Chapter 101: Securing the Prize

The Shen family did not swallow the insult regarding the Medicine King Gang’s borderline tactics on the night of September 18th. They promptly launched a "Combat Merit Loan" program in the North District, allowing for the advance of combat merits to distribute a wave of combat-ready Meridian-Clearing Pills, effectively engaging in their own aggressive edge-playing.

Under this massive influx of resources, the strength of the Shen family’s North District wardens experienced an explosive surge. It could be said that the Medicine King Gang’s provocations inadvertently provided a huge "dividend" to the North District guards. After the Shen family began playing the same game, the Medicine King Gang’s advantages were neutralized. Furthermore, with the Shen family’s larger base of martial artists, their overall strength expanded even more dramatically, exerting even greater pressure on the gang.

Ultimately, the Medicine King Gang’s attempt to push boundaries proved to be nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst; they had trapped themselves in a web of their own making, worsening their already difficult position. Without breaking the established rules, the Medicine King Gang seemed to have exhausted their wits, pushed back step by step.

Against this backdrop, the Shen family’s momentum was unstoppable. Even though Zhuang Jin had kept a low profile, he still reaped six or seven hundred combat merits in the remaining days of the month. After deductions, his balance was nearing three thousand points. This was simply insane. In the North District, it truly felt as if one could "pick up" combat merits. Combined with the special "Combat Merit Loan" perk, it made many Fourth and Fifth Meridian martial artists from the Shen family’s main estate and the outer herb fields envious and jealous. They began to protest, demanding that the North District not hog the benefits and that the warden positions be rotated.

The Fourth and Fifth Meridian martial artists currently stationed at the main estate and the outer herb fields were mostly well-connected. When they gathered to voice their complaints, the Shen family could not ignore them and eventually proposed a compromise.

...

On the afternoon of September 30th, Xing Yan summoned Zhuang Jin and the other street wardens. "Ahem, you are all aware of the recent situation. Some Fourth and Fifth Meridian martial artists from the main estate and the outer herb fields are eager for battle and have requested to be transferred to the North District. The leadership has considered this and found it difficult to refuse. It has been decided that at least two of the six wardens currently at East Bridge Dock must leave their posts temporarily..."

Upon hearing the phrase "eager for battle," the six wardens twitched. Where were these people last month or the month before? They were clearly only here because the North District's campaign was going smoothly, making combat merits easy to come by, and because of the "Combat Merit Loan" perks. If not for these reasons, would those well-connected individuals be swarming in like flies sensing blood?

Xue Yandao was arrogant and bellicose; he wanted to temper himself, accumulate merits, and break through to the Seventh Meridian, so he had no intention of leaving. Wei Xun and Du Shiyuan certainly wouldn't volunteer to fill this vacancy, and Zhuang Jin’s small trio remained silent for the time being.

"When everyone thinks it’s an opportunity to rake in merits, it ceases to be an opportunity," Zhuang Jin thought to himself. "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. While the latter half of the saying doesn't quite fit this world, the first half is perfectly appropriate right now."

He did not believe the Medicine King Gang would simply accept their fate. Based on past experience, they were like cockroaches that refused to die—incredibly tenacious with one trick after another. "If they could pull off the stunt of pre-advancing Meridian-Clearing Pills on the 18th, they might resort to even more extreme measures if pushed into a corner."

Although Zhuang Jin didn't know exactly what the Medicine King Gang would do next, he knew they wouldn't give up. "Underestimating the enemy at a time like this is a recipe for disaster." He considered his own situation; his hidden cards had been largely exposed, and he had accumulated a significant amount of merit. It might be a good thing to cash out, step back for a while, and focus on cultivating to reach the Seventh Meridian.

Thinking this, he looked at the other two in his small group. Duan Tao shook his head slightly, while Miao Lun looked thoughtful.

"Giving up our warden spots is a loss for us, of course," Xing Yan continued. "But rest assured, leaving the North District does not mean you will be sent to the South District... and the main estate is unlikely. You will likely go to the outer herb fields to enjoy some peace and quiet. Who knows, you might be back in a few months."

Xing Yan asked, "Among you six, who is willing to volunteer? If no one does, we will draw lots."

"Lord Xing, I have earned quite a few merits recently and would like to focus on my cultivation for a while. Given the current situation, I will take one of the spots!" Zhuang Jin announced.

Miao Lun followed suit: "Lord Xing, count me in as well!"

Xue Yandao and the others looked at them with strange expressions. After finally surviving the hardest times and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, why would they volunteer to leave now? Was this "selflessness" real? Du Shiyuan and Wei Xun were particularly surprised. They had assumed that since they were the lowest-ranked—though they had reached the Fifth Meridian thanks to the "Combat Merit Loan"—they would be the ones forced to leave. They never expected Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun to step up voluntarily.

Xing Yan looked at the two, feeling a sense of reluctance. Miao Lun was one thing, but Zhuang Jin... *He is a lucky charm. He performed a great service on the 17th of last month and turned the tide on the 18th this month. I really don't want to let him go!*

However, since he had asked for volunteers, he had to respect their wishes, especially since they were helping him solve a problem. Considering the favorable situation in the North District, their departure wouldn't cause any major setbacks, so he agreed.

...

On the first of October, Zhuang Jin passed the test with the "Glazed Realm-Measuring Puppet" and was promoted to a Third-Pattern Servant.

It is worth noting that the "Glazed Realm-Measuring Puppet" requires the input of internal energy to display one's cultivation level. The mechanism reflects the state of the martial artist's meridians, making it impossible to conceal one's level once the energy is input. Zhuang Jin had already completed 60% of his accumulation toward the Sixth Meridian and would likely break through to the Seventh within the month. If he didn't promote now, the next test would reveal that he had skipped the Sixth and gone straight to the Seventh, which would be an impossible explanation to provide.

He went to the Department of Miscellaneous Affairs to register and receive his new identity badge. Being a Third-Pattern Servant was the pinnacle of the servant rank. His basic monthly allowance was twenty taels of silver, and he enjoyed greater dignity in matters of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

For "clothing," he was now entitled to four sets per season, along with three sets for his wife. For "food," he received three jin of high-quality exotic beast meat at the peak of skin-toughening level each month, or a larger quantity of lower-grade meat. For "housing," the conditions varied, but he was guaranteed at least a four-rafter dwelling. For "transportation," there was no change; he was still permitted to use a sedan chair carried by two people.

...

News of Zhuang Jin reaching the Sixth Meridian spread through the main estate. While many offered congratulations, there were also plenty of whispers behind his back. Some felt he had simply been lucky to be sent to the North District at the right time. There were even rumors that he had only broken the bottleneck between the Fifth and Sixth Meridians by consuming a Meridian-Clearing Pill, a sign that his potential was exhausted.

Zhuang Jin paid no mind to these voices. In fact, he found them quite convenient; they helped diminish the jealousy and malice directed at him. It was far better than people calling him a genius more talented than the young masters of the inner courtyard—that would be truly dangerous.