earning money

Jiang Xíngxīng made his way to Master Liu's house, which stood on the outskirts of Greenwood Village. The house was small but well-kept, with a garden full of herbs and flowers. Jiang took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

An older man with sharp, alert eyes and deep lines on his face opened the door. He was dressed in simple but elegant robes, exuding an air of wisdom and strength.

"What can I do for you?" Master Liu asked in a quiet but firm voice.

"Master Liu, my name is Jiang Xíngxīng. I am new here and wish to learn the path of Cultivation. Could you take me on as your student?" Jiang asked with a deep bow.

Master Liu regarded him silently for a while before slowly shaking his head. "Before I can consider taking you on as a student, I need to assess your potential and talent. This requires a special test, which unfortunately, is not free. The materials and effort involved cost a significant amount."

Jiang's heart sank. "How much does it cost, Master Liu?"

"Ten silver coins," Master Liu replied.

Jiang's eyes widened in shock. He had only two copper coins to his name. "I... I don't have that kind of money," he admitted, his voice tinged with desperation.

Master Liu sighed. "I understand your situation, young man, but I cannot make exceptions. Cultivation is a serious and demanding path, and resources are limited. You must show your commitment and ability to support your journey."

"Is there no other way?" Jiang asked, his hope dwindling.

Master Liu shook his head again. "I'm afraid not. Return when you have the necessary funds. Only then can we proceed."

Jiang thanked Master Liu and left the house, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. He wandered back into the village, pondering how he could quickly earn enough money to pay for the test.

As he walked through the bustling streets, he overheard a conversation between two villagers.

"Did you hear? The blacksmith needs someone to gather some rare herbs from the forest," one villager said.

"And the baker is looking for help delivering bread to the nearby town," the other replied.

Jiang's ears perked up. These tasks might be a way to earn some money. He approached the villagers.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Could you tell me more about these tasks?" Jiang asked politely.

The first villager, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, nodded. "Sure, the blacksmith needs three types of herbs that grow in Shadowlake Forest. It's a bit dangerous, but he pays well for them. The baker needs someone to deliver bread to the nearby town of Willowbrook. It's a long walk, but it's easy work."

Jiang thanked them and decided to visit the blacksmith first. The blacksmith's forge was easy to find, with the sound of hammering metal echoing through the streets. The blacksmith, a burly man with soot-covered hands, looked up as Jiang approached.

"Hello, sir. I heard you need someone to gather herbs from Shadowlake Forest?" Jiang asked.

The blacksmith nodded. "Yes, I need Fireweed, Moonblossom, and Dragonleaf. If you can bring me these herbs, I'll pay you one silver coin."

"I'll do it," Jiang said, determination in his voice.

"Be careful. The forest can be dangerous," the blacksmith warned.

Next, Jiang headed to the bakery, where the smell of fresh bread was intoxicating. The baker, a plump woman with flour on her apron, greeted him with a warm smile.

"I heard you need someone to deliver bread to Willowbrook?" Jiang inquired.

"Yes, I do. It's a day's journey there and back. I'll pay eight copper coins for the delivery," the baker offered.

"I'll take the job," Jiang agreed.

Finally, Jiang learned of another task from the village notice board. The innkeeper needed someone to help clean the stables and would pay two silver coins for the work. Jiang headed to the inn, a large, bustling building filled with travelers and locals.

The innkeeper, a gruff man with a thick beard, was sweeping the floor when Jiang approached him. "Excuse me, sir. I saw your notice about needing help with the stables," Jiang said.

The innkeeper nodded. "Yes, the stables are a mess. If you can clean them up, I'll pay you five copper coins."

"I'll do it," Jiang replied.

With three small quests lined up, Jiang felt a renewed sense of purpose. These tasks would not only help him earn the money he needed but also allow him to familiarize himself with the village and its surroundings. He started with the stables, wanting to tackle the dirtiest job first.

The stables were indeed a mess, with hay scattered everywhere and the smell of animals strong in the air. Jiang rolled up his sleeves and got to work, cleaning out the stalls, replacing the straw, and making sure the animals were fed and comfortable. It was hard, sweaty work, but he pushed through, driven by his goal.

[ HA you look so pathetic in here surrounded by animal feces. It suits you perfectly]I should just ignore it he thought[Hey you are really no fun]

By the time he finished, the sun was setting, and the innkeeper came to inspect his work. "Good job, lad," he said, handing Jiang five copper coins. "You've earned this."

Jiang thanked him and headed to the bakery early the next morning. The baker handed him a large basket filled with loaves of bread. "Be careful on your journey to Willowbrook. There have been reports of bandits on the road," she warned.

Jiang nodded, determined to complete the task. The journey to Willowbrook was long and tiring, but uneventful. He delivered the bread to the town's bakery and received a small token of gratitude from the baker there. By the time he returned to Greenwood Village, it was late, and he was exhausted.

The next morning, Jiang prepared himself for the most challenging task: gathering the herbs from Shadowlake Forest. He equipped himself with a small knife he got from the blacksmith and a satchel to carry the herbs, because he thought he shouldn't use his inventory in front of other people. He then set off towards the forest.

The dense trees and thick underbrush made it difficult to navigate, but Jiang pressed on, using the descriptions given by the blacksmith to locate the herbs. He found the Fireweed near a rocky outcrop, the Moonblossom in a shaded grove, and finally, the Dragonleaf near a small, clear pond. The forest was indeed dangerous, with strange noises and occasional rustling in the bushes, but Jiang managed to avoid any confrontations.

When he returned to the blacksmith with the herbs, the blacksmith inspected them and nodded approvingly. "You've done well, young man. Here is your silver coin," he said, handing Jiang the money.