"Secondly, it's because you yourself are a worthy investment. As long as you achieve Great Success in Muscle Strengthening before the age of twenty, your future will be immeasurable, so it's only natural for me to pave the way in advance."
Zhao Ya shook his head, "But this favor is really too big, I feel a bit uneasy about it."
In this world, a single tael of silver can sometimes buy a life, let alone the huge price difference of over twenty taels of silver each month.
Zhao Ya asked himself if he had not yet reached the point where someone would go to such lengths to win him over.
Tan Ziwang chuckled, "It seems you still don't quite understand what it is that this old man actually does, but being able to stay this calm in the face of benefits is a rare quality."
"In fact, this price surprises you, but for me, it's not a loss, just earning a little less, because... this old man works for the Song Family in the Inner City."
The Song Family!
Zhao Ya was shocked and then suddenly realized.
It is known that all the earthworm dried meat on the market comes from the Song Family.
Not only this kind, but it's also said that the higher-grade Exotic Beast Flesh is best when produced by the Song Family as well.
In fact, the reason the Song Family has stood firm in the Inner City for so many years is due to their unique Exotic Beast breeding techniques.
No wonder Tan Ziwang can offer such low-priced dried meat, it turns out he works for the Song Family.
Zhao Ya was silent for a moment, then stood up and bowed solemnly.
"If that's the case, then I must thank Uncle Tan!"
"Hahaha, Ya, you're too polite, come, drink, drink!" Tan Ziwang was very pleased, and the atmosphere at the table became increasingly warm.
The banquet was enjoyed by all until it ended in the afternoon.
Zhao Ya left with Tang Zui'Er, and Tan Dong, drunk, went back to his room to sleep.
Tan Bin, who had been silent, then said, "Father, is it really worth the price to win over this Zhao Ya?"
"What do you mean by worth it?" Tan Ziwang retorted with a question.
Tan Bin hesitated for a moment and said, "But we only have an operating space for about twenty or thirty taels of dried meat each month, giving it all to Zhao Ya is indeed quite costly."
Tan Ziwang sighed, "You, you, your brain has turned sluggish from training, and you can only see the short-term benefits."
"Now I'm getting older by the day, and I don't know how many people are eyeing my position in secret, while your brain is too simple, Erlang is clever but lazy, even preferring to work as a laborer in a small Escort Agency rather than entering the Inner City, he can't carry big responsibilities either."
"Do you think that when someday I die, you can still leisurely work as a guardian in the Song Family?"
Tan Bin was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "But you followed the old patriarch...."
"Shut up!" Tan Ziwang barked, "I've told you not to mention the old patriarch, why can't you remember?"
Tan Bin was left speechless by the reprimand and could only lower his head and admit his mistake.
Tan Ziwang finally calmed down a bit, sighed and said, "Yes, I fought alongside the old patriarch, but now the old patriarch is dead, the one in power is the new patriarch. If he cares about me, then I'm an old minister."
"If he doesn't care, then I'm just an old man slyly taking advantage of his seniority. So, I've warned you, don't mention the past again. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand, Father!"
Tan Ziwang continued, "As long as I'm alive, different parties will still give the Tan Family some face, and during the New Year, various gangs in the Outer City will also send people to pay respects. If I die, you two brothers won't be able to hold it together."
"So now I must think of a way to leave a way out, and Zhao Ya is the way out I've found for you."
Although Tan Bin didn't speak, a trace of dissatisfaction was evident in his expression.
Tan Ziwang could naturally see it, but he didn't explain much, only sighed inwardly.
After returning home, Zhao Ya took out all his savings and counted.
Including the year-end bonus, it amounted to nine taels and three parts of silver.
For an average person, this would already be a fortune.
But for Zhao Ya, it was still far from enough.
Because even at a rock-bottom price of one tael of silver, Zhao Ya still had to spend over twenty taels of silver each month.
This left Zhao Ya worrying.
Where could he get some silver?
Should he find another gang to target?
Well, it's the only option for now.
Facing a financial crisis, Zhao Ya began to ponder a suitable target.
First, this gang couldn't be too big, because if it was large enough, there would definitely be masters overseeing it.
Taking action against such a target could easily endanger himself, violating Zhao Ya's principle of low-key development.
It also had to be notorious, preferably one that provoked widespread public anger, allowing him not only to gain funds but also to remove evil for the people, achieving two goals at once.
As Zhao Ya thought it over, he gradually formed an idea.
This is it!
But now wasn't the best time to act, he still needed to plan carefully.
The next day.
Tan Dong delivered a box full of earthworm dried meat early in the morning.
This surprised Zhao Ya.
But Tan Dong said the old man had already instructed that if Zhao Ya didn't have the money for the first month's dried meat, he could owe it first.
Zhao Ya couldn't say anything but express his deep gratitude.
After Tan Dong left, Zhao Ya couldn't resist taking out a piece of dried meat and putting it in his mouth.
The familiar taste gave Zhao Ya a great sense of comfort.
At the same time, Zhao Ya was surprised to find that these dried meats were fuller than those he bought at the Ghost Market.
This also meant that these dried meats contained richer qi and blood.
Although one or two may not be obvious, consuming more would show the difference.
With the help of these dried meats, Zhao Ya's cultivation, which had stagnated for some time, finally boarded the fast train again.
Especially now that Zhao Ya didn't have to go to the Escort Agency, so he shut his door and devoted himself to crazy training.
Four or five days slipped by, and one day, Zhao Ya felt the frequency of trembling in his tendons and sinews was becoming more pronounced.
Zhao Ya knew this was a sign of an imminent breakthrough.
About this, Zhao Ya felt neither joy nor sadness, but calmly practiced his fists.
Now, the Five Tiger Fist had transformed in Zhao Ya's hands, although it was just a shallow fist technique, Zhao Ya executed it with great vigor, both in form and spirit.
After finishing a set of fist techniques, Zhao Ya suddenly heard a snapping sound from within his tendons and sinews.
In an instant, qi and blood roared around Zhao Ya, and his tendons and sinews were renewed.
Muscle Strengthening was achieved!
At this point, Zhao Ya finally broke through and became a Second Realm Martial Artist.
Zhao Ya took a deep breath and opened the attribute panel.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 17. Remaining lifespan: 40 years
Skills: Eight Vajra Skill (Mastery 576/2000) Five Tiger Fist (Mastery 1436/2000) Gale Saber Technique (Minor Achievement 964/1000) Lightweight Grasshopper Skill (Entering the Hall 490/500)
Meanwhile, the Heart Unlock Progress also finally showed change.
[Heart Unlock Progress: 3%]