The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea, Each Revealing Their Divine Powers

Chen Jing understood.

The poor studied literature; the rich practiced martial arts.

If one wanted to practice martial arts, medicinal baths, Blood-Qi Powder, even Blood-Qi Pills—every single thing cost silver, and great handfuls of it at that.

Cheng Lianshan could not possibly cover everyone's expenses. Besides, the consumption of martial resources had no end; each person had to find their own way.

Mei Qinghe said, "Eldest Senior Brother's family has been blacksmiths for generations, and his household is well-off. I came from the Wei Yuan Escort Agency, and now I'm also registered there as an escort. When I go out on escort runs, I receive an allowance as well."

"Speaking of which, the escort from Wei Yuan Escort Agency whom you and Instructor Wang saved—I must thank you on my father's behalf."

With a solemn expression, he cupped his fists toward Chen Jing, then soon regained his bright smile.

"Third Junior Brother Liu Yunfei's father is a manager at the grain-transport docks. He helps out at the docks now too, and he has brought Sixth Junior Brother along to work with him."

"Fifth Junior Brother Hu Yang's family are merchants in the cloth business, so he does not lack money or resources either."

When Chen Jing heard that, he thought, good fellow.

This was the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each revealing their own divine power.

Eldest Senior Brother taught disciples in their master's stead, Second Senior Sister came from an escort agency, Third Senior Brother and Sixth Junior Brother operated at the docks, and Fifth Senior Brother relied on his family business.

As for Fourth Senior Brother, Cheng Qingshi.

He was Cheng Lianshan's only son. How could he possibly lack silver?

Everyone had their own way of getting money.

Seeing him look thoughtful, Mei Qinghe asked, "Does Little Junior Brother have any means of livelihood? If you need your senior brothers and sister to lend a hand, you may say so. No need to be polite."

Chen Jing reached back to rest his hand on the Pig-Slaughtering Blade at his lower back and said with a completely serious face, "In reply to Senior Sister, I was a butcher in Shuang'an Town and made my living slaughtering pigs. I suppose I can go find some pig-slaughtering work."

Mei Qinghe had noticed the rough, rugged Pig-Slaughtering Blade at Chen Jing's lower back early on. Though he had made his guesses, it had not been convenient to ask too much.

Now, seeing him say this with such solemn earnestness, he froze for an instant, then burst out laughing with a pfft.

His eyes curved with laughter, making him seem a few degrees more lively and spirited, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

"Little Junior Brother, you needn't be so hard-pressed. Though we inner-courtyard disciples must earn our own subsidies, it is not as if you absolutely have to go slaughter pigs."

Chen Jing felt somewhat helpless. He was serious.

Slaughtering pigs was his old trade. His hands were practiced; killing a few pigs in a day would be easy, and he could earn silver from it. It was much better than going out to look for odd jobs.

And slaughtering pigs could also increase the proficiency of his Pig-Slaughtering Blade Technique.

Killing two birds with one stone.

But Mei Qinghe had already changed the subject with a smile.

"Junior Brother, first put away your luggage and familiarize yourself with the surroundings. I'll have someone send lunch over. At dinner, I'll come call you."

After saying that, he turned and left, walking as if with wind beneath his feet, his back looking vigorous and brisk.

Chen Jing cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Senior Sister."

He pushed open the door and entered the side room he had chosen, untied his bundle, folded his clothes, and placed them in the cabinet.

The White-Shaft Spear leaned against the head of the bed, and the Pig-Slaughtering Blade was set 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, this journey had only taken two or three days.

Yet it also seemed exceedingly long.

Now he had entered Cheng Lianshan's tutelage and become the seventh personal disciple of Lianshan Martial Arts Hall. In this unfamiliar world, he had gained another new identity.

From outside the window came the shouts of disciples practicing their fists in the Martial Arts Arena, their voices near and far, wave after wave.

The taut string in Chen Jing's heart, stretched tight ever since he left Shuang'an Town, finally loosened a little.

At dusk, Mei Qinghe came to knock on the door.

Chen Jing was practicing stance training. Hearing the knock, he rose and opened the door.

Mei Qinghe had changed clothes, wearing a moon-white short fighting outfit with an ink-black belt tied at his waist, his entire person looking crisp and efficient.

"Little Junior Brother, have you finished settling in?"

"Master has set a banquet in the main hall to welcome you and Instructor Wang."

Chen Jing nodded and followed Mei Qinghe out the door.

The two of them passed through the corridor and arrived at the main hall. A large round table had already been set out, with bowls and dishes fully arranged upon it.

Wang Chong sat in the guest seat, his complexion much improved.

Cheng Lianshan had just invited a physician to look him over, apply medicinal paste, and prescribe several doses of decoction, for both internal and external treatment.

The physician said that after ten days to half a month of recuperation, he would be fully recovered.

After Chen Jing had paid his respects to the Cheng couple, he sat down beside Wang Chong.

He had only just settled in when people began coming in through the door one after another.

The first to enter was Zhang Chengji. He was burly of build, and walked with the vigor of a tiger stirring up wind.

Following behind him was a handsome young man in his early twenties, wearing a somewhat worn indigo long robe.

The front of his robe hung open, revealing a stretch of solid chest, and his face carried the frank, straightforward smile of someone who had made his way among the streets and markets.

Behind him came a round-faced young man with a smiling expression. He was dressed with care, and a piece of decent-quality jade hung at his waist; at a glance, he was clearly from a well-to-do family.

The last to enter was a young man with long, narrow brows and eyes. He moved lightly and quietly, and as soon as he came in, he found an inconspicuous corner to stand in.

Then there were Cheng Qingshi and Mei Qinghe, whom he had already met.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Cheng Lianshan waved a large hand.

"Sit down, all of you. Don't stand around."

Everyone took their seats one after another. Cheng Lianshan sat in the seat of honor, Su Ru beside him, Wang Chong in the guest seat, Chen Jing next to Wang Chong, and the remaining disciples seated in order.

Cheng Lianshan pointed at Chen Jing and said to the disciples who had not yet met him, "This is the personal disciple I've newly taken in, Chen Jing."

"From now on, he is your seventh junior brother."

Then he said to Chen Jing, "These are the ones you haven't met yet."

Chen Jing rose to his feet and cupped his fists in a proper salute.

"Junior Brother Chen Jing pays respects to all senior brothers and senior sister."

Zhang Chengji, Mei Qinghe, and Cheng Qingshi had all already met Chen Jing, and each gave a slight nod.

The handsome young man was the first to raise his wine cup. His smile was hearty, and his voice was loud and clear. "Congratulations, Master, on gaining a fine disciple!"

"Little Junior Brother, I'm your Third Senior Brother, Liu Yunfei. Come, come, come, I'll drink a cup to you. From now on, we're one family!"

Chen Jing hurriedly raised his wine cup. The two clinked cups through the air and each drained theirs.

The round-faced young man beside Liu Yunfei also stood up, smiling as he lifted his wine cup.

He spoke slowly and unhurriedly, his voice not loud, yet making people feel as if they were bathed in spring wind. "Little Junior Brother, I'm your Fifth Senior Brother, Hu Yang."

"From now on, we fellow disciples should get close more often. If there's anywhere you can use me, just say the word. Don't stand on ceremony with your senior brother."

As he said this, his eyes curved into two crescent moons, making him look harmless to man and beast.

Chen Jing's heart stirred. This Fifth Senior Brother was smooth in dealing with people, exquisite on all sides, and looked as if he was used to handling people outside.

The last to stand was the young man with long, narrow brows and eyes. He held his wine cup in both hands, his body leaning slightly forward, his posture set very low.

Though the corners of his mouth held a smile, the smile itself was very restrained.

"Little Junior Brother, from now on, we are one family."

"My name is Liang Youheng. I rank sixth. Please look after me in the future."

Chen Jing raised his cup in return. "Sixth Senior Brother is too courteous."

After the round of feasting and drinking, Chen Jing had roughly sketched an initial impression of his senior brothers' and senior sister's temperaments.

Eldest Senior Brother Zhang Chengji was steady and sparing with words, with the bearing of an elder. Second Senior Sister Mei Qinghe was bright, beautiful, and forthright; in speech and action, she was clean and efficient.

Third Senior Brother Liu Yunfei had the heroic air of the streets and markets, blunt and direct. Fourth Senior Brother Cheng Qingshi was cold, stern, and proud; he did not speak much, but he could not be considered harsh either.

Fifth Senior Brother Hu Yang was exquisite on all sides, his smile forever hanging on his face. Sixth Senior Brother Liang Youheng was reserved and low-key, his bearing humble, as if he deliberately avoided drawing attention.

Add to that Master Cheng Lianshan's boldness and Master's Wife Su Ru's gentleness, and Chen Jing kept every face in this large family in his heart.

After the meal, the bowls and dishes were cleared away, and tea was brought in.

Everyone did not immediately disperse, but instead gathered around the round table to talk.

Cheng Lianshan took out a palm-sized wooden box from his robes, set it on the table, and pushed it in front of Chen Jing.

"Little Jing, this is a gift from your master."

Cheng Lianshan smiled. "Open it and have a look."