Beginning With Max Enlightenment: I Confront The Immortals With Martial Arts - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Shady Deals

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Let’s go!”

Zhao Liuping made up his mind. He waved his hand and took the lead.

As soon as he approached, a smart waiter welcomed him.

“Sirs, please come in.”

“Girls, come over and receive our guests.”

He was so straightforward.

As the waiter showed them into Misty Rain, Zhou You looked around curiously before losing interest.

In his eyes, the resplendent decorations of the Misty Rain were too vulgar and old-fashioned. Only the carvings on the walls and windows had some taste.

There were also girls in wide-sleeved dresses, holding pipas that covered half of their faces. Their eyes were like spring water that wanted to reject and welcome. They looked a little interesting.

The others, on the other hand, looked like stupid boys. Their eyes were flying everywhere, and no one knew where they were looking. Only Luo Yong and Zhao Liuping restrained themselves a little and tried their best to pretend to be regular customers.

Everyone followed the waiter to a corner of the hall and sat down.

Zhao Liuping thought that he had pretended very well, but in fact, he had long been seen through by the sharp-eyed waiter. He had arranged everything properly without even asking.

Even when he sat down, Zhao Liuping did not feel that there was anything wrong.

“Sirs, what kind of set meal do you want? What flavor of snacks do you like?”

The waiter flipped open the menu on the table and introduced it.

“The set meal is more worth it. There are plums, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Plums are fragrant. Orchids are pretty. Bamboo is shy. Chrysanthemums are soft. Which one do you prefer?”

Hearing the waiter’s words, Zhou You tilted his head curiously to look at the menu before understanding what it meant.

The so-called set meal was wine, fruit platters, side dishes, and beauties.

Plums, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums represented the four wines available and also the styles of the drinking escorts.

Each had its own merits, and the price was different.

100 taels for plums.

50 taels for an orchid.

30 taels for a bamboo.

10 taels for the chrysanthemum.

After the set meals, there were even more expensive goods. The waiter did not introduce them, clearly thinking that Zhou You and the others could not afford them at all.

Desserts were also in fact girls. These cost 1 tael to 5 taels and could be touched. If the customers liked them, they could go straight to the backyard.

Of course, they could also touch the drinking escorts. It depended on one’s strength.

Looking at the price, Zhao Liuping did not pretend to be generous. He directly ordered two of the cheapest chrysanthemum sets and handed the menu to Luo Yong.

“Brother Luo, take a look. Is there anything you like?”

Luo Yong took the menu and glanced at it. As if the menu was scalding hot, he threw it to Zhou You.

Zhou You did not even look at it and passed it to his friend beside him.

Then, the menu circulated in everyone’s hands. Some people did not order, while others ordered the girls they liked.

It was not easy for them to come to such a high-end place. There were many people who pretended to be rich.

Before long, the two set meals, and the girls that the others ordered arrived one after another.

The quality was not bad.

The cheapest girl costing one or two taels at the very least was delicate and pretty. She looked quite pleasing to the eye.

The two escort beauties were even more outstanding with their words. They coaxed everyone until they were dizzy and almost made them spend everything they had.

Judging from their level of literacy and eloquence, they did not seem like ordinary people.

Zhou You secretly raised his guard.

After three rounds of drinking, everyone was a little drunk and completely let go. Some people ran to the backyard anxiously. Even Luo Yong pestered the beauty who accompanied them to drink and asked questions, looking like a love-struck fool.

Zhao Liuping came to Zhou You’s side and pulled away from the others. He lowered his voice and said, “Brother Zhou, when you strike gold in the future, you can’t forget me.”

“Brother Zhao, you’re too kind. Who knows who might make it rich first, right?” replied Zhou You.

Now, Zhou You was finally certain that Zhao Liuping already knew that he had become an apprentice of the apothecary division.

He might have bought them drinks, but there must be more to it.

“Now that Brother Zhou has entered the apothecary, you are an insider with a lot of access. If you have any business in the future, I hope you can remember me. I might not have much, but I have a wide network.” Zhao Liuping did not beat around the bush.

He did not say anything, but Zhou You already knew what it was.

Business was all about buying and selling.

The business of the apothecary was either to buy medicinal herbs or sell medicinal soups and pills.

With a flip of his hand, he would earn a considerable sum of money.

“I’m just an apprentice. I have to be careful with my words and actions. I’m afraid I can’t help Brother Zhao much.” Zhou You shook his head and rejected him tactfully.

He might be able to earn some money from the difference in price.

“Brother Zhou, you’re too humble. Master Cheng has been in the dojo for more than ten years and hasn’t accepted any apprentices, but he took a fancy to Brother Zhou at a glance.”

“Brother Zhou, you’re not an ordinary apprentice. You can’t look down on yourself,” Zhao Liuping said meaningfully.

Zhou You contemplated.

Cheng Yiqing’s assessment was indeed too strict and comprehensive. It was not like taking in an apprentice, but more like taking in a disciple.

“There’s no need for Brother Zhou to do anything. I just need you to talk to Master Cheng. I will split anything I earn with you.”

Zhao Liuping smiled bitterly. “I’m not afraid to tell you the truth, Brother Zhou. After knowing that Master Cheng wanted to take in an apprentice, I went to give it a shot. However, I was scolded by Master Cheng and kicked out.

“There were also others who tried, but they all failed in the end.”

If he could become an apprentice in the apothecary, he would be able to sell medicine.

After all, there were only two people in the apothecary. Master Cheng would definitely favor him after interacting with him for some time.

In this day and age, people fought for profitable businesses.

The number of goods obtained from the apothecary was becoming more and more unstable.

Even if his cousin was the dojo master’s disciple, he could not get away with everything.

They were all on the same side, so they could only compete fairly.

Did someone else try and fail? No wonder the old man said that they were all blockheads.

In that case, there might still be people looking for him to pull connections.

However, as he mentioned, it’s not worth it. At least not when he first entered the apothecary.

Zhou You thought to himself. He wanted to find an excuse to tactfully refuse, but he suddenly had an idea. He changed the topic and said, “Brother Zhao has a wide circle of friends. I wonder if you have any way to obtain martial arts techniques?”

“Martial arts techniques? This is a little difficult.”

Zhao Liuping frowned. “Brother Zhou, the Ferocious Tiger Fist is broad and profound. It’s difficult to reach the pinnacle of the technique even if you practice it for your entire life. Why do you need to learn other martial arts?”

Zhou You sighed. “Brother Zhao, as you know, after entering the apothecary, I’m afraid I won’t have the energy to practice martial arts. However, when traveling the martial arts world, you still need to have the ability to defend yourself.”

“I don’t need profound martial arts. It’s best if it’s a Lightness Skill. If you can’t beat him, you can still run.”

“Lightness Skill?”

Zhao Liuping thought for a moment and frowned. “Lightness skill requires internal force to activate. It’s not easy to find. Movement techniques are not very useful to you when used in combat. If it’s a leg technique, I know one, but…”

Zhao Liuping rubbed his fingers and looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Martial arts manuals were all very valuable. Even basic martial arts were worth at least dozens of taels.

He could not help Zhou You without any real promise.

Looking at Zhao Liuping’s attitude, Zhou You heaved a sigh of relief and said with a smile, “Brother Zhao, I don’t need it now. However, I won’t take your things for nothing. This has to be a mutually beneficial relationship. I get it.”

The Green Snake Fist could still be cultivated for a period of time. Zhou You was only collecting martial arts manuals in advance.

As for helping Zhao Liuping talk to Master Cheng, it was impossible.

At most, he would pay for the pills and sell them to him.

He believed that the old man would give him an internal discount.