"You, kid, always want to choose the path that promises the most advancement.
When I was young, I was just as ambitious and proud as you.
It's hard to say whether this is good or bad.
Because if I hadn't wanted to make a name for myself, perhaps I would have been content to be a lowly laborer my whole life.
How would I have had times of glory later on?"
Regarding Bai Qi's answer, Liang Laoshu seemed to have predicted it, speaking with a smile.
His small body leaned back into the rocking chair, with his legs covered by a warm blanket.
He pointed to the pier where the awning boats and small sampans were docked:
"You know, Black River County doesn't have a Government Office.
We are in the countryside, difficult to catch the eyes of the County City's Dharma Eye.
The trades here are largely controlled by the Fishery, Chai Market, and the kiln.
Frankly, we are all living under the thumb of several bosses.
Even if you dare to fight and strive, and make a name for yourself.
You are still just fed by others... a Household Slave."
Liang Laoshu paused, spitting out the last two words with a mocking tone.
Bai Qi felt a stirring in his heart, as many in these times are content with mere subsistence.
Selling oneself to a big household as a slave or servant is quite common.
If one could become something like a butler wearing a long gown and live within the county city, it would already be considered quite respectable.
Like Old Liang, who understands from the bottom of his heart that he's merely a "thug" kept by the boss for guarding the house.
Such clarity is rare.
Truth be told.
Among the hundred thousand households in Black River County, more than half wish to become servants of the Three Great Families.
Yet there isn't even a pathway for that!
"When the boss is pleased, they might give you silver, a house, or even help you arrange a marriage.
But if you anger the boss, they can make you kneel, whip you.
With just a word, they can take away everything you've accumulated in your lifetime, all in an instant.
Ah Qi, do you know why I, once a respectable Second-Training Martial Artist, have fallen to an old cripple who can barely stand straight?"
Using the favor from the precious Ghost Pattern Fish, Liang Laoshu rarely spoke of his past:
"Eight or nine years ago, the big boss hadn't yet inherited the fishery business.
He was stuck at the First Training Major Barrier, needing a kind of mountain product called 'Fish Dragon Grass.'
It had to be refined into water over a hundred years and used for daily bathing to alter the bones.
I had just been rewarded with a hundred taels of silver, a house in the Outer City.
So I thought of making another contribution, repaying the boss while competing with Yang Meng for the position of Guard Commander.
I patiently searched in the mountains for two months, finally finding a five-hundred-year-old Fish Dragon Grass.
But then, I happened to run into Yang Meng entering the mountain. We fought for a while, but ultimately I was defeated and barely escaped with my life.
The big boss was overjoyed upon seeing the offered Fish Dragon Grass and soon promoted Yang Meng.
While I was severely injured and infected with the poisonous miasma of the forest, luckily I wasn't dead, leaving only a body of ailments.
Then, losing hope of breaking through the Second-Training blood exchange, I was directly relegated by the big boss to the East Market Shop, to spend the rest of my life.
Until two years ago, I learned from Old Wu, who once killed Water Bandits with me.
The news of my going into the mountains was procured by Yang Meng from the big boss."
Bai Qi lifted his eyelids, pulling up the corners of his mouth into a smile:
"The boss only cares about results. It doesn't matter which 'Household Slave' brought the Fish Dragon Grass; the key is to see the actual item.
It doesn't matter whether the credit goes to Elder Liang or Yang Meng; it's all the same.
After all, there are plenty of Fishermen willing to work for the fishery.
There are also many 'Loyal Servants' kept by the boss.
Elder Liang, you didn't place yourself correctly. Loyalty from a servant to the master is only natural, nothing worth mentioning. In the boss's heart, it counts for very little."
In front of the East Market Shop, those cloudy eyes stared intently at Bai Qi, until after a long while, Liang Laoshu sighed heavily:
"Ah Qi, your understanding surpasses mine.
Doing good work as a Household Slave is a duty; the boss only wants the Fish Dragon Grass.
As for who dies in the mountains because of it, they don't care.
Back then, I was dazzled by the hundred taels of silver, mesmerized by that house, and really intended to risk my life... Ah Qi, I've never told Sanshui any of this because I know his abilities are mediocre, only fit to manage the shop.
But you, with your lively mind and outstanding talents, and most importantly, your determination to rise up.
You understand the importance of networking and finding ways, striving for self-improvement... truly rare for a Fisherman from a humble background.
The first path, joining the fishery to practice martial arts and achieve merit, can certainly lead to success, but it requires submission.
Your decision not to choose immediately does justice to the eight words your father entrusted to you.
'Better to be a beggar than a Household Slave!'
Bai Qi's eyelids twitched; he merely used his past life's experience to conduct a simple analysis of the various powers.
In reality, it wasn't as rich as Liang Laoshu imagined, nor did he keep his late father's teachings in mind.
So-called five hundred miles of mountain paths, eight hundred miles of Black River County flow.
Essentially dominated by the "local bullies" like the fishery, Chai Market, and brick kilns.
Plus the "gentry" composed of local big households.
"Associations" evolved from various martial arts halls control them.
The way forward is nothing more than "willingness to be a thug," "selling oneself into servitude," or "becoming a direct disciple" of these few options.
No matter what choice you make, you can't escape personal dependence, becoming like a beast of burden.
"The second path doesn't require recognizing a master, but it depends on skill.
I bet you've guessed it, Ah Qi. That's right, being recommended to a martial arts hall in the Inner City, apprenticing a good master.
With your talent and constitution, becoming a direct disciple is very hopeful."
Liang Laoshu spoke from his heart. After careful observation, he believed Bai Qi had excellent comprehension, like a smooth pearl buried in sand and mud.
No matter what martial arts, he seemed to grasp the basics quickly.
Although, due to his lowly status as a fisherman's family, he started martial arts late and had not been learning long, his potential might not be very deep.
But he is absolutely a talent one in a hundred!
"Ah Qi, you might not be clear about the rules of the martial arts world.
Typically, a martial arts hall cannot train many direct disciples.
Primarily divided into the 'Senior disciple' who inherits the legacy and carries the banner in the future.
This depends on whether their own sons are promising; if not, they'll choose outsiders.
'Second disciple' who pays tribute and builds connections.
'Third disciple' who bolsters the facade and fights the best."
Senior disciple stays at the hall, managing affairs, treats the master like a father.
Second disciple provides funds, brightens the banner.
Third disciple mainly handles all kinds of martial challenges."
Old Liang explained the inner workings, Bai Qi listened intently.
It's generally about the martial arts hall's reputation, its essence, and the dutiful disciples who pass on the legacy.
"Choosing the Senior disciple depends mostly on character, as they also have to care for the master in his old age and support the future generations.
Second disciple's family background must be wealthy; third disciple depends on martial skills... which do you think you are?"
Bai Qi's eyes flickered, he answered without hesitation:
"The third one."
"Why?"
Seeing Bai Qi's decisive answer, Liang Laoshu became interested.
"Being the first one relies on the master's trust.
Serving tirelessly every day, being filial and stable, and gaining acceptance from others.
This type of person must endure, serving the master like a father for ten years unwaveringly.
The second one doesn't even need mention, rich background, willing to spend, having broad connections, making lots of friends.
None of these are my attributes."
Bai Qi spoke at length.
This kind of ranking within the sect, he was quite familiar with from his past life.
He often faced jealousy and secret sabotage from senior brothers and sisters because he ingratiated himself with the master.
"Haha, Ah Qi, you're quite clever.
The three inner city martial arts halls: Divine Hand Sect, Broken Blade Sect, Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall.
Entering as an apprentice costs twenty taels, formally becoming a disciple costs around three to four hundred taels.
To become a direct disciple, you must refine power, hope to break through the First Training Major Barrier, paying at least seven or eight hundred taels.
This doesn't even include various annual tributes and networking exchanges."
Liang Laoshu introduced in detail, then solemnly promised:
"After this event, Ah Qi, you may choose any one of them.
I can get you in and support you until you become a direct disciple!"
Is this the reward for maxing out Old Liang's favor?
The weight is indeed heavy!
Totally worth the effort of those dozen or so Ghost Pattern Fish!
"The largest three martial arts halls in Black River County, being a direct disciple is equivalent to being in the best advanced class at the local top high school.
Guaranteed to be qualified for prestigious universities in the future... escaping the lowly status is just around the corner!"
Bai Qi took a deep breath, and with effort, suppressed his excitement, asking deeply:
"I don't know much about these martial arts halls, Elder Liang, do you have any advice?"
Liang Laoshu squinted, a respectful look appeared on his face:
"The best practitioners in Black River County are about just a handful.
The phrase that's circulated in every major martial arts hall summarizes it well.
Instructor's quick knife! Eagles and tigers rampant! Divine hand turns the world! Cold arrows are hard to escape!
They are all top figures across the five hundred-mile mountain paths and eight hundred-mile waterways.
Even the owners of the fishery, Chai Market, and brick kilns must show great respect when they see them."