Chapter 9

Lu Yao and Liao Qi walked together on the cobblestone path, surrounded by ancient and elegant buildings.

White smoke from coal stoves rose into the air, and the cloth banners fluttered in the wind, with vendors' cries echoing up and down the street.

The little girl was delighted just to be out playing, skipping along the path, her two braids bouncing happily.

This time, Lu Yao's main purpose for coming out was to make money, not to buy things.

Now, he had to spend 5000 copper coins, or half a tael of silver, on tonics every day, and the silver he brought would be spent within half a month.

And Lan Xing, the money in his hands was not even enough for a takeout meal!

Therefore, after his condition stabilized slightly, making money became an urgent priority. Fortunately, he already had a plan!

~~~~~~

Lu Yao was increasingly convinced that his vision had improved. He could see the words on distant signs clearly, with his vision at least 5.5!

Moreover, as long as he focused his mind, he could see even more clearly, as if through a telescope.

He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Refining the Spirit actually has such benefits!?"

Liao Qi pouted, "Hmph~ don't get too cocky, it gets much harder after 'Meditation'! I'll catch up to you sooner or later!"

"After 'Meditation' comes 'Forgetfulness,' right?"

"Yes, my sister is also striving to reach this realm. Many experts get stuck here and make no progress for their entire lives."

As they chatted, Lu Yao looked around curiously and soon felt dizzy and disoriented.

Liao Qi teased, "Ha ha, you're overthinking it. Enhancing the five senses consumes a lot of mental energy~"

"Damn~ why didn't you tell me earlier~"

Lu Yao rubbed his head, but fortunately, a short rest was enough to recover.

~~~~~~~~

Laughing and joking, they soon arrived at the Jinshoutang pharmacy.

Upon seeing them, the shopkeeper, Mr. He, whose face was full of wrinkles, smiled broadly and came out from behind the counter, "Young Master Lu, Second Sister Liao, welcome! Please come in!"

Liao Qi said, "Shopkeeper, he's my junior now~"

Mr. He put away his fake smile, carefully examined Lu Yao, and then clasped his hands together, saying solemnly, "Congratulations, the Liao family's martial arts have gained a fine disciple!"

The customers and assistants nearby immediately looked at Lu Yao with surprise and envy, and some even started inquiring about his background.

Liao Qi held her head high, extremely proud.

Feeling the countless amazed and envious gazes, Lu Yao thought to himself: The newspapers say that martial artists who reach the 'Refining the Organs' stage and register with the government can obtain the title of 'Martial Master' and enjoy the treatment of a provincial candidate. It seems that their social status is even higher than I imagined.

At the same time, he was surprised to discover that he could hear very quiet whispers:

"This person looks pale and weak, how did he manage to join the Liao family's martial arts? This is under a Martial Master who has reached the 'Refining the Organs' stage!"

"Not only that, didn't you hear Second Sister Liao call him 'Junior'? Master Liao is taking him as a disciple of the same generation!"

"This person must have something extraordinary, otherwise Master Liao would never do this!"

"Could it be that he's being taken as a son-in-law? Master Liao wouldn't let the Liao family die out. But his physique doesn't seem suitable for martial arts, can he serve a martial artist?"

He could hear whispers from 20 meters away clearly, something that was impossible before.

And just like the enhanced vision, he could hear even more clearly by focusing his mind.

As Liao Qi had said, after 'Meditation,' the five senses are greatly enhanced.

Lu Yao couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of the 'Refining the Spirit' method and was extremely curious about what the higher realms would bring.

~~~~~~~~

Next, under Mr. He's personal reception, Lu Yao bought many of the herbs needed for the 'Ten-Ingredient Great Tonic Soup.'

He also spent one tael of silver to buy a pound of 'Cordyceps Sinensis,' a precious tonic herb with the effect of strengthening the body and replenishing vital energy.

Lu Yao decided to resell the cordyceps back to Lan Xing. They are small and easy to carry, and the price is not low; high-quality ones can sell for 100,000 per pound.

When settling the bill, Mr. He looked expectant. Seeing that Lu Yao was still paying with silver, his smile grew even wider, and he quickly took the silver with both hands.

When Lu Yao left, Mr. He personally escorted him out of the shop and didn't return until they were far away.

"We're just ordinary customers, why is he being so humble?"

Lu Yao was puzzled: "His genuine happiness can't be faked, and I didn't buy much... For such a large pharmacy, it's not necessary, right?"

Seeing his confusion, Liao Qi explained with a smile:

"These days, it's not common to pay with silver. In times of peace, antiques are valued; in times of chaos, silver is the hard currency. Everyone likes silver."

"Ah, I see." Lu Yao laughed, "I was too rushed last time and didn't pay attention to this."

For him, silver was not expensive and easy to carry, so he spent it casually. But merchants loved such generous customers.

Lu Yao thought to himself: "From small signs, one can see the big picture. The people's preference for silver seems to indicate a lack of confidence in the government."

~~~~~~~~

After buying the medicine, the two didn't go home but continued to wander.

Lu Yao wanted to go to the newspaper office to subscribe to a newspaper; more information was always useful.

Liao Qi, with her big eyes sparkling, said enviously, "Junior, you're truly from a wealthy family, and you can read too."

Seeing her eager expression, Lu Yao asked, "What's the big deal? Do you want to learn? I can teach you~"

"Really? I don't know anything, you'll have to start from the beginning~"

"No problem, I'll start teaching you when we get back~"

Lu Yao readily agreed, and Liao Qi was even happier, walking ahead excitedly.

Today, the little girl was wearing a dark, tight-fitting outfit. As she walked, her hips swayed naturally, revealing a waist as slender as a willow and a buttock as beautiful as a peach.

Lu Yao followed behind, enjoying the view, even using his enhanced vision to appreciate every curve.

At the same time, he tried to focus his mind on his nose and indeed smelled the sweet scent of the young girl.

"Ha, this is fun!"

Just as Lu Yao was enjoying himself, Liao Qi suddenly assumed a defensive stance, protecting him, with a wary look on her face.

Looking around, they had arrived in the "slum."

The streets here were in a state of disrepair, with most houses being makeshift shacks. The people were emaciated and ragged, with dull and cruel eyes.

The ground was littered with filth, emitting a pungent odor.

Occasionally, a rickshaw would pass by, and immediately, countless people would swarm around, begging. The rickshaw driver would take out a wooden stick and wave it around, barely managing to escape.

Greedy eyes watched them, ready to pounce.

But upon seeing Liao Qi's tight-fitting outfit, they immediately became timid, seemingly very afraid of martial artists.

Liao Qi snorted, "Good for them to know their place!"

One couldn't show weakness here. If anyone had dared to approach just now, she would have severely injured them.

Lu Yao sighed, "This is the true face of this world, I just got lucky and chose a less difficult start."

Liao Qi seemed to be used to it and said casually:

"Is this the first time you've seen the suffering of the common people, Young Master Lu? This is still relatively good. You haven't seen the refugee camps outside the city, they are... tsk tsk."

Lu Yao said, "Indeed, it's my first time seeing it. But I'm not much better off than them, I don't know how long I'll live."

Liao Qi held his arm, comforting him, "Junior, you're a good person, you'll surely have good fortune and turn danger into safety!"

Feeling the soft and delicate hand of the young girl, Lu Yao smiled, "Thanks for your good wishes~"