[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-star-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati":3,"chapter-star-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati-star-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati-chapter-24":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},959766,1254,"Chapter 24 - 24 21 Debt Repayment (Request for Follow-up, Request for Monthly Votes)","star-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>24: Chapter 21 Debt Repayment (Request for Follow-up, Request for Monthly Votes) 24: Chapter 21 Debt Repayment (Request for Follow-up, Request for Monthly Votes) On the morning of June 19th, his hands were still carrying two catties of aged wine for his father, a pack of peanuts, ten catties of mutton, five chi of fine cloth for his younger sister Jiang’er, a golden wood hairpin, and Jiang’er’s favorite Miao’s Green Bean Cake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu’s Manor was located more than twenty li from the county city, at the foot of Green Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was not far from the county city, in addition to farming and harvesting mountain goods, people could also work in the county city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was considered a relatively wealthy village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin remembered that in the past, when he traveled from Xu’s Manor to the county city, a journey of over twenty li, he would take three breaks along the way, and it took him a full three hours to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, on his way back home, Xu Jin seemed to have wind under his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrying nearly twenty catties of items, he arrived in just over an hour without even breaking a sweat or losing his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin once again realized the huge physical transformation that had occurred after succeeding in Star Pointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh, who is this, he looks a bit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Qi, isn’t that Jin’er?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh, Jin’er, you’ve grown so sturdy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eh, is that Jin’er?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did he grow so sturdy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered the village, Xu Jin’s greetings were incessant and the sounds of surprise were endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once socially anxious Xu Jin couldn’t help but wear a stiff smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were not only his neighbors and acquaintances but also the creditors of the Xu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some owed several taels of silver, others just a few coins, or even two chickens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To treat Xu Jin and enable him to succeed in Star Pointing, Xu’s father had borrowed as much as he could and sought help wherever possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter the amount, as long as money had been borrowed, it was a favor, and it had to be recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Xu Jin returned home, Xu Dajiang, who was working in the fields, heard the news and quickly made his way back, taking three steps at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang was truly afraid that Xu Jin might not have succeeded in Star Pointing and that he might get some bad ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurried back to comfort Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang had been around the county city for a long time and was a man of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that Xu Jin was unlikely to succeed in Star Pointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as he walked through the door and saw the visibly more robust Xu Jin, he instinctively rubbed his eyes and even doubted what he was seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this really his son, Xu Jin, all skin and bones, so skinny that hugging him felt like embracing a skeleton?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he now see muscles bulging on the arms revealed by rolled up sleeves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, I succeeded in Star Pointing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My innate heart condition is cured too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I even joined the Middle Court of the Taoist Institute!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good news came in threes, hitting Xu Dajiang like a bombshell, leaving him completely dazed while leaning on his hoe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Succeeded in Star Pointing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your illness is cured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And you joined the Middle Court of the Taoist Institute?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Repeating the news, Xu Dajiang looked stunned, then slapped himself hard, “Am I so deranged that I’m having a daydream?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, it’s true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin gave a wry smile and handed over the wine jug, “Look, this is the fine wine I brought for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really succeeded in Star Pointing, and I joined the Middle Court as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Xu Dajiang’s eyes bulged, and he lashed out with a slap towards Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the nimble Xu Jin quickly dodged, which immediately made Xu Dajiang furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You little rascal, dare to deceive your father, and even dodge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think your dad hasn’t seen the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You haven’t succeeded in Star Pointing for eighty-two days; even if you did, it would be good enough to enter the Outer Court, let alone the Middle Court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll teach you to lie to me!” In his rage, Xu Dajiang raised his hoe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Telling the truth also got him in trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, look what this is!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin pulled open his shirt, exposing his chest and abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, a vast expanse of Starlight suddenly covered his entire chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This dazzling Starlight was like the intense midday sun, and it directly dazzled Xu Dajiang, who stood frozen on the spot, quickly rubbing his eyes….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took Xu Jin almost half an hour to explain everything to his father Xu Dajiang before he successfully offered him the fine wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No rush, off we go, let’s visit your Uncle Youcai’s house first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Youcai has lent us a total of nine taels of silver, and the earliest loan was almost three years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His second son has fallen seriously ill recently, so he hasn’t come to collect the debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that you’ve got some silver, we must repay it first,” said Xu Dajiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Xu Jin followed Xu Dajiang as they hurriedly repaid debts to four households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount of silver was not substantial, totaling just over twenty taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten catties of mutton and a pack of green bean cakes that Xu Jin had brought back were divided by Xu Dajiang into four portions; they repaid the silver and even gave a modest gift to each family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About this, Xu Jin could only silently give Xu Dajiang a big thumbs up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man of principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his father was quick to give him a thrashing, he sure was meticulous in his dealings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go, we’ll return to the county city to repay debts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After repaying the borrowed silver, we’ll get some broken silver in exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back, we’ll buy some rice, flour, wine, meat, and bring some along as gifts for our relatives when repaying debts to them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining debts in the village weren’t much, totaling less than five taels of silver, though they were scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jin’er, don’t look down on those who lent little, because anyone who lends you silver is doing you a favor, and you must remember that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that you’ve succeeded in Star Pointing, you’re bound to have a better life in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever there’s a chance, you must repay this kindness properly, but of course, in doing so, you must also balance it well,” Xu Dajiang said while they walked, continuing to educate Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Dad, where’s Jiang’er?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why haven’t I seen her yet?” As Xu Jin asked this question, he was stealthily gauging Xu Dajiang’s expression, genuinely anxious at heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, selling one’s sons and daughters is not a myth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin was truly afraid that the fifty taels of silver for buying the Mental Awakening Pill were obtained by Xu Dajiang by selling Jiang’er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang glanced at Xu Jin and said lightly, “Jiang’er has gone to work and hasn’t returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin immediately had some doubts, “Dad, where did Jiang’er go to work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, the fifty taels of silver you asked Instructor Ning to buy the Mental Awakening Pill last time, where did you get that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was borrowed, we need to pay it back as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang gave Xu Jin a look and said unhurriedly, “That silver wasn’t borrowed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what is it?” At this moment, Xu Jin’s heart was in his throat, fearing Xu Dajiang would say he had sold Jiang’er as a servant to a wealthy family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang gave Xu Jin a smack on the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang’er is my own flesh and blood too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, Xu Dajiang, would sell my house, land, or even myself before I’d ever sell my daughter!” As he spoke, Xu Dajiang took out a civil contract from his chest and handed it to Xu Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Zhao in the county city, the philanthropist Zhao, is recruiting female workers for sericulture and weaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They provide food and lodging, and pay one and a half taels of silver a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang’er went to inquire and tried out the embroidery work; they said it was excellent and that they would pay two taels a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much persuasion, they agreed to pay two years of wages in advance, but we had to sign a contract for three years of work, and we got a broker to formalize the agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I originally thought about looking for other solutions, but Jiang’er firmly disagreed, saying that employers willing to prepay wages are too few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, in the end, I let her go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On our manor, a total of four girls went, and Jiang’er’s embroidery work is the best, receiving the highest wages.” Xu Dajiang spoke with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract detailed as such, but there was one clause at the end, stating that if the contract was terminated early, the prepaid wages would have to be repaid tenfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All together, four people went from the manor, so they can look out for each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin’s anxiety eased slightly, and he asked, “Dad, how often can Jiang’er come home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once a month; she can come home for a day’s rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Based on the contract, that would be the 13th of next month?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The 15th of next month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang’er prepared for a day and then went with her companions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Xu Jin nodded and made his plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the 15th of next month, he would remember to go home and see Jiang’er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the work was too exhausting, Xu Jin would have to quickly find a solution, and if all else failed, he would break the contract!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>500 taels of silver, Xu Jin felt he could earn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though his total assets were still in the negative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The debt Xu Dajiang and Xu Jin came to pay off in the county city was indeed borrowed usury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had borrowed it from a minor leader of the Heavenly River Gang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They borrowed thirty taels; the money for Star Pointing when Xu Jin entered the Jinshan Taoist Institute wasn’t enough, so Xu Dajiang had asked to borrow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agreement was to borrow for half a year, with a monthly interest of one-tenth, which would be three taels a month, eighteen taels in six months, with the old house and the last catty of irrigated land as collateral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin began to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang letting Jiang’er go out to work was preparing for the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the debt couldn’t be repaid, he was ready to take all responsibilities alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a warehouse courtyard next to the West Gate Pier outside the West Gate of the county city, Xu Dajiang and Xu Jin found Deng Hu, who had lent them the silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu was said to be a nephew of an incense master of the Heavenly River Gang, which is why he managed the West Gate Pier and incidentally lent usury money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Dajiang found him, Deng Hu was drinking with four burly men, likely thugs gathered by Deng Hu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Repaying the silver?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where’s the promissory note?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu, with bleary drunken eyes, glanced at the promissory note Xu Dajiang handed over, “Forty-eight taels in cash, payment with one hand and tearing up of the loan with the other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Xu Dajiang immediately became anxious, “Master Deng, I’ve only used it for three months; it should be nine taels of interest, thirty-nine taels in total.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty-nine taels?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think I’m running a charity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu scoffed with a flip of his drunken eyes, and coldly said, “Will you repay or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not, get out, I will personally come to collect the debt after three months!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Deng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang wanted to say something else, but the four thugs standing behind Deng Hu all stood up, arms crossed, and glared at Xu Dajiang and his son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Deng, my son Xu Jin has already achieved Star Pointing success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please show us some respect,” Xu Dajiang suddenly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu’s expression changed, and he looked towards Xu Jin standing next to Xu Dajiang, “You’ve achieved Star Pointing success?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Deng, eighty-three days.” Xu Jin answered truthfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu sneered and exhaled a breath of alcohol, cursing again, “Will you repay or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not, get out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang, was indignant and wanted to say more, but Xu Jin went straight to the point, “We’ll pay, we will!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, they paid the silver on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hu took out another promissory note, burned it right there, and Xu Jin, supporting a very distressed and angry Xu Dajiang who was heartbroken over the lost silver, prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they were about to leave, a Scar-faced thug next to Deng Hu suddenly asked, “Old Xu, where’s your daughter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remember when you borrowed the money, she came with you to borrow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hasn’t been sold by you, has she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m her real father, how could I sell my own children!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My daughter has just gone to work and had no time to come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Dajiang was nearly choked with rage and hurriedly explained, as the ruffians claimed it was just a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jin, helping Xu Dajiang out the door, eyed them warily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were only paying back the money, so why did these ruffians bring up his sister for no reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Xu Jin felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>",2288,"2026-06-03T07:35:47.540Z",1,"novelbin.me","7ed20140e27f8926280a684042c98dd29d587156ba38eb5f5416b40f00214dc3","star-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati-chapter-25","star-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati-chapter-23",1647,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstar-martial-era-the-way-of-star-light-cultivati-cover.jpg"]