The Little Ledger

At noon, the sunlight was just right, suffused with a gentle warmth.

Beneath the peach tree, beside the stone table, Jiang Chen held a book and read it carefully, looking utterly absorbed. It was neither a martial arts manual nor some mysterious Daoist scripture, merely a travelogue written by a wealthy young master, titled Wandering the Ends of the Earth. It recorded some of the customs and sights of the Nanjing Kingdom, along with fantastical tales of fox demons and snake spirits.

Jiang Chen had specifically sent his men to collect it so he could learn as much as possible about the outside world. There were several similar books, but most were written in a haze, detached from reality—filled with endless chance encounters and beauties throwing themselves into the author's arms, nothing but wishful fantasies. This Wandering the Ends of the Earth, on the other hand, had some genuine substance, and Jiang Chen read it with great relish.

What Zhao Er saw when he followed Stone into the small courtyard was precisely this scene. He was not truly unfamiliar with Jiang Wang. As Zhao Meng's trusted confidant, he naturally knew about Jiang Wang, one of the major leaders. Back when Jiang Wang had joined the River-Sweeping Bandits and fallen under the Third Boss's banner, Zhao Er had even dealt with him several times. This very residence had been arranged for Jiang Wang by him.

Yet as he looked at Jiang Wang now, bathed in sunlight and absorbed in his book, Zhao Er felt a strange sense of familiar unfamiliarity. The man was still the same man, unchanged in the slightest, yet his bearing had undergone an inexplicable transformation.

To Zhao Er, the former Jiang Wang had seemed cold and aloof, but beneath that exterior lay an air of obsession and madness. The Jiang Wang before him now seemed completely changed. His aura was calm, and from the inside out, he exuded composure.

Looking at Jiang Wang like this, Zhao Er could not help feeling somewhat ashamed of himself.

Perhaps someone like him should not be in this bandits' den. He and I—no, we—are not the same kind of people.

For no reason at all, this thought surfaced in Zhao Er's heart.

It was at that moment that Jiang Chen put down his book and looked over.

Their eyes met, and Zhao Er unconsciously lowered his gaze.

"Fourth Boss, these are gifts the Third Boss asked me to deliver..."

His attitude had subtly changed as he presented the gifts he had prepared in advance.

Jiang Chen had yet to react, but Stone, standing nearby, shot Zhao Er a surprised glance. Word had already spread among the River-Sweeping Bandits that Jiang Chen was about to become the Fourth Boss. So long as nothing unexpected happened, once Jiang Chen broke through to first-rate and completed his three-year term guarding the Gold Sand Mine, he would naturally take that seat. But the matter had not yet been set in stone, and no one openly addressed Jiang Chen as Fourth Boss.

This man is good at currying favor.

As that thought arose, Stone withdrew his gaze, a vague unease stirring within him.

At the same time, Jiang Chen looked thoughtfully at the many gifts Zhao Er had presented.

He had never personally dealt with Zhao Meng, the Third Boss. However, according to the memories of the previous Jiang Wang, the man was a true tiger and wolf—narrow-minded, harsh, and ungrateful, not someone easy to get along with. His behavior today was rather unusual.

Yet whatever Jiang Chen thought, he did not show it.

"Brother Zhao, please sit."

With a smile on his face, Jiang Chen made a welcoming gesture. Since the other man had lowered himself so much, he did not mind being more courteous in return.

Seeing Jiang Chen like this, Zhao Er hesitated briefly before sitting down with a smile.

At the same time, Stone, as though he had suddenly caught on, immediately served tea for the two of them and brought over two plates of pastries.

"Fourth Boss, here is the matter..."

After exchanging a few words and waiting until the atmosphere had warmed, Zhao Er relayed Zhao Meng's message, polishing it up considerably as he did so. All the while, he watched for changes in Jiang Chen's expression, looking rather cautious.

In response, Jiang Chen merely thanked the Third Boss for his concern. He displayed nothing else, and it was impossible to tell whether he was pleased or angered.

Seeing this, Zhao Er could only take his leave helplessly. He did not know why, but sitting at the same table as Jiang Chen always made him feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

"Ah, I only hope things do not head in the worst possible direction. I keep feeling that this man is not as simple as he appears..."

After walking out through the courtyard gate, Zhao Er could not help letting out a sigh.

Before coming here, he had indeed planned to be more courteous, but only to treat Jiang Wang as an equal. At a critical moment, he could even afford to be a little forceful, since he represented Zhao Meng, the Third Boss. Although Jiang Wang had earned the First Boss's favor, he had not yet reached that point.

In terms of strength, Jiang Wang was only evenly matched with him. Even if he broke through to first-rate in the future, catching up to the Third Boss would still not be easy. After all, the Third Boss's Seven-Injury Fist was exceptionally suited for deadly combat. Yet after truly meeting Jiang Wang, Zhao Er had unconsciously changed his attitude.

After Zhao Er left, Jiang Chen lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"The taste of this tea is indeed somewhat off..."

As he carefully savored the tea and recalled what Zhao Er had just said, Jiang Chen understood that there were likely quite a few shady dealings within the Gold Sand Mine, and that they were deeply connected to Zhao Meng, the Third Boss.

Yet after only a moment's thought, Jiang Chen put the matter out of his mind. It seemed troublesome, but was actually simple. There was no other reason: he was stronger than Zhao Meng, the Third Boss.

With his current strength, among the River-Sweeping Bandits, the only person worthy of his attention was Ironman Tu, the First Boss. As for the rest, so long as he did not fall into a trap or become surrounded and hunted, he did not care about them.

"The news that Zhao Er visited me on the Third Boss's behalf should spread soon. It will serve as a clear signal that I am truly separating from the Third Boss's banner."

"Stone, find an opportunity to spread word of the few things I am looking for."

His gaze fell upon the gifts Zhao Er had brought. With a shift in thought, Jiang Chen casually gave the order.

The four essentials of cultivation were wealth, companions, methods, and a place. At present, the only one Jiang Chen truly possessed was methods. His cultivation speed might not seem slow, but that was largely because of his outstanding talent. If he wished to advance faster and more steadily, wealth was indispensable. Indeed, he needed even more of it than ordinary cultivators.

Because his talent was exceptional, he could make more efficient use of resources and cultivate more methods. Though the River-Sweeping Bandits were merely a band of river bandits, their profits were truly substantial. That could be seen from Zhao Er's gifts. Aside from a bottle of pills, he had also brought an eastern pearl, a piece of green jade, and a century-old ginseng.

The first two were both rare treasures of considerable value. The latter was an even rarer treasure for martial artists, greatly replenishing one's blood and qi and benefiting cultivation.

Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Stone froze for a moment, then hurriedly nodded.

"Remember to keep one ledger for those who gave gifts, and another for those who did not."

Jiang Chen swept Stone with his gaze and added another instruction. Those who gave gifts might not necessarily be truly close to him, but those who did not were certainly not close to him. It was important to distinguish insiders from outsiders when handling matters.

At this, Stone bowed once more and acknowledged the order.