Chapter 23: Marketplace Scion, Killing Intent Hard To Suppress
“Hungry beast, someone’s looking for you.”
A Daoist child passing by in the dojo casually called out to Fang Shu.
Fang Shu immediately opened his eyes, nodded at the other person, then grabbed the Daoist robe beside him, put it on, and walked towards the dojo entrance, reeking of sweat.
Although the cultivation of Insect Skill mainly relies on Insect Blood to drive the cultivation practice, the tempering of one’s own tendons and bones is still indispensable.
When Fang Shu was practicing, he still had to circulate his strength and stretch his tendons and bones, but when tempering his body, he must remember the breathing method and not make any mistakes.
This method of cultivation practice was quite different from the silent meditation Fang Shu had imagined.
However, he had not even passed the First Tribulation of Immortality yet, and was just a mortal, so practicing this way was understandable.
Walked straight ahead.
Fang Shu had thought it would be his Second Uncle, Yu Le, who was looking for him. After all, he hadn’t been back for a full month, and his Second Uncle might want to call him back to rest and eat.
Unexpectedly, at the dojo entrance, he saw the father of Li Hou Er – the neighboring Talisman Master Li Yuan.
This situation surprised Fang Shu, but he calmly stepped forward, bowed, and greeted him:
“Greetings, Uncle Li.”
Li Hou Er was also nearby. Talisman Master Li Yuan smiled, nodded at Fang Shu, and then sent Li Hou Er away:
“Your brother Fang and I have something to talk about, you go aside.”
Li Hou Er winked and put on a dejected face:
“Alright, you two old men chat slowly. Fang Ge Er, I’m heading to the dining hall.”
Li Hou Er was still carrying a bag of something, and by the looks of it, it was likely tofu again, which was why the guy looked so glum.
After Li Hou Er walked away, Talisman Master Li Yuan pulled Fang Shu to a deserted corner and suddenly took out a bottle of pills from his sleeve, shoving it into Fang Shu’s hand:
“Here, take it.”
Fang Shu examined the medicine bottle in his hand and immediately recognized that the pill was the “Essence Nourishing Pill,” which cost three hundred Talisman Money a bottle.
He immediately showed a hesitant expression: “This, how can this be…”
Before Fang Shu could refuse further, Talisman Master Li Yuan said, “It’s not from me. Your Second Uncle asked me to bring it to you along the way.
Just accept it with peace of mind.”
As it turned out, the more he said, the more Fang Shu’s heart skipped a beat.
After a few breaths of thought, he cupped his hands, holding the medicine bottle, and asked in a deep voice:
“Uncle Li, what about my Second Uncle? Why didn’t he bring it himself? Please tell me directly!”
Talisman Master Li Yuan mumbled, intending to casually make up a lie and fob him off.
But when he saw Fang Shu’s earnest gaze, he sighed:
“Fine, fine. You’re not as thoughtless as that Li Hou Er. This matter shouldn’t be kept from you.”
Talisman Master Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then said hesitantly, “But let’s make this clear first: once you know, you must not act rashly. Otherwise, I’ll truly be failing your Second Uncle.
Also, for the time being, you should stay in the dojo and cultivate diligently, alright?”
Hearing this, Fang Shu felt even more uneasy, but he managed to remain calm and nodded, “Alright, I will not act rashly.”
Then Talisman Master Li Yuan pointed at the Essence Nourishing Pill in Fang Shu’s hand:
“Originally, your Second Uncle learned some leather-making skills from somewhere and set his sights on my Talisman Skin supply. He pestered me for a long time, wanting to help me as an assistant, saying that after making leather, he would cut it into Talisman Skins and sell it to me.
I couldn’t refuse him, so I let him try. As it turns out, this guy is quite capable and didn’t ruin the hides.
For the past month, this fellow has been tanning beast hides and demonic beast hides day and night. Not only is he not tired, but he looks much more energetic and has something to strive for.”
The other party then sighed lightly, “This bottle of Essence Nourishing Pills you’re holding was bought with the money he saved from a month of leather-making to help you.”
Hearing this, Fang Shu couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the medicine bottle.
“I thought Yu Le was going to turn over a new leaf and live a stable life. All our neighbors were happy for him.
But who would have thought that your Second Uncle would be targeted by that Cheng Guanzi again.”
Talisman Master Li Yuan slapped his thigh and cursed under his breath:
“This bastard who’s born without a butt, he’s targeted your Second Uncle’s paper house, which he’s rented for over ten years, saying that his nephew also came from the Mortal World long ago and wants to register the nephew under your Second Uncle’s name, taking your spot.
Your Second Uncle naturally refused. Unexpectedly, Cheng Guanzi used your Second Uncle’s rent arrears as an excuse, saying that if he didn’t pay for over three months, he’d burn down your Second Uncle’s paper house and void his lease, settling everything.”
Hearing this, Fang Shu began to understand vaguely, but what he wanted to know most was the situation of his Second Uncle.
So he finally couldn’t help but interrupt Talisman Master Li Yuan’s long-winded speech that hadn’t gotten to the point:
“Uncle Li, may I ask where my Second Uncle is now? Is he alright?”
Talisman Master Li Yuan was stunned and quickly said:
“Oh, oh, he’s fine, he should be fine…”
The other party tugged at his beard, pondering.
Fang Shu frowned upon hearing this.
Fortunately, the other party quickly added:
“Regarding the rent, it would have been a problem that could be solved by borrowing money at most. But that Cheng Guanzi also spread the word that he couldn’t control people in other districts, but in this district, whoever dares to lend money to your Second Uncle, he’ll deal with them!
Plus, you’re cultivating in the dojo now, and your Second Uncle said you’ll need to pay tuition again soon.
So your Second Uncle bit the bullet, put down his leather-making work, signed a long-term contract, and went directly into the mines to dig.”
“Digging in the mines?!”
Fang Shu’s eyelids twitched. He felt a complex mix of emotions, unsure whether to be relieved or more tense.
To be honest, he had already prepared for the worst – that his Second Uncle might be missing. The next worst was that his Second Uncle would be severely injured and bedridden.
Fortunately, his Second Uncle was neither, but was forced to go mining.
Immediately, however, Fang Shu’s teeth clenched slightly, and he muttered, “Mining is no easy task.”
He clearly remembered that, according to his Second Uncle, farming was merely toiling like an ox or a horse, hard and tiring, but mining was a dangerous job second only to collecting herbs and treasure in the mountains and wilds, with risks of encountering demonic beasts, cave-ins, and so on.
Even if none of these were encountered, prolonged exposure to the mine tunnels was a great harm to the human body, especially the internal organs.
None of the old miners in Gu Ling Town were free of lung disease!
Talisman Master Li Yuan heard Fang Shu’s words and nodded:
“Isn’t that the truth! Can mining be done by decent people?
Alas, if your Second Uncle hadn’t been pushed to the brink, he probably would have preferred to sell blood again rather than go mining.”
Seeing that Fang Shu seemed a bit off, Talisman Master Li Yuan patted his shoulder reassuringly:
“But thankfully, your Second Uncle is thick-skinned and black-hearted. It should be fine if he just goes mining for a few months.
Besides, he’s already discussed it with me. He’ll entrust the mine boss to send Talisman Money back periodically for me to give to you. You can cultivate peacefully in the dojo.”
Seeing that Fang Shu didn’t reply, Talisman Master Li Yuan patted him hard and said earnestly:
“Child, listen to an old man’s advice. When your strength is inferior, diligently cultivating is the proper way.
If you can enter the Dao sooner, at your age, do you think that Cheng Guanzi would still dare to bully your Second Uncle?”
Fang Shu snapped back to his senses then. He understood that the other party was speaking good and righteous words, and let out a sigh:
“Uncle Li, I understand.”
Seeing Fang Shu agree, Talisman Master Li Yuan’s face immediately broke into a wrinkled smile:
“Good child, much more sensible than that Li Hou Er.”
Although he agreed, it didn’t mean Fang Shu had given up on paying attention to this matter.
Subsequently, he asked about the rental contract mentioned by the other party.
After Talisman Master Li Yuan explained, Fang Shu suddenly understood that Gu Ling Town also had household registration.
Anyone who came to town, if they had no one to take them in or couldn’t find a place to live, would be expelled from the marketplace within three days at the fastest and forced to spend the night outside the town.
And given the environment of Mount Lu, even if the fierce beasts and monsters near Gu Ling Town were cleared out by the town, it was hard to guarantee that monsters wouldn’t sneak in at night.
Moreover, the most dangerous thing outside the town wasn’t monsters, but people! Living people!
Fang Shu, having been taken in by his Second Uncle into the Paper Workshop upon arriving in town, had a place to stay, so he was unaware of such circumstances.
If he hadn’t had his Second Uncle and couldn’t find a place to stay immediately, he would have to sell blood every five days, and with the tickets from selling blood, he wouldn’t be driven out of the marketplace for five days.
And the status mentioned by Talisman Master Li Yuan referred to the household registration slot under Yu Le’s name.
Although Yu Le had not obtained household registration in Gu Ling Town, because he had rented the paper house early on, and every paper house in town had a proper contract, this contract was equivalent to a temporary household registration.
After a temporary household registration exceeded ten years, one could take in a relative, and such a relative would have an easier time obtaining household registration in Gu Ling Town in the future, and it would be counted from the homeowner’s generation.
For example, Fang Shu.
He was currently under the protection of his Second Uncle’s house. Once he obtained household registration in Gu Ling Town, he would not be considered a naturalized first-generation resident of the marketplace, but would be counted as a second-generation resident with roots.
Talisman Master Li Yuan spoke eloquently:
“In this town, those who have been rooted for three generations or more are considered natives. The second generation in the middle are considered half-baked, and the first generation are considered raw.
Don’t underestimate this difference. It may seem insignificant normally, but when it comes to certain things in town, like opening a shop, finding work, etc.
Especially when joining a dojo or an Immortal Sect, one’s background is considered. As for more detailed information, you will understand later.”
Although Talisman Master Li Yuan did not give detailed examples of the benefits of being a “second-generation marketplace resident.”
Fang Shu immediately searched his mind for something corresponding to a dream he had had.
That Cheng Guanzi was essentially targeting Yu Le’s “school district slot,” wanting to place his son and nephew!
Fang Shu himself wasn’t very clear about this matter, but Yu Le definitely was, which was why he went into the mines directly, intending to find a way to preserve Fang Shu’s future “second-generation marketplace resident” status.
As for why Cheng Guanzi didn’t use his own, either his was already used up, or he was a bully who picked on the weak and feared the strong, thinking that he who doesn’t take advantage of a bargain is a fool.
After sorting all this out.
Fang Shu closed his eyes slightly, his killing intent already at its peak.
Very good!
This villain is courting death and must be killed.
As for the risks of killing him, Fang Shu instantly calculated it in his mind.
Now that his Second Uncle Yu Le had hidden in the mine tunnels, and he himself was in Du Gu Guan, even if killing that fellow had hidden dangers, it could still be concealed for the time being.
Instead, if this Cheng Guanzi were not eliminated, it might lead to greater harm!
“Fang family kid, don’t overthink it, cultivate well.”
Talisman Master Li Yuan patted him again and repeatedly instructed, “Cultivate well, increase your Qi and Blood. That’s more important than anything else.”
Although Fang Shu’s killing intent was at its peak, his expression was even calmer.
He not only lived up to Talisman Master Li Yuan’s kind words but also nodded seriously:
“Yes, improving Qi and Blood is more important than anything.”
Seeing that Fang Shu’s words were not fake, Talisman Master Li Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, the other party exchanged a few more words with Fang Shu before slowly leaving Du Gu Guan.
After watching him leave completely, Fang Shu withdrew his gaze.
Immediately, he hid in a corner and took out the bottle of Essence Nourishing Pills given by Talisman Master Li Yuan.
He examined it repeatedly, identifying its authenticity based on what his Second Uncle had taught him.
Although Talisman Master Li Yuan had no reason to deceive him, nor any reason to tamper with the pills, his Second Uncle Yu Le had instructed him never to take pills of unknown origin lightly.
Fortunately, after a careful inspection, there were no abnormalities in the medicine bottle or the pills inside.
They were genuine products purchased from an old shop in the marketplace, with a thin layer of beeswax on each pill and unique anti-counterfeiting marks.
After confirming there were no issues, Fang Shu crushed a pill’s beeswax coating and threw the Essence Nourishing Pill into his mouth.
He then calmly walked into the cultivation hall, found a corner, and began to furiously dissipate the medicinal power, circulating his own Qi and Blood!
Just as he had answered Talisman Master Li Yuan, improving his Qi and Blood was the most important thing to do right now.
However, Fang Shu did not intend to use this improved Qi and Blood to nourish himself, but to fully nourish his Long Tongue Sword!
The Secret Mouth-Sword Technique was a genuine First Tribulation magic, and the Long Tongue Sword forged from it, if properly nourished with Qi and Blood, could be promoted to a true First Tribulation Magic Tool.
Fang Shu was now vigorously promoting his Qi and Blood to nourish the Tongue Sword, intending to elevate it to the First Tribulation first.
His eyes flashed with cold light: “Cheng Guanzi, you are also a First Calamity Immortal who entered the Dao by taking pills. Let’s see, whose physical body is harder, or whose Tongue Sword is sharper.”
Gurgle!
Under Fang Shu’s Qi and Blood nourishment, the Long Tongue Sword, hidden in his chest and abdomen, emanated heat, like a red-hot poker, causing Fang Shu’s face to contort slightly.
The other Daoist children cultivating in the same hall vaguely sensed that Fang Shu was acting strangely and moved a little further away, lest they get into trouble.
This cultivation continued until night.
In just half a day, Fang Shu had consumed three Essence Nourishing Pills. This was already the limit his body could take.
Fortunately, with the three Essence Nourishing Pills taken and combined with Fang Shu’s previous nourishment, the Tongue Sword was getting closer and closer to a certain bottleneck.
After stopping his cultivation, Fang Shu slowly opened his eyes, then tidied his clothes and strode out of the hall.
He did not return to the dojo’s communal bunk room, but left the dojo and headed straight for the Paper Workshop.
Just as he checked the pills, although Talisman Master Li Yuan had no reason to fake them or deceive him.
For such a crucial matter, Fang Shu had to investigate it himself to verify the truth of the news, so as to avoid any discrepancies in what the other party had said.
Not long after.
Fang Shu quietly arrived at the Paper Workshop in the dark.
He first spied on Talisman Master Li Yuan’s Paper Workshop and found that the other party had likely gone to set up a night stall again, working late to earn hard-earned money.
So Fang Shu quietly returned to his Second Uncle’s paper house and checked in the dark.
Finding no letters or anything left by his Second Uncle, he regretfully withdrew and then quietly crept towards the paper house of his next-door neighbor, Dou Su Fu.
The Milk Shop beauty usually only worked during the day, unlike Talisman Master Li Yuan who worked so hard. The other party should be in her house right now, and Fang Shu planned to visit her for advice.
Unexpectedly, as Fang Shu quietly crept over in the dark, he saw low figures moving by the gutter.
Fang Shu became alert, worried that someone was ambushing nearby, so he hunched over and took two more stealthy steps forward.
Soon, his ears caught the faint sound of trickling water, splashing into the gutter.
Taking two more steps forward, a patch of white moonlight suddenly entered his vision, astonishing him.
