After the money was divided, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
On one hand, they were happy to have money; on the other, it was because their days of hard work had finally paid off.
"Brothers, we have money now, but we should still be frugal when spending it. We must not be extravagant."
Zhao Lin felt it wasn't his place to say this, but he couldn't help but offer a word of caution.
All he could think of were stories of robbers who, after a successful heist and a perfect getaway, were ultimately arrested because they gave themselves away with their lavish spending.
"Even though we didn't steal or rob anyone, spending money extravagantly is bound to attract envy."
Zhou Pao slammed his hand on the table and boomed, "Brother Zhao's words resonate with me! This money didn't come easy. We should all spend it sparingly."
After speaking, he glanced at Zhu Dachun.
Zhu Dachun said with displeasure, "What are you looking at me for? I'm a family man now. I'm more frugal than you are..."
Zhao Lin smiled, stood up, and took his leave. Zhou Pao and the others knew he was in a hurry to get home, so they rose to see him out.
When Zhao Lin returned home, his parents were emotional and fussed over him.
Zhao Shan was first overjoyed, then he chided, "So you finally remembered to come back? It's been so many days without a single word."
'It's not like we have phones,' Zhao Lin thought. But he knew he had been away too long and had made his family worry.
"It's my fault. I won't go to work for the next two days. I'll just stay home with Mom and Dad."
Mrs. Zhao's face lit up with a smile, but she quickly grew worried. "If you don't go, will your employers have a problem with it?"
Zhao Lin sighed internally. 'Mom always thinks of others, yet she treats herself as lightly as a goose feather.'
"Mom, don't worry. It's fine to rest for two days."
For the next two days, Zhao Lin accompanied his mother to the town market and basked in the sun with his father at the village entrance. Life was leisurely and pleasant.
"Brother, when can I go out? I'm cooped up at home every day. My bones are getting rusty."
Zhao Shan had been very restless these past few days, unable to leave the house because he was feigning illness.
Zhao Lin understood his brother's feelings and tried to console him. "Brother, I'm afraid you'll have to keep it up for another month or so. Everyone knows you're seriously ill. You can't just be up and about, full of life, after only a few days, can you?"
Zhao Shan sighed. "I'm going to get sick for real if this keeps up. You're the only one earning money for the family. I just eat and sleep at home all day. I don't feel right about it."
Zhao Lin stroked his chin in thought. "Brother, if you're really that bored, why don't you learn bamboo weaving from Dad?"
Old Zhao was skilled at weaving with bamboo strips. When he was in better health, he used to weave bamboo crates, baskets, straw hats, and other small items to sell at the town market.
He had wanted to teach this craft to the two brothers, but Zhao Lin was young and impetuous back then and gave up after just a few days.
Zhao Shan, however, had learned most of it, but he had to take on odd jobs to support the family, so he let the skill fall by the wayside.
"That's a great idea. It'll help pass the time, too."
Zhao Shan perked up, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Weaving these things only requires bamboo, willow branches, straw, and corn husks—all stuff that other families don't want or need. We can do it without spending any money!"
Then he added with some concern, "I could make a lot in a month. I'm just worried I won't be able to sell it all."
Zhao Lin smiled. "This stuff isn't rare in the mountains, but we can take it to the county seat to sell. Who knows, you might even be able to make a living from it in the future."
Zhao Shan asked doubtfully, "Would city folk even be interested?"
"What's so special about city folk? Just learn well from Dad. As long as you make them look good, someone will definitely buy them."
A faint idea was forming in Zhao Lin's mind: move the entire family to the city.
In his previous life, he had been born and raised in a city, so he knew the benefits of urban life. His experiences since transmigrating had only strengthened this resolve.
Farming was hard work, not to mention the constant exploitation. It would be better to just move to the city. As long as the two brothers had a way to earn money, their lives would certainly be better than they were now.
As for his parents, it shouldn't be too hard to persuade them.
The so-called difficulty of leaving one's homeland was mostly because people had no means of support after leaving. If their food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all better, only a ghost would want to go back to their old life.
On the third day, Zhao Lin left early and went to Baiqiao Village.
In the past two days, Liang Song had looked for Zhao Lin, inviting him to go into the city with him to "interview" at the sects and martial arts halls.
Zhao Lin had to stay home with his parents, so he'd asked Liang Song to scout things out first. He came over today to see how things had progressed.
"I've already found a place. It's the Kaisan Martial Arts Hall."
Liang Song was wearing a training uniform with the word "Kaisan" on the chest.
"Kaisan Martial Arts Hall? The name sounds a little familiar."
Zhao Lin mumbled the name, then suddenly remembered—it was the same martial arts hall where the older brother of that young man named Xu, who they had shared a ride with, trained.
Liang Song smiled. "That's right. It's the one that fellow named Xu mentioned."
"You've already decided? You're not going to try out for a sect?" Zhao Lin asked.
Liang Song gave a bitter smile. "I already did. I even went to two of them, but unfortunately, I didn't pass their assessments."
"Besides, the sects charge too much. Two or three taels of silver a month. How could I possibly afford that with the little money I have?"
"The Kaisan Martial Arts Hall only charges eight hundred copper coins a month. And if I can reach the First Layer of the Power Realm within a year, I can work while I train and use my earnings to subsidize the tuition. The burden would be much lighter."
Zhao Lin's eyes lit up. "That's actually a great deal! A master can open the door, but cultivation is up to the individual. In the end, it all comes down to your own hard work."
Liang Song pressed his lips together, a fierce look in his eyes. "Don't you worry about that. I will definitely train my hardest. Sooner or later, I'll slaughter the Drilling Mountain Leopard and his accomplices!"
He let out a breath and said, "You're younger than me and more talented. I'd suggest you try out for a sect."
"If money isn't an issue," he added as an afterthought.
Zhao Lin nodded. "That's what I was thinking, too."
He had thought about it at home these past two days. Although the martial arts halls were cheaper, they were mixed with commercial interests. After completing one's training, one would still be subject to the hall's arrangements.
The sects had higher entry barriers, but they were more pure. The upper limits of martial arts training should be higher there.
'As for the fees, I'll worry about that later.'
The two of them talked as they walked, making their way to the county seat.
"Brother, see you later."
"See you."
The Kaisan Martial Arts Hall was in North City, while the various sects were in West City. Since they were heading in different directions, they parted ways there.
Qinghe County had about ten martial arts halls, but only four sects: the Cross-Shaped Sect, the Liuhe Sect, the Cyan River Sect, and the Lingshan Sect.
The Lingshan Sect was only a branch, so Zhao Lin didn't consider it for the time being.
Of the remaining three sects, Zhao Lin favored the Liuhe Sect.
The reason was relatively simple. When he worked as a laborer, he had delivered rice and meat to all three of these sects.
The Cross-Shaped Sect and the Cyan River Sect had terrible attitudes. Not only were they bossy and arrogant, but their words were also rude. They treated him completely like a beast of burden.
The Liuhe Sect was much better. They treated people very politely, which had left a good impression on Zhao Lin.
Judging the whole by this small part, Zhao Lin felt that a place that could respect its subordinates must have a good culture.
Perhaps it was just the behavior of one individual, but he had no opportunity for a deeper understanding, so he could only judge the entire sect by the words and actions of a few.
The streets of West City were clean, and the pedestrians were dressed more respectably.
Due to the two docks in the east and north, Qinghe County had a saying: the east is poor, the north is chaotic, the south is rich, and the west is noble.
Zhao Lin didn't go directly to the Liuhe Sect. Instead, he went to a clothing store and bought a pair of cloth short boots.
In order to make a good impression, Zhao Lin had deliberately worn a clean, patch-free set of clothes today, but on his feet were a pair of straw sandals.
'Poor or not, first look at the shoes.' Zhao Lin felt that since he was here to learn martial arts and could afford the six taels of silver, dressing too shabbily would seem affected.
After changing into his new shoes, he arrived at the gate of the Six Harmonies Courtyard, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to knock.
Before long, the gate opened, and a young man poked his head out.
"Who are you looking for?"
"I have long heard of the great name of the Liuhe Sect and have come to seek tutelage."
Upon hearing this, the young man's lips curved into a smile. "Come in," he said.
He turned his head and shouted, "Senior Yuan, someone's here to learn martial arts."