Entering

After parting with Gao Shi, Zhuang Jin retrieved the silver he had hidden away and a set of clothes, then went to an inn he had long picked out—affordable and not too far from the Shen Family.

Behind the counter, the Oil Lamp flame flickered, casting a dim yellow glow. The innkeeper had been working his abacus, but at the sound from the doorway, he immediately straightened up. The warm smile on his face vanished the instant he saw Zhuang Jin's attire, replaced by disdain. He waved him away. "Go, go, go! There's no food here for you to beg for!"

"Innkeeper, I'm not begging. I'm staying the night."

"Staying the night?" The innkeeper looked Zhuang Jin over, seemingly doubting whether he had any money. "Upper Room is thirty coins a night. Lower room is ten coins."

"One lower room, please, Innkeeper." Zhuang Jin counted out ten Copper Coins and lined them up on the counter.

"Right away! One lower room, Room Bing 6!" Seeing Zhuang Jin produce the money, the innkeeper's attitude instantly turned cordial. He swiftly swept the Copper Coins into a drawer, then turned and shouted, "Bin? Zhu Bin? Where the hell did you die off to? Get over here and show the guest the way!"

"Coming! Coming!" A waiter with a sweat towel draped over his shoulder jogged over. He bent at the waist toward the innkeeper with an ingratiating smile, then looked at Zhuang Jin, dressed like a beggar. The corner of his mouth dipped almost imperceptibly. "Honored guest, this way," he said, leading the way ahead.

Zhuang Jin followed him upstairs. When they reached the door, he asked quietly, "Brother Zhu, does the inn have hot water? I'd like to wash up."

You call me Brother Zhu with that shameless face and think you'll get such a good thing?! Zhu Bin grumbled inwardly. Hiding the contempt in his eyes, he replied stiffly, "Of course we have hot water, but it is only supplied to the Upper Rooms. If you wish to use it, little brother, you can upgrade your room."

"Please make an exception." As Zhuang Jin spoke, he slipped him three Copper Coins.

Zhu Bin's eyes brightened slightly. He pocketed the coins without a change in expression, coughed twice, and abruptly changed his tune. "Look at my memory. I just remembered that we boiled some extra hot water today. If you want it, little brother, I'll bring it over."

Extra hot water? Extra my ass!

It was merely what they had skimmed from each Upper Room, pooled together—that was just how it was. The Upper Room guests' lodging fees belonged to the innkeeper, but this little brother's tip belonged to him!

"Thank you, Brother Zhu." Zhuang Jin cupped his hands in thanks.

"You're too polite, little brother!"

Hearing himself called "Brother Zhu" again, Zhu Bin suddenly felt it had a different flavor. If you had no money, calling him Brother Zhu just to ingratiate yourself and get benefits was a toad dreaming of swan meat. But if you were still willing to call him Brother Zhu after giving him something, that was called respecting people. The smile on his face became three parts more genuine. "Wait here, little brother. I'll bring over the wooden basin, hot water, and towel shortly!"

A short while later, in a cramped room at the inn, Zhuang Jin accepted the wooden basin, hot water, towel, and the scissors he had specifically asked Zhu Bin to find. After thanking him and seeing him out, he shut the door and prepared to wash up and restore his original appearance.

He would be taking part in the Martial Student Recruitment tomorrow. Naturally, he could no longer go in the guise of a beggar.

The first reason was to avoid Hou Yong.

Tomorrow, I'll enter the Shen Family through the Martial Student Recruitment. Even if Hou Yong finds out, he most likely won't dare come looking for me at the Shen Family. But he'd still dare wait by the tree stump for a rabbit. If I fail to become a true martial artist and join the Shen Family within a month, I'll have some trouble once I come out.

The second reason was that it would hinder his martial studies. The Shen Family was the foremost powerful clan in the prefecture, and they naturally cared about appearances. If he went there tomorrow looking like a little beggar, they might not even accept him no matter how much money he offered. Even if they did, the other Martial Students would look down on him for no reason once he got in, always wanting to step on him and stir up countless unnecessary troubles.

As Zhuang Jin considered these matters, he soaked the towel in hot water and wiped away the black mole his previous body's mother had made on his face with Grease and Glue and mud. He then used the scissors to trim his long-neglected hair, washed himself again, and changed into the clothes he had prepared.

He had bought these clothes from a pawnshop half a month ago. Though they were half-worn, they were clean and spotless, without a single patch. The moment he put them on, his whole person looked completely renewed.

When Zhuang Jin opened the door and called Zhu Bin over, the man was so startled that he hardly recognized him. His current appearance was as far from that of the little beggar as clouds from mud. Dressed like this, anyone would believe he was a promising scholar carefully raised by a farming-and-reading family. It also made Zhu Bin all the more attentive.

Zhu Bin did not let Zhuang Jin help. He scampered off to pour out the water, and before long brought over a clean set of bedding. Then he rubbed his hands together and looked at Zhuang Jin expectantly. "If there's anything else you need, little brother, just say the word. Don't stand on ceremony with me."

"Thank you, Brother Zhu, but I don't need anything else."

Seeing that Zhuang Jin seemed not to understand, Zhu Bin stood there for quite some time without receiving any sign of appreciation. He could only force out a smile. "Then rest well, little brother." The instant he turned away, he muttered under his breath, "Pah. Changed his looks, but he's still a poor sourpuss. What a waste of all my attentiveness—throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man!"

Zhuang Jin naturally heard him. His body paused slightly, but he soon turned back with the bedding as though nothing had happened.

It was not that he did not understand worldly ways, nor that he begrudged a few coins in tips. It was simply that he had limited funds on him. Tomorrow, he still had to go to the Shen Family to study martial arts, and every single coin had to be spent on the blade's edge. He could not puff himself up to look fat and compromise his future martial path.

Zhuang Jin laid out the clean bedding, then went to close the doors and windows and inspect them. Only after confirming that everything was safe did he take out his money and count it. Just as he had estimated, he had one thousand five hundred and sixty-seven coins, not a single coin short, as well as a small piece of broken silver worth perhaps eighty or ninety coins.

He tucked all his possessions close against his body, lay on the bed, and reviewed the day, going over his oversights and gains. He also considered what might happen tomorrow and how to respond. Only after running through it in his mind several times did he close his eyes and fall asleep.

Early the next morning, Zhuang Jin checked out and arrived outside the Shen Family residence.

Today was the Shen Family's third recruitment of Martial Students. It was just the hour of mao, around five in the morning, yet people were already lined up at the Shen Family gates. There were not many yet, and Zhuang Jin stepped forward to join them.

Ahead of Zhuang Jin stood a father and son. The father was tall and broad, his face shining with oil, with a faint air of Sha Qi about him. The son was sturdy as well, built like a calf.

A smile appeared on Zhuang Jin's face as he took the initiative to speak. "Uncle, big brother, you're here for the Shen Family's Martial Student Recruitment too, aren't you? This big brother is so powerfully built and brimming with vigor and blood. He'll surely become a true martial artist and join the Shen Family!"

One did not strike a smiling face, much less when Zhuang Jin's words were so pleasant. The burly man, who looked to be in his forties, laughed heartily. "I'll borrow your auspicious words, little brother. Come by my butcher shop another day, and I'll pick you a fine cut of meat."

So he's a butcher. No wonder, Zhuang Jin thought to himself. In this era, being a butcher was not something just anyone could do. Countless ordinary families could only envy it.

"I take it little brother is a scholar?"

"I wouldn't call myself a scholar, but I do know a few characters."

With Zhuang Jin deliberately seeking to befriend them, he quickly grew familiar with the Xiong Father and Son. The father was called Xiong Dadan, a butcher from Zhengyang Street East of the City. His son was called Xiong Lei. He was the same age as Zhuang Jin, though a month older, and before long they were calling each other "Uncle Xiong" and "Brother Xiong."

As time passed, more and more people arrived. The line grew extremely long, nearly stretching into the alley beside the street.

The Shen Family only accepted one hundred and twenty Martial Students each recruitment. Some of those farther back, estimating that they would not make the cut, began getting ideas. Before long, several places in line were seized.

For the time being, however, no one had targeted Zhuang Jin. Though he looked scholarly and frail, the Xiong Father and Son chatting warmly with him were tall and brawny, clearly powerful men. Zhuang Jin was obviously with them. Human nature bullied the weak and feared the strong; when softer persimmons were available to squeeze, there was no need to provoke such hard cases.

At that moment, outside the line, a sturdy man pulled along a youth. He glanced at Zhuang Jin, then left to find someone else to make trouble for farther back. Noticing this, Zhuang Jin lowered his eyes slightly. He knew his advance planning had worked. By borrowing the Xiong Father and Son's momentum, he had dissolved a crisis before it could take shape.

Yes, Zhuang Jin had deliberately struck up a conversation with the Xiong Father and Son precisely because he had anticipated this situation. Often, one did not have to wait until a problem appeared before solving it. To strangle it in the cradle while it had yet to reveal itself was the more profound course. This was what it meant when they said that those skilled in warfare achieved no dazzling feats.

Xiong Dadan noticed it as well. Narrowing his eyes, he patted Zhuang Jin on the shoulder with a palm as broad as a cattail fan. "I can see that Little Zhuang is a clever one. Once you enter the Shen Family, I hope you'll look after my son a little. When you come out, Uncle will treat you to some fine meat!"

"What are you saying, Uncle Xiong? Brother Xiong and I should look after each other."

While they were talking, Zhuang Jin suddenly spotted a little beggar in the street. His pupils shrank. He recognized this little beggar—Little Bamboo Pole, one of Hou Yong's beggars. He had even dealt with him yesterday. Little Bamboo Pole had followed behind Tan San in blocking his path, only to have his money taken by Zhuang Jin in the end.

At the same time Zhuang Jin saw Little Bamboo Pole, Little Bamboo Pole noticed him too. He found Zhuang Jin's figure strangely familiar and muttered, "Why does that person look so much like Little Mute?"

He rubbed his eyes and examined him closely. He found that Zhuang Jin's appearance differed from Little Mute's, yet still felt they resembled each other. Subconsciously, he walked closer, seemingly wanting a clearer look so he could distinguish them carefully.

Seeing this, Zhuang Jin frowned slightly. If Little Bamboo Pole recognized him and exposed his identity as a beggar, he might not even be able to keep his place in line, much less enter the Shen Family to study martial arts.

But that thought lasted only an instant before he calmed down. Little Bamboo Pole knows Little Mute. What does that have to do with me, Zhuang Jin?

By then, Little Bamboo Pole had already approached him in confusion. He opened his mouth as if to ask something. Zhuang Jin looked at him indifferently, then... tossed down a Copper Coin.

Clink!

The Copper Coin landed in Little Bamboo Pole's begging bowl, making a crisp, pleasant sound.

Seeing the tip in his bowl, Little Bamboo Pole was delighted, but he also cursed himself for being muddleheaded. How could Little Mute possibly come to take part in the Shen Family's Martial Student Recruitment? He had heard that this damned thing cost a whole tael of silver! And giving him a tip was even more impossible. How could that be?

"Little Zhuang is kindhearted." Seeing this, Xiong Dadan also took two Copper Coins from his pocket and tossed them down.

Xiong Dadan's words made Little Bamboo Pole even more certain. How could Little Mute know such respectable people? He must have mistaken someone else for him.

"Thank you for your generosity, honored sirs." He could no longer spare any thought for such matters. His face was filled with unconcealed joy as he knelt and kowtowed once, then turned and left excitedly.

Zhuang Jin watched Little Bamboo Pole depart, his expression calm. He knew he had passed this hurdle. I'm not someone quick-witted or sharp in the moment. I only realize many things afterward, when I could clearly have handled them better. I was only able to respond so calmly just now because I considered this situation last night.

Still, although I handled it properly and Little Bamboo Pole's suspicion has now faded, when the day comes to pay Tribute Money two days from now, Hou Yong may notice that I'm gone and fail to find me despite searching everywhere. Little Bamboo Pole's suspicion may arise again. If he tells Hou Yong then... But by then, I'll already be inside the Shen Family studying martial arts. Even if there is backlash, it will only come after I fail to learn martial arts within a month and come out.

After the incident with Little Bamboo Pole, nothing else happened. At the first quarter of the hour of chen, around seven fifteen in the morning, the Shen Family gates swung open with a boom. A resounding voice called out, "Today is the Shen Family's third Martial Student Recruitment! One hundred and twenty places only, one tael of silver per person! Those who wish to register, come forward!"

"It's here, it's finally here!"

"Registration has started!"

"Don't push! Stop pushing from the back!"

Amid the clamor, the whole line began moving forward. Zhuang Jin could clearly feel the crush from behind, but fortunately, registration had already begun at the Shen Family gates ahead.

The Xiong Father and Son and Zhuang Jin were near the front, so their turn came quickly. After Xiong Dadan paid and registered Xiong Lei, Xiong Lei passed through the registration point but did not leave, waiting for Zhuang Jin. Xiong Dadan did not go either, watching them off.

"Sir, this is the registration fee!" Zhuang Jin drew a deep breath and stepped forward. Looking at the gray-robed middle-aged man registering people behind the table, he handed over one thousand Copper Coins—one tael of silver.

—Not everyone paid in silver. His thousand Copper Coins were not especially conspicuous.

"Mm. Put it down. Name?"

"Zhuang Jin."

"Age?"

"Sixteen."

"Place of origin and address?"

"West City, Big Willow Tree Alley." Zhuang Jin gave the location of his previous body's family home.

"All right, go in!"

Though he had already watched the process, Zhuang Jin was still somewhat surprised by how simple the questioning was. But then he understood. This Martial Student Recruitment claims to recruit Martial Students, but in truth, it only grants a month-long opportunity for "training." Most people won't stay. Those who fail to become true martial artists simply go back where they came from, so background checks would be wasted effort. If someone becomes a true martial artist and wishes to join the Shen Family, it won't be too late to investigate them thoroughly then.

This matches my expectations. It is one of the better outcomes I had anticipated.

After all, even after registering and entering, he would only be a Martial Student, too insignificant to matter. If a background check exposed him to his previous body's younger uncle and elder uncle, it would only add risk. But once he became a true martial artist and joined the Shen Family, his weight would be different. The hatred that now weighed on him like a mountain would no longer be an unbearable burden then.

Thinking this, Zhuang Jin turned back and waved farewell to Xiong Dadan, who was watching them. Then he entered with Xiong Lei. In that instant, he thought of the savings he had accumulated through months of begging; of Tan San and the others blocking his path yesterday; of the fright when Little Bamboo Pole had nearly recognized him just now...

After such painstaking calculations for so long, he had finally gained an opportunity to study martial arts.

If this is a road to the heavens, then let it begin here! His heart stirred. He raised his eyes to the rising morning sun at the horizon, blooming with countless golden rays, and strode inside.