Chapter 19: Tie Wen of the Black River Gang, Surveying the Martial Arts Schools

An hour later, Qin Wang sneaked back to his rented house in the north of the city, carrying a grey package.

"Indeed, a horse does not get fat without night grass, and a man cannot get rich without windfall!"

"Yan Po has been punished for her lifetime of evil deeds!"

Qin Wang closed the doors and windows, bolting them shut. He sat on the bed, eyes filled with satisfaction, muttering to himself.

He opened the package to count the silver inside.

A total of 466 taels, half of which were silver notes!

"This trip was indeed profitable!"

With the silver from this haul, the 100 taels he brought, and the 20 taels from his sister Qin Xuemei, Qin Wang had over 580 taels of silver!

There were still 400 taels buried under the floor of his mud house in Qingniu Market and 850 taels at Li Laocai's manor waiting to be retrieved!

In total, he had over 1800 taels of silver!

"With this silver, I can buy Vitality Pills to enhance my strength and still have enough to enroll in a martial arts school!"

"But first, I need to go to Zheng Kecheng's golden house to get his internal martial arts manual!"

Qin Wang planned silently.

Currently, he only knew Taizu Long Fist. He needed to learn more martial arts. With his proficiency panel, he could eventually master them all.

Zheng Kecheng would be in Youzhou for at least a month.

This period was enough for Qin Wang to obtain what he needed from him.

"Tonight, I'll get some sleep."

Qin Wang practiced Taizu Long Fist a few more times before lying down. Since awakening the intelligence panel, he had only slept in the early hours. Today, after killing Yan Po, he felt particularly exhausted from his first kill.

The next day.

Qin Wang woke up feeling refreshed and immediately checked his intelligence panel.

[Today's Intelligence]

1) Yesterday, you went to Yan Po's house and obtained related information. Yan Po's son lost 50 taels of silver at the Fortune Gambling House, waiting for Yan Po to bail him out.

2) Yesterday, you killed Yan Po, an illegal broker in the east of the city, and burned her house. The county office sent 10 constables to investigate. Yan Po's son was detained at the Fortune Gambling House and was taken by Deputy Constable Ji Shun for questioning.

3) Yesterday, you closely monitored Zheng Kecheng and learned that he has already gone to Youzhou and is currently resting at the Yihong House in Fengyun County.

4) Yesterday, you went to Tong Ren Tang and obtained information that their alchemist, Li Hongfei, is looking to recruit an apprentice.

5) Yesterday, you went to Xinglin Spring Pharmacy and learned that it was robbed last night, losing 1300 taels of silver, various pills, and ginseng.

6) Yesterday, you consumed a Vitality Pill and a Blood Strength Pill, and you will advance to the third-rate realm in 50 days.

7) Yesterday, you decided to go to Zheng Kecheng's golden house and learned that it is located at No. 12, Linjiang Courtyard in Yan Yun County.

8) Yesterday, you wandered around the county office and learned that County Magistrate Chen Hao has been constipated for two days and is in great pain.

9) Yesterday, you wandered around the county office and learned that Master Li Sihai suggested to County Magistrate Chen Hao to demand an additional 1000 taels of silver from the twelve markets and four major families under the pretext of a River God Festival.

10) Yesterday, you went to Yang's Breakfast Stall and learned that the owner, Yang Yulin, is worried about the Black River Gang increasing their monthly protection fee by 20%.

"Yan Po's son lost money gambling and is waiting for his mother to bail him out?"

"He doesn't even know his mother is already dead! Ha!"

Qin Wang's eyes flashed as he read the first two pieces of intelligence. A death case would certainly prompt an investigation by the authorities.

"Zheng Kecheng is resting at Yihong House on his way to Youzhou! He really knows how to enjoy life!"

Qin Wang's eyes narrowed as he read the third piece of intelligence.

"Tong Ren Tang's alchemist Li Hongfei wants to recruit an apprentice?"

Qin Wang's eyes flickered as he read the fourth piece of intelligence.

To advance faster, he needed to master alchemy. After all, relying solely on buying pills was not a long-term solution. With his proficiency panel, he could learn to make his own pills, saving a lot of money.

However, this had to wait. First, he needed to get Zheng Kecheng's internal martial arts manual.

He skipped the fifth piece.

"After taking Vitality Pills and Blood Strength Pills, I'll advance to the third-rate realm in 50 days?"

"Taking Vitality Pills significantly speeds up my progress?"

Qin Wang's eyes lit up with anticipation as he read the sixth piece of intelligence.

Before, it would have taken him 70 days. With recent training in Taizu Long Fist, combined with taking Vitality Pills, Blood Strength Pills, and Vitality Soup, he had shortened this time to 50 days.

If he continued taking Vitality Pills, he could reach the third-rate realm even sooner.

Currently, he had over 580 taels of silver. He would buy more Vitality Pills first.

"Zheng Kecheng's golden house is at No. 12, Linjiang Courtyard?"

"Great! Saves me the trouble of finding it!"

Qin Wang's eyes brightened as he read the seventh piece of intelligence. This information came just in time!

"County Magistrate Chen Hao is constipated? Ha! Serves him right for his evil deeds!"

Qin Wang's eyes flickered as he read the eighth piece of intelligence.

"This Master Li Sihai is despicable, suggesting an additional 1000 taels of silver from the twelve markets and four major families!"

Qin Wang knew this money would ultimately come from the poor citizens.

"The Black River Gang collecting monthly protection fees?"

Qin Wang's eyes flickered as he read the tenth piece of intelligence. In Qingniu Market, there was the Golden Fish Gang, and in Yan Yun County, the Black River Gang and the Tianhe Society were the two major forces, evenly matched.

"First, I'll have a good meal."

After washing up, Qin Wang prepared to go out. At the door, he saw three men in blue clothes with a "○" emblem on their chests. The leader had a mole with three black hairs, an unfriendly appearance.

"You must be the new tenant, Qin Wang?"

"I'm Tie Wen of the Black River Gang, responsible for this area. Pay this month's protection fee, 5 copper coins."

The leader, Tie Wen, looked at Qin Wang, raising his chin.

"Alright."

Qin Wang nodded, taking out 5 copper coins and handing them to Tie Wen.

"Next month, same time, 5 copper coins."

Tie Wen pocketed the coins and left with his two subordinates.

"Damn, the Golden Fish Gang in Qingniu Market charges 3 coins a month, but it's 5 coins here in Yan Yun County!"

Qin Wang's eyes narrowed as he watched Tie Wen disappear around the corner.

In this world, when you lack strength, you have to pay up.

In Qingniu Market, the Golden Fish Gang also collected protection fees. If you didn't pay, they had a hundred ways to deal with you.

Qin Wang knew that a fisherman who injured a member of the Golden Fish Gang was later found dead in a stinking ditch.

"I must quickly increase my strength!"

"Today, I'll scout Zheng Kecheng's house and find a suitable martial arts school to join!"

Qin Wang planned.

Daytime was for scouting, nighttime for action.