quickly.

Sun Shun smiled. "We are fellow disciples. No need for courtesy."

At that moment, Zhou Yu walked over. "Senior Brother Sun, my father wants you in the Backyard."

"Alright, I understand."

Sun Shun nodded, then followed Zhou Yu toward the Backyard.

Besides Sun Shun and Qin Lie, there were several other disciples who had reached Hidden Strength.

This immediately drew the attention of many disciples.

Someone muttered quietly, "Could something have happened?"

A senior brother beside him said, "The Martial Arts Examination is approaching. Master must be explaining matters regarding the examination. Senior Brother Sun and Senior Brother Qi are both disciples Master values highly."

"The Martial Arts Examination!?"

A wave of discussion immediately rose through the academy.

Chen Qing paid it no mind and continued pondering Tongbei Fist.

Before long, a golden light appeared in his mind.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence, and achievement is certain]

[Tongbei Fist, Minor Mastery (1/1000)]