Becoming an immortal from a canal worker

The next day at dawn, just as the sky was beginning to lighten.

Chen Ping, shirtless, practiced the "Stone Collapse Force" in the courtyard.

The wind howled as he punched, his blood surged, and the twelve-style fist technique flowed smoothly in his hands.

After finishing the twelve-form boxing technique, he stopped, stood still, and exhaled a breath of white turbid air.

A line of small print flashed across my retina:

[Stone Crushing Force - Proficiency +1]

[Current Progress: Completed 6/2000]

After washing up, Old Liu had already set out breakfast on the stone table in the courtyard.

Two bowls of thick brown rice porridge, a dish of homemade pickled vegetables, and half a piece of pickled fish that I brought back yesterday.

The two sat facing each other, silently drinking their porridge.

Halfway through the meal, Liu Laoguo put down his bowl, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said casually, "I took some time yesterday to visit Li Wenxiu."

Chen Ping raised his head and looked at him quietly.

"The medicine has already been applied to Gouwa's hand." Old Liu picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of pickled vegetables. "Li Wenxiu said he's been very well-behaved these past few days, taking his medicine and changing his dressings on time every day, and he hasn't missed a day of learning to read."

Chen Ping nodded: "That's good."

Old Liu picked up his bowl, finished the last mouthful of porridge, and raised his eyelids slightly: "Over in Luhua Village, we need to wrap things up properly today. Don't think that just because we've killed someone and established our authority, we can let go in a hurry. The first three days are the most crucial. You need to have your men keep a close eye on things and prevent those starving peasants from having any other ideas."

After finishing the last bite of rice, Chen Ping replied, "Understood."

After breakfast, I changed into a clean blue short-sleeved shirt, pushed open the courtyard gate, and strode towards Luhua Village.

Noon.

As soon as Chen Ping arrived at the entrance of Luhua Village, he could see two groups of people gathered there, clearly separated from each other.

On the fishermen's side, the old fisherman was the leader, and there were about thirty of them.

On the refugee side, Scarface stood at the front, followed by two ragged men, trembling with fear; they were probably the chosen representatives.

Scarface's face alternated between pale and flushed, and he stood there with his neck hunched over, looking like a bird whose wings had been pinched.

Behind the old fisherman, a stout woman in her early thirties stood with one hand on her hip, pointing at the scarred man's nose and cursing loudly:

"You damned, starving bastards! My man was shoved by you a couple of days ago and broke his leg. He's been bedridden ever since and can't even get out of bed! And you still have the nerve to stand here today?!"

"If it weren't for Lord Chen sparing your lives, I would have already teamed up with the villagers to tie up all of you bastards and throw you into the Huai River to feed the fish!"

Scarface was so angry he turned red in the face, his lips trembling, but he didn't dare to say a word back.

The two men behind him had their heads bowed so low they were practically burying themselves in their crotches.

It wasn't that I was afraid of this shrewish village woman.

Those two corpses from last night have shut down all possibilities.

Seeing that the woman's insults were getting increasingly vulgar, the old fisherman quickly stepped forward and grabbed her, saying, "Alright, alright, that's enough! You know what happened yesterday. Everyone's here today to wait for the adults to discuss matters. If you keep arguing and break the adults' rules, can you take responsibility for that?"

The woman thought for a moment, then gave a resentful snort and shut her mouth.

Just then, Chen Ping strode over, stepping on the dry, cold mud and sand of the riverbank.

Both groups fell silent instantly, turning to look at him.

Upon seeing the knife on Chen Ping's back, Scarface reflexively took a half-step back, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and bowed deeply: "M-Sir!"

Chen Ping walked to the middle of the two groups and stopped, his gaze sweeping over both sides.

To make a long story short...

He turned to the scarred man: "Your people can live."

Scarface suddenly raised his head, and the people behind him straightened up as well.

"But from today onwards, we must follow the rules. Everyone must register and be issued a work card from the Tsing Yi Society. The able-bodied will do heavy work, such as carrying, salting fish, repairing boats, and driving piles, for a daily wage of ten coins. The elderly, weak, women, and children will do light work, such as drying nets, picking fish and shrimp, and washing fish baskets, for which they will not be paid. They will exchange a day's work for a day's rice."

He paused.

"No causing trouble, no cheating or shirking, show your work badge when you start work, and do not lend your work badge to others without permission."

Behind the scarred man, a lean man couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Ten coins a day, plus rations, this is much better than fleeing famine in the north..."

Another man swallowed hard: "As long as we have a stable meal to eat, who the hell would want to cause trouble?"

Chen Ping ignored the murmurs below, his gaze fixed on the scarred man: "You'll be the foreman of this group. Pick a few clever ones to keep an eye on them for you. If you catch anyone shirking their duties, deal with them first."

"If I catch you..."

Chen Ping didn't say anything more, but just glanced at Scarface.

Scarface trembled and nodded repeatedly, "Understood, understood! Don't worry, sir! I'll keep a close eye on them. Anyone who dares to try anything will have their legs broken!"

Chen Ping nodded: "The accountant from the business hall will come this afternoon to register and issue employee badges. If anyone is not present during roll call, their name will not be on the register, and they will never be able to get an employee badge again."

Scarface nodded emphatically, then turned and jogged away with the two men behind him.

The old fisherman watched the retreating figure, let out a long sigh of relief, walked up to Chen Ping, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, sir! Our village is saved this time!"

Chen Ping waved his hand: "You just need to deliver your catch to the merchant hall on time. The Green Robe Society will protect you. That's the rule. Just fish well."

The fisherwoman who had just been standing there, hands on her hips cursing, now stood to the side, rubbing her hands, her eyes slightly red, her voice much softer: "Sir, it's already noon, how about... coming to my house for a simple meal? I steamed some freshly pickled fish from yesterday..."

Chen Ping shook his head, declining decisively: "Thank you for your kind offer, but I have to return to the Merchant Guild to report. Let's talk about it another time."

The old fisherman nodded repeatedly: "Then please take care, sir! Our village always has good wine ready for you!"

Chen Ping turned around and strode away from Luhua Village.

Back at the market north of Qingkou Town, Chen Ping went straight up to the second floor of the shop.

Hu Qian was sitting behind his desk reviewing account books when he heard footsteps. He looked up and smiled, "Young friend Chen, how's the matter going?"

Chen Ping pulled out a chair and sat down, then picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of water: "The refugees in Luhua Village have been properly settled."

Hu Qian slapped the table heavily with satisfaction, his face crinkling into a wide smile: "Great! Well done!"

He closed the ledger and called out towards the door, "Old Wang!"

A lean, middle-aged man in a long robe strode in, bowed his head, and said, "Manager Hu, what are your orders?"

Hu Qian pointed outside: "This afternoon, take a few guys to Luhua Village to register those refugees, issue them work badges. Young Friend Chen has explained the rules to them. Just call people according to the list and do it accordingly. We absolutely cannot let any unfamiliar faces from outside sneak in."

Old Wang responded with a "Yes," then turned and quickly left to prepare the roster and wooden plaques.

Hu Qian turned to Chen Ping, in a great mood: "Young friend Chen, have you had lunch yet?"

Chen Ping shook his head: "I haven't had time for that yet."

Hu Qian slapped his thigh and stood up: "That's perfect! Zuixianlou in the market has new dishes today. Come on, I'll treat you to a couple of drinks as a celebration!"

Chen Ping didn't refuse and nodded, saying, "Then thank you very much, Steward Hu."

The two walked downstairs side by side, out of the shop, and into the depths of the market.

The clanging sound of blacksmithing came from the street corner, and Chen Ping slowed down and glanced in that direction.

In the blacksmith's shop not far away, a shirtless, burly man stood beside a red-hot furnace, holding a large iron hammer and smashing a red-hot iron block on the anvil, causing sparks to fly everywhere.

Each hammer blow landed at the same point, not fast, but each one was solid.

Beside the furnace, a boy with a face covered in coal dust was working hard, pulling the bellows. The furnace roared and waves of heat hit us.

Chen Ping looked at the flying sparks and the red-hot iron, and a thought struck him.

Chen Ping stopped, pointed to the blacksmith shop, and turned to ask Hu Qian, "Can outsiders learn this blacksmithing skill?"

Hu Qian followed his finger, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "You can learn it, but I can't teach you. You'll have to ask the shopkeeper, Old Sun, but..."

He lowered his voice: "I have to warn you beforehand, Old Sun has a notoriously bad temper, as hard as a rock in a latrine. If you go to be his apprentice, don't let him get angry and chop you up with a knife."

"Old Sun is our precious treasure in the Qingyi Society. In the entire Huai'an Prefecture, you can count the number of blacksmiths who can forge such fine knives on your fingers. Many of the weapons used by the gang's Red Flower Cudgels are made by him."

Chen Ping shook his head: "Having more skills means having more options. Manager Hu, don't worry."

Hu Qian smiled and said, "Alright, since you've asked, I'll do you the honor of taking you to meet him."

The two turned and walked to the entrance of the blacksmith's shop.

Inside the shop, an elderly man with half-white hair, thin but with a very large frame, was using tongs to lift a piece of red-hot iron from the furnace, and then swinging a hammer to smash it down.

clang!

The sparks exploded, and the sound of metal colliding made my eardrums tingle.

Hu Qian stopped at the door and shouted inside, "Old Sun! Are you done with this busy period yet?"

The old man didn't even raise his head, staring at the iron in his hand, and only uttered a single word through his nose: "Speak."

Hu Qian chuckled and pointed at Chen Ping: "Let me introduce you to a young man. This is Chen Ping, our gang's newly promoted Red Flower Stick. He's taken a liking to your skills and wants to become your apprentice and help you out."

Old Sun's hammer suddenly stopped.

He slowly raised his eyelids, which were reddened from the firelight, glanced at Chen Ping, and said coldly, "Red Flower Stick wants to be my apprentice? No way."

Hu Qian said unhurriedly, "Old Sun, I know you're afraid of these guys with knives causing trouble, but this kid has a steady temper. He used to work his way up from the bottom at the docks, so he's got a solid foundation. He's not the kind of troublemaker who'll pull out a knife at the drop of a hat. Besides..."

He leaned closer: "Aren't you going to Shanyang City to deliver goods in a month? The world is so chaotic, taking him along as your assistant and bodyguard will make your journey more secure, won't it?"

Old Sun remained silent for a moment.

He put down the hammer, placed the tongs beside the furnace, turned around, and without looking at Chen Ping's face, his gaze swept over Chen Ping's hands, shoulders, waist, and hips, as if checking if a piece of pig iron was heavy enough.

After a moment, his withered lips moved slightly: "I heard that Steward Li Yuan recently took on a disciple, is it him?"

Hu Qian smiled and exhaled a puff of smoke: "Exactly."

Old Sun nodded, wiping his rough hands on his stained apron: "Your basics are passable, you can stay, but let me make this clear: once you're in my shop, no matter what your status is outside, you'll start from the bottom, doing odd jobs like watching the fire, operating the bellows, and general labor. If you don't do well, you'll be fired."

Chen Ping stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture of respect, and said, "Thank you for taking me in, Master Sun."

Old Sun didn't even look at him, turned around and picked up the iron again, throwing it into the furnace: "Come back at dawn tomorrow to light the furnace. If you're even a fraction of a second late, don't ever come back again."

"Yes."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Hu Qian clapped his hands with a smile: "Then it's settled."

Old Sun ignored them and raised the hammer again.

Ding-dong—Ding-dong—

The two turned and walked towards the restaurant.

The sound of blacksmithing echoed behind me, gradually being drowned out by the noise of the market.