Market Second Generation, Murderous Intent Hard to Suppress

"Hungry Beast, someone's looking for you."

A passing Daoist child in the hall casually shouted at Fang Shu.

Fang Shu immediately opened his eyes and nodded at him. Then he grabbed the Daoist robe beside him, draped it over himself, and walked toward the Daoist hall's entrance reeking of sweat.

Although insect cultivation was mainly driven by insect blood, tempering one's own sinews and bones remained indispensable.

While practicing, Fang Shu still had to circulate his strength and stretch his sinews and bones. Yet while tempering his body, he had to keep the breathing method firmly in mind and could not make a single mistake.

This method of cultivation was rather different from the meditative Zen sitting Fang Shu had imagined.

But he had not even passed the first tribulation of the immortals yet. He was still merely a mortal, so this way of cultivating was only natural.

He walked straight ahead.

Fang Shu had assumed it would be his second uncle, Yu Le, coming to see him. After all, he had not gone back for a full month. Perhaps his second uncle wanted him to return for a rest and a meal.

Yet at the Daoist hall's entrance, the person he saw was Li Hou'er's father—the talisman master next door, Li Yuan.

The sight surprised Fang Shu slightly, but he stepped forward without showing it and greeted him politely.

"Greetings, Uncle Li."

Li Hou'er was beside him as well. Talisman Master Li Yuan smiled and nodded at Fang Shu, then immediately chased Li Hou'er away.

"Your old man has something to say to Brother Fang. Get the hell out of here first."

Li Hou'er pulled faces and put on a miserable expression.

"Fine, you two old men take your time chatting. Brother Fang, I'm heading to the dining hall first."

Li Hou'er was carrying a package in his hand. Judging by its shape, it was eight or nine times out of ten tofu again, which was why the fellow looked so bitter.

Only after Li Hou'er had gone far away did Talisman Master Li Yuan pull Fang Shu into an empty corner. He suddenly took out a bottle of pills from his sleeve and stuffed it into Fang Shu's hands.

"Here. Take it."

Fang Shu examined the medicine bottle in his hand and immediately recognized the pills. They were Essence-Nourishing Pills, three hundred talisman coins a bottle.

Hesitation immediately appeared on his face. "This... how could I accept this?"

Before Fang Shu could refuse again, Talisman Master Li Yuan said, "It's not from this old man. Your second uncle asked me to bring it to you while I was passing by.

"Just accept it without worry."

Yet those words were better left unsaid. The moment he said them, Fang Shu's heart gave a small jolt.

After thinking for several breaths, he clasped the bottle in his hand and cupped his fists, asking in a low voice, "Uncle Li, how is my second uncle? Why did he not bring it himself? Please tell me plainly!"

Talisman Master Li Yuan muttered under his breath. He had originally intended to make up a lie and brush him off.

But when he saw the earnest look on Fang Shu's face, he sighed.

"Fine, fine. You're not like that heartless Li Hou'er. This matter probably can't be hidden from you."

Talisman Master Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then hesitantly added, "But let's make this clear first. Once you know, you must not act rashly. Otherwise, this old man really will have let your second uncle down.

"And for the time being, you should stay in the Daoist hall and cultivate properly, understand?"

Hearing this, Fang Shu felt that something was even more amiss. Still, he kept his composure and nodded. "All right. I definitely will not act rashly."

Then Talisman Master Li Yuan pointed at the Essence-Nourishing Pills in Fang Shu's hand.

"Originally, your second uncle learned some hide-processing craft from who knows where. He even set his sights on this old man's supply of talisman hides. He pestered me for ages, wanting to work as my assistant. He said that after processing the hides, he would cut them into talisman hides and sell them to me.

"This old man couldn't refuse him, so I let him try. As it turned out, the fellow was quite capable. He really didn't ruin the hides.

"For the past month, day and night, he has done nothing but tan beast hides and demon hides. Not only has he not worn himself out, he actually looks much more spirited. He has something to strive for now."

The man let out a soft sigh. "The bottle of Essence-Nourishing Pills in your hand is what he earned after a month of processing hides, saving up to buy it for you."

Upon hearing that, Fang Shu could not help tightening his grip around the medicine bottle.

"I thought that Yu Le was finally about to turn over a new leaf and live an honest life. All us neighbors were rather happy for him.

"But who would have thought that Cheng the Jar would set his sights on your second uncle again?"

Talisman Master Li Yuan slapped his thigh and cursed under his breath.

"That bastard born without an asshole actually set his sights on the paper house your second uncle has rented for over ten years. He said his own nephew had also arrived from the mortal world some time ago, and he wanted to register that nephew under your second uncle's name and take your place.

"Of course your second uncle refused. Who would have thought Cheng the Jar would use your second uncle's overdue rent as an excuse? He said that as long as the rent went unpaid for over three months, he would burn your second uncle's paper house down in one fire, void his lease, and leave everyone with nothing."

At this point, Fang Shu vaguely understood. But what he most wanted to know was still his second uncle's current situation.

Unable to hold back any longer, he interrupted Talisman Master Li Yuan, who had talked for so long without getting to the point.

"Uncle Li, where is my second uncle now? Is he safe?"

Talisman Master Li Yuan froze, then hurriedly said, "Oh, oh, he's fine, he's fine. He should be fine..."

The man tugged at his beard as he thought.

Fang Shu's brow furrowed at those words.

Thankfully, the man quickly continued.

"The rent matter originally would have been nothing more than borrowing some money to settle it. But Cheng the Jar spread word that he couldn't control the people from other markets, but within this market, whoever dared lend money to your second uncle would answer to him!

"Besides, you're still cultivating in the Daoist hall. Your second uncle said that before long, your tuition would need renewing again.

"So your second uncle gritted his teeth, put down the hide-processing work, signed a long-term contract, and went straight into the mines."

"Into the mines?!"

Fang Shu's eyelids twitched. For a moment, his feelings were tangled. He did not know whether he should sigh in relief or grow even tenser.

Truthfully, he had already prepared himself for the possibility that his second uncle was gone. The next best possibility had been that his second uncle was badly injured and bedridden.

Thankfully, it was neither. His second uncle had merely been forced into mining.

But immediately afterward, Fang Shu clenched his teeth slightly and muttered, "Mining is no good work."

He remembered it clearly. According to his second uncle, farming only meant being worked like an ox or a horse—hard and exhausting, but no more than that. Mining, however, was a dangerous occupation second only to gathering herbs and hunting for treasure in the wilderness. There was the risk of encountering demon beasts, cave-ins, and more.

Even if none of that happened, remaining in a mine for long periods was itself greatly harmful to the body, especially the lungs and internal organs.

Not a single old miner in Guling Town was free of lung disease!

Hearing Fang Shu, Talisman Master Li Yuan nodded.

"Exactly! How could mining be work for decent people?

"Sigh. If your second uncle hadn't truly been driven into a corner, he probably would rather have sold blood again than gone mining."

Seeing that Fang Shu seemed somewhat off, Talisman Master Li Yuan patted his shoulder in comfort.

"But it's all right. Your second uncle is thick-skinned and black-hearted. He's only mining for a few months, so there shouldn't be much trouble.

"Besides, he already discussed it with me. Every so often, he'll have the mine foreman bring talisman coins back and ask me to deliver medicine to you. You just cultivate in the Daoist hall with peace of mind."

Seeing that Fang Shu did not answer, Talisman Master Li Yuan gave him a hard pat and said earnestly, "Child, listen to this old man's advice. When your strength falls short of others, proper cultivation is the only serious matter.

"If you can enter the Dao early enough, at your age, do you think Cheng the Jar would still dare bully your second uncle?"

Only then did Fang Shu come back to himself. He understood that the man meant well and was speaking sense, so he exhaled.

"Uncle Li, I understand."

Seeing Fang Shu agree, Talisman Master Li Yuan's face immediately broke into a wrinkled smile.

"Good child. Far more sensible than that Li Hou'er."

Though he had agreed, that did not mean Fang Shu would stop paying attention to the matter.

He then asked about the rental contract Talisman Master Li Yuan had just mentioned.

After Talisman Master Li Yuan explained, Fang Shu finally understood. Guling Town also had household registration.

Anyone who came to town without someone to take them in or a place to stay would, at the soonest, be expelled from the market after three days and driven outside the town to spend the night.

Given the environment around Mount Lu, even though the ferocious beasts, demons, and such around Guling Town had been thoroughly cleared out, there was no guarantee that demons would not creep over at night.

Furthermore, the most dangerous things outside town were not demons, but people. Living people!

Because Fang Shu had been brought to the Paper Workshop by his second uncle as soon as he arrived in town, he had a place to stay and thus knew nothing of this.

Without his second uncle, if he could not find somewhere to stay for the moment, he would have to sell blood once every five days. Only with the ticket from selling blood could he avoid being driven out of the market for those five days.

And the registered slot Talisman Master Li Yuan mentioned was the household registration place under Yu Le's name.

Though Yu Le himself had not managed to establish a household registration in Guling Town, he had rented the paper house early on. Every paper house in town had an official deed of contract, and that deed was equivalent to a temporary household registration.

Once a temporary household registration had lasted over ten years, it could take in one relative. Furthermore, when such a relative later established household registration in Guling Town, it would be easier, and they would be counted starting from the householder's generation.

Fang Shu was an example.

He was currently sheltering in his second uncle's house. Once he obtained household registration in Guling Town, he would not be counted as a naturalized first-generation market resident, but as a second-generation market resident with roots.

Talisman Master Li Yuan spoke at length.

"In this town, only those rooted here for three generations or more count as truly native-born. The second generation in between are half-raw, half-cooked. As for the first generation, they're neither raw nor cooked.

"Don't underestimate this little difference. It may seem like nothing ordinarily, but it matters when it comes to certain things in town—opening shops, finding work, and so on.

"Especially when entering a Daoist hall or joining an immortal sect, they look at this. As for the finer details, you'll understand them later."

Although Talisman Master Li Yuan did not give detailed examples of the benefits of being a second-generation market resident, Fang Shu immediately dug up a corresponding concept from his memories of his previous life.

Cheng the Jar had set his sights on the "school district enrollment slot" under Yu Le's name, wanting to stuff his own nephew into it!

Fang Shu himself did not yet understand this matter well, but Yu Le certainly understood it perfectly. That was why he had gone directly into the mines, intending to preserve Fang Shu's future status as a second-generation market resident by any means possible.

As for why Cheng the Jar did not use his own slot, either it had already been used, or he was simply one who feared the strong and bullied the weak, believing that anyone who failed to seize an advantage was a bastard.

After sorting all this out, Fang Shu slowly lowered his eyelids. The murderous intent in his heart had already surged to its peak.

Very good!

This creature has chosen the road to death. He must be killed.

As for the slight risks in killing the man, Fang Shu had worked them out in an instant.

Yu Le was currently hiding in the mines, while Fang Shu himself was within the Solitary Gu Hall. Even if killing that fellow carried hidden dangers, they could be concealed for the time being.

On the contrary, if Cheng the Jar was not removed, he might bring about an even greater calamity!

"Boy from the Fang family, don't overthink it. Cultivate properly."

Talisman Master Li Yuan patted him again and repeatedly reminded him, "Cultivate well. Raise your qi and blood. That is stronger than anything."

Though the murderous intent in Fang Shu's heart had reached its peak, his expression became even calmer.

Not only did he not waste Talisman Master Li Yuan's kind words, he nodded seriously instead.

"Yes. Raising my qi and blood is stronger than doing anything else."

Seeing that Fang Shu did not seem to be lying, Talisman Master Li Yuan relaxed slightly.

After giving Fang Shu a few more instructions, he finally left the Solitary Gu Hall at an unhurried pace.

Only after watching him disappear completely did Fang Shu withdraw his gaze.

Then, hidden in a corner, he took out the bottle of Essence-Nourishing Pills Talisman Master Li Yuan had given him.

Again and again, he examined it, following what his second uncle had taught him to distinguish whether it was genuine.

Although Talisman Master Li Yuan had no reason to deceive him, much less tamper with the pills, Yu Le had instructed him that he must never casually consume pills of unknown origin.

Thankfully, after a careful inspection, neither the bottle nor the pills within showed any abnormalities.

They were genuine goods bought from an old shop in the market. Each pill had a thin layer of beeswax and a distinctive anti-counterfeiting mark.

Once he confirmed there was no mistake, Fang Shu crushed the beeswax around one pill with a snap and tossed the Essence-Nourishing Pill into his mouth.

Then, with a calm expression, he walked into the cultivation hall, found a corner, and began madly wearing away the pill's medicinal power, circulating his qi and blood!

Just as he had told Talisman Master Li Yuan, raising his qi and blood was what he most needed to do now.

But Fang Shu did not intend to nourish himself with this increased qi and blood. He intended to nourish his Long-Tongue Sword with all of it!

The Mouth-and-Stomach Secret Sword Technique was a genuine first-tribulation spell. If the Long-Tongue Sword it refined was nourished properly with qi and blood, it could advance into a true first-tribulation artifact.

Fang Shu was now forcefully driving his qi and blood to nourish the Tongue Sword, first raising it into the tribulation.

A chilling light flared in his eyes. "Cheng the Jar, you are only a first-tribulation immortal who entered the Dao through pills. Let us see whether your flesh is harder, or my Tongue Sword sharper."

Gurgle, gurgle!

Nourished by Fang Shu's qi and blood, the Long-Tongue Sword lay hidden within his chest and abdomen, radiating fierce heat like a fire poker glowing red. It made Fang Shu's face slightly ferocious.

The other Daoist children cultivating in the hall faintly sensed that something was wrong with Fang Shu. They all shifted a little farther away, lest they invite trouble for no reason.

He cultivated like this until nightfall.

In the span of only half a day, Fang Shu consumed three Essence-Nourishing Pills. That was already the limit his body could endure.

Thankfully, after taking three Essence-Nourishing Pills, combined with his prior nourishment, the Tongue Sword was drawing closer and closer to a certain bottleneck.

After stopping his cultivation, Fang Shu slowly opened his eyes. He gathered his clothes and strode out of the hall.

He did not return to the Daoist hall's communal sleeping quarters. Instead, he left the Daoist hall and headed straight for the Paper Workshop.

Just as one had to inspect pills, even though Talisman Master Li Yuan had no reason to fabricate things or deceive him, Fang Shu had to investigate such an important matter himself and verify whether the information was true, lest there be discrepancies in what the man had said.

Before long, Fang Shu made his way through the darkness and quietly arrived at the Paper Workshop.

He first peered into Talisman Master Li Yuan's paper workshop and found that the man had likely gone out to run a night stall again, staying up late to earn hard money.

So Fang Shu quietly returned to his second uncle's paper house first and searched it in the dark.

When he found no letters or anything else left behind by his second uncle, he had no choice but to withdraw regretfully. Then he quietly made his way toward the paper house of the neighbor next door, Dou Sufu.

Milk-Shop Xi Shi generally only worked during the day and did not toil as bitterly as Talisman Master Li Yuan. She should be in her house now, and Fang Shu could conveniently seek her advice.

Yet as Fang Shu moved through the darkness and quietly approached, a short figure was swaying by the ditch.

Fang Shu became alert, worried that someone was lying in ambush nearby. He bent over and silently took two more steps forward.

Soon, his ears caught the faint, trickling sound of water splashing into the ditch.

Two more steps forward, a patch of dazzling white moonlight suddenly burst into his sight, leaving him stunned.