Qin Geng went back to his shack, wheeled out his rickshaw again, and headed to Xun River Wharf to pick up fares.
Earning money was one reason. More importantly, he wanted to keep grinding experience in the [Carriage Driver] trade.
With the Book of a Hundred Trades at his side, the talents of multiple trades could accumulate, layer upon layer. That was the true foundation for making a life, the confidence that let him stand straight in this man-eating world.
But things were now worlds apart from how they had once been.
As his rickshaw rolled onto the bluestone road at Xun River Wharf, the Dragon King Society porters carrying loads and the carriage drivers pulling rickshaws stopped working as soon as they saw him coming. Even from a distance, they greeted him respectfully.
"Fifth Master, out pulling fares today?"
"Fifth Master, fancy a pipe?"
And out on his rounds, the greetings were warmer still.
From South City to North City, from West City to East City, no matter which district a driver came from, if he ran into Qin Geng on the street, he stopped and called out, "Fifth Master."
There was respect in that title, and fear.
Qin Geng put on no airs. He nodded when a nod was due and answered when someone called. Now and then, if he met an acquaintance, he stopped for a few words.
But Qin Geng knew all that was hollow.
The real foundation was his own strength.
If he lost his abilities, everyone except the elders from the shacks would be quick to trample him.
The winter sun hung lazily overhead, offering little warmth.
Qin Geng had just finished a fare at the wharf and was resting against his rickshaw handles when a familiar figure came down the gangplank of a