10 Debtor Is King

Shocking! A renowned cultivating technique has a hidden flaw that remains unknown to many. What could this secret possibly be? One that makes those in the know blush, remain tight-lipped, yet secretly study it under the cover of night?

Fang Zhou once again found himself in a pit.

This time, however, the pit was rather shallow. His only consequence was hair loss, which wasn't a significant issue unless someone noticed.

Aside from this flaw of hair loss, the New Moon Qi technique proved to be quite formidable. After several days of rigorous practice, Fang Zhou felt a subtle enhancement in his physique and strength. But these improvements weren't evident in his inherent attributes; perhaps the increase was too minute to measure.

Whenever he stumbled upon a puzzling aspect in his cultivation, Fang Zhou would devote himself to unravelling the mystery. Only when he couldn't comprehend it himself would he resort to asking Ling Xiaoyue.

Why did he do so? Not because Fang Zhou was particularly self-reliant, but because when he asked Ling Xiaoyue, the audacious woman demanded a consultation fee!

You heard it right, she dared to charge him for asking questions.

Having lived in two different worlds, this was the first time Fang Zhou had heard of a apprentice needing to pay for asking his mentor questions. To add to the audacity, Ling Xiaoyue even demanded various fees from him, including food, lodging, medical fees, clothes, and so on. She seemed to find every possible pretext to squeeze money out of him.

Fang Zhou seriously suspected that this woman had died penniless in her previous life and, in this one, had been born with an insatiable thirst for money.

Unfazed by these accusations, Ling Xiaoyue defended herself resolutely, "I'm not your mother. Why should I pay for your bills? Do you think eating, medical care, and buying clothes are free of charge?"

Growing increasingly frustrated, Fang Zhou snapped, "I've already given you a thousand taels of silver as a token for your mentorship!"

"Indeed, you have."

Ling Xiaoyue replied, nonchalantly, "In return, I provided you with the New Moon Qi teachings. And in the future, I'm going to teach you so many more cultivation techniques. You're in profit, if anything."

A resigned Fang Zhou replied, "So, what we have is purely transactional, not the sacred bond of mentor and disciple."

"Oh, my naïve apprentice!"

Ling Xiaoyue sneered, "The relationship between a master and a disciple is essentially an exchange of interests, just draped in the cloak of emotion. Try taking a thousand taels and see which sect would accept you. Let me teach you another lesson, the most expensive things are the ones given for free. If any sect takes you in without any charge, they surely desire something from you, perhaps your body, heh heh."

Fang Zhou was at a loss for words. While Ling Xiaoyue's logic seemed twisted, he couldn't deny the hint of truth in her words.

Gaining entry into the world of cultivation in this realm was no small feat. Countless individuals flaunted their wealth, yet struggled to find a way in. Only talent and the right connections could unlock the door.

The situation mirrored the elite private universities on Earth, where only a recommendation letter could secure a spot. Having money alone makes one merely a lamb to the slaughter.

If a sect wants you without connections or money, they're likely after your talents. The elder of the Xuan Ji sect probably took Fang Zhou as a disciple due to his talent, and it's surprising they even covet his body.

But regardless, this isn't an excuse for Ling Xiaoyue to keep finding reasons to charge him.

Fang Zhou, unable to argue or fight back, had no choice but to submit. He was being fleeced by Ling Xiaoyue like a lamb. He stored all these injustices in his heart, vowing to settle the score with this woman when the opportunity arises.

In just a few days, Fang Zhou was deep in debt, and the creditor was his master.

However, upon realizing the situation, Fang Zhou became more composed. It's just debt after all, and there's a saying: the debtor is king. "Go ahead and fleece me, if I ever repay even a single cents, I'll take your last name."

...

The Jingchu region is located in the northern part of Jingnan province, and the best route is to follow the Jingchu River.

After leaving Yun Mountains region, Fang Zhou and Ling Xiaoyue traveled northward along the Jingchu River. There were many places where they could take a boat, saving both energy and time. However, Ling Xiaoyue, a dignified cultivator, complained about the expensive boat fares, insisting on walking several tens of miles through the mountains, nearly causing Fang Zhou to fall apart from exhaustion.

Nevertheless, such hardship enabled Fang Zhou to absorb and circulate spiritual energy more efficiently. He could cultivate and nourish his body even while riding a horse, feeling his physical constitution strengthening bit by bit.

His strength also increased slightly, from 2 points to 3.

Fang Zhou wasn't sure if Ling Xiaoyue did this on purpose or unintentionally. But judging by her carefree demeanor, he assumed it was unintentional.

As they proceeded north, Fang Zhou's horse began to lose condition. If they continued at this pace, the horse would be ruined. Therefore, they had no choice but to stop at a place called Qingde City for a rest.

While Qingde City was smaller than Wu City, it was still a substantial city with a population of one hundred thousand. The city walls were towering, and the city gates were grand.

Fang Zhou and Ling Xiaoyue, blending with the human tide, entered the city. The skyline was filled with high-rise buildings, densely packed, and the streets were broad and flat. Pedestrians hustled and bustled, painting a scene of prosperity.

Upon entering the city, Fang Zhou sought a place to stay, have a proper meal, and take a warm bath. Over time, sleeping under the stars and subsisting on dry food daily had nearly driven him to the point of retching. He hadn't had the opportunity to bathe often, and the uncomfortable sticky feeling on his skin was unbearable.

In contrast, Ling Xiaoyue appeared impeccably clean, as if she was untouched by dust, as though dirt could not linger on her.

Seeing Fang Zhou heading towards the lively restaurants and inns, Ling Xiaoyue stopped him: "Where do you think you're going?"

"Obviously, to find a place to stay," Fang Zhou replied, then eyed her suspiciously, "You... you're not thinking of sleeping on the streets in the city, are you?"

He could tolerate sleeping outdoors during their journey, but in the city, he would not stand for it.

Seeing Fang Zhou's defiant look, as if ready to end their master-disciple relationship over this issue, Ling Xiaoyue laughed, "Am I the kind of person who would make you sleep on the streets?"

"Yes!"

Her laughter stopped abruptly, and Ling Xiaoyue reprimanded him, "We are cultivators. How can we stay in inns like ordinary people? That's beneath us."

Fang Zhou smirked, "Sleeping on trees doesn't degrade us, right? Monkeys sleep on trees too."

Ling Xiaoyue swung her wine jug at Fang Zhou, but he agilely dodged it.

"Follow me. Let me teach you the secrets of how cultivators travel in the mortal realm, which I usually don't tell anyone."

Although Ling Xiaoyue sounded confident, Fang Zhou remained skeptical. She mounted her horse and headed off, leaving him no choice but to follow.

They arrived at Qingde City's announcement wall, where official documents were posted for public viewing. Newspapers, interesting anecdotes, and notices of missing people were also pinned. However, only those who could afford it could post there; others resorted to putting up flyers in alleys.

Many locals, having nothing better to do, would gather to hear those who could read narrate the posted stories. It was as enjoyable as listening to a storyteller, and it was free.

The announcement wall was relatively small, yet it drew a large crowd, all pushing forward to get a better view. A handful of guards were on the sidelines, ensuring order amongst the chaos, making the scene lively and organized.

To Fang Zhou's surprise yet somewhat expectedly, all the civilians present were females, even the few city guards were women.

In such circumstances, were Fang Zhou to venture inside, he would be instantly swallowed up by a sea of women, offering him a unique experience of being the center of attention.

However, he didn't dare to. These women looked sturdy and had tough faces. If he squeezed in, who would be touching whom would be a question. He feared he might get in safely, but not get out the same way.

With his enhanced physique, Fang Zhou's hearing and sight had greatly improved. He was able to discern the content displayed on the announcement wall, even from the outskirts of the crowd.

Fang Zhou cast a curious glance. There were wanted posters with illustrations, notices about land dragons causing disturbances in certain cities, and frequent reports of children going missing in the Jingchu region, warning of rampant kidnappers and urging people to watch over their young ones.

At that moment, Ling Xiaoyue waved her hand, and a notice flew off the announcement wall and into her hand.

This act immediately attracted the attention of many people in front of the announcement wall. They turned their heads one after another.

In a normal world, a beauty like Ling Xiaoyue would attract attention wherever she went. Unfortunately, this world wasn't normal. After glancing at her for a moment, their attention shifted to Fang Zhou.

Fang Zhou instantly felt like he was under a spotlight, the intense gazes seemingly eager to strip him bare.

With a sudden shift in perspective, it felt as though countless men were unabashedly scrutinizing a beautiful young lady.

"What a handsome lad!"

"Nice ass!"

"Let me touch you! I'd rather not get married for two years, hehe."

All kinds of comments and even the sound of swallowing reached Fang Zhou's ears, making his skin crawl.

Although Fang Zhou did not fit the beauty standard of a 'pretty-boy' that prominent families would want as a husband, his appearance was still top-tier. His upright stature seemed to ignite the conquering desire in women.

People began to move closer, and Fang Zhou quickly urged Ling Xiaoyue, "Let's go, hurry!"

Fang Zhou's embarrassment brought immense joy to Ling Xiaoyue, but she didn't linger around, leading him away from the scene.