Chapter 38: The Way of the World

Due to the habit of waking up early cultivated at the martial arts hall, Zhou You could not sleep at home either.

He woke up just as the sky was brightening, and fearing he would wake his parents, he pushed the door open and went out for his morning exercise in silence.

Zhou You jogged along the street, loosening his limbs, while calculating in his heart that he would definitely have to change houses in the future.

Living in a rented house with the whole family, while the neighbors were certainly lively, there were also many trivial matters to deal with.

He didn't even have a suitable space to stretch his limbs.

Zhou You planned to buy a small courtyard in the future; with an open space in the yard, his mother could set up a coop to raise chickens, his father could nap under a tree, and he could exercise freely.

"I still need money!"

Zhou You thought about the 500 taels he had extorted from the Wild Fox Gang; he didn't expect the other party to agree to it all at once, but at least 200 or 300 taels should be within reach.

This money would be used to purchase Secret Medicine to improve his strength and accelerate his progress in breaking through the Blood-Qi barrier.

Once he became a Blood-Qi martial artist and qualified to enter the Inner Courtyard as a Disciple, buying a courtyard would no longer be a dream.

The sky gradually brightened, and many pedestrians and stalls began to appear on the street.

As Zhou You jogged along, he suddenly saw Gao Qiang with several subordinates extorting a merchant by the side of the road.

"Zhou You, Zhou You."

After Gao Qiang saw Zhou You, he abandoned the trembling merchant and greeted him enthusiastically.

"Such great news about you reaching the Jinli Level, why didn't you tell me? Don't you treat me as a friend anymore?"

Gao Qiang's left leg had a slight limp; it was a lingering injury from when he was punished by the Punishment Hall after losing the Bone-Forging Powder, where a sharp blade had pierced his thigh.

He was quite well-informed to have learned about what happened yesterday so quickly.

Zhou You glanced at him, thinking to himself that he had never considered him a friend anyway, and replied vaguely, "I didn't have the time."

"It's good luck that I ran into you. I'll be the host and treat you to a meal at Zhaijin Lou."

Zhaijin Lou, the most high-end restaurant in Gongliang City, was luxurious and extravagant—a high-consumption place that ordinary commoners could hardly ever step foot in.

A single banquet table cost 10 taels of silver, which was the minimum consumption at Zhaijin Lou, not including drinks.

It is worth mentioning that Mou Xiaoli, from the neighbor's house next door, worked as a waiter at Zhaijin Lou.

For Gao Qiang to offer a treat at Zhaijin Lou right off the bat made him appear wealthy and imposing; one had to know that a casual meal in that building wouldn't cost less than 30 or 40 taels of silver.

"No need, I have to return to the martial arts hall at noon, I really can't spare the time."

Gao Qiang invited him repeatedly, but was rejected by Zhou You every time.

In his view, whether it was the Wild Fox Gang or the Mad Horse Gang, they were all birds of a feather, and none of them were any good.

Just now, Gao Qiang had been extorting the street merchant with a fierce and menacing look, as if he wanted to eat someone alive.

Zhou You really didn't want to have any dealings with such a person.

"Is that so!"

Gao Qiang showed a look of regret and said again, "The Second Elder has been saying he wants to see you; can't you find the time to come with me?"

"Sorry, I can't do that. The martial arts hall has strict rules prohibiting us from having dealings with gang members. Gao Qiang, don't come looking for me in the future either."

Zhou You still remembered that when Zhang Shu spread rumors about him colluding with the Wild Horse Gang, the root cause was Gao Qiang.

"Big Brother, this kid doesn't know what's good for him. Should we use some methods on him?"

A lackey watched Zhou You's retreating back and, noticing Gao Qiang's unpleasant expression, offered a suggestion enthusiastically.

Gao Qiang's face sank in an instant. "You self-righteous idiot, who do you think he is? A martial artist who has reached the Jinli Level—even the Hall Masters wouldn't dare to touch him."

"What are you, to dare to scheme against him?"

"Tu Laosan has a brother who is a Vice Gang Leader, and even he has to admit defeat now, doesn't he? A dozen brothers died, and he didn't even dare to let out a fart."

Gao Qiang was a small leader after all, and his intelligence was sharp; he knew exactly how much weight Zhou You carried.

Two Hall Masters of the Wild Fox Gang at the Jinli Level—one severely injured, one defeated and forced to retreat, taking the initiative to sue for peace—these were all battle achievements Zhou You had carved out on his own.

If he himself had such strength, he would have soared into the sky long ago, instead of loitering on the streets doing low-class work like collecting protection money.

At the thought of Zhou You's glorious prospects, Gao Qiang felt a stinging torment in his heart, so uncomfortable he almost wanted to vomit blood.

They had clearly grown up together, so how did he manage to leave him behind and become a big shot?

When Zhou You returned to the neighborhood where he lived, he found the atmosphere rather strange; the neighbors on the street all nodded politely when they saw him.

One must know that at this time yesterday, the neighbors were still hiding in their homes, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

These neighbors might not say it out loud, but they must have resented Zhou You's family for bringing Tu Laosan's revenge upon them.

Why were they so polite today?

When he reached his front door, Zhou You was shocked. Was this still his home? It was practically a vegetable market.

It was packed with people, so crowded that he couldn't even see the front door.

The ground, corners of the walls, and windowsills were filled with eggs, pastries, fabrics, and all sorts of other things.

The guests who had come were all neighbors, carrying bamboo baskets and paper parcels, speaking flattering, auspicious words; they were clearly there to give gifts.

Zhou You didn't understand, why were these people giving his family gifts?

"Young Master Zhou is back!"

Suddenly, someone with sharp eyes saw Zhou You standing at the door and let out a shriek, causing the gift-givers to scatter.

After the crowd parted, Zhou You saw his parents, who had been worn out by the ordeal.

"You'er, you've finally returned."

Zhou You coughed twice. "Everyone, please head back first. The house is a mess and not suitable for hosting guests. I will pay a return visit another day."

This was just a polite remark, a way to urge them to leave as soon as possible.

"Young Master Zhou, do you remember me? When you were three, I held you on my lap and even fed you half a piece of candy."

"Get lost, bringing up old stories from over a decade ago, you have the nerve to say that? I..."

"All of you move aside, I am a matchmaker, here to introduce a good marriage to Young Master Zhou."

Zhou You's eyelids twitched, and he pointed at the doorway, "If you don't get lost now, I'm going to start hitting people."

A moment later, not a single person remained, leaving behind a home that looked slightly disheveled.

On the floor and the windowsills were many food items and daily necessities that the visitors hadn't taken with them when they left.

"You'er, news came this morning that the Wild Fox Gang has spoken; from now on, they will walk around our neighborhood, saying it's to give face to Young Master Zhou."

Zhou You thought to himself that Tu Laosan didn't have this kind of stature; it must have been an order from Wu Gang or someone higher up like Tu Laoer.

The neighbors inquired everywhere and learned that Zhou You had become a Zhengshi Xuitu at Jian Xiong Martial Arts Hall, with a boundless future.

It had only been a few months, and even the Wild Fox Gang, whom they couldn't afford to offend, had bowed their heads.

Consequently, the neighbors swarmed in to offer gifts and curry favor, blocking the door so that Zhou Laocan couldn't even get out, forcing him to take a day off from work.

Besides offering gifts, the neighbors wanted to ask Zhou You to help them handle matters and resolve some troubles.

There were even some "old acquaintances" who had no connection at all, yet they were delusional enough to want to borrow the Martial Arts Hall Wooden Plaque to hang at their own doors for two days.

At the same time, there were some families who were envious of the Zhou Family's red-hot future and sent over their daughters' birth dates, hoping to arrange a marriage.

"You'er, we cannot accept these things; I will return them to each household later."

Zhou Laodie's expression was full of pride, "We also cannot agree to the things these neighbors are asking for; we cannot cause you any trouble."

"However, you might consider the marriage proposals brought by the matchmakers; you are not young anymore."

Zhou You felt very helpless; he had better return to the Martial Arts Hall as soon as possible, as he couldn't stay at home anymore.