Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Chen Li still sold meat every day, still as irritable as ever.

Everything seemed as if nothing had changed.

Yet, everything seemed as though it had changed.

Now, in the market, basically no one stared at him anymore. Even the fiercest desperadoes didn’t dare to target him.

Everyone became respectfully polite, their attitudes warm and heartening. Whenever he passed by, the crowd would automatically part to let him go first, welcoming him with smiling faces.

Even when he sold meat at the side, the entire street’s security would improve significantly, becoming orderly.

So much so that, in the following days, quite a few stall owners took the initiative to move closer to him.

This was the deterrence and influence after a single battle.

Compared to the previous rumors, killing eight men on the street this time made that rumor manifest in a real and straightforward manner, becoming even more powerful and shocking.

It firmly established the butcher’s reputation.

One could say that now, with just a call from him, he could easily pull together a group of people and establish a brand. Not to mention dominating the Green River District, but occupying a corner there was easy.

Leveraging this influence,

Zhao Lin, Gu Mengqing, and others’ businesses had been going much smoother.

Just by showing their connection with the butcher and the origins of the Magic Artifacts, then leading people in front of Chen Li for a greeting, they could immediately gain customer trust.

Although the butcher was known for his ferocity, this ferocity wasn’t about being vicious or evil, but rather, it was about his fierce looks and hot temper, without any evil deeds being spoken of.

On the contrary, he sold his meat cheaply, never weighed it, but always gave a full portion; his reputation was excellent, and every time he sold meat, people flocked to him.

Therefore, in just a few short days, there had been three transactions.

...

Five days later, after selling the last batch of meat.

Chen Li packed up his things, rolled up his cloth bag, and strolled into the Yu Family’s pill pharmacy without waiting for the enthusiastic young female greeter. He went straight to the counter.

"What’s the price for Qi Replenishing Pills and Blood Qi Elixirs today?"

The manager of the pill pharmacy, who had been looking at his accounts, looked up to see Chen’s formidable face and almost flipped the account book with a shake of his hand.

"It turns out to be Chen gracing our store with his presence. We’re honored! Someone, bring tea...," he began to say, but stopped after Chen gestured a refusal and smiled, "Qi Replenishing Pills are thirty Spirit Stones per bottle, Blood Qi Elixirs are thirty-five Spirit Stones per bottle. It has always been so. How many does Chen wish to purchase?"

"Give me sixty bottles of the Qi Replenishing Pills and thirty bottles of the Blood Qi Elixirs. Oh, and is there any chance for a discount?"

The last question, Chen Li asked casually.

Last time, no matter how much he pleaded, the other party didn’t give him any discount.

Unexpectedly, this time the manager hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Chen is a valued customer, and you’re buying in large quantities, so I’ll give you a ten percent discount. That’s the lowest price I can offer within my authority."

...

A few minutes later, Chen Li left the pill pharmacy, feeling inwardly amazed.

"This butcher identity really comes in handy!"

In the end, not only did he get a ten percent discount, but also the manager rounded down the total. He only spent 25 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, saving nearly 3 stones.

"I still have 23 Mid-grade Spirit Stones left... Plus the income from selling Magic Artifacts progressively, I can sustain for a very long time, at least there’s no need to take risks for half a year," Chen Li thought to himself.

...

The newly built Yu Family mansion.

The spiritual energy converged within, the trees lush and green, with birds tweeting and fragrant flowers blooming.

Here, the climate remained temperate throughout the four seasons, and the air was fresh, devoid of any foul odors. It seemed as though it was a world apart, entirely incongruous with the dilapidation and filth of the surrounding shantytown.

"Within the Green River District, there are as many as twelve gangs, each led by individuals with the strength of the late stages of Qi Cultivation. However, due to the pressure from the demon beasts outside, they are at peace with each other for the time being."

In the courtyard, Yu Cheng, the elder of the Yu Family, lay on a lounge chair, resting with his eyes closed, listening to Yu Fan Zhen reporting on the situation in the Green River District.

His originally pale complexion had regained its ruddy hue, and he looked spry and youthful despite his white hair, yet shadowy lines of worry could be faintly discerned on his glabella, clearly indicating his time was short.

"Having delayed for so long, I’m guessing these people are harboring doubts. Just invite them all over for a meeting. Otherwise, they might think I’m about to die, and we need to establish my authority. It could save us a lot of trouble." Yu Cheng opened his eyes and spoke dispassionately.

"There’s also another person who has become quite famous recently. He’s skilled in swordsmanship and wields a Second Order magic sword. It’s said he slaughtered eight men in a single breath! He often shows up in the market selling demon beast meat. I’ve had some dealings with him but only know his surname is Chen—quite a mysterious character!" Yu Fan Zhen added after contemplating for a moment.

"He must be a Body Refinement practitioner. Even with the advantage of a weapon, killing eight in one breath is no simple feat. It’s surprising to find such an individual in this remote place," Yu Cheng commented.

"It’s a pity, such men are often aloof. If I were a few years younger, I might have used a combination of kindness and authority to win him over, to serve as a strong arm for our Yu Family.

We don’t need to worry about him, just an independent wanderer. It’s enough to occasionally show good intentions.

Green River District is not a place for long-term residence. Given its remote location and lack of resources, surrounded by demon beasts, without the protection of a powerful force, it’s doomed to fade away. Once the conflicts outside are resolved, we’ll have to move back."

While speaking, the elder of the Yu Family sighed.

"Alas, what I’m truly worried about now is the lack of a successor. I hope one of you can reach the Foundation Establishment as soon as possible while I am still able to protect you. Otherwise, it’s best to split the family early and go our separate ways."

"Elder, you are in the prime of your life. Why speak such disheartening words?"

"Indeed, Elder."

The crowd hastily tried to console him.

For a moment, a faint melancholy pervaded everyone’s mood.

...

A few days later, Zhang Yan hurriedly came to visit, his expression excited:

"The Foundation Establishment elder of the Yu Family has finally shown himself! It’s said that he wants to unite all the gangs to manage and maintain order in the market. It’s going to be less chaotic from now on—a good thing indeed!"

"Is there no other action, such as clearing out the demon beasts outside?" Chen Li pondered and asked.

"Nothing of the sort!" Zhang Yan said, "This Foundation Establishment elder might really be getting old."

Chen Li felt a twinge of disappointment upon hearing this, but he had not held much hope for this Yu Family Foundation Establishment elder anyway.

He looked at the still excited Zhang Yan with a hint of disapproval:

"What about the killings in our residential area—are they going to do anything about that?"

"Er, nothing!" The excitement on Zhang Yan’s face faded more and more.

"So, what are you excited about? What’s the difference between being robbed in the market and being robbed on the street?" Chen Li delivered a piercing blow with a laugh, "I think it’d be better if you don’t go out recklessly. Let me sell those talismans for you!"

After Zhang Yan left, looking dejected,

Chen Li’s interest waned, and his smile faded.

He looked up at the sky, the summer sky a clear, unpolluted shade of azure, completely unobscured by clouds, breathtakingly beautiful.

"I wonder how long it has been since I truly looked at the sky..."

Chen Li sighed, withdrew his gaze, went to close the courtyard door, then returned to the basement to continue practicing his swordsmanship.

Advancing in swordsmanship was not far off.