Starting with photographic memory, I've worked my way up to become a martial arts immortal.

In the alley, a gentle breeze stirred up a few withered leaves, dispersing the faint smell of blood that lingered in the air.

Jiang Yuan's gaze swept across the empty street: "I noticed that Zhang Lian's eyes were darting around; he must be resentful. You'll need to keep a close eye on him in the future."

Han Qian's expression turned serious: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. Zhang Lian has been operating in the gang for many years and does have some foundation. However, even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to harm me."

"I hope so." Jiang Yuan remained noncommittal. "It's getting late, I should go back."

"Senior brother, please wait." Han Qian reached out his hand to stop him.

"The 'Drunken Immortal' restaurant in the south of the city recently hired a new chef from the prefectural capital. How about I accompany my senior brother to try it out?"

After a moment's thought, Jiang Yuan realized that Han Qian had helped him out tonight, so he couldn't very well refuse him right away. He smiled and said, "Okay."

Han Qian immediately smiled and said, "Senior brother, this way please."

South Street was quite lively after nightfall, brightly lit, with roadside stalls selling all sorts of things, making Jiang Yuan a little dizzy.

"Senior brother, have you forgotten? Tomorrow is the Frost Harvest Festival." Han Qian said with a smile, noticing his expression.

The Frost Harvest Festival is the final celebration of the autumn harvest in the Great Jin Dynasty. When the first frost falls, the government holds a ceremony to thank the god of agriculture, celebrate the harvest, ward off frost, and pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.

Jiang Yuan's heart stirred. When his father was still alive, at this time of year, the family would always mix glutinous rice and millet, steam them, and press them into cakes called "Frost Cakes".

That was his favorite food when he was a child.

However, celebrations are usually held in bustling parts of the city, and since his family lived in a remote area and he was afraid of walking at night, he rarely went.

The long street was lined with shops selling brooms, bamboo baskets, pottery jars, and sickles.

Jiang Yuan noticed a few old tables and chairs set up by the roadside, and an old man standing behind a stove, turning meat skewers over the charcoal. His feet unconsciously moved over there.

"Gentlemen, would you like to try some of my roasted meat?"

The old man noticed that their clothes and demeanor were not those of ordinary people, so he quickly greeted them.

Han Qian waved his hand, and when he turned his head, he saw that Jiang Yuan had already sat down.

"Senior Brother Jiang, this..."

Han Qian thought he was just looking, but he didn't expect him to actually sit down.

He felt that this kind of roadside stall was not qualified to serve Jiang.

"Sit down, it's been a long time since I've had grilled... this roasted meat, have a taste," Jiang Yuan invited.

"Then... I'll stay with you, Senior Brother." Han Qian smiled and sat down.

After asking the price, they found only pork and mutton skewers, so Jiang Yuan ordered dozens of skewers of each.

While waiting, the two chatted casually.

"Senior brother, have you made any plans regarding your temporary post?" Han Qian tossed a peanut into his mouth.

"It's not decided yet. Do you have connections, junior brother?"

Jiang Yuan had also learned some information from Dong Erbao and his other senior brothers, and asked them about it casually.

"Whether it's escorting goods for a security company, protecting wealthy families, serving as a patron of a gang, guarding a pharmacy, or providing protection for other forces, it all depends on your own choice, Senior Brother," Han Qian said.

Jiang Yuan nodded. These statements were all similar, but none of them made him feel very reassured.

In addition to a basic monthly salary, escort agencies also provide a share of the profits from each escort mission. They earn the most money, but they are also the most dangerous. When traveling, they may encounter powerful and dangerous individuals that they cannot handle, making the risk factor too high.

Being a bodyguard for the wealthy requires being mindful of the master's mood, which Jiang Yuan doesn't mind. Earning money isn't shameful. However, being a bodyguard takes up a lot of his time every day, preventing him from practicing his martial arts, which is unacceptable.

Being called a gang leader sounds nice, but in reality, he's just a henchman. He's had enough of the gang's misery and has no desire to do evil for others. If it weren't for the Green Robe Gang's decent reputation, he wouldn't even give this junior brother any face.

If you only have to look after the shop, that's fine, but you also have to go into the mountains to collect herbs. There are many wild beasts in the deep mountains, and it's not safe there.

Jiang Yuan felt that he had enough money now. Since he hadn't found a suitable job, he might as well focus on practicing martial arts at the martial arts school. Once he reached the Dark Force level, his treatment would change dramatically, and his earning power would be more than ten times that of the Bright Force level.

Just then, the old man arrived carrying a bunch of meat skewers.

The willow branches were still smoldering with smoke, and oil droplets sizzled down the meat tendons, splashing into tiny oil droplets on the bamboo plate.

The brownish-brown edges of the meat are slightly curled, and there are no seasonings on it, only the smoky aroma of charcoal grilling enveloping the rich and savory flavor of the meat.

Jiang Yuan took a bite without waiting for it. The rich meat juices burst in his mouth, and a sense of satisfaction instantly filled his heart.

It's a pity there were no seasonings, just a hint of saltiness.

However, the original aroma of the meat was already very satisfying for him.

"Shopkeeper, do you have any wine?" Jiang Yuan asked gently.

"Yes, yes!" The old man happily brought over two bowls of rice wine.

Jiang Yuan glanced down at the murky liquor, seemingly unconcerned, and said, "Junior Brother Han, bottoms up!"

"Damn!" Han Qian laughed.

The two men raised their rough earthenware bowls and drank them down in one gulp.

The drink has a slightly sour and astringent taste, a smooth and moist texture, and a lingering sweet aftertaste, making it a unique beverage.

Jiang Yuan smacked his lips. Come to think of it, this was the first time he had ever drunk alcohol since he transmigrated to this world.

He seemed to have rediscovered the ease he felt in a past life, eating barbecue skewers on the street.

Only then did he feel truly alive and like a human being.

After a few bowls, Han Qian's face flushed. He raised his eyelids and said nonchalantly,

"Senior Brother Jiang, how much do you know about our Green Robe Gang?"

"Not many," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

"I understand even without you saying it, senior brother. You have a problem with gangs." Han Qian poured himself another bowl of rice wine, his tone serious. "No wonder. Those gangs in the city bully and exploit the people; they have a terrible reputation."

He changed the subject, leaning forward slightly: "But our Green Robe Gang is different. On the surface, we also collect some neighborhood fees, but we actually have other businesses. Most of the brothers in the gang come from poor backgrounds, earning their money through hard work, and we don't bully honest people. Even after we take the money, we genuinely protect them and don't let thugs cause trouble."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, my father is getting old and his energy isn't what it used to be. He's been a bit lax in managing things down there, which is why a scoundrel like Ma Wu came along... and my senior brother just happened to run into him. It's truly shameful."

Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow: "What kind of business are you referring to, Junior Brother?"

"As you probably know, most of the gangs in the outer city have powerful backers," Han Qian leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Like the Poison Scorpion Gang, which recently swallowed the Black Tiger Gang, they relied on the Liu family in the inner city. The Fish Dragon Gang is backed by the Huang family, and I heard that the Canal Gang also has connections with the county government... In the end, all the big and small forces in the outer city are nothing more than puppets on the surface."

The charcoal crackled, and the aroma of meat mingled with the scent of wine filled the night. Jiang Yuan thoughtfully stroked the chipped edge of the rough earthenware bowl, then suddenly asked:

"And who's behind the Green-Clad Gang?"

Han Qian looked around and lowered his voice even further: "To be honest, senior brother, behind us is 'Listening Wind Pavilion'."

"Listening Wind Pavilion?" Jiang Yuan was taken aback.

Just then, a few drunk men at the next table suddenly started making a ruckus.

One of them stood up unsteadily, accidentally knocking over the bamboo plate on Jiang Yuan's table, scattering meat skewers all over the floor.