The house was indeed quite nice. It occupied a large plot, with more than enough room for two more maids.
An unfamiliar evergreen tree grew in the courtyard, with a well beside it that made daily water use convenient.
As for the claim that the Black Mist was thinner here, that was utter nonsense. Zhou Chen took a few deep breaths and found no difference in how quickly Mist Incense accumulated in his body.
Still, Zhou Chen was thoroughly satisfied. The price, though, made his heart ache: more than a hundred and twenty taels.
Fortunately, after some haggling, they settled on a hundred and ten taels.
Zhou Chen paid fifty taels up front and arranged to repay the rest in monthly installments.
His credit was good, and he worked for the Lian Household and trained at a martial arts school, so the seller had little reason to fear he would run off.
Once the contract was signed, the family moved in.
Zhou Chen had also taken on a mortgage in another world... But the broker certainly knew how to flatter him, saying over and over, "A six-tael monthly stipend is only your starting point, sir, not your limit. A Martial Warrior as capable as you deserves a house this grand."
After hearing that, it was hard not to be tempted.
On moving day, the neighbors eagerly lent a hand. As they carried things, one said with open envy, "Auntie Zhang, you're living the good life now, moving all the way to Flying Bear District! It's right next to the Inner City. The Black Mist is much thinner there than it is here."
"That's right!" another man said, tightening the ropes on the handcart before wiping the sweat from his brow. "I heard it's right by the Inner City wall. Even