The clouds brushed the distant hills, the sky stretched to the withered grass, and the newly cleared weather left the sandy path damp beneath his feet.
Chen Yuan arrived at Huo Academy with a spring in his step and continued his training.
After completing several sets of Rock-Solid Stance Technique, his blood surged and his mind felt refreshed. As he took a sip of water, he saw Senior Brother Tao returning from outside.
And walking straight toward him.
"Senior Brother Tao." Chen Yuan raised a hand in greeting, as usual.
Tao Ping nodded with a smile:
"Junior Brother Chen, the same few groups are still hiring for part-time positions. Liang's Weaponry Forge: four taels a month for a beginner martial artist. Yangwei Escort Agency: the monthly pay depends on the number and difficulty of escort missions. Welcome Guest Restaurant: a Secret Stake to keep the place in line, seven taels a month.
"Also, the Liu Family in the Inner City is hiring. After hearing about your situation, they're willing to offer five taels a month. Junior Brother Chen, do any of these appeal to you?"
Chen Yuan considered it briefly. The weaponry forge was busy, which would interfere with his martial arts practice. Escort work was irregular, dangerous, and time-consuming. The restaurant was even more dangerous and went against the principles of the Dao of Survival. After weighing everything, the Liu Family's guard position seemed the most suitable.
Still, he didn't agree right away. "Senior Brother, let me think it over carefully."
Tao Ping nodded. "No rush. This concerns your future training expenses, so you should think it over. I'll keep an eye out for you, too, and let you know if anything better comes along."
Then he sighed. "The best pay would come from the Song, Li, Zhao, and Xu Four Great Families in the Inner City. Unfortunately, they require at least a Grade C bone structure. I wanted to ask them to make an exception, but they still turned me down."
Rules were rules. Those families were powerful and wealthy, so they certainly wouldn't bend them for the sake of hiring a single guard.
Chen Yuan cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for going to the trouble. Since I don't meet their requirements, there's no need to force it."
After Tao Ping left, Chen Yuan continued practicing his stance technique.
He still had half a month or so. There was no need to rush; he'd first see what Senior Brother Huang had to say.
At dusk, Chen Yuan received word from Senior Brother Huang, asking him to come by for a talk.
In a side room at the Gu Family residence.
Huang Yan poured Chen Yuan a cup of tea and said in an even voice:
"I have a friend who's an Attendant at the Li Family in the Inner City. They need a guard. Their offer is seven taels of silver a month for a beginner martial artist, and your monthly pay will rise accordingly when you break through to the next level. Are you willing?"
Chen Yuan's eyes lit up. He knew Senior Brother Huang had called in a favor to secure this opportunity for him; otherwise, he wouldn't have had a chance of getting in.
He also knew this was probably the best pay he could get for a part-time job, and the work was relatively relaxed.
He nodded at once. "Thank you, Senior Brother Huang. This position sounds very good. I'm willing to take it."
Huang Yan nodded. "Good. Guard work isn't too demanding, so it should suit you well. I'll write you a letter of introduction. Take it to the Li Family and give it to Consultant Fan Dajiang. He'll make the arrangements."
As he spoke, he picked up his brush and began writing.
He called it a letter, but it only took him a dozen seconds to finish.
Chen Yuan could already guess what it said: This is my junior brother. Find him a guard position. Huang Yan.
That was probably more or less it.
Chen Yuan took the letter of introduction and hurried toward the Li Family in the Inner City while it was still light.
The bluestone road gradually gave way to a broad avenue, and at last Chen Yuan arrived before a city wall.
The Inner City and Outer City were separated as clearly as black and white—an actual wall stood between them.
Those of low status and low bloodline from the Outer City weren't allowed to enter the Inner City.
By rights, Chen Yuan wasn't qualified either, but he revealed a trace of his Clear Force and was allowed through without trouble.
Beginner martial artists had already crossed the class divide; they could live well in the Inner City, too.
The moment he stepped inside, Chen Yuan gazed into the distance, clicking his tongue in amazement at the sight before him.
Though night had already fallen, the Inner City still blazed with lights. Horse hooves clattered, and fine steeds drew ornate carriages through streets thick with fragrance.
Truly, the bright lanterns seemed to obstruct the moon, while the flying carriages brushed against the flowers.
Passing a brothel, he witnessed the beauty of flutes playing and jade-colored lamps turning in the night.
Chen Yuan knew all too well that now wasn't the time to visit a pleasure house and listen to music. After asking for directions along the way, he finally arrived in front of the Li Family estate.
Taking a careful look, he saw vermilion gates and embroidered doors, with carved beams and painted rafters. It was truly magnificent.
A servant stood on either side of the gate. Seeing Chen Yuan approach, one asked coldly:
"Who goes there? Do you have an invitation?"
Chen Yuan handed over Huang Yan's letter and said, "Sorry for the trouble. Please deliver this letter to Consultant Fan Dajiang."
The servant's expression changed when he heard Fan Dajiang's name, and his manner grew more respectful. "Please wait a moment. I'll go report this at once."
Before long, the servant who'd gone to inform them returned and bowed. "Sir, please come with me."
Chen Yuan nodded and stepped over the threshold into the estate of one of the Inner City's Four Great Families—the Li Family.
The estate was every bit as magnificent, with pavilions and towers scattered about, and little bridges and flowing streams adding a touch of elegance.
Several people were patrolling the grounds. After a brief glance, Chen Yuan could tell they were beginner martial artists—his future colleagues, most likely.
Led by the servant, Chen Yuan arrived at the large courtyard on the eastern side. It was a Martial Arts Arena, more than twice the size of Huo Academy's, with plum-blossom stakes, wooden dummies, stone weights, weapon racks, and all manner of other equipment.
A side room stood nearby, where people could rest.
As Chen Yuan entered the arena, he saw a tall man in black standing with his hands behind his back. He had a full beard.
Several others were training in the arena, their movements sending gusts of wind through the air.
The servant said respectfully, "Consultant Fan, I've brought the man."
Chen Yuan knew this must be the friend Senior Brother Huang had mentioned. He cupped his hands in greeting. "Chen Yuan pays his respects to Consultant Fan."
"Mm. You may leave." Consultant Fan dismissed the servant, then looked Chen Yuan up and down and said coolly,
"Huang Yan told me that although you have a Grade D bone structure, you became a beginner martial artist in just two and a half months. I'll have to put you to the test and see whether you're the real deal."
Chen Yuan knew Consultant Fan was testing him. He was doing it as a favor to his friend, but since Chen Yuan would be working for the Li Family, he still had to make sure things looked proper.
He cupped his hands. "Please put me to the test, Consultant Fan."
He wasn't nervous. Senior Brother Huang had already put in a good word for him. As long as he didn't perform too poorly, he would pass.
He could take the opportunity to get a sense of Chen Yuan's strength, too.
Fan Dajiang called out to someone in the arena. "Tian Peng, come over and spar with this young man."
A sturdy man stopped what he was doing and jogged over. He sized Chen Yuan up a few times, then turned his head and asked:
"Boss, what's his style? How are we fighting?"
Fan Dajiang said, "He's Master Huo's disciple. He has a Grade D bone structure, yet became a beginner martial artist in just over two months. Just test the newcomer. Don't take it too far."
A strange gleam flashed in Tian Peng's eyes. He rubbed his hands together, eager for a fight. "Got it, Boss. Let me see how much this brother weighs."
Fan Dajiang turned to Chen Yuan again and introduced them:
"This is Tian Peng, a disciple of Thunder-Gallop Martial Hall. He has Grade C-Upper aptitude and became a beginner martial artist in just over three months. He passed the examination half a month ago and started working as a guard here. Let's see if you can hold your own against him."
Chen Yuan nodded and took a good look at Tian Peng. He had a long, square face and a lean, capable air about him. His fighting style was probably just as fierce.
Still, he had only become a beginner martial artist recently, so he shouldn't be too difficult to handle.
The spar began at once:
"Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, Chen Yuan. Please guide me."
"Thunder-Bolt Hand, Tian Peng. Watch out."
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