Three days later.
At dusk...
A tall, skinny young man pushed a cart, with a large wild boar loaded on it, and hurriedly stopped in front of the Hengwu Restaurant in Shanbao County.
He wiped his sweat and respectfully glanced at Li Yuan beside him, saying, "Brother Yuan, we've arrived."
Li Yuan nodded, raised a hand to hoist the wild boar onto his shoulder with great strength, and walked through the restaurant's back door.
Yesterday, he had already contacted someone at the restaurant, a connection made by Uncle Wang before.
Tian Bao looked at Li Yuan with admiration.
In just a few days, he had witnessed Li Yuan's prowess.
That archery skill was truly extraordinary, seemingly otherworldly.
After a while, a slightly overweight, steward-like middle-aged man escorted Li Yuan out.
These days, if you want a fresh source of meat, a hunter is a good channel.
Moreover, in the steward's eyes, this Li Yuan was also a fierce character, hunting a wild boar in the morning and delivering it by evening, and the wild boar had very few injuries, meeting the restaurant's standards.
"Next time you have prey, deliver it here. As long as it's fresh, you won't lack money," the steward said with a smile.
Li Yuan replied, "We're old customers; I'll ensure it's fresh."
Then, he waved to Tian Bao, saying, "Ah Bao, come here."
Tian Bao lowered his head and carefully ran over.
Li Yuan patted his shoulder, saying, "Greet Uncle Wu."
Tian Bao quickly said, "Hello, Uncle Wu."
The steward nodded at him, saying, "Learn from your Brother Yuan. Before, he used to bring us deer, wild rabbits, and wild chickens. Now, he directly brings wild boars. Youngsters these days are impressive..."
Tian Bao looked up to him with admiration, excitedly saying, "My brother is the best in the village workshop."
Li Yuan laughed, "Uncle Wu, don't listen to his nonsense. I'm just a mere hunter.
Ah Bao is from the same village workshop as me. Sometimes when I can't come, I let him come."
"No problem, I'll remember him," the steward smiled at Li Yuan.
...
Li Yuan felt the silver taels in his pocket.
In the past, when Brother Xiong and the Qian Family were around, he only hunted deer.
Now, he could hunt wild boars and black bears without restraint.
The weight was different, so naturally, the price was different too.
Today was just to test the waters.
This was a female wild boar. Steward Wu didn't weigh it but estimated it was just under three hundred pounds and gave Li Yuan 30 taels of silver, including two small ingots of 10 taels each, five silver coins of one tael each, and fifty large coins.
Li Yuan tossed two large coins to Tian Bao.
Tian Bao hurriedly caught them, looking a bit puzzled, saying, "Brother, why are you giving me money? The wild boar was your hunt; you even taught me skills, I..."
Li Yuan glanced at him and said, "Take it. Return to the village workshop first; I'll head back later."
"Okay, brother." Tian Bao returned the way they came, pushing the cart.
Meanwhile, Li Yuan waited a bit longer before returning to the Hengwu Restaurant.
"Hey, Brother Yuan, you haven't left yet?" the cook from the restaurant's back kitchen greeted him.
Li Yuan smiled and said, "Where's Uncle Wu?"
"I'll call him," the cook ran off.
He took quite a while to return.
Li Yuan wasn't in a hurry, patiently waiting there.
After about the time for two incense sticks to burn, Steward Wu arrived hurriedly, saying, "Brother Yuan, are you looking for me?"
Li Yuan smiled and said, "I saw it's getting dark, and since I have some money now, I wanted to treat Uncle Wu to a drink."
"You kid..." Steward Wu chuckled, "Do you need something?"
Li Yuan said, "What could I need? It's just that I often trouble Uncle Wu, and it's mealtime now. If I don't spend the money, it would be unkind, wouldn't it? I'm not that kind of person, Uncle Wu."
"Hunters like you earn money with difficulty, risking their lives in the mountains," Steward Wu said with emotion.
Li Yuan suddenly said, "How about going to Celestial Fragrance Building?"
Steward Wu: ...
You thought the kid would be cursory with me, but he surprisingly wants to invite me to Celestial Fragrance Building?
Celestial Fragrance Building is an entertainment establishment in Shanbao County, a place too expensive for the poor to enter. Steward Wu always had to think twice before visiting there.
In that case...
Steward Wu changed his tone and said, "Since Brother Yuan is so sincere, it would be rude of me to decline. However, it's a busy time for the restaurant now. Shall we go at 9 p.m.?"
"Sure," Li Yuan smiled, "Then I'll stroll around a bit first."
Steward Wu turned away to busily attend to his affairs, and Li Yuan temporarily left the Hengwu Restaurant.
Today, he needed to figure out matters related to the Blood Saber Sect and quickly make a decision.
After having a bowl of fried rice on the street, Li Yuan waited by the Hengwu Restaurant, observing the flow of customers coming and going.
"0~1," "1~2," "2~3," were all present...
Suddenly, a "39~40" caught Li Yuan's attention.
His eyes glanced and saw the exquisite long blade at the person's waist, then quickly withdrew his gaze to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Weapons, skill proficiency, and realm all influenced overall strength.
If he were to get a better bow, he would probably be stronger.
In the cold wind, he waited quietly.
This morning I went out and talked to Sister Yan, so she doesn't have to worry.
However, I must quickly take care of the moving matter.
Only here in Silver Creek is the security truly good.
Before long, Steward Wu came out.
The two of them walked for a while and arrived at the Celestial Fragrance Building.
Once a stranger, twice a friend, Li Yuan directly chose Miss Yun's card.
He was in luck, as Miss Yun had just finished with a guest not long ago. Planning to take a break, she saw the young man downstairs from the high building through the curtains, hurriedly touched up her makeup, and went out.
The girls nearby saw this and understood something, so they all gathered around to watch.
In the hall stood a young man, not exceptionally handsome, but not ugly either. More importantly, he possessed a certain calmness and imposing strength as he stood there.
The girls giggled.
Miss Yun waved a fragrant handkerchief and gently tapped Li Yuan, her charming eyes dancing, teasing, "Didn't you say you wouldn't come?"
Li Yuan smiled without speaking.
Immediately, Miss Yun led him and Steward Wu into a room and then called another girl to accompany Steward Wu.
As the drinks flowed and the atmosphere warmed...
Before long, Steward Wu was embracing the courtesan into the room.
Miss Yun giggled and looked at him, teasingly asked, "It's so late, you're not going home to find your wife, are you? Do you want me to serve you? If you want, I'll take a bath to ensure you a delightful dream tonight."
Li Yuan replied, "Miss Yun, save me some money. Next time I come, I'll ask for you again. I'm not sleeping tonight, but the sleeping fee can't be spared."
Miss Yun paused and smiled, "I really envy your wife."
Li Yuan didn't believe her for a moment...
Miss Yun continued, "I'll save money for you, young master. But with the long night ahead, what does young master want to do with me?"
Li Yuan replied, "Just chat."
He urgently needed to understand Shanbao County.
...
Morning.
Miss Yun eventually couldn't resist her drowsiness and fell asleep.
Li Yuan settled the bill early; it was similar to last time, but due to staying overnight, it cost a bit more, totaling six taels of silver.
He quietly rested his eyes, waiting.
After a while, only then did Steward Wu emerge from the room.
The two walked out of the Celestial Fragrance Building.
Steward Wu said, "Brother Yuan is truly generous, come to the restaurant more often, Mr. Wu can at least afford a few cups of water wine."
"No need to treat me, if I come to the restaurant, naturally I wouldn't let Uncle Wu spend, but I do hope you'll take care of the business." Li Yuan smiled.
Steward Wu laughed, "Of course, that's needless to say."
Li Yuan added, "But... there's one thing I'd like to ask Uncle Wu."
"What is it?" Steward Wu was refreshed at the moment.
Li Yuan asked, "Does Uncle Wu have any relatives in the Blood Saber Sect?"
Steward Wu was taken aback, his steps halted, and he stammered, "You... you..."
Li Yuan waited quietly.
Steward Wu replied, "I don't have any relatives in the Blood Saber Sect, those Social World influences are already in a different world from us ordinary people... I only know that in Silver Creek Square, the Blood Saber Sect is high above."
Li Yuan said, "If... someone could let Uncle Wu enter the Blood Saber Sect, Uncle Wu..."
Steward Wu was momentarily shocked, then rejoiced, "Really? Brother Yuan... no, Brother Yuan, just say it, what does that person want? I can give anything as long as they can let me join the Blood Saber Sect."
Li Yuan: ...
He initially wanted to test further, but it was clearly unnecessary now.
The Blood Saber Sect is a good place.
Then go ahead...
Although Cai Ze hadn't suggested introducing him into the Blood Saber Sect, he already sensed some hints.
This time, taking the silver to find Cai Ze was a step into the Social World.
But there was no other way.
The eerie villa deep in the mountains and the imminent threat of the Red Lotus thieves breaking into the city left him with no choice.
He had considered the possibility of obtaining powerful cultivation skills from the black market, but upon grasping the true power structure of Shanbao County, he dismissed that option.
How could a major Social World influence possibly tolerate others selling skills right under its nose?
"Uncle Wu, just kidding, I was just asking if the Blood Saber Sect is formidable." Li Yuan laughed heartily.
Steward Wu realized it too... this hunter might have some talent, but how could he be involved with the Blood Saber Sect?
One is on the ground, the other in the sky.
Dreams of soaring high shouldn't be attempted this way.
"Of course, it's formidable." Steward Wu snorted.
...
After parting with Steward Wu, Li Yuan didn't return directly but quickly detoured to Yichan Pavilion in Silver Creek Square.
Last night, after talking with Miss Yun for a long time, he naturally knew that "Yichan Pavilion" is the best restaurant in Shanbao County.
After spending two taels of silver on a box of premium breakfast, Li Yuan quickly arrived at Baiyun Alley.
Entering the alley, he stood in front of the second house on the left and knocked on the door.