Half an hour after he broke through, the results of quenching body record were evident. Although his own knowledge contributed, if not for that technique, he believed that he
needed another three-four months before advancing.
With this, he breathed in deeply and exhaled out the impurities in his body.
From within his mouth, out came a pitch-black smoke. Filthy, as it tumbled to the ground. After expectorating this smoke out, his six senses all became more acute and sharpened.
(TLN: He's been possessed by a demon! [Supernatural style] Senses: Sound, touch, sight, taste, smell and sixth sense [instinct])
Was this his body's impurity? Kai Yang shook on the spot.
With the practise of cultivation you will reduce and drain the body of impurities each time. Kai Yang previously had experienced this, but never at this level.
Numerous ideas and joy lingered in his mind. Although he had successfully entered the fourth layer, he had made no real progress in the tempered body record's fist technique. His
daily practise could only produce one percent of the total result, out of the 101 punches.
Hasty men don't eat hot tofu and with a hasty heart, you won't be able to feel a hot butt.
(TLN: Saying that have patience and results will come, if you rush you will miss things.)
Thinking for awhile, Kai Yang planned a bit of his future. Even though it wasn't thorough, he could no longer be like how he had been, taking each step as it came. For after
awhile, you couldn't help but become impatient.
Then after eating something he continued to sweep the area.
Although he was a sweeper, it didn't mean that he needed to sweep the entire school. He was only responsible for one tenth of the school. Even though it was cumbersome, it would
only take an hour or so.
Within the trees, Xia Ning Chang had started to monitor the disciples and inadvertently saw Kai Yang sweeping away. To not have some emotions would be weird. Today, there was
something different about him, but she wasn't sure. For over half an hour, he hadn't left that spot, sweeping it until it was shiny and spotless. It was so slick that if a mosquito
were to go on, it would have a sprained ankle.
(TLN: Trying to express how clean it is. This author has a major issue with mosquitos I say.)
This guy.....Xia Ning Chang didn't know what to do with him.
At that moment, Kai Yang was thinking about other things. Yesterday he had obtained a huge opportunity, so naturally he was considering his future. But no real options were found.
He could only continue to practise at sunrise everyday, for now.
While he was pondering, rapid footsteps approached quickly from behind. He quickly went to dodge, but didn't realise that the other party was making preparations to avoid him too.
So they crashed into each other.
Though he didn't sustain any major injuries, when he crashed into that person, it felt as if he had crashed into a steel wall. With a cry, he fell to the ground and the place he
bumped felt numb.
Kai Yang quickly recovered and apologetically asked: "This fellow disciple, are you okay?"
The young man was annoyed and when he looked up to see that it was Kai Yang, that explosive anger dissipated. Holding anger for such person held no meaning and it was also his own
fault.
Replying immediately while waving his hands: "It's alright, it's alright!"
While saying this and getting up, he then energetically ran away.
Kai Yang asked: "Fellow disciple, where are you going to hurriedly?"
The young man faintly shouted: "The Contribution Hall, where else?"
Listening to his words, Kai Yang realised that today was already the eighth day of the month. It was the day where the main gate distributed last month's contribution points!
So every month of this day, the Logistics Department would be crowded with disciples flocking to collect their points. With these points they could exchange them for various
cultivation pills, treasures and martial arts to improve their strength. So this day made all disciples all excited.
Some were excited, while others disappointed. Kai Yang was of the latter.
Startled, he couldn't help but frown. Each month, the amount of points he received was quite meager.
Sweepers could earn ten points, but in the last month he was challenged six times, and each time he lost! With reductions after each loss, he was only left with four points.
This...this really made people cry.
Fortunately he was only a trial disciple. His status was the lowest, so if he lost, he would only lose one point. Normal disciples lost two!
Thinking of this, Kai Yang was thankful.
But even a small mosquito has flesh. And with his savings, he will one day earn enough to exchange them for something worthwhile.
(TLN: Again, what does the author have with mosquitos?)
There had been enough delay today he thought as he continued to sweep.
When he had finally finished the job, it was noon. Time to go to the hall to collect his points.
After the morning's bustle, the hall was now deserted and quiet. Thankfully he hadn't came in the morning, or the wait would have been too troublesome.
Waltzing into the hall, you could clearly see an old man dozing away.
This old man was the treasurer of the school. He was about fifty with thin white hair and a kind face. Looking at him, he looked harmless to animals and humans, but Kai Yang knew
he was a sly fox!
There was once an elite disciple who dared to act arrogant here and was then pushed out of the hall a few hundred feet. His life was almost taken. Kai Yang was present, so he knew
this and also knew that his old man held unfathomable strength.
Stepping into the view of the old man, Kai Yang could clearly see the old man snoring away.
This old thing! Don't know which female Sky Tower disciple he is dreaming about again!
(ED: Doesn't even give the old guy the benefit of the doubt O.o)
Holding a broom, he gently nudged the old man while softly calling: "Treasurer Meng!"
The old man's surname was Meng, his first name Kai Yang didn't know so he couldn't call him that.
Tapping the counter a few times, the old man was finally awoken. He groggily opened up his eyes and saw that it was Kai Yang. Wrinkling his face as if he saw s**t.
(TLN: For young viewers, just in case.)
"What's with that face?" Kai Yang asked indignantly.
Rolling his eyes: "Why didn't you come in the morning?"
Confidently he replied: "There were too many people in the morning, and currently it's peaceful!"
"Interrupting this old man's rest. Do you know what respecting the elderly means?"
Leaning in, Kai Yang whispered: "Which young lady did you dream of?"
Suddenly full of energy Treasurer Meng replied to Kai Yang with eyes full of contempt and loudly proclaimed: "Your words just now, tarnished this old man's reputation! Too
outrageous."
"Good body figure?"
"Great!" Treasurer Meng unconsciously leaked out.
(ED: GG I had high hopes but alas they were shattered.)
"Supple legs, white skin and a beautiful, thin waist?"
"En, en, en...." Immediately he nodded his head, immediately thinking Kai Yang as a friend.
"He, he..." Kai Yang sneered.
Treasurer Meng stammered and blushed as bright as a monkey's ass. Full of shame, he just wanted to dig a hole and crawl inside to hide.
Chapter 9 – Treasurer Meng
Throughout his years at Sky Tower, the only person Kai Yang really knew was Treasurer Meng. After all, he needed to go to him every month.
Treasurer Meng had a nickname which most people referred to him as, Bully Meng. Even though his position is a treasurer, he still liked to extort contribution points from other
disciples.
Take blood clotting cream for example, usually it would be sold around ten contribution points. He will sell two bottles for the price of three. Also the amount of cream that
should go in two bottles, was put into three. It's very simple he said, buy it or get lost!
Of course Treasurer Meng doesn't always do it, only occasionally. He only targets richer disciples, for poor people like Kai Yang he doesn't even bother.
Contribution points are hard to come by, so how can disciples stand by and be exploited? Every disciple that had been cheated by him would report him to the council. They have
warned him numerous times, but he still continued, unmoved. Furthermore, his position is crucial, and there was no one who could replace him.
Due to this, all of the school's disciples hated him to the utmost limit.
That old man was ruthless to everybody, except Kai Yang, to whom he could do nothing. That was because one time, he was peeking at a female disciple, and was caught red-handed by
him.
No respect for the elderly! What a scandal! He was caught, so Treasurer Meng could only lower his head in front of Kai Yang.
It was exactly because of this that Kai Yang became very familiar with the old man.
The lecherous old man, with thick skin quickly adjusted his attitude and said: "Same as always?"
(TLN: For those who don't know, thick skin is being very shameless)
"Yeah." Kai Yang said earnestly while nodding his head.
Not saying a word, Treasurer Meng took out ten silvers from within the counter and recorded it down.
Taking the silvers, he asked: "How many contribution points do I have now?"
Rolling his eyes, the treasurer replied: "You earn four points each month and then use one point to exchange for 10 silvers. That leaves you with only three points to save, making
a total of twelve points in your account. What, you want to exchange them for a bottle of blood clotting cream?"
"No, I was just asking." He replied while muttering: "Twelve eh."
Such a small amount, even if you just wanted to exchange it for a small medicinal herb, it wouldn't even be enough.
With a serious face, Treasurer Meng whispered to him: "Little Kai Yang, you want to save up and exchange it for a tempered essence pellet. But to save up for it, and then to rank
up with your speed, how long will that take?
"Won't I eventually reach it?" He replied chuckling.
This left Treasurer Meng speechless. He thought that with his speed, by the time he makes it, this old man will have already been dead for many years.
"But Treasurer Meng, there is one thing I don't understand."
"Speak!" The old man said while putting on a 'I am in a good mood so I will tell you' attitude.
"The tempered essence pellet is a very precious medicine, how could it appear here?"
"He he....." Speaking with a proud face: "That is because this pellet is this old man's treasure, others don't know about it."
"Ah, it's yours?" This left Kai Yang stunned. He had always thought that this pellet belonged to the school. No wonder this old thing set such an astronomical price.
"Now don't be angry." He joyfully said, while taking a drink from the teapot. "I won't bully you, as long as you bring enough contribution points to exchange, Old Meng will give it
to you. For my word is not nothing."
"I will collect it." He said nodding.
With his face downcast Old Meng asked Kai Yang: "I heard that yesterday you got a beating?"
Immediately Kai Yang turned around and left.
From behind Treasurer Meng shouted: "Let this old man ask, don't be in such a hurry to walk away."
He said, but really he was gloating inside.
Seeing that Kai Yang had no intention to stop, he straightened up and yelled: "Little Kai Yang, you should hurry up and leave. Sky Tower is no place for you to be, sooner rather
than later you will be killed."
Pausing but without turning around Kai Yang sighed: "I have no place to return to."
He was finished if he left.
After holding the teapot for a while, Treasurer Meng said: "Then why did you come?"
Tempered essence pellet....he he, this expensive treasure, how could this old man possibly own it? He only made up this lie to give you hope, he had never thought you would take
it seriously.
Kai Yang then hurriedly went back to his hut and put the broom away, then briskly walked out.
He was going to the small village outside of Tang Lin to buy his food with his ten slivers, like he did every month.
For the first time this trip didn't make him feel tired.
Previously, every time he walked down this path, he would get bad asthma attacks again and again. But this time, not only did this not happen, his body felt strengthened compared
to before felt less strained walking down the path. Even if he walked a hundred miles, he felt that he wouldn't tire.
Is it the golden skeleton? This made him think of something that happened this morning. While he was sweeping, another disciple had crashed into him, but on the contrary to what
normally occurred he had held his ground very stably, while the disciple had fell to the ground.
Although this wasn't much, in retrospect, it was unusual. With his weak physique, how could he not have fallen but the other party fell. It had always been him who fell.
Growing more and more excited, he thought about the changes the golden skeleton had brought to his body. Although these changes were small, gradually over the course of time they
could culminate into great changes.
Thinking of this, Kai Yang recovered and soon walked to town.
Looking around, he went to the left hand side of the street. He was going to a rice shop. The shop wasn't big and the owner is surnamed He, and was a local resident. He treated all
customers the same this was one of the reasons why Kai Yang bought from him.
Such a small store could be found everywhere. The reason why Black Plum Village was very busy, was because in the surrounding area, apart them there was not only Sky Tower School
but also the Windy Rain Sect. The relationship between the two could not be considered bad. The various other small schools couldn't compare to these two main sects for they didn't
even own their own land.
It was precisely because of these two main sects that the village was able to sell many different weapons and maintain such a bustling environment full of many different wares.
Creating an environment just like the Han Dynasty's Capital!
After walking around for awhile, Kai Yang inadvertently walked past an alley where some people were gathered. He didn't know what they were doing, but they were pretty suspicious
and gave Kai Yang an extremely vicious glare.
Chuckling lightly, he just followed the principle 'if they don't don't harm me I won't harm them' he just ignored them. But among those three there was one who dressed in a similar
fashion to Kai Yang.
Chapter 10 – Money & Bankruptcy
Kai Yang didn't think much of this though, because they were in Black Plum Village, located close to Sky Tower, other disciples coming down to the Village was quite common.
A little while ago, Kai Yang arrived at the line for rice. The line was quite long, the length of two stalls. The business was very prosperous, but only has one waiter running
around serving. The boss was calculating about money on an abacus at the counter, while the wife greeted the guests.
As more people finished ordering, the line gradually became shorter and Kai Yang joined the line.
"Madame" Kai Yang cried out, a 40 year old looking lady looked up to see who it was. When she saw it was Kai Yang she suddenly smiled and said, "Ah, young man, you came to buy rice
again."
"Yes." He walked to the front of the counter, and pointed a bag behind the counter and said "Give me one bag please."
While the lady was tying up the bag with a string she said "Young man, you buy just one bag a month, is this enough for you?"
Kai Yang replied, "It's enough."
"You're lying!" The lady retorted while looking at Kai Yang ,"Look at you; such thin arms and legs. If you're eating properly then what's with the skinny arms and legs?"
Yang Kai smiled sheepishly, "I also go to the mountains to hunt, so therefore even with just one bag I won't be hungry."
While the boss concentrated on calculating the bill, he whispered to her: "Go fetch the old rice from the back and give it to this child."
"We'll listen to the boss." Madame replied with a smile.
"How is this right? You are also trying to make a living here." Yang Kai said out loudly.
The Lady immediately frowned her face, "What use is old rice? Leaving it there will only provide a place for insects to grow. Anyways, people won't eat it. But the owner said that
this rice still has some nutrients although less. You wait here I will go get some for you take home."
As she was saying this she had already started walking towards the back room.
Kai Yang's heart swelled, for he didn't know what to say. Everytime he came to buy rice, the boss and his wife would always find various excuses to give him more. They say that
insects will grow in old rice and the like, but in fact, it was always good rice they gave him not old rice. Their generosity gave Kai Yang hope in this sad world.
"Thank you Uncle He." Yang Kai's voice had a slight trembling to it.
The Boss smiled and looked up, "When living alone, don't you have household problems? In the future, whenever you're hungry just come to our shop, we may not have much, but we
still have enough rice for you to eat."
"Okay." Yang Kai nodded his head, this world still had good people around.
Shortly, two enthusiastic people came to the rice store and kicked some people who were ready to order their meals from the line and away from the store front.
"Ahhhh....." the second Little Brother fell, landed on his butt, and flipped over. It was a big problem because after he fell to the ground he couldn't get up again.
"Why?" Boss He called towards the people who had kicked the little brother as he ran out from behind the counter and towards the two men. Kai Yang quickly helped second little
brother up whilst intently glaring at the two evil faced men. One of the men, looked pale and thin, was clutching his stomach, while the other one was built like a bear, supported
the pale one. These two were the ones who kicked the second brother.
"Who's the boss here?" The man people shouted out.
"I am, I am." Boss He quickly replied. He was only an ordinary merchant, yet the two men who called him out had such fierce looking faces. The swords at their waist and the fierce
faces that showed they were not easily trifled with. Boss He wondered what had happened.
"Well, well. So you are the black-hearted boss. You even dared to sell poisonous rice to my brother. Look at him! Originally he was a strong man, but after eating your rice he
became this sickly. Normally he is as strong as a bear, but he can hardly stand now! You black-hearted person, worrying only about money and going as far as to take lives!"
At this outburst from the man, Boss He worriedly stammered out: "Ah, how could this be? How could it?"
The man then said: "How would I know? This morning my brother bought some rice from you, and made rice porridge, then he became like this after eating the rice he bought from you.
I was lucky I didn't eat any, otherwise I also would've become like him."
Boss He's forehead began to sweat, he took his sleeves and kept wiping his forehead and said "Respected customer, I fear there might be a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? Misunderstanding your mother! If it wasn't your rice, then what caused him to become like this?" The Han man roared.
(TLN: Han people were a type of ethnic inside of China)
Kai Yang sat down and pondered the situation while all eyes were on the commotion. Boss He is such a nice person, Kai Yang couldn't believe that this person who gave him rice,
would put poison in it. Not to mention the fact Boss He couldn't possibly have a black heart in Kai Yang's mind, a black-hearted businessman wouldn't be so stupid as to poison his
own rice.
If these information spread how would he do business in the future? Who would dare come and buy his rice?
The two men's poor excuses were really unbearable, and they couldn't even consider a that it was something else.
Therefore, these two are definitely here to ruin others. But this move was a bit too evil, for they implied that the Boss needed someone to die just to earn some money.
Even though Kai Yang's body was weak he was still a practitioner. And through these past years he had seen countless types of people, so he felt he could accurately judge Boss He.
The man was also someone who he owed greatly and when Kai Yang witnessed this, it caused his face to fall. He stood up and said: "These two..."
"What?" One of the men threw him a glare, his anger evident.
Kai Yang didn't speak, but Boss He immediately sprang in front of him. He slowly shook his head for Kai Yang to stop.
(TL: *Tear* Boss He, you're too kind.)
"Uncle He....." Kai Yang was stunned.
"Even in bankruptcy, avoid misfortunes!" Boss He whispered.
Kai Yang just helplessly sighed. That fact that the boss said this, signalled that he knew what the two Han men were on about. But in order to do business, one must have a good
name. The earlier commotion had already attracted a lot of attention, if this continued, then the rice stand's reputation would go down the drain.
Even if one knew what they said was false, one could only comply with them and hurriedly hope to end this fiasco before too much damage was done.
In desperation, Boss He faced the man: "Regarding your brother's illness, I can say that it has nothing to do with me..."
After the two men heard this, one cried out in anger: "Even if it's not related, I have already come to this rice stand. If I don't make the truth clear, then my brother's
suffering would be in vain. He should be sent to the doctor immediately! But of course, if you are willing to shoulder the medical bills, then we are willing to drop the subject."
After this statement it was clear the that you really needed to go bankrupt to avoid misfortunes. If people really wanted to extort money, they would do it over a period of time.
The demands that these two men were making were too short sighted, if Boss He agreed to pay them off now his rice stands reputation would still suffer. For nothing is watertight
and news of him selling poisoned rice would spread. This told Kai Yang that the men were either not interested in extorting Boss He for more money or that they had some other goal.
Who would have imagined that these two Han men had not intention of compromising: "You black hearted boss. Who do think we two brothers are, to be exploited by you so freely? We
two brothers were really unlucky to have bought poisoned rice from you! Where is your guilty conscience?"
That statement resonated quite deeply with Kai Yang. He curled his lip while sitting, thinking were they virtuous and living life a clear conscience?
Boss He was also stupefied. What? Weren't these two men here to extort money?
While stunned and unsure what to do, more and more people had started to gather. A handsome boy similar to Kai Yang's age had also appeared. From his looks, he was clearly far
better off than Kai Yang.
That young man casually walked up to the men, and circled them with interest. Whilst doing so he constantly clicked his tongue.
Others may have not noticed, but with a glance Kai Yang recognised those three as the people he spotted earlier in the alley.
The crowd just stared at the boy, who had just appeared!