Entering the City (1 / 2)

"Martial arts... all right!"

At Zhao Er's mention of martial arts, Zhao Dazhu fell silent for a long while before finally gritting his teeth and agreeing.

He had originally brought up finding Zhao Er a wife to put an end to his son's desire to practice martial arts, but now it seemed that would not work.

"Then I'll go to the county town with you tomorrow. I'll borrow some silver from your eldest brother. If all else fails, ten taels should be enough to get you into a martial arts school."

"But once you go to a school in town, you won't be able to catch these centipedes in the mountains anymore. Without that silver coming in, I'm afraid your training will suffer."

"How about you teach me how to get into the mountains, second son? I'll go catch those centipedes!"

Having agreed, Zhao Dazhu put down his bowl and chopsticks and began quietly making plans.

Zhao Dazhu had never studied or practiced martial arts. He had spent his whole life scratching a living from the soil, but he treated both his sons exceptionally well.

He had sent his eldest son to school, going deep into debt to do so. It was only after his eldest son married that the money was finally repaid.

Now, seeing how firmly his second son wanted to learn martial arts, he could not bear to refuse. Not only was he willing to give him the family's savings, he even intended to risk entering the mountains. Even with Zhao Er showing him the route, that was work where nine out of ten men might never return alive.

Listening to Zhao Dazhu's plans, Zhao Er was deeply moved. Alone in his previous life, when had he ever experienced such family warmth? Even though he had transmigrated here, it was hard not to see this as his true home.

"Dad, there's no need for that. Training at a martial arts school is too expensive. I was thinking of practicing on my own. I already spoke to my eldest brother last time and asked him to find a cultivation manual for me. If he can't find a suitable one, I'll buy one."

So Zhao Er rejected his father's suggestion without a moment's hesitation.

"Practicing on your own is far too dangerous, after all... never mind. Discuss it with your eldest brother tomorrow."

Zhao Dazhu had wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Zhao Er's earnest expression, he knew he would not change his mind. He sighed and said no more.

Seeing that her husband had stopped trying to persuade him, Zhang Xuan'e silently set down her bowl and chopsticks and went into the bedroom. Before long, she returned with a money pouch and pressed it into Zhao Er's hand.

"Keep this money safe. Your mother doesn't understand any of this. I only want you to stay safe and sound."

"I will!"

Holding the heavy pouch and listening to the weight of his mother's words, Zhao Er nodded firmly.

"Second Brother, Second Brother, take these! I found them while playing at the village entrance. I haven't told anyone."

Just then, little Zhao Shan produced two copper coins from somewhere, their surfaces polished slightly bright from handling, and solemnly placed them in Zhao Er's hand.

"All right. Once I become a martial artist, I'll send you to school, Shan."

Zhao Er did not reject his little sister's kindness. He simply put those two copper coins away separately.

Early the next morning, Zhao Er arrived at the village entrance carrying a large sack. Huzi and his father were already waiting there with a wheelbarrow.

"There's still room on the barrow. Put your sack on it."

Huzi's father had hair that was already half gray, and he was thin and dark-skinned, but there was a shrewd gleam in his eyes. Seeing the large sack Zhao Er carried, he could not help giving it another look.

"All right. Sorry for the trouble, Uncle!"

Zhao Er did not refuse and put the large sack straight onto the wheelbarrow.

Naturally, it contained the centipedes he had already dried in the sun. They were not heavy, but they took up space and were awkward to carry. Putting them on the barrow was fine; a few bumps would not damage them.

Once Zhao Er had secured the sack, the three followed the only main road leading out of the village. Not long after leaving, they reached a fork: one road led to the market town, the other to the county town.

The road to the county town was considerably easier to travel. All three were village men, and even with the wheelbarrow, they made good time. As they walked, Huzi kept chatting with Zhao Er about what the county town was like, but spoke very little with his father.

The county town was just over twenty li from Zhao Village. Taking turns pushing the wheelbarrow, the three walked for roughly an hour and a half before finally seeing its towering walls.

There were no real surprises along the way. After all, the three were dressed unmistakably as farmers. After pushing a wheelbarrow for more than twenty li, they were covered in dust and plainly looked like there was little fat to skim off them.

They were delayed only a little while queuing to enter the town. At other times, no one even gave them a second glance.

"Wow, so many people! It's so lively, and those buildings are huge! Dad, where's Uncle's shop?"

Once inside the county town, Huzi gazed at the bustling streets and the endless stream of people. Thinking that he would soon be living here, he could not help urging his father on.

"The shop is beside the East Street market. I'll lead the way. You two push the barrow and follow me. Be careful not to bump into anyone important."

Huzi's father became much more cautious after entering town. After that warning, he led the way.

The county town was indeed bustling and prosperous. Blue-gray flagstones paved the broad, tidy streets.

Shops lined the streets, offering everything from ready-made clothes and silk to sundries and rouge, swords and paintings, restaurants and taverns. Besides martial artists carrying all kinds of weapons, plenty of peddlers hawked their wares from shoulder poles or wheelbarrows.

It took nearly a quarter of an hour to reach the East Street market from the town gate. At last, Huzi's father led the two to a stop outside an apothecary.

"Dazhu's boy, please watch the barrow for us. I'll take Huzi inside to find his second uncle."

After speaking to Zhao Er, Huzi's father wiped the sweat from his face, stamped his feet, and looked down at his shoes before taking Huzi into the shop.

Zhao Er watched them enter, then stood beside the wheelbarrow and waited, taking the opportunity to study the apothecary.

The apothecary stood right beside a leather goods shop. Its frontage was small, with two floors and a sign reading Hundred Herbs Hall. There was probably a courtyard behind it as well.

The East Street market had plenty of foot traffic, yet no one entered the apothecary for quite some time. The leather goods shop beside it, however, had a steady flow of customers.

Looks like Huzi's second uncle isn't doing much business. Is that why he wants to train Huzi, to strengthen the apothecary's core competitiveness?

Studying the apothecary, Zhao Er silently pondered as he waited.

"You must be Master Zhao. The proprietor invites you inside. Just leave these to me."

Zhao Er did not have to wait long. An assistant came out of the apothecary, saluted him with cupped hands, then gestured for him to enter.

"All right!"

Zhao Er nodded, lifted the sack off the wheelbarrow, and walked straight into the apothecary.

Inside, Huzi's father stood beside a middle-aged man in a long robe, while Huzi stood respectfully to one side.

From the smile on Huzi's face, however, Zhao Er could tell that they must have settled matters already.

"Young Brother Zhao Er, I'm Zhao Cai, the humble proprietor of Hundred Herbs Hall. My elder brother says you have Golden-Clawed Heavenly Dragons to sell?"

As soon as Zhao Er entered, the middle-aged man glanced at the large sack and went straight to the point without much ceremony.

"Proprietor Zhao, take a look at the goods first, then please give me a price!"

Since Zhao Cai dispensed with the pleasantries, Zhao Er was all the happier to do the same. He opened the sack at once and gestured for him to inspect it.

They had only just met and knew nothing about each other. There was no need for excessive warmth; keeping business strictly business was more appropriate.