Observing Wanfa from the martial arts school servants

Chapter 35 Temporary Post

Lin Mu paused for a moment, then answered truthfully, "Not enough."

Zhao Rong nodded, unsurprised.

Have you ever considered taking a temporary post?

"Nobody's looking for me."

Zhao Rong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke in a flat tone, as if he were simply saying that the weather was nice today:

"My family owns a gambling den called Chang Le in Xihe Town. If you're willing, you can work there for a few days each month for five taels of silver, plus three packets of Qi and Blood Powder."

Lin Mu was slightly taken aback.

This was truly unexpected for him.

It turns out that the usually conservative editor Zhao's family runs a gambling den.

"Don't look at me like that. My brother is in charge of the family business."

"If you're interested, I'll go back and talk to them about it."

"It's not much money, but it's easy."

"Thank you, Editor Zhao."

Lin Mu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

He knew this wasn't just a casual remark.

Five taels a month isn't much, but there's no requirement to stay at the gambling den long-term; you can just call out and a bunch of people will rush to come.

"Then it's settled."

"Oh, by the way, what kind of physique do you have?"

"Inferior physical constitution." Lin Mu did not hide it.

"it is good."

Whether it was Lin Mu's imagination or not, Zhao Rong seemed rather pleased to hear this answer.

He closed the file and waved his hand: "Let's go, Heyuan Restaurant."

Lin Mu was taken aback: "Editor Zhao, this—"

"My brother got a capable assistant today, so we should have a couple of drinks."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse such hospitality, Lin Mu did not decline any further.

And he was really hungry.

When the two left the Palace Guard, night had already fallen in the inner city.

Lanterns lined both sides of the street, illuminating the alley from one end to the other, making the bluestone slabs glow warmly.

The air is filled with the aroma of osmanthus cake and braised pork, bringing a touch of everyday life.

The Heyuan Restaurant is located at the street corner. It is a three-story wooden building with six large red lanterns under the eaves. The stone steps at the entrance are worn smooth, reflecting the shadows of the lanterns.

Zhao Rong chose a house on the second floor, an A-frame structure.

The door faces the stairwell, and room number one is just a few steps away.

"Two servings of braised beef, a bowl of deer blood soup, and two more dishes," Zhao Rong ordered casually without looking at the menu, adding, "and half a pound of roasted pork, warm it up."

The food was served quickly.

The beef was neatly arranged, and the cut surface had a dark red sheen.

Zhao Rong pushed the beef towards Lin Mu and moved the deer blood soup next to him: "Eat more."

"For someone who practices martial arts, that little bit of monthly salary can't make up for much of the cost."

Lin Mu didn't stand on ceremony and picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks.

The meat is full and slightly sweet when chewed, and a warm feeling rises in the lower abdomen after swallowing, allowing the blood and qi to circulate throughout the body.

Zhao Rong poured himself a cup of shochu and started drinking.

He doesn't talk much, occasionally asking, "Is that enough to eat?" or "Would you like another plate?"

Seeing Lin Mu shake his head, he didn't force her and continued drinking.

Halfway through the meal, footsteps came from the stairwell.

Yan Hua walked up.

He wore that silver robe, his waist cinched perfectly, and walked straight to the door of Room Number One, pushing it open and going inside.

Lin Mu paused for a moment with his chopsticks.

A short while later, Yu Mubai also came up.

The moon-white long gown gleamed softly in the lamplight under the corridor, giving it an air of elegance and refinement.

He pushed open the door to room number one and went inside.

Then the man in the white robe arrived.

The character "驭" (yù, meaning "to control") on his chest flashed by under the light.

He also went to room number one.

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling that this meal was well worth it.

When Meng Changqing came up, he was carrying a booklet into room number one of the "Heavenly" section, and he came out in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

As Lin Mu passed by the A-frame house, he buried his head in his beef.

Even more unexpectedly, Qian Wanjun also came out of the No. 1 room.

Things are getting more and more interesting.

Lin Mu picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks, chewed it, and casually remarked, "The white-robed man who just passed by was quite interesting; he had the character 'Yǔ' embroidered on his chest."

Zhao Rong glanced at Lin Mu.

"People from the Wind Riding Gang."

"It was formerly known as the Wind Riding Martial Arts School, where they practiced the Wind Riding Fist."

"The gang leader, Ding Youfeng, is extremely violent and wants to quickly accumulate resources to break through the Inch Force level. In the past few years, he has integrated several small gangs of the Jinsha Gang."

"It's said that in their gang, those with internal strength are only qualified to be hall masters."

"Try not to offend them."

......

After a satisfying meal, the two leaned back in their chairs and chatted casually.

Zhao Rong, holding his teacup, chatted about the amusing stories of recruiting clerks.

"I have recruited a total of three minor clerks."

"The first one, upon hearing that they were going to copy the 'Heyuan Gazetteer,' said that he, a dignified Ming Jin, was actually copying such useless things, and turned around and left."

Zhao Rong smiled and shook his head. "The second one was better; he endured it for three days. Seeing that I still wouldn't let him touch the martial arts manuals that had been handed over, he was unwilling to give up and left."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Lin Mu: "When I asked you to copy the 'Heyuan Chronicle,' I was thinking, how many days can you endure this?"

Zhao Rong put down his teacup, his tone indifferent: "I didn't expect you to keep doing this for just three days."

"Actually, I enjoy it."

"There are many interesting contents in the River Source Chronicle, such as the legend of the demon, which is the first time I have ever heard of it."

Upon hearing the words "demon," Zhao Rong's smile vanished.

He glanced around, and seeing that no one was around, he lowered his voice and said cryptically, "Don't mention this outside."

Lin Mu nodded and stopped the discussion.

After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, they went their separate ways.

When Zhao Rong arrived home, his elder brother Zhao Mian was sitting in the study flipping through account books, his brows furrowed, the beads on his abacus clicking loudly.

"Big brother." Zhao Rong stood at the door for a moment.

Zhao Mian didn't even look up, but after fiddling with the abacus a few more times, he finally hummed in agreement.

Zhao Rong went in and patiently sat down beside him.

Fifteen minutes later, Zhao Mian closed the ledger, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.

"What is it?"

"I've hired a minor clerk named Lin Mu," Zhao Rong paused, "whose monthly salary in the Palace Guard is only one tael."

"That's too little for a martial artist."

"Isn't our gambling den short of people? Let him work as a waiter, five taels a month and three packets of Qi and Blood Powder."

Zhao Mian glanced at him: "Recently, our family business has lost a few orders, and we're short on cash."

Zhao Rong didn't say anything.

Zhao Mian was silent for a moment, then sighed, "You never ask me for anything. Fine, two taels it is. Don't ask for any more."

Zhao Rong nodded, "Okay," and got up to leave.

After walking a short distance, Zhao Mian asked again, "His name is Lin Mu?"

"Um."

"The one from Changfeng Martial Arts School who defeated the one with hidden strength using Ming Jin."

"understood."

As a martial artist, Zhao Mian knew that challenging opponents of higher levels was almost impossible.

It can only be said that Lin Mu has a better grasp of Ming Jin (manifested strength), while he is not familiar with An Jin (hidden strength) from the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts School, which led to this result.

......

When Lin Mu returned to the village, the moon was already high in the sky.

He stood in his own yard practicing standing meditation, circulating his body-strengthening techniques, his qi and blood sinking into the soles of his feet, and the wind from his punches whistling in the moonlight.

Footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate.

Lin Mu withdrew his fist and opened the courtyard gate.

Lin Youfu stood at the door, holding a rough porcelain bowl in his hand, with several steaming white steamed buns piled inside.

He stood outside the threshold, not daring to knock.