bookpub Chapter 13: A Single Stroke of the Pen
Chapter 13: A Single Stroke of the Pen
In the backyard, Wu He did not go directly to Wen Qiaoniang's place, but instead turned a corner and went up to the second-floor dressing room, where he took out two ordinary fine cloth garments.
Then they went to the small dark room.
"Your uncle has come to redeem you."
Wu He threw the clothes inside, and a moment later, the sound of someone dressing could be heard.
squeak~
Soon, the door was opened, and Wen Qiaoniang's clothes were slightly disheveled, but her eyes were bright.
"The kitchen is over there."
He pointed in a direction, and the latter nodded hurriedly and rushed into the kitchen.
"Hey, what brings you out here!"
Immediately following was a gasp and commotion...
A moment later, Wu He stood at the door, watching her devour large mouthfuls of white steamed buns, while the cooks beside her exchanged bewildered glances.
Her mouth was stuffed full, and she squatted on the ground, constantly moving closer to the stove fire, her body trembling uncontrollably, and she felt a strong chill.
"Thank you..."
When he lifted his eyelids, his bright gaze was fixed on Wu He's face.
"Eat slowly, no one dares to rush you now."
Wen Qiaoniang was undoubtedly the luckiest of the four, having an uncle she had never met but who was willing to pay a high price to redeem her.
As for the other three women, they could only look on with envy from beginning to end.
The final redemption price was over eight hundred taels of silver. Although Xu Niang and Zheng Zhong repeatedly declined to accept it, Wen Xin insisted on paying it.
This is the rule, and also a conclusion.
If you don't pay, you'll owe them a favor.
Before being taken away, Wen Qiaoniang secretly contacted Wu He.
"I said there would be a generous reward afterward."
"You'll definitely need to prepare herbal medicine for your martial arts training. From now on, come to Xichuntang and I'll help you," she said with utmost seriousness.
"Okay, I've got it."
Wu He nodded in agreement. Such a good fortune was far more valuable than the hairpin he had received before.
After they left, Xu Niang finally couldn't hold back her long-suppressed grin, which almost stretched to her ears.
Thirty taels of silver turned into eight hundred taels of silver in just a few days!
Although she was terrified at first, the profits were so substantial that she felt a dreamlike, intoxicating surprise.
"Tiegen, you did a good job on this."
Afterwards, Xu Niang crossed her arms, in high spirits, and said with a rare smile, "Forget about the ten taels of silver, I keep my word."
"But if I see you secretly showing affection for any woman again, you'll still be punished!"
"Yes, thank you, shopkeeper."
"Oh, right, there's one more."
Xu Niang patted Wu He on the shoulder and said, "From now on, you won't have to do those chores anymore. You can be a guard at my Yu Xian Lou, just like Master Li."
"You little rascal, you didn't even tell me you were practicing martial arts."
Wu He was slightly surprised upon hearing this, but he quickly realized that he was now a mid-stage Skin Tempering martial artist, and his daily behavior would inevitably reveal some of this.
Just like the other martial artists he had met before, he could see it, and so could they.
It must have been Zheng Zhong who told her that.
"Could you tell me how far you've progressed in your martial arts training with Master Li? Have you become a Skin Tempering Warrior yet?"
Xu Niang's attitude had changed a lot. She leaned closer and asked with curious eyes.
Wu He shook his head slightly: "It's still a little short. Right now, we've only just figured out the basics."
"Oh, I see."
There was a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
"Okay, you're still young and just starting out."
"You'll be working as a guard at the Desire Immortal Pavilion. I'll give you three taels of silver a month, including room and board. If you want to relieve your loneliness, it'll be convenient since it's so close by."
"it is good."
Wu He smiled and agreed, without refusing.
This woman is clearly very good at calculating money.
Although the Seven Killings Society is the backer of the Desire Immortal Pavilion, they don't help for free, and it's not a place with exclusive security. If something really happens, it's best not to ask them for help.
In that case, it would depend on one's own guards.
Li Bo is clearly a master, and his appearance fee is not low. It would be a waste to hire this big shot just to cause trouble.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for a middle-ground player who is weaker than Li Bo but stronger than the average person.
Well, at this time, they discovered that their own handyman had developed some skills and was just right to fill the vacancy.
As for Wu He himself, although he didn't want to be a guard at first, since people had seen through his intentions, he accepted it calmly.
At least you can get a decent salary and have plenty of energy to practice martial arts, without wasting a lot of time on work.
Since she herself had already said that she hadn't officially become a skin-tempering martial artist yet, Xu Niang wouldn't push herself to her death if she really encountered a master.
Immediately, Xu Niang had the drafty holes in the small, dark room that originally held Wen Qiao Niang filled in, made some minor repairs, and furnished it simply to serve as Wu He's room.
Amidst the envious gazes of numerous pimps and servants who practically popped their eyes out, they moved in.
"Brother Gen! Brother Gen!"
"Please take care of me, brother!"
Wang Er followed him eagerly, his face full of flattery and ingratiation.
My former brother has transformed into a gatekeeper, and I can at least benefit from his newfound status!
"Don't call me Brother Gen'er, I've said it so many times, my name is Wu He."
"Yes, yes, Brother He!"
"hey-hey."
Wang Er leaned closer to him and said with a smile, "Did you learn martial arts from Master Li? Teach me, I also dream of becoming a martial artist!"
Wu He glanced down at him: "With your physique?"
"Don't let my skinny appearance fool you! I'm all muscle!"
Wang Er lifted his clothes, revealing his thin, bony body, then quickly squatted into a loose horse stance and swung his fists a few times.
"How about it? Do I look like a martial artist?"
"It looks unlikely."
"I think Master Li will definitely take me as his apprentice. If even you can teach me, I must be just as good."
His eyes burned with fervor, and he threw several punches with a series of "ha-ha" sounds. He was especially delighted when he discovered that the force of his punches could move the candle flame.
"Look at me! I'm quite talented too. Master Li might even take me as his godson, hehehe~"
Wu He: ...
"Get out of here!"
After the room was quiet, he looked around.
A four-foot-wide wooden bed was placed against the corner of the wall, and the bedding was all new.
In the center was a square table with some tea sets and wine cups, and four long benches were neatly arranged.
The broken window has been repaired, and sunlight shines through, illuminating the small table where fine dust swirls.
Having traveled through time, I finally have a place to stay.
Wu He sighed. Although he knew he wouldn't stay here for long and would leave once he became stronger, he was still somewhat satisfied for the moment.
"Damn you! Do you think I'm blind or stupid?!"
"You cowardly bastard, you dare to say you've practiced martial arts?"
"Fuck your mother!"
Suddenly, a sharp, foul curse came from outside.
Wu He looked out the window and saw Xu Niang chasing after Wang Er with a stick, swinging it around.
The latter screamed in pain and ran all over the yard.
"I was wrong, I was wrong!"
"Shopkeeper, I was just kidding! Oh dear~"