Burning Hand, Hot Palm

Li Beichen looked at Meng Juxiang.

"Master, do the other thirty-six martial halls in Jinglong District have similar backgrounds?"

Meng Juxiang looked somewhat surprised, then broke into a smile.

"Everyone in my sect, from Zhang Meng to Yuan Dazong, and then to Fang Meiqin, has nothing but thoughts of how to make their muscles bigger and stronger."

"Li Beichen, the fact that you can ask me this question shows you have some breadth of vision."

He pondered for a moment before revealing a little bit of the truth to Li Beichen.

"My Giant Elephant Sect is a major sect in Jiangnan; we have reach in most of the cities throughout the region."

"Naturally, the other major sects are no exception."

"In Ram City, you need to watch out for the Thunderbolt Martial Hall and the Cloud Crane Martial Hall. The Thunderbolt Martial Hall is backed by the Five-Thunder Thunderbolt Sect, while the Cloud Crane Martial Hall belongs to the Fuling Sword Sect."

"These two sects are both major powers in Jiangnan, and they are on par with our Giant Elephant Sect."

"I see."

Li Beichen looked at Meng Juxiang. His master's status was likely not simple. Although Meng Juxiang did not state it explicitly, he was likely a figure akin to the spokesperson for the Giant Elephant Sect in Ram City.

Rooted in Ram City, acting as the wings of the Giant Elephant Sect, and helping the sect select and recommend new blood.

In the days that followed, Li Beichen practiced in the inner courtyard.

His treatment had undergone a heaven-and-earth transformation.

First of all, he had meat at every meal, equivalent to the special rations of the outer courtyard, and in unlimited quantities at that.

Furthermore, every five days, he would receive half a catty of Exotic Beast Meat; the higher one's cultivation, the higher the ration.

However, Li Beichen discovered that the efficacy of this meat could not compare to the Strange Pig meat from his own home.

After making some inquiries, he learned the truth.

This meat was from farm-raised exotic beasts; the yield was very low, but it had the advantage of being a stable supply, obtained through Meng Juxiang's connections.

Of course, if one were to truly eat this half-catty of Exotic Beast Meat without restraint, it would only last a day, which was far from enough for the cultivation needs of a ranked martial artist.

As for living arrangements, the martial hall provided communal dormitories for inner courtyard disciples, four to a room, though usually, no one lived there.

Everyone had their own residences near Jinglong District.

Zhang Meng once patted Li Beichen on the shoulder with a grin and said.

"Old Seven, once you've attained a rank and become a true martial artist, these worldly goods will come to you of their own accord. You must choose carefully, and if you're unsure about anything, you can come and ask me."

Li Beichen didn't understand what he meant at first, but a few days later, invitations began to arrive one after another.

The first to come knocking was actually his Second Senior Brother, Yuan Dazong.

"Seventh Junior Brother, today your Second Senior Brother is hosting. Rouge House, Hundred Flowers Pavilion—you must do me the honor."

Li Beichen raised an eyebrow, intending to see what kind of medicine Yuan Dazong was selling in his gourd.

He took the invitation.

"Since Second Senior Brother has invited me, Beichen shall certainly attend the banquet."

Li Beichen's readiness made Yuan Dazong's narrow eyes widen by two points.

"Good, good, good! Your brother will have fine wine and beauties prepared, waiting for you!"

That night, Li Beichen, dressed in brocade robes, strode toward the Rouge House.

This was his first time visiting the Rouge House.

As the weather was growing warmer, the Rouge House was filled with flower houses lining the streets.

Moreover, there were pavilions extending out over the street.

Inside, beautiful women draped in thin gauze sang and danced, looking exceptionally enchanting.

They were there specifically to attract passing pleasure-seekers.

Every establishment had young women circling the entrance, pulling gentlemen inside.

Li Beichen, dressed in fine brocade, clearly looked like a wealthy young master, and with his star-like brows, sword-like eyes, and tall, sturdy physique, he drew even more attention.

A woman of the night wearing a revealing bodice approached him, speaking in a soft, sweet voice.

"Young master..."

"Apologies, I have an appointment."

Li Beichen ignored the alluring gazes of the singing girls and dancing concubines, walking along the Rouge House until he finally reached the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

He took out his invitation and handed it to a servant, after which he was led by a dedicated attendant to the designated private room.

Pushing open the door, besides the narrow-eyed, thin-lipped Yuan Dazong, there was another middle-aged man.

He was dressed in finery, had a portly figure, and wore a jade thumb ring on his thumb.

Both men had a songstress attending to them by their sides.

Seeing Li Beichen enter, Yuan Dazong stood up with a beaming smile and made the introductions.

"Beichen, come, let me introduce you to someone."

"This is Chairman Yan of the Ram City Tea Guild, Yan Fu! In his younger years, he was also a ranked martial artist."

"All the tea in Ram City is brought here by Chairman Yan and his fellow tea merchants, who traverse mountains and cross the Tea Horse Road to transport it."

This Chairman Yan also greeted him with a smiling face.

"I have long heard from Venerable Yuan that his junior brother was exceptionally gifted and a man of great talent. Seeing you today, it is indeed true. A pleasure, a real pleasure!"

Facing their enthusiasm, Li Beichen cupped his hands in a salute and sat in his designated seat.

A beautiful songstress wearing a tube top and a translucent silk robe immediately stepped forward to pour wine for Li Beichen and peel fruit for him.

"Senior Brother Yuan, Chairman Yan, I wonder what the purpose of this invitation is."

"Hahaha, Brother Li is so direct, so I, Yan Fu, will not beat around the bush."

"I troubled Venerable Yuan to act as a bridge today in order to invite Brother Li to serve as a consultant for my Tea Guild!"

"A consultant?"

Li Beichen's gaze sharpened as he looked at Yuan Dazong.

"Is Second Senior Brother also a consultant for the Tea Guild now?"

"Naturally. Among the Thirty-Six Trades of Ram City, I chose the Tea Guild."

"This is a fine position, which is why I recommended you to Chairman Yan, Junior Brother."

Yuan Dazong's words were filled with extreme enthusiasm, as if he were truly looking out for Li Beichen and specifically taking care of his seventh junior brother.

But as Li Beichen looked at this man, he could not muster any good feelings, as if he were facing a muscular, cold-blooded giant python.

He pondered for a moment.

"May I ask Second Senior Brother and Chairman Yan, what would this position of consultant require me to do?"

Yan Fu squeezed out a smile.

"For now, there is no need for Brother Li to do anything. You only need to be affiliated with my Tea Guild, and I can provide thirty taels of silver every month to support your martial arts training!"

Yuan Dazong, standing to the side, also chimed in to help.

"Seventh Junior Brother, look at how sincere Chairman Yan is. With thirty taels of silver, in three months you could buy a two-courtyard house in Jinglong District. Once you add a few beautiful wives and concubines, wouldn't that be a life of pleasure?"

The songstress beside Li Beichen also received a wink from Yan Fu and pressed her voluptuous, shapely body against him.

"My lord... you are so impressive..."

"Hahaha, if Brother Li agrees, I can redeem this beauty's contract for you. She can go home with you today and serve you well!"

Yan Fu fired a sugar-coated cannonball directly at him.

Had it been an ordinary seventeen-year-old youth full of vigor, he would have long since agreed when faced with such a bewitching concoction.

However, Li Beichen had lived two lives, and in this one, he had endured displacement and all manner of hardships.

He knew deep down that behind any sweet benefit that seemed easily attainable, there was surely a price ten times greater hidden in the shadows.

Li Beichen let his hand wander over the exquisite body of the songstress beside him, his face showing a look of hesitation.

"I won't hide it from you, Second Senior Brother. Eldest Senior Brother once told me that if anyone came to discuss matters of affiliation or consultancies, I must consult with him first."

"A man cannot stand without credibility. I am truly moved by the kindness of Second Senior Brother and Chairman Yan, but let me inform Eldest Senior Brother first, and then I shall give you my answer!"