Chapter 25: Affiliated Gang, Shifting Tides

Chapter 25: Affiliated Gang, Shifting Tides

"Hey, Senior Brother, where's Junior Brother Su?"

Fang Rou's voice rang out as she glanced around, searching for Su Chen's figure.

"He left", Li Mo replied flatly. "If you want to find him, you'll have to go to his house."

"Eh? Why?"

Li Mo sighed. "He rarely comes to the Martial Arts Institute anymore."

Thinking about it made his head ache. Since Su Chen had joined the institute, he'd spent less than ten days there total. It made Li Mo feel like he'd failed as a senior brother.

"Alright then, could you tell me where Su Chen lives?" Fang Rou asked hesitantly.

Li Mo considered for a moment. "I'll pass along any messages to him later."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Li Mo!"

Fang Rou brightened, smiled, and left.

...

Zhou Tao and the others had just exited the Martial Arts Institute when they spotted Su Chen walking in the opposite direction.

"Looks like our junior brother's quite busy", Fang Yanxun remarked dryly as Su Chen hurried away.

Hu Zong chuckled. "Probably rushing home to train."

Fang Yanxun nodded. "I heard he rarely cultivates at the institute. To master Iron Thread Fist in such a short time must've cost him a fortune."

Hu Zong shook his head. "You're wrong, old Fang. Su Chen lives alone. His family can't afford that kind of spending."

Fang Yanxun raised his eyebrows. "No resources? Then cultivating Iron Thread Fist in a month... his talent rivals even Junior Brother Qin Hao's!"

Qin Hao pursed his lips but before he could speak, Zhou Tao interjected, "He still has a ways to go compared to Qin Hao."

Zhou Tao then revealed Qin Hao's secret about hiding his cultivation timeline. The two listened in astonishment before exchanging bitter smiles.

"I thought a month was fast enough", Fang Yanxun muttered.

"Qin Hao's talent is truly enviable", Hu Zong added.

Hearing their praise, Qin Hao's lips curved slightly. "You flatter me, Senior Brothers."

After a pause, he continued, "Though if I trained as hard as Su Chen, I might progress faster." He shook his head, sighing. "But Su Chen focuses only on relentless practice without balancing rest and cultivation. His future achievements might plateau early."

Zhou Tao nodded. "A martial cultivator needs more than strength. Support from others matters greatly."

"Exactly", Fang Yanxun agreed. "Zhou Tao invited Su Chen to broaden his horizons, but he lacked the fortune to accept."

"Enough talk", Zhou Tao waved a hand. "Maybe Su Chen has his own reasons. Let's go to Spring Breeze Pavilion."

The three followed him toward the restaurant.

After leaving the institute, Su Chen didn't return home directly. Instead, he stopped at a bookstore to purchase medical texts. With no urgent matters in the afternoon, he spent the time studying them until dusk.

When he finally went to find Li Mo, he found his senior brother still at the institute. Li Mo asked him to wait while finishing his tasks before leaving together.

They headed to Tianxiang Restaurant. Though not as luxurious as Drunken Immortal Pavilion, it offered good value and was conveniently located near their homes.

"Junior Brother, did you order this much food?" Li Mo raised an eyebrow at the full table.

"Eat what we can, take the rest home", Su Chen grinned, raising his cup. "Thanks for your help lately."

Li Mo clinked his cup, shaking his head. "You've earned it yourself."

He assumed Su Chen referred to martial arts training, unaware of the Black Water Gang incident. Su Chen didn't clarify, merely smiling.

"Seems you've found your way already", Li Mo chuckled, eyeing the lavish meal.

Su Chen suddenly asked, "Senior Brother, anything I should know about handling affiliated gangs?"

Li Mo frowned. "You mean those small gangs offering tribute today?"

Su Chen nodded.

"Nothing special", Li Mo said. "You're not short on money, so pick carefully."

If only that were true! Su Chen thought bitterly.

Li Mo explained: Newly prominent disciples like Su Chen could only affiliate with minor gangs and shops. Monthly fees ranged from half to one or two taels of silver. Though modest, Su Chen could collect from multiple gangs simultaneously.

"This 'affiliation' lets them use Hong Martial Arts Hall's reputation to stabilize their operations", Li Mo clarified.

"Remember", he added, "you're not an official member. Just collect fees monthly. If they want you to fight, they pay extra."

Su Chen asked, "What if an affiliated gang gets destroyed?"

"Replace it", Li Mo shrugged. "White Stone City has plenty. Out with the old, in with the new."

Su Chen nodded. Becoming a martial cultivator offered more advantages than he'd imagined. Collecting protection fees from gangs was a novel concept.

Li Mo continued, "Choose carefully for your first affiliation. As for numbers, decide yourself. Also, wealthy families might recruit you with high offers, but their contracts are practically indentured servitude."

Li Mo shared more experiences, all valuable to Su Chen, who raised his cup gratefully.

As they drank, commotion outside drew their attention—a street brawl.

"White Stone City's getting worse", Li Mo sighed.

Su Chen remained silent, but soon both turned back to their conversation.

Most of the evening involved Li Mo sharing insights while Su Chen listened attentively. The meal lasted until the restaurant closed.

After parting with Li Mo, Su Chen walked home alone through the cold night.

At his doorstep, he found a beggar shivering in tattered clothes. Seeing Su Chen's takeout bag, the man instinctively recoiled but licked his cracked lips longingly.

Su Chen shook his head, handed over the food, and entered his home.

As Li Mo warned, White Stone City was indeed growing more chaotic. Street fights and beggars at his door stirred unease in Su Chen.

"I must earn money to advance my Iron Thread Fist sooner rather than later!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end