Chapter 24

Many martial artists may experience such a situation when they first start to practice the techniques of the Bright Force. They have never before dealt with conscious, subtle manipulation of the Bright Force, and it is very likely that they will lose control when they first try.

There are many possible outcomes when the Bright Force goes out of control, varying from person to person. He couldn't see the condition inside Jiang Feng's body, so he made a judgment based on common sense. Little did he know that Jiang Feng hadn't even started practicing the Guiding Technique yet; instead, the magical Tianji Cube in the Tianxin Seed had started to operate, automatically optimizing and improving a technique of the Bright Heart.

Jiang Feng gradually came to his senses. He still felt empty inside, but it was much better than before. The midday practice session had already ended, but the Tianxin Seed could still slowly absorb the external Bright Force in daily life. This small amount of Bright Force, which seemed insignificant at other times, now became the best supplement.

Jiang Feng clearly felt himself slowly recovering. He exhaled, and although his face was still very pale, he obviously had more energy. Chong Fan also let out a sigh of relief and comforted him, "It's inevitable the first time you try. Don't rush, take it step by step."

Being consoled by a child who looked to be about eleven or twelve, Jiang Feng laughed. With Chong Fan around, he couldn't check anything, so he stood up and said, "I'm fine. You're right. Cultivation is a long-term process; it can't be rushed. It has to be done step by step."

Chong Fan nodded solemnly. He dragged over a bamboo basket and handed Jiang Feng a money bag. "This is the income from selling the goods. These are some equipment I think you might need. And these, I don't recommend you sell here. When you go to Xuchuan City for the county exam, the price should be higher there."

Jiang Feng took the money bag and was immediately surprised by its weight. He didn't hesitate to count the money in front of Chong Fan. After counting, he looked up in disbelief, "Five hundred and seventy-two silver... so much?!"

He remembered clearly that when Chong Fan first sold half the contents of the bamboo basket, the income was about 120 silver coins. The items sold then included the complete hide of a Red-Horned Bull, which were mostly large pieces.

The prey he had hunted were all low-level Bright Beasts, and logically, they shouldn't have been worth much. One hundred and twenty silver coins had already exceeded Jiang Feng's expectations. He originally thought the remaining items wouldn't sell for much, but he never expected Chong Fan to hand him such a large sum!

Five hundred and seventy-two silver coins, plus the newly purchased equipment and remaining materials... how did he manage it?

"It's simple," Chong Fan said with ease and confidence. "Just buy low and sell high. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time, and the market wasn't big enough, so I could only earn this much."

He sighed, and Jiang Feng realized that time had passed faster than he had imagined. It was already past the hour of Shen, and the market was about to close.

Jiang Feng could tell that Chong Fan wasn't boasting at all; he was just narrating the facts. But this plainness made him speechless. In one day, with some low-level Bright Beast materials, he had earned over 500 silver coins in a small market like the Lu Ming Town Half-Month Market...

What kind of environment and education would make a child of this age so capable!

In fact, if the people familiar with Chong Fan knew about this, they would be even more speechless, perhaps even beating their chests in frustration.

Who is Chong Fan? Using his abilities in a small town market for buying and selling is like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken—understating it would be an understatement. It's a waste of talent!

But now, Jiang Feng just patted Chong Fan's shoulder and said with a smile, "Thanks!"

He put his arm around Chong Fan's shoulder and said, "Come on, I'll treat you to a big meal!"

Chong Fan felt a weight on his shoulder, and his heart felt heavy, as if it were filled with something. He smiled, "Okay!"

The sky gradually darkened, and the flickering lights of Lu Ming Town lit up, as if waiting for the wanderers to return home. The town was small, and it might look a bit dilapidated during the day, but at night, it brought a different kind of warmth.

The shops in town closed early. A tailor's sign had just been taken down, and the wooden door was closing. A person rushed forward and held the door.

Jiang Feng held the door and said with a smile, "Uncle Dong, could you please stay open a bit longer? I need to buy two sets of clothes for my brother."

Lu Ming Town was not big, and most of the people in town knew each other. A long time ago, Jiang Feng's neighbor in Nanshan often made some laces and embroidered handkerchiefs to sell in town. Jiang Feng learned to run errands from a young age, earning some money to make ends meet. This also made him familiar with the tailor's shop in town.

Later, when he followed the young lady to learn martial arts, he came to Lu Ming Town less often, but these people were happy for him when they heard that he had gained the young lady's favor.

The old man who was closing the door was taken aback and pulled Jiang Feng inside, "I haven't seen you in a long time. The Jiang family said you committed a serious crime and fled. What's going on?"

He had watched Jiang Feng grow up and knew that although the boy was stubborn, he was a person who would repay kindness tenfold.

The Jiang family didn't treat him well, but they still had a bit of family affection. Given Jiang Feng's nature, he wouldn't have done anything major just for that bit of family affection.

Jiang Feng said lightly, "Oh, I burned down the young lady's house. Now I live in Taishan Mountain."

"You burned down the young lady's house?!" Uncle Dong immediately widened his eyes in disbelief! He instinctively asked, "You..." but before he could finish, he realized something and patted Jiang Feng's shoulder, saying softly, "You're a good kid. There must be a reason for what you did. I won't ask."

Chong Fan had been standing quietly behind Jiang Feng. Uncle Dong looked at him and said, "New face. Are you the one buying the clothes? Come, let me measure you..."

Jiang Feng lowered his head and smiled. Uncle Dong's attempt to change the subject was very obvious. He trusted him and didn't ask more, which made Jiang Feng very grateful.

Although Chong Fan didn't know the details, he seemed to sense something. His eyes flickered, and he obediently followed Uncle Dong to the counter.

While measuring Chong Fan, Uncle Dong couldn't help but chatter, "Xiao Feng, you don't know yet, do you? I heard the Jiang family is about to make a big move."

Jiang Feng pulled out a chair and sat down, asking, "What kind of move?"

"A few days ago, the Jiang family brought in a teacher from outside and settled him in Beijiang. This teacher seems to be a big shot. I heard he came to be the teacher for the young people of the Jiang family, to help them pass the big exam!"

He shook his head, "Last year, only two people from the Jiang family passed the county exam, and there was no news about the state exam. It looks like they're going to make a big move this time!"

Jiang Feng lowered his eyes, and his heart boiled like boiling water.

After following the young lady for a year, he had a deeper understanding of the Jiang family.

The Jiang family's strength had been declining year by year. With their connections, how could they possibly invite a "big shot" to be a teacher?

There must be a connection with Lord Fuliu!

The Jiang family's big move was bought by selling the young lady!

He raised his head, a cold light flashing in his eyes. The Jiang family wanted to use the young lady to revive the family?

Ha!

Uncle Dong was extremely quick, and soon he had measured Chong Fan and brought him two sets of clothes to try on.

Perhaps sensing his unique aura, Uncle Dong brought out two long robes for scholars, which were of good quality.

Jiang Feng glanced at them and shook his head, "Uncle Dong, could you please change them? These clothes won't allow much movement in the mountains."

Uncle Dong was taken aback, "Your brother lives in the mountains like you? He doesn't look like it..."

He scratched his head and said, "There are no ready-made short clothes in this size. They need to be altered. Xiao Feng, you sit down, and I'll be done in a moment!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chong Fan's stomach growled. Jiang Feng stood up with a smile, patted his shoulder, and said, "Let's go eat first, and we'll come back later. Uncle Dong, thank you!"

Jiang Feng took Chong Fan to the largest restaurant in Lu Ming Town and gave him the menu to order.

Chong Fan glanced at the menu and ordered a few dishes. Jiang Feng listened and snatched the menu, shaking his head, "You're not a rabbit, why are you ordering all vegetables? My rabbits eat meat too!"

Chong Fan pursed his lips and said nothing.

Jiang Feng still kept the dishes he had ordered and added three meat dishes.

When the dishes were served, Jiang Feng propped his chin on his hand and looked out the window. Chong Fan sat opposite him, and suddenly asked, "You're not very happy?"

Jiang Feng was taken aback and said lightly, "No, I'm fine. We had a good harvest at the Half-Month Market today, and it's all thanks to you. This is the first time I've eaten here. When I was a child, I first came to Lu Ming Town and thought that when I grew up and made a lot of money, I would definitely come here to enjoy myself..."

Under Chong Fan's gaze, his voice gradually lowered, and he finally sighed, ruffling his hair, and said frankly, "I have a grudge with the Jiang family. I'm not happy when I hear they're doing well."

Chong Fan raised an eyebrow slightly and said coolly, "You don't seem like someone who would endure humiliation."

Jiang Feng laughed, "That's right, I'm not."

A waiter came over with a tray holding a steaming pot of fish soup.

Jiang Feng picked up a bowl and first served Chong Fan, then placed another bowl in front of himself.

His movements were slow but very steady, and not a drop of fish soup spilled. If you looked closely, you would see that the two bowls of fish soup were exactly the same, perfectly even!

Jiang Feng muttered to himself, "What does the Jiang family want the most? They have been declining for too many years. If this continues, they might not even be able to be the leader in Lu Ming Town. They are eager to use this big exam to gain some status."

"A powerful teacher? Maybe more than that. The Jiang family might want to skip the county exam and directly send people to the state and provincial exams."

The words Miss spoke to Miss that day clearly floated in his mind.

Miss asked Chimu for a Tianzhao Order. What did Chimu say? Only Lord Fuliu can directly issue state and provincial orders.

Jiang Feng knew very well what the Jiang family wanted the most.

By inviting a teacher with such a grand gesture and preparing for the big exam, they were likely to ask Lord Fuliu for a higher-level Tianzhao Order. They wanted to use this opportunity to revive the Jiang family!

Chong Fan nodded, "Although the state and provincial exams are generally more difficult than the county exam, the preferences of the examiners and the requirements for the candidates are different. It's not impossible to fail the county exam but succeed in the state and provincial exams."

He didn't say it, but Jiang Feng already understood.

In higher-level exams, the influence of people like Lord Fuliu is greater.

The source of the Jiang family's Tianzhao Order might also be a consideration for the examiners.

Chong Fan picked up the fish soup and took a sip, frowning slightly at the faint fishy smell. He put down the bowl and asked calmly, "Do you need my help?"

Jiang Feng knew he must have a remarkable background, but he wasn't yet clear about his true identity. However, this young man had always been cautious and confident. Since he had the confidence to say this, he could definitely help.

He stared at Chong Fan for a moment, then smiled and drank the fish soup in one go, "No, I want to handle this myself!"