Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Chapter 355: Chapter 172: The Very Best (3)

“This…”

Marsong’s eyes flew wide, and he couldn’t help but ask:

“Steward Li? Th… three thousand taels, isn’t that too expensive? Can you make it a little cheaper?”

“Cheaper?”

Li Wenrou shot Marsong a look and said irritably:

“I’ll let it slide since you’re from an Alien Race, but you need to get one thing straight. This is a Sect, not a Charitable Hall!”

“Before you think about learning profound Martial Arts and obtaining High Level Resources from the Sect, you should first think about what you can do for the Sect.”

“This…”

Marsong froze for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“I understand… It’s just, I didn’t bring that many silver taels with me when I came from my clan…”

“No matter.”

Li Wenrou said coolly:

“Whatever the difference is will be recorded. It will be settled at the end of each month with a monthly interest of three percent. If you can’t pay, the debt rolls over to the next month, and so on.”

“Every three months, the account must be cleared. If you can’t clear it, you must go to the front lines. You either earn enough Military Merit to cover the debt, or you die and the debt is erased.”

At these words, Marsong was left completely speechless.

The others, however, showed little change in expression, as if they had long known these rules.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

In the Northern Territory, you might not even get a seat at the table even if you paid.

A Sect is not a Charitable Hall, and profound Martial Arts and rare resources don’t just grow on trees.

Besides, skills are never sold cheap, and the Way is not transmitted lightly—this has been true since ancient times.

“Su Bing, you will stay in the Elite Disciple courtyard to the left.”

Li Wenrou handed over another key and said:

“The monthly rent is six hundred taels of silver or six points of Military Merit. Including other fees, you’ll need to prepare four thousand taels. However, as long as you perform well, the Sect’s rewards will offset most of your expenses.”

As Li Wenrou spoke, she raised a hand and pointed to the left of the Martial Arts Arena.

“An Elite Disciple’s private courtyard isn’t large, but it has everything you need and is comfortable to live in. The key is that it’s quiet and elegant. Each courtyard also has a freshwater well, saving you the trouble of going down the mountain to fetch water.”

“Understood. Thank you for the information, Steward Li.”

Su Bing took the key with both hands and looked over.

Marsong, meanwhile, glanced at Su Bing, seemingly by chance.

He had heard that once Martial Artists in the Great Shang reached a certain level, they would receive patronage from a noble.

It seemed that was indeed the case.

Faced with preparing four thousand taels of silver, Su Bing hadn’t even blinked before agreeing.

‘It’s easy not to feel the pinch when it’s not your own money.’

“Ning Chong, you will stay in the Core Disciple villas straight ahead. The courtyards are very large, big enough for daily training. Inside, there isn’t just a freshwater well, but also a hot spring pool and a private seclusion chamber for closed-door cultivation.”

“Originally, the monthly rent is one thousand taels of silver, but you should be entering the Inner Sect soon, so we won’t count that for now. You’ll still need to prepare for the other fees, though.”

“Understood. Thank you, Steward Li.”

Ning Chong took the key and clenched it in his hand, the corners of his mouth turning up uncontrollably.

The smile was one part smugness and one part relief—relief that his parents had blessed him with such a good Root Bone, and even more so that he had forged a good relationship with Chen Cheng in the caravan beforehand.

‘From now on, my days in the Mountain and Sea Sect are sure to be smooth sailing. I’ll soar to the heavens.’

At this thought, the upward curve of Ning Chong’s lips became even harder to suppress.

“Young Master Chen, please follow me.”

After seeing to everyone else, Li Wenrou led Chen Cheng forward.

Passing through the cluster of Core Disciple villas, a winding bamboo path appeared before them, leading upward.

The path was paved with bluestone steps, their surfaces worn smooth by time. Tall, elegant bamboos stood on either side, their branches and leaves intertwining overhead to form a verdant canopy.

It was tranquil all around, the air filled with the refreshing fragrance of bamboo leaves, wildflowers, and wild grass, a scent that relaxed the heart and lifted the spirit.

At the end of the winding path, after rounding one last bend, the view suddenly opened up.

Ahead, on a natural platform on the mountainside, a small courtyard of blue bricks and green tiles appeared, nestled within a circle of bamboo.

“Young Master Chen, that is Guan Lan Pavilion.”

Li Wenrou did her best to use her gentlest voice as she said:

“It faces the Sea Marsh, is backed by the great mountain, and is surrounded by a bamboo forest. From a Feng Shui perspective, it’s an excellent layout. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about it… When he’s free, you can have Elder Zhou explain it to you in detail.”

Chen Cheng nodded, took the key from her, and then asked:

“A place this nice… the monthly rent can’t be cheap, can it?”

“Ah, listen to you.”

Li Wenrou smiled and said:

“Only distinguished guests from outside the sect may reside in Guan Lan Pavilion. At this level, is there really any need to talk about money?”

“You just live here. If you’re lacking anything, or if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, just give me the word at any time, and I’ll take care of it for you as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.”

Chen Cheng nodded and tucked the key into his robes.

Li Wenrou’s lips twitched a couple of times as if she was hesitating about something, but in the end, she couldn’t resist asking:

“Young Master Chen, if I may be so bold as to ask… which Elder invited you as their distinguished guest?”

“Yun Shuanglin.”

Chen Cheng didn’t hide it. This was the kind of thing that would become public sooner or later, even if Zhou Wansen didn’t say anything. It was better to just be upfront about it.

“Junior Martial Uncle Yun…”

Li Wenrou froze, a peculiar glint flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Chen Cheng noticed the change in her expression.

Moreover, Chen Cheng guessed that her relationship with Zhou Wansen might not be very good. Otherwise, she could have simply asked Zhou Wansen about it in private.

“Is there a problem?” Chen Cheng asked in return.