The meal lasted until 9 p.m. before it concluded.

After sending Xiaotou back to Datian Bay, Bai Qi and Ah Di Bai Ming returned to their mud house under the night sky.

They lit the copper oil lamp, and its dim glow illuminated the two figures inside, one large and one small.

"This tag is really beautiful."

Bai Qi sat on a low stool, carefully examining the waist tag that could serve as a road pass.

There’s nothing extraordinary about it; it’s made from the most common bamboo from the mountains, sliced and carved.

It’s light in the hand and roughly made. If sold at a stall, even ten cents would be considered expensive.

But at the Fishery Hall on Red Slot Street, even if it’s five taels of silver per piece, there’s a large crowd rushing to get them.

"This is the power of rules. Dragon Court has established a system of three registers and six households, distinguishing ranks clearly.

It makes the people below willing to grit their teeth and endure hardships, following this path until the end."

Bai Qi sighed without reason. Without this "merchant" identity,

In his lifetime, he would only be able to stay in Black River County, living dutifully like a beast of burden.

"Consider it a small leap over the Dragon Gate."

Bai Qi laughed heartily, putting away the road pass tag, name register pages, and other belongings.

From now on, he would be the owner of Bai’s Fish Stall, no longer a fisherman working in a lowly profession.

Indeed, it could be considered a small leap over the Dragon Gate.

As for the big Dragon Gate,

He needs to grow more promising, stepping into Yihai County City and establishing a foothold.

"Brother."

Bai Ming, having finished wiping the stove, wore new clothes and admired the new bedding; his eyes showed some confusion.

"Are we really not living here anymore?"

Bai Qi nodded:

"Yes, Brother Shui transferred his original house to me.

The land and house deeds are registered at the hall, they can’t be faked."

In these times, proof of house and land ownership often consisted of just one paper, kept by oneself.

Once you have the land and house deeds, it counts as being set.

"Brother Shui is really generous. Brother, with such kindness from them, in the future..."

Bai Ming hesitated to continue, remembering the tutor at the private school mentioning the story of guest scholars repaying the host family’s favors.

"Your brother is aware, Brother Shui is afraid that I won’t appreciate the kindness from him and Elder Liang.

The more they help, the happier and more comfortable they feel.

This way, with mutual ties, everyone can become closer and not distant."

Bai Qi patted Ah Di’s head. After completing the major task of changing the register and household, Liang Sanshui specially took him to see the house in the outer city.

There were rooms, guest areas, and a kitchen stove, leaving a spacious courtyard in the middle, shaped like the character ’口’.

After hiring someone to clean, it became quite bright and neat, much better than the mud house with drafty edges.

"Hmm, Brother is never wrong."

Bai Ming sat properly in front of the table, carefully spreading out newly purchased paper, beginning to copy books and practice writing.

"The tutor from the school also introduced some odd jobs to me, saying some wealthy families need their collections organized. I can help transcribe them and earn thirty cents a day."

Bai Qi nodded in agreement. Although once the fish stall opens, money will surely come in quickly, this younger brother has always been sensible and wants to shoulder his brother’s pressure, so there’s no need to discourage him.

"Which tutor? Do I know them? Someday, I’ll invite Brother Shui to accompany me and host a meal to discuss the matter of attending the school."

"Instructor Qian, he’s not old, just over thirty."

Bai Qi responded with an acknowledgement and continued reading the tattered "Grass House Notes."

His literacy skills had improved somewhat, but the progress in practicing writing was limited.

He had to find a better method.

"Literacy means reading more books? Recognizing more characters with word cutting? It seems I need to improve my cultural level."

...

...

With daylight fully bright, the brothers started busying themselves with packing.

Bai Ming smashed the clay jar under the bed and opened the tattered fabric bag.

It was heavy inside, with a family savings of around three thousand wen.

Usually, Bai Qi would save half of what he earned from fishing.

These days, the expenses were significant, buying many things, and it was unknown how many coins were left.

"You hold onto it; I don’t need the silver right now."

Bai Qi waved his hand, packing the newly bought bedding and clothes that were still decent into a big bundle.

Actually, considering his poverty-stricken situation, there wasn’t much to tidy up.

The only valuable thing was the sampan outside the house.

But Bai Ming, being accustomed to poverty, could not bear to throw anything away, always thinking of using something until it’s worn out before buying again.

He packed and unpacked repeatedly, leaving Bai Qi feeling helpless.

"Don’t bother picking up all those bottles and jars. The coarse rice and oil are nearly depleted. Let Xiaotou pack them to take home later.

The box of books... I’ve pretty much copied everything worth reading.

Why are you moving the water jar? Are you worried the house won’t hold enough water to keep fish alive?

Uncle Changshun will send us firewood and charcoal when he has time."

Bai Qi finally experienced what it’s like to take care of a child. His usually obedient Ah Di had turned rebellious at this moment.

"Brother, will it be difficult for us to come back?"

After a long time, finally at peace, Bai Ming stood at the doorway, looking up at Bai Qi.

"Maybe. It’s only when we face obstacles that we think about turning back.

I hope I can keep moving forward without looking back."

Bai Qi paused for a moment before locking the wooden door.

Holding Ah Di’s small hand, he strode towards the skiff by the riverbank.

...

...

"Is your Ah Di settled? Changing into nice clothes really makes a difference."

In the East Market Shop, which was much quieter than usual, Liang Laoshu sat in his rocking chair, squinting at the sun:

"I’ve asked Sanshui to set up everything needed for the house.

When you have time, go to the brokerage in the Chai Market and hire a cook or servant."

Since Liang Sanshui became the steward, Old Liang clearly became much more relaxed, as if a burden had been lifted off his chest.

"I know, Brother Shui is always dependable and handles many trivial matters neatly, saving me a lot of effort."

Today, Bai Qi shed his short clothes and put on a loose robe with narrow sleeves and a belt:

"Once Steward Lei takes care of that Demon Fish, I’ll go downriver and catch some Silver Sand Carp for you, Elder Liang, to get rid of your ailment."

Liang Laoshu’s face twitched slightly. Although his expression didn’t change, he was pleased inside.

Gratitude and not forgetting one’s roots are traits that make people likable at any time.

Ah Qi had taken care of his registration, yet he was still willing to catch Silver Sand Carp to show respect.

This made Liang Laoshu feel quite comfortable and confident in his judgment:

"It’s good that you have this thought. Right now, with the Demon Fish causing trouble, Fishermen dare not go downriver. It might take another three to five days to settle.

Steward Lei is a lazy sort. Without being asked three or four times, he probably won’t respond."

Such airs?

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow. Is there a big shot in Black River County that even Fishery Owners can’t invite?

"Don’t live in darkness, the top martial artists of the third and fourth practices, even in Yihai Prefecture, are notable figures.

In Black River County, they are like tigers on a mountain, quite prestigious."

Liang Laoshu mused. In the Four Great Martial Arts Practices, every two levels are another key checkpoint.

Muscle and bone training is barely manageable, but skin and Qi cultivation truly require talent.

"Elder Liang, what stage is Steward Lei in?"

Bai Qi feigned curiosity to inquire.

"He’s almost mastered skin training. That string of experts, Bear, Eagle, Tiger, and Leopard, is about this level."

Liang Laoshu, with his legs covered in a blanket, spoke slowly:

"Hardening one’s skin and flesh, resilient and unfearing of ordinary blades!

Before Lei Xiong was hired as the Fishery’s Steward, he was once pursued for revenge and was cornered in a narrow alley where hired thugs wielded sharpened bamboo poles, pressing in with every step.

Under such circumstances, no matter how high your martial arts skills, there’s no room to maneuver, and you’d end up a pincushion."

Just imagining that scene made Bai Qi’s scalp tingle.

A cramped alley barely enough to turn around, blocked front and back, with dozens of sharpened bamboo poles thrusting forward. How could one defend against that?

"Yet Lei Xiong remained unharmed because he had just entered the skin training stage.

Unleashing his strength, his muscles and skin tensed like tanned cowhide, relentlessly breaking through the sharpened bamboo barricade.

This battle made him famous, led to his hiring as the Fishery’s Steward, and placed him among the top martial artists in Black River County.

Muscle and bone training is adept, but skin and Qi training makes one a true expert!"

There was a tinge of envy in Liang Laoshu’s tone. He once had hope of stepping into the skin training stage.

Sadly, he was sabotaged by Yang Meng, nearly died on a five hundred li trek, and thus his prospects were severed.

"I see."

Bai Qi’s eyes lit up, hearing how powerful initial skin training could be.

If one were clad in Iron Armor, charging on a battlefield, wouldn’t that make him a match for a hundred?

"Ah Qi, your natural talent is average, but your comprehension is excellent. The only flaw is your age.

The Golden Core Great Strength Skill only has methods for practice and nurturing, lacking combat and killing techniques.

In typical martial arts halls, apprentices learn only practice methods. Only with enough money, becoming a disciple gets them nurturing methods.

Combat and killing techniques are precious beyond measure, requiring personal transmission."

Liang Laoshu opened his eyes, lifting his blanket and slowly getting up:

"Let’s go. I’ll take you to the three major martial arts halls in the Inner City to see who you’ll ultimately have as your master."