Chen Jing understood.
The poor studied letters; the rich practiced martial arts.
To train, he needed medicinal baths, Blood-Qi Powder, even Blood-Qi Pills. Every one of them cost silver, and plenty of it.
Cheng Lianshan could not cover everyone's expenses. Besides, there was no end to the consumption of martial resources; everyone had to find his own way.
Mei Qinghe said,
"Eldest Senior Brother comes from a long line of blacksmiths, and his family is well-off. I come from the Wei Yuan Escort Agency, where I'm registered as an escort. I also earn a little extra when I go out on escort runs."
"Speaking of which, you and Instructor Wang saved some escorts from the Wei Yuan Escort Agency. I should thank you on my father's behalf."
He cupped his fists to Chen Jing with a solemn expression, then broke into his bright smile again.
"Third Senior Brother Liu Yunfei's father manages the canal transport docks. He helps out there now, and Sixth Junior Brother works with him."
"Fifth Senior Brother Hu Yang comes from a merchant family in the cloth trade, so he doesn't lack money or resources either."
Chen Jing listened. Well, would you look at that.
The Eight Immortals crossed the sea, each showing his own powers.
Eldest Senior Brother taught in their master's stead, Second Senior Brother came from an escort agency, Third and Sixth worked at the docks, and Fifth relied on the family business.
As for Fourth Senior Brother, Cheng Qingshi—
He was Cheng Lianshan's only son. How could he be short of silver?
Each of them had his own way to earn money.
Seeing him lost in thought, Mei Qinghe asked,
"Do you have a trade, Junior Brother? If you need your senior brothers' help, just say so. Don't stand on ceremony."
Chen Jing reached back and rested a hand on the Butcher Knife at his waist. With a straight face, he said, "Senior Brother, I was a butcher in Shuang'an Town. I made my living slaughtering pigs, so I could look for work doing that."
Mei Qinghe had noticed the rough-hewn Butcher Knife at Chen Jing's waist as soon as he arrived. Though he had his suspicions, he had not felt right asking.
Now, hearing Chen Jing say it so earnestly, he froze for a moment before bursting out laughing.
His eyes curved with his smile, lending him a lively air, and he waved his hands.
"You don't have to put yourself in such a tight spot, Junior Brother. Inner courtyard disciples do have to earn their own spending money, but that doesn't mean you must go slaughter pigs."
Chen Jing felt a little helpless. He had been serious.
Slaughtering pigs was his old trade. He was skilled at it and could easily kill several a day, earning silver without having to hunt for odd jobs.
Besides, slaughtering pigs would raise his proficiency in the Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique.
Two birds with one stone.
But Mei Qinghe had already changed the subject with a smile.
"Unpack and get familiar with the place first. I'll have someone bring you lunch, and I'll come get you at dinnertime."
With that, he turned and left, walking with brisk, purposeful strides.
Chen Jing cupped his fists. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
He pushed open the door to the room he had chosen, unpacked his bundle, folded his clothes, and put them in the wardrobe.
He leaned the White-Shaft Spear against the head of the bed and set the Butcher Knife on the table.
Then he sat on the edge of the bed and let out a long breath.
From Shuang'an Town to Green Mountain City, from Butcher Zhang's pork shop to the inner courtyard of Lianshan Martial Arts Hall, the journey had taken only two or three days.
Yet it felt terribly long.
Now he had become Cheng Lianshan's disciple, the seventh personal disciple of Lianshan Martial Arts Hall. In this unfamiliar world, he had gained a new identity.
Outside the window came the shouts of disciples practicing their punches in the Martial Arts Arena, near and far, wave after wave.
The string that had been pulled taut inside Chen Jing since he left Shuang'an Town finally eased a little.
At dusk, Mei Qinghe knocked on his door.
Chen Jing was holding a standing stance. At the knock, he straightened and opened the door.
Mei Qinghe had changed into moon-white short training clothes, with a dark sash at his waist. He looked neat and capable.
"All settled in, Junior Brother?"
"Master has laid out a feast in the main hall to welcome you and Instructor Wang."
Chen Jing nodded and followed Mei Qinghe out.
If you encounter an ad asking "Are you a real person?", ignore it and close it. Do not scan its code or send a text message!
They passed through a long corridor to the main hall, where a large round table had been set with bowls and dishes.
Wang Chong sat in the guest seat, looking much better.
Cheng Lianshan had just called a physician to examine him. The physician had applied a medicinal plaster and prescribed several doses of herbal medicine, treating him inside and out.
He had said Wang Chong would recover fully after ten days or a fortnight of rest.
After greeting Cheng Lianshan and Su Ru, Chen Jing sat beside Wang Chong.
He had barely settled in when people began filing through the door.
Zhang Chengji came in first, broad and burly, his strides full of force.
Behind him came a handsome young man in his early twenties, wearing a somewhat worn indigo robe.
His collar hung open, revealing a stretch of sturdy chest, and his face bore the frank smile of someone at home among the common folk.
Next came a round-faced young man with a constant smile. He was finely dressed and wore a good-quality jade pendant at his waist. One look told Chen Jing he came from a wealthy family.
Last was a young man with narrow eyes and brows. He stepped in quietly and found himself an inconspicuous corner to stand in.
Then there were Cheng Qingshi and Mei Qinghe, whom Chen Jing had already met.
Seeing everyone had arrived, Cheng Lianshan waved a hand.
"Sit down, all of you. No need to stand."
Everyone took their seats. Cheng Lianshan sat at the head of the table, Su Ru beside him. Wang Chong took the guest seat, Chen Jing sat next to Wang Chong, and the other disciples sat down in turn.
Cheng Lianshan gestured toward Chen Jing and told the disciples who had not met him, "This is my new personal disciple, Chen Jing."
"From now on, he's your Seventh Junior Brother."
Then he said to Chen Jing,
"These are the ones you haven't met yet."
Chen Jing rose and cupped his fists in a formal salute.
"I'm your junior brother, Chen Jing. Greetings, Senior Brothers."
Zhang Chengji, Mei Qinghe, and Cheng Qingshi had already met Chen Jing. Each gave a slight nod.
The handsome young man raised his cup first. His smile was open, and his voice rang out. "Congratulations on finding such a fine disciple, Master!"
"Junior Brother, I'm your Third Senior Brother, Liu Yunfei. Come, let me drink a cup with you! We're family from now on!"
Chen Jing quickly raised his cup. They touched cups across the table and drained them.
The round-faced young man beside Liu Yunfei stood next, smiling as he lifted his cup.
He spoke unhurriedly and softly, yet his voice felt as pleasant as a spring breeze. "Junior Brother, I'm your Fifth Senior Brother, Hu Yang."
"We should get to know each other better. If you ever need anything, just ask. Don't be shy with me."
As he spoke, his eyes curved into crescents, making him look utterly harmless.
Something stirred in Chen Jing's mind. This Fifth Senior Brother was smooth and adept at handling people. He looked used to dealing with others.
The last to stand was the narrow-eyed young man. He held his cup in both hands and leaned forward slightly, adopting a humble posture.
Though there was a smile on his lips, even that was restrained.
"Junior Brother, we're family now."
"My name is Liang Youheng, and I'm sixth among the disciples. I look forward to getting along with you."
Chen Jing raised his cup in return. "You're too polite, Sixth Senior Brother."
By the end of the feast, Chen Jing had formed a rough first impression of his senior brothers' temperaments.
Eldest Senior Brother Zhang Chengji was steady and sparing with words, with the bearing of an elder. Second Senior Brother Mei Qinghe was bright and forthright, decisive in word and deed.
Third Senior Brother Liu Yunfei had the bold spirit of the streets and spoke his mind. Fourth Senior Brother Cheng Qingshi was cold and proud, not one for many words, though not unkind.
Fifth Senior Brother Hu Yang was polished with everyone, a smile always on his face. Sixth Senior Brother Liang Youheng was reserved and low-key, so humble he seemed to be deliberately avoiding notice.
Add Master Cheng Lianshan's hearty manner and Su Ru's gentleness, and Chen Jing had committed every face in this large family to memory.
After the meal, the dishes were cleared and tea was served.
No one left at once. They stayed around the round table and talked.
Cheng Lianshan took a palm-sized wooden box from inside his robe, set it on the table, and pushed it toward Chen Jing.
"Little Jing, this is a gift from your master."
Cheng Lianshan smiled. "Open it and see."
Before you continue