Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 36: Jiangdu

Ten days later.

North of Lingjiang City, Jiangdu.

As the capital of Jiangzhou and a hub of land and water transportation, Jiangdu is thriving, even in turbulent times.

On the long street, vendors of all sorts incessantly call out their wares. There are antiques, paintings, cosmetics, pawnshops, banks, restaurants, and tea houses, all dazzling to the eyes.

"This place is much more bustling than Changping City and Lingjiang City."

Zhang Yao, dressed in a blue robe, strolled along the long street, eagerly exploring Jiangdu.

Since deciding to seek a place for seclusion and live a simple life, he began surveying and selecting a location to live in seclusion.

Initially, he had his eyes on Lingjiang City.

But Lingjiang City has no Grandmaster in residence, and its various factions are in disarray, not providing much stability. Additionally, it’s only a little over a hundred li from Changping, which doesn’t feel very safe.

So Zhang Yao abandoned the idea of Lingjiang City and instead took a boat north along the Ling River, reaching Jiangdu, several hundred li away.

"Boss, how much for the candied hawthorn?"

He stopped by a vendor selling candied hawthorn and asked.

"Five cents a skewer."

Zhang Yao paid for a skewer of candied hawthorn and ate as he walked, leisurely observing the pedestrians on the street.

Among the common folk of Changping City, many looked haggard and lived poorly. By comparison, the people of Jiangdu seemed much better off.

After finishing the candied hawthorn and wandering a bit more, he walked into a tea house and ordered a pot of tea.

"...that Captain Li from the Cao Bang, is he an ordinary character? He certainly wouldn’t swallow such an insult."

"So he mobilized a squad of forces, including more than thirty large and small ships and hundreds of skilled fighters, engaging in fierce battles with the ’Black Whirlwind’ in Bai Bo Lake, with the two sides going back and forth..."

In the tea house, a storyteller was vividly recounting a strange tale from the Jianghu, speaking animatedly with spittle flying.

In this age of scarce entertainment, storytelling was one of the few pleasures people had, attracting a large audience who listened intently.

To them, the Jianghu Martial Arts world seemed both distant and yet very close.

"The Cao Bang..."

Zhang Yao listened for a while before realizing this was a story from more than twenty years ago.

He had been in Jiangdu for several days, roaming its streets and alleys, and had roughly figured out the power divisions within the city.

Jiangdu’s situation was much more complex than Changping City, but generally, it was a tripartite balance among the government office, the Business Alliance, and the Cao Bang.

Among these, the Cao Bang had the most members and the widest influence, with tens of thousands of associates spread along the Ling River, having branches in seven cities, and virtually controlling the river’s navigation.

"That Zhou Changgui seems to mingle within the Cao Bang and holds a considerable position."

Zhang Yao thought of Zhou An’s unfilial son.

Years ago, Zhou An used connections and spent a fortune to send his only son, Zhou Changgui, to Lingjiang City, to apprentice under a local Cao Bang squad leader, an absolute peak expert.

His lifelong regret was never mastering the Inner Family True Inheritance, causing his Golden Furnace Technique to stagnate at perfection.

Thus, he pinned all his hopes on his son, hoping he would excel and bring honor to the family, fulfilling his cherished wish.

"If Master knew what Zhou Changgui would become later on, he probably wouldn’t have sent him away no matter what..."

Zhang Yao couldn’t help sighing at the thought.

Zhou An, eager to see his son become successful, never considered the potential impact of sending a child barely over ten years old into a ruthless, treacherous Jianghu faction.

Though Zhang Yao was unaware of Zhou Changgui’s upbringing, from his later cold and distant attitude towards Zhou An to ignoring him altogether, it was evident he harbored resentment.

But the damage was done, and the past couldn’t be undone. Even Zhou An’s dying thoughts did not bring about any reconciliation.

"...To know how things unfold next, please listen to the next installment!"

As a pot of tea came to an end, the storyteller also concluded his tale, making way for young performers to take the stage.

Zhang Yao learned from the chatter at the tea house that the protagonist of this Jianghu tale, the former "Captain Li," had long since become the leader of the Cao Bang.

"To contend with both the government office and Business Alliance, this Cao Bang leader is most likely also a Grandmaster."

"The prosperity of Jiangdu truly exceeds that of Changping by far."

Zhang Yao sighed, discreetly paid the bill, and left the tea house.

The overt and covert struggles of the three major powers, along with the lofty Grandmasters, had nothing to do with him.

He came to Jiangdu just to live as an ordinary citizen, to enjoy a period of stability, awaiting his body to cultivate Martial Arts True Qi.

......

Half a month later.

In the eastern district of Jiangdu, on Xinhe Street across the Lingjiang Bridge.

"This place is pretty good..."

Zhang Yao wandered around the medical hall, inspecting the newly acquired property with satisfaction.

He pondered for several days and decided to become a physician and open a practice in Jiangdu. After all, besides martial arts, his medical skills were decent.

This medical hall he bought after several days of inquiries, through a personal visit and negotiation, from a wealthy merchant.

The hall had been a long-established brand, but the descendants didn’t pursue medicine and went into business instead. After the elders passed away, it became vacant.

"A standard front hall and back yard, with the front serving patients and the back as a living area."

"The medicine cabinets, scales, and grinders are in good condition. Just need to buy some silver needles and pulse pillows, stock up on medicines, and I can open for business."

After his inspection, Zhang Yao went to purchase supplies, contacted medicine suppliers to discuss cooperation, and prepared for opening.

After moving from the inn to the medical hall’s backyard, he stayed busy for several days. The neighborhood soon heard about a young new doctor who bought "Ren Shou Hall" and was preparing to open.

Though he became somewhat familiar with them, the neighbors remained mostly indifferent.

Running a medical practice requires a good reputation and trust, and the older you are, the more reliable you seem. Zhang Yao’s youthful appearance made it hard for people to trust his medical expertise.

But after a couple more days, the situation changed.

As preparations neared completion, Zhang Yao mentioned in casual chats that he planned to take on two apprentices.

Suddenly, many neighbors became warm and even offered to help, eager to recommend their own children or relatives to him.

Children of poor families grow up quickly; at around ten, they’re already considered a workforce.

Becoming an apprentice and learning a skill is a great opportunity, far better than working later at the docks or on the river.

Eventually, Zhang Yao conducted a simple assessment and chose the two most clever and efficient youngsters from over a dozen candidates.

Both teenagers, about fourteen or fifteen years old, were named Qian Gui and Chen Youfu.

They were overjoyed to be selected by Zhang Yao and even more grateful to hear they’d earn two maces of silver per month.

Their families were also extremely thankful and wanted to treat Zhang Yao to dinner, but he politely declined.

That evening, after A Gui and A Fu had finished a day’s work, Zhang Yao called them over.

"A Fu, A Gui."

"I have something to ask you..."