Text-based martial arts: A nighttime rendezvous with the gang leader's wife in a dilapidated te

The rest of the conversation is none of your concern, because Cao Qing gave an order, and you walked from the inner hall to the front hall.

You saw the steward standing guard at the gate. He saw you too.

"Oh, young master, don't stand, please sit down and rest..."

He solicitously brought a chair and respectfully placed it in front of you.

You waved your hand and said, "What do you mean by this, Steward? I'm just a medicine apprentice in the alchemy room. I might die at any time. Why would you do this for me?"

His face contorted in pain, and then he slapped himself hard across the face.

"Young master, young master, please calm down! It's Shen Fu who's blind, it's this old servant's poor eyesight..."

The old servant before you smiled obsequiously while slapping you, while you activated your destiny ability: Defying Fate!

[You are now viewing all the fixed encounters that can be triggered by the character 'Shen Fu' in front of you, along with their trigger conditions:]

[1. Embezzlement (Huang): Relying on his position as the head steward of the Shen family, Shen Fu embezzled a lot of money in various matters, big and small. He hid all his wealth in a mansion on the banks of the Qinhuai River in the southern part of Jinling City, with two stone lions at the entrance.]

Infiltration requires a movement skill of ≥5 points, or mastery of the street savage skill 'lock picking'. After infiltrating, you can earn 200-1000 taels of silver, depending on the situation! Alternatively, you can choose to directly expose Shen Fu and threaten him into obeying your orders.

Hmm? Chen Xuan's eyes lit up at the sight of this extraordinary encounter!

money!

Putting aside everything else, on the "Martial Arts" forum, one tael of silver is equivalent to ten thousand Dragon Kingdom coins!

So, by this calculation, the minimum of two hundred taels of silver is two million.

Instantly, Chen Xuan swallowed hard.

Although if you include the house left by his parents, his net worth is more than five million, that's because the house is expensive, while this is cash!

Moreover, with this money, he would have the confidence to hire other players, or even bodyguards in the game, to try to overcome the deadly test at the end of the month with external help!

[You discovered Shen Fu's secret, and feeling great, you patted Shen Fu on the shoulder:]

"Old Shen, as I just said, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet Mr. Cao, let alone this opportunity. You're my benefactor, how could I blame you?"

Hearing your words, Shen Fu breathed a sigh of relief: "Young Master is magnanimous and naturally wouldn't stoop to the level of a petty person, but this old servant must make a gesture. With Young Master following Mr. Cao, you are sure to soar to great heights in the future. This is this old servant's greeting gift; please accept it..."

[Shen Fu has offered you 10 taels of silver. Will you accept it?]

[Accept!] (Option 1)

Seeing you tuck the silver into your pocket, Shen Fu breathed a sigh of relief, but his affection for you decreased by 10 points. Current affection level: -10 (indifferent)

Chen Xuan stared at the prompt in front of him for a moment, then revealed a cold smile.

That old bastard!

【…】

As darkness fell, Cao Qing finally emerged from the room.

You go back with him, what are you preparing for...?

Option 1: Remain silent.

Option 2: Ask.

[Option 3: Give Shen Fu's silver to Cao Qing and tell the truth.]

Without a second thought, Chen Xuan chose the third option.

"Sir, Shen Fu just gave this to me..."

Cao Qing glanced at the small red cloth bag he took from your arms. Though his face was cold, a slight smile played on his lips. "Since it's for you, keep it safe! You two will be dealing with each other a lot in the future, so it's good for you to get to know each other better."

Cao Qing's favorability towards you has increased by 9. Current favorability: 39 (Instant connection)

[Inquire.] (Option 2)

[Inquiry Content: Golden Dragon Club] (Option 1)

"Sir, what is the Golden Dragon Society?"

Your question didn't surprise Cao Qing much, but he still explained:

"A gang in Danyang County mainly controls the waterway business in Danyang County and the surrounding area. They have intricate connections, and their headquarters are located on Jinlong Island, dozens of miles from the sea along the river. They are considered a subordinate gang of the Canal Transport Gang. Jinling is under the control of Wanlitang."

[Continue to inquire] (Option 2)

[Inquiry Content: Grand Ceremony of a Hundred Boats Racing] (Option 3)

"Sir, what is that 'Hundred Boats Racing Ceremony'?"

Cao Qing glanced at you and chuckled softly.

"Still too young, interested in these kinds of things? But it's no use if you're interested."

"The Grand Boat Race was organized by the 'Grand Canal Gang,' one of the 'Three Gangs of the City.' Participants included heroes from all over the country who traveled by water, as well as subordinate gangs controlled by the Grand Canal Gang."

"Each faction contributes one ship, with fifty crew members and one captain. Some are responsible for rowing, while others are responsible for protecting and sabotaging other ships. The winner is the one whose ship reaches the finish line first."

"In short, it's a special water-based competition, but it's quite comprehensive, and all participants must be under 25 years old! They are all young talents."

"The members of the Canal Gang will observe the competition during the grand ceremony. In addition to the generous rewards for the top three factions, outstanding performers will also receive rewards. Furthermore, they will extend invitations to some promising young people to join the Canal Gang afterward!"

Listening to Cao Qing's words, you finally understood: "Is this a selection method used by the Canal Gang to recruit young talents? Can we trust people selected this way?"

Upon hearing your question, Cao Qing sneered: "What's there to worry about? The old Dragon King of the Canal Gang, who is known as the 'Sea-Suppressing Dragon King,' commands respect throughout the rivers and seas."

It is said that they are now only a step away from becoming terrestrial immortals who live to be three hundred years old. The Canal Gang even possesses the supreme internal skill, the "True Explanation of the Water Flowing to the Sea," a divine technique they hold as their sect's most powerful weapon. With such unparalleled skill, who could resist the temptation to make a living on the water?

The Dragon King Who Suppresses the Sea? A Land Immortal? The True Meaning of the Flow of All Rivers into the Sea (Ren Shui)?

Is the Caobang gang really that tough?

Chen Xuan smacked his lips, somewhat envious. This technique sounded like it was water-based, which was a perfect match for his "Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate Technique".

Unfortunately, he can't even get close to the Golden Dragon Society now, so the Canal Gang is clearly out of the question.

Chen Xuan wanted to ask more questions, but unfortunately, the options had already disappeared.

[Seemingly sensing your unrealistic ambitions, Cao Qing snorted coldly:]

"Kid, some things aren't something you can just get by wanting! Besides age, even the lowest-ranking boatman in the Hundred Boat Race must be a martial artist at least at the Bone Refinement level. With your little body? Heh!"

You shrank back, then finally realized something:

"Sir, are you really going to move out of the Shen family's house?"

"Hmm, what's wrong? You don't want to?"

"The young man will listen to his master..."

Yes, he was more than willing!

I was just thinking about how to gain freedom, and now, here it is!

Cao Qing looked at your overjoyed expression, a faint smile appearing in his eyes, before reverting to his icy tone and speaking:

"Don't be too happy yet. If you slack off because of this and your medical skills improve slowly, you'll be going out to beg for food! I never support idlers!"

"Yes, I will certainly not disappoint you, sir. When shall we depart?"

【"Now……"】

【…】

That night, or rather, that morning, Chen Xuan watched his in-game self, alongside Cao Qing.

He finally entered Jinling City in the game with the help of a carriage.

Although neither in reality nor in the game did he have time to properly look at Jinling City, after completing everything, Cao Qing found a room for himself in a small courtyard near the East Gate, and then started to AFK in real life, falling into a deep sleep.

And Chen Xuan's dream was still that familiar dream.

The knowledge of the Green Book and the Five Animal Frolics was as if it had been forcibly stuffed into his brain. Accompanied by his dreams, he practiced it constantly and became more and more familiar with it.

It's as if he's been training me since I was a child...