Bai Qi grinned and thought to himself:
"When I become part of the 'Master' generation, maybe I'll be the top figure in Black River County!"
Just by forming a connection with the Liang father and son at the East Market Shop, he was called "Brother Qi."
If he could make a name for himself with his martial arts skills later,
perhaps he could even be called "Master Qi."
Suppressing that bit of longing in his heart, Bai Qi responded one by one to the workers who greeted him.
As always, he remained gentle and polite, not trying to climb up the pole and put on airs.
People respected him because of Elder Liang and Liang Sanshui, the father and son duo.
If he took it seriously and eagerly tried to show off his authority,
he would just look ridiculous.
One must know themselves well!
In side businesses, the most important thing is to stay sober, not get carried away.
Otherwise, sooner or later, you'll capsize in the ditch and suffer a big loss.
Under the eaves at the front of the shop, Liang Sanshui pulled out a wooden chair:
"Ah Qi, come sit, let's have a meal together before you go back."
On the large table, there were two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup, all smelling very enticing and quite sumptuous.
"A fish was cooked, a bowl of braised pork was stewed, bean sprouts were stir-fried, black fungus was served cold, and there was egg drop soup.
We might not even eat this well for New Year at home."
Bai Qi glanced over it and couldn't help but sigh.
Such days, out of the lowest class, no longer worrying about basic needs,
are truly comfortable and enviable.
Based on the Liang father and son's food conditions, they could be considered "middle-class"?
If they could set up a few more shops and support twenty or thirty people under them,
with servants in attendance and all acquaintances being shop owners,
they'd be influential figures who could resolve matters and host banquets.
"In just half a day, you've practiced the stance to decent form. Ah Qi, you really have talent."
Liang Laoshu placed a piece of fish belly into Bai Qi's bowl.
"But martial arts rely on more than just hard practice.
My master who taught me said, three parts practice, seven parts sustenance, which best enhances Qi blood and refines power.
Unfortunately, we don't have those conditions; having three meals a day is already hard enough.
Expecting refined medicinal meals is indeed a luxury.
At most, we can do seven parts practice, three parts sustenance, just enough not to harm the body."
Bai Qi chewed the tender fish, scooped a couple of bites of white rice, swallowed, and then spoke:
"Elder Liang, how can one nourish the body?"
Liang Laoshu finished the Treasure Fish Soup made from Silver Sand Carp, dispelling a lot of the damp cold, feeling a bit more spirited:
"Naturally, through medicine. Celestial and earthly treasures embody essence energy; an extraordinary encounter with them offers endless benefits."
Bai Qi widened his eyes, listening intently, knowing this was a rare opportunity to gain knowledge.
Having fished in the Black Water River his whole life, he might not even know what these treasures are or how to use medicine to nourish the body.
This hidden knowledge isn't taught unless you spend a hundred taels at a Martial Arts Hall, right?
Every craft is the hardest to learn!
To become a chef, you have to treat the Master Chef like your father for ten to eight years before you can cook a few dishes.
Liang Laoshu liked being consulted, ate some refreshing cold black fungus, and explained:
"I also learned these odds and ends from old masters.
Between heaven and earth, the source of mountains and rivers, there's a spiritual aura.
Moving underground and nurturing a myriad of things, these are called 'earthly treasures.'
Generally speaking, they're lifeless objects, like a centipede turned spirit producing a 'Wind-Still Pearl,' or a skilled fox producing a 'Fire Cloud Pill,' or a thousand-year ginseng turning into a palm-sized doll.
Simply put, they absorb the essence of sun, moon, and mountains, acquiring the purest Qi from nature.
For example, the treasure fish of Black Water River and the precious plants of the five hundred miles trail are like this.
As for the legendary 'celestial materials' capable of reviving the dead and creating flesh,
not only have I never seen them, but haven't even heard of them.
Celestial and earthly treasures are hard to come by, only possible by great fortune.
So, usually practitioners use medicinal supplements, applying externally, taking internally, soaking in baths.
Those Martial Arts Halls rely on this to earn money from wealthy patrons.
When starting as an apprentice, if your foundation in stance training is poor, don't you need at least a dose of Bone-Strengthening Powder?
What if you can't control your Qi blood? Morning and night, two bowls of Strengthening Soup and even the worst bones can improve in half a month.
Refining power is even simpler, with Tiger Blood Powder, Leopard Embryo Pill... taking them for about a year should be no problem."
Bai Qi put down his bowl and chopsticks, rubbed his gums, no wonder they say martial arts require wealth.
If you don't have some family wealth to support this, how can you afford it?
From this perspective, having no foundation to practice martial arts is really a money pit!
"To become a renowned gold-lettered signboard in Black River County, it's about having body-nourishing prescriptions as complements to martial arts. That's what can be passed down for generations.
Fist manuals, cultivation techniques, stance training, and moves are secondary.
For example, the 'Tendon Healing Ointment' of the Divine Hand Sect, 'Bear Gallbladder Strength Wine' of the Broken Blade Sect, 'Purple Ganoderma Heart Nourishing Pills' of the Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall, all are famous."
Liang Laoshu listed them like treasures, then paused slightly, glancing at Bai Qi, whose forehead might as well have "poverty" written on it:
"The aforementioned costs thirty taels for five doses and two bowls.
The latter, even with money, is hard to buy. It's the top treatment only enjoyed by direct trainees of a Martial Arts Hall.
Don't even think about it."
A four-pound Silver Sand Carp, valued at fifty taels.
A fortune that can change a Fisherman's life's fate!
And it's not even enough for a few bowls of Bone-Strengthening Powder or Strengthening Soup?
"Make money! Must make lots of money!"
Bai Qi felt like a cold bucket of water had been poured over him, instantly wiping out his satisfaction from rising to the "Brother" generation.
Instead, he started to set a new small goal!
To afford the body's vitalizing supplements!
"I have two prescriptions here. Once you make money from fishing, you can follow them to prepare and take them.
Saving even a bit is good, frugality is key."
Indulging his desire to mentor, Liang Laoshu took out two prescriptions.
One for external application, one for internal consumption.
It should be the accompanying medicine for the 'Golden Core Great Strength Skill.'
"Thank you, Elder Liang!"
Bai Qi hurriedly accepted them, feeling the free Silver Sand Carp was worth it.
"Fishermen come from the lowest class; learning skills and rising above is as hard as climbing to the heavens.
Ah Qi, you have the foundation and a good talent; I'm willing to give you a hand.
But that's as much as I can do."
Liang Laoshu drooped his eyelids, seemingly drowsy, speaking earnestly:
"The roads in Black River County are not wide; there are too many bumps and pits.
Whether you can get through depends on your own means."
The golden red afterglow sank into Black Water River, and the vast night covered all around, bringing thick coldness.
Most Fishermen at the dock had finished for the day, with only a few persisting, hoping to earn a bit more to exchange for rice to take home.
The world is hard, and it's no different for anyone.
Bai Qi stood up, making a solemn bow:
"No matter the future, whether I drown in the rough waters of Black Water River or get buried in the perilous five hundred miles trail of dense forests,
I will never forget Elder Liang's guiding kindness and will definitely repay it!"
Liang Laoshu waved his hand, clearly taking it lightly, saying casually:
"If you catch a few more Silver Sand Carp while I'm still alive, so I can enjoy some comfort, I'll be satisfied."
Bai Qi etched it in his memory. With his modest fishing skills, catching another treasure fish wouldn't be hard.
Moreover, he might not have money.
Nor afford Tiger Blood Powder or Leopard Embryo Pills.
But Horned Pompano, Silver Sand Carp, Golden Rainbow Trout.
These all belong to the realm of "earthly treasures," top-notch goods!
If he could get one, the effect might not lose out to those high-end supplements!