Chapter 68: Chapter 68: People Are Just Worthless

The Fish Market.

Zhao Xisheng was at a small stall on the side of the road, selling his catch.

In his fish basket were several sizable black carp and grass carp.

He had lost a lot of weight, and his skin had grown darker.

He had grown a mustache, and his gaze was much steadier.

He no longer looked like a youth, but rather a middle-aged man in his thirties.

Ever since that time he had run into Gong Yulei, only to be brutally beaten by Li San’s men,

he had figured out many things overnight.

Regret was useless. Wallowing in self-pity was useless.

Only by becoming stronger could he change any of this!

During this period,

aside from caring for his father, he had been diligently honing his fishing skills.

Now, things were gradually looking up.

Although his father was still bedridden, his life had been saved.

His daily catch had also increased.

However, the Fish Dragon Gang took an extremely large cut.

After all the various miscellaneous fees were added up,

he only had enough for daily expenses and couldn’t save any money at all.

One fisherman he knew couldn’t take it anymore and secretly took his fish to the Inner City to sell privately.

But he was discovered by the Fish Dragon Gang, beaten half to death, and had his boat burned.

So, although the fishermen were full of complaints, no one dared to resist.

Suddenly, he saw Li San arrive at the Fish Market again, this time with a Martial Artist dressed in fitted clothes.

The Martial Artist was handsome, tall, and sturdy, and he walked with a powerful, confident stride.

He listened to Li San while scanning the stalls on both sides of the Fish Market, seemingly looking for something.

Zhao Xisheng felt the man looked very familiar, but he couldn’t quite place him.

Just then, two fishermen nearby started chatting.

"Hey, Old Liu, who’s that with Master Li?"

"I heard he’s Vice Gang Leader Gong’s junior brother, and a Stone Skin Realm Martial Artist! What was his name... Jiang something?"

Zhao Xisheng’s expression froze.

’Vice Gang Leader Gong’s junior brother?’

He took another careful look at the man’s face and realized—wasn’t that Jiang Che!

Zhao Xisheng was in disbelief.

The Jiang Che he remembered, while not particularly short, had a frail build.

But this person now was not only taller by at least half a head, his frame was also much stronger—he was twice as broad as before!

’Jiang Che really became a Martial Artist!’

Zhao Xisheng felt a surge of joy. He actually did it!

"Jiang Che... It’s Jiang Che!"

he muttered.

"Right, Jiang Che! Xiaozhao, you know him?"

The fisherman from the next stall who had been chatting turned and asked.

The man had dark skin, a gaunt frame, and several patchy bald spots on his scalp.

He was now looking at Zhao Xisheng with hopeful eyes.

The smile on Zhao Xisheng’s face froze.

"N-No... I don’t know him. How could I possibly know such an important person! I’ve only heard of him,"

he said, shaking his head quickly.

The man with the patchy scalp looked disappointed and shook his head.

"I really thought you knew him! Got my hopes up for nothing. Sigh... If only I could get connected with a big shot like that, we wouldn’t have to toil away miserably at fishing every day!"

Just then, Li San and Jiang Che walked near Zhao Xisheng’s stall.

Zhao Xisheng quickly lowered his head, pretending to sort his catch.

He only looked up after he felt the two of them had walked away.

He watched Jiang Che’s retreating back, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

...

"Master Jiang, what are you looking for?" Li San asked cautiously, noticing that Jiang Che kept looking at the stalls on either side of the market.

"Oh, it’s nothing. Please, continue," Jiang Che said casually.

Since breaking through to the Stone Skin Realm, many factions in the city had come to him with invitations.

The Fish Dragon Gang was among them.

Although Gong Yulei was also in the gang, and the two of them didn’t get along,

it was just an affiliation; they wouldn’t have much contact on a daily basis.

Besides, Jiang Che had heard they could provide Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, so he came to check it out.

He also wanted to see Zhao Xisheng while he was here.

He still felt a sense of nostalgia for his former partner from his fist-fighting practice.

He especially remembered how Zhao Xisheng had given him a piece of precious Blood-striped Dried Sea Bass when he left the Martial Arts Hall.

Although he hadn’t managed to break through to the Qi Blood Realm in one go with its help,

it had laid a solid foundation for his later breakthrough.

However, Jiang Che looked all around but didn’t see him.

’Maybe he’s still out fishing on the river...,’

Jiang Che thought to himself.

"Master Jiang, don’t be fooled by how honest these fishermen look. They’re actually incredibly shrewd!" Li San said, narrowing his eyes,

"Just the other day, one of them caught a Treasure Fish and actually tried to sneak off to a restaurant to sell it privately! Can you believe the nerve? I had my men teach him a harsh lesson!

"Tell me, these people are really something, aren’t they? Why can’t they just be honest? Why can’t they just follow the rules?

"People are just greedy! Just worthless! A good beating is the only thing that’ll make them behave! Wouldn’t you agree, Master Jiang?"

Finishing his tirade, Li San plastered a smile on his face.

Jiang Che frowned but didn’t say much.

After touring the Fish Market, he politely declined Li San’s invitation.

Although they offered Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, it was only one catty.

To get more, one had to join the gang.

Furthermore, Jiang Che did not approve of the Fish Dragon Gang’s methods.

They were far too exploitative of the fishermen, which displeased him.

After leaving the Fish Market, Jiang Che paid a visit to the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

Steward Wang was astonished to see that he had actually broken through to the Stone Skin Realm.

He immediately upgraded Jiang Che’s compensation to match his new realm.

His monthly salary was now one hundred taels of silver and thirty catties of Low-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

Although there was no Middle-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, thirty catties of the Low-Grade variety was not a small amount.

So, Jiang Che agreed to renew his contract.

Steward Wang even expressed his hope that Jiang Che would join the Escort Agency full-time, offering him the position and pay of an Escort, which would significantly increase his income.

But Jiang Che politely refused.

Although the Blood Sacrifice case had been closed,

he felt that Lin Yuan City was still seething with hidden turmoil.

Putting aside the chaos caused by the Blood Spirit Sect, the Horse Bandits of Black Wind Castle were also a threat.

Martial Arts Training and improving his strength were the most important things for him at this stage.

Otherwise, if war and disaster were to break out, how would he protect himself and his sister?

Afterward, he asked about Sun Yong’s recent situation.

"Escort Sun is on a job to Cangzhou. He isn’t back yet!" Steward Wang said with a smile.

Jiang Che nodded. He would have to visit him another day.

...

...

Shao Mansion.

Because of the Blood Sacrifice affair, Jiang Che hadn’t visited in a long time.

Considering his Calligraphy was approaching Perfection and he could also earn money from his Second Senior Brother,

Jiang Che decided to pay another visit.

Shao Jianbo was slightly surprised to learn that Jiang Che had broken through to the Stone Skin Realm and even helped the Government Office solve a major case.

His assessment of this junior brother rose a few notches.

Although in his eyes, Jiang Che’s accomplishments weren’t that extraordinary.

As a Noble Young Master, his perspective was naturally far beyond that of an ordinary person; he had seen far more incredible feats.

However, he had a faint feeling that this junior brother before him might truly become a valuable ally in the future.

Jiang Che, of course, was unaware of his Second Senior Brother’s thoughts.

He looked at his Second Senior Brother’s face and noticed he seemed a bit weak today, his lips devoid of color.

"Second Senior Brother, what’s wrong? Are you alright?"

"Haha, I was out drinking with courtesans last night. Got a little carried away and pulled an all-nighter, that’s all. What do you say, Junior Brother, want to join me tonight?"

Shao Jianbo said teasingly, raising an eyebrow with a smile playing on his lips.

"No, thank you..." Jiang Che said, shaking his head.

His Second Senior Brother was obviously lying to him.

A Martial Artist at the Peak of the Iron Skin Realm had extremely vigorous Qi Blood.

Forget one sleepless night;

even if he didn’t sleep for three days, his complexion wouldn’t be this pale.

But since his Second Senior Brother clearly didn’t want to talk about it, it wasn’t convenient for him to press the matter.

The two went to the study as usual.

After carefully examining an original work by Master Qin,

Jiang Che closed his eyes, recalling the Divine Charm within the characters.

A moment later, his eyes snapped open, and he picked up the brush to write.

After finishing a sheet of calligraphy, Jiang Che set down his brush.

[Great Success in Calligraphy (360/400)]

’Just four more times and it’ll be maxed out. I wonder what kind of Talent will appear after it reaches Perfection.’

Jiang Che was filled with anticipation.

The Heart Stream Talent was something he had gained through writing.

And since Calligraphy was an upgraded version of writing,

once it reached Perfection, perhaps an even more powerful Talent would appear!