nownovels Chapter 7: Viewing Chrysanthemums, by Chief Yu
Chapter 7: Viewing Chrysanthemums, by Chief Yu
The Desire Immortal Pavilion is so big that the leftovers every day are enough for these servants and pimps to have a good meal and some extra food.
Old Zheng has never seen anyone like Wu He, who pays for his own meat, in the year he's been working here.
"I've been eating a lot lately, Brother Zheng, don't ask me any more questions."
Wu He explained casually.
Unfortunately, ever since I advanced to the mid-stage of Skin Tempering, my appetite has increased more than threefold.
The normal meals and leftovers used to be plentiful, but now they're not enough to fill our stomachs.
Sometimes my stomach is full, but I still feel hungry.
It's like a hunger that seeps out from the flesh, the skin, and the cracks in the bones.
I learned from Wen Qiaoniang that this condition is called "marrow burn" in medicine.
"Martial artists refine their essence into qi, but their daily diet is insufficient, so their marrow sea is empty and noisy, like a stove without firewood. Although their stomachs are full, their bones are still hungry."
To put it bluntly, a martial artist's body becomes a charcoal furnace; when there isn't enough firewood, they start burning their bones.
Often at this stage, one must take highly nourishing medicine, especially those precious plants and beasts that have grown by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
But it's still the same old problem—not enough money!
With only seven qian of silver left, not even enough to buy a dose of tonic, I can only eat more meat to barely make up for it.
Ding ding~
Old Zheng weighed the copper coin in his hand, a grin spreading across his face.
Even though I don't understand its meaning, I'm happy as long as I can make a profit.
"Alright, we're all in the same boat, I'll help you out."
"Oh dear~ with yours and Mr. Li's, this trip is going to cost me a lot of money."
He put away the money, then started tidying up the manual transmission car.
Upon hearing this, Wu He chuckled and asked, "Does Master Li also receive special treatment?"
"Of course, they eat a lot. Martial arts practitioners eat differently from us."
"That's right."
Wu He nodded slightly, but he was somewhat puzzled.
As a skilled guard at the Desire Immortal Pavilion, Master Li was pampered with good food and drink by Madam Xu, who provided him with a monthly allowance of over ten taels of silver. Moreover, Madam Xu would offer him a generous tribute every time he performed a task.
Logically speaking, he should have plenty of money to buy those potent tonics, and wouldn't need to be specially treated like this.
Considering his simple lifestyle and his refusal to seek pleasure with girls, Wu He found it even more difficult to understand.
Having money but not spending it, only taking in and never giving it out?
It's an insurance policy, right?
……
After a busy day, night was fast approaching.
[Progress completed: 60/200]
Taking a break to practice his python pattern kung fu, Wu He wiped the sweat from his brow with the burlap cloth around his neck and caught his breath.
"Making up for the progress in the Lesser Completion stage is not only more difficult, but also much more challenging."
"Perhaps, the food wasn't very good either."
He sat on the millstone beside him, deep in thought.
As cultivation continues, the need for money becomes stronger.
The meat I bought for 500 coins was basically enough to feed myself for one day.
Although we have a little money to spare right now, if we just sit around and do nothing, we'll run out of money in half a month.
"Why don't we tell Xu Niang that we're also martial artists and can work as bodyguards?"
A thought suddenly popped into Wu He's mind, and then he pressed down again.
"I'm only at the mid-stage of the Skin Tempering realm right now, and I don't even know what my position is in that so-called martial arts world. If I'm really pushed out to guard the courtyard by Xu Niang, what if I encounter someone stronger than me? Wouldn't that be disastrous?"
"Let's just lay low for now. As for money... I'll look for ways to make money after I've mastered the Python Pattern Technique."
"Accepting bounties might be a good idea."
As he was pondering this, the thick curtain of the side door was lifted, and Wang Er's pockmarked face peeked out.
"Hey! Don't just sit there like an idiot, the shopkeeper's looking for you!"
"Looking for me?" Wu He stood up.
Wang Er looked at him with a complicated expression, then gave a meaningful, lewd smile.
"Remember what I told you last time about that military man who had his eye on you?"
"He's here!"
Second floor, Chrysanthemum Viewing Room.
The table was laden with delicacies, gleaming with dazzling colors.
The woman, dressed in a thin shirt, with a fawning smile and deep crow's feet around her eyes, was respectfully pouring wine for a man.
"Chief Yu, it's been a while since you last visited."
The man called Yu Dutou was a middle-aged man wearing studded leather armor. He had a round, fair face, a bloated body, and eyes that were sunken deep into his flesh, making it difficult to discern his expression.
"I've been busy with military affairs lately, and only today have I been able to get away." He picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
"Yes, yes, you have made great contributions to the defense of Xiongzhou City."
Xu Niang then poured another cup and asked with great interest, "Commander Yu, I've heard that quite a few Khitan spies have recently infiltrated the city?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a chill on her body, and her face stung as if it had been pricked by silver needles. Her hand trembled and spilled some wine.
Realizing he had said too much, he quickly smiled apologetically and said, "I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it at all, please don't be offended, Officer Yu!"
"Ask less of what you shouldn't ask."
Yu Dutou picked up his chopsticks, and without changing his expression, picked up a lion's head meatball and stuffed it into his mouth.
"To avoid losing your head."
Clang~
The wine pot crashed to the ground, spilling wine across half the table. Xu Niang, her face pale, forced a smile and quickly wiped it clean with her sleeve.
"Definitely, definitely..."
dong dong~
"Chief Yu, here's your tea."
"Yo, you're here!"
Having found a way out, Xu Niang quickly stepped forward to open the door.
"Hurry up, you're dawdling!"
When the door opened, Wu He was greeted by Xu Niang's slightly flustered face, who then urged him to go in.
My gaze shifted to the plump, white man eating meat at the table.
"Chief Yu".
"Okay, put it here."
His gaze was fixed on his own face, and the meat skin he was chewing was oozing oil.
Master.
Wu He put down the tea table, his heart filled with dread.
There was such a person in the original owner's memories.
Yu Dutou, whose real name is Yu Long, is the head of the Xiongzhou garrison. He has a wide network of connections and is a frequent visitor to the Yuxianlou.
At this moment, you can't feel the pause in his breathing at all; his breath is extremely long and even.
Despite his plump and fleshy appearance, Wu He had no doubt that once he started fighting, he would be as light as a swallow and his moves would be swift and fierce.
Just like Master Li.
"You shall stay here and serve Chief Yu his meals."
"Make sure you serve Chief Yu very well, or you can forget about getting your monthly pay this month!"
Xu Niang whispered threats and instructions to Wu He, then looked at Yu Long with a smile on her face.
"Chief Yu, shall I take my leave now?"
Yu Long nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Please enjoy your meal..."
"Shopkeeper."
Suddenly, Wu He spoke up abruptly, saying, "There are too many customers downstairs, and Wang Er and the others can't handle it all. I'd better go and help out."
In an instant, the atmosphere in the Chrysanthemum Viewing Room froze.
Xu Niang turned her head, her eyes wide, and said through gritted teeth, "I don't need you. Just take good care of this."
"Yu Dutou is a high-ranking and powerful official, how could I, a lowly person, possibly serve him? Manager, I'd better go and serve the people below me."
Wu He calmly met her burning gaze.
He had planned ahead: if Yu Long tried to use force, he would simply escape.
Even if someone with mid-stage Skin Tempering strength can't beat him, they still have the ability to escape through the window.
If there's truly no way to escape, then fight to the death.
Anyway, I was given a second chance at life, so I might as well go all out and fight him.
Anyway, it's impossible for a man to be locked up by a strongman.
The woman was furious, her eyes wide with rage.
Yu Dutou was a major customer of Yuxianlou, and no one could afford to offend him. She was afraid that Wu He would be tactless and offend him.
What I feared most has come to pass!
"You filthy bastard! You don't even know what I mean..."
"Manager Xu, this young man wants to leave, why are you stopping him? I don't need anyone to serve me."
"Officer Yu, please enjoy your meal."
Wu He bowed and withdrew.
Xu Niang was so anxious she was practically fuming. She tried to stop him, but when she saw Yu Long's eerie smile, she was immediately terrified and dared not make any further moves.
"interesting."
嘬~
Yu Long took a sip of wine, his eyes gleaming.