Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 5 Money Money Money
Previously on Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World...
"Finally, Small Success!"
Joy sparkled in Gu Sheng's eyes. After three days of hard work, success had arrived at last.
Reaching Small Success in wood-chopping allowed him to use force skillfully, directing nearly all his bodily power so each axe strike cleaved the log with ease.
It raised the instant energy use a bit, yet overall output jumped by no less than fifty percent!
"My chopping speed now matches an ordinary grown man's. Handling five hundred logs daily will be no issue."
Gu Sheng calculated silently.
That amount equaled five coins, a solid earning for sure.
By limiting himself to one pound of rice bran each day, he could pocket one coin.
"A promising beginning. Small Success alone has boosted my output greatly. Great Success or Perfection would bring even higher gains."
"Daily meals of two pounds of rice bran run just past eight coins. Balancing earnings and spending is just a question of time. Soon, there could be extra."
"The family's firewood needs are the only concern. But that's fine — with their winter reserves in mind, I'll earn plenty."
Gu Sheng exhaled softly, considering the last point.
"At Small Success, how many logs for a 1% proficiency gain?"
It didn't take long.
Gu Sheng found out.
In the last two hours before dusk, his old rate topped out at sixty to seventy logs.
But today.
More than a hundred!
And proficiency hit 2%.
"So, post-Small Success, fifty logs per 1%?"
Gu Sheng nodded to himself. At this pace, Great Success in wood-chopping might come in under ten days!
Once achieved.
He'd secure his spot in Gu's Manor and then ease into martial arts practice.
...
In the steward's yard.
Gu He eyed Gu Sheng with mild surprise.
"You chopped how many? Three hundred and sixty-four logs?"
Gu Sheng pressed his lips and nodded, acting naive while staring at Gu He.
Gu He studied Gu Sheng closely, especially his arms, nearly touching them to check.
"Strange. In mere days, his daily wood count keeps rising. Maybe it's natural power?"
Surprise stirred inside him, and he decided to watch this closely.
The prior two inspections of Gu Sheng's chopped wood showed no shortages — he wasn't cheating.
Gu He said little more and gave Gu Sheng four coins.
Gu Sheng spoke up first:
"Thanks, Steward. I'll pay back the rest bit by bit."
Gu He gave a small nod and summoned the next worker for payment.
Gu Sheng ignored them and left the yard. Some workers glanced his way — likely from Gu He's changed demeanor or his youth.
Back home.
He lit a fire, prepared his food, and devoured a big bowl of rice mixed with wild greens. He longed for the rabbit meat from before, his tongue flicking over his lips.
Next, he scooped out dark, thick paste from the clay pot and rubbed it on his arms, back, and belly.
A refreshing chill flowed in, working wonders.
This paste aided Gu Sheng's steady progress in gaining experience. Without it, despite his status panel strength, he couldn't have hit two hundred logs so soon.
The pot's base showed just a slim remnant.
"Enough for one last application, which will do. After that, natural healing takes over. Then I'll give the pot back to Brother Erniu."
Under the night sky.
Summer's insect calls blended softly with the wind, reaching Gu Sheng's ears. The heat kept sleep away.
Gu Sheng rested against the warm kang, arms behind his head, thinking of what lay ahead.
"At fourteen, wood-chopping could save me one tael of silver in a year."
"But martial arts training means huge costs. As the proverb goes: books bloom in hardship, martial paths demand riches. Wood-chopping already drains me daily; martial arts will demand more."
"After settling in, I'll seek smarter ways to earn."
"This year, maximize income while toughening my frame step by step. Grain alone won't build bulk or power — meat's essential, yet it costs a fortune."
"Money! Money! Money! Everything hinges on money!"
Gu Sheng felt his head throb.
His past life's smarts helped little without resources, as even the best chef needs ingredients.
He remained a scrawny fourteen-year-old, with only Small Success in wood-chopping as his advantage. Scheming for quick wealth...
He'd likely end up dead in the wilderness before dawn.
"Asheng! Asleep yet?"
A hushed voice interrupted Gu Sheng's thoughts.
Gu Sheng rolled off the kang and opened the door. Beyond the bamboo fence, Gu Erniu whispered his name.
Spotting Gu Sheng, Gu Erniu grinned and beckoned him closer, passing a bit of smoked meat and saying:
"Hold off on saying no. Brother Erniu needs a favor."
Gu Sheng paused as the meat touched his palm. He led Gu Erniu into the thatched hut, shut the door, and stated firmly:
"Brother Erniu, what do you take me for? Since Dad died, you're the only one who's been real with me. I'll always help you out."
Gu Erniu chuckled loudly and clapped Gu Sheng's shoulder.
"Stubborn as ever, kid. Eat the meat. From tomorrow, I'll be in the mountains for a bit — three to five days tops, or just one or two. While I'm gone, if my wife requires aid, you'll step in."
Gu Sheng nodded eagerly, "Don't worry, Brother Erniu."
After a short pause, he inquired:
"Brother Erniu, mountains for three to five days — isn't that risky?"
Gu Erniu whispered:
"Nah, it's a manor-led hunt. I'm just showing the path, with top experts along. If fortune smiles, big haul awaits, and I'll hook you up with meat to strengthen you!"
Excitement laced his words, showing it was a prime chance.
"Keep it under wraps."
Gu Sheng sensed something off. Great experts to Gu Erniu meant Martial Artists. Why send them hunting now?
Still, as a mere woodcutter, it wasn't his place.
He couldn't interfere anyway.
Gu Sheng urged:
"Brother Erniu, be careful and safe."
Gu Erniu smiled and nodded before departing.
He felt no threat; the manor's Martial Artists must have assured him.
Night visit for help had dual aims: backup for his wife during absence, and an excuse to give Gu Sheng meat.
Gu Erniu knew Gu Sheng, like his father, resisted charity.
The prior ointment and rabbit bit were already pushing it.
The following day.
Gu Sheng stuck to his routine, chopping for the manor, as Gu Erniu headed to the mountains.