Chapter 12: Is This Something People Eat?
Chapter 12: Is This Something People Eat?
The street bustled with life, filled with the aromas of various foods and the intermittent cries of street vendors.
The vibrant scene contrasted starkly with the lifeless alleys on either side, creating an intense visual disparity that gave rise to a peculiar illusion.
Is this truly one world?
Jiang Cheng's small stall was located on the west side of the main street.
Like the other vendors, he occasionally shouted to attract customers.
However, most of his focus remained on the short stick in his right hand.
The stick flourishes provided experience points, but the efficiency was naturally lower than that of the three basic moves; it took a minute of continuous practice to gain just 3 points of experience.
In contrast, a set of combined moves, executed in just two to three seconds, could yield 3 points of experience.
The advantage was that he could multitask.
The physical exertion was also less, making it easier to persist.
In half an hour, with intermittent breaks, his experience points in the short stick had increased by nearly 30 points.
By the time he closed the stall in the evening, his proficiency with the short stick would undoubtedly reach the Skilled level.
Even if he encountered those two individuals again, he wouldn't have to fear them, even if they had weapons.
Of course, if there were more than two of them, it would be a different story.
But things rarely go as planned, and he could only hope to use the terrain to his advantage and hold out until the end.
"Jiang Cheng, what are you up to?" Lu Zicheng, standing nearby, turned to look at Jiang Cheng and then at the rolling pin in his hand, which was spinning continuously. "You've been spinning that thing since you arrived, and it's been over half an hour. Aren't you tired?"
Jiang Cheng smiled at Lu Zicheng's words.
"There aren't any customers, so I might as well keep myself occupied."
"I suppose that's true."
Lu Zicheng's heart stirred with unspoken thoughts.
But you're just standing there, spinning a rolling pin, and you don't think it's strange? Jiang Cheng smiled.
After all, he couldn't very well say that he was practicing his stick techniques by spinning the stick.
So, while practicing stick flourishes, he also kept an eye on the iron bucket, flipping the sweet potatoes as they cooked.
At the same time, he glanced at the panel.
[Roasted Sweet Potato: Mastery (502/800)]
Over the past two days, his experience points in roasting sweet potatoes had also increased significantly, providing around 10 points of experience for each well-cooked potato.
However, roasting sweet potatoes, unlike practicing with the short stick, required resources.
He only roasted as many as he could sell.
This resulted in a slower increase in experience points.
But it wasn't a pressing concern.
Jiang Cheng rolled the sweet potatoes in the bucket, and suddenly, a voice rang out before him.
"Your stick flourishes are quite impressive, with style and substance. Care for a friendly spar?"
Jiang Cheng looked up at the speaker.
In front of the tricycle, several men had appeared.
Unlike most people on the street, these men were much more robust, their white t-shirts stretched over bulging biceps.
Especially the leader, who was exceptionally muscular, his physique nearly matching two of Jiang Cheng.
He was the one who had spoken.
As they looked at Jiang Cheng, their eyes held a peculiar expression.
They seemed surprised, but mostly amused and disdainful.
"Just kidding, brother," Jiang Cheng quickly stopped spinning the stick and laughed. "I'm just amusing myself. I'm not up for a spar."
He noticed that their t-shirts were all of the same design.
Near the chest, there was a dragon emblem.
He quickly realized that these men were likely from the nearby Dragonstride Martial Arts Academy.
"Is that so?" The leader smiled and spoke.
"Third Senior Apprentice, he's just a sweet potato vendor. How could he possibly be your match? If it were me, I'd knock him to the ground within three rounds." A young man behind them laughed.
"Three rounds? I'd only need one to make him stay down."
"Hahaha!"
The group burst into laughter.
The people around them witnessed the scene, and fear filled their eyes.
Passersby kept their distance and detoured around them.
The members of the martial arts academies on this street had a reputation not much better than the Wild Wolf Gang.
These martial artists rarely intervened to help those in need.
Most of them were bullies who took advantage of the weak. For instance, they often ate without paying.
Only a few followed the rules and paid for their meals.
In such situations, the street vendors could only seethe in anger, unable to voice their frustration. They had to force a smile and invite them to return another day.
Near the tricycle.
Jiang Cheng also realized this, and in his heart, he hoped these men would leave quickly.
But his fears came true.
The laughter stopped, and someone sniffed, then looked down at the golden-roasted sweet potatoes, licking his lips. "Kid, your sweet potatoes are pretty good. Give us a few."
As he spoke, the others noticed and showed their interest.
Sweet potatoes, when eaten every day, could become quite unappetizing.
But having them occasionally was a real treat.
Lu Zicheng, standing nearby, looked at Jiang Cheng with a mix of sympathy and worry.
He wondered if these men would soon smell the fried cassava sticks and want to try them too.
"Sigh, I told you not to play with your stick, but you didn't listen. Now look what you've done; you've attracted these Plague Bringers."
Lu Zicheng sighed.
Jiang Cheng was taken aback by his words but pretended not to care, saying, "Sure, sweet potatoes are six yuan each. One for each of you, gentlemen?"
As he finished speaking, the atmosphere turned quiet.
It was clear to those with keen eyes that something was amiss.
"You want money from us?"
The young man who had asked for sweet potatoes laughed. "Do you know who we are? And you want money from us?"
"We'll give you money, but will you dare to take it?"
The faces of the group darkened.
It was no joke; aside from those few shops, when had they ever paid?
"My apologies, my apologies."
Jiang Cheng quickly forced a smile. "I had a high fever the other day, and my head is still dizzy. I didn't recognize you, gentlemen. You want sweet potatoes, right? Sure, I'll pack them for you."
As he spoke, he began packing the sweet potatoes into bags.
The Wild Wolf Gang and the thugs from the slums understood the concept of draining the pond to catch fish, but these martial arts academy members were different. They could truly prevent him from continuing his business here.
When he mentioned money earlier, it was a desperate attempt, hoping these five men would have some conscience, but...
The group watched as Jiang Cheng packed the sweet potatoes.
"Here you go, gentlemen."
Jiang Cheng handed over the packed sweet potatoes one by one, reminding them that they were hot.
The leader of the group examined them and smirked, letting go of the sweet potato, which fell to the ground. Then, with a 'pa' sound, stomped on it.
The entire roasted sweet potato burst open, scattering golden flesh on the ground.
"Is this even fit for human consumption?"
He sneered, tilting his head as he stared at Jiang Cheng.
The others behind him followed suit.
In an instant, the surroundings fell silent.
Jiang Cheng's smile froze, and he silently lowered his head.
Endure!
This was the time to endure.
(End of Chapter)
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