You get what you pay for

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Brother Hou, there really is something I need your help with."

"Is it about Zhao Desheng? His case has already been closed. You don't need to worry anymore," Hou Fang replied softly.

Chen Shi'an was slightly surprised. "They found the killer?"

Hou Fang curled his lip. "Zhao Desheng died in the Outer City. Where would we find his killer? Wang Tianye was only trying to placate Zhao Desheng's younger sister.

"We found a habitual thief in the Outer City to take the fall and closed the case."

"That's good news."

A smile appeared on Chen Shi'an's face. "Brother Hou, I didn't come to see you about Zhao Desheng. It's something else."

"Something else?" Hou Fang looked puzzled.

Chen Shi'an cleared his throat. "Brother Hou, I want to join the Demon Hunting Team.

"But the Demon Hunting Team recruits from the City Guard Battalion. I came to ask whether you know a way for me to skip the City Guard Battalion and join the Demon Hunting Team directly."

"You want to join the Demon Hunting Team?"

Hou Fang looked astonished. "Joining the Demon Hunting Team means nine chances of death to one of survival. Don't you know that?"

At this, he shook his head repeatedly. "No! Brother Chen is gone. How can you join the Demon Hunting Team? If anything happened to you, what would your sister-in-law and niece do?

"Shi'an, I advise you to put this idea out of your head right away.

"I was planning to find you a good livelihood once I'd finished the work on my hands, so your family would have something to rely on.

"But your family's chili sauce is excellent. If you manage the business properly, it'll certainly be a fine way to make a living."

Seeing how firmly Hou Fang opposed it, Chen Shi'an hesitated briefly before saying quietly, "Brother Hou, there's something I have to tell you. Wang Tianye has set his sights on Tiantian."

Hou Fang's expression changed drastically. "Are you sure?"

Chen Shi'an nodded. "He came to my house himself. If Tiantian hadn't become the Stronghold's Reserve Divination Medium, he probably would have acted already."

"That beast!"

Hou Fang's brows knitted tightly. "Tiantian is already over ten this year. In a little over two years, she'll turn thirteen and have to step down as a medium."

Chen Shi'an continued, "You should have some idea what Wang Tianye is like. Once he's set his sights on someone, he won't let go easily.

"If all I do is sell chili sauce, once Tiantian steps down, I'll be nothing but meat on Wang Tianye's chopping block."

Hou Fang fell silent briefly. "Joining the Demon Hunting Team is indeed a way for ordinary people to improve their standing quickly.

"But the team's casualty rate exceeds sixty percent. Of the remaining forty percent, fewer than one in ten manage to rise above the crowd, let alone grow strong enough to stand against Wang Tianye."

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "I have no backing in the Stronghold. Growing strong enough to oppose Wang Tianye in just over two years simply isn't realistic.

"But I don't need to reach that level. I only want to get close to Fu Qingyang."

"You want to use Fu Qingyang's power against Wang Tianye?"

Hou Fang's eyebrows shot up. "That's certainly a good approach.

"Fu Qingyang and Wang Tianye have always been at odds, and he has the ability to stand against Wang Tianye.

"The crucial question is, why would Fu Qingyang help you?"

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "I can't guarantee he'll help me yet.

"But as long as I join the Demon Hunting Team, there's a good chance."

Hou Fang considered it briefly. "Are you sure you want to join the Demon Hunting Team?"

Chen Shi'an nodded firmly. "Right now, this is a path I have to take."

In truth, opposing Wang Tianye was only one reason he wanted to join the Demon Hunting Team.

More importantly, the team frequently traveled in and out of Windrise Stronghold, venturing through the Desolate Ruins.

His ultimate goal was to take Su Qingrou and Chen Tiantian out of the Desolate Ruins, so he first had to learn what lay within them.

Hou Fang was silent for several breaths. "In the past, I wouldn't have had any way to get you into the Demon Hunting Team.

"But there's an opportunity right now. The team is expanding and will recruit from the entire Stronghold, not just the City Guard Battalion."

"Really?" Delight appeared on Chen Shi'an's face.

Hou Fang added, "Don't celebrate too soon. The reason the Demon Hunting Team is suddenly expanding is the fighting at West Mountain Hollow.

"Right now, Flowing Stone Stronghold is fighting our Stronghold over the ironstone mine at West Mountain Hollow.

"Our Stronghold is at a disadvantage. All the team's new recruits will be sent to West Mountain Hollow to fight Flowing Stone Stronghold.

"When that happens, the team's casualty rate will only rise."

The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted. "That also makes it a good opportunity to earn merit and make a name for myself."

Hou Fang shook his head. "Your temperament really is worlds apart from Brother Chen's."

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Brother Hou, even if the Demon Hunting Team is expanding its recruitment, there must still be requirements, right?"

"Of course there are. If they recruited just anyone, wouldn't they only be sending them to their deaths at West Mountain Hollow?"

Hou Fang said quietly, "To join the Demon Hunting Battalion, you need at least fourth acquired stage strength, and someone has to recommend you."

Below Ranked Martial Artists were the nine acquired stages.

These nine acquired stages were classified by how much stone a person could lift.

Anyone who could lift a hundred-jin stone over their head with both hands was considered to have first acquired stage strength.

By the same measure, anyone who could lift a nine-hundred-jin stone over their head with both hands was at the ninth acquired stage.

In his previous life, lifting five hundred jin with both hands would have been a world record.

In this life, that amounted to only fifth acquired stage strength, just a little above the Demon Hunting Team's minimum requirement.

Chen Shi'an felt ashamed. In his previous life, he probably could have lifted a hundred jin if he'd strained with every ounce of strength he possessed. That would barely have put him at the first acquired stage, without even qualifying him to join the Demon Hunting Team.

Now, he was a First-Rank Martial Artist. Lifting a thousand-jin stone was no trouble at all.

"The fourth acquired stage?" Chen Shi'an frowned.

Hou Fang said softly, "You may be able to deal with Zhang Mazi with a few punches and kicks, but you should still be quite a way from the fourth acquired stage.

"Be honest with me. Exactly how strong are you now?"

Chen Shi'an hesitated briefly. "Lifting a three-hundred-jin stone shouldn't be a problem, but I haven't reached the fourth acquired stage yet."

Hou Fang considered it for a moment. "If I recommend you and swallow my pride to ask a few favors, I should be able to squeeze you into the team during this recruitment drive.

"But strength is what counts in the Demon Hunting Team. Your lack of it is a serious weakness. Even if you get in, your chances of survival will be much lower than everyone else's."

At this point, his expression turned solemn. "Are you certain you really want to join the Demon Hunting Team?"

Chen Shi'an nodded emphatically.

Hou Fang let out a long breath. "Fine. You're right. If you sit and wait for death, you'll only be meat on Wang Tianye's chopping block. Take your chances with the Demon Hunting Team, and perhaps you can fight your way to a sliver of hope.

"The recruitment expansion should be announced soon. Go home and train hard in the meantime.

"If you can lift a four-hundred-jin stone through your own strength, that would be best."

On the way home, Chen Shi'an bought several doses of anti-inflammatory medicine, both oral and topical.

Zhao Ling had made it through the most dangerous period, so these medicines could now be put to use.

"Shi'an, did you see Hou Fang?"

When Chen Shi'an returned home, Su Qingrou was soaking soybeans in the courtyard.

Chen Shi'an nodded. "I did. I saw Granny Hou, too."

Su Qingrou looked guilty. "Is she doing well? Since your elder brother was injured and confined to bed, I haven't visited her in over half a year."

Chen Shi'an smiled. "Don't worry, Sister-in-law. Granny is doing well. Now that Brother Hou has joined the City Guard Battalion, he can take good care of her."

Su Qingrou nodded. "Once E'na has learned the ropes, I'll find time to visit Granny."

At this, she remembered something and smiled. "Shi'an, I have to say, you've got a good eye.

"E'na is a clever girl, and she's good with her hands. I only have to explain something twice at most before she remembers it.

"At this rate, she should be able to make the chili sauce on her own in just a few days. You've found me a fine helper."

Chen Shi'an curled his lip. "That wasn't what you said the day I brought the two of them home."

Su Qingrou hurriedly glanced toward the kitchen. "Keep your voice down. If E'na hears you, she'll surely resent me."

Chen Shi'an laughed. "I'll go check on Zhao Ling."

Before he reached the door, a frail figure hurried out of the kitchen. It was Qin E'na.

She swiftly passed Chen Shi'an and entered the room.

"Qin E'na, do you have to be so dramatic? The moment you hear my voice, you rush out, terrified I'll gobble up your cousin?"

Irritated, Chen Shi'an shoved a large packet of medicine into Qin E'na's hands. "This is the oral medicine. Brew her a dose morning and night. Start using the topical medicine in two days, and change it once a day."

With that, he turned and walked toward his own room.

Behind him, Qin E'na snorted softly. "I may be a scrawny beanpole, but you're hardly any better. You've got a mean face."

"Still holding a grudge, are you? You haven't forgotten what happened at noon."

Chen Shi'an turned back with a smile. "You remember every slight but none of the kindness. If I hadn't taken you out of the Slave Market, who knows what Fatty Sun would have done to you?

"I wasn't expecting you to repay me by giving yourself to me, but surely you don't have to guard against me like a thief every day?"

Qin E'na snorted again. "Why should I be grateful? You only bought me because I was cheap!"

Chen Shi'an gave a long sigh. "Stubborn and ungrateful. You really do get what you pay for."

"Chen Shi'an, you bastard!" Qin E'na ground her teeth in fury.

But Chen Shi'an had already entered his room and slammed the door shut.

Su Qingrou shook her head helplessly and sighed inwardly. These two seem to have clashing fates. Getting them together may be rather difficult.

That evening, Chen Shi'an went to Qin E'na and Zhao Ling's room. Under the pretext of giving Zhao Ling a massage, he once again channeled origin force into her body.

Qin E'na stood nearby, still guarding against Chen Shi'an as though he were a thief, her face stiff and her eyes refusing to meet his.

"Not even a thank-you now?"

Having exhausted his origin force, Chen Shi'an got off the bed with a smile.

Qin E'na replied coldly, "When I thanked you before, you didn't care at all.

"I'm not going to press a warm face against a cold backside."

Chen Shi'an's smile remained. "Your thanks were grudging, without a shred of sincerity.

"How was that gratitude? You were handing out charity."

Qin E'na frowned. "Then what sort of thanks would you consider sincere?"

"Sincerity comes from the heart. It doesn't have any particular form."

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "Your mouth says thank you, but your heart is full of suspicion and scrutiny. Thanks like that aren't worth a coin."

Qin E'na raised her voice slightly. "Don't think I don't know what's going through your mind. You men are all the same!

"You're saying I'm not sincere because you want me to thank you some other way, aren't you?"

"Such as giving yourself to me?"

Chen Shi'an curled his lip. "It seems you still haven't fully grasped your situation. You're a slave I bought from the Slave Market. Everything about you belongs to me.

"If I wanted your body, I could have it anytime, anywhere!"

Qin E'na's face flushed red, but she had no answer.

A smile returned to Chen Shi'an's face. "But you're as skinny as a beanpole. Even touching you would hurt my hands. I haven't the slightest interest in you."

With that, he turned his back on Qin E'na and strode away.

Qin E'na panted with anger, but there was nothing she could do.

In the days that followed, Chen Shi'an continued diligently practicing his saber draws while waiting for news of the Demon Hunting Team's recruitment expansion.

Meanwhile, sparring verbally with Qin E'na in his occasional free moments, leaving her stamping her feet and gritting her teeth in anger, seemed to make a pleasant diversion.

Three days later, Chen Shi'an had Qin E'na remove the gauze from Zhao Ling's wound.

He found that nearly a third of the wound had already scabbed over.

Color was beginning to return to Zhao Ling's face, too. She occasionally woke for a while and drank some Tangerine Water or millet porridge.

Chen Shi'an estimated that she would regain full consciousness within a few days.

At the same time, news finally arrived from the Demon Hunting Team.

Hou Fang had been right. The team was indeed expanding and recruiting members from throughout the Stronghold.

There were two requirements: first, strength of at least the fourth acquired stage; second, a recommendation.

The selection date had also been set for the sixth day after the announcement.

Since he would soon be taking part in the selection, he naturally had to tell Su Qingrou. Persuading her, however, would not be easy.

On the second day after the announcement, Zhao Ling woke up.

Her constitution was truly exceptional. After waking and drinking a bowl of millet porridge, she could actually get out of bed and walk.

Qin E'na wanted to go over and support her, but Zhao Ling refused.

After getting a general account of what had happened while she was unconscious, Zhao Ling immediately sought out Su Qingrou and Chen Shi'an to thank them respectfully.

What infuriated Qin E'na, however, was that Chen Shi'an greeted Zhao Ling's thanks with a beaming smile and solicitous questions about her health. He even went straight to the market to buy a blackfish, then bustled about the kitchen himself to make soup to nourish her.

Chen Shi'an's behavior was indeed a little overly attentive. But he had a reason.

Zhao Ling was a capable fighter. The sooner she recovered, the more peace of mind Chen Shi'an would have when joining the Demon Hunting Team.

With only a few days remaining before the Demon Hunting Team's selection, Zhao Ling could already move freely and sometimes practiced a few rounds of punches and kicks in the courtyard.

He could put it off no longer. It was time to discuss it with Su Qingrou.