"But, doesn't the city enforce the rules strictly and forbid fighting? How can those two brothers act like this and not get in trouble with the authorities?" asked Lin Zheyu.
"As long as they don't start a fight in public, don't kill anyone, and the victim's relatives don't go to the authorities to raise a fuss, the government won't interfere," said Manager Wu with a bitter smile. The world was just that cruel.
"Then, didn't the former manager's family members raise a fuss?" asked Lin Zheyu curiously.
In this world, families and relatives always supported one another. There was no way they would let something like that slide, right?
"Jia Yanming stepped in and offered some silver as compensation. Coupled with that compensation, Jia Yanyong's intimidation, and the Feihong Gang backing them up, they managed to shut the angry family members up," said Manager Wu.
This world was cruel; beneath its veil of peace was a brutal law of the jungle.
"I see..." A sense of caution rose in Lin Zheyu's heart. He asked again, "Do you know how strong Jia Yanyong is?"
Lin Zheyu had only just started training seriously in martial arts. Before this, he had only practiced stance technique. His strength was limited, so he was worried that he couldn't win a fight.
"That, I'm not too sure about, but I have seen him. He's huge, at least 1.9 meters tall, and even more muscular than me. He looked extremely fierce and was covered in scars. I'd guess he's killed before," said Manager Wu with a grave tone.
Lin Zheyu frowned slightly upon hearing his words. Living in such a backward society was truly troublesome. The lack of a sound system made things especially harsh for someone like him, who was alone and trying to make his way in the world.
"Why don't you come live at my place? Our Wu Family has many strong men, and the Wu Family Village is very united. They wouldn't dare make a move there. You're all alone here in Songyi City, with no relatives to back you up. That just makes it easier for them to act without restraint," Manager Wu advised.
"No need. If it really comes to that, though, I'll come stay at your place," replied Lin Zheyu, shaking his head. He wasn't used to staying in someone else's home.
If things got too difficult, he could just join the Overflowing Fragrance Teahouse. Wasn't that what Jia Yanming wanted all along? At that point, he could just write a few good stories, get Manager Wu to hire storytellers, and collect royalties. It'd even generate income.
Hmm, that might actually work! thought Lin Zheyu. The more he thought about it, the more he felt this idea had promise.
***
After two hours of storytelling, Lin Zheyu once again received thunderous applause. Many young masters were present today, and they tipped generously, leaving Lin Zheyu feeling thoroughly delighted.
"Why is the main character still a scholar? I'm getting sick of it," Liang Song grumbled, tossing a peanut into his mouth.
Ever since Lin Zheyu started telling stories at the Jade Pill Teahouse, he had been performing tales from the 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.'
Almost all the stories featured forbidden romances between scholars and flower yaos or seductive fox yaos. Though captivating, Liang Song, being a martial artist, was getting tired of them.
Why must such good stories be mixed with the dull love affairs of scholars? They're truly frustrating to listen to! thought Liang Song.
"Once this story is finished, I'll switch to a story about martial artists and the Martial World," Lin Zheyu replied with a smile, attempting to appease his master.
"Yes, that's what I want to hear. I'm sick of hearing about scholars and those flower or fox yaos love stories every day," Liang Song exclaimed with his eyes lighting up.
And yet you still show up every day, seemingly enjoying these stories! Lin Zheyu grumbled inwardly but didn't dare say aloud. After all, this Master was still his number one supporter!
"Master, can I ask you something? Do you know about the Feihong Gang?" asked Lin Zheyu.
"The Feihong Gang? They're one of the three major gangs in Songyi City. I've seen their leader once. He has decent strength, but he's nothing special. What, did someone from the Feihong Gang set their sights on you?" asked Liang Song, shooting Lin Zheyu a sideways glance.
"Not really. It's just that the manager from the Overflowing Fragrance Teahouse tried to recruit me to tell stories there, but I turned him down. I've heard that the manager is ruthless. He often sends his younger brother, Jia Yanyong, to carry out dirty work in secret, and that very Jia Yanyong is part of the Feihong Gang," replied Lin Zheyu.
"It's fine. In the city, they won't dare go too far. At most, you'll get beaten up, but they won't dare to kill you. If something really happens by accident, I'll report it to the authorities for you," said Liang Song with a squinting smile.
Lin Zheyu was speechless by his words and thought to himself, If reporting to the authorities actually worked, why would anyone bother learning martial arts?
"Yeah, I'm not too worried. I just wanted to get a better idea of the situation. If worst comes to worst, I'll just accept Jia Yanming's offer. But if that happens, Master, I'll have to trouble you to change venues to hear my stories," Lin Zheyu joked as he offered his master a toast.
As the two chatted, the conversation returned to the Barbaric Ox Fist. Lin Zheyu had already reached Initiation in the Barbaric Ox Fist, so he had many new questions about his cultivation.
As they exchanged questions and answers, Liang Song's eyes grew increasingly bright as he looked at Lin Zheyu. This disciple he had casually taken in actually possessed extremely high comprehension. He had only started learning the Barbaric Ox Fist yesterday, yet he had already grasped it to such a deep level.
This kid's comprehension is just like mine!
Liang Song couldn't help but feel impressed.
He gave Lin Zheyu a once-over, frowning slightly.
"Judging by your complexion, your blood qi are severely depleted. You've been overtraining. You need to balance work and rest. Training harder doesn't always mean faster improvement.
"If you want your body to grow stronger, blindly grinding isn't the way. You have to give your body enough time to recover. Otherwise, you'll end up with hidden injuries. While you're young, you might be able to suppress them, but when you get older... heh."
"Many martial artists from poor backgrounds only know how to train desperately. They gain strength, but they also accumulate injuries all over their bodies. While they're young, it's fine, but by their thirties, they start to decline, and in their forties, they often die from injuries they can no longer suppress," said Liang Song, giving a warning to Lin Zheyu.
"I'll keep that in mind," replied Lin Zheyu with a nod.
He had borrowed five taels of silver from Manager Wu, and with a few doses of medicinal decoctions, his body would recover quickly. After that, his strength would advance significantly. Although the Origin Force transformation had left his blood qi depleted, it also laid a solid foundation for his body. As long as he kept up his nutrition and took a few more doses of medicinal decoctions, he'd soon recover completely.
***
On the way back home, Lin Zheyu spent all five taels of silver on qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing herbs. Passing through the market, he bought a kilogram of pork as well, and only then did he return home satisfied.
My body's not in great shape right now. If I train, I'll hit my physical limit quickly. I wonder if I'll be able to get any Origin Force? Lin Zheyu pondered and decided to test it out.
After eating and resting for a bit, he started working out hard in the courtyard.
Half an hour later...
"It hurts like hell! I knew it wouldn't work," muttered Lin Zheyu as he lay on the ground, unwilling to move an inch.
Even after pushing himself to the limit and gritting his teeth for a few extra minutes like before, he still didn't gain any Origin Force points.
"Looks like it only works if I train to the limit while in peak physical condition. Resting for a few hours in between training and then pushing myself to the limit again seems to work, too. That's what happened last time at least," Lin Zheyu said in a soft voice.
After several attempts, Lin Zheyu was starting to understand his cheat code better. He suspected that Origin Force was a strange energy born when one broke through their physical limit, causing their essence, qi, and spirit to merge and ascend in unison.
Whenever his body hit its limit, Lin Zheyu's essence, qi, and spirit would momentarily transcend, entering a mysterious state. In that state, his essence, qi, and spirit felt tightly fused together, forming a single strand that gave birth to a strange energy.
Origin Force might be directly related to this highly concentrated essence, qi, and spirit energy. Just now, he had pushed himself to the limit while in a weakened state, but he didn't gain any Origin Force. Lin Zheyu guessed that it was because his body was too weak, and the energy formed from his essence, qi, and spirit wasn't strong enough.