Inner City

"What happened?"

Madam Han pushed aside the cloth curtain and saw fishermen gathered on the shore in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

Uncle Gao lowered his voice. "Aunt Han, you haven't heard? Song Tie of the Golden River Gang is dead."

"What?!"

Madam Han's eyes widened as round as bronze bells.

Song Tie had been a tyrant of Yazi Bay. They said he could knock down four or five strong men with his bare hands. A ruthless figure like that had actually died?

Aunt Cui Hua had sidled over at some point. Patting her chest, she said, "I heard the Tiger Gang did it. They hacked him into a bloody pulp with a flurry of blades. It was horrifying."

The surrounding fishermen were all startled, fear appearing on their faces.

"This world..."

Madam Han let out a long sigh.

Looking at Aunt Cui Hua, Uncle Da Chun could not help saying, "Aunt Cui Hua, you've been looking much better lately."

Her face was glowing with health, and she looked far more spirited than usual.

Aunt Cui Hua grinned from ear to ear. "Isn't it because Er Ya has found favor in Steward Zhao's household? She often brings pastries back."

When the neighbors heard this, their eyes went wide with envy.

For poor people like them, white-flour pastries were simply a treasure beyond compare.

Uncle Gao swallowed. "I heard those pastries are fragrant and sweet..."

Aunt Cui Hua said with a hint of pride, "Next time, I'll have Er Ya bring more back so everyone can have a taste."

Uncle Gao rubbed his hands together. "How could I possibly accept that?"

Though his mouth said otherwise, his eyes gleamed.

Aunt Cui Hua turned to Uncle Da Chun. "Oh, right. How has Xiao Chun been lately? I haven't seen hide nor hair of him in ages."

Uncle Da Chun waved a hand. "The appraiser at Wanbao Hall values him highly and often takes him out. He rarely comes home."

Aunt Cui Hua said sourly, "Xiao Chun has been clever since he was little. He's always been such a worry-free child."

Listening from the side, Madam Han felt somewhat bitter inside.

"Xiao Chun really has spared his mother and me a great deal of worry."

Da Chun said with relief, "That boy said before that he wanted to settle down in the Inner City and bring us old folks over..."

To common people at the bottom, the Inner City was a place forever beyond their reach.

Uncle Gao sighed. "Xiao Chun is not only promising, but filial too. You're truly blessed."

Er Ya was doing odd jobs in a wealthy household. It would be hard for her to achieve anything great in her lifetime.

But once Xiao Chun became an appraiser, he would never have to worry about food or drink again.

Madam Han said nothing. She silently turned and headed home.

Aunt Cui Hua's voice called after her, "Aunt Han, when I get pastries, I'll share some with you."

Madam Han gave two dry laughs and hurried back home.

"Showing off, damn it! Who cares for those scraps and cold leftovers!" She had barely finished muttering when Chen Qing emerged from the inner room. "Mother, what are you mumbling about?"

"The Golden River Gang's leader, Song Tie, is dead. They say he was hacked into a bloody pulp."

Madam Han pulled him into the room and whispered, "Song Tie was hacked to death by the Tiger Gang. You have to be careful..."

Chen Qing nodded. "I understand."

Just as he had expected, the Tiger Gang could not wait to take the blame for him.

To an ordinary person like Chen Qing, this was a murder case. But to the Tiger Gang, it was a rare opportunity to establish their authority.

Madam Han counted on her fingers. "The food at home is nearly gone. We also need more pickled vegetables and tooth powder..."

Ever since Chen Qing began practicing martial arts, his appetite had surged. They often had to keep dry rations on hand as well.

"Mother."

Chen Qing took out a purse and said quietly, "From today onward, add more fish and meat to our meals."

Eating meat every day would strengthen his blood vitality and help him break through to Hidden Strength sooner.

Madam Han took the silver, her expression changing. "Where did this silver come from?"

Chen Qing said, "You don't need to worry about that. Just do as I say."

"Alright."

Madam Han rubbed the silver in her hand before finally nodding.

In these times, being able to get money meant having ability.

She had already begun planning which morning market to visit, and how much to buy each time without drawing attention.

A woman who had struggled through these chaotic times for years understood the way of survival best.

Chen Qing returned to his room and took out the Gale Blade Technique he had obtained last night.

This manual contained not only moves and combat methods, but also the Internal Force Fundamentals Diagram. It was exceedingly complete.

Chen Qing thought to himself, I can practice this blade technique more in my spare time.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Ever since reaching an agreement with Cheng Ming, Chen Qing had become a Patrol Guard of the River Bureau.

Other than patrolling during the hours of the Snake and the Pig each day, he was free to arrange most of his time as he pleased.

He spent most of his time at Zhou Academy, diligently practicing Tongbei Stance Practice and fist techniques.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence, and there will surely be achievement]

[Tongbei Stance Practice, minor accomplishment (161/1000)]

[Tongbei Fist, minor accomplishment (132/1000)]

With meat and Blood Vitality Powder nourishing him, his blood vitality grew stronger by the day, his physique becoming ever more robust. His progress was advancing twice as fast as before.

But this also steadily depleted his silver. Living off his savings was not a long-term solution.

Chen Qing thought to himself, If I had enough meat and medicinal supplements, perhaps I wouldn't need half a year before attempting the second breakthrough.

Bright Strength was fierce and overbearing, making Chen Qing look forward to Hidden Strength even more.

That day, Chen Qing was patrolling the docks with Cheng Ming.

Looking across the river, Cheng Ming sighed. "Across this South River lies the Inner City."

On the opposite bank, the outline of the Inner City emerged in the dusk, its walls dotted with lights like scattered gold.

Gaolin County was divided into the Inner and Outer Cities. Every inch of land in the Inner City was worth its weight in gold. Great Clans, gentry, wealthy merchants, and rich traders lived there in clusters. Its streets were broad and clean, its pedestrians energetic, and martial artists were everywhere.

Since all the prominent households kept guards, gangs had vanished without a trace there. It was a hundred times safer than the Outer City.

He sighed faintly. "While people in the Outer City are still worrying over food and clothing, these lords are already drowning in pools of wine and forests of meat, indulging themselves to their hearts' content."

Chen Qing remained silent.

What world was not like this? The so-called upper class merely enjoyed themselves atop the corpses of common folk. Their extravagant ways—feeding pigs with human milk, plastering walls with pepper paste, cooking with candle flames, using brocade to shield against the wind—were beyond anything ordinary people could imagine.

Chen Qing recalled scenes from plays in his previous life. When an official wished to rest, servants attended him. As he got into bed, there would be two little maids to warm the bed. Once the official lay down, they would use their own bellies to warm his feet. Of course, that was artistic embellishment.

In reality, bed-warming maids would not be wearing clothes.

"While people in the Outer City are still risking their lives for half a bowl of rice bran gruel..."

There was a trace of fatigue and self-mockery in Cheng Ming's voice as he said, "The lords in the Inner City have probably grown tired even of bird's nest and shark fin. They're likely pondering how to feed ginseng to pigeons."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the ragged laborers at the docks. In a low voice, he said, "Save enough silver, then bring your mother to the Inner City. Even if you only rent the cheapest little room. In this world, the words 'safe and sound' are worth ten thousand gold."

Chen Qing nodded.

For the people of this world, safety was the most precious thing of all.

Just then, an unusual commotion rose from the entrance to the docks, accompanied by startled cries and the anxious snorting of horses.

"Move! Get the hell out of the way!"

"Are you blind? Get lost!"

Several burly men in gray tight-fitting outfits, their faces full of savage flesh, roughly shoved aside the laborers and peddlers in their way, clearing a passage.

Their gazes were fierce, their temples slightly bulging, and blades hung at their waists. They were clearly martial artists.

Clop! Clop! Clop!

Crisp, rhythmic hoofbeats struck the bluestone pavement. They were neither hurried nor slow, yet carried an unquestionable majesty.

A tall, magnificent black horse slowly strutted into the docks.

Seated upright on its back was a man.

"A Qing."

Cheng Ming seized Chen Qing, his brows tightly furrowed, and quickly dragged him into a secluded alley nearby.

"Boss, that was...?" Chen Qing looked toward the retreating figure, uncertain and alarmed.

"That was a Martial Champion."

Cheng Ming lowered his voice and slowly exhaled. "With the title of Martial Champion, even upon meeting the county magistrate, one need not bow or kneel. The farmland and goods of his household are all exempt from taxes!"

"He can also receive a martial post from the Imperial Court and draw an official salary."

"Countless poor families compete to become servants to a Martial Champion, all for the chance to bask in that tax exemption... There are simply too many benefits."

Cheng Ming's tone was complicated, containing both reverence and a faint yearning that was difficult to detect.

If a small family like the Cheng Family could produce a Martial Champion, everything would be completely different.

Chen Qing felt his heart stir with heat.

Passing the Martial Arts Examination and becoming a Martial Champion was not merely a single step to the heavens—it was boundless wealth and glory!

"But to become a Martial Champion, you must first pass the Martial Arts Examination." Cheng Ming heavily patted Chen Qing's shoulder, then shook his head with a sigh. "Hard—hard as climbing to the heavens!"