Chen Qingjiang carried his old father back home, where Ah Di, having heard from Li Libo, was anxiously waiting at the door.
As soon as she spotted her husband's figure, she rushed over to help him.
Upon seeing Liang Qu, Ah Di choked up further, almost kneeling before him.
Luckily, Liang Qu was quick and helped her up.
"Ah Shui, I don't know how to thank you. Today, Ah Lang went out to pay the grain tax, and I've been worried something would happen. I never imagined such a disaster would occur. If he got taken to dig the Grand Canal, it truly would have been the end of the world."
Chen Qingjiang had heard about Liang Qu's emerging martial skills a few days ago, and Ah Di knew as well.
She was initially upset, thinking that borrowing grain was useless—raising a useless son who would rather spend money on martial arts and dining at taverns than repaying the grain.
Each day before dawn, she had to take Dabao and Erbao to do laundry for others, earning money to save for the autumn tax.
For the sake of her husband's dignity, she didn't complain, but she never expected his earlier kindness would now yield such a significant return.
"Alright, it's all in the past now. Stop the crying and go make a proper meal for these brothers."
Chen Qingjiang, not good at consoling women, sent Ah Di off to cook and then carried his father to rest inside.
Liang Qu was initially hesitant to accept the meal but, realizing he was penniless and had nothing to eat outside, agreed to stay.
At the table, there were only three plates of wild vegetables, a fish, and a dish of pickles.
The fish was fresh, but because spices were expensive, unless it was Treasure Fish, the fish would taste fishy.
Ordinary fishermen often ate smoked or salted fish for preservation and flavor, and only those truly impoverished would eat fresh fish due to the cost of salt.
Those who could afford spices were in a different situation.
Chen Qingjiang was a bit embarrassed.
"There's nothing much left at home. Once I have some money, I'll treat you to something nicer."
Li Libo waved his hand.
"It's fine, we don't mind."
"Yeah, this is better than having to cook myself," Liang Qu added.
Knowing their family couldn't even pay taxes and almost got taken to dig the Grand Canal, both Liang Qu and Li Libo understood and wouldn't complain about the food.
Despite being simple, it was filling.
Having earned some money, the next day, Liang Qu didn't visit the Martial Hall, not for the sake of keeping a low profile but because he needed to fish for survival.
Now truly penniless, he had to go fishing to get by.
After a day of fishing with Fatty Catfish, Liang Qu returned to the fish market to sell his catch.
Lin Songbao greeted him with a playful tone, "I heard about what happened yesterday. Didn't expect a hero to be hiding in Righteous Prosperity City. You're amazing!"
Lin Songbao gave Liang Qu a thumbs-up.
"Will being a hero earn me two extra copper coins for the fish?"
"It sure will! Usually, it would be 102 coins, but I'll give you 110. How about that?"
Liang Qu was surprised.
"Are you serious?"
"Why not? Even if the fish market is known for being tough, that's other people's business. I respect someone like you. Adding a bit extra won't hurt; we all make a profit anyway. Whenever you come by, I'll make sure you get a fair deal."
Liang Qu, realizing the son of the fish market owner was different than expected, was deeply impressed.
With money earned, on the third day, Liang Qu finally returned to the Martial Hall.
It would be impolite not to show up soon.
However, upon arrival, he learned their instructor Hu Qi was on leave, replaced by a martial artist named Lu Shaohui—skilled, though slightly weaker than Hu Qi.
Li Libo, after practicing Ape Fist, whispered while resting, "Senior Brother Xiang said Hu Martial Master is about to break through. Soon, he might become a true Martial Master."
Liang Qu figured it was about time.
It might take a while to turn fish horns into pills, but enough time had elapsed since Hu Martial Master's purchase of the horned pomfret.
Having tasted Treasure Fish twice, Liang Qu felt a single Treasure Fish's horn wasn't that powerful.
It likely served as an auxiliary ingredient or catalyst.
Li Libo, looking around to see that Lu Martial Artist wasn't present, lowered his voice further, "Also, have you noticed that Lu Martial Artist seems to avoid us, almost indifferent?"
Liang Qu admitted, "Maybe he doesn't like the fishy smell on us?"
Previously, during Ape Fist practice, Hu Qi would actively correct mistakes and demonstrate, unlike their current instructor, who rarely demonstrated unless asked.
Without a solid foundation in Ape Fist, such indifference might have proven frustrating.
A clear tell was Lu Martial Artist's habit of wrinkling his nose each time he neared them, expressing disdain.
Liang Qu also had little choice; frequent fishing made it difficult to rid himself of the smell, even with thorough cleaning.
"Ah, I thought martial masters would be friendly, judging from Hu and Senior Brother Xiang's attitude."
"Haha, don't dwell on it. The fact they didn't look down on us was surprising enough. As long as we learn the real skills, that's what matters."
Having read a lot of online literature, Liang Qu realized that getting kind treatment initially surprised him.
But now, things were more familiar.
"By the way, did you see that guy over there?"
"Who?"
"The one in the white clothes with golden threads. That’s Zhao Xueyuan, the third son of the Zhao family. Never thought he'd train in martial arts here. Looks like our choice of Yang Clan Martial Hall wasn't wrong!"
The third son of the Zhao family? Following Li Libo's direction, Liang Qu spotted the young man, indeed clean and well-groomed.
Despite his plain features, his noble bearing set him apart from their mud-caked selves.
His father was Master Zhao? A chill ran down Liang Qu's spine.
From this third son, he could hardly imagine Master Zhao as he knew him.
Best to keep a safe distance.
Seemingly sensing the gaze, Zhao Xueyuan glanced over but didn't pay much attention, having noticed these fishermen before.
They were irrelevant, with no one interested in engaging them.
After three months, they'd likely disappear anyway.
"Soon it will be the end of the month, and Master Yang will give a lecture. I wonder if it will be different, maybe it'll be my breakthrough moment."
"Always good to dream."
With Lu Martial Artist absent, Liang Qu and Li Libo casually chatted when Senior Brother Xiang's voice echoed down the corridor.
"Today's martial artist on duty is Senior Brother Lu. He'll be your instructor. Though not Master Yang's direct disciple, Senior Brother Lu is experienced. Oh, and we have two junior brothers also from Righteous Prosperity City; maybe you know them."
Hearing this, both Liang Qu and Li Libo looked up, and Li Libo was first to speak.
"Chen Jiechang, what are you doing here?"
(End of Chapter)