Chapter 92: Withdrawal of Investment

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Zhuang Jin called out to Chen Yun, who had entrusted their jewelry to the pawnshop: “Yun Niang, what’s this about?”

He was surprised. Had the household’s finances really become so tight? Or was there some urgent need for money?

“Recently, the household has been a bit strained, but you need not worry, my husband. We can still manage to get by,” Chen Yun replied, handing over the accounts.

At a glance, Zhuang Jin immediately understood the cause—it was his fault.

Because battle merits could be exchanged for silver, but silver could not be converted back to battle merits, he had not exchanged his battle merits, planning to convert them only as needed. This meant the actual silver entering the household was limited.

The household’s silver ledger showed: a down payment of fifty taels for the decoction pills bought with Chang Hetong, wedding funds, and basic monthly salaries and expenses for the past two or three months, plus compensation money sent this month by Zhang Zigao and Huang Chuanhe. Altogether, it totaled just over one hundred and thirty taels.

This sum looked substantial and would be a huge amount for an ordinary family in Fucheng, one that would require selling property or assets. But for Zhuang Jin now?

By this point, he had completed eighty percent of the accumulation needed to reach the Fifth Scripture Realm, which naturally wasn’t achieved without considerable expense.

At the Fourth Scripture Realm, he consumed two doses of Black Origin Powder daily; at the Fifth, three doses daily—this calculation was based on five hours of training per day, but Zhuang Jin actually trained over six hours daily. With the addition of exotic beast meat to accelerate progress—fifty percent faster at the Fourth Realm, thirty percent faster at the Fifth—the consumption of Black Origin Powder increased proportionally.

Since May 10th, Zhuang Jin had shifted focus back to cultivating his realm. Nearly three months had passed, during which he had spent one hundred to one hundred fifty taels of silver just on Black Origin Powder, not to mention daily living expenses. No wonder the finances were in deficit.

Still, thanks to Chen Yun’s careful management and the sale of some dowry jewelry, they managed to patch things up.

“By the way,”

Zhuang Jin noticed a blind spot and mentioned the pill he had sold to Chang Hetong in installments for six hundred taels as a reward in May: “In these past two months, hasn’t the other party sent over the installment payments?”

Chen Yun thought carefully and confirmed no, adding: “I’m unaware of this matter and haven’t seen Chang’s steward send any silver.”

Zhuang Jin fell silent.

If his potential had truly been exhausted, the other party might have quietly stopped paying, but he was still advancing rapidly. For them to act this way was like angel investors pulling out after the initial round in a volatile stock.

“Chang Hetong’s funds must be tight after breaking into the Fourth Realm, so the installments were paused? Based on my understanding of him, even so, he would at least notify me.”

“However, people change, and I can’t judge by old standards. Perhaps there’s another reason.”

Zhuang Jin ignored all this and looked only at the facts: no further payments had come, and no explanation either.

“Wife, perhaps there’s some misunderstanding. Should we ask him directly?”

Chen Yun asked.

Zhuang Jin considered it. “If I go, he’ll think I’m desperate for money... He’s done me some favors. Let’s just give him face and see how he acts next.”

Chang Hetong was no fool. Whether it was a real withdrawal or simply an oversight, it meant his attitude had shifted. If Zhuang Jin pressed the matter, the last shred of dignity would be torn away.

“At present, I still have over two hundred battle merits. Next month, I’ll go north of the city, and with the current intensity of the war, I won’t be short of resources… But I’m not going to generously give away over five hundred taels.”

In short, Zhuang Jin wasn’t short of money for now and, out of consideration, wasn’t rushing to demand payment. He wanted to give the other party a chance to act consciously, but if they really didn’t, he reserved the right to pursue it later.

He owed them a debt of gratitude but wouldn’t yield beyond a certain bottom line.

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“Yun Niang, let’s put this matter aside for now. If the household needs money, I will exchange battle merits for silver; there’s no need to pawn your dowry jewelry.”

“I know the rules about exchanging battle merits and silver. It’s better not to touch the battle merits… My husband should focus on training; leave these trivial matters to me!” Chen Yun comforted him when she saw he wanted to say something.

“You know I don’t like wearing jewelry. Those things just sit there, a hassle to move around. Better to pawn them and put them to use.”

Indeed, she usually dressed plainly, often making her own shoes and clothes. She preferred calligraphy and paintings, either for personal enjoyment or to decorate the home, but only selected those she liked that were reasonably priced. If too expensive, she would simply pass.

This was a similarity between the couple: neither cared for vanity, status, or price, valuing practicality instead.

“It’s just that it’s still a hardship for you, Yun Niang.”

“It’s no hardship. Meeting you was my fortune!” Chen Yun glanced back and shook her head lightly. “I used to wonder what married life would be like—like clouds in the sky, ever-changing, formless… Now, being with you is like seeing flowers through the mist, becoming concrete and tangible.”

“I’ve heard that a person’s lifetime fortune is fixed. I am already very satisfied with our life and often fear it’s too perfect to last.”

“I cherish this stability. I really don’t want you to risk yourself for battle merits and silver… Living simply with you, even with plain clothes and humble food, would bring me lifelong joy.”

Listening to her, Zhuang Jin felt a complex emotion, quietly grateful for his luck. After a moment, he spoke of the plan for next month to go north of the city.

According to Yue Song’s news, the intensity of the northern city’s clearance this month was even greater than last month. Most small factions were already expelled. Because of the fierce battles, many injured street-level guards needed placement. With Zhuang Jin’s shallow connections and weak foundation in the Shen family, naturally, he had to make way.

“Yun Niang, don’t worry. I’m confident about going north.”

Zhuang Jin had completed eighty percent of the Fifth Scripture Realm accumulation and expected to break through to the Sixth Realm within ten days. Though the northern battles were intense, they hadn’t escalated to the point of street guards fighting openly. At the Sixth Realm, as long as the street guard level didn’t intervene, safety was assured.

“Also, last month I made a meritorious deed on Furong Street and left some incense money with Xing Yan. He even invited me over back then… This time going north, I might be assigned under his command, someone who values me and is familiar, which is safer.”

“Now, with the shifting situation and changing rules, the Bureau of Affairs only assigns to districts, and the specific streets are decided internally. According to town guard Xing’s rules, streets are chosen based on strength. At my Fifth Realm, I can pick some safer streets inside the district that don’t border the Medicine King Gang.”

“And finally, I have my own core team.”

Last month, Lin Hong broke through to the Third Realm; this month, Bi Kai also reached the Third Realm, along with Qian Wende and Wu Hao—people from their small circle.

The difference between a core team and mere subordinates can be seen by comparing Lin Hong and Bi Kai with Zhang Zigao and Huang Chuanhe, who worked the Medicine Fields. In the north, the latter often had internal discord, distrust between superiors and subordinates. Missing battle opportunities was one thing; in special circumstances, it could be fatal.

“One fence needs three stakes; one hero needs three helpers. For Fourth and Fifth Realm warriors, these allies can dominate those below Fourth Realm, who pose little threat. But if they interfere in same-level battles, it’s deadly.”

Having a loyal core team, united and disciplined, acting like an extension of his will, greatly reduces such risks. When Zhuang Jin first went north, Duan Tao reprimanded him for this very reason.

“Considering all these factors, the risk going north is still manageable,” Zhuang Jin thought.

Chen Yun saw his confidence and gently nodded. “Since you’ve decided, I fully support you… You should continue your training and prepare your things. Leave all the trivial matters to me!”

…

The Chang Family.

Chang Hetong asked his youngest son, Chang Kaijie, “Have the installment payments for the decoction pill been sent to Mr. Zhuang this month?”

He had three sons: the eldest, Chang Kaiheng, a Second Realm warrior working at the Shen family; the second, Chang Kaizhan, not gifted in martial arts but clever in business, managing some family enterprises; and the youngest, Chang Kaijie, who was good at neither letters nor martial arts, and thus worried his father most.

That was why, during Zhuang Jin’s wedding last month, Chang Hetong had brought the youngest son along. Afterwards, he sent Kaijie to deliver the pill’s installment payments, solely to familiarize himself with Zhuang Jin and maintain their relationship.

“It was sent a long time ago,” Kaijie replied, though he had secretly withheld the money.

Chang Hetong had paid fifty taels down for the pill, drawing from the family’s liquid funds. After breaking into the Fourth Realm, during a rapid progress phase in refining Black Origin Powder, more silver was needed.

Thus, in these two months, the Chang family didn’t exactly live frugally but their quality of life had declined and finances were tight. Kaijie, unaccustomed to hardship, naturally sought funds elsewhere, intercepting the money meant for Zhuang Jin.

“That’s good. Go see Mr. Zhuang and be courteous and respectful… We must maintain this relationship; it will benefit you later…” Chang Hetong instructed.

Hearing this and aware of Zhuang Jin’s age and the rumors outside, Kaijie felt aggrieved. “If it weren’t for you helping, how would Zhuang Jin have come this far? Do I really need to stoop so low to flatter him? If Zhuang Jin had any conscience, he’d come to visit us first. Why must we keep this relationship going?”

“Nonsense! Where did you hear that?” Chang Hetong glared.

Kaijie shrank his neck. “That’s what people say outside…”

The truth was, the pill Zhuang Jin bought was largely out of gratitude. After the news spread, rumors distorted the facts, exaggerating that “if it weren’t for a massive favor, why would Zhuang Jin sell a decoction pill valued at six hundred battle merits, which required a waiting list, for six hundred taels silver and on installments to Chang Hetong?”

Zhuang Jin had heard of these rumors but didn’t care. Chang Hetong heard them too and explained many times. But the more they explained, the worse it sounded. People assumed they were hiding something, so he could only ignore and treat it coldly.

What surprised him was that these ridiculous rumors had even fooled his own son.

As the party involved, Chang Hetong knew the truth well and said, “Actually, my friendship with Mr. Zhuang isn’t that deep. Some favors were initiatives of your old man…”

“Even that decoction pill was sold out of gratitude and to save face for me… That kind of talent, who else can you find? Meeting one is a huge blessing. You must hold on to him and maintain the relationship…”

He looked solemnly at his youngest son: “I’m not worried about your eldest or second brother, but you, who have nothing going for you, I must think more about you… If you can hold onto your relationship with Mr. Zhuang, barring major mishaps, you’ll benefit for the rest of your life.”

“Father, I understand!” Kaijie, like when coaxing money from his father before, showed great sincerity on the surface, playing the obedient son. But inside, he still had no intention of sending the money.

“If Zhuang Jin really comes asking, I can give it then. If not, it means he’s not short now and doesn’t need it. Better I use it first and pay back when I have it.”

What he didn’t understand was that Zhuang Jin wasn’t lacking money, and his refusal to give was a different matter entirely.

“Besides, maybe if I stall long enough, he’ll forget about the money? I heard he’s already Fifth Realm and Sixth won’t be a problem. Maybe even Seventh Realm someday. Then this little money won’t matter; probably won’t come asking for it anymore.”

Kaijie was deluded, thinking himself clever, secretly pleased and scheming.

…

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