Grinding to the Martial Sage from the White Ape Fist-Chapter 40: Windfall and a Maiden’s Affections

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Windfall and a Maiden’s Affections

"That spear throw settled it! What skill!"

When Old Man Jiang saw Su Yu’s spear pierce the strange fish’s soft underbelly, he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration!

’Throwing a Fish Spear isn’t easy. It requires keen observation and a masterful grasp of force. To think Su Yu’s technique is even better than mine, which I’ve practiced for years... The younger generation is truly formidable!’

"Younger Brother Su, this old man is thoroughly impressed. Your fishing skills are truly out of this world!"

Hearing her grandfather’s words and thinking back on everything Su Yu had done, Jiang Mu’s heart filled with adoration. Biting her lip, she stole a glance at his profile.

’I can’t believe Brother Su is so young, yet so capable.’

They waited a while longer. The strange fish struggled in the net for a bit, but with the Fish Spear holding it fast, it couldn’t escape. Soon, it completely lost its strength.

Su Yu pulled the net back onto the boat, dragging the strange fish aboard.

Old Man Jiang squatted down, carefully examining the strange fish’s corpse. Stroking its hide, which was as hard as granite, he clicked his tongue in wonder. "This beast’s defense is incredible. I wouldn’t be able to break through it without using a special technique! Still, looking at it... a name comes to mind. I think this is a Rockskin Porpoise!"

’The name Rockskin Porpoise is fitting enough,’ Su Yu thought to himself.

However, he wasn’t too concerned with this rare fish. It was worth a mere dozen or so taels of silver at most—nothing compared to the treasure fish, the Golden Line Loach!

"Old Jiang, now that we’ve caught the treasure fish, shall we head back?" Su Yu was eager to return home. Once he sold the fish for money, he could focus on preparing for his breakthrough to the Martial Artist Realm!

Old Man Jiang nodded at once. "Right. Let’s hurry back. We can still make it to the pier before dark!"

...

The two black-canopied boats shot forward like arrows loosed from a bow, slicing through the waves. They successfully sailed into Black River Crossing Pier just before sunset.

First, Su Yu found Liang Kui to return the boat.

He sold the two rare fish, the Iron Bone Shuttle and the Red-Scaled Fire Carp, directly to the fish stalls, earning eighteen taels of silver in cash.

As for the Rockskin Porpoise, Su Yu gave it to Old Man Jiang as they had agreed.

Old Man Jiang found a buyer right there at the pier and sold it for more than ten taels of silver.

After dealing with the other fish, Old Man Jiang lowered his voice. "Younger Brother Su, it would be better to sell this treasure fish in the city. At the pier, they’ll try to haggle us down, and we might even attract unwanted attention. Let’s go to the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce. I’m on good terms with one of the Stewards there, and their prices are fair."

"Let’s do as you say, Old Jiang. You’re the one with the experience."

...

「Outer City East District, Golden Scale Path.」

Even at dusk, the street was brightly lit and bustling with people.

The avenue was lined with tall buildings of green brick and jade-green tile. The most magnificent of them all, a three-story tower lacquered in vermilion, was the Black Stone Branch of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce.

Two gilded pixiu statues guarded the entrance, and those passing through were all wealthy merchants in brocade robes or formidable-looking Martial Artists.

’How magnificent,’ Su Yu marveled inwardly. ’As expected of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce.’

The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce was an immense power with branches in many cities, and its branch here was one of the most prominent in Black Stone City.

This place was a true hub of wealth, a world apart from the fish-stinking pier.

As the three of them entered the main hall, a pretty serving girl immediately came forward to greet them.

Old Man Jiang, moving with practiced familiarity, presented a Token. After a glance, the serving girl respectfully led the group to a private room on the second floor.

A moment later, an old man with a goatee and shrewd eyes pushed open the door and entered.

"Old Jiang! It’s been a long time since you last visited!"

"Haha, Lao Lu, I’ve brought something special this time!"

This elder was named Lu Qu, a Third-level Steward of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce and a prominent figure in the business world of Black Stone City.

He and Old Man Jiang were the closest of friends, having known each other since their youth.

"Grandpa Lu!" Jiang Mu called out sweetly, stepping forward to take Lu Qu’s hand and beginning to wheedle.

"Haha, Little Mu’Er gets more radiant every time I see you!" Lu Qu’s old face broke into a gratified smile. "Why are you still out on the boat with your grandfather, exposed to the wind and sun? Wouldn’t you rather come here and be a Shopkeeper for Grandpa Lu?"

"But I can’t bear to leave my grandpa."

"Haha, well, one of these days Old Jiang will be too crippled to go out on the boat. You can bring him here to Grandpa Lu then."

"Lao Lu, are you still holding a grudge about that time I broke your damn leg when we sparred as kids?"

"Bullshit! I’m the one who broke *your* damn leg!"

"You’re full of it!"

Seeing that the two old men were about to come to blows, Jiang Mu quickly intervened. "Grandpa Lu, why don’t you take a look at our catch from this trip first!"

Su Yu stepped forward and opened the long cloth sack he carried on his back. A golden light flashed in the twilight.

Though the Golden Line Loach was dead, its golden scales still shimmered magnificently.

"Excellent quality!"

Lu Qu’s eyes lit up. He took out a special Silver Ruler to measure the fish, then inspected the large tendon on its underside.

"Over twenty inches long! And this Dragon Tendon is completely intact. This is the highest quality!"

He put down the ruler, looked at Old Man Jiang, and said seriously,

"Eating this fish directly would be a colossal waste. Its most precious part is this Dragon Tendon, an auxiliary ingredient for refining the Dragon Tendon Bone-Pulling Pill. All the great families in the city are fighting to acquire it!"

Old Man Jiang’s face lit up, and he asked bluntly, "Lao Lu, how much is it worth?"

"Two hundred taels!"

"Haha, excellent!" Old Man Jiang roared with laughter. He clearly hadn’t expected such a small treasure fish to be worth so much money.

Old Man Jiang turned, gesturing to Su Yu. "Lao Lu, we only caught this treasure thanks to this young brother, Su Yu. The younger generation is truly formidable!"

Lu Qu’s shrewd eyes swept over Su Yu.

Though his clothes were plain, his temperament was calm and steady. He was handsome and exuded a faint, sharp aura, clearly a man with a foundation in Martial Arts.

’Most importantly, he’s so young, yet he earned such high praise from Old Man Jiang! I know Old Jiang better than anyone; he’s an arrogant old bastard when it comes to fishing. For him to praise someone means the kid must have a boundless future!’

"Brother Su, my name is Lu Qu, a Third-level Steward here," Lu Qu said politely. He then pulled a black iron plaque from his robes. "This is the Chamber’s Black Iron VIP Token. In the future, if you have quality goods to sell or wish to purchase any rare resources, don’t hesitate to find me."

"Thank you, Steward Lu." Su Yu accepted it with due gravity.

’The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce has a massive reputation. With my current strength, I’d normally never be able to interact with someone at Steward Lu’s level.’

’He must have given me this VIP Token out of respect for Old Man Jiang. It’s a pleasant surprise.’

Old Man Jiang and Lu Qu chatted for a while longer. As it was growing late, the group bid their farewells and departed.

...

Outside the Chamber of Commerce, the night air was cool.

"Younger Brother Su, we’ll split the two hundred taels evenly, just as we agreed!" Old Man Jiang took a hundred-tael silver note from his robes and handed it over.

Su Yu took the silver note and carefully tucked it away. His heart pounded with excitement. ’A hundred-tael silver note! This is the first time I’ve ever received so much money!’

His already high opinion of Old Man Jiang rose even further.

After securing the silver note, Su Yu cupped his fist in a salute. "Old Jiang, I’ll be taking my leave now!"

With that, he turned to leave.

Just then, Jiang Mu, who had been standing to the side, bit her lip, mustered her courage, and suddenly spoke up.

"Brother Su... when are you going out on the boat next? Can... can we go together?"

The girl’s voice was as faint as the buzzing of a fly, her bright eyes filled with unconcealed hope.

Old Man Jiang’s expression stiffened. He sighed but said nothing.

Su Yu looked at Jiang Mu, his heart stirred for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Miss Jiang."

Su Yu’s voice was gentle yet firm. "I plan to return to the martial arts hall for secluded cultivation and focus all my efforts on breaking through to the Martial Artist Realm. For the foreseeable future... I don’t think I’ll be going out on the boat again."

"Oh..."

The light in Jiang Mu’s eyes instantly dimmed. She looked down, twisting the corner of her clothes, her voice barely a whisper. "Then... take care of yourself."

Seeing his granddaughter’s crestfallen expression, Old Man Jiang sighed again. "Younger Brother Su, I live at Number Nine, Que’er Alley in the west of the city. After your breakthrough, come find me for a drink!"

"I will!" Su Yu cupped his fist, then turned and strode away.

Behind him, the city’s night lights illuminated the girl’s fair face, her eyes reflecting a silhouette that grew ever more distant.

...

「By the time he returned to the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, the moon was high in the sky.」

After quickly washing up, Su Yu didn’t rest, instead heading straight for the Martial Arts Arena.

Under the moonlight, he practiced his forms again and again, his movements more fluid and powerful than ever before.

[White Ape Six Changes Skill Level +2]

[White Ape Six Changes Skill Level +2]

...

After practicing until midnight, Su Yu stopped his training and checked his panel.

[Martial Arts]: White Ape Six Changes (Major Achievement 160/3000), Bibo Fishbone Skill (entry-level 98/100), Coin Toss (Minor Achievement 200/500)

[Techniques]: Casting Net (Breaking Limit 3 times)

[Breakthrough Points]: 0 (Progress: 15%)

’Without an Herbal Decoction, my Skill Level increases so slowly. Reaching Perfection now requires 3,000 Skill Level points. That won’t be easy.’

’My Fishbone Skill is just a hair’s breadth from the Skilled level. It’s a shame the Golden Line Loach wasn’t a strong fighter in the water; I’m still two Skill Level points short after that whole struggle. But there’s no rush for that, since I won’t be going out on the boat again anytime soon.’

’Next, I’ll switch to a better Herbal Decoction. I have over one hundred and twenty taels of silver now—more than enough resources to make my push for the Martial Artist Realm!’