Chapter 19

The freedom at the Outer Sect Martial Arts Hall is quite high; it doesn't matter if you don't come, as long as you come and go within the time limits.

But most people don't do that, since there is free food to eat after all.

Another benefit is a bowl of medicinal soup at the end of every month to nourish the body; no extra money is needed, and if you want to drink more, you can pay in advance and let them know—five large coins per bowl, and you can drink a bowl alongside the Inner Sect senior disciples.

The quantity is not large, it's first come, first served, and each person is limited to three bowls per month; it counts as a little extra perk for those with the means.

Niu Laoshi warned Cheng Feng that there are many people and many opinions in the Outer Sect of the Martial Arts Hall, so it is best not to stir up conflicts.

Everyone's background is different; some come from wealthy families,

some are just locals in the city with some savings,

and others have stirred up trouble and entered to seek three months of shelter.

Once the time limit is up and the Outer Sect robe is taken off, there is no longer any relationship with the Martial Arts Hall.

Furthermore, among fellow disciples, the Martial Arts Hall generally suppresses trouble within its gates, but once outside, one might face retaliation from fellow disciples.

The bottom line of the Martial Arts Hall is that fellow disciples must not maim or kill one another.

If someone says it was just a sparring session to practice moves, no one would be surprised; it saves face, but you still get a beating for nothing.

Apart from this, the Martial Arts Hall does not concern itself with matters outside the gates.

It is impossible for the Martial Arts Hall to follow behind every person every day to look after them.

Cheng Feng sighed, thinking that the fifty-some Outer Sect disciples were just a small society.

Messy and complex, intertwined with each other, it could be called spectacular.

But Cheng Feng didn't care; having entered the "university of society" in his past life, Cheng Feng had learned a few principles.

Do not look for trouble, but do not fear trouble either.

You can't hide from it, and you can't run from it.

What is meant to come will always come.

Keep yourself detached and clean, and just do your own duty.

As long as you don't actively cause trouble yourself, you can have a clear conscience if something happens.

Not to mention in this era without surveillance cameras.

Retaliation can also be done without leaving any aftereffects.

Cheng Feng has always prioritized self-preservation; he doesn't have many methods for retaliation, but he can have them.

After walking around the Martial Arts Hall courtyard with Niu Laoshi, he knew where to eat and where to rest.

As it neared the afternoon, Cheng Feng said he had something to do and took his leave.

Others didn't say anything; they were used to it.

Wearing his Martial Arts Hall robe, Cheng Feng headed toward his second goal: the Tooth Agency in South City.

That's right, now that he had money, Cheng Feng planned to buy a house first.

If he wanted to practice martial arts, he couldn't be walking back and forth every day!

That way, all his time would be wasted on the road.

Of course, he would buy a person while he was at it to test his own talent.

Hmm, it really was just "while he was at it."

The buying and selling of houses and people were both handled at the same Tooth Agency.

Dressed in the attire of the Tieshan Martial Arts Hall, passersby on the street subconsciously kept their distance from Cheng Feng to avoid any misunderstandings.

Walking to the Tooth Agency he had scouted before, Cheng Feng stepped inside.

The light inside was slightly dim, and a clerk came over to receive him: "What kind of goods does the guest need?"

He took the opportunity to size Cheng Feng up: the Tieshan Martial Arts Hall robe was brand new, so he must be a new disciple, and his steady demeanor suggested he had some foundation.

Cheng Feng actually just wanted to come and buy a house; he hadn't thought about other "goods," and it was indeed his first time buying a house or a person.

Cheng Feng wouldn't judge what was humane or inhumane.

He was still struggling to survive himself.

Seeing Cheng Feng's curious expression, the clerk continued to introduce: "Red flowers, black flowers, thick branches, thin leaves—the shop has recently received a new batch of goods. Does the guest have any requirements?"

Cheng Feng was still completely confused, and the clerk sighed to himself, realizing he had guessed wrong; this wasn't some young master.

He explained to Cheng Feng: "The guest must be here for the first time. Red flowers refer to females, black flowers to males; thick branches are laborers, and thin leaves are domestic servants."

Cheng Feng blushed slightly; after all, it was his first time, and who knows, he might have opportunities to come often in the future, hehe.

Cheng Feng comforted himself and asked the clerk: "Do you have any maidservants for warming the bed?"

The clerk instantly understood the customer's needs: "Of course we do, please follow me, guest."

Passing through the dim front hall, they arrived at a bright, large courtyard in the back surrounded by rooms. The clerk introduced: "Young virgins are in these rooms, married women are in the back; if you want an old woman or a nanny, the shop currently has no stock."

Cheng Feng suppressed his heartbeat and said: "Can I go in and take a look?"

The clerk didn't reply, but pushed the door open directly and gestured for Cheng Feng to enter.

Cheng Feng understood and stepped inside.

Inside the room, there were no tables or beds; some hay was spread along the wall for people to sleep on.

They were meant to be sold, after all; they were for making money.

How could they be treated like royalty?

Only top-tier goods might be cared for a little.

Cheng Feng had thought it would be like the runway auditions in the videos from his past life.

And this was it?

A group of girls who looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in dusty clothes with ropes on their feet; there wasn't anyone particularly pretty, just ordinary, one could say!

No interest; what Cheng Feng needed was someone who could take care of him, not someone he had to spend money to take care of.

Cheng Feng looked displeased and came back out after walking a circle; he was the one paying silver to choose a future companion.

The clerk asked, "Is the guest perhaps not fond of maidens who have not yet known a man?"

Cheng Feng answered honestly, "Not knowing a man is naturally a good thing, but this batch is too thin and scrawny; it doesn't feel right to the touch."

As soon as these words were out, the clerk knew he had misjudged his man.

A big client!

To have such insightful preferences and reflections, how much must he have experienced?

"This one understands, please follow me, guest." Knowing Cheng Feng's preferences, the clerk could now market his products more accurately.

This time, the clerk led Cheng Feng to a room toward the back of the middle section.

Cheng Feng pushed the door open and entered; this batch was older, about seventeen or eighteen, and their eyes were considered clear.

But one could tell at a glance from their skin and temperament that they were likely village children sold by their parents.

Nothing remarkable, and Cheng Feng was no savior.

He just wanted to buy an original, good-looking one; was it really that difficult?

Cheng Feng was expressionless, "Are there any good-looking ones?"

The clerk understood, confirming once again that this was a big client.

But this person seemed difficult to please and had quite a few requirements.

To avoid making a mistake, he could only respectfully say, "The range of the guest's requirements is basically all here; you may take your time to choose."

Cheng Feng had no choice but to look through the rooms one by one.

After walking through the whole place, there were only two or three that met Cheng Feng's aesthetic standards.

One was tall with a beautiful face, but lacked curves.

One was slightly shorter with a fairer face, but Cheng Feng did not like short people, fearing it would affect his future children's genetics.

There was another whose face was not particularly remarkable, but she had a curvaceous figure and an outstanding physique.

Cheng Feng was in a dilemma and could not decide for a moment.

But then he thought, he wasn't taking a wife, at most he was just keeping a mistress, so why overthink it?

He was grateful for the ancient system that allowed for multiple wives and Concubines.

He had originally wanted to test his own talent, but ended up getting hung up on appearances.

Cheng Feng never denied that he was rather utilitarian, but he only needed to treat her well.

He had heard that the upper-class literati even had the refined hobby of gifting Concubines.

Cheng Feng respectfully declined.

He still could not get used to the worldview formed in his past life.

And Cheng Feng had no intention of getting used to it.

Cheng Feng had his own scale in his heart; as long as he was clear about it himself, that was enough.

Changing other people's thoughts was very difficult.

Cheng Feng would not do such a thankless task.