Chapter 5: Iron Fist Gang
Chapter 5: Iron Fist Gang
"What's this?"
Jiang Cheng was completely stunned.
About two to three decimeters in front of him, a panel similar to the ones in games hovered in the air.
Several lines of information appeared on the panel.
"This is..."
Jiang Cheng felt like crying.
The system had finally arrived! After such a long time, he had genuinely thought that he had crossed over without a system.
Now it seemed that specific conditions had to be met to trigger it.
For instance, roasting a sweet potato.
Jiang Cheng quickly composed himself and took another look around.
He confirmed that only he could see this Proficiency Panel.
At the same time, several more lines of information appeared on the panel.
+3 Roasted Sweet Potato Experience.
Initial Memory Fusion, +60 Roasted Sweet Potato Experience.
+3 Roasted Sweet Potato Experience.
Initial Memory Fusion, +30 Roasted Sweet Potato Experience.
Apparently, with two more sweet potatoes roasted, another wave of proficiency was gained.
Jiang Cheng looked down.
[Roasted Sweet Potato: Beginner (300/300)]
Only a little over a hundred more experience points were needed to reach the next proficiency level.
Jiang Cheng felt that the process of roasting sweet potatoes had become much clearer.
For example, how to select suitable sweet potatoes and how to clean them.
These were the memories of his original body, and at this moment, they were completely fused with him.
"As expected, roasting a sweet potato to perfection should earn me a lot of experience points and proficiency. I should be able to reach the next level with just one."
Jiang Cheng felt more motivated.
In this world, the Proficiency Panel was his hope for a comeback.
The skill of roasting sweet potatoes seemed a bit useless.
One might even question if roasting sweet potatoes could even be considered a skill.
But there was no denying that mastering the art of roasting sweet potatoes to the highest level would undoubtedly give him an edge over others and make his sweet potatoes sell better.
And this was just the beginning.
Jiang Cheng tried to calm his emotions and placed a raw sweet potato on the gasoline barrel.
"Roasted sweet potato, a delicious roasted sweet potato."
A smile appeared on his face, and his voice grew louder.
Half an hour passed.
During this time, two customers each bought one sweet potato.
The sweet potatoes that Jiang Grandma had placed earlier were also ready, providing a few more experience points.
However, the experience points from memory fusion decreased from 30 to around ten.
Jiang Cheng looked at the panel.
[Roasted Sweet Potato: Skilled (32/500)]
After reaching the Skilled level, more knowledge appeared in his mind.
For example, the importance of controlling the fire. Too high a flame could burn the potatoes, while too low a flame made it difficult to roast them thoroughly.
The reason he chose charcoal was that it provided a moderate and sustained heat. Still, even so, he had to constantly turn the sweet potatoes to ensure even cooking.
Although these things seemed like common sense, Jiang Cheng smiled and continued his sales pitch.
As noon approached, the street became busier. More people were in the restaurants, and the street vendors were doing better business.
At this moment, the sweet potato Jiang Cheng had placed on the barrel was ready.
Several more lines of information appeared on the panel before him.
+20 Roasted Sweet Potato Experience.
Massive Memory Fusion, +200 Roasted Sweet Potato Experience.
[Roasted Sweet Potato: Skilled (252/500)]
The experience points increased significantly.
Jiang Cheng couldn't help but smile.
There were more sweet potatoes to roast, and more experience points to gain.
Of course, he also knew that the reason his proficiency was increasing so quickly was due to the memories of his original body. Once he reached the limit of the original body's Roasted Sweet Potato skill, he would have to slowly grind proficiency on his own.
Time quickly passed, and it was already noon.
Jiang Cheng's grandma came by to deliver a meal. In her eyes, a bowl of porridge was hardly enough to fill one's stomach.
The meal was simple: rice, stewed tofu with Chinese cabbage, and a fried egg.
Jiang Cheng ate most of it, but eventually, he couldn't finish it all. Seeing this, the elderly woman left contentedly.
"Burp."
Jiang Cheng burped several times, feeling his stomach about to burst.
"Eh? Jiang Cheng?"
Suddenly, a voice came from the side.
Jiang Cheng turned to look.
He saw a young man around his age, pushing a small cart, approaching them.
"Are you okay?"
The young man's eyes showed surprise.
Jiang Cheng quickly recalled the identity of the person before him—Lu Zicheng. He also had a stall here, selling fried starch intestines. The two were of similar age and had some acquaintance.
"Yeah, I burned my stall yesterday, so I came to set up again today."
"That's right."
Lu Zicheng nodded in agreement.
After all, he had paid a month's stall fee; not coming would be a loss.
"Be more careful next time. In these times, this place is expensive. We can't afford to get sick."
He stopped his cart nearby and skillfully retrieved a large package of starch intestines, a bucket of cooking oil, and various bottles and jars from under the cart. While doing so, he said, "These past few days you weren't here, something big happened in our area."
"What happened?"
Jiang Cheng asked curiously.
Lu Zicheng looked around and then lowered his voice, "The Wild Wolf Gang and the Iron Fist Gang from the neighboring street got into a fight. Many people died."
Jiang Cheng was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "Who won?"
"Who knows? But I guess it was the Iron Fist Gang."
Lu Zicheng continued, "The Iron Fist Gang has been growing in numbers and influence these past few years. I heard there are even some experts in the gang, those who can fight a dozen men alone. They've had their eyes on this area for a while now. I'm guessing the Wild Wolf Gang is in trouble this time."
He sighed.
It wasn't a major incident.
Such occurrences were all too common.
Even in this street and the surrounding area, the Wild Wolf Gang had seized it from the Three Allied Gang, and the Three Allied Gang had taken it from the Bamboo Green Gang.
In any case, whoever controlled this area, the required fees would still be paid in full.
"I see."
Jiang Cheng nodded.
These gangs were all of the same ilk.
Relying on their numbers, they exploited others. Those who didn't pay protection fees would either be robbed or driven out, left to die on the streets.
But even with regular management fees, the security in the area didn't seem to improve. Even those hoodlums who came out to extort money at night had connections with some members of the Wild Wolf Gang. As long as they were given some money, they would turn a blind eye.
Even if the Wild Wolf Gang lost, and the Iron Fist Gang took over, the situation for these people wouldn't improve; it might even get worse.
"These damn gangs."
Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes.
One day, he would kill all these parasites.
Of course, this was based on the premise that he had sufficient strength.
The immediate priority was to learn a self-defense skill to deal with possible attacks on his way back at night.
Without the Proficiency Panel, Jiang Cheng would have a headache. Without guidance and relying solely on himself, learning the skill would be impossible.
But with the Proficiency Panel, Jiang Cheng felt more confident.
Having guidance would be better, but even without it, he could still learn on his own, bit by bit.
(End of Chapter)
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