New Year's Day Visit, Rock-Bottom Prices

New Year's Day.

At the start of the new year, everything took on a fresh look.

The moment Zhao Ya got up, he heard someone knocking outside. When he opened the door, he found Tan Dong standing there.

Tan Dong clasped his hands in greeting and said with a grin, "Happy New Year, Brother Zhao. I've come to pay you a New Year's visit."

"Happy New Year. Come on in!"

Once inside, Tan Dong immediately spotted Tang Zuier in a new outfit. His eyes lit up, and he blurted out, "Sister-in-law, you look really beautiful today."

Tang Zuier's face flushed bright red at his words. After bringing over tea and snacks, she hurriedly turned and left.

After sitting down, Tan Dong cracked sunflower seeds while looking around. Seeing how spotlessly clean the room was, he could not help but say enviously,

"Brother Zhao, you've really got it good. It's not easy to find a girl as virtuous and gentle as Sister-in-law!"

"What are you babbling about?" Zhao Ya laughed and scolded him. "Don't leave at noon. We brothers can have a few drinks."

"Sure, but not at your place."

"Then where?"

"Mine, of course. To tell you the truth, my father and older brother are back. They both want to meet you, so they sent me to invite you and Sister-in-law over for lunch."

"Oh? Your father is back?"

"Yeah. My dad is busy beyond belief all year round. Only during the New Year can he rest for a couple of days."

Zhao Ya's heart stirred.

He had been worrying about exotic beast flesh lately. Since Tan Dong's father was back, this was the perfect chance to ask him about it.

"Alright. I've never met Uncle before, so this is a good opportunity to pay him a visit."

After chatting for a few more moments, Tan Dong left first.

Zhao Ya told Tang Zuier that they would be going to Tan Dong's home for lunch.

Tang Zuier hesitated when she heard that.

"Do... do I have to go too?"

"Of course. Tan Dong specifically invited you by name. You don't need to be afraid. We're just going over for a simple meal."

Zhao Ya knew Tang Zuier was timid by nature and afraid of interacting with strangers, so he comforted her gently.

"Alright... alright, then I'll get ready."

Once Tang Zuier was ready, Zhao Ya led her out the door and headed toward Tan Dong's home.

Along the way, Zhao Ya bought several gifts. Since it was his first time visiting Tan Dong's father, it would have been improper to arrive empty-handed.

When they arrived at the Tan residence, an elderly servant was already waiting for them. The moment he saw Zhao Ya and Tang Zuier, he hurriedly led them inside.

The Tan residence was bustling that day, with a constant stream of visitors coming to pay their respects.

Moreover, Zhao Ya noticed that most of them carried the rough aura of the martial world. They were likely all jianghu people.

Just then, Tan Dong came over as well.

"Brother Zhao, let's go to my room first. My father is meeting guests right now. He'll come over later."

"Alright!"

After they arrived at Tan Dong's bedroom, Zhao Ya could not help saying, "I never would have guessed Uncle had such extensive connections. So many jianghu people have come to visit him."

Tan Dong sighed. "What jianghu people? To put it plainly, they're all from the various gangs in Dancing Elephant City's outer city. Every year at this time, they come to pay respects to my father."

Zhao Ya was somewhat surprised.

Just who was Tan Dong's father, to make all the major gangs of the outer city come and visit him?

As he was pondering this, he heard footsteps outside. Then an elderly man with a lean build entered the room.

The old man was nearly sixty, but he had taken good care of himself. He looked very much like a shrewd head shopkeeper.

Behind him followed a young man whose features bore a faint resemblance to Tan Dong's. However, he was far more burly than Tan Dong and carried an imposing air in every movement.

Zhao Ya especially noticed that the man's hands were iron-gray, and his fingers were short and thick. He had clearly trained in a martial art similar to Iron Sand Palm.

As Zhao Ya considered this, he quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "My name is Zhao Ya. Greetings, Uncle Tan."

The old man studied Zhao Ya carefully for a moment, then raised his thumb in praise.

"What a valiant and handsome young man. No wonder Second Son kept mentioning you after I returned home. You truly are extraordinary."

"You flatter me, Uncle."

"Hahaha, this must be Miss Zui'er. She is indeed a lovely young lady. You two are truly a perfect match."

Tang Zuier blushed shyly and gave a respectful curtsy, but she did not dare speak.

"Come, it's rare for things to be this lively today. Let's have a good drink," Tan Ziwang said with a smile.

The food had long been prepared. Once everyone was seated, cups of wine were raised and exchanged.

Only after three rounds of drinks did Zhao Ya learn that Tan Dong's father was named Tan Ziwang, while the burly man was Tan Dong's older brother, Tan Bin.

The father and son had been working in the inner city all this time and could not return easily.

At that moment, Tan Ziwang set down his wine cup and looked at Zhao Ya with a smile.

"I heard that, Xiao Ya, you've already reached major completion in Bone Forging?"

"Yes."

"Mm. Reaching this level of cultivation at your age is quite impressive. Second Son also told me that you've recently been worrying over exotic beast flesh. Is that right?"

Zhao Ya knew the real matter had arrived. He set down his chopsticks and nodded solemnly.

"That's right. Ever since I reached major completion in Bone Forging, my need for exotic beast flesh has greatly increased. I've been worrying about it ever since."

Tan Ziwang asked, "Then roughly how much do you need?"

"At least twenty taels of earthworm jerky per month."

Four strips of earthworm jerky made up one tael. Under normal circumstances, Zhao Ya needed at least three strips a day, which came to twenty-two and a half taels of earthworm jerky a month.

That was still a conservative estimate, but with the lunch provided by the escort agency, it would barely be enough.

"Twenty taels of earthworm jerky..." Tan Ziwang pondered for a moment, then said,

"How about this? From now on, I can provide you with twenty-five taels of earthworm jerky every month. Will that be enough?"

Zhao Ya's eyes lit up. "At what price?"

Zhao Ya had long known that Tan Dong's father had a source for earthworm jerky, and it should be cheaper than the ghost market.

That was what Zhao Ya cared about most.

With his level of consumption, even a difference of one mace of silver per tael of jerky would be no small sum.

Tan Ziwang smiled faintly. Instead of answering directly, he asked, "The jerky you buy at the ghost market should cost three taels of silver per tael, correct?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I can't give you all that jerky for free, but how about I charge you one tael of silver per tael?"

Zhao Ya was instantly invigorated. He looked at Tan Ziwang in disbelief.

One tael of silver per tael was a price Zhao Ya could never have imagined.

This was no longer merely a discount. It was practically a clearance sale at giveaway prices.

But Zhao Ya quickly calmed down and asked in a deep voice, "What do you need me to do?"

Seeing Zhao Ya remain so calm, Tan Ziwang's face showed appreciation.

"No wonder you've achieved so much at such a young age, Xiao Ya. You truly are clever."

"But don't overthink it. The first reason I'm helping you is that your relationship with Second Son is exceptionally close. You count as one of my juniors, so naturally, I'll help where I can."