Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 4 Reading Can't Save Our Family

When I got home, my grandmother was already back. She sat on the doorstep, her thin body staring blankly into space.

Liu Sheng called her name several times before she reacted, and forced a smile at him:
"You're back? I made you some wild vegetable dumplings..."

The main ingredient of wild vegetable dumplings is 80% rice bran and 10% old flour. It is coarse, dry, and hard, making it difficult to swallow. When people run out of food, they often eat this to stave off hunger, hence the saying "half a year of bran and vegetables, half a year of grain".

Clearly, even if Granny Liu went to great lengths, she could only borrow some chaff and stale flour.

But having something to eat is better than going hungry.

not to mention……

"Grandma, we're having meat today."

Liu Sheng stepped forward and helped her into the house, then took out the rat snake, which weighed more than ten kilograms, from the cloth bag.

When he left Zhao Lei's house earlier, he wanted to cut a piece as a thank-you gift to express his gratitude for Zhao Lei's continued help, but Zhao Lei firmly refused to accept it, so he had to give up.

I will repay you when I become successful in the future.

"Where did this...flower snake come from...? Did Stone give it to you?"

Granny Liu was startled, then shook her head and said seriously:

“It’s too valuable. His family has a hard life, so we can’t accept it. We have to return it.”

Grandma is poor but has a strong spirit, kudos!
Liu Sheng inwardly praised him and quickly said:
"I found it in the woods..."

He was worried that this would arouse the old woman's suspicion, so he planned to change things little by little, subtly helping her accept the changes in her "grandson".

Therefore, he even gave himself a heads-up, saying that he planned to learn hunting from Zhao Lei to support his family in the future.

As expected, Grandma Liu's attention was diverted. Seeing her grandson's ambition and considering his future livelihood, the wrinkles on her face faded a bit.

She glanced at the snake meat in her hand and whispered:
"Hunting is their livelihood; they can't just teach you for no reason. Cut it in half to make offerings..."

"Grandma, you decide."

Liu Sheng chuckled and agreed, then left the rest to the old woman and began preparing for his trip to the city the next day.

His ostensible purpose in going into the city was to acquire some throwing knives, but his real aim was to collect spiritual essence to deduce his transformation body.

The spiritual essence is mostly found in old objects, such as antique paintings and calligraphy, jewelry, and heirloom weapons and armor.

"So, I should go browse jewelry stores, bookstores, pawn shops, and some secondhand markets..."

After pondering for a moment, Liu Sheng made up his mind.

In addition, you need to prepare some money, otherwise you might not even be able to get into these shops.

Moreover, throwing knives aren't cheap; one costs several tens of coins...

But the family was so poor they were running out of food, where would they get the money?

He sighed, his gaze shifting until it landed on the books and paper in the room, at which point his eyes suddenly lit up.

These things, though used for several years, are in very good condition. If I were to take them to the city…

Perhaps we can sell it for some money?
"My dear grandson, you're not planning on... studying for the imperial examinations anymore?"

Grandma Liu carefully wrapped the writing brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and several books, placing them in the bookcase. Her voice was low, unable to hide her disappointment.

Back when the old man was still alive, he reluctantly sold an acre of land to raise enough money for his grandson's education, hoping for a chance to make something of himself. But in the end…

"Grandma, studying won't save our family."

Liu Sheng said softly, looking down at the bamboo book. The bamboo strips were polished to a shine, the lid was slightly hunched like an old man's back, and the hemp rope patches were intertwined between the cracks, like centipedes crawling.

Recalling the day her grandson was beaten half to death by the clerk, Granny Liu's eyes dimmed, and she fell silent.

Perhaps studying... is something that these peasants can't even dream of.

She mustered her spirits and forced a smile:
"My dear grandson is right. Keeping them is just asking for trouble; it's better to sell them..."
-
It was early morning, before dawn.

A titmouse flew into the room through the open window, and Liu Sheng's figure appeared amidst the rising white mist.

"Tong the Skinflint really went all out; he even provided nourishing soups for these martial arts-practicing servants..."

Recalling what he had seen and heard at the Tong family compound, Liu Sheng felt a pang of sadness. This morning, while observing martial arts, the master martial artist deliberately emphasized the kindness of his master's family, highlighting the preciousness of the tonic soup.

This nourishing soup is good for strengthening the body and replenishing blood. It contains many precious medicinal herbs such as angelica, rehmannia, and notoginseng, and a single bowl can be worth more than 100 coins.

Based on an average of one bowl every ten days per person, the monthly cost of this nourishing soup alone is equivalent to that of an acre of medium-sized land.

And this doesn't even include the expenses they incur for eating meat while practicing martial arts every day...

"This Tong family... they probably have grand ambitions..."

Liu Sheng's eyes flickered a few times as he made a mental note of the matter.

He immediately assumed a stance and began to stand in the Black Tiger Stance.

Perhaps because he ate two or three pounds of snake meat yesterday, he stood in the stance for much longer today than yesterday, holding it for about 50 breaths and breaking out in a light sweat.

"The Tong family's martial arts-trained servants can generally stand for 100 breaths; I'm not even as good as the weakest one among them..."

Liu Sheng moved his sore legs and arms, and couldn't help but frown.

Standing meditation until you can sense your Qi and blood flow is considered the beginning. Only if you can achieve this within three months can you be considered to have the talent for martial arts.

It's only the beginning, and we've already fallen so far behind...

Is it...

Does he lack the talent for martial arts?
It's okay, I have a cheat code anyway. As long as I keep creating avatars and stacking various talents, I will definitely be able to make a comeback and surpass others in the future.

He comforted himself and gradually calmed down.

Not long after, Zhao Lei arrived at the door carrying a three-foot-tall basket.

Liu Sheng said goodbye to the old woman, then picked up his books and went out with her, heading straight for the county town.

Shanyang County is located on the southern slope of Heifeng Mountain. The county has more than 10,000 households. Due to its proximity to Heifeng Mountain, it is rich in resources and has a thriving trade. Merchants come and go in an endless stream, so the actual population exceeds 100,000.

The original owner of this body had been here before, so Liu Sheng was not unfamiliar with it.

Walking on the cobblestone street, looking at the rows of restaurants, inns, shops and teahouses on both sides, his eyes gleamed.

Many of these shops are long-established businesses passed down through generations, and they must have a lot of old items stored up, but it's unknown...

Does it possess any spiritual essence, and how much does it embody?
He and Zhao Lei agreed to meet at the West Market, and then headed to Qinghe Bookstore on Nanhou Street.

"This set of writing brushes, inkstones, and inkstones from Songyanzhai is in excellent condition; our shop is willing to offer one tael and two mace of silver for it. As for these books, their covers are badly creased; if you're willing, we'll offer 500 cash..."

Manager Chen of Qinghe Bookstore was around forty years old, of medium height, and with a fair complexion. He glanced at Liu Sheng without making a sound, his eyes filled with a mocking look.

Another peasant who fantasizes about getting ahead through studying!

In his more than 20 years as a bookstore owner, he has seen far too many people like this.

Buying the cheapest set of writing implements and a few books makes one think they can achieve fame and success.

These peasants don't even consider that if studying could really change one's fate, would it be their turn?
This is nothing more than... a carrot dangling in front of a mule, forever visible but unattainable.

"The original owner spent more than six taels to buy these, and now he has only received one tael and seven mace in return... What a rip-off!"

Liu Sheng cursed inwardly, but could only nod in agreement. He then asked if there were any famous ancient books for sale.

"Sir, you jest. Rare books by famous authors are always valuable. Our shop is a small business; where would we possibly have them?"

Manager Chen settled the payment, smiled politely but somewhat awkwardly, and pointed to a pile of secondhand books in the corner, saying:
"However, among these old books, there are occasionally rare copies. You might want to take a look?"

"Right on my mind."

Liu Sheng raised an eyebrow and immediately went to the pile of old books, reaching out to touch them one by one.

A moment later, his eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

[Spiritual Points +1]

[Spiritual Points +3]

[Spiritual Points +2]

(End of this chapter)