Chapter 15: Inner City

"What happened?"

Mrs. Han pushed aside the cloth curtain to see fishermen gathered in small groups along the shore, whispering amongst themselves.

Uncle Gao from next door lowered his voice and said, "Auntie Han, haven't you heard? Song Tie of the Golden River Gang is dead."

"What?!"

Mrs. Han's eyes widened like copper bells.

Song Tie was a terror of Mute Bay; it was said he could take down four or five grown men with his bare hands. A ruthless character like that was actually dead?

Auntie Cuihua had approached at some unknown point, patting her chest as she said, "I heard the Tiger Gang did it. He was hacked so badly he was nothing but a mess of flesh and blood. It was gruesome."

The surrounding fishermen were all startled by the news, their faces clouding with fear.

"This world..."

Mrs. Han let out a long sigh.

Uncle Dachun looked at Auntie Cuihua and couldn't help but say, "Auntie Cuihua, you've been looking much better lately."

Her face was flushed with health, looking far more energetic than usual.

Auntie Cuihua grinned from ear to ear. "It's all thanks to Erya being well-liked at Exorcitant Zhao's house; she often brings back some pastries."

The neighbors heard this, their eyes glazing over with envy.

To poor folk like them, white flour pastries were a rare luxury beyond belief.

Uncle Gao swallowed hard and said, "I heard those pastries are fragrant and sweet..."

Auntie Cuihua said with a hint of pride, "Next time, I'll have Erya bring more so everyone can have a taste."

Uncle Gao rubbed his hands together. "Oh, we couldn't possibly..."

Though he said he felt bad, his eyes were gleaming.

Auntie Cuihua turned to Uncle Dachun. "By the way, how has Xiaochun been lately? I haven't seen a trace of him in a long time."

Uncle Dachun waved a hand. "The clerk at Wanbao Hall thinks highly of him and often takes him along. He's rarely home."

Auntie Cuihua said sourly, "Xiaochun has been a smart child since he was little; he's a real relief to his parents."

Listening from the side, Mrs. Han felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.

"Xiaochun indeed saves his mother and me a lot of worry," Dachun said with gratification. "The boy said before that he wants to settle down in the Inner City and bring us old folks over..."

To the common people, the Inner City was a place they could hope for but never reach.

Uncle Gao remarked with emotion, "Xiaochun is not only successful but also filial. You are truly blessed."

Erya worked as a servant in a wealthy household; it would be hard for her to achieve much in life. But once Xiaochun became a clerk, he wouldn't have to worry about food or drink.

Mrs. Han said nothing, silently turning to walk back home.

Auntie Cuihua's voice drifted over, "Auntie Han, when there are pastries, I'll share some with you!"

Mrs. Han gave a forced laugh and hurried home.

"Show-off! Who cares about those leftovers!" Just as she finished muttering, she saw Chen Qing coming out of the inner room. "Mother, what are you mumbling about?"

"Song Tie, the leader of the Golden River Gang, is dead. They say he was hacked to pieces."

Mrs. Han pulled him into the room and whispered, "Song Tie was killed by the Tiger Gang. You must be careful..."

Chen Qing nodded. "I know."

Just as he expected, the Tiger Gang was more than eager to take the fall for him. To an ordinary person like Chen Qing, this was a murder case; but to the Tiger Gang, it was a rare opportunity to establish dominance.

Mrs. Han began counting on her fingers. "The food at home is running low. We need to buy more pickles, tooth powder..."

Since Chen Qing began practicing martial arts, his appetite had increased significantly, and he often needed to keep dry rations on hand.

"Mother."

Chen Qing took out a pouch and said softly, "From today on, let's add more meat and fish to our meals."

Consuming meat daily would nourish his blood and qi, helping him break through to the Hidden Strength stage faster.

Mrs. Han took the silver, her expression changing. "Where did this money come from?"

Chen Qing said, "Don't worry about that. Just listen to me."

"Alright."

Mrs. Han rubbed the silver and finally nodded. In this world, being able to get money was a skill in itself.

She began calculating in her head: which morning market to go to, and how much to buy each time so as not to attract attention. A woman who had struggled through these chaotic times for years understood the way of survival best.

Chen Qing returned to his own room and took out the *Gale Saber Technique* he had obtained last night. This manual contained not only combat moves but also the fundamental diagrams of force, making it extremely complete.

*I can practice this saber technique more in my spare time,* Chen Qing thought to himself.

Time flew by, and half a month passed.

Since settling things with Cheng Ming last time, Chen Qing had become a River Patrol Guard. Aside from the required patrols during the Si and Hai hours, most of his time was his own to manage.

He spent most of his time in the Zhou Courtyard, bitterly practicing the Tongbi Stance and fist techniques.

【Heaven rewards the diligent; success is certain】 【Tongbi Stance: Minor Accomplishment (161/1000)】 【Tongbi Fist: Minor Accomplishment (132/1000)】

With the nourishment of meat and Blood-Qi Powder, his blood and qi grew increasingly vigorous, and his physique became stronger. His progress speed had doubled. This also meant his silver was constantly being depleted; living off savings was not a long-term solution.

*If I had enough meat and tonics,* Chen Qing thought, *perhaps I wouldn't need half a year to attempt my second breakthrough.*

The power of the Bright Strength stage was fierce and domineering, which made Chen Qing look forward to the Hidden Strength stage even more.

One day, Chen Qing was patrolling the docks with Cheng Ming.

Looking across the river, Cheng Ming remarked with emotion, "Once you cross this South River, you're in the Inner City."

Across the river, the silhouette of the Inner City emerged in the twilight, its lights dotting the city walls like scattered gold.

Gaolin County was divided into Inner and Outer cities. The Inner City was worth its weight in gold, home to great clans, gentry, and wealthy merchants. The streets were wide and clean, the pedestrians were spirited, and martial artists were everywhere. Because the great families maintained their own private guards, gangs vanished here, making it a hundred times safer than the Outer City.

He sighed softly. "While the people in the Outer City are still worrying about basic survival, those lords over there have long since indulged in luxury and excess."

Chen Qing remained silent.

Was it not like this in every era? The so-called upper class merely enjoyed themselves by stepping on the bones of the common people. Their extravagant ways—feeding pigs with human milk, coating walls with pepper paste, cooking rice with candlelight, and using silk to block the wind—were things ordinary people could hardly imagine.

Chen Qing recalled scenes from plays in his previous life: an official wanting to rest, and servants attending to him. When he went to bed, two young maidservants would wait for him to lie down so they could use their bellies to warm his feet. Of course, that was artistic exaggeration. In reality, the "bed-warming" maids wouldn't be wearing clothes.

"While the people in the Outer City are fighting for a half-bowl of rice bran to survive..."

Cheng Ming's voice carried a trace of imperceptible fatigue and self-mockery, "...the lords in the Inner City are probably tired of eating bird's nest and shark fin, wondering how to feed pigeons with ginseng."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the ragged laborers on the docks, and whispered, "Once you've saved enough silver, bring your mother to the Inner City. Even if it's just to rent the cheapest little room. In this world, the word 'peace' is worth ten thousand gold."

Chen Qing nodded. For the common people of this era, safety was the most precious thing.

Just then, an unusual commotion erupted from the entrance of the docks, accompanied by shouts and the agitated snorting of horses.

"Move! Get the hell out of the way!"

"Are you blind? Get lost!"

Several men in grey martial attire, their faces thick with flesh, crudely pushed aside the blocking laborers and vendors to clear a path. Their eyes were fierce, their temples slightly bulged, and they wore sabers at their waists—clearly trained martial artists.

*Clop! Clop! Clop!*

The crisp, rhythmic sound of horse hooves struck the bluestone pavement, unhurried yet carrying an unquestionable majesty. A magnificent, jet-black horse slowly trotted into the dock area.

A person sat poised upon the horse's back.

"A-Qing."

Cheng Ming grabbed Chen Qing, his brow furrowed, and quickly pulled him into a quiet side alley.

"Boss, that was...?" Chen Qing watched the receding figure, filled with uncertainty.

"That is a Martial Examination official."

Cheng Ming lowered his voice and let out a slow breath. "With the title of a Martial Official, you don't even have to bow or kneel when meeting the County Magistrate. Your family's land and goods are even exempt from taxes!"

"You can also hold a government martial position and receive a salary."

"So many poor families fight to be servants to a Martial Official just to catch a bit of that tax exemption... the benefits are simply too great."

Cheng Ming's tone was complex, containing both awe and a trace of imperceptible longing. If a small family like the Chen family could produce a Martial Official, everything would change.

Chen Qing felt a surge of heat in his heart. Passing the Martial Examination was not just a leap to the top; it was a windfall of immense wealth!

"But to even dream of being a Martial Official, you must first pass the martial exams," Cheng Ming patted Chen Qing's shoulder heavily, shaking his head with a sigh. "It's hard. As hard as climbing to heaven!"

(End of Chapter)