Starting with fishing, I've traversed a chaotic world of demons and martial arts.

Jinhai Wharf.

Inside the narrow alley on the west side.

The rickshaw driver took Li Tianxing into the alley.

"Sir, what do you think of this alley?"

If you're satisfied, I'll show you around.

Let's see if there are any houses available for rent!

Li Tianxing glanced at the alley.

The alley is not long, but it's quite lively.

There were vegetable vendors, knife sharpeners, ship repairmen, and so on.

Li Tianxing nodded in satisfaction.

"Okay, this will do!"

"Alright, sir! Let's go for a walk!"

……

The rickshaw stopped in front of a large shop.

A sign for rent was posted in front of the gate.

The driver wiped his sweat:

"Sir, how about we stop here?"

"Yes, you've had a hard day."

Li Tianxing got out of the car, paid the fare, and gave the other party a small tip.

The driver was overjoyed, thanked him repeatedly, and left.

Li Tianxing led Zhang Li and Xiao Yuan into the shop.

They discovered a thin old man sitting inside the shop.

The thin old man was the landlord.

When the old man saw Li Tianxing, he stopped turning the key.

"You...are you here to rent a room?"

Li Tianxing glanced at the shop:

"That's right, how about we talk about the price first?"

The old man chuckled softly:

"Let's not talk about price yet."

To tell you the truth, this shop was originally a tailor shop, and business was pretty good.

Unfortunately, the proprietress later accidentally fell into the well in the courtyard and drowned.

This is what caused the shop space to become vacant.

The old man raised his eyelids slightly and continued:

"Now that I think about it, young man, would you still like to rent it?"

Drowned...

Was it an accident, or was it caused by human intervention?

Or perhaps it is the work of evil spirits?

Upon hearing this, Li Tianxing was not afraid at all; on the contrary, he became interested.

"Uncle, I'm not afraid of any of that."

I am young and strong, full of yang energy!

If the price is right, I can rent this shop right now!

Upon hearing this, the old man chuckled and nodded in satisfaction.

Li Tianxing was very decisive, and the old man didn't hesitate either.

The two quickly agreed on a price.

Li Tianxing then rented the shop for ten silver dollars a month.

This price is very reasonable.

Because there's a yard and houses behind this shop...

After the old man left, the shop door was closed.

The noise from the alley was shut out.

……

Little Mandarin duck shrank back:

"Young master, this house... isn't it haunted?"

Li Tianxing patted Xiao Yuan's head:

"What nonsense are you talking about? Where did this ghost come from?"

Besides, with me here, what are you afraid of?

"Come on, let's go take a look at the back!"

Xiao Yuan stuck out her tongue and made a face at Zhang Li.

Then he followed Li Tianxing and walked towards the backyard.

……

Upon arriving at the backyard, a courtyard wall made of blue bricks came into view.

There is a well in the corner of the yard.

Several crooked bluestone slabs were used to seal the well opening.

Further back are three main rooms.

"The layout is pretty good, it's enough for us."

Li Tianxing stepped to the wellhead, glanced at it, and found nothing unusual.

The wind blows across the well opening.

The faint sound of flowing water could be heard coming from inside the well...

"I don't know if the water in this well is groundwater or river water that flows to the area around Jinhai."

Li Tianxing lifted the stone slab sealed at the well opening and glanced at the water flowing inside.

They then resealed the stone slabs and went inside.

……

the next day.

Li Tianxing found several dockworkers to help repair the house.

The laborers began replacing door panels, painting walls, and repairing the roof...

Not only that, Li Tianxing also bought a medical book.

It is called "Compendium of Herbs".

Li Tianxing held the Compendium of Herbs in his hand, thinking to himself:

"The area around the dock is crowded with people, making it the perfect place to gather intelligence."

I'll open a clinic here first...

However, for a clinic to survive, it first needs to become famous.

Where does fame come from? It comes from the docks!

Moreover, I have fishing skills, which make me more suitable for water combat.

I'll open the clinic first.

Then let's see if we can unite the various bandits around the dock...

Once the waterways are under control, this city of Tianjin, which depends on water, will be transformed.

It's now within my control!

Li Tianxing then thought of the turmoil on the day of the river god worship in Anlan County...

If it weren't for the intervention of the Feng family's army, the unrest that day would likely have not only failed to be quelled, but would have become even more serious!

The entire Anlan County will fall!

That incident planted a seed in Li Tianxing's heart.

If the right opportunity and conditions are available.

Later on, I will also need to build my own power...

But that's a story for another time.

The key is to improve your own skills first!

"Teacher Hei Yan's strength is truly terrifying; he actually subdued the river god of Qinghe."

Not only that, he also has a monster companion, a giant crocodile.

Hei Yan's strength is at least at the fifth realm, the Qi Sensing Realm!

No, there should be more!

Li Tianxing glanced down at the "Compendium of Materia Medica" in his hand and stopped thinking about it.

He opened the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and began to learn basic knowledge about herbs.

"Hemostatic herb, also known as water lily, is commonly found in riverbank wetlands."

The leaves have dark red veins and it produces small, light pink flowers.

It can be crushed and applied externally to stop bleeding and promote tissue regeneration; it is a common wound medicine among fishermen.

"The antipyretic reed rhizome is the root and stem of the Qinghan reed."

It is white in appearance, bamboo-shaped, and has a slightly sweet taste.

It can be decocted in water and taken orally to clear heat, purge fire, promote body fluid production, and quench thirst. It is specifically used to treat wind-heat colds, high fever, and thirst.

"..."

Li Tianxing sat in the courtyard, diligently studying the knowledge in the Compendium of Materia Medica.

As his studies progressed, his reading pace also improved.

[Technique: Reading (Minor Success)]

Progress: (451/600)

[Abilities: Photographic memory, ability to apply knowledge to different situations.]

"I've reached chapter 451 of my reading progress, and I'm almost at the final stage."

I wonder what abilities I will gain once I master reading techniques.

Li Tianxing's only mastered technique is "fishing".

But fishing brought him a great boost.

[Technique: Fishing (Mastery)]

Progress: (17/1200)

[Abilities: Accompanied by water, and guided by dragon energy.]

Li Tianxing raised his hand and touched his forehead:

"I have a scale on my forehead, and with the blessing of this scale..."

My Water Ripple Protection is stronger now; it doesn't even require much energy to activate...

However, this ability to follow the dragon's aura.

I haven't had any special sensations yet...

Li Tianxing read through "Compendium of Materia Medica" for a while, then closed the book.

He slowly stood up and began directing the laborers to continue working.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The house that Li Tianxing rented has been completely renovated.

Nothing unexpected happened during those three days.

No monsters or evil spirits crawled out of the well...

Li Tianxing read through the "Compendium of Materia Medica" carefully over the next three days.

And he memorized all the contents of the book...

As Li Tianxing closed the "Compendium of Materia Medica" once again.

A new panel appeared in his mind as well...

[Techniques: Medical Skills (Beginner)]

Progress: (1/300)

[Ability: Identifying herbs.]

[Identifying Herbs: For herbs with documented histories, their effects and uses can be discerned at a glance.]

"I've finally mastered the basics of medicine..."

It seems the learning I've done these past few days has been effective.

Li Tianxing looked at the medical skills panel with delight.

After learning medical skills.

I can consider myself to be "both scholarly and martial"!

"My medical skills are currently at a beginner level; I can only identify herbs."

When we reach the level of minor success or even major success in the future...

I'm afraid that as long as I don't die, I can heal my injuries!

Life is getting better and better!

……

At this moment, inside a restaurant diagonally opposite the shop.

A person was drinking in the restaurant.

He has been eating at this small restaurant for three days in a row...

The man gazed at the renovated shop.

He put down his teacup and muttered to himself:

"This kid is quite rich, he's very generous!"

I've only been here a few days since I came from the money exchange.

They then renovated the shop.

Could it be that they're thinking of opening a shop to do business...?

This kid looks like he knows some kung fu.

Perfect, I'll find out more about you tonight!