A few days later, Bai Qi woke up early.

He and Ah Di were used to living a life of poverty, so it was difficult for them to stay in bed after sunrise.

In Black River County, they moved into their new house, where there was a custom called "crossing the fire," which involved taking a flame from the old house to cook in the new home.

The older generation valued these traditions, and larger families with prosperous members would host lively celebrations full of elaborate processes.

The male host would carry a load, with a pot on one side containing burning ashes mixed with chaff, producing billowing smoke;

On the other side, he carried a basket with an incense burner, candles, and ancestral tablets.

The female host held a rice pot and a spatula, wrapped in red paper containing soybeans, peanuts, sesame, corn, and wheat—the "Five Grains," while descendants held cooking utensils like fire shovels and ladles.

When leaving, the men lead, followed by the women, and firecrackers were set off, making it quite a grand occasion.

However, Bai Qi didn’t have so many formalities, he simply invited Liang Laoshu, Liang Sanshui, Uncle Changshun, Aunt Zhou, Xiaotou, and a few other acquaintances over for a simple meal.

He and Ah Di, Bai Ming, personally started the fire and cooked, considering it done.

"The two forms of the Golden Core Great Strength Skill focus on internal cultivation.

The refined Qi Blood, at least seven to eight parts out of ten, is used to nourish muscles.

Therefore, the progress seems slow at first, like warm water gradually heated.

Tongwen Hall’s Arhat Hand cultivation Chapter combines movement and stillness.

The eighteen poses stretch large muscles all over the body, training them to be strong and full and abundant in vitality."

On the blue stone floor washed with water, Bai Qi routinely stood in the Sea Sand Tiger Riding style,

with ten toes gripping the ground tightly, inhaling through his mouth and exhaling through his nose, as if gulping water flows.

About half an hour later, his Qi Blood surged to the limit, pores dilated and exuded bursts of warmth.

Clearly, it was late autumn, a damp and chilly season, yet he seemed to be amidst a furnace, his chest undulating, large beads of sweat rolling down.

"Go through the Arhat Hand again!"

Sensing the continuous vibration of the ink talisman between his mind, Bai Qi knew that hard practice was effective, progress was steadily rising, and hence he was more motivated.

He focused entirely on practicing, and when he raised his head again, the sun was already high in the sky, two hours had passed.

His stomach grumbled loudly, like a drum.

[Skill: Golden Core Great Strength Skill (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: 357/800]

[Effect: As if clad in iron armor, strengthening the body to fight against enemies]

...

[Skill: Arhat Hand Cultivation Chapter (Introduction)]

[Progress: 72/800]

[Effect: Both internal and external, spiritual and physical, dynamic and static, full of vitality]

"Practicing the two stances simultaneously is extremely exhausting, far surpassing previous efforts.

But the speed of refining strength is also faster, probably in another fifteen days or so, I will qualify as an official practitioner.

Breaking through within a month, beginning muscle training, according to Old Liang’s teachings, should be considered among the top group of direct disciples!"

Slowly retracting his posture, calming the intense breathing, allowing his flushed face due to Qi Blood to return to normal, Bai Qi then washed his body and changed into clean coarse cloth garments.

Recently, Ah Di took on odd jobs recommended by the school, organizing books for wealthy families, transcribing for two hours a day, providing a meal at noon, earning thirty cents.

Compared to the hard labor of fishermen and woodcutters, it’s considered a very relaxed and good job.

In this huge house, it was just the two brothers, no cooks or helpers found at the brokerage yet.

For now, they had to make do, casually finding a nearby foot shop to attend to their Five Viscera Temple.

The house handed over by Liang Sanshui to Bai Qi was located by Erxian Bridge in the eastern outer city, adjacent to a creek, with various shop signs scattered around, the overall environment was much better than the filthy slum area.

Women living around came here to launder clothes, the sound of beating attire was continuous, becoming the favorite scenery for idle county folks.

"Brother Qi, you’re here again? Please come in!"

After moving here, Bai Qi had become a familiar face, the attendant promptly greeted him:

"Today there is tender goose, young chicken, steamed buns, and some venison... What would you like?"

"The usual three choices."

Bai Qi had a good appetite, not picky, always opting for a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, with rice and buns to fill him.

"Alright! We’ll serve a plate of goose, two vegetable dishes, and a pot of hot tea as a treat from the small shop!"

The attendant was hospitable and welcoming.

The doors and walls of the neighboring shops allowed whispers to spread quickly.

Soon everyone knew that the young Bai Qilang who moved into the big house was a merchant running a fish stall.

So young yet already having property and business, either he or his father must have great skills.

Either way, he was a formidable character not to be trifled with.

"Recently, spending on purchases, meals, and herbal medicine has truly been like pouring money away, calculating the costs is heart-wrenching, like cutting flesh.

If it wasn’t for borrowing some from Brother Shui, I wouldn’t have lasted a few days before running out."

Bai Qi sat by the window, looking out, seeing a creek flowing past.

In the countryside, people aren’t too concerned with strict separation between men and women. Many robust washerwomen let their assets show, giving idle men a visual feast.

Of course, he’s not in the mood for such things now and is simply letting his thoughts wander.

He’s pondering how to earn a living and establish a solid footing in Black River County through his own efforts.

"Over at Uncle Changshun’s, we’ve already merged three sampans and two houseboats, which is plenty in scale.

But the Demon Fish has eaten people twice, causing quite a stir, and the fishermen are scared to go down the river. They mostly stick around in shallow waters.

With my skills at recognizing fish habitats and understanding the fish situation, if I go to deeper waters, I can easily catch five to six hundred pounds of fish daily.

The fish stall must open early, or else we’ll be eating through our savings... Only by firing the first shot can we truly stabilize."

Bai Qi recalled witnessing deep-sea fishing in his past life, with nets reeling in hundreds of thousands of pounds at once, a breathtaking sight.

In comparison, his own small-scale operations are nothing, still far behind.

The main issue with deep waters is that they might also contain fully-formed spirits or monsters.

Unless a formidable martial artist is stationed there, the fishermen won’t have the courage to venture deep.

Though he has switched to a merchant’s path, he can’t just claim the title without real results.

He must secure a large income and earn enough silver!

"There’s been no movement from Elder Liang either; it seems the chance to become a direct disciple of the three major Martial Arts Halls has fizzled out.

Starting as an ordinary disciple is fine; having a channel to reach higher levels and progress is the main thing."

Bai Qi didn’t feel any disappointment. Rather than advancing rapidly, he preferred a solid and steady approach.

Based on his past life’s lessons, ill-gotten gains often bring trouble.

That Demon Fish unexpectedly cleared the obstacle of Yangquan for him, lifting a weight off his chest.

As for Yangquan’s father, Yang Meng...

"That old rascal is a Second-Rank practitioner, I must fully develop first before I can take him on.

If I learn the techniques, combined with the support of various skills... I will definitely make him cough up gold coins!"

As the dishes were served, Bai Qi set aside his random thoughts, focusing on the large plate of boiled goose.

The cook at this shop had authentic skills, boiling the whole goose in clear water, then draining it thoroughly. Rough sea salt was evenly rubbed inside and outside before sealing it in an earthen jar.

The next day it would be taken out, washed, and steamed until tender and fragrant, truly a delight.

"Kid, there’s a method to eating goose. Start with the wings, then try the meat for flavor, and pair the head, liver, and gizzard with drinks..."

Bai Qi was just about to dig in when he saw a middle-aged man, appearing not too old, emerge across from him.

Around thirty-something, with thick brows slightly inclined, a pair of sharp eyes, and a clear and gentle voice, exuding a touch of vibrant energy.

"Uncle, you can talk all you want, but why are you tearing off my goose leg? Why don’t you touch those bitty scraps?"

Bai Qi’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he raised his eyes to closely observe the uninvited middle-aged man.

Clearly broad-shouldered, with strong bones typical of a practitioner, yet sitting there relaxed and idle, as if he never practiced martial arts.

His face unfamiliar, probably never seen before, and nothing about him looked like an idle loafer.

Dressed in a blue robe made of high-quality material, which, if pawned, would be enough to feast on fat geese for a month or so.

"After all, you’re the one treating, the good stuff should be left for you. Treat this goose leg as my respect, saving you from bowing and offering tea."

The middle-aged man’s unsolicited actions somehow felt strangely natural, making his freeloading seem not bothersome.

He truly had an impressive presence.

"Could this be the ’eccentric demeanor’ Master talked about in my past life?"

Bai Qi muttered inwardly, setting down his chopsticks and raising his guard.

He had no extensive social circle in Black River County; if someone came out of nowhere, it was most likely trouble, not a fortunate encounter.

"I just saw Old Liang last night; didn’t he tell you?

No matter, knowing now isn’t too late. My name is Ning, Hai, Chan.

’Ning’ as in ’willing,’ ’Hai’ as in ’suffering,’ ’Chan’ as in ’Zen.’"

The middle-aged man casually gnawed on the goose leg, sucked out the juices with relish, and formally introduced himself.

It was as if his name should be known worldwide, needing only to be calmly uttered to make everyone bow down.

The huge contrast between his appearance and speech left Bai Qi momentarily at a loss.

Ninghai Zen?

Who?

Is there such a person among the fierce birds and beasts?

"Never heard of it."

Bai Qi’s eyes twitched. If the middle-aged handsome uncle hadn’t come so quietly and wasn’t dressed so finely, Bai Qi would have surely thought him a madman.

"Are you really that ignorant, kid?"

Ninghai Zen wiped his hands, scratched his head, coughed lightly to cover the awkwardness:

"The eight words ’Instructor Quick Blade, fierce birds and beasts,’ you’re surely familiar with them, right?

Most Martial Arts Masters in Black River County call me ’Instructor Ning.’

Hmm, I, Ning, am planning to be your master. If you’re willing to become my disciple, I’ll eat that remaining goose leg too."