Prosperity Escort Agency

Prosperity Escort Agency

Great Yan, Cloudsky Commandery, Dancing Elephant City.

The training grounds of the Prosperity Escort Agency.

At this moment, the atmosphere here was quite fervent.

"Escort Master Lin Sheng, monthly salary ten taels."

"Escort Master Luo Qiang, monthly salary twelve taels."

The sound of the salary announcement echoed over the backyard. Watching those escort masters go up to the stage to receive their monthly pay, the various laborers of the agency were filled with envy.

For them, becoming an escort master and earning a handsome salary every month was already the greatest dream of their lives.

Zhao Ya stood among the group of laborers, but his attention was not on these escort masters.

He looked at the middle-aged man sitting on a chair on the stage, whose temperament was as steady as a mountain, and a look of curiosity appeared in his eyes.

Was this Meng Lei, the Chief Escort of the Prosperity Escort Agency, famous throughout Dancing Elephant City?

Come to think of it, he had joined the Prosperity Escort Agency as a laborer over a month ago, and this was the first time Zhao Ya had seen this Chief Escort Meng, so he naturally felt a bit curious.

Just then, Meng Lei on the stage seemed to sense something and flashed a glance toward Zhao Ya's direction.

Zhao Ya felt the gaze of this Chief Escort Meng was as sharp as a sword; he hurriedly lowered his head, his blood surging in his heart.

To be able to affect him with just a gaze—he was truly worthy of being a martial artist at the Fascia Tempering stage.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ya was not alarmed but delighted. With a slight movement of his mind, a light screen invisible to others appeared before his eyes.

Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 16. Remaining lifespan: 20 years.

Skill: Five Tigers Fist (Beginner 32/100).

His gaze lingered on the remaining lifespan item for a moment, and Zhao Ya sighed inwardly.

Although the lifespan of ordinary people in this world was very short, according to the prompt here, he would live to be at most thirty-something, not even reaching forty.

Could this be considered dying young?

Zhao Ya had some guesses about this, feeling it should be related to the tragic experiences of his predecessor's childhood.

After all, the world was harsh, and his predecessor's parents had both passed away due to an accident during his childhood. With no one to care for him, he had survived on the charity of others, living a life of hunger.

Perhaps that was why his vitality had been damaged.

If it weren't for the fact that his predecessor had stood his ground through his own efforts and managed to eat his fill, he probably wouldn't even have this much lifespan, let alone pass the agency's assessment to become a laborer.

Subsequently, Zhao Ya opened another light screen.

This light screen was an extremely complex outline of the human body, encompassing everything from the internal organs to the meridians and acupoints; at first glance, it was as dazzling as the starry sky.

However, at this moment, the vast majority of the area was shrouded in gray mist, with only the stomach area revealing a trace of brilliance.

[Stomach unlocking progress: 2%]

Seeing this unlocking progress, Zhao Ya sighed secretly.

Having transmigrated to this world for over a month, Zhao Ya had already roughly figured out the function of his golden finger.

The attribute panel at the beginning went without saying; it displayed the skills he possessed.

The key was the human body outline that followed.

Zhao Ya discovered that this human body outline was closely related to himself and should be a reflection of his body's true condition.

However, until now, Zhao Ya still hadn't figured out what this unlocking progress was about, or how he should accelerate it.

But regardless, with the blessing of this golden finger, Zhao Ya had the confidence to carve out a place for himself in this world where cultivation flourished.

Especially after seeing the demeanor of Chief Escort Meng, this thought was further deepened.

Because this was a world where strength reigned supreme. As long as you had powerful strength, you would naturally live a life of splendor; otherwise, you could only be reduced to the very bottom, waiting to be slaughtered.

A trace of determination appeared in Zhao Ya's eyes.

Just then, someone beside him suddenly nudged him.

"Hey, what are you spacing out for? It's our turn to collect our wages."

Zhao Ya turned his head to look; the person reminding him was also a laborer at the Prosperity Escort Agency, named Tan Dong.

This person had a cheerful temperament, and after more than a month of getting along, his relationship with Zhao Ya was quite good.

Zhao Ya nodded and followed the other laborers to the front of the stage to wait.

By now, the salary announcement for the escort masters had long since ended, and the escort masters had already been led to the front hall for a meal.

This was a rule of the Prosperity Escort Agency; every time the monthly salary was paid, a banquet for the escort masters would be held, which could be considered a form of team building.

But Chief Escort Meng Lei had not left. He was standing on the stage, smiling as he spoke to the escort guards who were receiving their monthly pay.

"Liu Lin, you did a good job last month, keep working hard."

"Wang He, I heard you got engaged, congratulations, congratulations."

No matter who it was, Meng Lei could accurately call them by name and knew their circumstances like the back of his hand.

Those addressed naturally wore expressions of flattered surprise, and the more simple-minded among them were so moved that their eyes turned red.

After all, they were merely Escort Guards of the Prosperity Escort Agency, yet they received such cordial concern from the Chief Escort; how could they not be stirred?

Zhao Ya watched this scene from across the crowd and could not help but nod to himself.

Indeed, those who could achieve great things were never ordinary people. Setting aside Meng Lei's cultivation, this level of finesse alone proved why he was capable of managing such a massive Prosperity Escort Agency.

"I'm so envious. When will I ever become an Escort Guard and receive such warm greetings from the Chief Escort?" Tan Dong, standing to the side, could not help but sigh at the sight.

"That's probably a long shot," Zhao Ya said.

"Why?"

Zhao Ya glanced at Tan Dong. "Why don't you know? Just tell me, what were you doing the night before last?"

Tan Dong's face turned awkward. "I was just... out drinking, wasn't I?"

"And you couldn't even straighten your back the next day?" Zhao Ya laughed.

Tan Dong: "..."

Then, he gritted his teeth and said with a face full of grief and indignation.

"I'm never going again. I'm going to train hard and strive to become an Escort Guard as soon as possible."

Zhao Ya remained noncommittal.

At this moment, all the Escort Guards had finished collecting their monthly wages, and Meng Lei did not linger any longer.

He waved his hand at the laborers like Zhao Ya. "You've all worked hard."

Then, he turned and left.

"Tan Dong, one tael of monthly wages."

"Shi Sen, one tael and one mace."

"Zhao Ya, one tael and two mace."

Accompanied by the clacking of the Accountant's abacus, Zhao Ya received his salary for the month.

One tael and two mace of silver.

This figure sounded unremarkable, but Zhao Ya knew that in the Outer City of Dancing Elephant City, this was already a high salary in the true sense of the word.

One had to know that nowadays, a strong laborer working non-stop every day would only earn one tael of silver a month.

A family of three, living frugally, would only spend about eight or nine mace of silver a month.

Currently, a young, unmarried girl of seventeen or eighteen could be bought on the market for only a dozen taels of silver, and it was said the price was still dropping.

One could imagine just how difficult this world had become.

Zhao Ya tucked the silver away securely and was just calculating what to buy when Tan Dong's large face leaned in.

"Hehe, we just got paid, let's go grab a drink, brother. My treat."

"Not going." Zhao Ya refused cleanly and decisively.

"Oh, why are you being so cold? I'm telling you, it's not just about the drinks. After we drink, we'll go take a bath, then head to the pleasure house to listen to some tunes, and maybe find a girl who catches our eye... tsk tsk, just thinking about it is wonderful!"

"And with your looks, those girls might not even want money and would pay to be with you instead," Tan Dong said, lowering his voice with eyes gleaming.

Zhao Ya was caught between laughter and tears. "Didn't you just say you were never going again and wanted to train hard?"

Tan Dong rubbed his hands together and chuckled. "This is just to celebrate getting paid. Don't worry, just this once, I won't go again after this."

Zhao Ya certainly did not believe these tall tales. He firmly rejected Tan Dong's enthusiastic invitation and turned to walk out the door.

After leaving the Escort Agency, Zhao Ya first went to the rice market to buy rice, flour, grain, and oil.

Recently, grain prices had remained stubbornly high. It was said that the prefectural city to the south had suffered a flood, so there was a trend of further increases; Zhao Ya naturally had to prepare early.

He bought half polished rice and half brown rice, and he paired the other supplies in the same way.

Even so, after buying enough for a month's needs, Zhao Ya had still spent six mace of silver.

With the remaining silver, aside from keeping a little for emergencies, he bought nothing but air-dried cured meat.

This stuff was slightly more expensive than fresh meat, but it had the advantage of having no moisture and being solid in weight.

The key was that it was also very easy to store.

There were no refrigerators in this world; if stored even slightly improperly, ingredients would rot.

Zhao Ya did not want to fall ill from eating something unclean.

Carrying a full bag of supplies, Zhao Ya headed home.

Along the way, Zhao Ya remained very vigilant.

After all, the world was becoming increasingly chaotic, and many people were willing to take risks to survive, daring to kill even in broad daylight.

This was still within the city, and he had heard that things were even more chaotic outside the walls.

For this reason, Zhao Ya had to remain on guard.

Perhaps it was due to Zhao Ya's tall, sturdy frame, or perhaps the Prosperity Escort Agency uniform he wore, but the journey back remained peaceful and uneventful.

Soon, Zhao Ya returned home.

It was a dilapidated little courtyard, yet compared to the crooked, ramshackle shanties nearby that looked as if they might collapse at any moment, it was considered quite decent.

Zhao Ya first checked the marker he had left before heading out, and only after confirming it remained undisturbed did he open the door.

The small courtyard contained only two rooms: one was Zhao Ya's bedroom, and the other served as both kitchen and living room.

Zhao Ya set his things down, stored away the supplies that needed putting away, and then picked up the half-bag of brown rice he had prepared earlier before heading back out.

After leaving the courtyard gate and turning a corner, he arrived at an even more decrepit residence. The courtyard wall was so tilted it seemed ready to topple at any second.

Zhao Ya knocked on the door, and a moment later, a timid voice drifted from within.

"Who... who is it?"

"It's me," Zhao Ya replied softly.

Only then did the sound of a bolt sliding back echo from inside, and a small face, no larger than a palm, peeked through the gap.

It was a young girl.

She looked to be only thirteen or fourteen years old. Her frame was frail from malnutrition, yet the natural delicacy of her features remained visible.

Upon seeing Zhao Ya standing at the door, the girl's face lit up with surprise.

"Brother Xiaoya, you're back."

Zhao Ya nodded. "Mm, is my laundry all finished?"

"Yes, yes, it's all washed. Come in and get it."

"No need, I still have things to do. This is your payment."

Zhao Ya handed over the half-bag of brown rice.

Tang Zuier took the bag, and a misty haze welled up in her large eyes.

"Brother Xiaoya, thank you..."

Zhao Ya smiled faintly. "You wash my clothes, I pay you—it is only right and proper. There is no need to thank me."

Tang Zuier nodded vigorously. "Then please wait a moment, Brother Xiaoya, I'll go get your clothes."

With that, Tang Zuier carried the rice bag and turned into the house, returning shortly after with a thick stack of clothes in her arms.

"Here you go, Brother Xiaoya."

Zhao Ya took the clothes and turned to leave, but suddenly remembering something, he couldn't help but speak.

"Right, I should have more clothes to bring over in a couple of days. I'll have to trouble you again, Zui'er."

"It's no trouble at all, none at all. Bring as many as you like," Tang Zuier said happily.

"Mm, lock the door now. The ground is not very stable these days; try to go out as little as possible if you don't have to."

"Okay, I understand." Tang Zuier nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Ya walked away.

Tang Zuier watched his retreating back until he disappeared from sight before closing the courtyard gate once more.

"Zui'er, who was that just now?"

An elderly voice drifted from the main room.

"Grandma, it was Brother Xiaoya. He came to pick up his laundry and even brought us half a bag of rice!" Tang Zuier said joyfully.

"Oh, it's Xiaoya. It's truly kind of that child to still remember us two. If only your father were still alive..." As the old woman spoke, her voice choked with emotion.

"Oh, Grandma, please don't talk about that anymore. You've already cried your eyes blind. I'm going to make you some rice porridge." Tang Zuier hurriedly changed the subject.

Zhao Ya was, of course, unaware of this. By now, he had returned home and was preparing his evening meal.

The young girl from earlier was named Tang Zuier, and she was Zhao Ya's neighbor.

Truth be told, the girl was a tragic soul. Her mother had died at her birth, and her father had gone out to trade when she was young, never to be heard from again, leaving her to rely on her blind grandmother for survival.

The reason Zhao Ya helped the girl was that his predecessor had once received help from Tang Zuier's father during his own childhood. Out of gratitude, he could not simply stand by and watch the two of them suffer.

This half-bag of brown rice meant little to Zhao Ya now, but it provided immense relief to the grandmother and granddaughter.

Otherwise, in this current world, the fate awaiting a young girl like Tang Zuier would surely be a misery darker than hell itself.

A bowl of white rice and a plate of garlic sprouts stir-fried with cured meat.

Though the ingredients were ordinary, Zhao Ya ate with great relish.

Before long, the meal was finished.

Zhao Ya let out a satisfied burp. After tidying up the bowls and chopsticks, he stood in the courtyard to begin the practice he had made a daily routine these past few days.

For the first stance, Zhao Ya spread his arms, slowly raising them until they were level with his shoulders, then suddenly flicked his fingertips upward, lifting them above his head before thrusting them toward the sky.

It was the first movement of the Eight-Part Vajra Art, Hands Supporting Heaven to Regulate the Triple Burner.

This Eight-Part Vajra Art was something Zhao Ya had originally learned on the internet. It had a very long history, with legends suggesting its prototype existed as early as the Tang Dynasty, and by the Song Dynasty, it had already become a secret health-cultivation method for numerous Taoist sects.

The Eight-Section Brocade that later became popular throughout the world was actually derived from this Eight-Part Vajra Art.

When Zhao Ya first learned it, he did so purely for fun; he never felt that these slow, leisurely movements—resembling an old lady practicing Tai Chi—could offer any significant benefits.

Yet, after transmigrating to this bizarre and fantastical world, Zhao Ya decided to give it a try.

After all, cultivation methods in this world were incredibly precious. Take the Five Tigers Fist he had already mastered, for example.

It was an extremely crude and shallow martial art, yet even such a technique was only taught to him after he joined the Prosperity Escort Agency and passed his probationary period.

After practicing for a few days, Zhao Ya had not noticed any changes other than sleeping a bit better and having a larger appetite.

But since he had already started, he had to keep at it.

The second movement, Hands and Feet Front and Back to Strengthen Kidneys and Waist; the third, Regulating Spleen and Skin Requires Single Lift; the fourth, Left Liver Right Stomach Like Shooting the Eagle...

Eight movements, nine repetitions each; Zhao Ya performed them with extreme focus.

Soon, sweat appeared on his body.

By the time he reached the seventh movement, Phoenix Spreading Wings for Full Body Strength, the muscles all over Zhao Ya's body began to tremble. His entire body was drenched in sweat like rain, but he gritted his teeth and persisted.

Finally.

When all eighty-one repetitions of the Eight-Part Vajra Art were completed, Zhao Ya raised his hands to his brow, then slowly lowered them, allowing his boiling blood and energy to gradually return to their original state.

[Eight-Part Vajra Art proficiency +2]

[Stomach unlocking progress +1%]

The two lines of prompts that suddenly appeared startled Zhao Ya, but he immediately opened his panel in a frenzy of joy.

Sure enough.

He saw that an item had been added to his skills column.

Eight-Part Vajra Art (Beginner 2/100).

At the same time, the remaining lifespan column had also changed.

Remaining lifespan: 20 years (+10 days).

Crucially, the stomach area on the human silhouette diagram had also changed; the radiance seemed to have become slightly more intense.

Simultaneously, Zhao Ya felt that the blood and energy throughout his body had become more vigorous.

These changes filled Zhao Ya with joy, and then he felt a wave of intense hunger.

It was as if the pot of food he had just eaten had vanished into thin air.

Zhao Ya hurriedly cooked another pot of rice porridge, but even after drinking several bowls, the hunger did not subside.

A thought struck Zhao Ya. He took out a piece of cured meat, gave it a simple rinse, cut it into large chunks, and heated it in the rice porridge before eating it.

Sure enough.

Once the meat hit his stomach, that intense hunger was finally satisfied, and his ravenous gut stopped its protest.

Sweeping through the food like a storm, Zhao Ya finished the entire pot of rice porridge and the large piece of cured meat, finally feeling satisfied.

Looking at the clean pot and empty bowls before him, Zhao Ya finally understood why his practice of the Eight-Part Vajra Art had been ineffective over the past few days.

It turned out he was lacking the assistance of the essence and energy from meat.

One had to know that in this world, eating meat was a very luxurious affair for the average person.

Many people only dared to cut off a little meat to eat during festivals and holidays.

This was something Zhao Ya, coming from a highly developed world, found truly hard to accept.

That was why he had bought a lot of cured meat as soon as he received his salary, intending to satisfy his cravings.

He hadn't expected to discover the secret of the system.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ya became thoughtful.

He had just eaten at least two large pieces—over a pound of cured meat—and only unlocked one percent of the progress.

If that was the case, wouldn't he have to eat a massive amount of meat to unlock his stomach one hundred percent?

However, this was not entirely unacceptable.

It was just that his current salary could barely support it.

But then, Zhao Ya laughed.

With this golden finger, was there any need to worry about not making money?

If nothing else, as long as he unlocked his stomach and his blood and energy became vigorous, his martial arts would naturally improve, and it wouldn't even be a problem to surpass the Bone Refining Realm and become an expert in the Tendon Changing Realm.

By then, what would a little bit of meat matter?

Moreover, after increasing his unlocking progress, even his remaining lifespan had increased, which meant that as long as he kept progressing, his lifespan would also grow longer and longer.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ya's heart could not help but burn with even greater fervor.

(End of chapter)