Another Opportunity - Master Wu

Chapter 38: Another Opportunity

Master Wu's Pine Crane Restaurant was arguably the most luxurious establishment in Jiaqing County.

A single meal there could cost one to two taels of silver, more than an ordinary person spent on food for an entire month.

Liu Lie had helped him a great deal these past few days.

Lin Yi wanted to treat him to a meal, so he chose this place.

Lin Yi and Liu Lie sat in a private room by the window.

After a few rounds of drinks.

Lin Yi said, "Senior Brother, I have some questions I'd like to ask."

Liu Lie laughed heartily, "No need to ask. Between us, just speak your mind."

Lin Yi asked, "After becoming a Martial Artist, are there any ways to earn money?"

This was Lin Yi's most pressing concern at the moment.

Did Lin Yi lack money?

Yes, without a doubt.

After advancing to Martial Artist, various expenses would increase by dozens of times.

Lin Yi currently had over five hundred taels, but he couldn't afford to just sit and watch it dwindle.

Relying solely on "Know Heavenly Fate" to gain small opportunities and thus acquire wealth was too unstable.

Therefore, the best method was to find work that could stably generate wealth.

"Sigh, I thought it was something big..." Liu Lie chuckled. "This matter is quite simple."

"After becoming a Martial Artist, there are generally two common paths."

"One is to follow the official route, joining the Peace Guard, Evil-Slaying Bureau, or the army, or participating in martial examinations."

Lin Yi understood.

"Martial examinations are a good path, but incredibly difficult. Take our Jiaqing County, for example. Only about thirty people pass the provincial exam each year. You'd have to rank in the top thirty among all Martial Artists under forty in the county."

"I participated in the martial examination last year. My strength was around Innate Ming Jin, but I ranked forty-something in the county. I heard the lowest requirement to pass last year was also Innate Ming Jin."

"However, after passing, you're equivalent to a reserve for the Peace Guard, Evil-Slaying Bureau, and military officers. You don't have to do anything, and the government will still give you ten taels of silver each month."

"Most Martial Artists who can pass the examination will get a nominal position. Senior Brother Yuan's family has been in the Peace Guard for generations, and his father is the head of the Peace Guard in our Jiaqing County."

Master Yuan's eldest disciple, Su Ji.

Lin Yi had heard of him.

Liu Lie continued, "But, Junior Brother, you don't need to worry too much. Besides the official route, you can also serve as a guest advisor for some local gentry and powerful families. They are usually much more generous."

"Now that you are a disciple of the inner court of the martial arts school, they will likely seek you out soon. Coincidentally, my family runs a security escort agency. I'll help spread the word among these local gentry when I interact with them," Liu Lie said with a smile.

"In that case, thank you, Senior Brother," Lin Yi raised his cup to toast Liu Lie.

In the afternoon, Lin Yi returned to the martial arts school.

He went to the Martial Arts Library.

Regular Martial Artists could cultivate four martial arts: fist techniques, saber techniques, movement techniques, and hidden weapon arts. To learn anything else required purchasing it from Master Yuan.

The four martial arts were called Long Ape Fist, Long Rainbow Saber Technique, Long Rainbow Movement Technique, and Thread Control Art.

Lin Yi didn't plan to learn all of them.

He already had fist techniques, movement techniques, and saber techniques.

Only the hidden weapon arts were something he hadn't studied much, nor did he have any intuitive experience with them.

Lin Yi decided to specialize in "Thread Control Art."

Firstly, he didn't have that much energy.

Secondly, his "Reckless Blade" and "Vast Step" were sufficient.

Thirdly, Lin Yi was a pragmatic person. Hidden weapons, though insidious, were often unexpected and highly effective.

By the time he finished, it was already evening.

After getting dressed, Lin Yi headed to the West Market in the inner city.

The recent opportunity indicated by the "Know Heavenly Fate" divination was in the West Market.

Jiaqing County's largest market was divided into East and West.

The East Market operated mainly in the morning, selling precious medicines, meats, and occasionally pills commonly used by Martial Artists.

The West Market, on the other hand, opened in the evening, selling various tools, horses, and the like.

It was currently afternoon.

The West Market was bustling with people, the sound of the crowd unending.

"Today, there seem to be quite a lot of people..."

Lin Yi cocked his ear, his figure blending into the crowd, True Qi gathering in his five senses as he listened to the surrounding information.

"Did you hear? Master Wu will be selling a Treasure Artifact in the West Market today..."

"Master Wu has a new masterpiece?!"

"Everyone, do you have any clues? Why don't we share them!"

"Alas, what clues could there be? To this day, no one knows what Master Wu actually looks like. Every time a weapon is announced for sale, it's the End of the World Pavilion that releases the news. Each weapon is obtained by those fated."

"You could say that every stall owner on this street could be Master Wu."

"So, it depends on who has the discerning eye to buy Master Wu's treasure. You know, the End of the World Pavilion was willing to spend thousands of taels of silver to acquire weapons casually made by Master Wu, just to analyze their crafting."

"..."

Lin Yi looked at today's divination.

Today's Fortune [Medium Auspicious]

[Medium Auspicious]: Jiaxing West Market, at the far corner of the West Market, a Nuo Mask stall, a Treasure Artifact is being sold at a low price, you can get a bargain...

It seemed his destiny was with the so-called Master Wu.

Lin Yi couldn't help but sigh, feeling a connection with this so-called Master Wu.

The Sleeve Crossbow he had obtained previously was also from the other party's handiwork.

Ever since he got this set of Sleeve Crossbows, he had specifically gone to the county to learn about Master Wu.

Rumor had it that Master Wu was a formidable Artifact Refining Grandmaster, whose ancestors were a noble family that specialized in refining artifacts for the Great Yan imperial family.

The treasures he refined greatly amplified the abilities of Martial Artists.

However, Master Wu's refined treasures were rare, and he only sold them to fated individuals each time.

Furthermore, Master Wu's appearance was different every time he sold his refined treasures.

Some said he was an old man, some said a young man, and some even said he was a child...

To this day, there was still no accurate description of Master Wu's appearance in the outside world.

Lin Yi pushed through the crowd, following the divination's guidance, and soon arrived at the Nuo Mask stall in the far corner of the West Market.

The stall owner was a stooped old man with a weathered face full of wrinkles, wearing a hat made of gray and white cloth. Around him hung a dense array of exquisitely crafted Nuo Masks.

The Nuo Masks mostly depicted Orthodox Gods, Fierce Gods, Clowns, and mythical creatures. The numerous masks gathered around the stall owner, exuding a hint of the uncanny.

Lin Yi approached the stall and looked at the many masks surrounding the stall owner, letting out a soft chuckle.

As the saying goes, everyone sees Master Wu differently.

Were these dazzling masks not the best hint—countless Nuo Masks here, making it impossible to discern the true face, Master Wu was here.

Master Wu, who had been dozing off, sensed Lin Yi's light chuckle before him. He raised his head slightly, a smile curving his lips: "So, a perceptive one has arrived..."

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