Late in the year 2024, on October 29, in the bustling Righteous Prosperity City, under a vast sky, tensions dissipated as Liang Qu felt a long-standing sense of crisis drop from his shoulders.
His purse bulged with clinking silver fragments, making his mood even brighter.
Waving off the distractions of the thriving Peaceful Sun Town, he couldn't resist the urge to shop.
Passing by a fabric store, Liang Qu asked his two senior brothers to wait briefly while he bought a couple of ready-made cotton outfits.
Cotton alone on the market cost three hundred coins per pound these days.
For a tall person, a long coat needed three pounds of cotton.
Two coats and an inner shirt cost Liang Qu over three taels.
His senior brothers gifted him clothes too precious to wear every day, so for his sweaty martial practices, he preferred two sets of convenient, replaceable cheap clothes.
Liang Qu pulled out his coin purse to pay, retrieved his change, and fished out a small silver ingot from his pouch.
"Shopkeeper, could you help me exchange this small ingot for two taels of loose silver?" The shopkeeper picked up the ingot, weighed it, blew a tune, bit it lightly, confirmed its authenticity, and handed Liang Qu two couplets of loose silver.
"Young master, your silver is of good quality, I'll add fifty coins more," the shopkeeper said, taking fifty copper coins from the drawer for Liang Qu.
"Thank you," Liang Qu replied, pocketing the loose silver and copper and handing a small ingot alongside a tael of silver back to Senior Brother Xiang.
Xiang Changsong accepted it with surprise, "Junior brother, it's just three taels. I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it."
Liang Qu shook his head, "Borrowing is borrowing. If you take a loan, you must repay it."
Though the clothing gift from Xiang Changsong was clearly valuable, gifts are gifts while borrowed money is another matter entirely.
No amount of gifting excuses one from returning borrowed silver.
"Haha," Xiang Changsong chuckled lightly, accepting the money.
Though three taels weren't significant to him, Liang Qu's demeanor pleased him unexpectedly.
After buying clothes, they walked a short distance to the Five Fragrance Pavilion, the best confectionery shop in Peaceful Sun Town.
Liang Qu had purchased a gift for his apprenticeship here.
Now, he took out another tael to buy two boxes of pastries, intending to give one to Li and Chen, and one to Uncle Chen's family.
Hu Qi quipped, "Junior Brother Liang does seem rather cheerful today. I just hope one of those boxes includes something for us."
Scratching his head embarrassedly, Liang Qu realized he had forgotten his senior brothers.
Though not as wealthy as them, he intended to buy a few more boxes, only to be stopped by Hu Qi.
"Hey, just teasing."
Hu Qi stopped him.
"Master gave you ten taels of silver, and you've already spent about seven. If you buy for us, the money will lose its purpose. Show your gratitude by treating us when you earn some in the future."
Liang Qu nodded, keeping the promise in his heart.
As a direct disciple of Master Yang, if he earned two hundred coins from fishing daily, no one would question it.
Onlookers would even praise him for appearing as a master’s true successor.
Moreover, with the right skills, a monthly Treasure Fish catch wasn't out of reach, potentially earning him nearly ten taels monthly, surpassing a farmer's yearly income.
Certainly, this simple method appeared brute but viable.
Liang Qu now had more than one way to earn a living.
For instance, Xiang Changsong and Hu Qi worked at the Martial Hall, one overseeing interpersonal duties, the other teaching, both receiving generous salaries reaching several dozen taels monthly.
If Liang Qu faced financial straits, he could assist for a while, even if his cultivation level limited him to chores beside Xiang Changsong.
Upon completing his studies, he could aid in record keeping.
Chatting as they walked, the trio reached the Martial Hall.
In the Martial Training Grounds, where bloodstains from last night were covered with yellow earth, not a trace of blood stench remained.
Today's gathering included the same fifty or so familiar faces.
Oh, subtracting Lu Tingcai and six others, only forty or so remained.
Many students roamed the hall.
Master Yang attended the last five days of the month.
Today is merely the second day.
His mentoring involved more than correcting movements—something beyond motions—to encompass technique tips, blood energy guidance, cultivating pace choices, herbal pairing, and myriad precautions.
All cherished his guidance and avoided missing any session.
However, Lu Shaohui was absent, a peculiarity since Liang Qu hadn't seen him since yesterday.
Too afraid to return? Liang Qu found it improbable.
For Lu Shaohui, a bona fide martial artist, attending the Martial Hall sought atmosphere and environment beyond learning.
Training solo at home paled in comparison to sparring and discourse with peers.
Additionally, Lu Shaohui's nominal "substitute" role didn't risk reprimand—at most, a scolding or two.
Winter wind tossed fallen leaves, swirling them over yellow earth.
Liang Qu observed the crowd—all eyes were also on him.
Dressed in a black beast-skin cape, wearing a narrow-sleeved, narrow-waist, gold-edged robe with a broad leather belt adorned with medallions and jade pendants, his cloak revealed metal bracers peeked from inside his cuffs.
Although not towering due to his age, and skin slightly darkened, his posture and natural charisma gave him an appealing contrast and vigor.
Wasn't this the same boy, the luck-struck youth of last night?!
Everyone's minds involuntarily conjured the image of Liang Qu, clad in yellowish hemp clothing—a portrait of penury.
Now transformed!
Disbelief could not dismiss the truth.
Xiang Changsong was consistently amiable, patient with all.
Master Hu, albeit reticent, was fair and highly skilled.
Never had they displayed such open camaraderie in conversation!
A palpable barrier silently divided the disciples of Master Yang from the rest.
Among the crowd, Zhao Xueyuan initiated a move, stepping forward with courteous greetings, "Senior Brother Hu, Senior Brother Xiang, Senior Brother Liang."
This cue drove the rest to gather in groups, greeting,
"Senior Brother."
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
Each one approached with introductions, understanding they had to address him as "Senior Brother," irrespective of their seniority.
Suddenly, Liang Qu comprehended: Thirty years on this side of the river, thirty years on that—what did that mean? It suddenly struck him.
Last night, those present smirked knowingly, watching him like a show.
Yet today, they bowed in respect to him.
"Ah Shui, how impressive!" someone exclaimed.
"A true man should aspire!" From the corner, Li Libo and Chen Jiechang became enthralled by Liang Qu's posture and unconcealed glee.
Suppressing their enthusiasm, they approached last to offer greetings.
Yet facing Liang Qu’s lavish appearance, speech jammed as throats seemed blocked.
Xiang Changsong cleverly intervened, "You chat. Hu Senior Brother and I will check on the apprentices. Later, you learn from Hu Senior Brother how to break the Skin Barrier."
After the pair departed, Liang Qu opened a wooden box, tilting it, "Want some?"
Li Libo recognizing the characters—though illiterate, these were unmistakably the characters for Five Fragrance Pavilion, learned by hearsay, yet never personally indulged.
His hesitation surfaced, "Five Fragrance Pavilion?"
"Yes, it’s specifically for you guys, to celebrate my advancement as Master Yang's disciple."
"Not cheap, right?" responded Chen Jiechang, reluctant in acceptance.
"Take it."
"But…"
"Take it!"
A scene mimicked from the night prior played again.
An overwhelming sense of familiarity washed over the pair, like glimpsing the moonlit figure of Liang Qu, drenched in blood, unyielding, resolute, and ferociously keeping down all attempts at revival.
By the time they grounded back, they found themselves opening the package subconsciously.
Liang Qu jested, "What's there to hesitate over, really. Look at you! Li Libo, didn’t seem bothered when snatching at the meat last time, now did you?"
The subtle gap between them dissipated amidst laughter, melting away like snow.
Li Libo and Chen Jiechang laughed along, heads revolving between snickers.
Li Libo's eyes were wet, gulping down a full sweet pastry, "Mm, so good... I always wanted to try what's inside the Five Fragrance Pavilion, but never could. It’s delicious, really delicious."
Nibbling slowly, Chen Jiechang savored his piece, "Someday, our Righteous Prosperity will boast of Liang Qu as a renowned person."
"In time, Ah Shui might be 'Water Brother,' Liang Elder. Maybe even buy a large residence and manage a few maids?"
"Your dreams are mediocre. Certainly a government official path, the Martial Imperial Examination route!"
"Can't you think more substantial?"
"I say, all earned and deserved by Ah Shui's skills!"
(End of Chapter)