Arrangement

Inside the room.

Lamplight fell across Wang Shouyi's face, dimming some of his usual merchant's smoothness and revealing a rare solemnity instead.

He looked at Lu Chen, his tone heavier than usual. "Lu Chen, starting today, your compensation will be increased."

"Your monthly salary will rise from six taels to twenty taels."

"Additionally, Wang Firm will provide you with ten Blood-Qi Powder pills each month for your cultivation."

Twenty taels a month.

Ten Blood-Qi Powder pills.

His compensation had increased severalfold at once.

Even Lu Chen could not help but be stunned.

"Twenty taels plus ten Blood-Qi Powder pills?"

He had not expected Wang Shouyi to make such a generous offer the moment he opened his mouth.

Twenty taels in monthly pay plus ten Blood-Qi Powder pills amounted to a full forty taels in monthly expenses.

Even Zhao Yiting, who had been with Wang Firm for five years, might not have received such compensation.

Wang Shouyi said, "What, is it too little?"

Lu Chen immediately clasped his fists. "Shopkeeper, you misunderstand. It is simply that this compensation is too generous. I am overwhelmed by such favor."

"Generous?"

Wang Shouyi shook his head. "If we looked only at your current strength at the minor Blood-Moving realm, then yes, it would be generous."

"But that is not all this old man sees."

His gaze rested on Lu Chen, his eyes filled with admiration he could not conceal.

"You have only joined Wang Firm for two months, yet not only have you broken through to the minor realm, you have also earned Qiao Yuan's appreciation."

"Among Wang Firm's guards, you are the finest."

"A martial artist as young and promising as you, with such exceptional talent and boundless potential—if this old man still measured you by the compensation of an ordinary minor Blood-Moving martial artist, then I would truly be blind."

Even Lu Chen felt somewhat lightheaded from those words.

He took a deep breath and solemnly clasped his fists. "Thank you, Shopkeeper Wang."

"Lu Chen will never disappoint Wang Firm's high regard."

Wang Shouyi nodded in satisfaction.

Clearly, Wang Shouyi's arrangements were meant to nurture Lu Chen. He even regarded him as Qiao Yuan's future successor, as Wang Firm's new pillar that would steady the seas.

Then he put away his smile, lowering his voice again as he gave a most solemn reminder.

"However, Lu Chen, do not spread word of your breakthrough to the minor realm for now."

Lu Chen looked at Wang Shouyi and waited for him to continue.

Wang Shouyi's gaze deepened as he went on. "No one knows that you broke through to the minor realm so quickly. No one knows that Wang Firm has gained another minor Blood-Moving martial artist."

"I want you to become one of Wang Firm's hidden cards. Perhaps you may serve an unexpected purpose in the future!"

"Do you understand?"

Lu Chen nodded.

He understood Wang Shouyi's arrangement.

It was nothing more than concealing his strength and catching others unprepared.

Wang Shouyi continued, "When you collect your monthly salary from the accounts office, continue collecting the same amount as before. I will give you the remainder privately."

"Also, I will arrange for you to go to Scarlet Cloud Mountain Herb Garden."

Lu Chen was slightly startled. "The herb garden?"

"Correct."

Wang Shouyi nodded. "Winter is when snow wolves appear, and the herb garden needs more hands."

"Besides, going there will let you avoid the eyes in the county city and cultivate in peace."

Lu Chen nodded. "Shopkeeper, your arrangements are thorough."

After spending a day preparing at the Yam Herb Shop, Lu Chen packed his luggage and set out the next day.

The chill in Scarlet Cloud County grew heavier, and pedestrians all hunched their necks as they hurried along.

By the time Lu Chen left the city and followed the mountain path toward Scarlet Cloud Mountain, the sky had grown increasingly overcast.

Halfway there, snowflakes began to drift down.

At first, there were only a few scattered flakes, melting into wet marks when they landed on his shoulders. Later, the snowfall gradually thickened, and the dead grass and branches on either side of the mountain path slowly took on a layer of white.

A cold wind blew from the mountain pass, cutting across his cheeks like knives.

Yet Lu Chen did not feel cold.

He was now at the minor Blood-Moving realm. His qi and blood flowed through his body like a stream, circulating through its cycle and warming him all over. The moment the chill slipped beneath his collar, the heat within him dispelled most of it.

He walked step by step along the mountain road, his footprints pressing into the thin snow with faint crunching sounds.

By dusk, Lu Chen finally caught sight of Scarlet Cloud Mountain Herb Garden.

The herb garden was built against the mountain. People in thick fur coats stood watch atop two watchtowers. Inside, rows of medicinal fields were covered with straw mats and bamboo shelters to keep frost and snow from freezing the herbs.

From afar, the white snow, herb shelters, and wooden towers interwove together, giving it something of the air of a mountain stronghold.

The guards at the entrance recognized Lu Chen and immediately called out with smiles, "Guard Lu is here!"

Ever since Lu Chen defeated Liu Heng that night, he had become a subject of discussion in the herb garden. Everyone knew of him.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a thick cotton robe strode out to greet him.

It was Wang Zhong, the herb garden's leader.

The moment Wang Zhong saw Lu Chen, a hearty smile spread across his face. From far away, he clasped his fists and said, "Haha, Brother Lu, we meet again so soon!"

Lu Chen smiled and returned the gesture. "Leader Wang, I'll be troubling you during this time."

"Not at all!"

Wang Zhong stepped forward and gave Lu Chen's shoulder a hearty pat. "Shopkeeper Wang has already sent someone to inform me. Brother Lu, once you are here, just focus on cultivating in peace."

As he spoke, a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes. "A hero truly rises from youth."

Lu Chen modestly replied, "Leader Wang, you praise me too highly."

"Come, I'll show you where you'll be staying first."

Wang Zhong turned and pointed into the garden.

"I've already arranged your lodging. It is in that small courtyard to the east, near the back mountain. It is very quiet. Other than those who patrol the mountain, no one usually goes there."

"We have also prepared the medicinal ingredients you need for martial arts practice in advance. Whenever you need anything, just tell me."

"And there is another benefit to coming here—there will be all the medicinal wine you can drink!"

Lu Chen's face brightened at those words. "Then thank you, Leader Wang."

Wang Firm's medicinal wine could invigorate the blood and strengthen the qi. Drinking a few cups each day was quite beneficial to the circulation of qi and blood.

After entering the herb garden, Lu Chen settled into the small eastern courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, but it was wonderfully quiet. Beyond the house lay the mountain forest, snow weighing down the pine branches. Occasionally, accumulated snow rustled down, making faint sounds in the night. In the distance, the medicinal fields were covered by straw mats, while rows of bamboo shelters lay low in the snow like the spines of sleeping beasts.

That night, a bonfire was raised in the center of the herb garden.

The flames burned brightly. Dry firewood crackled, and sparks were swept up by the cold wind before quickly vanishing into the night.

To welcome Lu Chen, Wang Zhong had specially led men into the mountains that morning to hunt a wild boar.

The boar had now been cleaned and gutted, slowly turning on a wooden rack. As the fire forced out its fat, it dripped onto the coals with a sizzling hiss.

A rich aroma of meat soon spread through the air.

Wang Zhong sat by the fire, a short knife in hand. He cut off a piece of golden-brown roasted meat and handed it to Lu Chen.

"Brother Lu, have a taste."

"Wild boars in the mountains are raised by heaven and earth. Their meat is full of strength. Eating it builds more strength than other meats."

Lu Chen accepted the roasted meat and took a bite.

The skin was crisp, the meat firm, and the flavor of coarse salt mixed with mountain pepper made it quite delicious.

"Truly fragrant!"

Lu Chen praised it sincerely.

Everyone shared the roasted meat, eating until their mouths glistened with grease, thoroughly satisfied.

After eating and drinking their fill, Wang Zhong told Lu Chen about some precautions for the mountains. "The mountains are not peaceful in winter either. Many wild beasts roam about."

"Especially those snow wolves that travel in packs."

"They are astonishingly strong, no weaker than an adult martial artist at the initial realm."

"And they appear in groups. Once they set their eyes on you, it will be nine deaths and only one chance at life."

"Lu Chen, stay in the herb garden and cultivate in peace for the time being. If you want to venture into the forest for a look around, perhaps hunt some game, tell me first."

"I know these mountains well. I know where the dangers are and where the prey can be found."

Lu Chen nodded. "Rest assured, Leader Wang. I know what I am doing and will not act rashly."