"I just want to work by Mr. Hou's side."
Sunx Neng was excited and responded repeatedly.
"There's a vacancy for a steward at the rice shop. Assign him there."
Mr. Hou pondered for a moment and then gave this light command.
"Understood." Steward Xu responded softly, then signaled to the elated Sunx Neng and led him away.
"As for you, I suppose you don't want to continue wasting your time at the Ming Pearl Restaurant as a miscellaneous disciple, right?"
Hou Linkun looked at Bai Ziyue.
"I want to become an Inner Sect Apprentice."
Bai Ziyue said calmly.
At that moment, he had actually calmed down quite a bit.
Talent truly represented many things, and the treatment difference between those with talent and those without was substantial.
Just like in his previous life, at school, those who performed well could sit in the front row, surrounded by beautiful girls, and the teachers paid more attention to them. As for those who performed poorly, they were relegated to the back corners, among other underachievers.
Bai Ziyue had now shown his talent, which gave him some confidence.
Even without Sunx Neng's recommendation, he could still climb higher through Uncle Ming, by connecting with the bigwigs within the gang, thus advancing to the Inner Sect Apprentice.
Only because Uncle Ming was on a protection mission and his return was indefinite, coupled with the appearance of that mysterious Ghost-Nurturing Evil Cultivator, creating immense pressure for him… he didn't want to wait any longer.
"Of course, with your talent, I believe no one will look down on you.
I can vouch for you, letting you directly advance to an Inner Sect Apprentice, enjoying all the same treatment as other Inner Sect Apprentices.
Moreover, I can sponsor you, helping you grow faster."
At this point, Hou Linkun paused, his tone sincere and filled with allure.
Bai Ziyue's face showed an appropriate look of being moved, but he remained calm inside.
Although he wasn't truly a child, he understood that everything came with a price. Behind all these favorable terms, there must be a condition.
Indeed.
"However, effort must be rewarded.
At the end of the day, I am a businessman.
As a businessman, I pursue interests."
Hou Linkun continued.
"What do you require?"
Bai Ziyue's heart tightened as he asked solemnly.
"Rest assured, even though your talent is outstanding, looking across Wujiang County, it's exceptional, your strength is still too weak to be of any help to me.
What I want is simply your future.
You just need to understand that you owe me."
Hou Linkun said with a smile.
"Very well, I agree."
Bai Ziyue nodded decisively after a brief contemplation.
He was well aware that someone like Mr. Hou, who sought nothing immediately but invested in the future, was actually seeking the greatest profit.
However, as Mr. Hou said, he was a businessman who valued benefits. Bai Ziyue also had his own considerations.
What did he have now?
Talent!
This was his reliance, but it couldn't be converted into actual martial power in the short term. The other party had also said he wouldn't need his help for now.
But he needed to become an Inner Sect Disciple, needed Mr. Hou's help, and had to rely on the Sunburst Gang to resist the possible appearance of the Ghost-Nurturing Evil Cultivator…
As for seeking other gang bigwigs through Uncle Ming? It would just be another exchange, perhaps with even harsher conditions.
So, Bai Ziyue didn't hesitate much before agreeing.
"Good, smart choice."
Hou Linkun laughed heartily and said, "Thus, you can be considered one of us. I have never been stingy to my own people.
From now on, you can go to the Ming Pearl Restaurant to retrieve five taels of silver from Shopkeeper Li each month as your living expenses. I will inform him.
Moreover, since you've already achieved a Small Success in the Zen Meditation Posture, you can choose a martial art to practice. I have a secret manual of 'One-character Punch,' which is somewhat special. You can take it to practice first.
As for the matters of the Inner Sect, I'll have Steward Xu take you there. You needn't worry."
...
When Bai Ziyue returned to the Ming Pearl Restaurant, he was still slightly dazed.
A few hours ago, he was just an ordinary miscellaneous disciple, getting up early and staying up late, barely carving out time for practice.
Now, he had become an Inner Sect Apprentice, not only with instructors to guide his martial arts practice but also receiving meat for meals to replenish nourishment. Each month, he would also receive Qi Blood Pills to nourish his body and qi...
"Besides becoming an Inner Sect Apprentice, I obtained two martial arts today."
Bai Ziyue's feelings were complex.
One was the 'Eighteen Linked Blades' from Sunx Neng, the other was the 'One-character Punch' given by Mr. Hou.
He had already learned the 'Eighteen Linked Blades,' and with more practice, he could achieve Entry Level.
As for the 'One-character Punch,' Bai Ziyue touched the thin secret manual in his chest, planning to read it through tonight to memorize the techniques and the method of power operation.
"It's just a pity that I might not have the chance to acquire Soul Energy at the slaughterhouse anymore."
Bai Ziyue sighed regretfully.
The thirty-odd points of Soul Energy he gained daily were very beneficial to him.
But this was a trade-off, and though he regretted it, he wouldn't prioritize personal gains over public ones.
As soon as Bai Ziyue stepped into the Ming Pearl Restaurant, he immediately noticed that everyone, including Shopkeeper Li, looked at him differently.
"Bai Ziyue, are you really an Inner Sect Apprentice now?"
Li Ergou, who considered himself the closest to Bai Ziyue, was the first to regain his composure and eagerly asked.
"Indeed, I've come to pack my things."
Bai Ziyue nodded.
Earlier, following Steward Xu, he not only completed his Inner Sect Apprentice credentials but was also allocated a room.
With Steward Xu's involvement, he didn't face any difficulties. When he showed his Small Success in the Zen Meditation Posture and compared it to his time in the Sunburst Gang, the steward in charge of evaluation and allocation widened his eyes in disbelief, which Bai Ziyue found amusing.
"You and Uncle Sunx really soared this time."
Seeing Bai Ziyue confirm, a nearby miscellaneous disciple showed an envious expression.
Just before Bai Ziyue, Sunx Neng had already come to Ming Pearl Restaurant to pack. It was said he was going to serve as a shopkeeper at Mr. Hou's rice shop, instantly causing a stir among the staff.
Even the highly respected head chef, Master Zhang, had a rare exchange of a few private words with Sunx Neng, a significantly different treatment.
Now Bai Ziyue was in the same boat, taking a significant leap. How could they not be envious, even jealous?
"Of course, I always knew that Ziyue would make it big someday. With his diligent practice, it's natural for Mr. Hou to appreciate and value him too." Li Ergou said with a mix of anxiety and joy, "Will you forget about me in the future?"
"How could I?" Bai Ziyue laughed and shook his head.