The stall owner remained silent.
Tan Dong sighed and whispered to Zhao Ya standing beside him.
"Not long ago, earthworm dried meat was only two and a half taels of silver, and now it's risen to three taels. But there's no choice, the seller sets the price for such fine goods."
Then Tan Dong took out a crumpled silver note.
"I saved this from my pocket money, intended to visit Miss Hua Kui for some flower wine, but I'll lend it to you for now."
The silver note was worth twenty taels, which for an average person was not a small sum.
Zhao Ya felt a warmth in his heart, knowing this was probably all Tan Dong had.
"No need, I brought plenty of money this time."
As he spoke, Zhao Ya took out a silver note and handed it to the stall owner.
"How much can I buy with this? I'll take it all!"
The stall owner accepted the silver note, carefully checked it, and only after confirming its authenticity, said.
"Alright, a silver note of one hundred taels from the Treasure Communication Bureau can buy thirty-three taels of dried meat. Since you're being so straightforward, I'll give you two taels extra."
After weighting and packing the dried meat, he handed it to Zhao Ya.
As Zhao Ya took the hefty package of dried meat, he acutely sensed several hidden glances observing him from the darkness.
He whispered to the dumbfounded Tan Dong, "Let's go."
After leaving the Ghost Market, Zhao Ya and Tan Dong turned through the web-like alleys several times before shaking off their followers.
By this time, Tan Dong finally understood, and the way he looked at Zhao Ya became quite meaningful.
"If you have any questions, just ask." Zhao Ya said while walking.
"That Black Snake Gang from last night...?"
"I killed them." Zhao Ya unhesitatingly admitted.
After all, Tan Dong would find out sooner or later, so it was better to be upfront.
"Hiss!" Tan Dong took a sharp breath.
"After I left?"
"Yes!"
Tan Dong gave Zhao Ya a thumbs up.
"Impressive!"
This compliment came from Tan Dong's heart.
Wiping out a tyrannical gang overnight, then going to work at the Escort Agency the next day as if nothing happened.
Such patience and composure, Tan Dong admitted he couldn't match even if he tried.
"But you told me about it so simply, aren't you afraid I'll blabber outside?"
Zhao Ya smiled, "Who would believe? And even if someone did, who's going to stand up for a bunch of low-level scum?"
Tan Dong nodded, "That's right."
Zhao Ya patted his shoulder, "Come on, don't look at me like I'm some cold-blooded Demon King."
"I had two reasons for killing the Black Snake Gang: one, they deserved to die, and two, I just happened to need money."
Tan Dong looked skeptically at Zhao Ya, thinking the second reason was probably the real one.
But this matter had nothing to do with Tan Dong, and he was even filled with envy toward Zhao Ya.
Wiping out an entire gang for one reason, is this the poise of someone who achieved Great Success in Bone Refining?
So envious.
Tan Dong didn't go home.
In his words, since Zhao Ya didn't use his hard-saved private stash, he must enjoy himself tonight.
He wanted to visit the brothel to see the currently popular courtesan, Miss Shi Xi, have some tea, and chat about the weather.
Zhao Ya naturally couldn't control such things, but he advised Tan Dong to mind his limits, prioritize his health, and then went home.
When he arrived home, Tang Zui'Er was dozing off at the table, holding a pair of scissors for defense.
Seeing Zhao Ya return, she first sighed in relief, then happily said.
"Ya, you're back! There's still warm food in the pot. Do you want to eat now or after training?"
After spending these days together, Tang Zui'Er knew Zhao Ya trained every night and would have a late-night snack afterward.
Seeing the sleepy Tang Zui'Er, Zhao Ya smiled.
"No need, leave the food for breakfast. You go to sleep now."
"Oh!"
Tang Zui'Er didn't inquire further and obediently went back to her room to sleep.
Zhao Ya first carefully placed the package containing the earthworm dried meat, then took out a strip and put it in his mouth.
Soon, a warm current rose from his stomach, and the Qi blood throughout his body slightly boiled.
Zhao Ya exhaled contentedly, having felt truly full at home for the first time in days, apart from the meal at the escort agency at noon.
Taking advantage of this boiling Qi blood state, Zhao Ya went to the courtyard to start practicing.
Sure enough.
After completing a set of Eight Vajra Skills, the familiar prompt finally appeared.
[Eight Vajra Skills proficiency +3]
[Stomach unlocking progress +1%]
But at this time, Zhao Ya felt his stomach turn empty again.
He took out another strip of earthworm meat, put it in his mouth, and started practicing the Five Tiger Fist and Gale Saber Technique.
About half an hour later, Zhao Ya completed all his training.
Even though the moon was shining and stars were sparse, Zhao Ya felt no trace of sleepiness.
He took out the Lightweight Secret Manual from the deer hide pouch, stood in the courtyard, studying closely and pondering over it.
From time to time, he would put down the book and practice moves in the courtyard.
In the following days, Zhao Ya went to work at the escort agency to practice martial arts during the day, and continued training at home at night.
The days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three months had gone by.
On this day, Zhao Ya was practicing Eight Vajra Skills in the courtyard.
This cultivation technique had been practiced by Zhao Ya to the level of divinity, every movement as light as a feather, with hidden mysteries.
Finally, after completing the last move.
Zhao Ya felt a warm current rise within him, causing the meridians attached to his bones to tremble slightly, growing considerably stronger.
This was a sign that Muscle Strengthening was about to reach Great Success.
At this point, Zhao Ya's attributes had undergone earth-shaking changes.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 16. Remaining Lifespan: 38 years
Skills: Eight Vajra Skills (Mastery 23/2000), Five Tiger Fist (Mastery 11/2000), Gale Saber Technique (Minor Achievement 13/1000), Lightweight Grasshopper Skill (Entering the Hall 145/500)
But the biggest change was in the unlocking progress.
[Stomach unlocking progress: 100%]
[Stomach unlock successful, acquired talent: Water and Valley Essence]
Looking again at the Human Body Outline Map, the fog in the stomach area had completely vanished, replaced by a warm radiance.
Zhao Ya took out the last piece of earthworm dried meat and swallowed it down.
The next second, he felt his stomach clearly breaking down the earthworm meat, absorbing all its essence with no waste.
The entire process took only a few seconds, and Zhao Ya felt that the Qi blood within him had strengthened slightly, which moved him deeply.
He hadn't expected the newly acquired [Water and Valley Essence] talent to be so powerful.
In just a few seconds, it completely digested a strip of blood-qi-rich earthworm meat, and this digestion was extremely efficient, with no waste at all.
Doesn't this imply that with more and stronger meat, his Qi and blood growth would be incredibly rapid?
Zhao Ya's gaze couldn't help but become fervent.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he succeeded in Muscle Strengthening and became a Second Realm expert.
Keeping in mind that it had only been three months since Zhao Ya achieved Great Success in Bone Refining.
If this speed got out, it would likely shock many people.
Aside from those born with a Martial Body, he'd never heard of anyone advancing two realms in such a short period.
At this moment, the Human Body Outline Map changed again, showing a faint glimmer of light at the heart's location.
[Heart unlock initiated, current progress: 0%]