Monthly Salary

Late at night.

Li Chuan dragged his exhausted body back to the communal dormitory.

Hu Yuan had just finished washing up and was preparing to get into bed.

Seeing Li Chuan return, his gaze was somewhat complex:

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Li, on your successful breakthrough."

Li Chuan could sense the sincerity in his words.

In truth, Li Chuan did not harbor much resentment toward Hu Yuan.

It was normal for a poor boy who suddenly gained power and skipped too many stages to have a change in mindset.

Moreover, come to think of it, Hu Yuan had not actually done anything against him.

It was nothing more than calling him "Junior Brother Li."

Afterward, he had apologized several times and would occasionally bring biscuits from home to share.

Therefore, Li Chuan smiled and thanked him.

The dim moonlight shone through the wooden window, illuminating Hu Yuan's face.

His expression carried confusion and fear regarding the future as he whispered:

"I wonder if one day, I will be able to succeed in a breakthrough like Senior Brother Li."

Li Chuan recalled Hu Yuan's diligent figure during the day, his two or three months of hard training yielding mediocre results.

His talent was even worse than his own.

There were dozens, if not hundreds, of people like him in the outer courtyard.

The final outcome was usually the same: failing the breakthrough... or never even getting the chance to accumulate enough blood and energy to attempt it.

Wasting months of time and over ten taels of silver, only to end up leaving in dejection.

Li Chuan did not know what to say, so he could only offer comfort:

"Keep at it. Even those with inferior aptitude have a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough."

"I hope so," Hu Yuan replied distractedly, his thoughts drifting far away.

If he failed his breakthrough, what would happen to his elder sister?

She had taken the dowry she had saved for so long just to let him study martial arts...

He truly did not want to disappoint her.

The moonlight outside the window was dim, but the youth's eyes were even dimmer.

The next day, Li Chuan rose with the rooster as usual.

According to what the Second Senior Brother said, the faction looking to hire me should come today. I cannot waste this waiting time; life has yet to improve.

Li Chuan thought to himself, and after quickly eating two biscuits, he headed straight for the martial arts arena.

Winter was approaching, and the morning breeze blowing from the riverside was bone-chillingly cold.

Li Chuan rubbed his hands together, looking down at his coarse linen clothes:

"Winter is almost here, and the temperature is dropping. These clothes won't hold up. I must buy padded clothes to keep warm as soon as possible, or it will be troublesome if I catch a cold."

As a Bright Force martial artist, his physique was much stronger than an ordinary person's, but he was not immune to all ailments.

He could still get sick.

It was only because he had broken through to Bright Force that he had been able to endure this long in just these thin layers.

If it were an ordinary person training every day while wearing thin clothes in the cold, they would have fallen ill long ago.

But in this weather, even he could not hold out much longer.

By the time the leaves froze, it would be difficult to even go out without padded clothes, let alone practice martial arts.

"If I can take on a part-time job that pays two taels of silver, that should be enough for food and clothing."

Li Chuan thought, his hands never stopping their movements.

His Mountain-Holding Stance had already reached the minor success stage, but his corresponding Through-Arm Fist was lagging behind.

The Through-Arm Fist was only at the entry level, and he could not even fully exert his strength when performing it.

After breaking through to Bright Force, his body was vastly different from before in every aspect. With his fist techniques failing to keep up, he could only exert ninety percent of his full strength.

It was like in his past life, when after gaining muscle, many daily movements were prone to distortion.

For example, grabbing a mouse and finding his aim was off, or using too much force when shooting a basketball.

It was all because his body needed to rebuild muscle memory.

"Bang, bang!"

The sound of fists striking the wooden dummy echoed with particular distance across the empty training grounds.

[Practiced Through-Arm Fist, Proficiency +1]

[Practiced Through-Arm Fist, Proficiency +1]

Yet, until late at night, when Li Chuan prepared to head home, no faction had come to offer him a position.

Li Chuan frowned. Has the news not spread yet? I suppose I have no choice but to wait a few more days and see.

For the past few days, he had spent every waking moment at the training grounds waiting for recruiters to approach him, not even daring to wander too far for fear of missing them.

But no matter how he waited, no one came.

Three days later, at the training grounds.

Li Chuan performed the familiar Through-Arm Fist, though his heart wasn't in it.

He had seen many factions come to recruit people for positions; they usually arrived quickly, signed a contract, and the person could start working immediately.

Why was it so different for him?

Li Chuan felt his pocket.

"I only have about five hundred copper coins left. If I can't find a position soon, I'll have to tighten my belt again."

In truth, he had already reduced his daily meals.

Of his three daily meals, only lunch included meat.

Clearly, this amount was far from enough.

Now that he had broken through to the Bright Force, his demand for vitality and blood was greater than ever before.

In the past, one meat meal a day might have barely sufficed, but that was no longer the case.

He was constantly plagued by a sense of "hunger."

Li Chuan had tried eating several extra flatbreads, but it only left his stomach bloated and painful, without alleviating the hunger in the slightest.

It seems this hunger isn't ordinary; it's my body signaling a desperate need for vitality and blood...

Remaining in this state, Li Chuan could feel his newly developed, robust muscles beginning to shrink.

His daily training was becoming increasingly sluggish, and at times, he couldn't even stand steady.

I can't go on like this. I must earn money!

Li Chuan decided to go find his second senior brother and ask for clarity!

Just as he prepared to leave, he heard someone calling out.

"Which one is Brother Li, who just successfully broke through the barrier?"

The man had a pair of triangular eyes and looked rather fierce; he did not seem like someone easy to get along with.

"I am." Li Chuan waved at him, hope rising in his heart.

Four days later, a faction had finally come for him!

The man with triangular eyes spoke:

"Brother Li, I am Song Dawei of the Iron Tiger Gang. We have been fighting fiercely with the Black Bear Gang lately, and we would like to invite you to join our gang as a part-time affiliate. Should you encounter the Black Bear Gang, we hope Brother Li will lend a hand."

"As for the compensation... a monthly salary of two taels of silver. I wonder what Brother Li thinks of that?"

The Iron Tiger Gang? Isn't that the mortal enemy of the Black Bear Gang? Li Chuan pondered.

The Black Bear Gang was Liu Hu's faction, and it was their leader, Cao Yan, who had specifically demanded his family's shop.

The Iron Tiger Gang's conflict with the Black Bear Gang had indirectly helped relieve some of the pressure on him.

Moreover, two taels of silver for a part-time position was quite generous for someone like him, who lacked a strong background and combat experience.

More importantly, this money could solve his immediate crisis.

However...

"My apologies, but your gang's position does not suit my intentions. Please, look elsewhere."

Song Dawei assumed Li Chuan didn't know the market rate and was dissatisfied with the price, so he quickly added:

"Brother Li, this compensation, even for a part-time role, is already very generous."

"I thank Brother Song and your leader for their kindness, but please understand that I have other plans." Li Chuan shook his head and refused again.

"Very well..." Song Dawei sighed. "If Brother Li changes his mind, you can find me at any time. The doors of the Iron Tiger Gang are always open to you."

Even if the deal didn't go through, there was no need to burn bridges; Song Dawei wasn't stupid enough to offend a Bright Force disciple.

"I trouble Brother Song to convey my thanks to your leader for his high regard." Li Chuan cupped his fists apologetically.

After seeing Song Dawei off, Li Chuan's eyes flickered.

Two taels of silver for a part-time role was indeed very tempting.

But the price was getting dragged into the struggle between the Iron Tiger Gang and the Black Bear Gang.

He heard that the two gangs had already reached a white-hot stage of conflict.

The members of both sides frequently engaged in violent brawls, and broken limbs were a common occurrence.

It was extremely dangerous!

Even though he was at the Bright Force stage, he dared not guarantee that he wouldn't be stabbed in the back if he were rashly dragged into a chaotic melee of a dozen people.

He was at the Bright Force stage, but he was still made of flesh and blood!

Blades had no eyes; one moment of carelessness could cost him his life.

Admittedly, Li Chuan was indeed tempted by the price Song Dawei had offered.

But at the same time, he keenly observed the risks hidden behind it.

In a situation where I don't understand the landscape, caution is paramount. I cannot let my mind be clouded by small gains! Li Chuan warned himself inwardly.

I still need to find Senior Brother Luo and ask him clearly. After all, he is my only connection in the inner courtyard... Li Chuan gave a bitter smile.

Since arriving at Pine Wind Martial Hall, he only knew three people.

Qin Feng, Hu Yuan, and Luo Zheng.

There was no need to mention Qin Feng; he didn't even deign to acknowledge him.

Hu Yuan could barely look after himself.

Only Luo Zheng could offer him help.

"No one has come to find you in four days?" Luo Zheng looked somewhat surprised.

"One from the Iron Tiger Gang came just a moment ago, but I refused him."

"Well done." A look of appreciation appeared in Luo Zheng's eyes as he explained, "These gangs seem to offer high pay, but the risks are actually just as high. A moment of negligence could lead to injury. If you end up crippled, there's no point in practicing martial arts anymore. What use is silver if you have to spend it all on medical treatment or buying back your life?"

In his view, for Li Chuan to make such a wise choice while being so short on silver showed a truly extraordinary temperament.

For a moment, Luo Zheng's opinion of Li Chuan improved significantly.

Previously, he had only spoken so much to Li Chuan out of pity.

But now, he held Li Chuan in higher regard.

In this world, only the smart ones could survive.

"However... Junior Brother Li, you should be prepared. Generally speaking, once you pass the gate, the martial hall will help you release the news to attract factions."

"Based on past experience, if someone intends to hire you for a part-time position, it won't take longer than three days."

Luo Zheng spoke very tactfully, but Li Chuan still understood what he meant.

No one was willing to come for him.

"Usually, factions looking for part-time staff value two things. First is potential in one's foundation; this is essentially an investment. The prime example is Junior Brother Qin. He had just broken through to the Bright Force stage when the Wang Family from the inner city came knocking, offering a monthly salary of ten taels of silver. He only needs to teach their youngest son for an hour or two each week. It's called a part-time position, but it's actually paying for Qin Feng's potential."

"The second is having extraordinary ability—strength superior to the average person—that can provide value to these factions. For instance, if your fighting style is fierce, escort agencies or patrols might hire you."

Li Chuan understood.

With his low-grade foundation, and having only barely managed the breakthrough, outsiders saw his potential as exhausted.

And since he had no record of real combat, he couldn't attract the second type of faction.

That was why no faction was willing to hire him.

Luo Zheng looked at Li Chuan, thought for a moment, and said:

"Junior Brother Li, my family's pharmacy happens to be short of a hand. I wonder if you'd be willing to come? It's a semi-part-time role with a monthly salary of three taels of silver."

"There isn't much work on a daily basis. You'd mostly need to make one or two trips to Huangshi County each month to provide escort. My uncle leads the team personally, so it isn't very dangerous."

"Every time we return with herbs, we distribute some silver based on contribution. Even the least is two or three mace, and the most can be as much as one tael."

Having known Li Chuan for over three months, through their daily interactions, he saw that Li Chuan was firm in character, grateful, and cautious in his dealings—he was good material worth investing in.

"Oh, right," Luo Zheng paused, "Don't tell the others that your salary is three taels. They all get two. That extra one is my own decision to add for you; consider it a gesture of our martial brotherhood. No need to thank me."

Looking at the smiling Luo Zheng, who said these things so lightly to ensure he wouldn't feel too much pressure, Li Chuan felt a warmth in his heart:

"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo!"

Luo Zheng patted Li Chuan on the shoulder:

"Practice hard. Even with a low-grade foundation, there is a glimmer of hope to pass the gate a second time and break through to the Dark Force. Such cases are rare, but they do exist."

"Come, let me introduce you to my uncle!"

Luo Zheng pulled Li Chuan along to the Luo Family Pharmacy.

The Luo Family Pharmacy had been operating in Anning County for decades. It was a family business that occupied a vast area.

Li Chuan roughly estimated it to be at least two or three mu in size!

"My family's shop is laid out in a front courtyard, back workshop, and rear courtyard structure. The front is where we sell medicine, the back workshop is the processing area for cutting and stir-frying herbs, and the rear courtyard is where we live. My uncle should be in the rear courtyard now," Luo Zheng introduced.

Li Chuan looked around as he walked. Even at the entrance, there were two burly guards, one of whom was already approaching the Bright Force stage.

The front courtyard was astonishingly large, lined with over a dozen rows of cabinets. A constant stream of people flowed in and out, making the place exceptionally lively.

"I didn't expect a pharmacy to be this crowded... Then again, birth, aging, sickness, and death—sickness is an inescapable part of life." Li Chuan sighed inwardly as he followed Luo Zheng into the back workshop.

Inside the back workshop, a dozen female workers were divided into clear roles, working in an orderly fashion.

Those at the front selected suitable medicinal herbs, while those behind them immediately followed up with washing, roasting, and drying.

It was practically a miniature assembly line!

People always say the ancients were foolish, but looking at this, they weren't at all. In a world with underdeveloped productivity, they already had the prototype of an assembly line. Li Chuan thought to himself as he passed through the workshop and entered the back courtyard.

"Uncle, I've brought you a capable hand!" Luo Zheng shouted.

"Ah, Zheng is back. Let me see what kind of capable hand you've brought." The tall Luo Houping walked out from the courtyard.

Luo Zheng pushed Li Chuan forward and introduced him:

"This is my junior brother from the martial arts school. He just reached the Bright Force stage not long ago. He is cautious and reliable—a talent worth cultivating!"

Luo Houping nodded with a smile, though he remained unimpressed.

He knew his nephew's temperament better than anyone.

Being willing to promote newcomers and make friends was both a strength and a weakness.

This wasn't the first time Luo Zheng had brought someone to the medicine transport team; he had brought several others before.

He always recommended them with great enthusiasm, but in truth, none of them were of much use.

Most of these disciples from the martial arts schools had never weathered a storm, and some hadn't even seen blood!

On the road delivering medicine, if they ran into bandits wielding real weapons, their legs would start shaking uncontrollably.

What use were such people in the transport team other than collecting a paycheck for doing nothing?

In Luo Houping's eyes, Li Chuan was undoubtedly one of those people.

But being an old fox, he wouldn't show any sign of it in front of Luo Zheng.

Instead, he put an arm around Li Chuan's shoulder with a kindly expression:

"Since you are Zheng's junior brother, treat this place like your own home. No need to be a stranger; just call me Uncle Luo. There is a shipment of medicine that needs to be sent to Huangshi County shortly, so get yourself ready. But don't be too nervous; we rarely encounter danger on the road."

Li Chuan blinked. Why did he get the feeling that as soon as those words were spoken, trouble was bound to follow?