Chapter 22 Third Young Master of Zhao Family_1
Translator: 549690339
Chen Qingjiang carried his elderly father home, and Adi, who had received Li Libo's message earlier, had already been anxiously waiting at the door. Seeing her husband's figure approaching, she hurried over to assist him.
Upon seeing Liang Qu by the side, Adi was even more choked up, nearly kneeling down right there and then. Luckily, Liang Qu was quick to act, steadying her on her feet before she could do so.
"Ashui, I truly don't know how to thank you. Today, when my husband went out to deliver the grain, I felt uneasy, fearing that something bad would happen. I never expected such a disaster to strike. If he had really been taken away to dig the canals, that would have been like the sky falling down on us."
A few days ago, Chen Qingjiang had learned of Liang Qu's emerging talents in martial arts, and Adi was naturally aware as well. She had been so disgruntled at the time, feeling that lending them grain was pointless and that it only nurtured an ingrate. He would rather spend money on martial arts and throw it away, eating at diners every day, without giving a thought to repaying the few pounds of grain they owed.
In contrast, she had to take her older and younger treasure out to help launder clothes for others before dawn every day, earning money to save up for the autumn taxes.
Out of consideration for her husband's face, she hadn't brought it up, but she never expected that her husband's act of kindness would one day bring such a great reward.
"Alright, what's done is done. No need for tears and sobbing now. Go back and cook a good meal to treat the two brothers," Chen Qingiang said.
Chen Qingjiang was clearly not good at consoling women and simply sent Adi off to cook, while he carried his father back inside to lie down.
Liang Qu wanted to decline, but then he thought about not having a penny to his name, and not having a meal to eat outside, so he agreed.
On the dining table, there were only three plates of wild vegetables, one fish, and a dish of pickles.
The fish was fresh.
Spices were expensive, and unless it was a Treasure Fish, the fishy smell would be strong when cooked.
Ordinary fishermen usually consumed smoked or salted fish, which were convenient to preserve and tasted better. Only households that were truly impoverished and reluctant to use even salt would eat fresh fish.
Of course, those who could afford spices were another matter altogether.
Chen Qingjiang felt somewhat embarrassed, "Sorry, this is all we have left at home. Once we have money in the future, I will definitely treat you to a meal with meat and fish."
Li Libo repeatedly waved his hands, "It's okay, it's okay, we don't mind these things."
"Yes, having this is already good enough, saves me the trouble of cooking when I get back."
The Zhao Family was having difficulty paying taxes and was almost taken away to dig the canals. Both Liang Qu and Li Libo were well aware of this and wouldn't dream of making any complaints.
Although the meal was simple, it was enough to fill their stomachs.
Given that they hadn't been eating well, skimping would make the couple feel even guiltier.
After finishing the meal and returning the next day, Liang Qu still did not go to the Martial Arts School. It was not about continuing to downplay his image, but rather, if he didn't go fishing soon, he was going to starve!
Liang Qu now truly did not have a single penny on him.
After Fatty caught fish for a day, Liang Qu went back to the fishing spot to sell his catch.
Upon seeing him, Lin Songbao clicked his tongue, "I heard about yesterday's events. I would have never guessed that Yixing City was hiding a hero like you. This is for you!"
Lin Songbao gave Liang Qu a thumbs up.
"Does being a hero earn me a few extra cents for my fish?"
"Of course! How could it not? Technically, you should earn 102 cents, but I'll give you 110. How's that?"
Liang Qu gave him a sidelong glance, "Are you serious?"
"Hey, why not? You might think our fish pen skims a bit off the top, but that's just business with others. I, Lin Songbao, respect people like you the most. What's wrong with rounding up a bit? There's still a profit to be made, a little more or less doesn't matter. From now on, when you come, I'll always round up for you, I won't let you suffer a loss!"
Liang Qu held back for a moment, then uttered, "Awesome."
I certainly didn't expect the son of the fish pen owner to be such a person, quite an eye-opener.
Having earned the money, Liang Qu hurried to the martial arts school on the third day to continue his training, as it would have been impolite not to show up.
It turned out that their instructor, Hu Qi, had begun his leave yesterday, and they were now being taught by a martial artist named Lu Shaohui, who was slightly weaker than Hu Qi, but was also a martial artist who had broken through two passes.
While taking a break after finishing a round of Ape Fist, Li Libo whispered, "I heard from Senior Brother Xiang that Martial Artist Hu is about to break through. In a few days, we might see him as a true martial master."
Liang Qu thought it was probably about time; making the fish horns into pills might take some time, but it had already been more than ten days since Martial Artist Hu had purchased the Bull Horn Pomfret.
Having eaten the Treasure Fish twice, Liang Qu felt one fish's horns weren't that powerful; to help a martial artist break through the Blood Pass, it must have acted as an auxiliary medicine or a catalyst.
Li Libo looked around to see that Master Lu wasn't nearby and lowered his voice even more, "Also, do you feel like that Master Lu seems reluctant to get close to us, almost as if he's brushing us off?"
Liang Qu had the same feeling, "Maybe he dislikes the fishy smell on us?"
Previously, when practicing Ape Fist, if there were any mistakes, Hu Qi would actively point them out and demonstrate, but Master Lu wouldn't. He only clarified when they actively asked for advice and rarely demonstrated.
If it weren't for their foundation in Ape Fist, which meant fewer mistakes, Master Lu would probably be getting impatient by now.
Another clear sign was every time Master Lu approached the two of them, he would visibly wrinkle his nose, the disdain obvious without a word.
But Liang Qu didn't want it either; no matter how thoroughly he bathed, he couldn't get rid of the fishy smell despite fishing often.
"Sigh, as expected, the attitude of Senior Brother Xiang and Senior Brother Hu made me think all martial masters were approachable."
"Haha, don't fret over it too much. I was already surprised that Senior Brother Hu and Senior Brother Xiang didn't discriminate against me. Learning the real skills is what matters."
Having read too much online fiction, Liang Qu found it somewhat unusual to be treated kindly when he first arrived. Only now was he experiencing the rhythm he was familiar with.
"Oh, by the way, have you seen that young master over there?"
"Which one?"
"Over there, the one in white clothes with gold threads on the side. I've heard he's the Third Young Master of Zhao Family, Zhao Xueyuan. I really didn't expect him to come here to learn martial arts. Indeed, Old Master Zhao's son chose the Yang Family Martial Arts School; it shows we made the right choice!"
The Third Young Master of Zhao Manor?
Following the direction Li Libo was pointing, Liang Qu saw the so-called young master, really clean and dapper. Even if his facial features were average, the sense of being pampered and privileged was unmistakable; at first glance, he looked much cleaner than their so-called bumpkins.
His father is Old Master Zhao?
Liang Qu shivered. He couldn't reconcile the Third Young Master before him with the image of his father; it would be best to keep a distance in the future.
Seemingly feeling their gaze, Zhao Xueyuan turned his head and glanced at them, not paying much attention. He had noticed the two fishermen who came to learn martial arts quite early. However, no one cared, and nobody bothered to interact with them.
After three months, they would return to where they came from.
"Speaking of which, in a few days at the end of the month, Teacher Yang will be coming to teach. I wonder if it'll be different, maybe I can have a breakthrough too."
"Having dreams is always good."
While Master Lu wasn't around, Liang Qu and Li Libo chatted casually. Meanwhile, Xiang Changsong's voice echoed in the corridor.
"Today's duty martial master is Master Lu, and he is your teacher for now. Although Master Lu is not a direct disciple of Teacher Yang, he has plenty of experience. Oh, by the way, there are two junior disciples from Yixing City in the martial arts school; you might know them."
Liang Qu and Li Libo looked up upon hearing the voice, with Li Libo asking first.
"Chen Jiechang, is that you?"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone