"Hey, Brother Sun, you're just in time! We've got a freshly slaughtered big black pig here, weighing at least three hundred pounds. The meat's already divided; you can take any part you want."
"And this yellow cow, look how firm its meat is. If you want it, I can slaughter it right away and it'll be done in half an hour."
A robust man saw Sunx Neng approaching and quickly greeted him, speaking up.
"I'll take fifty pounds of the black pig, plus the pig's head and feet."
As for the beef, I'll need thirty pounds."
Sunx Neng, who frequented the place and was familiar with the robust man, promptly laid out his request.
"Got it."
The robust man happily responded and moved directly to the old yellow cow, calling over some helpers to start moving it onto the chopping block.
The old yellow cow struggled desperately, but the robust man and his helpers, experienced in this line of work, overpowered it quickly, pinning it down so it couldn't move at all.
Its fate seemingly understood, the old yellow cow let out mournful bellows, and large tears dropped from its huge eyes, splashing into small puddles on the chopping block.
"Feeling pity? You'll get used to it eventually."
Sunx Neng saw Bai Ziyue averting his gaze and remarked with a smile.
Bai Ziyue forced a bitter smile. He could look directly at the Fourth Village Chief Wu Liang from Ghost Head Stronghold being beheaded on the execution platform because he knew the man deserved his fate, though he had vomited violently afterward.
But the old yellow cow, with its tear-filled eyes, did evoke his sympathy.
However, he knew such emotions were untenable, so he forced himself to keep his eyes open, watching the old yellow cow being stabbed.
Moo~!
The old yellow cow's cries weakened until they completely ceased.
"Soul Energy +15!"
The soul energy increased, but Bai Ziyue felt no joy in his heart.
In the following period, several large white pigs were brought to the chopping block, and various people came by to buy meat. By the time Sunx Neng had finished collecting what the restaurant needed and called for Bai Ziyue to leave, half an hour had passed.
Name: Bai Ziyue
Strength: 1.22 (Cannot be increased)
Speed: 1.13 (Cannot be increased)
Physique: 1.32 (Cannot be increased)
Martial Arts: Zen Meditation Posture Great Success (Cannot be increased)
Soul Energy: 229
"Gained thirty-four points of soul energy; it was worth the trip."
Bai Ziyue had already set aside his earlier gloom and was quite satisfied with his harvest.
If he could gain thirty points of soul energy daily, he estimated he would need only twenty days to accumulate the eight hundred points necessary to push Zen Meditation Posture to perfection.
Having enjoyed the benefits of Zen Meditation Stance Great Success, he naturally looked forward to the perfection of Zen Meditation Posture even more.
However, to gather soul energy every day, he needed Uncle Sunx's consent.
"Uncle Sun, let me push for you."
Bai Ziyue saw that Uncle Sunx, with his lame leg, struggled on the uphill stretch, so he quickly lent a hand from behind.
A surge of strength immediately accelerated the cart.
"Oh? Your strength is quite something."
Sunx Neng asked in surprise.
The uphill path was always a challenge for him due to his leg, but now, it felt easier, making him realize something was amiss.
"I was born strong; many adults can't match me."
Bai Ziyue calmly replied.
"Oh? Didn't see that coming.
You seem pretty sharp too; getting to the entry level of Zen Meditation Posture in a month shouldn't be hard. So why are you assigned to our restaurant? Couldn't bear the hardships of transmission training?"
Sunx Neng inquired curiously.
As for being naturally strong... such people were rare but not unheard of; he wasn't too concerned.
In a world where martial arts could be practiced, mere strength wasn't much of an advantage.
"Right after I passed the assessment, I was assigned as a miscellaneous disciple."
Bai Ziyue said in a low voice.
"You're... well, our Ming Pearl Restaurant is better, less scheming."
Sunx Neng frowned, guessing a bit, and then sighed.
"Uncle Sunx, can I come to the butchery with you again tomorrow?"
Bai Ziyue quickly asked.
"If you really want to come, I have no reason to say no.
I'll talk to Shopkeeper Li later. Every morning, you can come with me to the butchery for meat. Without you, this uphill is quite a struggle for me.
You can rest in the morning and be at the restaurant by ten."
Sunx Neng nodded, adding.
"Is that alright?"
Bai Ziyue hesitated.
"Don't worry, Old Sun has that much clout."
Sunx Neng said generously.
Though on their way back, the sky still seemed dim, with only a hint of brightness in the distance.
Bai Ziyue pushed the cart alongside Sunx Neng toward Ming Pearl Restaurant. When they neared the wall where they had previously encountered a guest, he instinctively glanced around.
Suddenly, he was startled.
There was someone.
In the same alley, in a corner of the rooftop, someone lay flat, observing something, unaware that Bai Ziyue had spotted him.
Bai Ziyue quickly looked away, feeling a jolt of panic.
Ahead of them, another person appeared to be casually squatting on the street corner, but his eyes flicked between the alley entrance, the main street, and a nearby building.
"Did he see me?"
Bai Ziyue was horrified, doing his best to appear calm and unaware.
The wheels of the flat cart rumbled, making time seem unbearably slow at that moment.
As they passed a building's signboard, Bai Ziyue sneaked a glance.
"Li's Pawnshop Hall."
Bai Ziyue recognized enough characters to guess the sign's name.
"Why does it seem familiar?"
Bai Ziyue wondered, sensing that he was nearing the person squatting earlier. Nervously, he pushed aside his thoughts.
One step, two steps, three steps...
The other seemed to be scrutinizing them, his piercing gaze making Bai Ziyue feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, they encountered no trouble as they left.
"Walk faster."
Leaving the street, Sunx Neng suddenly whispered.
Bai Ziyue noticed his pale face and sweaty forehead, realizing Sunx Neng might not have noticed the rooftop figure, but the street corner man had indeed pressured him.
"Uncle Sun, just now…" Bai Ziyue hesitated.
"Don't ask. That man exuded killing intent; he's not an ordinary person. Knowing more won't help you."
Sunx Neng whispered.
Bai Ziyue solemnly nodded.
The man lurking there must have had a purpose, but so what if they knew?
Avoiding trouble was the wisest choice.