Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Entering the City Again

”””

But it was clear that fortune did not come so easily.

Even after the news of the manor’s trip to town spread, not to mention injured tigers, not even a single strand of fur from a healthy wild bear had been spotted by Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng could only sigh inwardly.

Luck wasn’t on his side, and there was nothing to be done. This was not something that could be rushed.

Fortunately, his Martial Arts training had brought him some results. From time to time, he hunted wild boars and wolves. Roughly calculating his expenses of over ten taels of silver, he should have around twenty taels of savings left.

”This trip to town, I can sell some pelts and then check out the black market to see if I can get a four-stone bow or some Body Refining Ointment!”

With these goals clear in mind, Gu Sheng swiftly signed up to join the manor’s purchasing team heading to town.

The team was overjoyed to have a skilled marksman like Gu Sheng join them.

It had only been a few months since the upheaval during last winter’s trip to town, so other than a few villagers who absolutely had urgent matters to settle, most of the others were still mentally scarred and unwilling to go.

Last time, more than ten villagers had died. When their corpses were carried back, the manor was filled with cries of mourning, a memory still fresh for everyone.

Gu Erniu also chose not to go to town. Gu Sheng volunteered to sell two of his pelts along with his own.

”Asheng, you must be extra cautious. Though it’s spring now and the Black Sand Gang has just collected the yearly dues, which means things should stay quiet for a while, if something does happen, make your own safety the priority.”

Gu Erniu cautioned him carefully, looking a bit embarrassed since Gu Sheng was taking on all the risk.

Gu Sheng smiled and said:

”I’ll be careful, Er Niu. Just keep an eye on the house for me during these days.”

”No problem, you can count on me!” Er Niu thumped his chest in a loud show of assurance.

This time, the purchasing convoy heading to town was noticeably smaller, with fewer accompanying villagers. The new steward assigned after Gu Renxu’s death, named Gu Renbing, was someone Gu Sheng didn’t recognize. However, the convoy still had plenty of Martial Artists going with them.

This time, Gu Jingang was leading the team.

There were six or seven Martial Artists in total traveling alongside them.

The recent tragedy still hung over the manor, so safety was undoubtedly the top priority.

After using the Blood Strengthening Pill, Gu Jingang had attained Small Success in the Blood Refining Realm, making him incredibly strong. With him leading, the likelihood of safety was much greater.

However, Gu Xiaojiang did not join the trip this time. He rarely showed up anymore, focusing entirely on his Martial Arts training. The manor held high hopes for him, and he bore a significant amount of pressure.

”Let’s set off,”

Gu Jingang gave Gu Sheng a faint smile, then barked the order.

Although Gu Sheng’s talent for Martial Arts was average, his impressive archery skills had left a lasting impression on him.

Having experienced a trip to town before, Gu Sheng again focused most of his attention on memorizing the route, aiming to ensure his safety should he need to make the trip alone in the future.

The convoy this time was notably muted.

Everyone’s eyes scanned their surroundings frequently, remaining hyper-alert, praying that nothing unexpected would happen.

Thankfully, no troublemakers showed up. Even when mountain bandits occasionally appeared to block the road, they retreated after Gu Jingang identified himself.

Clearly.

Gu Jingang’s reputation had even surpassed Gu Dajiang’s.

Furthermore, the incident where Gu’s Manor wiped out the mountain bandits at Bull Mountain had sent a clear message to the nearby bandits: Gu’s Manor was not to be trifled with. For the time being, no foolhardy bandits were looking for trouble.

The convoy moved quickly, reaching Canghe County by the afternoon.

As the familiar gates of the town came into view, Gu Sheng felt his tense nerves ease, and the others collectively sighed in relief.

This trip mirrored the typical procurement ventures Gu’s Manor undertook—encounters with attacks were rare, maybe once every year or two.

They settled at a side courtyard.

After nodding briefly to everyone, Gu Jingang turned and went inside to rest. Steward Gu Renbing addressed the group with instructions:

”For the next few days, you may navigate freely around the town. Keep your temporary proof of passage on you at all times to avoid being expelled. Once the manor’s procurement is complete, we’ll return together. Don’t be late!”

In a daze, Gu Sheng seemed to catch a glimpse of Gu Renxu’s shadow in Gu Renbing.

Back then, Gu Renxu had said similar words.

Shaking his head, Gu Sheng brushed aside the faint tangle of emotions in his heart and turned to leave.

The day was still early.

Time to get down to business.

This time, without valuable items like silver fox pelts to sell, Gu Sheng didn’t choose to go to Mingyu Hall—it wouldn’t be worth it. Instead, he opted for the market stalls that Gu Erniu had originally planned to visit during the last trip.

It was slightly more tedious, but the prices would be better.

For Gu Sheng, careful budgeting was a necessity.

Stepping into the market stalls.

The lively sight of vendors hawking goods and throngs of people filled his view. The atmosphere bustled with life.

Gu Sheng took a general look around. There were all kinds of fresh trinkets and everyday necessities for sale, but nothing related to Martial Arts training, nor rare medicinal substances or weaponry.

Such items were strictly prohibited for open trade without government-issued permits, like those held by places such as Mingyu Hall.

Otherwise, one had to go to the black market.

After setting up his stall, Gu Sheng neatly arranged the pelts and began calling out to potential buyers like the other vendors.

Soon enough.

Someone halted in front of Gu Sheng’s stall.

Gu Sheng’s excellent archery skills ensured that his hunted pelts remained undamaged, catching the interest of passersby easily.

A middle-aged man who looked like a steward asked:

”How much for this wolf pelt?”

”Four hundred coins.”

”How about a lower price? I’ll take two pelts.”

”Seven hundred eighty coins for the pair. This is a small business, but you’re a prominent figure. My pelts have vibrant color and are perfectly intact—you won’t lose face if you buy them.”

”You’re quite the clever youth. Fine, seven hundred eighty coins it is.”

The steward chuckled, pulling out a pouch from his waistband and counting out fifteen large coins and thirty small coins.

”Alright, I’ll pack them up for you!”

The first transaction went smoothly, and an undercurrent of joy rippled through Gu Sheng’s heart.

With the first customer secured, Gu Sheng grew more adept at handling sales. Soon, more people stopped by to inquire. Some complained the pelts were too pricey, but Gu Sheng stayed patient, gradually selling them off.

By the time sunset approached, most of the pelts he brought had been sold.

Estimating that he’d probably sell the rest tomorrow.

”Minus Er Niu’s two pelts, I should make over four taels of silver—not bad at all.”

Gu Sheng packed up his stall and stretched his back, quietly calculating his earnings.

Without a windfall like selling a silver fox pelt, he would have to slowly accumulate wealth. Between the high cost of meat for his daily Martial Arts training and his expenses for Body Refining Ointment, earning over four taels during this trip was quite decent.

He decided to wait until night fell further, then head to the same contact point where he’d bought a bow last time.

Before he knew it, he had wandered near the spot where he had listened to storytelling last time.

The tea stand was still surrounded by a crowd, with a powerful and rhythmic voice resonating from within. Yet Gu Sheng froze in place—the storyteller was no longer Elder Zhang.

It was another man, Elder Li.

According to what Gu Erniu had said during the last trip, Elder Zhang had been telling stories here for several years and shouldn’t have left.

”Excuse me, where’s Elder Zhang, who used to tell stories here?”

Gu Sheng politely pulled aside a passerby and asked in a low tone.

The man’s expression changed, turning irritable as he flung his sleeve away.

”Dead! He passed away last winter!”

With his heightened senses from training as a Martial Artist, Gu Sheng clearly discerned traces of sorrow and anger in the man’s eyes.

It was obvious.

Elder Zhang hadn’t died due to the snow. The exact cause didn’t need to be said out loud.

Sighing softly, Gu Sheng felt ripples of emotion stir in his heart.

”””