Chapter 37: Stepping Forward

In the end, Chen Jie sold the golden pheasant to Wu Zhong. Wu Zhong and Yu Biao were currently locked in a struggle for the position of the Protector of Xiantao Town.

Both sides were making their final push.

Yu Biao's strength was inferior to Wu Zhong's; Yu Biao was at the peak of the Skin-Molding Realm, possessing the strength of the mid-stage Ming Jin. He was currently searching for heavenly treasures in preparation to break through the Skin-Molding Realm and enter the Flesh-Tempering Realm.

Wu Zhong was already in the Flesh-Tempering Realm but had been stuck at the threshold for many years. Ever since he became the manager of the fish stalls, his life had become too comfortable. He was not a man fond of conflict, so he had not devoted much attention to his martial arts, leaving them neglected for nearly a decade.

Looking at him now, he had flabby fat on his belly and his arm muscles were no longer firm; his strength had clearly regressed, and it would be difficult for him to regain it through personal training in a short period.

Fortunately, Physician Bai possessed medicinal formulas that could help Wu Zhong consolidate and enhance his strength, though they required a significant amount of heavenly treasures. This red-eyed golden pheasant was like sending charcoal in the snow—it was exactly what he needed to nourish his body. This was why Wu Zhong was so eager to buy it.

Chen Jie sold the pheasant to Wu Zhong, but he did not ask for money. Instead, he traded it for Physician Bai's medicinal bath formula.

Physician Bai had once been a resident physician for the Fishermen's Gang, and such a position was no simple matter. A resident physician had to be able to treat ordinary ailments while also understanding the pharmacology used to assist in martial cultivation. Consequently, they possessed a set of formulas specifically designed to aid cultivation. If one used these formulas to assist their training, their progress would be like a thousand miles in a single day.

Physician Bai possessed such a set of formulas. Chen Jie hoped Physician Bai could help him concoct some medicines to help him break through the Skin-Molding Realm and advance his martial arts.

Physician Bai did not refuse. He nodded in agreement and promised Chen Jie that his entire one hundred and twenty taels would be converted into medicinal supplies for assisting his cultivation.

Chen Jie understood that Physician Bai would not profit from this; his one hundred and twenty taels would certainly be transformed into medicine to aid his training. Furthermore, he knew that the medicines Physician Bai purchased would undoubtedly be of better quality and better price than if he bought them himself. One could say that having Physician Bai prepare the medicine for him was an absolute windfall.

Moreover, one must not forget that Physician Bai was also throwing in a Skin-Molding Realm cultivation formula, which could sell for at least three to five taels of silver in the city. Since Physician Bai wasn't charging him for the formula and was even helping him tailor the most suitable medicine, Chen Jie was making a massive profit.

With the deal struck, Wu Zhong departed; he was going to help Chen Jie settle some matters today.

Chen Jie stayed behind. Physician Bai had him continue identifying Chinese herbs and transcribing medicinal classics, but he also allowed him time to practice martial arts. It was perfect that Wu Hong was at home to provide some guidance, as Wu Hong's strength was quite formidable.

Under Wu Hong's guidance, Chen Jie gained a deeper understanding of the Great Ancestor's Long Fist.

Meanwhile, Physician Bai returned to his room to list the medicinal ingredients. He intended to take the promise of the one hundred and twenty taels of medicinal supplies very seriously.

Chen Jie focused on his studies and his martial arts. As for the medicine, it was not yet his concern. With Physician Bai overseeing it, he certainly wouldn't be harmed.

Chen Jie's decision to request medicinal supplies instead of the one hundred and twenty taels of silver was a calculated move. First, taking the cash would make him appear mercenary and greedy; having only recently met them, Chen Jie did not want to leave such an impression. Second, martial arts was his most important priority right now. In this world, no matter what one did, it was impossible to succeed without the backing of martial strength. By having Physician Bai prepare the medicine, he maximized his benefits while also leaving a good impression. Why wouldn't he do it?

Thus, Chen Jie spent the entire day at Physician Bai's house.

After leaving the house, Wu Zhong went straight to the fish stalls, gathered a few subordinates, and headed straight for the Yu Family Gambling Den. His aggressive momentum immediately intimidated many people.

When Wu Zhong stepped into the Yu Family Gambling Den, Yu Sanliu, who was in charge of security, immediately came out to greet him with a face full of smiles.

"Uncle Zhong, Uncle Zhong, haha... what wind blew you here today!"

Wu Zhong glanced at Yu Sanliu and said, "Sanliu, you've grown up, haven't you? Managing a venue now. I'm free today, so I came to gamble a few rounds."

As he spoke, Wu Zhong leaned close to Yu Sanliu's ear and whispered, "Do you put mercury in your dice?"

Yu Sanliu's expression changed instantly. Just then, they heard Wu Zhong shout, "Come, I'll play a few rounds!"

"Uncle, Uncle, my dear Uncle! No one crashes a venue like this! Aren't you making your nephew lose face?" Yu Sanliu immediately tried to stop him.

Wu Zhong's face immediately hardened. "Hey, you're running a gambling den. I am a guest entering your door. It's not quite appropriate for you to stop me, is it, nephew?"

Yu Sanliu was almost in tears. He could not afford to offend this great deity, but if he let him gamble, he would be ruined. He knew perfectly well that their dice were weighted with mercury.

Just as Yu Sanliu was at a loss, a voice rang out: "Haha... Old Wu, why are you making things difficult for a child? If you want to gamble, I'll accompany you."

A burly man walked in through the entrance. He appeared younger than Wu Zhong, well-built and powerful, with eyes as sharp as lightning.

Wu Zhong smiled. "Good! If Brother Yu has such an interest, then I shall accompany you."

As the two appeared, the surrounding crowd instinctively moved aside, clearing a path for the two most powerful men in Xiantao Town.

Yu Biao approached and told Yu Sanliu to step back. He then looked at Wu Zhong and said, "Old Wu, now that you're back, are you planning to win or lose?"

Wu Zhong laughed. "Come, naturally, I am here to win money."

"Then how much does brother plan to win?"

Wu Zhong held up two fingers.

Yu Biao frowned slightly. "Two hundred taels?"

"Mm-mm." Wu Zhong shook his head. "Twenty-five taels."

"Why such a specific amount?" Yu Biao laughed.

Wu Zhong replied, "Am I not acting on someone's behalf? Using this one tael of silver to win twenty-five taels."

"Old Wu, there's a subtext to those words, isn't there?" Yu Biao watched him closely.

"Hehe, nephew, you understand what I'm saying, right?"

Yu Sanliu's face immediately darkened. Since things had been said so plainly, how could he not understand?

"What happened?" Yu Biao frowned.

Yu Sanliu leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear.

"Nonsense!" Yu Biao glared at him, then immediately turned back with a conciliatory smile. "Brother Wu, it's a misunderstanding. My son is inexperienced; he didn't know that Chen Jiusi is a disciple of Old Mr. Bai. Isn't this just a case of the Dragon King's Temple being flooded by its own people?"

"A misunderstanding?" Wu Zhong looked at Yu Biao.

Yu Biao said, "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Come, let's go to the back courtyard to drink tea."

Wu Zhong said, "And the promissory note?"

"In a moment, I will present it to you with both hands."

"Fine. Then today, I shall taste the tea of Brother Yu's house."

"It is only right, only right."

With that, the two went directly to the back hall. Before leaving, Yu Biao looked at Yu Sanliu and said, "Bring me that promissory note immediately."

"Yes." Yu Sanliu bowed his head, but his eyes were filled with resentment. *Chen Jiusi, this matter is not over.*