Hundred Herbs Lane.
As soon as she reached the doorstep, Cheng Xiaoyu, holding the candied hawthorn stick Chen Yuan had bought for her, couldn’t wait to run into the house. "Mother! Incredible news!" she yelled.
His aunt’s voice came from the kitchen, scolding lightly, "Why are you so frantic? What good news?"
Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled. "Mother, Brother Yuan has become a Martial Artist! The kind who can take up a salaried position—wouldn’t you say that’s incredible news?"
Huang Juan’s hand froze as she was adding firewood to the stove. She looked up in astonishment and hurriedly stood, wiping her ash-stained hands on her apron. "Yu, say that again?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Yuan has become a Martial Artist?"
By this time, Chen Yuan had already stepped over the threshold. "Aunt Juan, it’s true," he said with a smile. "I successfully broke through the barrier today. I can take a salaried position and earn money now."
"Good, that’s wonderful..." Huang Juan was overjoyed, but her eyes grew red, and she nearly shed tears again.
One couldn’t blame her for being so emotional. It was incredibly rare for an ordinary family to produce a Martial Artist, and it was enough to bless the entire household. More than anything, though, she was just happy for Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan smiled and comforted her. "Aunt Juan, I brought a pound of beef here. Slice half of it and cook it for us. You don’t have to work so hard from now on. I can earn money to help support the family."
To him, taking out one tael of silver every month to subsidize the household expenses wouldn’t affect him much, but it was more than enough for his aunt’s family to live comfortably.
"Alright, today is a good day. I’ll listen to you," she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and taking the meat with a smile.
A short while later, just before the night swallowed the last gleam of twilight, his uncle Cheng Yong returned, carrying his shoulder pole.
There were still quite a few baked flatbreads left in his baskets. Clearly, he couldn’t sell out every day. This was especially true with the autumn taxes approaching; every household was tightening their belts and saving wherever possible.
Upon learning that Chen Yuan had become an initiate Martial Artist, Cheng Yong was equally overjoyed. "Good boy, well done," he praised, patting Chen Yuan heavily on the shoulder, his eyes full of gratification.
Chen Yuan smiled faintly. "If you and Aunt Juan hadn’t taken me in, I wouldn’t have made it this far."
Hearing this, Cheng Yong sighed with emotion. He recalled that night over two months ago when a frail Chen Yuan knocked on their door. At that time, he never could have imagined that in just over two short months, Chen Yuan would reach such heights... It felt like it had happened in the blink of an eye.
"It has little to do with us," he said wistfully. "It’s all because you worked hard and did yourself proud."
Having spent years navigating the streets, Cheng Yong knew just how difficult this was. All they had ever contributed was a mere two taels of silver.
Chen Yuan merely smiled. "Uncle Yong, you shouldn’t work from dawn to dusk anymore. Take better care of your health. I’ll handle the household expenses from now on."
Cheng Yong laughed heartily. "Yuan, just focus on your martial arts. Don’t worry about the family. Thanks to you, my flatbread business will likely improve, too."
With a Martial Artist in the family, everyone would show them a bit more respect.
During the harmonious and joyous dinner, Chen Yuan hardly touched his chopsticks, only taking a few bites at his aunt’s urging.
In the middle of the meal, a knock sounded at the door—KNOCK KNOCK. However, it was unprecedentedly gentle, and a polite voice came from outside. "Is Younger Brother Chen home? I’m Qian Bao."
The three family members immediately tensed up, clearly having developed a conditioned reflex to Qian Bao’s name.
"Aunt Juan, you all keep eating. I’ll go take a look," Chen Yuan said softly.
Despite his words, Cheng Yong still followed him. After all, he was the head of the household.
Chen Yuan pulled back the door latch, only to see that Qian Bao and his two lackeys had put on completely different faces once again.
"Younger Brother Chen!" Qian Bao said with a smile. "I heard you successfully broke through the barrier and comprehended Manifest Force, so I came especially to congratulate you. Please accept these eggs."
As he spoke, the two lackeys tactfully offered up a wooden basket.
Chen Yuan glanced at it. There were about fifteen to twenty eggs, which had most likely been extorted from door to door. Their timing tonight was also quite deliberate; it was dinner time, meaning every family would be at home, ensuring they wouldn’t make a wasted trip.
Nevertheless, he reached out, took the basket, and handed it to his uncle. He then turned back with a faint smile. "You’re too kind, Brother Qian."
Qian Bao rubbed his hands together and added, "Younger Brother Chen, I have a few matters I’d like to discuss with you."
Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and spoke gently to Cheng Yong. "Uncle Yong, go back and finish eating first."
Seeing the formerly arrogant Qian Bao acting so obsequious, Cheng Yong felt relieved and headed back inside.
Chen Yuan strolled over to the corner of the house and said flatly, "Brother Qian, if you have something to say, just say it."
He had made a few transactions with Qian Bao, but their relationship was strictly limited to that.
Qian Bao lowered his voice. "Younger Brother Chen, the conflict between our Black Dragon Gang and the Golden Saber Sect has been intensifying recently. We don’t know where the Golden Saber Sect found these few Martial Artists, but our Black Dragon Gang has been steadily losing ground and has lost quite a bit of territory. I was wondering if you might be willing to lend a hand. Our Black Dragon Gang will reward you handsomely."
His visit today had two purposes: first, to offer congratulations and build goodwill, and second, to ask for this favor. Although their Gang Leader was an expert in Hidden Force and on par with the Golden Saber Sect Leader, they simply couldn’t withstand the enemy’s superior numbers.
Chen Yuan frowned slightly and directly declined. "Brother Qian, I’ve just broken through. My Stage is unstable, so it’s not convenient for me to fight, nor do I want to get involved in these matters."
He would have to be out of his mind to get involved; it was a completely thankless task.
After trying to persuade him a few more times to no avail, Qian Bao awkwardly took his leave. He had only broken through the skin barrier in his early years and hadn’t even comprehended Manifest Force, so naturally, he didn’t dare to force Chen Yuan.
Upon returning to the dinner table, Chen Yuan found Cheng Xiaoyu looking at him with sparkling eyes. "Brother Yuan, you’re amazing! That fierce and menacing Qian Bao actually came to our door to deliver eggs. That’s so much face!"
Chen Yuan shook his head and smiled at her childish nature. He looked at his aunt and suggested, "Aunt Juan, Yu should only be fourteen or fifteen, right? Should we send her to a private school for a few years?"
Cheng Xiaoyu’s face instantly fell, and she quickly protested, "Brother, I don’t want to go to school!"
The kids studying at private schools were all toddlers. If she went at her age, she would definitely be laughed at.
Chen Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle at her strong resistance to studying. After learning her reason, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and comforted her, "It’s not too late. The young ladies of those major families still study at sixteen or seventeen."
Cheng Xiaoyu huffed twice. "I don’t want to. My young miss usually teaches me how to read a few words anyway. As long as it’s enough to get by, I’m fine."
His aunt also offered her opinion. "Yuan, if Yu doesn’t want to, then forget it. It’s the same whether a girl studies or not. As long as she can find a good family to marry into in a few years, that’s enough."
Hearing this, Chen Yuan didn’t press the matter any further.
The next day.
Upon waking up, Chen Yuan noticed that a long-absent settlement evaluation had popped up on his interface:
[Declined He Qing’s invitation to hunt in the mountains, avoiding unnecessary danger, which aligns with the Low-key principle. Declined Qian Bao’s request for help, avoiding getting deeply involved in gang conflicts and higher-level struggles, which aligns with the Low-key principle. Low-key Points +15.]
[Detected that the host has relatively well-fulfilled the Low-key guidelines in new interpersonal relationships, avoided most risks, and steadily improved their strength, passing the Low-key Evaluation. Basic Settlement Points +1. Please consistently implement the Low-key path from beginning to end. A new round of Low-key Evaluation has begun.]
Joy appeared on Chen Yuan’s face. A double blessing! He looked at the panel again:
[Comprehension: 10]
[Root Bone: 53]
[Cultivation: Skin Barrier; Manifest Force]
[Cultivation Technique]
[Rocky Pile Skill (Minor Achievement): 33/1000]
[Xin Yi Liu He Fist (Minor Achievement): 3/1000]
[Low-key Points: 19]
[Evaluation: Unobtrusive, not making enemies, understanding the principle of hiding your capabilities and biding your time. You have caught a glimpse of the doorway to the Low-key path. Daily Low-key Points +4]
Without another word, he decided to upgrade his Comprehension first.
As ten Low-key Points were consumed, his Comprehension experienced its first upgrade since he had transmigrated, flashing before changing to 11!
Chen Yuan felt a slight itch in his head, as if his brain was physically growing. It felt pretty good.
He then set his sights on the "Daily Low-key Points +4" and couldn’t help but smile. This was his biggest harvest.
Now, as long as he stayed honestly low-key, he would earn 120 Low-key Points in a month, allowing him to upgrade his Comprehension by 12 points. In just over three months, it would catch up to his Root Bone. For these three months, he would focus entirely on nourishing his vital blood, preparing to assault the bone barrier.
The future was full of promise!