Chapter 77: Going on a Task

Since he knew he was still short on money, only tasks from the Martial Arts Hall could help him for now.

Wang Tieshan hadn't mentioned him going on a task before, and Cheng Feng couldn't be bothered to care.

If he could avoid it, he wouldn't go.

If a conflict broke out and he lacked the strength, he would be the one to suffer.

But now, with the Blood Refining Realm under his belt and Basic Blade Technique (Proficient 123/200)...

His weapon, the Silver Feather Blade, was made of high-grade material and could cut a hair blown against its edge.

Cheng Feng was confident that while he still had shortcomings, they were few.

He had reached the point where he could make a move.

Cheng Feng knew that working behind closed doors wasn't right, but with his Panmian talent, what was most advantageous was clear at a glance.

And now, Cheng Feng felt he should be quite OK.

Not just ordinarily strong.

After all, besides Wang Tieshan, no one else knew he was in the Blood Refining Realm.

Strength was Cheng Feng's greatest trump card.

It wouldn't be excessive for someone in the Blood Refining Realm to take on a task for the Skin Refining Realm, right!

This wasn't playing the pig to eat the tiger; it was just valuing his own life.

Returning to the Martial Arts Hall, he went straight to find his master.

Fortunately, Wang Tieshan was still there.

Cheng Feng offered a couple of compliments and stated his purpose directly: "Master, do you think I should also participate in some tasks?"

"What's wrong? Who's been gossiping outside that you can't stand to listen anymore?" Wang Tieshan knew Cheng Feng's temperament—he was devoted to the Martial Dao, diligent and conscientious; why would he come looking for tasks without a reason?

"I am devoted to the Martial Dao, so naturally I wouldn't be influenced by others. It's just that I've felt my realm improving slowly lately, and I want to go out for a walk and clear my head." Cheng Feng naturally wouldn't say he was short on money; wouldn't it be awkward if his master didn't take the bait?

Wang Tieshan was speechless upon hearing this: "If you say your realm is improving slowly, then how are others supposed to live? But since you've said so, I won't stop you. Go see the accountant and take whatever task you like."

Having received his master's approval, Cheng Feng was naturally very grateful.

Watching Cheng Feng walk away, Wang Tieshan took a sip of tea: "It took him so long to think about taking a task, this kid."

Tasks in the Martial Arts Hall were basically posted only when the Hall's business dealings required manpower.

Guarding homes, escorting shipments, and even delivering private items were all included.

This ensured the Martial Arts Hall had a source of income and guaranteed that his disciples had a source of income as well.

Over the long term, this ensured a steady stream of talent and martial strength, preventing the Martial Arts Hall from declining.

Generally, there were two types of people who came to the Martial Arts Hall: those whose families were short on money and came looking for a way out, and those whose families were well-off and only sought to learn martial arts, while incidentally scouting for strong individuals to recruit as family Offerings; the Martial Arts Hall served as a platform.

Of course, this was limited to before the Blood Refining Realm; once they reached the Blood Refining Realm, the Martial Arts Hall would directly recruit them as Inner Sect Disciples.

If a family wanted to poach someone, the subsequent martial arts would be provided by the family, and they could forget about any techniques from the Martial Arts Hall after the Blood Refining Realm.

At this point, it was a personal choice: choose money or choose the Martial Dao.

Someone like Cheng Feng was rare indeed, reaching the Blood Refining Realm in half a year without a sound.

He entered Wang Tieshan's field of vision directly, and none of those family disciples even tried to cozy up to him.

The only one, Li Mo, had met him privately at a tavern and once at the initiation ceremony, where he had mentioned there was news regarding Medical Skill.

But since then, Cheng Feng hadn't heard a word from Li Mo.

After all, Cheng Feng was still waiting for Li Mo to come find him.

Later, perhaps Cheng Feng had been too busy and forgotten; at the time, he was fully focused on the entry-level of the Thunder Blood-Bursting Art.

And now, Cheng Feng just wanted to earn money first; he would deal with Medical Skill later.

He arrived at the accounting office, greeted them, and looked over the tasks.

Being an Inner Sect Disciple still had some benefits.

Once in the Inner Sect, even Registered Disciples didn't need to pay silver to the Martial Arts Hall, but they were required to complete two tasks within a year, and they even got paid.

Looking at the task ledger, Cheng Feng discovered an interesting task.

The Li Family was hiring temporary guards for a five-day term, requiring at least late-stage Strength Refining Realm strength; one tael of silver per day for each minor realm.

Calculating for Cheng Feng, who was at the early stage of the Blood Refining Realm, that would be seven taels of silver a day.

Cheng Feng certainly wouldn't be that blatant.

He wrote down Skin Refining Perfection, which was six taels of silver a day; thirty taels for five days was enough.

Cheng Feng had always been a person who was easily satisfied.

It remained to be seen what the Li Family wanted to do by throwing silver at people.

But Cheng Feng planned to slack off, so why bother worrying about that?

The Blood Refining Realm was too flashy, so Cheng Feng just wrote that he was at Skin Refining Perfection; at most, people would just say Cheng Feng was a genius.

Hadn't he seen that Zhang Zhuo was also at Skin Refining Perfection?

Poor Ninth Senior Brother.

Cheng Feng wrote down his name and strength.

He planned to go to the Li Family tomorrow to take a look; at six taels of silver a day, no matter the situation, Cheng Feng was prepared to stay for the full five days.

The task stated that the cash would only be given after the task was completed.

As night fell, Cheng Feng hugged the satisfied Xiao Qing and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, sunlight spilled through the window into the room. Cheng Feng slowly opened his eyes and stretched. He got up and put on the new clothes Cai'er had carefully prepared for him—a set of black garments. He wore a sturdy iron crown on his head to pin up his hair, gripped his Silver Feather Blade tightly in his hand, and then walked toward the Li Mansion with a dashing air.

It was still early, and there were few pedestrians on the street; some vendors were just beginning to set up their stalls. Cheng Feng strolled along the road, his gaze sweeping casually over the surrounding crowd; he could never get enough of this human vitality.

When he arrived in front of the Li Mansion, he couldn't help but be shocked by the sight before him.

The Li Mansion was magnificent, its high threshold and massive door plaque proclaiming its noble status.

On both sides stood two imposing stone lions, seemingly guarding the four directions.

Seeing the high walls taking up nearly half the street, one could imagine just how large the Li Mansion must be.

Cheng Feng sighed inwardly, "As expected of the Li Mansion!"

The three great families of Qingxi County truly live up to their reputation.

After knocking and entering, before the servant inside could even ask a question, five or six more people arrived behind them, looking like they were from the Black Tiger Martial Arts Hall.

After the gatekeeper asked a few simple questions, he led them into the courtyard. The courtyard was filled with people who had come to apply as guards, each one broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, imposing and intimidating; seeing Cheng Feng and the others enter, the crowd turned their gazes toward them.

At this moment, a person who looked like a steward walked over and said loudly, "Everyone, today we are recruiting guards for the Li Mansion. Our Li Mansion has always been known for being fair and impartial; as long as you pass the test, you can become a guard of the Li Mansion. Of course, it is only on a temporary basis, and you must stay for at least five days, after which the strongest will prevail. Now, I announce the rules of the test..."

Cheng Feng listened carefully to the test rules, sensing the aura and strength of the crowd, and felt that their strength was basically all in the Skin Refining Realm; he truly felt they were just mediocre.

He felt as if he were looking at a group of rookies; it really wasn't difficult at all.

But this feeling of a higher realm looking down on a lower realm was truly satisfying.

The test began, and the first item was a strength test.

Participants needed to lift a giant stone weighing five hundred catties. Cheng Feng took a deep breath and easily lifted the giant stone, drawing a gasp of amazement; Cheng Feng's expression was truly too relaxed.

Next was the martial arts demonstration, where Cheng Feng displayed his exquisite Blade Technique while suppressing most of his strength; as silver light flashed, it was dazzling to the eyes.

After several rounds of testing, most people were eliminated, leaving only five people, including Cheng Feng.

The steward looked at them, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, "Congratulations on passing the preliminary test. Next, you will undergo a personal assessment by the chief steward of the Li Mansion." After speaking, he led Cheng Feng and the others toward the inner hall.