Firearms!

Upon arriving at the Four Joys Troupe where Chen Chunhe worked, the troupe leader's attitude shifted to one of extreme deference the moment he realized Chen Jing was now a First Blood martial artist.

Chen Chunhe, who had been relegated to playing a mere foot soldier in the play, was personally summoned by the leader. He served her tea, offered fawning smiles, and even granted her a half-day off—a first in the troupe's history—simply saying, "Chunhe, it's not often your brother visits. Take the afternoon off; family reunions are what matter most."

Afterward, Chen Jing took his eldest and second sisters to a quiet teahouse at the end of the street, choosing a secluded booth by the window and ordering a few snacks.

They hadn't been sitting long before Chen Jing pulled two bulging money pouches from his tunic and pushed them toward his sisters.

"What is this?"

Looking at the heavy pouches in their hands, both Chen Chunhe and Chen Chunmiao were bewildered.

"Eldest Sister, Second Sister."

Chen Jing said with a serious tone, "When I first started martial arts, you both helped me so much. This money is what I've earned; please, take it."

"Silver?"

Chen Chunmiao pulled open the drawstring and caught sight of the silver inside. She gasped, her voice trembling with disbelief, "This... ten taels?!"

"Little Brother, you still need to train! We can't take this money!"

Seeing this, Chen Chunhe quickly chimed in as well.

To Chen Chunhe and Chen Chunmiao, ten taels was no small sum. Even with their extreme frugality, they couldn't save that much in a full year.

But Chen Jing merely waved his hand. "Eldest Sister, Second Sister, I am a First Blood martial artist now. My senior brother even arranged for me to hold a position at his family's estate, paying twenty-five taels a month. I can easily afford this."

"But we don't need this much!"

"You have your own training to focus on—that's where the real expenses are!"

"Besides, with this much money, you should buy more meat to nourish your body."

Chen Chunhe still refused to accept it.

Seeing this, Chen Jing forcibly placed the pouches into his eldest sister's hands and said, "I've already given Father ten taels and kept twenty for myself. Don't push it away; just take it."

Seeing Chen Jing's firm resolve, Chen Chunhe and Chen Chunmiao had no choice but to accept.

"Little Brother."

Chen Chunhe was deeply moved by Chen Jing's actions. Her tone softened significantly as she cautioned him, "You're a martial artist now and can earn big money, but don't be reckless with your spending. Especially places like brothels or gambling dens—never go there. No amount of silver is enough to squander away."

For Chen Chunhe, the amount of money didn't matter as much as the fact that after becoming a martial artist, Chen Jing was still the same Chen Jing. He hadn't become the type of person written about in storybooks who forgets his own kin once he gains power.

"I understand."

Chen Jing replied to her words.

He was only a First Blood martial artist, far from being a match for Yan Peng, so naturally, his heart was set entirely on his training.

Only when he had avenged his grievances, or perhaps reached the Third Blood realm or higher, would he have the luxury to think about anything else.

Just as the three were talking, a commotion downstairs interrupted the atmosphere.

The three siblings instinctively looked out the window to see people on both sides of the street being shoved aside by several guards, who were clearing a path. A young master dressed in fine silks was pedaling a strange iron frame down the middle of the street.

"That guy is here again."

Watching the silk-clad young master below, Chen Chunhe whispered.

"Eldest Sister, who is he? And what is he riding?"

Chen Chunmiao looked at the iron frame beneath the young master, asking with wide-eyed curiosity.

"That fellow is from the Lin Family in the inner city. His name is Lin Mian, I believe. He loves to ride that iron frame around to show off."

Chen Chunhe explained softly, "As for the frame, it seems to be some gadget from the Western lands. They call it a Bicycle."

"Bicycle? A vehicle that can move on its own? How magical!"

Chen Chunmiao's eyes lit up, and she stared intently at Lin Mian's Bicycle.

Meanwhile, Chen Jing's gaze was also locked onto the Bicycle.

Before this, he had been so focused on his training that he hadn't given much thought to the world around him.

But seeing Lin Mian's Bicycle, and connecting it to the rickshaws that he and Chen Sanwu pulled, a thought suddenly sparked in Chen Jing's mind.

If the rubber for both Bicycles and rickshaws already existed, did that mean firearms existed as well?

If there were firearms, could a First Blood martial artist withstand a shot from one?

If he couldn't even withstand a firearm, didn't that mean he was still too weak?

He wasn't strong enough yet!

He had to keep getting stronger—strong enough to withstand the attack of a firearm!

"Little Brother, what's wrong?"

Chen Chunhe noticed Chen Jing's unusual demeanor and asked.

"No, nothing. Just remembered something," Chen Jing said with a wave of his hand.

"Let's just sit here for a while longer. Once that fellow Lin Mian appears, he won't leave until he's ridden for at least half an hour."

The three of them continued their idle chatter.

Chen Chunhe spoke of recent happenings at the opera troupe, while Chen Chunmiao brought up the ordeal of Xie Chong pestering her at Spring Return Hall.

It was not until Lin Mian finally rode his Bicycle back into the inner city that the three siblings left the teahouse.

Afterward, Chen Jing and Chen Chunmiao escorted Chen Chunhe to the entrance of the opera troupe.

"Alright, that's all for today. I'll come find you two again when I have time off."

Chen Chunhe waved at Chen Jing and Chen Chunmiao before stepping inside the troupe.

Later, after Chen Jing dropped Chen Chunmiao back at Spring Return Hall and was just about to leave, he saw Manager Ren call out to him, his posture remarkably humble as he said, "Chen, my lord... our young lady requests your presence. Might you step into the back hall for a word?"

"Your young lady?"

Hearing this, the events Chen Chunmiao had mentioned at the teahouse instantly surfaced in Chen Jing's mind.

Presumably, this Ren Zhining wanted to ask for his help in fending off Xie Chong.

Chen Jing was on the verge of refusing, having no intention of meddling in the affair, but the thought of Chen Chunmiao working here made him reconsider. He decided to have a proper talk with Ren Zhining, take the opportunity to request leave for Chen Chunmiao until the matter blew over, or perhaps help her find a new job.

With that thought, Chen Jing said softly, "Lead the way."

"Please, follow me, my lord!"

Manager Ren's face lit up with joy at these words, and he hurriedly led Chen Jing toward the back hall.

Before long, Chen Jing was ushered into an exquisite room.

Inside, Ren Zhining saw Chen Jing approach, rose quickly to offer a salute, and invited him to take a seat.

Once Chen Jing was seated, Ren Zhining began her introduction: "Lord Chen, I am Ren Zhining, the proprietor of this Spring Return Hall."

"I had no idea that Chunmiao was your own sister. If there is ever anything you need from Spring Return Hall in the future, please do not hesitate to ask, Lord Chen!"

Listening to this, Chen Jing remained unimpressed and cut straight to the point: "Speak. Why have you invited me here?"

Seeing Chen Jing's bluntness, Ren Zhining was taken aback for a moment before nodding with a wry smile: "Since you are so direct, Lord Chen, I shall not beat around the bush."

"Spring Return Hall has encountered some trouble recently."

Ren Zhining took a deep breath and laid out the entire situation regarding Xie Chong.

Naturally, she did not hide the connection between Xie Chong and Hu Duanzhuo.

"If you can help us weather this storm, Lord Chen, Spring Return Hall is willing to offer you forty percent of our profits. Furthermore, any medicinal herbs you purchase from us in the future will be provided at cost."

"Would you be willing, Lord Chen?"

Ren Zhining laid her terms out plainly.

The fact that Spring Return Hall could operate a pharmacy so close to the inner city was proof enough of its profitability.

For Ren Zhining to offer forty percent of the earnings as a reward was a massive gesture!

Yet Chen Jing replied without hesitation: "I'm sorry, but you know as well as I do that Xie Chong is backed by Eight Desolations Academy and is a Third Blood martial artist. As for me, I am merely a First Blood martial artist. You had best seek someone more capable."

Though the forty percent share of Spring Return Hall was highly tempting, Chen Jing did not let the prospect of such vast wealth cloud his judgment.

After all, every Third Blood martial artist was a powerhouse in Red Rock County!

"This... I understand."

Ren Zhining's expression turned bitter at his words; she nodded her head and spoke softly.

"By the way, I would like to request a period of leave for my sister."

Looking at Ren Zhining, Chen Jing stated his request.

"No problem. Once this matter has passed, Chunmiao may return whenever she wishes."

Hearing Chen Jing's words, Ren Zhining offered a strained smile.

Just then.

Bang!

The door was flung open violently.

Lvzhu appeared, her expression frantic, her voice trembling as she cried: "Young lady! It's bad!

That Xie Chong, he's here again!!"