"Watch closely how much silver you earn every day, pay careful attention. Also, investigate the people they come into contact with thoroughly for me."
After walking over a hundred steps, Chang Sansi paused, his face devoid of any smile, and without turning back, casually gave a few instructions.
He always felt something was amiss.
Thinking it over carefully, he shook his head, thinking to himself that these few little beggars, having learned the craft of singing, were indeed a bit whimsical.
However, as long as they can earn a substantial amount of silver, it's a good thing; they won't escape the palms of my hand even if they try.
"All right, rest assured, sir, I will keep a close eye on these little brats."
Big-Beard Zhang, full of delight, bowed to the ground, expressing his loyalty earnestly.
The swelling scar of the handprint on his face seemed to be glowing.
Only when Chang Sansi's figure completely disappeared from sight did he straighten up, snorting heavily, his eyes flickering as he called a few people over to conspire together.
...
A flash of light appeared, and a white silkworm emerged in front of his eyes, causing Chen Ping's spirit to tremble.
'Without risking life and limb, there's still progress?'
'Yes, if it weren't for earning silver by singing, there would definitely be disaster. If this isn't a tribulation, what is? With tribulations come fortunes, and fortune also grows...'
He concentrated his thoughts, his spirit slightly dazed, and saw that the subtitles had already changed.
[Spring and Autumn Silkworm (Second Transformation)]
[Talent: Trace Origin and Steal Fortune, Cocoon Rebirth]
[Innate Talent: 4 (Average)]
[Enlightenment: 3 (Ordinary)]
[Tribulation: 2 (Breaking Realm)]
[Fortune: 2 (Change Destiny)]
[Cultivation Technique: Wandering Body Bagua Palm (Great Success), Spring Leg (Proficient)]
Firstly, the talent "Trace Origin and Steal Fortune" was shining brightly, already activated.
'Innate Talent and Enlightenment haven't changed, used two tribulation points, this time gained another two... The further progress of Bagua Palm still lacks something.
There's no need to improve the realm of Spring Leg, with a Bone Strengthening level realm, it's quite easy to practice.
It's better to save the points and use them on the main cultivation technique, improving realm is the right path.'
As for fortune, reaching two points actually activated the talent "Trace Origin and Steal Fortune", who knows what purpose it serves?'
Thinking of the fortune changing destiny feature, Chen Ping couldn't help but be filled with anticipation.
However, this clearly wasn't the time to test the new function of the Spring and Autumn Silkworm. What if there's some anomaly, better wait until things settle down.
With this in mind, Chen Ping took a deep breath, calming his surging emotions. Smiling, he looked at Hua Lian'er, rubbing the little guy's head: "Why the frown? Now that we have money, we don't have to be hungry anymore. Boss Yat's matter is also settled, what else are you worried about?"
"But… but," Hua Lian'er frowned deeply, forcing an awkward smile more bitter than gall: "That's three hundred taels of silver?"
Seventh Brother, please be more thoughtful.
You might not anguish over money, but I do, besides, how could we possibly earn that much?
Don't be misled by the abundant tips from just now, most of it is actually broken silver and worn-out copper coins, in reality, they don't even amount to three taels.
This was only because a wealthy patron casually threw in a whole tael of silver.
Not everyone is that extravagant.
They might enjoy the spectacle.
They might cheer loudly, with tears in their eyes, causing the mountain to reverberate with their shouts.
But when it comes to throwing silver or copper coins, they are actually quite stingy.
Even if I sing from morning till night, can I earn eight taels of silver?
At the end of the month, even without eating or drinking, it'd be just over two hundred taels, offering one's life for three hundred taels of silver?
As for collecting protection money, Hua Lian'er hadn't dared to even think about it.
If others don't extort protection money from us—a band of disabled beggars—that's considered fortunate enough, and taking on Boss Yat's task was just talk, it was truly unfeasible.
Chen Ping looked at Hua Lian'er in shock, turning to glance, the nearby Zuo Duanshou and Little Table brothers were also looking back with bitter faces.
They were all hunched over, as if carrying a mountain on their backs.
Their spirits all seemed crushed by the burden of three hundred taels of silver.
"Ha..."
This place is full of honest people.
Chen Ping wanted to laugh but couldn't, he sighed deeply, lowering his voice he said, "Even if we submit three hundred taels of silver on schedule, do you believe that Chang Sansi will then ask for five hundred taels, or even eight hundred taels...?
Those in power, always seek to exploit mercilessly, never with the slightest empathy, he won't let go until he squeezes us dry?"
So, does that mean not to pay?
Listening to these words, the few understood the implication.
Zuo Duanshou's eyes lit up, his hand tightly gripping the Black Iron Spike, his gaze turning fierce, "That's right, if cornered, it's nothing but a life or death struggle."
He understood it clearly.
Agreeing to Chang Sansi's demand was only a delaying tactic, this ordeal was far from over, although this choice sounded like courting death, why did he feel so delighted?
"Just keep this matter to yourselves, don't let others find out."
Chen Ping pressed his palm down, looking at the few with heavy fatigue on their faces, he refrained from mentioning it further, approvingly he said: "I truly did not expect, you all learned so quickly.
Just practiced for one night, and already able to sing with such emotion.
Especially Hua Lian'er, her voice is even more charming than a young lady's, it's too beautiful. Having this result, your contribution is immense."
Although the song "Farewell", in later generations, is a classic tune sung for decades, it naturally touches people's hearts.
But if sung poorly, it's pointless.
You can't just find a few people off the street to sing well...
Regular good isn't enough; if you want to be heart-stirring and make others willingly spend money, the difficulty is imaginable.
Initially, Chen Ping's expectation was merely to earn some silver, create a lively scene, and muddle through.
Unexpectedly, the result was far better than imagined, not only were the Kuihua Brothers singing well, but Hua Lian'er was even more astonishing.
It's like when one door closes, another opens.
Everybody stayed up at night, suppressing their voices for fear of disturbing the surroundings, just humming and practicing without much being gleaned.
When it came time to perform, Hua Lian'er unleashed her voice and sang... Even the experienced Chen Ping was astonished.
Her sound was crisp with a hint of huskiness, possessing a kind of indescribable penetration...
Listening to it feels like hundreds of small hands gently caressing the heart.
This is a born singer.
It's like being fed by heaven.
And not to mention her sense of pitch, audio precision, nothing can be criticized.
There seems to have a trace of that diva who was famous across Asia.
Chen Ping asked himself, with his experience of professionally singing for a living, even he couldn't match this brat's innate talent.
For the first time, he started questioning the background of this little sidekick by his side.
No one is born knowledgeable; where did this little fellow come from? And how did they end up here?
The others, although good, fell within a normal range.
Little Table and Little Stool, due to their sharp and high-carry voices, indistinguishable between male and female, had a novelty.
Zuo Duanshou's voice was bold and robust, with strong resonance, though his "oh, ah" harmonies were passable.
Overall, the performance was very successful, days now seemed hopeful.
Forget thinking about the future for now, focus on enjoying the present day first.
Chen Ping instructed Little Table and Little Stool to find a house; Hua Lian'er to buy a few sets of clean clothes; also sent Zuo Duanshou to the pharmacy and restaurant.
Filling the belly is a major matter, the Earth God Temple is clearly not suitable for living anymore.
Having earned money, not indulging a bit in good food for a housewarming celebration doesn't make sense.
Plus, without medication the leg injury is serious.
Injury to muscles and bones takes a hundred days... After progress in cultivation, perhaps the leg injury will heal faster, though still slow, medication is needed.
Regarding medicine prescription, Chen Ping remembered some, just preparing the medicine according to prescription is enough.
Doesn't even need to trouble the doctor at the medical house.
This matter must be urgent, otherwise, the risk is becoming permanently disabled, then really sitting under the name "cripple" would be unseeming.
There had been worry about not having enough silver coins.
But then Chen Ping discovered that silver was worth more than imagined.
Buying meat and buns cost merely 300 wen, less than half a tael, and got a big heap.
Medicine cost one tael and three maces.
A bit pricey, mainly for blood circulation and tendon-quickening supplements, not exactly cheap.
Five sets of coarse clothes only costing less than one tael.
Renting a house, thought originally it would be a major expense, but asking revealed that the scholar friend preparing for the examination only charged two taels of silver for a year's rent.
Moreover, it came with a courtyard, kitchen, and two rooms.
Uncertain whether the Kuihua Brothers' social skills were strong enough or because the scholar heard them sing and thus offered a discount?
In total, spending six taels of silver, there was still one tael remaining...
Small trivial matters of course need not be mentioned.
The immediate focus is the issue of cleanliness.
Chen Ping genuinely couldn't stand the itching on his body; he had never experienced having handfuls of lice before...
Zuo Duanshou could afford to be unfastidious, occasionally picking a few to eat as snacks, but he couldn't stomach that.
Earlier when danger loomed overhead, staying tense didn't feel much; now relaxed made him feel very uncomfortable, eager enough to scrape off all the skin on him.
Strangely enough.
Among the group, Hua Lian'er's face was the dirtiest, yet her body most clean.
No foul odor.
Perhaps due to a child's body, not secreting much filth.
Chen Ping looked at the shortest Hua Lian'er, thinking to himself.
"Boil water first, everyone should bath quickly, we're all stinking."
Chen Ping sniffed under his armpit, almost knocked unconscious by the smell. He crushed two lice crawling up his neck, sighed, and said.