Liu Chuzhou's Recruitment

"Not bad, not bad."

Liu Chuzhou tapped his folding fan lightly. His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly to everyone's ears.

"I saw your moves just now. Your momentum was steady, your force flowed smoothly, and your qi and blood surged like a tide."

"Judging by this pace, you should be... close to breaking through to Second Blood, right?"

As soon as those words fell, it was as if someone had hit a mute button. Everyone stared at Chen Jing in disbelief.

Everyone knew that the gap between First Blood and Second Blood wasn't a single step up. It was a wall!

First Blood Martial Artists still had to earn money through part-time work. They could throw their weight around in front of the poor and ordinary people, but when faced with the wealthy or members of the great families, their bluster died on their lips.

Second Blood Martial Artists, however, saw their status soar. Many families and trading houses would even take the initiative to bring them money, hoping to work with them.

The difference in status was more than tenfold!

Nearby, Zhuang Tao heard Liu Chuzhou's assessment and looked as though he'd been struck by lightning. He whipped around to stare at Chen Jing. "Junior Brother Chen... you're close to breaking through?"

Zhuang Tao's voice was trembling slightly.

Others might not know Chen Jing well, but he did.

It had taken Chen Jing a full two months to go from an ordinary person to First Blood. Among martial artists, that pace wasn't impressive; it could even be called rather poor.

But Chen Jing's performance after breaking through to First Blood... had been downright inhuman!

He could attempt to break through to Second Blood in less than a month?

The only people whose qi and blood could condense that quickly were the gifted martial artists from the Inner City.

When Zhuang Tao himself had broken through from First Blood to Second Blood, condensing his qi and blood alone had taken him a full two months. And even then, he'd only succeeded after failing once.

"I still need some time."

Feeling the heated gazes around him, Chen Jing replied calmly, "My qi and blood have just been improving rather quickly lately."

"Besides, breaking through to Second Blood isn't easy. I don't know how many times I'll have to try before I succeed."

At that moment, Liu Chuzhou gently waved his folding fan. His gaze shifted from Chen Jing to Zhuang Tao, and he spoke with a faint, teasing smile. "In that case, Junior Brother Chen, my Liu Family is short-handed these days."

Liu Chuzhou's voice was warm, yet carried a penetrating force that couldn't be ignored. "Would you be interested in taking a position with my Liu Family?"

"If you agree, I'll give you a hundred taels of silver and five jin of Exotic Beast Meat every month."

"What do you think?"

The moment he said this, the whole place erupted.

"A hundred taels of silver?"

"Five jin of Exotic Beast Meat!"

"Th-this is Second Blood Martial Artist pay, isn't it?!"

Zhuang Tao's expression changed dramatically.

Xiang Lingfei's eyes bulged like bells, and jealousy nearly drove him mad.

After all, the Liu Family only gave him fifty taels of silver and five jin of Exotic Beast Meat each month. Chen Jing was a First Blood Martial Artist, with far worse natural aptitude than him. What right did he have to get fifty taels more?

Even the attendants behind Liu Chuzhou couldn't help sucking in a breath.

Had Liu Chuzhou lost his mind?

He was offering Second Blood pay... to recruit a First Blood Martial Artist?

Did he have money to burn?

"Senior Brother Liu!"

Xiang Lingfei cried out in panic, his voice thick with fear.

He was terrified that if Chen Jing agreed, the Liu Family would kick him out.

After all, he'd just lost to Guan Shan in front of a crowd.

"What is it, Junior Brother Xiang? Do you have something to say?"

Liu Chuzhou slowly turned his head, resting his folding fan against his palm as he cast Xiang Lingfei a casual glance.

There was no anger or reproach in his eyes. Yet that single look... made Xiang Lingfei go cold all over, like prey caught in a predator's gaze.

A chill shot from the soles of Xiang Lingfei's feet straight to his head. His earlier urgency was instantly replaced by fear, and he stammered, "N-no... it's nothing..."

Then Xiang Lingfei hurriedly lowered his head. He didn't dare even breathe too loudly, like a quail with its throat squeezed shut, and didn't utter another word.

At that moment, Zhuang Tao looked at Chen Jing with worry.

The Liu Family's offer was too tempting. It was so generous that Zhuang Tao didn't even have the confidence to ask him to stay.

If Chen Jing agreed, he'd rise to the top in a single step, and his family would enjoy the benefits too. Zhuangyu Restaurant couldn't offer him any of that.

Thinking this, Zhuang Tao clenched his fists. His throat bobbed as he tried to say something to make Chen Jing stay, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.

He couldn't use their friendship to hold Chen Jing back from a better future.

Just as Chen Jing lifted his head, seeming about to respond, Liu Chuzhou suddenly raised a hand. "Don't rush, Junior Brother Chen."

"Think it over carefully. If you decide to accept, you can come find me at Eight Desolations Academy."

With that, Liu Chuzhou turned and left, his attendants following close behind.

Liu Chuzhou understood it all perfectly. Martial artists were prone to letting their blood run hot and making impulsive decisions.

He'd made the offer in front of Zhuang Tao. Out of consideration for their friendship, Chen Jing couldn't possibly accept on the spot.

But once Chen Jing had calmed down and weighed the pros and cons, sooner or later he'd make the most rational choice.

That was why Liu Chuzhou had deliberately told Chen Jing to go home and think it over.

As Liu Chuzhou left, Tang Jun, looking thoroughly disheveled, and Guan Shan, who was being carried away, disappeared into the crowd as well. With the excitement over, the onlookers gradually dispersed.

Zhuang Tao looked at Chen Jing and managed a bitter smile. "Junior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Liu's Liu Family is one of the Three Great Families in the Inner City. As long as you accept his offer, the Liu Family will protect you. Your father and sister could even enjoy a better life."

Zhuang Tao meant every word, but he was helpless.

Before he could finish, Chen Jing suddenly grinned and shot back, "Senior Brother Zhuang, I'm a member of Zhuangyu Restaurant now. Are you hoping I'll leave, or are you trying to cheat me out of my wages?"

"What nonsense!"

Hearing Chen Jing's words, Zhuang Tao immediately panicked and waved his hands. "I, Zhuang Tao, am not the kind of scoundrel who withholds someone's wages!"

"Then there's no problem."

Chen Jing waved a hand, his tone relaxed. "We can talk about Senior Brother Liu's offer another time. There's nothing for me to do here, so I'm heading back to the Fist Academy to practice."

With that, Chen Jing turned and left, leaving Zhuang Tao staring blankly after him.

Watching Chen Jing walk away, Zhuang Tao took a deep breath a moment later, a relieved smile spreading across his face.

As expected, he hadn't misjudged him. Chen Jing wasn't the sort to betray a friend for profit!

At that moment, in a private room on the second floor of Zhuangyu Restaurant, Liu Chuzhou glanced at Chen Jing's departing figure, then turned back to chat and laugh with those around him.

Someone couldn't help asking, "Senior Brother Liu, is a mere First Blood Martial Artist worth such a huge investment?"

Liu Chuzhou scoffed, idly playing with his folding fan. "A hundred taels of silver is nothing to me."

He paused, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes. "I'm not spending this money because I value Chen Jing. I want every martial artist in Red Rock County to see it."

"If I'm willing to offer so much for a mere First Blood Martial Artist like Chen Jing, how much will my Liu Family offer for stronger martial artists?"

His words set off an uproar in the private room!

Only then did everyone understand.

So Liu Chuzhou's real purpose wasn't Chen Jing at all!

He was using Chen Jing to send a message to all of Red Rock County: if you're talented, the Liu Family has more than enough silver to recruit you!

"Brilliant! Senior Brother Liu, that was a brilliant move!"

Xiang Lingfei also let out a huge sigh of relief.

As long as Liu Chuzhou hadn't truly intended to recruit Chen Jing, that was all that mattered. He could still receive support from the Liu Family.

Listening to everyone's praise, Liu Chuzhou merely waved his folding fan, his expression calm, as if he hadn't just said anything worth mentioning.

Then Liu Chuzhou looked at the people before him, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile that carried an air of menace. "The Liu Family is recruiting talent these days. If you have anyone good to recommend, you can come find me at Eight Desolations Academy."

At those words, many people's hearts began to race.

After all, the Liu Family was one of the Three Great Families in the Inner City...

If they could get in with them, their future would be secure!