My experience of grinding in another world

Chapter 18 Chief
Inside the hunter's cabin.

Chen Mu stared intently at the white-haired old man outside through the crack in the window.

Seeing the other person disappear so quickly, seemingly strolling leisurely, Chen Mu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He wiped his forehead and found it was covered in sweat.

"Is the old man an assassin?"

"Who wants to kill me?"

What happened when the employer died?

"Could it be a ruse to kill me while I'm off guard?"

Chen Mu was in a state of utter confusion.

He diligently practiced calligraphy and painting, earning his money honestly and honestly, and yet someone wanted to kill him?!
The world is a difficult place, and people's hearts are treacherous!
"We must seize power as soon as possible!"

The white-haired old man's figure had completely disappeared.

Chen Mu tied a water sac containing a mixture of several types of snake venom to his waist.

Clean up the lime powder inside the sleeves.

He gripped dozens of sharp-edged pebbles tightly in his right hand.

The machete is fastened to the lower back.

After preparing the rabbit, Chen Mu used all his strength to practice the Red Falcon Formation Technique and headed straight for the side of the mountain forest.

That was in the exact opposite direction from where the old man had left.

Although it meant taking a longer route, he felt more at ease.

He absolutely did not want to meet that white-haired old man.

……

Be careful all the way.

Chen Mu was like a frightened bird, and the slightest disturbance made him tremble with fear.

He didn't sneak back to his home in Qingshan County until evening.

"If they can find Chenjia Village, they will likely find this place as well."

We need to move as soon as possible!

Today's experience left Chen Mu feeling extremely insecure.

After putting his things away and quickly eating dinner, Chen Mu didn't rest at home.

Clutching his bedding, he climbed over the wall and ran into the neighboring yard.

Having lived here for so long, Chen Mu has already found out everything.

The western courtyard has been vacant for a long time.

He decided to make do here for the night.

"We need to find a way to rent this courtyard as well."

"No, it's still a bit too close." Chen Mu looked to the west.

"This house seems quite nice too."

……

The next day, Chen Mu went to the East Market brokerage and rented the two neighboring houses together.

The annual rent is only one or two taels of silver, which Chen Mu can now easily afford.

After locking the door, he began climbing over the wall repeatedly to move his basic necessities to the new home.

Sleeping in the westernmost courtyard.

They practiced martial arts in the central courtyard.

They didn't even return the old house; they're just using it as a front to fool people.

After that, he made a big purchase, buying a large quantity of medicinal herbs, and then began practicing his martial arts in seclusion.

The secret medicine accompanying the Red Falcon Body Training Technique has the effect of improving physical condition and repairing damage.

He used to take it only once a day.

Chen Mu is now desperately craving power. He takes the secret medicine twice a day, takes appropriate breaks in between, and increases the frequency of his training.

He used to practice the body-shaping technique six or seven times a day, but his body would become sore and painful and he would find it difficult to continue.

Now, with the help of secret medicine to recover, I can practice eight or nine times a day.

Proficiency levels soared rapidly.

As his muscles became stronger and his speed and reaction time increased, Chen Mu became more and more engrossed in the task.

He even deliberately reduced the number of times he went out to have his portrait drawn.

……

One month later

Writing: 1336/10000/Second order;

Drawing: 1034/10000/Second order;

Throw: 2465/10000/Tier 2;

Red Falcon Form Training Technique: 5352/10000/Tier 1;
"It'll be soon. It will take at most two months to complete the Yi Jin Jing."

The Body Refining Technique has three levels of transformation: Tendon Strengthening, Bone Strengthening, and Marrow Strengthening.

The name is just a superficial description.

According to Sheng Hong, the three-stage transformation represents the human body breaking through its limits three times, resulting in a continuous transformation and enhancement of its overall qualities.

Every change is earth-shattering.

You can't expect to master it without years of practice.

But once the transformation is complete, it is easy to surpass ordinary people.

"If only I could keep cultivating like this forever," Chen Mu frowned.

He devoted himself to practicing martial arts for a month, which greatly increased his consumption of medicinal herbs and food.

The number of times I go out to have my portrait drawn has decreased, and my savings have shrunk significantly.

All the silver coins, copper coins, and loose silver in the pottery jars were counted.

Forty-three taels...

"I need to paint a few more portraits for people this month."

Increase the dosage of the secret medicine.

Costs have increased significantly.

Purchasing Thousand-Beard Grass directly from herb gatherers does indeed save a lot of costs.

But the remaining medicinal herbs are still not cheap.

Without further income, he can only survive for another month.

“Still poor.”

In the days that followed, he slowed down his training pace and gradually resumed the number of times he used to paint portraits.

Fortunately, my drawing skills have been improving, and I can draw a portrait in just half a day.

The remaining half-day can still be used to grind proficiency.

...That day, Chen Mu brought the portrait home.

Suddenly, I noticed a thin, middle-aged man standing at the door.

The other party was standing at his doorstep, accompanied by two burly men.

He recognized the burly man; he was Yan the painter's bodyguard.

If it weren't for these two, he would have gone to talk to Painter Yan privately long ago.

"Miao Hua Fang!"

"What kind of trouble is that painter Yan planning this time?"

"Looks like the gift I gave last time wasn't enough!"

He really didn't want to have anything to do with these local bullies.

Before he could turn around and leave, the thin middle-aged man in gray had already noticed him.

"Young Master Chen, please wait!"

Glancing at the arms of the two burly men, which were thicker than his thighs, Chen Mu regretfully gave up the idea of ​​knocking the three men unconscious.

"What's the matter."

"Our owner, Master Zhen, invites you to come with us," the thin middle-aged man said with a smile.

Chen Mu glanced again at the two expressionless, burly men.

He knew he had no choice.

"Wait a moment, let me tidy up," Chen Mu said, bowing slightly.

"Please hurry. Master Zhen doesn't like waiting." The middle-aged man said with a smile.

Chen Mu opened the door under the watchful eyes of the three people.

Just as he was about to close the door, a burly man held it open with one hand.

"Young Master Chen, please hurry." The thin middle-aged man still smiled.

Chen Mu nodded expressionlessly.

Entering the room, Chen Mu stood under the west window, looking at the three people at the door through the window grille, and silently stuffed two packets of lime powder into his sleeve.

After thinking for a moment, he clenched a small porcelain bottle on the windowsill in his hand.

Finally, he grabbed a handful of pebbles and put them into his money bag.

……

Anlefang Ruyi Zhai.

Chen Mu looked up at the three-story wooden building.

It was midday, and the building was bustling with business and a constant stream of people.

"Please come in, young master. The master is in a private room on the third floor." The thin middle-aged man led Chen Mu upstairs.

Ruyi Zhai occupies a large area and is always bustling with customers.

The lobby on the first floor was bustling with activity, while the private rooms on the third floor were quiet and peaceful.

Chen Mu followed the thin middle-aged man to the third floor.

A well-off middle-aged man was already seated in the private room. Two tall, burly bodyguards stood behind him.

Is this Master Zhen? Where is Painter Yan?
“But Young Master Chen is here in person,” Master Zhen said with a smile.

“It’s me,” Chen Mu said calmly.

"Come, come, please have a seat." Master Zhen said with a warm smile.

"I've long heard of Young Master Chen's amazing painting skills and have always wanted to meet you. Today I'm finally able to meet you in person," Master Zhen complimented.

"You flatter me, Master Zhen," Chen Mu replied calmly.

This Mr. Zhen is indeed a businessman; he is adept at social maneuvering and extremely skilled at conversation.

One moment he was telling stories of Anlefang, the next he was praising Chen Mu's superb painting skills.

Chen Mu responded half-heartedly, secretly relieved that it probably wasn't a trap.

"I won't beat around the bush. I'd like to invite Young Master Chen to be the chief painter of my Miaohua Studio," Master Zhen said bluntly.

"Miaohua Studio will act as matchmaker for Young Master Chen, and we won't charge a penny for the painting. In addition, we will provide a monthly allowance of ten taels of silver." Master Zhen said sincerely.

"You want me to be the chief illustrator?" Chen Mu asked in surprise.

Where is the painter Yan?

Helping to attract business comes with an extra 10 taels of silver per month, which seems pretty good.

With such great offers, could there be a scam?

"As the chief painter, Young Master Chen only needs to create a few portraits for my Miaohua Studio when necessary," Master Zhen said with a smile.

Chen Mu understood.

His unique drawing skills, combined with modern techniques, are difficult for anyone to imitate these days.

Miaohuafang wants to use itself as its brand.

I can earn money steadily, while the other party increases their influence.

“Okay! I agree.” Chen Mu no longer hesitated.

As for the painter Yan...

If he dares to cause trouble, we'll give him another big gift!
After that, there was a feast of food and drink, and Chen Mu did not leave Anlefang until evening.

……

Inside the elegant room of Ruyi Zhai.

As he leaned against the window, admiring the newly lit lanterns of Anlefang, Mr. Zhen leisurely cracked open some melon seeds: "Did you send it back?"

"Master, it's time to go back." The thin middle-aged man walked in carrying a cup of ginseng tea and replied.

"With this young master Chen here, our Miaohua Workshop is safe. The owner has excellent skills," the thin middle-aged man said with a smile.

Master Zhen spat out the melon seed shells: "I wonder where Old Man Yan has gone. Without this signboard, a lot of business has been snatched away by the Red House in the west of the city."

"Could it be that Hongfang secretly harmed Elder Yan?" the gaunt middle-aged man asked solemnly.

"That bitch really did it!" Master Zhen said coldly, flicking away a melon seed shell.

"In that case, we'll find two skilled men to protect Chen Mu tomorrow. We can't afford any more mishaps."

"Yes."

……

Outside the wooden building window, a dark shadow clung silently to the eaves, hanging in mid-air.

"So you really wanted to hire me as the chief illustrator." Chen Musong breathed a sigh of relief.

He reached out and flicked a pebble, which landed on the ginseng tea in the hand of the thin middle-aged man.

"Since he's the real boss, we can't let him be poisoned."

"What a pity about my bottle of concentrated snake venom."

Ignoring the chaos inside, he nimbly climbed onto the roof.

With a few leaps, he jumped into the alley and disappeared.

(End of this chapter)