Gustave was the one who received the hundred yuan from the security team, a responsibility that naturally fell to him given his highest seniority among their group. The currency was packed in a sturdy wooden box, which proved to be quite heavy with the weight of genuine silver coins.
"How about this: Taoist Tiantong takes half of this hundred yuan, and Taoist Yimei, Qiu Sheng and I split the remaining half equally among the three of us?" Gustave proposed after accepting the reward money, briefly outlining his thoughts on fair distribution of their unexpected windfall.
His suggestion reflected both generosity toward Zhang Zhiwei's crucial contribution and consideration for Lin Jiu and Qiu Sheng's more modest circumstances.
"No, absolutely not! That would be far too much for me to accept," Zhang Zhiwei immediately protested, shaking his head vigorously at this proposed distribution method.
His sense of propriety and fairness rebelled against accepting such a disproportionate share of the reward money.
"Then how about Taoist Tiantong takes forty percent, and we split the remaining sixty percent equally between the three of us?" Gustave suggested as an alternative distribution method.
This revision still honored Zhang Zhiwei's primary role in capturing Dark Talon while being more modest in its generosity.
Zhang Zhiwei was preparing to shake his head and refuse this offer as well, but Gustave interrupted him with firm decisiveness:
"The matter is settled! Dark Talon was captured by Taoist Tiantong 's skill and effort, so he absolutely should receive the lion's share of the reward!"
Seeing Gustave speak with such finality and conviction, Zhang Zhiwei found himself unable to refuse any longer. Consequently, the entire group made their way to nearby shops on the street to purchase several cloth bags for dividing and carrying the money according to the agreed-upon distribution.
Gustave personally handed the thirty yuan that represented Lin Jiu and Qiu Sheng's combined share to Qiu Sheng directly, reasoning that since the young man had been beaten during the confrontation, he deserved to handle their portion of the reward.
Qiu Sheng rubbed his hands together nervously and accepted the heavy purse from Gustave with barely contained excitement. This represented the first time in his entire life that he had ever seen or held such an enormous sum of money.
"Thank you so much, Master Gustave! Thank you immensely, Taoist Master Tiantong!" Qiu Sheng exclaimed with overwhelming gratitude.
Hearing the distinctive sound of silver coins colliding within the leather purse, Qiu Sheng thought the metallic chiming was absolutely wonderful. Was this the pure happiness that wealthy people experienced on a regular basis?
However, before Qiu Sheng could even properly warm the purse with his hands or begin to truly savor his good fortune, Lin Jiu swiftly snatched the money away from him. The master then carefully counted out ten yuan and handed the much smaller amount back to his student.
"Qiu Sheng, take these ten yuan and purchase some fresh vegetables, quality meat, and seafood for tonight's dinner," Lin Jiu instructed with the authority of a responsible teacher. "The rest will serve as your living expenses for the immediate future."
He tucked the remaining money safely away before continuing, "As for your actual share of the reward money, I will keep it secure for you and use it to help establish your family and career when the appropriate time comes."
"Master!" Qiu Sheng protested, looking at Lin Jiu with a mixture of dissatisfaction and pleading desperation.
His dreams of sudden wealth were evaporating before his eyes, leaving him feeling both frustrated and disappointed.
"What did you say?" Lin Jiu demanded, his eyes flashing with stern anger that brooked no argument or further protest.
Qiu Sheng immediately became intimidated and submissive under his master's intense glare, hanging his head in defeat and shuffling away to purchase groceries as instructed.
"Please forgive me for this embarrassing display," Lin Jiu apologized after Qiu Sheng had departed. "Qiu Sheng is still young and has absolutely no ability to manage money responsibly. If I had given him those money directly, he would probably spend every last coin within just a few days on frivolous nonsense."
Lin Jiu's explanation carried both paternal concern and practical wisdom born from long experience with his student's character flaws.
"It's perfectly understandable! We completely understan your position," Gustave responded with an understanding smile, showing no judgment about Lin Jiu's financial guardianship of his student.
Both he and Zhang Zhiwei recognized the wisdom in Lin Jiu's protective approach to his disciple's welfare.
Ever since Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai had become Lin Jiu's official disciples, most of the compensation that Lin Jiu earned from taking them on various supernatural assignments was retained by the master, with only enough money provided to cover their basic living expenses. However, Lin Jiu was not embezzling or stealing this money for personal gain. He was genuinely saving it for his two disciples' future needs and security. After all, Lin Jiu himself had very few personal expenses or material desires in his daily life.
The silver yuan currency of this historical period was extremely valuable and possessed tremendously strong purchasing power, making it far more useful and stable than the various random paper banknotes that circulated during uncertain times.
Even if Qiu Sheng decided to purchase seven or eight elaborate meat dishes for their dinner tonight, the total cost would not exceed two yuan. The purchasing power of silver dollars varied considerably during different periods of the Republican era, but in the early days of the Republic of China, a single yuan could buy more than forty kilograms of high-quality rice.
Therefore, Lin Jiu's decision to give Qiu Sheng ten yuan for shopping represented an unusually generous allowance that would provide abundant ingredients for an impressive feast.
After Qiu Sheng departed on his grocery shopping mission, Lin Jiu guided Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei in continuing their exploration and tour of Renjia Town's various attractions and notable locations.
Soon enough, the three arrived at the center of Renjia Town, where an impressive three-story restaurant built in distinctive western architectural style dominated the main square. Compared with all the other traditional Chinese buildings throughout Renjia Town, this establishment appeared remarkably special and exotic.
"This restaurant is owned by the town's wealthiest individual, Master Ren," Lin Jiu explained, providing background information about the establishment to his two friends. "I've heard that it specializes in serving Western-style tea and various European food preparations."
Lin Jiu's introduction helped contextualize the unusual building within the broader economic and social framework of their community.
Gustave observed the steady stream of people entering and leaving the busy restaurant, nodding with appreciation for what this represented. The constant flow of customers clearly demonstrated the genuine prosperity and economic vitality of Renjia Town.
An establishment that specialized in selling exotic Western food could only attract so many customers during this particular historical period if the local economy was sufficiently robust to support such luxury dining. If Renjia Town's economic foundation had been even slightly weaker, it would never have been able to sustain such an ambitious and expensive restaurant.
Renjia Town reminded Gustave of certain county-level cities in the eastern coastal regions that he had knowledge of from later historical periods. Although their administrative level might not be particularly high in the governmental hierarchy, their economic strength was truly formidable. If such a place were relocated to some western provinces, it would likely prove stronger and more prosperous than many provincial capitals.
"Uncle Jiu! Uncle Jiu!" a voice suddenly called from behind them.
Just as the three visitors were preparing to leave the restaurant area and continue their tour, this unexpected voice interrupted their departure.
Gustave turned around and observed a middle-aged man wearing an expensive yellow silk robe and holding an ornate pipe. Everything about his appearance and bearing suggested considerable wealth and social status.
"Master Ren," Lin Jiu acknowledged with appropriate respect and recognition.
This person was indeed Ren Fa, the famous richest man in all of Renjia Town and the owner of the impressive French-style restaurant they had just been admiring.
"I wonder what matter has prompted Master Ren to call out to this humble Lin Jiu?" Lin Jiu inquired with genuine curiosity and politeness.
He couldn't imagine what business such a prominent figure might have with a simple Taoist practitioner like himself.
"Uncle Jiu, I have an important matter that I would very much like to discuss with you in detail," Ren Fa explained, stating his purpose clearly. "Would it be possible for you to come to my restaurant tomorrow evening at nine o'clock?"
His tone carried both urgency and respectful deference despite his superior social and economic position.
"Certainly, that would be quite acceptable," Lin Jiu replied without hesitation.
Lin Jiu had no particular commitments or pressing responsibilities at the moment, so when Ren Fa extended such a courteous invitation, he felt obligated to accept it graciously.
"Thank you very much, Uncle Jiu. I truly appreciate your willingness to accommodate my request," Ren Fa responded with obvious relief and gratitude.
"You're most welcome, Master Ren. It's my pleasure to be of service," Lin Jiu replied courteously.
The two men exchanged the appropriate social pleasantries that such an arrangement required.
"By the way, Uncle Jiu, might I inquire about the identity of these two distinguished gentlemen?" Ren Fa asked after concluding their primary business discussion.
His curiosity had been aroused by both Zhang Zhiwei's unmistakable aura of immortal wisdom and Gustave's elegant, refined western appearance. Such impressive individuals were difficult to ignore or overlook.
"These two are my esteemed friends, Gustave and Taoist Tiantong," Lin Jiu replied, providing the requested introductions with appropriate formality.
"It is my great honor to meet Master Gustave and Taoist Master Tiantong!" Ren Fa declared, executing a proper respectful bow toward both visitors.
Although Ren Fa held the position of richest man in Renjia Town and wielded considerable local influence, he remained quite polite and well-mannered in his social interactions. His courtesy toward Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei demonstrated genuine refinement rather than mere superficial politeness.
"Master Ren is far too kind. The honor is entirely ours," both Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei replied graciously, returning his greeting with equal courtesy and respect.
"Since you two gentlemen are Uncle Jiu's trusted friends, would you perhaps be so kind as to join us at the restaurant tomorrow evening for our discussion?" Ren Fa inquired with hopeful enthusiasm.
For reasons that weren't immediately clear, Ren Fa had decided to extend his invitation to include both Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei, despite having originally planned to meet only with Lin Jiu.
"That would be perfectly acceptable," Gustave replied with a slight nod of agreement.
Based on the fact that Ren Fa was inviting Lin Jiu for what appeared to be an important consultation, Gustave suspected that the main plot events of this world were probably about to begin unfolding. Since Ren Fa had taken the initiative to include him in the invitation, he might as well attend and observe what developed.
With Gustave's agreement secured, Zhang Zhiwei also consented to attend the meeting. After all, he had come to Lin Jiu's world precisely because he had grown bored with the monotonous routine of staying confined to his own mountain sanctuary.
Seeing that all three men had agreed to keep tomorrow evening's appointment, Ren Fa politely excused himself with some fabricated business obligation and departed, leaving Gustave and his two friends to continue their leisurely exploration of Renjia Town's various attractions and points of interest.
Not much later, Qiu Sheng appeared before the three men, riding a bicycle heavily laden with an impressive variety of cooking ingredients. The visible items included a beautifully prepared braised chicken, an entire roast goose, fresh prawns still glistening with moisture, and numerous other vegetables and delicacies. Qiu Sheng had certainly purchased quite an abundant selection of premium ingredients.
If anyone wondered why Qiu Sheng was displaying such unusual enthusiasm and energy today, the answer lay naturally in his firsthand observation of both Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei's extraordinary combat abilities. Even if he couldn't realistically hope to become their formal student, establishing a positive relationship with such powerful individuals and learning even a few basic techniques from them would provide tremendous benefits for Qiu Sheng's future development.
Although Qiu Sheng had only absorbed approximately half of his master's Taoist teachings and supernatural techniques, he possessed genuine interest and talent in martial arts combat. Qiu Sheng had even formed the theory that both Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei had been utilizing advanced martial arts techniques rather than supernatural powers during their confrontation with Dark Talon.
"Master, Master Gustave, Taoist Master Tiantong, I'm going to return to the mortuary first to begin cooking dinner preparations," Qiu Sheng announced with obvious good cheer, greeting all three men with enthusiastic warmth. "Please take your time and return home whenever you're ready!"
His face beamed with genuine happiness and excitement about the opportunity to prepare a feast for such distinguished guests.
"Go ahead, then!" Lin Jiu replied with authority, placing his hands behind his back and nodding with the dignified bearing of a strict but caring teacher.
His posture and expression conveyed both approval of Qiu Sheng's initiative and expectation of excellent results.
"Then I'm departing now, Master!" Qiu Sheng called out cheerfully.
With that enthusiastic declaration, he pushed off with his foot and rode his heavily loaded bicycle back toward their mortuary residence, eager to begin his culinary preparations.
"That rascal," Lin Jiu murmured with affectionate amusement, smiling and shaking his head at his student's obvious excitement and energy.
Despite Qiu Sheng's various character flaws and lazy tendencies, moments like these reminded Lin Jiu why he had accepted the young man as his disciple.
At the Mortuary
The sound of Qiu Sheng forcefully opening the front door jolted Wen Cai from his afternoon dream, where he had been enjoying a particularly pleasant fantasy. Wen Cai's first confused thought was that they were being robbed by bandits, so he cautiously poked his head out from his hiding place, gripping a wooden stick as an improvised weapon while carefully surveying the situation. Only then did he realize that the "intruder" was merely Qiu Sheng returning home.
"Qiu Sheng, why on earth did you buy so many different vegetables and expensive ingredients?" Wen Cai inquired with obvious curiosity and growing hunger.
When Wen Cai observed the impressive array of delicious dishes hanging from the bicycle, his mouth began watering and he reached out to sneak a small piece of the perfectly roasted goose for immediate consumption.
Slap!
Qiu Sheng decisively struck Wen Cai's grasping hand away from the precious food with a sharp, stinging blow.
"We have very distinguished guests coming to dinner tonight, so don't even think about eating anything secretly beforehand!" Qiu Sheng warned sternly, pointing an accusatory finger at his fellow disciple.
After delivering this firm warning, Qiu Sheng began the process of carefully unloading all the various vegetables and prepared dishes from his bicycle, organizing them for efficient cooking preparation.
"Distinguished guests? What kind of distinguished guests could possibly be coming here?" Wen Cai wondered aloud, running his fingers through his disheveled, pot-like hairstyle with obvious confusion.
He couldn't imagine what manner of important visitors could possibly inspire Qiu Sheng to undergo such a dramatic personality transformation. Usually, Qiu Sheng was the very person who loved sneaking food and eating secretly at every opportunity, but now he was actually preventing others from doing the same thing. Had the sun perhaps risen from the western horizon today?
"Don't just stand there gawking like a useless statue! Come over here and help me with all this work!" Qiu Sheng commanded, delivering a firm kick to Wen Cai's backside to motivate him into useful action.
"Oh, alright, I understand!" Wen Cai replied with obvious reluctance, grudgingly picking up several of the heavier vegetable bundles from the bicycle and trudging toward the kitchen to assist Qiu Sheng with their dinner preparations.
His movements carried the unmistakable air of someone who would much rather be sleeping or eating than working.
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