"The second organ to unlock is the heart...."
Zhao Ya was somewhat surprised.
He originally thought that after the stomach was unlocked, the next would be the spleen.
After all, the spleen and stomach are connected!
However, he didn't expect that it would be the heart to unlock next.
It seems that unlocking the five viscera and six organs does not follow a set order, but has some inherent meaning.
Nonetheless, Zhao Ya was very pleased to reach the heart's unlocking progress.
After all, the heart, as the ruler of officials, holds extreme importance.
If he could unlock it successfully, the benefits for Zhao Ya would be enormous.
Unfortunately, the money he got from the Black Snake Gang was all spent; otherwise, buying some more earthworm dried meat could expedite the unlocking process.
The reason why Zhao Ya achieved such great progress in just three months was primarily due to the ample supply of earthworm dried meat.
During this time, apart from basic meals, all the meat Zhao Ya consumed was replaced with earthworm dried meat.
This naturally resulted in immediate effects, but the cost was also substantial.
In just three months, Zhao Ya spent over three hundred taels of silver, a price that made him feel quite distressed.
No wonder ordinary people find it hard to stand out in Martial Dao.
Not to mention other expenses, the cost of food alone during training is a tremendous expense that most people can't afford.
So, where should he go to get some more money next?
Zhao Ya fell into deep thought.
"Ya, it's cold outside. Come inside quickly after you're done training, or you might catch a cold." Zhao Ya snapped back to reality and saw Tang Zui'Er looking at him with concern, making him smile slightly.
"Don't worry, a mere cold can't do me any harm."
Even though he said that, Zhao Ya still turned and went inside.
It was already midwinter, but the heated brick bed inside made it very warm.
The room was also kept very clean and tidy; even the pot lids were scrubbed spotless.
Zhao Ya couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
It seems like having a girl around the house is truly essential.
Not to mention other things, but the way Tang Zui'Er kept everything neat and in order these past months made Zhao Ya feel quite at ease.
"Ya, have a cup of tea."
Tang Zui'Er brought over a bowl of hot tea.
This wasn't fine tea, just leftover tea leaves from the tea shop, very cheap.
After buying it, Tang Zui'Er ground some broken rice, toasted it fragrant, and then brewed it with tea leaves, creating rice-scented tea.
After taking a sip, Zhao Ya found the mixture of rice fragrance and tea aroma quite pleasant.
"Mm, delicious!"
Such a simple compliment made Tang Zui'Er's face light up, her smile bright and dazzling.
Suddenly, Zhao Ya thought of something and took out a piece of silver from his pocket.
"This is the monthly pay I got today. It's just a month away from the New Year, so take it and buy some New Year's goods."
"It's too much, and I haven't even finished spending the silver you gave me last time. You should save it to buy some dried meat for yourself," Tang Zui'Er said.
"Take it. After buying New Year's goods, get yourself a few new clothes. Your current ones are a bit short now." Zhao Ya said.
Tang Zui'Er's face turned red up to her ears.
In the past few months, following Zhao Ya, she ate quite well, with meat and vegetables at every meal, so not only did Tang Zui'Er grow taller, she also gained a little weight.
Her pointed chin had become more rounded.
As a result, her old clothes had indeed become somewhat ill-fitting.
"I don't really need it. I can buy some fabric and alter my clothes a bit." Tang Zui'Er murmured like a mosquito.
"Come on, your clothes are all worn out. You should buy a few new sets." Zhao Ya said with a smile.
"You don't need to worry too much about money now. I've become a porter at the Changlong Escort Agency, with a monthly salary of five taels of silver, enough to support you."
Upon hearing the last sentence about supporting herself, Tang Zui'Er's face turned so red that it seemed it might bleed, but her eyes and brows showed evident joy.
"Mm, I'll go buy some in a couple of days. I'll go get you some wash water."
Tang Zui'Er eagerly brought a basin of hot water, and despite Zhao Ya's objections, she stubbornly squatted down to wash his feet.
Feeling helpless, Zhao Ya could only smile, allowing her to proceed.
After washing, Zhao Ya was preparing to sleep when Tang Zui'Er suddenly spoke up.
"Ya!"
"Mm?"
"It's cold sleeping out here, isn't it?"
"Not cold at all. Your brother Ya is now immune to cold and heat, so what's a little cold wind?" Zhao Ya said naturally.
"Oh." Tang Zui'Er lowered her head and walked towards the inner room.
But just as she was about to lift the curtain, she said quietly, "Actually... the fire bed inside is quite large, it could fit two people."
"Hm? Zui'Er, what did you say?"
"Ah, nothing. I'm going to sleep." Tang Zui'Er lifted the curtain and rushed inside.
Watching her back, Zhao Ya smiled softly.
With Zhao Ya's current ear power, how could he not hear what Tang Zui'Er said earlier?
To say his heart wasn't moved would be a lie.
After all, Tang Zui'Er was naturally beautiful. Even when she couldn't eat or drink well at the Tang Family, her features were outstanding.
Now, after several months of nourishment, the young girl had become even more beautiful.
Having such a pretty girl actively inviting him to sleep inside, even though Zhao Ya had lived two lifetimes, he couldn't help but feel tempted.
But ultimately, he restrained himself.
Because it's currently a crucial stage in his training, and he's about to break through to Great Success in Muscle Strengthening.
Though practicing martial arts doesn't require abstinence, to expedite the progress, Zhao Ya decided to hold back.
After all, in these chaotic times, only by achieving Great Success in Muscle Strengthening and becoming a true Second Realm expert can he have self-protection capabilities.
A night passed uneventfully.
The next day, after an early breakfast, Zhao Ya headed to the Changlong Escort Agency.
With the New Year nearing, the Escort Agency's affairs became busier.
Major merchants needed to settle accounts at this time, making large sums of money flow frequently, which required the escort agency for delivery.
In recent times, Zhao Ya had escorted several shipments to nearby towns, but they were typically short, same-day round trips, quite easy.
However, today's task was different.
"This time, we are escorting a batch of silver from the Hong Family Silver House in the Inner City, with the destination being He Kou Town, three hundred li away. It will take at least three to four days round trip. Fortunately, it's mainly official roads, and the forces along the way are familiar, but we can't let our guard down."
"After all, bandits also need to celebrate the New Year," Luo Qiang explained to Wei Yu, Zhao Ya, and others.
This time, he would still be the leader, and since the cargo was valuable, the porters were all skilled personnel from the escort agency.
Naturally, Zhao Ya was among them.
"Any questions?" Luo Qiang asked.
No one spoke.
They were all experienced porters, having escorted numerous shipments, unlike their first time when they knew nothing.
"Alright, pack up your things and get ready to depart."