When Zhao Han reached the main street, he asked around for shops that sold pills and discovered there really were some—and they were still open.
He had found a source for Energy Pills.
Zhao Han immediately set off for a pill shop. Its sign read "Yi Qi Hall."
"'Lie Together'? What an interesting name."
He went inside, and a shop assistant immediately came to greet him.
Zhao Han noticed that the attendants in this world were all male assistants, not women.
"Sir, what kind of pills would you like to buy?" The assistant bent slightly and asked.
"Do you have Energy Pills?"
From Zhao Han's tone, the assistant could tell he was usually full of big talk. Energy Pills were low-grade pills, available at just about any pill shop.
Why would he need to come to Yi Qi Hall for them?
After all, Yi Qi Hall sold high-quality goods.
Energy Pills cost five qian more here than at ordinary pill shops.
"Yes, yes. Each Energy Pill costs two taels and five qian of silver. How many would you like, sir?" the assistant replied with a beaming smile.
"What? What did you say? Two taels and five qian of silver? Aren't they only one tael each?" Zhao Han was stunned by the price.
That was almost enough to cover a month's tuition at the martial arts school.
Besides, Zhang Long and Zhao Hu had said that one pill could sell for one tael of silver.
"Heh, sir, the selling price for Energy Pills at ordinary pill shops is two taels of silver. But here at Yi Qi Hall, the quality is better, so they sell for two taels and five qian."
"As for the one tael you mentioned, that must've been for a secondhand Energy Pill."
"Uh, I guess that makes sense."
Zhao Han suddenly understood.
Like cars and houses, this stuff became secondhand almost as soon as you bought it, and the price dropped straight to half.
But Zhao Han had picked up on something else: Energy Pills cost two taels of silver at ordinary pill shops.
That was good news. He could save another five qian.
"May I ask how many Energy Pills you're planning to buy, sir?" the assistant asked with a beaming smile.
"Well, I have something to take care of, so I'll buy them another time."
Zhao Han turned and walked straight out of Yi Qi Hall, leaving the assistant with a face full of disdain.
If you don't have any money, why come to Yi Qi Hall? Did you come here just to mess with me?
After asking around some more, he finally bought two Energy Pills at a shop not far away.
He had spent four taels of silver in one go, leaving Zhao Han with only five qian of silver and one tael of gold.
"Two pills will be enough to raise my proficiency by two hundred points, pushing it to 970."
Zhao Han's heart raced. He was finally about to master Black Wolf Fist and break through to the Muscle Refining Realm. It sure hadn't been easy.
He found a dark alley beside Mad Saber Martial Arts School. After making sure no one was around, he threw himself into his training.
"Ha! Ha! Hah!"
After ten sets, his proficiency reached 780.
"Whew!"
He took a deep breath, swallowed an Energy Pill, and continued practicing his fist.
800!
810!
He kept at it until his proficiency reached 880.
Then he took the second pill.
After another hundred sets, Zhao Han's proficiency reached 980.
[Black Wolf Fist, unranked, proficient 980/1000]
"Just one step away. Tomorrow morning, I'll do ten sets after breakfast, then ten more before lunch. That'll be enough."
Zhao Han's confidence soared. He could already see the Muscle Refining Realm waving to him.
That was the Muscle Refining Realm—a level comparable to the Hall Masters of the Poisonous Snake Gang and the Black Wolf Gang.
Even the Master of Mad Saber Martial Arts School was only at the Muscle Refining Realm.
By the time he returned to the martial arts school, it was nearly ten o'clock. He happened to run into Liang Feng coming back.
He reeked of alcohol. Clearly, someone had dragged him off to drink and eat meat.
As a Skin Refining Warrior, the school's fifth disciple, and someone with ties to so many wealthy families, he naturally had plenty of social engagements.
No wonder he looked down on the food in the dining hall.
"Junior Brother Zhao, what were you doing out so late at night?" Liang Feng asked, half-drunk.
"Ah, Senior Brother Liang. I was just getting familiar with the area. I got lost earlier, and only just found my way back," Zhao Han explained quietly.
Liang Feng nodded. "I see. As your senior brother, I can tell you're a straightforward fellow, so let me give you a word of advice: if you want to live a long life, don't go out walking at night."
"In County Town, there are crowds of people, plenty of Martial Artists, and strong yang energy, so you don't need to fear ghosts too much. But the world is going downhill, and people's hearts aren't what they used to be."
"Sometimes, the human heart is far more frightening than a ghost!"
"I see. Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother Liang."
"I wouldn't call it advice. It's just something I learned from experience." Liang Feng waved a hand, as if he'd gone through something like that before.
Compared with ghosts, people could sometimes be more frightening.
When Zhao Han entered through the main gate, Old Man Mi had already gone to sleep.
In an era without phones or much nightlife, eight o'clock was already late.
After night fully fell at eight, many people would go straight to sleep.
Zhao Han had experienced that too. He'd been born in the countryside in the nineties, and even in the early 2000s, when he was just a few years old, his family had no television, no internet, and no cell phone.
Once it got dark, there was nothing to do but read or go to sleep.
Power outages were common, too, sometimes lasting several days. All they could do was use candles.
Candles were even more expensive in this era, so lamp oil was cheaper. Ordinary people could afford it, but didn't use it often.
When Zhao Han returned to his room, the three unfamiliar roommates he hadn't met yet were already sound asleep.
He didn't disturb them. Without even taking off his clothes, he lay down on his bed and quietly fell asleep.
Early the next morning, many apprentices got up bright and early and headed to the Training Ground for morning practice.
Besides them, apprentices who lived near the martial arts school also came to the Training Ground.
Zhao Han had wanted to sleep in, but to avoid drawing attention, he dutifully got up early too.
He got up alongside his three roommates, and they exchanged names to introduce themselves.
But the three of them didn't seem interested in talking to Zhao Han.
They only introduced themselves, then coldly walked away. Zhao Han just shrugged.
The night before, they'd already looked down on him during dinner.
He wanted to befriend them? In their dreams.
After getting the cold shoulder, Zhao Han merely shrugged. He didn't care.
Did they think I really wanted to befriend a bunch of little nobodies who hadn't even reached the Skin Refining Realm?
I just didn't want to stand out too much and draw attention.
He had a system, and demons, monsters, and ghosts roamed this world. He had to lie low and keep a low profile.
When he reached the Training Ground, Zhao Han realized that the martial arts school had far more than thirty or so apprentices. There were at least fifty.
There were only five female disciples. Three of them wore snug, fitted training outfits. They were tall and lovely.
Their decent figures were on full display for a crowd of young men in the prime of their youth.
Who knew how many apprentices were slacking off and sneaking glances?
The other two female disciples, meanwhile, had a zero percent audience share.
One was burly and muscular, her arm thicker than Zhao Han's calf. She stood by herself, thoroughly absorbed in her practice, and nobody paid her any attention.
The other apprentice had plain features, wore her hair in a ponytail, and had a slightly wheat-colored complexion. She wore the training uniform issued by the school, which clearly showed that she came from a fairly ordinary family.
She looked far too ordinary, so nobody paid attention to her either.
Before you continue