Liu Chuzhou's Recruitment

"Not bad, not bad."

Liu Chuzhou tapped his folding fan lightly; his voice was not loud, yet it drifted clearly into everyone's ears.

"I watched your moves just now. Your momentum is steady, your force is fluid, and your blood-qi surges like the tide."

"Judging by this momentum, you must be... nearing the breakthrough to Second Blood, right?"

As these words fell, the surroundings were instantly muted as if someone had pressed a button. Everyone stared at Chen Jing with expressions of disbelief.

One must understand that the gap between a First Blood Martial Artist and a Second Blood Martial Artist is not a mere step—it is a wall!

A First Blood Martial Artist still has to rely on odd jobs to make money, and while they can throw their weight around in front of the poor and common folk, they lose their edge when facing the wealthy or members of great families.

A Second Blood Martial Artist, however, sees their status skyrocket; many families and merchant houses will even take the initiative to offer money and seek cooperation.

The difference in status is more than tenfold!

Hearing Liu Chuzhou's assessment, Zhuang Tao felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He turned abruptly toward Chen Jing beside him: "Junior Brother Chen... are you about to break through?"

Zhuang Tao's voice trembled slightly.

Others might not understand Chen Jing, but he knew him all too well.

It had taken Chen Jing a full two months to go from an ordinary person to a First Blood Martial Artist. That speed was not considered excellent among martial artists; it was, in fact, on the slower side.

But Chen Jing's performance after reaching First Blood... was simply absurd, almost inhuman!

Less than a month and already nearing the Second Blood breakthrough?

This speed of condensing blood-qi was something only the geniuses in the inner city could compare to.

Zhuang Tao remembered that when he broke through from First Blood to Second Blood, it had taken him two full months just to condense the blood-qi, and that was only after failing once.

"It will still take some time."

Feeling the burning gazes around him, Chen Jing replied calmly: "My blood-qi has just been increasing relatively quickly lately."

"Besides, breaking through to Second Blood is no simple matter. I don't even know how many attempts it will take to succeed."

At this moment, Liu Chuzhou gently swayed his folding fan, his gaze shifting from Chen Jing to Zhuang Tao. He spoke with a faint, inscrutable smile: "In that case, Junior Brother Chen, my Liu Family is currently in need of manpower."

Liu Chuzhou's voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable sense of penetration: "Would you be interested in taking a position with my Liu Family?"

"If you are willing, I will provide you with one hundred taels of silver and five catties of Exotic Beast Meat every month."

"What do you think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire place erupted.

"One hundred taels of silver?"

"Five catties of Exotic Beast Meat!"

"This... isn't this the treatment for a Second Blood Martial Artist!?"

Zhuang Tao's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

Xiang Lingfei's eyes widened like copper bells, his heart burning with near-manic jealousy.

After all, the Liu Family only provided him with fifty taels of silver and five catties of Exotic Beast Meat per month. Chen Jing was merely a First Blood Martial Artist with inferior bone structure to his own—why should he get fifty taels more than him?

Even the attendants behind Liu Chuzhou couldn't help but gasp.

Had Liu Chuzhou lost his mind?

Paying Second Blood wages... to recruit a First Blood Martial Artist?

Did he have so much money he didn't know where to spend it?

"Senior Brother Liu!"

Xiang Lingfei shouted in a panic, his voice laced with deep fear.

He was terrified that if Chen Jing nodded, he would be kicked out by the Liu Family.

After all, he had just been defeated by Guan Shan in front of everyone.

"What is it? Does Junior Brother Xiang have something to say?"

Liu Chuzhou turned his head slowly, tapping his fan against his palm, and gave him a faint glance.

There was no anger or reproach in his eyes, just a single look... that made Xiang Lingfei feel a chill run through his entire body, as if he were prey being targeted.

At that moment, Xiang Lingfei felt a cold shiver shoot from his heels to his crown. His previous urgency was instantly replaced by terror, and he stammered: "No... nothing at all..."

Xiang Lingfei hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to even breathe loudly, looking like a quail with its throat pinched, not daring to utter another word.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Tao looked at Chen Jing with a face full of worry.

The Liu Family's terms were simply too tempting, so generous that he had no confidence in trying to keep him.

If Chen Jing agreed, he would not only rise to the top in one leap, but his family would also live in comfort—something Zhuangyu Restaurant could not provide.

Thinking of this, Zhuang Tao clenched his fists, his Adam's apple bobbing. He wanted to say something to persuade him to stay, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.

He could not use sentiment to hold back Chen Jing's future.

Just as Chen Jing looked up, seemingly about to respond, Liu Chuzhou suddenly raised a hand: "Junior Brother Chen, don't be in such a hurry."

"Think it over carefully. If you agree, just come to the Eight Desolations Academy to find me later."

Having said that, Liu Chuzhou turned and walked away, his attendants following closely behind.

Liu Chuzhou knew clearly in his heart: martial artists were most prone to letting their blood boil and making impulsive decisions.

By extending the invitation in front of Zhuang Tao, he knew Chen Jing would never agree due to the pressure of social decorum.

But once Chen Jing calmed down and weighed the pros and cons, he would eventually make the most rational choice.

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

As Liu Chuzhou left, the disheveled Tang Jun and the carried-away Guan Shan also vanished into the crowd, and the onlookers, seeing that the excitement was over, gradually dispersed.

At this moment, Zhuang Tao looked at Chen Jing before him and forced a wry 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 agree to his terms, you will be able to obtain the protection of the Liu Family, and even your father and sister will be able to live a better life."

Zhuang Tao's words were sincere, yet helpless.

But before he could finish, Chen Jing suddenly grinned and retorted: "Senior Brother Zhuang, I am a man of Zhuangyu Restaurant now. Are you hoping for me to leave? Or are you trying to stiff me on my wages?"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Hearing Chen Jing's words, Zhuang Tao became anxious and hurriedly waved his hands: "Am I, Zhuang Tao, the kind of petty person who would withhold wages?"

"Then that settles it."

Chen Jing waved his hand, his tone relaxed: "We'll talk about Senior Brother Liu's invitation later. There's nothing left for me here; I'm heading back to the Fist Academy to practice."

With that, Chen Jing turned and walked away, leaving a stunned Zhuang Tao behind.

Watching Chen Jing's departing figure, Zhuang Tao took a deep breath after a moment, a look of relief appearing on his face.

He hadn't misjudged the man; Chen Jing was not someone who would abandon his principles for profit!

Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of Zhuangyu Restaurant, Liu Chuzhou glanced at Chen Jing's retreating back before turning to continue chatting and laughing with those around him.

Someone couldn't help but ask: "Senior Brother Liu, is a mere First Blood Martial Artist worth you spending such a large sum?"

Liu Chuzhou scoffed, idly playing with his folding fan: "It's only a hundred taels of silver; why should it be worth mentioning to me?"

He paused, a glimmer of calculation flashing in his eyes: "I spent this money not because I value Chen Jing, but to let every martial artist in Red Rock County see it."

"If I am willing to pay such a price for a First Blood Chen Jing, how much would my Liu Family offer for even stronger martial artists?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room erupted in an uproar!

The crowd suddenly realized the truth.

So, Liu Chuzhou's true intention was not the wine itself!

He was using Chen Jing to send a signal to the entire Red Rock County: as long as you are a talent, the Liu Family has plenty of silver to recruit you!

"Brilliant! Senior Brother Liu's move is truly brilliant!"

Off to the side, Xiang Lingfei let out a long sigh of relief.

As long as Liu Chuzhou wasn't genuinely trying to recruit Chen Jing, that was fine; he would still be able to receive the Liu Family's support.

Listening to the praise of the crowd, Liu Chuzhou merely fanned himself, his expression indifferent, as if he had just made a casual remark.

Then, Liu Chuzhou looked at the people before him, the corners of his mouth curling into an oppressive smile: "The Liu Family is recruiting talent recently. If you have any good recommendations, you can also come to the Eight Desolations Academy to find me."

As these words fell, many people's hearts skipped a beat.

After all, the Liu Family was one of the three great families of the inner city...

If they could climb that ladder, their lives would be set!