Sweeping Through Demons with the System Chapter 004: Local Gangs

At that time, villagers were slowly making their way to the fields for work.

Upon catching sight of Lu Shaolin, they scattered as though they had seen ghosts or spirits, avoiding him at all costs.

Unfazed, Lu Shaolin shouldered an iron spear, his gaze intently fixed ahead, as he walked toward the village entrance.

Generally, the Great Xia Dynasty was a period of national prosperity and peace for the populace. Apart from the havoc wreaked by demons and monsters, Pingshan County was devoid of bandits and highway robbers.

Lu Shaolin took about an hour to cover the three-mile distance on foot.

Arriving at the bustling entrance of Pingshan County, he observed that many people, much like himself, were also armed.

When it came to weapons, the Great Xia Dynasty was exceedingly lenient due to frequent eerie events involving demons and monsters. The only items the populace was prohibited from possessing were armor and powerful crossbows; all else was allowed!

However, the use of weapons within the city was strictly forbidden. Any violators would be instantly executed by the patrolling city guards!

Gripping his long spear and eyes filled with curiosity, Lu Shaolin made his way toward the city gate.

The city guard at the entrance briefly looked at him before averting his gaze.

From his experience, the guard could immediately tell that this was a rural youth, likely coming into the city to see what all the commotion was about.

As Lu Shaolin entered the county town, a cacophony of hawkers' shouts greeted him.

"Hot and delicious steamed buns!"

"Large baozi here! Thin skin and lots of filling!"

"Sweet and delicious candied hawthorns, two skewers for a coin!"

"Wontons!..."

The scent of various foods filled the air, immediately making Lu Shaolin's appetite grow. Feeling instantly hungry, he headed toward a baozi shop.

"Little brother, would you like some baozi? Our shop's baozi are widely famous, the best in Pingshan!" the shopkeeper called out enthusiastically.

"Give me five!" Lu Shaolin said, his eyes fixed on the baozi as big as fists, while swallowing his saliva.

"Alright!" The shopkeeper, grinning ear to ear, quickly wrapped up five baozi in oiled paper and handed them to Lu Shaolin.

"Little brother, that'll be five coins!"

"Mm, here you go!" Lu Shaolin handed over five copper coins after counting them out.

Taking the baozi in hand, Lu Shaolin started eating. Within just two or three bites, one baozi was gone, and he had devoured all five before even leaving the street!

Patting his stomach lightly, he turned onto another street.

Drawing on the memories in his head, his predecessor had visited the county town a few times with his father. His father had also detailed the general layout of the town, noting that the coffin shop was situated on another street.

Reaching a somewhat quieter street, Lu Shaolin quickly noticed the coffin shop situated at the far end.

As he arrived at the entrance of the coffin shop, he found the shop assistant dozing off in his chair.

After all, this line of work was unique; one couldn't shout to attract customers from outside the store.

Stepping into the shop, Lu Shaolin roused the dozing assistant. After some negotiation, he ordered a pine coffin, paying two taels of silver with the assurance of home delivery.

He arranged with the shop assistant to come around noon, riding a donkey cart to Panshan Village.

Additionally, he asked the assistant about martial arts schools and learned that there were two in the county town: Four Seas Martial Arts School and Pingshan Martial Arts School.

Having clarified their locations, Lu Shaolin directed himself toward the nearer Pingshan Martial Arts School.

After a walk roughly as long as it would take to brew a cup of tea, he arrived at Pingshan Martial Arts School.

A large signboard loomed over the main entrance, making it easily recognizable at a glance.

Shouts of various kinds echoed from within the school, likely from apprentices engaged in martial arts practice.

Straightening his coarse cloth garments, Lu Shaolin entered the school.

Just as he crossed the threshold, a gruff voice sounded from the side: "Boy! Are you here to learn martial arts?"

Turning his head to see, Lu Shaolin found a burly man, standing about 1.8 meters tall, staring at him.

The man had a light yellow complexion, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, appearing to be around twenty-five years old.

"Indeed, may I know your name, sir?" Lu Shaolin asked, smiling as he cupped his hands in a traditional greeting.

"Don't bother with 'sir'. I'm the eldest apprentice here at this martial arts school. You're here to learn martial arts?" the man responded impatiently.

"Could I inquire about the tuition fees?" Lu Shaolin asked, maintaining his smile.

"Tuition is ten taels a month."

So expensive! Though slightly taken aback, Lu Shaolin continued, "What technique is taught here? And to what realm can one advance?"

"The Rock Steady Technique, up to the Peak-stage of the Muscle Refinement realm!" the man replied.

"Is it an external technique?" Lu Shaolin questioned further.

"Expecting an internal technique? Unless you're in the imperial court, part of major noble families, or in significant gangs, where else can you find such internal techniques?" the man retorted, glaring at him.

"Alright, thank you for the information, elder brother. I'll return to study once I've gathered enough silver," Lu Shaolin said, cupping his hands in gratitude once more before turning to leave.

"Hey! Better hurry up; we have limited spots for new apprentices here!" the man called out after him.

"Understood!" Lu Shaolin responded, then set his course for the Four Seas Martial Arts School.

Upon reaching the Four Seas Martial Arts School and making some inquiries, Lu Shaolin discovered that, similar to Pingshan Martial Arts School, the monthly tuition was also ten taels of silver. They offered an external technique known as the 'Golden Body Technique', with the highest attainable realm being the Peak-stage of the Muscle Refinement realm as well.

Setting aside the high tuition fees, the limitation of only reaching the Muscle Refinement realm was not sufficient for his requirements.

He needed to achieve the Viscera Refinement realm in order to heal his damaged internal organs and save his own life!

Looking up at the sky, Lu Shaolin resolved to first handle the transportation of the coffin back to his village. He was confident that a path would reveal itself in due time.

Upon returning to the coffin shop, he saw that the shop assistant had already loaded the pine coffin onto the donkey cart. "Little brother, you're back quite soon. It's not even noon yet," the assistant said, eyeing him curiously.

"I just made some quick inquiries, so it didn't take much time. Can we depart now?" Lu Shaolin answered, smiling.

"Absolutely, just give me a moment to inform the shopkeeper," the assistant said, nodding before heading into the shop.

Shortly after, the assistant returned and announced, "Everything's ready. Little brother, take a seat next to me; we can leave now!"

The shop assistant draped a black cloth over the coffin and took his place at the cart's driving seat, holding the reins. There was just enough space for one more person beside him.

Lu Shaolin climbed in and took the vacant seat next to the assistant.

Once he saw that Lu Shaolin was comfortably seated, the assistant gave the whip a sharp "snap." The large blue donkey responded, moving its hooves and steering them towards the city gate.

Before long, the donkey cart had exited the county town and was leisurely journeying towards Panshan Village.

"Little brother, you've been quiet. Is it the cost of the martial arts schools that's bothering you?" asked the shop assistant, noticing Lu Shaolin's ongoing silence during the trip.

"Partly. Also, the techniques they teach don't exactly meet my needs," Lu Shaolin acknowledged, nodding.

"Well, if you're fearless and have no qualms about risking your life, you might consider joining one of the gangs," the shop assistant suggested, his eyes shifting toward Lu Shaolin's black iron spear.

"Gangs? I'd like to know more," Lu Shaolin's interest was piqued. Already teetering on the edge of life and death, what more did he have to lose?

"Once you join a gang, you can learn martial arts at no cost, and you'll even receive a monthly allowance. But you have to be fearless and willing to risk your life. Moreover, you'll need to strictly adhere to the gang's rules and remain loyal," the shop assistant detailed, wearing a smile.

"Here in Pingshan County, we have two significant gangs: the Black River Gang and the Dagger Society."

"Their leaders are rumored to have reached the Viscera Refinement realm. I'm not too familiar with all of that, but I've heard they're extraordinarily powerful," he continued.

"Oh?" A glimmer of interest flashed in Lu Shaolin's eyes. Eagerly, he pressed on, "How does one join either of these major gangs?"

"The two major gangs recruit new members every spring. Seeing as it's already autumn, you'll have to wait until next year, little brother," the shop assistant responded, flicking his whip.

'Damn it!' Lu Shaolin cursed inwardly.

Just as he'd caught a glimpse of a technique that could lead him to the Viscera Refinement realm, he found out they weren't recruiting!

As for being involved in gangs, he had some familiarity with the underworld from his previous life as an undercover agent. Now, armed with his spear technique that had reached Great Success, he believed he could easily establish a reputation within such circles. However, it seemed now he would have to consider alternative avenues.

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