Translator: Cinder Translations
---
"On the second floor of a small building.
Ji Yin walked out of his room, prepared to summon the young man from the steward's room for morning lessons, and noticed Song Wen busy in the medicine field.
He also clearly observed Song Wen's robust state of qi and blood.
Ji Yin's spirit lifted.
"It seems that the last refinement of the elixir was very successful. This kid's body recovered so quickly. I need to quickly start a new batch of elixirs for refining."
As Ji Yin silently contemplated this, in high spirits, he couldn't help but speak up.
"Song Wen, it appears your body has recovered quite well. Your teacher is very pleased. When you have time, take a walk outside; it will greatly benefit your recovery."
After saying this, Ji Yin didn't wait for Song Wen's response and briskly walked away.
Song Wen watched Ji Yin walk away in the distance, feeling somewhat strange in his heart, wondering what had gotten into this old Yin today to make him so excited.
After finishing the busy work in the medicine field, the sun was already nearing its peak. Song Wen felt a bit hungry again in his stomach. After washing up, he left Tian Sha Gang.
Song Wen's eyes glimmered with hope, he felt good and decided to reward himself.
Tian Sha Gang wielded immense power in Yancheng, with myriad connections to the livelihoods of the people in Yancheng, including clothing, food, shelter, and other industries.
Especially the shops near Tian Sha Gang, most of the larger ones belonged to Tian Sha Gang.
Song Wen didn't want to eat at Tian Sha Gang's territory, so he went straight to a street-side stall.
The stall was very small, just a makeshift table by the street with three tables.
There were some cooked meats on the stall, looking quite appetizing. The stall wasn't busy; all three tables were empty. Song Wen casually found a seat and sat down.
The stall's owner was a young couple, the husband handling ingredients while the wife cleaned the tables.
Seeing a customer arrive, the young woman hastened her movements and asked.
"Customer, what would you like to eat?"
"Bring more meat, stir-fry two side dishes, and a large bowl of noodles," Song Wen said.
"Sure, please wait a moment, customer."
Upon hearing this, the young woman's face lit up with joy.
Their family of five, with parents and a three-year-old child, relied on this small stall for a living. However, business at the stall was not good, and they lived a rather frugal life.
From Song Wen's attire, it was clear he wasn't short of money.
Moreover, judging by how Song Wen ordered, he seemed generous; they should be able to earn quite a bit from him.
The husband and wife began to busy themselves, the young woman braising meat while the husband fired up the stove to prepare the stir-fry.
In no time, the young woman brought over two plates of braised meat.
"Please enjoy, customer. The rest will be ready shortly."
The braised meat tasted good, and Song Wen quickly finished the two plates in front of him.
At this moment, the young woman came over with a tray holding noodles and stir-fry.
"Two more plates of braised meat."
"Sure, customer," the young woman said, setting down the noodles and stir-fry before leaving with a smile.
Just as Song Wen was enjoying his meal, three men arrived at the stall and sat at the adjacent empty table.
Since Song Wen had his back to the three men, he didn't see their faces. He didn't pay much attention to them, thinking they were just ordinary passersby.
The three men also ordered some braised meat and rice dishes. Soon, the young woman served them.
The three men ate quickly, finishing their meals in no time.
"Burp!"
One of them burped, stood up, and said, "Let's go."
The other two also got up and headed outside.
Seeing the three men finish eating and leave, the young woman hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron and approached them with a smile on her face.
"Customers, the meal comes to a total of one hundred and forty-two copper coins."
The lead man showed no intention of paying, looking at the young woman with disdain, his eyes roaming over her, especially focusing on her ample chest, before settling on her pretty face.
"Hey! Little lady, you're quite attractive."
The other two men laughed lightly upon hearing his words.
"Boss Guo has a good eye, indeed a bit charming."
"Young lady, come with Boss Guo from now on. I guarantee you a life of luxury. No more exposure to the elements or doing these lowly jobs."
"Hahaha..."
Song Wen, who had been focused on eating, turned his head upon hearing 'Boss Guo' and saw that the three men were Guo Hang and his two subordinates.
A surge of anger rose within Song Wen.
If it hadn't been for Boss Guo's deception, he wouldn't have joined Tian Sha Gang, wouldn't have fallen into Ji Yin's hands, and wouldn't have been poisoned with 'Seven Days Heartbreaking Powder.'
Guo Hang noticed Song Wen's gaze, turned to look, but didn't immediately recognize Song Wen. He felt Song Wen was familiar, but couldn't remember where he had seen him.
After Song Wen became Ji Yin's personal disciple, his attire had greatly improved, no longer the shabby appearance of before.
At this moment, amidst the frivolous banter of Guo Hang and his men, the young woman looked flustered and quickly retreated behind her husband, who rushed over to help.
The stall owner shielded his wife behind him, wearing a smile of submission on his face. "Gentlemen, you're just joking. Our daughter-in-law is plain and unremarkable. How could she attract your gaze?"
Guo Hang was drawn to the stall owner's words, no longer paying attention to Song Wen. He suppressed the smirk on his face, his expression turning fierce as he said,
"Listen carefully, I'm from Tian Sha Gang. It's already a favor to you that we're eating at your roadside stall. Do you dare ask me for money?"
The stall owner wore a pained expression; one hundred and forty-two copper coins was a considerable sum for their impoverished family, enough to sustain them for several days.
But circumstances forced him to yield.
The stall owner bowed deeply, wearing a pleading expression. "I dare not, I dare not. Customers, please go slowly!"
Guo Hang sneered at the stall owner and eyed him disdainfully. "You know your place."
With that, he turned and left with his two subordinates.
Song Wen stared at their departing figures, his eyes cold.
Apart from Ji Yin, Guo Hang was the person he hated the most.
Now that Song Wen had Ji Yin as his backer, although Ji Yin was only using him as a test subject for medicines, he would never allow Song Wen to get into trouble easily.
He could totally exploit Ji Yin's reputation to do some outrageous things.
Even if he killed Guo Hang and his men on the spot, Tian Sha Gang wouldn't dare to trouble Song Wen.
Thinking of this, a sinister thought arose in Song Wen's mind.
His right hand reached into his boot and touched the dagger hidden there.
(End of the Chapter)