Chapter 50: Buying a House

Changping Street.

The afternoon sun spilled into the alleys paved with bluestone.

"Master Chen, this way please."

A lean, capable-looking middle-aged man wearing a semi-worn blue cloth jacket led Chen Qing through the crowded neighborhood.

After leaving the old Chen family residence, Chen Qing had sought out this broker, Zhao Laosan, to look at houses.

After many twists and turns, at the end of a deep alley, a courtyard villa suddenly appeared before his eyes.

The wooden gate was heavy, coated in deep black lacquer.

"Please take a look, Master Chen."

Zhao Laosan paused his steps and pointed at the gate with a smile. "This bolt is made from a single piece of old camphor wood—solid! If a common thief tried to pry it with a crowbar? Heh, try to break it? Not unless they have hands made of diamond!"

He tapped the bluestone steps in front of the gate with his toe. "The base bricks are laid flush with the ground; it stays clean and tidy even in rain or snow."

As he spoke, he pulled out a key, turned the lock with a *click*, and pushed hard.

*Screeeak!*

The front courtyard was spacious and flat, paved with blue bricks, with a few spots of pale green moss peeking through the crevices.

To the east stood an old locust tree with lush foliage, and to the west was a stone well.

Zhao Laosan introduced it enthusiastically: "This locust tree is the best spot for cooling off in the shade. The eastern room is quiet and faces the sun; the western room is convenient for settling the old madam or hosting guests. The main house is right up ahead..."

Chen Qing’s gaze swept over the area. This was the third place he had inspected.

The location and environment of this courtyard were the most to his liking.

With this small courtyard, he would have a place to practice his martial arts in his daily life.

The water well made things even more convenient.

Zhao Laosan continued, "The well water is clear and sweet. Look, the marks on the rope are still fresh! The previous owner was a wealthy merchant who moved away recently and was eager to offload the property, which is why it's being sold cheaply."

Chen Qing asked, "What is the price?"

"If you are satisfied, it won't be too late to discuss the details."

Smiling, Zhao Laosan led Chen Qing to the rear kitchen to inspect it thoroughly. Though small, it had everything one needed.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment. "Who are the neighbors?"

"To the east is Constable Mo from the yamen, and to the west is Manager He of the Yuelai Inn," Zhao Laosan answered readily.

Although Changping Street belonged to the outer city, it was only a river away from the inner city. In the eyes of ordinary people, those who could live here were either wealthy or noble.

"I am satisfied with this house."

Chen Qing made his decision. "Name your price."

Aside from being able to practice his fist techniques, the presence of a well made getting water very convenient.

Most importantly, it was very close to the Zhou Academy, and many of his fellow disciples lived nearby, making it certainly much safer than Yazi Bay.

"Since the master is decisive, I only need this many."

Zhao Laosan held up three fingers.

"Thirty taels?"

Chen Qing nodded. "That isn't expensive."

Zhao Laosan froze, then quickly forced a smile. "Master Chen, you must be joking. It is three hundred taels!"

Three hundred taels!?

Chen Qing’s eyebrows shot up. If it were thirty taels, it indeed wouldn't be expensive, but three hundred taels was no small sum to him.

The Cheng family and Zhou Liang had helped him mostly with cultivation resources.

The monthly stipend from his position at the River Office was extremely meager; he didn't have much silver on him at all.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Regarding the transaction... can the payment be deferred?"

"Others certainly couldn't! But for you, Master Chen..."

Zhao Laosan lowered his voice. "Regarding the owner, I, old Zhao, will put my reputation on the line to mediate! How about this: you pay one hundred taels first, and once the contract is signed, you can move your belongings in. For the remaining two hundred taels, we'll sign a promissory note: next spring, you pay two hundred and ten taels, principal and interest included. It will be in black and white, guaranteed by me. If you can't pay by then, the jujube tree in the courtyard, the stove, even the new heated kang you install, will all go to the owner to settle the debt. What do you think?"

He had already scouted thoroughly and knew Chen Qing was a newly minted *Xiucai* with a bright future, meaning he wouldn't lack silver later. That was why he dared to guarantee it with such confidence.

After all, a ten percent commission meant thirty taels of silver.

"Fine. When can we sign the contract?" Chen Qing made the final call.

After passing the martial *Xiucai* exam, many wealthy families and influential figures had sent gift money. Combined with what he had previously accumulated, pulling together one hundred taels shouldn't be a major problem.

Zhao Laosan said hurriedly, "Master Chen is so decisive! Tomorrow, I will draft the documents and visit you in person."

***

At dusk.

Chen Qing returned from training at the Zhou Academy and walked toward Yazi Bay.

The "Fundamental Diagram of Force" still swirled in his mind; the flow of light and dark force between the moves had deepened his understanding of Tongbei Boxing.

"There are probably not many disciples in the Zhou Academy who can obtain such a diagram..." he thought to himself.

Before he knew it, Yazi Bay was ahead of him.

Unlike the usual bustle, today it was deathly silent.

Fishing boats of all sizes were crowded along the shore, their hatches tightly closed, exuding an unusual sense of oppression.

Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat. He leaped onto his own boat and pushed open the hatch.

"Mother, I'm back."

A dim, yellowish light flickered inside the cabin. Lady Han was sitting in a corner; her face looked pale, and her eyes were filled with panic.

"A-Qing..."

Seeing Chen Qing return, Lady Han grabbed his arm.

Chen Qing asked in a low voice, "Mother, what happened?"

Lady Han said, still shaken, "...Something terrible has happened! The Tiger Gang... the Tiger Gang..."

She paused, the fear in her eyes deepening. "They were wiped out completely!"

What!?

Chen Qing asked, "When did this happen? Who did it?"

"It might have been last night, shortly after you went to your grandfather's house. Old Gao first saw the corpses of the Tiger Gang members floating on the river surface."

Lady Han swallowed hard and continued, "Later, some brave souls rowed over to look. They came back white as ghosts, saying... saying the large Tiger Gang boats moored at the pier had been burned to charcoal frames. There were many things floating on the water, and their shanties on the shore had collapsed. Blood... there was blood everywhere... not a single survivor was seen, nor a single shadow of the attackers. They killed everyone and left without a trace!"

Lady Han finished in one breath, her body trembling slightly.

Chen Qing's brow furrowed into a knot.

The Tiger Gang had occupied Yazi Bay for a year, and Xu Chengfeng had always acted with extreme caution, managing his connections both overt and covert with meticulous care. Who exactly had used such thunderous means to uproot them?

Who had he offended?

Lady Han spoke with a hint of worry, "You said the Jinhe Gang had only just fallen, and now the Tiger Gang has been wiped out too..."

The world was changing too fast, making her uneasy.

"Mother, don't overthink it."

Chen Qing took a deep breath and comforted her, "I've found a house. We'll move in a couple of days."

"Moving away is for the best."

Lady Han nodded, then touched the hull of the boat, sighing, "Your father nearly lost half his life for these two boats. If only he knew how successful you've become..."

Making a living on the water meant a boat was a home and a hope for survival.

Getting two boats? It wasn't that easy.

At this, Lady Han sighed and fell silent.

***

Early the next morning, Zhao Laosan brought good news, holding the contract in his hand.

"Master Chen, the owner has agreed. We are just waiting for your signature."

Had Chen Qing not passed his exams, this wouldn't have happened. But now that his status had changed, everything fell into place naturally.

Chen Qing nodded in agreement. "Fine, I'll sign it now. I'll move in this afternoon."

Zhao Laosan's face was full of smiles. "Leave it to me."

Chen Qing signed the contract with a flourish, then took out the silver and handed it to Zhao Laosan.

Shortly after Zhao Laosan left, as Chen Qing was about to head back to his boat, he suddenly heard a greeting from not far away

"May I ask if you are Brother Chen Qing?"

Chen Qing looked toward the voice. The newcomer was broad-shouldered and stout, with high, bulging temples. He wore a neat set of grey short clothes that revealed two muscular, knotted arms, and a long saber hung at his waist.

Two sturdy youths followed behind him, both possessing powerful physiques.

Chen Qing responded calmly, "And who might you be?"

The burly man cupped his hands in a salute, his face brimming with enthusiasm. "I am Song Hu. I just moved nearby and have recently taken over the affairs of the fish market here. I heard Brother Chen passed the martial *Xiucai* exam, so I came specifically to offer my congratulations. A small token of my respect, please accept it."

As he spoke, he gave a slight flick of his wrist, and one of the youths behind him stepped forward to present a heavy red silk pouch.

"How can I accept this..."

Chen Qing spoke with polite hesitation, but his hands deftly took the pouch, weighing it—it was about five taels.

"Brother Chen, there is no need for such formality."

Song Hu waved his hand, then his expression turned to one of concern. "It is a shame to mention, but I only arrived here yesterday and heard that the Tiger Gang was wiped out. I wonder if Brother Chen knows the details of what happened?"

Chen Qing shook his head. "I am not quite sure."

Song Hu sighed heavily. "Sigh, the Jinhe Gang, which sat here for three years, was only just wiped out. In the blink of an eye, the Tiger Gang meets the same fate..."

His gaze swept across Chen Qing's face as if by accident.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Song Hu bowed to take his leave. "Then I shall take my leave first. If Brother Chen has leisure time, you are welcome to find me at the fish market anytime."

"Of course."

Chen Qing returned the salute.

Watching the figures of Song Hu and his two companions fade into the distance, Chen Qing weighed the pouch in his hand, his brow furrowing slightly.

He felt that the name "Song Hu" sounded strangely familiar.

Suddenly, a flash of realization struck him!

He remembered the name "A-Hu" that Song Tie had mentioned before he died.

This man had only just arrived, and immediately after, the Tiger Gang was bloodily massacred. Could such a coincidence exist in this world?!

"The gift of silver is a ruse; testing me is the true purpose?"

Chen Qing's eyes turned cold instantly. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, sprinting in the direction Song Hu had gone.