Qingbei Town

Great Zhou Martial Kingdom.

Border of the Southern Domain.

Qingbei Town.

About a mile outside of town stood a mountain named 'White Dwarf Mountain.' At its summit was a dilapidated, abandoned Mountain God Temple.

Morning.

The weather was clear and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky.

Xu Qing's clothes were ragged, and his hair was long and unwashed, emitting a sour stench. He was clearly a young beggar.

He could only find a patch of open ground near the Mountain God Temple to bury his grandfather, Nine Fingers. He had wrapped the body in a tattered straw mat and erected a wooden tombstone, on which the inscription was carved with stones.

Tomb of Grandfather Nine Fingers.

"Grandpa."

Xu Qing stood up, gazing at the tombstone, a trace of sadness appearing on his face. But he quickly cheered up. "I have to go now. I'll come back to see you next time, and I'll get you a coffin made of golden nanmu then."

As he spoke.

Xu Qing faced the rising sun. The sunlight cast his shadow long, and his hair also seemed to gleam with a faint golden light.

Xu Qing descended the mountain.

The mile-long road wasn't far. He soon arrived at the city gate of Qingbei Town. About twenty to thirty meters from the gate, the eldest daughter of the Jiang Family in Qingbei Town, 'Jiang Feiying,' was distributing congee.

"The eldest daughter of the Jiang Family is truly a good person!"

"Indeed!"

"She's been distributing congee here for three days. Who knows how many refugees and beggars have survived thanks to Miss Jiang's kind charity."

"..."

Xu Qing heard many people discussing. He looked up and indeed saw a beautiful and delicate young lady wiping sweat from her face as she handed out congee to beggars.

For the sixteen years of Xu Qing's life, he had been wandering with his grandfather, Nine Fingers, never settling down and rarely staying in one place for more than a year.

He had been abandoned by his parents at birth due to his underdeveloped intellect, but he was rescued and raised by his grandfather, Nine Fingers. It wasn't until his grandfather passed away yesterday that Xu Qing suddenly awakened his past life's memories.

Previous life.

Xu Qing was a self-made millionaire on Earth. In his later years, he suffered greatly from illness and died in a hospital bed, lamenting the brevity of life and the fleeting nature of a mortal's hundred years.

He never expected to be reincarnated into this world with his past life's memories.

Just as Xu Qing awakened his past life's memories, a special silver codex appeared in his mind. It resembled a silver token, with the words 'Omni' engraved on the front and 'Codex' on the back.

It was called: The Omni-Codex.

It could collect all things in the world to upgrade and strengthen itself.

Xu Qing wasn't quite sure how to operate it yet.

He had tried to study it, but there was no reaction. Perhaps the time wasn't right?

At this moment.

Xu Qing had arrived at the city gate of Qingbei Town and was queuing to enter.

Three months ago.

Xu Qing had come to Qingbei Town with his grandfather, Nine Fingers, and they had lived in the dilapidated, abandoned Mountain God Temple. He had gradually learned about Qingbei Town.

The Jiang Family.

One of the three major aristocratic families in Qingbei Town, they primarily controlled the town's leather and fabric business. They had started as 'cloth merchants' and gradually reached their current position.

The other two families were the He Family and the Nangong Family.

The He Family mainly managed the rice and meat business in Qingbei Town, while the Nangong Family had a more significant background, seemingly connected to the government. They were Qingbei Town's sole salt merchants.

It could be said.

The three major families were the three pillars of Qingbei Town.

Finally.

There were the Town Mayor and the Yamen of Qingbei Town.

All the other various forces, big and small, survived by relying on these pillars.

"Stop."

At the city gate.

It was Xu Qing's turn in the queue.

According to regulations.

Bandits and rebels were not allowed to enter the city. Beggars and refugees needed to pay an entry fee, and they were not allowed to stay within the city at night unless they had lodging.

"You're a beggar, right? Pay the fee."

The guard sized up Xu Qing, who was in ragged clothes with messy hair and emitting a sour stench, and gestured towards a wooden box nearby. "Three copper coins for beggars to enter the city."

"Okay."

Xu Qing nodded. He took out three copper coins from his pocket and placed them into the wooden box. Only then did the guard give Xu Qing a wooden token.

"This is your city entry token. Keep it safe and don't lose it. It'll be checked when you leave the city. If you lose it, you'll have to pay another three copper coins."

The guard kindly reminded him.

"Thank you, sir."

Xu Qing lowered his head.

"You can go in."

The guard waved his hand.

"..."

Xu Qing lowered his head and entered the city.

"Next."

The guard's voice came from behind him.

Inside the city.

It was mainly divided into the outer city and the inner city.

The inner city was basically where officials, nobles, wealthy merchants, and martial artists lived. After entering the city, Xu Qing could only be active in the outer city; he was not qualified to enter the inner city.

The outer city was naturally where ordinary merchants, as well as some gangs and martial arts schools, resided. Most of the residents were ordinary commoners.

This time.

Xu Qing's purpose for entering the city was very simple.

First.

Xu Qing wanted to make money.

Second.

Xu Qing wanted to join a martial arts school.

In times of chaos.

If you wanted to live well, become someone superior, and be respected by others, the only way for ordinary people in this world was to 'practice martial arts'.

As long as one mastered martial arts, there was a chance to become a superior person.

As for 'studying'?

That was even harder than practicing martial arts. Studying was a privilege only for officials and nobles. For ordinary people in such chaotic times, studying was an unimaginable luxury.

"There are quite a few martial arts schools in the outer city, but only three are relatively famous: Crimson Eagle Martial Arts School, Crushing Stone Martial Arts School, and Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

"Crimson Eagle Martial Arts School generally only accepts women and teaches martial arts that are more suitable for females. Crushing Stone Martial Arts School has some requirements regarding background and talent."

"Only Azure Hawk Martial Arts School is different. It doesn't ask about your background or origin. As long as you pay the money, you can enter Azure Hawk Martial Arts School and practice martial arts there."

"However, the price..."

While thinking, Xu Qing arrived at the entrance of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

"What beggar is this? You dare to beg at our Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

At the entrance.

Two burly young men stood straight, exuding a fierce aura. Upon seeing Xu Qing, they immediately frowned and glared at him, even preparing to make a move.

Creak!

Just then.

The main gate of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School was pushed open, and a young man with a square face strode out. He walked with imposing confidence and an extraordinary presence.

"Senior Disciple Brother."

"Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother."

The two burly young men immediately restrained their expressions and bowed respectfully to the young man with the square face, their tone very deferential.

"Mm."

The young man with the square face merely nodded slightly, his gaze involuntarily falling on Xu Qing.

"What beggar is this?"

The Senior Disciple Brother with the square face said unhurriedly.

"Ah! Senior Disciple Brother! I'll drive him away right now!"

One of the burly young men jolted.

"No need."

The Senior Disciple Brother with the square face raised his hand to stop the burly young man. Instead, he sized up Xu Qing with interest, "Why have you come to our Azure Hawk Martial Arts School?"

"I want to join the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

Xu Qing asked, "How much silver do I need?"

"Hahaha..."

Unable to help himself, the other burly young man burst out laughing, his tone full of mockery. "This is hilarious! You, a beggar, dare to say you want to join our Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

"Pfft..."

The other burly young man also couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Shut up," the Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face snorted coldly. "Although our Azure Hawk Martial Arts School doesn't have strict requirements, even if you're missing an arm or a leg, as long as you can afford the tuition, you can join our Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

"But,"

"Our tuition is ten taels of silver a month, and there's no guarantee that we'll truly teach you anything, or what you'll ultimately achieve. It all depends on you."

"So,"

"Do you have ten taels of silver?"

"N-no..." Xu Qing lowered his head.

"..."

The two burly young men were still trying to suppress their laughter. To them, a penniless beggar aspiring to join the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School was pure fantasy, the biggest joke they'd heard all year.

"You can't join the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School without money," the Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face chuckled. "However, I can recommend a place where you might have the chance to earn ten taels of silver in the shortest amount of time."

"Where?" Xu Qing asked.

"Underground bare-knuckle boxing."

The Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face said, "In this world, if you want to make money, you have to risk your life. And some people don't even have the chance to risk their lives."

"So, are you going or not?" the Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face asked.

"I'll go." After a moment of thought, Xu Qing nodded solemnly.

"Then follow me." The Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face walked straight ahead, passing by Xu Qing, who quickly followed.

"This..."

And so, only the two Azure Hawk Martial Arts School disciples were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

"You must be wondering why I'm helping you," the Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face said along the way.

"Respected sir, it is my lifelong honor that you would help me," Xu Qing said, keeping his head down.

"Hahaha..." The Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face burst out laughing. "You speak quite interestingly. You don't sound like an ordinary beggar at all."

"..." Xu Qing remained silent.

"I'm not exactly helping you," the Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face continued. "You look a bit like my late brother. If he were still alive, he'd be about your age."

"That underground bare-knuckle boxing ring is one I opened. Some things happened recently, leading to the deaths of quite a few fighters there, and we're lacking new blood."

"And your condition is passable."

"So, do you understand?"

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. It is my good fortune to be valued by you," Xu Qing said.

"Interesting."

The Senior Disciple Brother with the Square Face chuckled again. "Now I actually hope you don't get beaten to death. Also, my name is Huo Yi."

"Xu Qing pays his respects to Lord Huo Yi."

Xu Qing bowed again.

"I hope you'll have the chance to call me Senior Disciple Brother," Huo Yi said.

"I will certainly not fail to live up to your expectations," Xu Qing replied.