Exotic Beast Meat

Not long after, Chen Jing walked out of Pockmarked Qiang's house.

Now that he had two lives on his hands, even though his heart was still racing, the fear had vanished.

The first time one kills, there is a hint of nervousness, but the second time... only calmness remains.

Immediately after, Chen Jing hurried toward the residence of Scarhead.

This time, Chen Jing emerged even faster than before. As the saying goes, the first time is strange, the second is familiar, and by the third, one can do it with their eyes closed.

"These three fellows had so much money on them alone; who knows how much more they might have hidden away!"

Chen Jing looked down at the heavy coin pouch at his waist; the amount was far greater than what he had brought when he first sought to become an apprentice.

Thinking of this, Chen Jing took a deep breath, his gaze gradually turning cold: "Indeed, in this world, wanting to earn big money through hard work is harder than ascending to heaven."

"If you want silver, you have to eat people."

"And these wicked men... no matter how many die, they deserve it."

The next morning.

Chen Jing rose early as usual, as if nothing had happened the night before, and walked into the martial arts hall to practice his punches.

Just as he was absorbed in his training, several new disciples arrived to seek apprenticeship.

Fei Feng, as usual, spoke a few words before proceeding to feel the bones of the newcomers.

But when he reached the third person, he froze in place, then burst into loud laughter: "Good! Good! Good!"

"It is actually a superior bone structure!"

At this moment, the joy on Fei Feng's face could not be contained; he was so excited that his beard even trembled a few times.

"What is your name?"

"Reporting to Teacher, this disciple is Xiang Lingfei!"

Hearing this, Xiang Lingfei quickly responded.

"Good! Good! I will personally teach you the stance techniques!"

With that, Fei Feng began to demonstrate on the spot. His attitude toward Xiang Lingfei was as different as heaven and earth compared to the previous two.

Fei Feng's enthusiastic behavior took many disciples by surprise.

After all, everyone knew that Fei Feng was usually cold and aloof, and no one expected him to be smiling like a God of Wealth today.

Watching Fei Feng's attitude, someone couldn't help but mutter in a low voice: "Tsk, as expected, superior bone structure really is different."

"I just don't know what this junior brother's personality is like..."

"With the master's attitude toward this junior brother, who knows if he'll even look at us in a few days."

Just then, Zhuang Tao walked over and said with a smile: "What, junior brother hasn't seen the master like this before?"

Chen Jing replied casually: "Indeed, I haven't."

After saying this, he continued to practice his punches.

No matter who Fei Feng was enthusiastic toward, it could not affect Chen Jing's progress.

Therefore, rather than watching the spectacle, it was more practical to practice the River-Breaking Fist a few more times.

"Junior brother is truly composed!"

Listening to Chen Jing's reply, Zhuang Tao shook his head with a smile: "But I like this personality of yours!"

"If it were anyone else, they might have started spouting sour remarks by now."

Seeing that Zhuang Tao intended to generalize, Chen Jing helplessly stopped his training and changed the subject: "By the way, Senior Brother, that piece of Green-skinned Horned Pig meat you gave me a few days ago—I felt it had a great effect after eating it. Where can I buy it?"

The Green-skinned Horned Pig meat Zhuang Tao had given him not only filled the Exemption Bead with energy but even left a tenth of its capacity remaining after one use.

Chen Jing now realized that the Green-skinned Horned Pig was definitely a great supplement for the Exemption Bead, which was why he asked Zhuang Tao where he could obtain more.

Zhuang Tao laughed upon hearing this: "That Green-skinned Horned Pig meat? You still want to eat it?"

Chen Jing nodded: "Yes, and I wanted to ask about the price."

Hearing Chen Jing's inquiry, Zhuang Tao's expression shifted, and he said seriously: "This Green-skinned Horned Pig is an exotic beast; its meat is naturally incredibly precious. For us martial artists, it is an even better item for replenishing blood and qi."

Zhuang Tao then asked in return: "Does junior brother know what an exotic beast is?"

Chen Jing shook his head.

Zhuang Tao explained: "So-called exotic beasts are beasts that are larger, fiercer, and more dangerous than ordinary wild beasts, yet they are of great benefit to us martial artists."

"Now that everyone is practicing martial arts, we all know that eating meat is good for us, but how could ordinary people know that if they could eat a piece of Exotic Beast Meat, it would be more effective than eating three or even five meals of regular meat!"

"And the Green-skinned Horned Pig is one of the most common types. The meat is fresh and flavorful, rich in blood and qi, and naturally much more expensive than ordinary meat."

Speaking of this, Zhuang Tao suddenly frowned, carefully sensing the flow of blood and qi in Chen Jing's body.

"Junior brother, are you... about to break through?"

Seeing that his blood and qi status had been seen through, Chen Jing did not hide it and responded: "Yes. Thanks to that piece of Green-skinned Horned Pig meat from you, Senior Brother, my blood and qi have increased significantly. At the current rate, I should be able to break through in these next two days."

"So that's how it is. Let me offer my congratulations in advance, junior brother!"

Zhuang Tao cupped his hands with a smile and said, "Since that's the case, I'll give you the honest price. Green-skinned Horned Pig meat usually sells for twenty taels a catty on the market, but if you know someone, you can get it for eighteen. It's considered an affordable Exotic Beast Meat."

"It's not easy to make money in this world, but once you reach First Blood, you'll be able to afford it yourself if you go to the butcher shop."

After a pause, Zhuang Tao suddenly chuckled, "But since you're close to a breakthrough... I'll bring you two catties this afternoon!"

Chen Jing hurriedly waved his hands, "Senior Brother, that wouldn't be right. I'll pay you back the forty taels tomorrow."

He had just obtained a fair amount of silver from Brother Tiger, Pockmarked Qiang, and Scarhead yesterday.

Forty taels was something he could certainly afford right now.

Hearing Chen Jing's insistence on paying, Zhuang Tao waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "What kind of relationship do we have? What's a mere forty taels?"

"If you weren't someone I liked, would I have given you Green-skinned Horned Pig meat last time?"

With that, he patted Chen Jing on the shoulder with a smile and turned to leave.

By the afternoon, Zhuang Tao arrived as promised with two catties of Green-skinned Horned Pig meat.

Looking at the heavy chunks of meat in his hands, Chen Jing thanked Zhuang Tao solemnly before burying his head back into practicing the River-Breaking Fist.

Zhuang Tao returned to the Central Courtyard and, as usual, began a sparring session with Senior Brother Pu Shaojie.

"Junior Brother Zhuang, you really gave Junior Brother Chen two catties of Green-skinned Horned Pig meat?"

Amidst the flurry of fists, Pu Shaojie spoke, his tone filled with disbelief, "He's a guy who hasn't even broken through to Blood Creek after nearly two months of training. Is he really worth this much effort?"

Zhuang Tao blocked a punch and countered, replying, "Junior Brother Chen is an interesting person. I've been at the Fist Academy for so long, and this is the first time I've met someone with his temperament. Naturally, I want to get to know him better."

Pu Shaojie snorted, throwing another punch as he continued, "But he hasn't shown the slightest sign of a breakthrough yet. Aren't you afraid that your investment will go down the drain?"

"Besides, even if he does break through, he's already wasted two months. Most of his potential is gone; he'll never become anyone of significance."

Zhuang Tao raised an eyebrow, parrying Pu Shaojie's strike, and replied, "Senior Brother Pu, you know me. When have I ever valued strength when making friends?"

Hearing this, Pu Shaojie scoffed, a flash of disdain in his eyes.

In his view, Zhuang Tao's actions were entirely futile.

The friends of the strong should be the strong.

And the weak are simply the weak.

They are only fit to be guards or servants...

Wanting to stand on equal footing with the strong?

Do they deserve it?

Thinking of this, Pu Shaojie's offensive suddenly intensified, his fist striking like an iron hammer as he coldly warned, "Junior Brother Zhuang, for the sake of our years of friendship, let me give you a piece of advice."

"There is no benefit in associating with the dregs of society. The strong have their circle, and the weak have theirs."

"Forcing a weakling into the circle of the strong will only harm him!"

"It will also label you as soft, and even cause other strong individuals to look down on you."

Facing Pu Shaojie's words, Zhuang Tao remained calm. While parrying the attacks, he replied indifferently, "Senior Brother, I've looked into Junior Brother Chen."

"His father pulls a rickshaw, and he himself practices martial arts during the day while pulling a rickshaw at night to earn money; it isn't just his father supporting the family."

"With such resilience and ambition, I believe that if given a chance, he won't let me down."

Zhuang Tao paused, then added a remark that made Pu Shaojie frown, "Besides, it's just a few resources. It means nothing to me, especially when it's for someone I value!"

Upon hearing this, the corner of Pu Shaojie's eye twitched. He wanted to say something more, but eventually, he shook his head and said, "I hope you haven't misjudged him, Junior Brother..."