Chapter 64: Fish Merchant

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

Zhou's courtyard.

Chen Qing had just finished his stance and stood steady, sweat sliding down his well-defined jawline as his chest rose and fell slightly.

He was regulating his breathing from the surging qi and blood brought on by his stance work when a disciple quickly approached and handed him an invitation.

"Senior Brother Chen, someone just asked me to deliver this letter, claiming to be a steward from the Wu family."

A Wu family steward!?

Chen Qing's heart grew slightly wary as he accepted the invitation.

His only connection with the Wu family in Gaolin County was that "sparring match" at Goddess Temple Dock.

Opening the letter, the signature was indeed Wu Manqing.

The words were earnest throughout, inviting him to meet at Linfu Restaurant in the inner city.

Chen Qing looked at the invitation in his hand. Wu Manqing's gesture of goodwill was quite obvious.

Choosing to meet at a restaurant rather than the Wu family residence also showed some sincerity.

"If it's truly as the letter states, turning hostility into friendship wouldn't be bad."

Chen Qing thought to himself.

By nature he wasn't fond of fighting and violence. Being able to reduce pointless enmities would be exactly what he desired.

As dusk gathered and lights began to shine, Linfu Restaurant with its upturned eaves and elaborate brackets blazed with lights. Those coming and going were all prominent figures of Gaolin County.

Chen Qing wore neat blue cloth martial attire, his steps steady as a young attendant led him straight to the topmost floor's most secluded "Listening to Waves Pavilion."

As the private room door opened, an elegant sandalwood fragrance greeted him, instantly isolating the clamor from downstairs.

Wu Manqing sat properly in the main seat, no longer wearing the goose-yellow dress from the dock. Now she wore a moon-white brocade jacket and skirt with silver thread patterns flowing subtly, having shed some of her cold sharpness and gained more of the graceful bearing of a noble family's daughter.

Beside her stood a middle-aged steward with steady bearing and sharp eyes, clearly a bodyguard.

"Brother Chen is indeed punctual, please take a seat."

Wu Manqing rose with a smile, her voice clear and pleasant, her manner generous and proper, as if the life-and-death struggle during their previous sparring had never occurred.

"Since Madam Wu has invited me, Chen dares not be negligent."

Chen Qing cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze quickly sweeping the private room.

The arrangement was elegant, with a view of the myriad lights of the inner city through the windows, an excellent location.

Besides Wu Manqing and that steward, there was no one else.

This eased his wariness somewhat as he sat down across from Wu Manqing.

"Brother Chen's performance at the dock that day, Manqing finds unforgettable. Regarding Master Tian's matter, it was truly the rules of sparring, with life and death left to Heaven's will. My Wu family is definitely not one that cannot accept defeat."

Wu Manqing spoke directly, her tone sincere, "Today's banquet serves two purposes, first to resolve any unpleasantness from that day, as grievances should be resolved rather than deepened, second because I truly admire Brother Chen's martial skills and wish to form a good relationship with you."

As she spoke, she raised her slender hand slightly.

The steward standing nearby immediately understood and clapped gently.

Attendants who had been waiting outside filed in, placing dishes of excellent color, aroma, and taste on the table.

The final dish brought out was served on a plate carved from a single piece of warm jade, containing a foot-long fish with gleaming silver scales throughout and beautiful form.

The fish's body emanated a faint spiritual energy, its flesh crystal clear and translucent, as if light flowed within it.

"This spiritual fish is called 'Silver Shuttle.' It only survives in cooler waters and grows only two inches per year. Eating it can nourish qi and blood and warm the meridians, greatly benefiting martial artists."

Wu Manqing introduced it, "This fish is rare. Today I've specially prepared it for Brother Chen as a small token of my regard."

A spiritual fish!

Chen Qing's heart stirred slightly. He knew well how precious such things were.

This Silver Shuttle was a full seven inches long, meaning it was three years old.

For Wu Manqing to treat a guest with such a thing showed considerable generosity and visible sincerity.

"Madam Wu is too kind. Such lavish gifts make Chen feel unworthy."

Chen Qing didn't move his chopsticks, merely nodding slightly in thanks while looking calmly at Wu Manqing.

"Brother Chen need not be so polite."

Wu Manqing smiled slightly, as if seeing through Chen Qing's caution, and took the lead in picking up her chopsticks to elegantly place a piece of fish meat in her mouth.

Only then did Chen Qing begin eating.

The fish meat dissolved upon entering his mouth, instantly transforming into a mighty warm current that traveled through his limbs and bones, nourishing his tendons and qi and blood.

This three-year Silver Shuttle was much more effective than the year-and-a-half Golden Horn Carp.

"With spiritual fish and precious materials, differences in age create vastly different effects, and prices follow suit."

Wu Manqing smiled, "Brother Chen, do you know the market price of this three-year Silver Shuttle?"

Chen Qing replied, "I would like to hear the details."

Wu Manqing said slowly, "Five hundred taels."

"Five hundred taels!?"

Chen Qing's eyebrow twitched slightly as he couldn't help but be secretly surprised.

One fish cost five hundred taels of silver. His purchased courtyard had only cost three hundred taels.

"Of course, that's the external selling price."

Wu Manqing sipped her wine and said, "My Wu family specializes in selling spiritual fish and has our own channels, so our costs are naturally much lower."

"Thank you for Madam's generous hospitality."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing's chopsticks frequently picked up fish meat.

Abundant blood qi circulated within his body, bringing waves of comfort.

Wu Manqing watched his unaffected behavior, her lips actually showing a trace of appreciative smile.

When Chen Qing had eaten his fill, she set down her cup and looked directly and sincerely at Chen Qing, "Brother Chen, let me speak plainly. Manqing greatly admires your character and abilities. I wonder if you would condescend to come to my Wu family and lend me your assistance? As for conditions, you may speak freely. As long as it's within my Wu family's capabilities, we will do our utmost to satisfy them."

She revealed today's purpose.

Chen Qing also set down his chopsticks upon hearing this, somewhat surprised in his heart.

He hadn't expected Wu Manqing not only wanted to resolve their differences, but actually intended to recruit him.

Though the Wu family wasn't as prominent as the five great families, they specialized in spiritual fish with trade routes extending throughout the prefecture and county. With deep foundations, their financial resources were certainly not much inferior.

Seeing Chen Qing pondering silently, Wu Manqing leaned forward slightly and said in a low voice, "As long as Brother Chen is willing, my Wu family can fully support your pursuit of the martial scholar examination!"

Martial scholar!?

Even Chen Qing's heart stirred upon hearing this.

The martial scholar examination was the ladder to heaven leading to sects and learning superior martial arts.

Places like Zhou's courtyard and other martial halls only taught middle-grade or even lower-grade martial arts. Cultivating to transforming strength was already the limit. To advance further, one could only practice superior martial arts.

Without family transmission, one could only learn at sects.

"...This matter is of great importance."

Chen Qing suppressed his surging emotions and said solemnly, "Please allow Chen to return and consider it carefully."

Wu Manqing smiled, "Naturally. My Wu family's doors are always open for Brother Chen."

After chatting casually for a while, Chen Qing rose to take his leave.

Only after the private room door closed did the steward who had remained silent speak in a low voice, "Madam, were today's promises perhaps excessive? That Chen Qing is indeed talented, placing on the martial examination's third list, and his dock battle brought him fame with good potential. However, the path to martial scholar is like thousands of troops crossing a single log bridge! Is he... truly worth such a heavy investment from our Wu family?"

Wu Zhong's concerns were reasonable.

The martial scholar examination required not just martial prowess, but talent, resources, opportunity, and luck, none of which could be lacking.

The Wu family's investment would be enormous with extremely high risk.

The martial scholar examination wasn't easy to pass, like thousands of troops crossing a single log bridge.

Though Chen Qing's abilities were decent, he still fell short of successfully passing the martial scholar examination.

"I know."

Wu Manqing said lightly, "More than his ranking in the martial examination or the skills displayed at the dock, what I value most is that sense of righteousness and responsibility he showed when standing up for the Cheng family. Valuing relationships and keeping promises, worth more than a thousand gold. Such a person is worth my full effort, Wu Manqing."