Fire Monster

Chapter 34 Extra Money
"Excuse me, who are you——"

When he opened the door, Zhao Guanshan was stunned. The person who came was not a stranger, but he was not an acquaintance either.

To be precise, it was a strange neighbor who lived in this slum alley. I saw him often and even rode the same Wuling train many times, but we had never crossed paths.

This man is a senior of Zhao Guanshan. He graduated from the Taoist Academy's martial arts department three years ago and has been serving in the Imperial Seal Great Wall for the past three years. He was recently promoted to a martial artist. He also has a wife who is not beautiful but virtuous, and a two-year-old daughter.

In short, it is possible for people to move out of the slums and move into the upper class areas within a year.

"You are Zhao Guanshan, right? My name is Xu Ming. We often met before, but we never had the chance to get to know each other."

The other party bowed and smiled, very friendly.

But Zhao Guanshan still felt strong pressure because this was a martial artist.

This kind of existence usually means that he has cultivated six breaths of pure yang energy in his body. The fire in his body is so strong that he can shake a huge rock weighing thousands of pounds with just the strength of his physical body.

For ordinary people, it is already a step into the extraordinary realm.

"I've met senior!"

Zhao Guanshan quickly clasped his fists in return, but at the same time he was confused and couldn't understand the other party's intention.

"It's still early, can I go in and talk?" Xu Ming said with a smile.

"Ah, please, senior."

How could Zhao Guanshan dare to say no? The status of martial artists in Linjiang Prefecture was already very high, and they were people he needed to look up to.

"Don't be nervous. I came here for a favor. Yesterday evening, I happened to pass by when you were talking to Yang Mao, so I wanted to confirm whether you can really upgrade and assemble a second-level Imperial Seal Hut?"

Xu Ming asked straight to the point.

Zhao Guanshan finally understood and nodded immediately, but he was still curious.

Xu Ming smiled at this time, "Before coming to you, I have already found Yang Mao and confirmed this matter from him again. I can only say that you are very capable, so I have a request. I hope you can help me upgrade and assemble a second-level imperial seal hut, which is the one we live in now. Of course, as a reward for your hard work, I am willing to pay a large sum of money."

"this?"

Zhao Guanshan was stunned. "But senior, you are already a martial artist. According to the preferential policies of the Dao Palace and the Demon Suppression Bureau, if you buy a second-level imperial seal hut in the civilian area, you only need to pay half the price. That is a second-level imperial seal hut built with a Ren-level spiritual supply array."

"What you said is indeed true, but I have to wait in line. It will take at least a year or two before it's my turn. But I hope to give my family better protection in a short period of time. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhao Guanshan blinked and understood a little. It had been seven years since the last large-scale attack by the evil spirits. The next large-scale attack could break out at any time. In this case, even if he had all kinds of benefits as a martial artist, he would not dare to gamble that he would be safe within a year or two.

Instead of doing that, it is better to upgrade and assemble the imperial hut in the slum alley.

After thinking for a while, Zhao Guanshan said, "Senior, the Imperial Seal Huts in the Poor Alley are all used by the Provincial Government to house the poor. The spiritual supply arrays they use are all of the Gui grade. If you want to upgrade them to a Level 2 Imperial Seal Hut, you must also use a Gui grade spiritual supply array. You must think it through. The protective effect of a Level 2 Imperial Seal Hut upgraded in this way is one third lower than that of a Level 2 Imperial Seal Hut assembled with a Ren grade spiritual supply array, and there is no related supporting equipment."

"I know, but it's better than the current first-level imperial seal hut, isn't it?" Xu Ming nodded. It seemed that he had already thought about the pros and cons.

"That's true. Compared to the current first-level imperial seal hut, the protection effect is at least three times greater. So, when do you plan to start construction?"

"How about starting the work today and finishing it today?"

Xu Ming was a little anxious.

Zhao Guanshan's heart moved, and he nodded immediately, "Okay, I promise to finish it before tonight."

"That's great! I have bought all the necessary materials and spirit supply arrays. If there is still something missing, I will go buy it right away." Xu Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Although he tried his best to remain calm, he could still feel the anxiety that occasionally flashed across his eyes.

It seemed that he also felt the atmosphere of approaching war.

"Have the prices of these materials increased recently?" Zhao Guanshan asked casually while checking.

"I'm not sure about that. I bought everything according to a list given to me by a friend. What I was most worried about was who to find to help with the upgrade and assembly. Normally, I would have to go to the Chief Secretary to find someone. Fortunately, I met you."

At this point, Xu Ming suddenly paused and said, "Don't worry, Brother Zhao, if you do well, I have a few brothers who also have such plans. I will introduce them to you when the time comes."

"Thank you, senior."

Zhao Guanshan hurriedly thanked him.

Xu Ming's home was deep in the slum alley, about 150 meters away from Zhao Guanshan's seal hut. When he got here, he saw a young woman of average appearance but slightly plump holding a little girl waiting beside her.

Zhao Guanshan said quickly:

"Hello, sister-in-law! The wind outside is a bit strong, which is not good for the children. Why don't you stay at my house first? This assembly will take a whole day."

The woman looked at Xu Ming. "Okay, go ahead!" Xu Ming nodded. "Thank you, Brother Zhao. Just tell me what to do next."

"Okay, please move all the items in the room out first."

Zhao Guanshan gave an order and also got into the state. Xu Ming's imperial seal hut was the same as his in terms of materials, structure, and style.

The difference is that this is made up of two first-level imperial cottages, and the extra one is left for their children.

Zhao Guanshan's parents had left him a room, but after his parents passed away, they asked him to sell it for five taels of silver to make a living, which was bought back by the Governor-General.

Because there will be no other buyers, and no other buyers will be allowed.

This is normal. After all, when the first-level imperial seal hut was distributed, it was equivalent to buying it for five big coins.

The Chief Secretary won't let you get away with anything, it's good enough that depreciation is not taken into account.

Of course, if you don't sell it, no one will force you to do it even if it's vacant, and you can even designate an heir.

As a martial artist, Xu Ming worked very quickly and efficiently. In less than a moment, the two seal huts were emptied, leaving only the joint in the middle.

Zhao Guanshan studied it for a while, and suddenly asked, "Senior, are you planning to upgrade both of the Imperial Seal Huts, or just one?"

"Is there any difference?" Xu Ming was stunned.

"Of course. If you want to upgrade both of the Imperial Seal Huts, that's also possible. But since you only purchased one Gui-level Spiritual Offering Array, the protective effect of the Imperial Seal Hut will decrease as the overall space increases, and it may not achieve the protective effect you want in the end."

"If you choose to upgrade only one Imperial Seal Hut, the protective effect may even exceed your expectations due to the reduced space."

"Of course, if you are willing to purchase another Gui-level spiritual supply array, then everything will be fine."

After listening to Zhao Guanshan's explanation, Xu Ming hesitated for a moment, but finally shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Then choose to upgrade one. Now a Gui-level spiritual supply array costs eighty coins, which is too much to afford."

"Eighty! That's a huge increase!"

Zhao Guanshan was shocked. He was so ignorant.

"Yes, when I bought it the day before yesterday, it was only seventy big coins, and everything is rising. Today, the price of energy storage spirit stones has risen to twelve small coins for one charge."

Xu Ming sighed, and Zhao Guanshan was also a little frightened. He hadn't grown up yet, but why did he feel that the shadow of war was approaching!
But in a flash, he came up with a bold plan.

"Senior, I do have a Gui-level spiritual offering array, which I can sell to you for seventy large coins."

"Oh?"

Xu Ming's eyes lit up, but he immediately shook his head, "Where did you get the spirit-supplying array?"

"I can dismantle the spirit-supporting formation in my little house, but I have a request. I hope to rent your vacant house for one year. The rent is ten coins. I promise to move out after one year. This can be recorded in the records of the Chief Secretary. It is absolutely true."

After hearing this, Xu Ming was stunned for a long time before he figured out the reason behind it.

Then he had to admit that this guy was really brave, smart, and most importantly, had a sharp eye. Seeing that the evil demons were about to launch a large-scale attack, the defense of the first-level sealed hut was completely vulnerable.

So although Zhao Guanshan seems to be a prodigal son, he can actually save his life in this way.

Only by surviving can you have a future.

Of course, for Xu Ming, this also makes him very excited.

First of all, it was registered by the Chief Secretary, so it would be impossible for Zhao Guanshan to cheat a year later.

Secondly, his house was originally vacant and was for his daughter to live in after she turned twelve years old.

Third, including one year's rent, he only spent sixty coins to purchase a Gui-level spirit-supplying magic array, which was a good deal.

Even if he dies in battle in the future, if his wife is unable to make ends meet, she can dismantle the two Gui-level spirit-offering magic arrays and sell them. The Imperial Seal Cottage must be returned to the Governor-General, but that does not mean that these later added devices must also be recovered.

"Brother Zhao, you seem to be very confident in yourself. Are you sure you can earn enough money to buy a spiritual supply array in a year?"

"Of course, one year is enough."

Zhao Guanshan smiled brightly. If he couldn't develop well in a year, he might as well let the evil demon eat him.

Don't embarrass the people of Earth!
"Okay, deal! We'll go to the Chief Secretary's office and record it!"

(End of this chapter)