All the gods began by cultivating the Iron Shirt technique.

Xiushui, as the main transportation waterway of Jiaxing City, saw a great many merchant ships coming and going. Every day, valuable goods were unloaded from the merchant ships by dockworkers. These goods enriched the wealthy merchants and local dock managers, while also supporting the ordinary people who made a living at the docks.

"One, two, three, go!"

"Be quiet, these things are precious!"

Many merchant ships were already docked at Xiushui Wharf in the early morning. Some had just arrived after traveling all night by water, while others were loading cargo and preparing to leave.

Dockworkers moved goods back and forth under the supervisor's instructions. The scene was bustling with activity, with people moving about and making a lot of noise.

"Junior Brother Yang, there are many gangs at Xiushui Wharf, including my Beggars' Sect. The disciples usually help the wharf managers look after the territory, so there isn't much danger. You can work hard here from now on."

Ma Wu brought Yang Pan to the Beggars' Sect's headquarters and gave him a brief introduction to the daily tasks of the Beggars' Sect disciples there.

Yang Pan stood to the side, listening attentively.

However, Yang Pan believed that the other party's claim of helping to guard the territory was simply a disguised form of collecting protection money. After all, port transportation had always been extremely profitable, and even with government involvement, it was not something a mere port manager could easily handle.

The dock managers, wanting to maintain peace, naturally had to concede some benefits to the local gangs, which led to the establishment of these gangs, as Ma Wu mentioned.

These gangs divided the entire dock into areas, with each gang responsible for collecting money within their respective areas, which was essentially a security fee.

Merchants who wanted to transport their goods safely had to pay money to these gangs. In return, the gangs would protect the merchants and even send their disciples to help move the goods. Of course, moving the goods would be charged separately.

After explaining the matters here to Yang Pan, Ma Wu turned and left. As a senior four-bag disciple, Ma Wu was aiming to become a five-bag disciple.

He no longer cared about the territorial duties and intelligence-selling of lower-ranking disciples like Yang Pan. He now spent more time accompanying some of the gang's five-bag disciples on missions in the martial world; only in this way could he accumulate contributions faster and become a five-bag disciple sooner.

After Ma Wu left, Yang Pan arrived at the Beggars' Clan's base at the dock. It was called a base, but it was actually just a small rented courtyard house next to the dock, where seven or eight Beggars' Clan disciples lived.

The docks are usually quiet, and the Beggars' Sect disciples stationed there have relatively little to do. Therefore, these disciples rarely stay in the small courtyard; instead, they often work as laborers at the docks, helping to move goods.

After all, the money collected from the docks each month belonged to the gang, not to the lower-ranking disciples. After handing over the monthly money, very little actually ended up in the hands of these disciples.

Therefore, in order to earn more money, the gang members stationed here would basically earn some extra money at the dock.

Because they were part of a gang, these disciples earned more money carrying goods than ordinary laborers.

It wasn't that the ship merchants were particularly generous; more importantly, they didn't want to offend these gangs, so they had no choice but to swallow their pride and accept it.

"It's an easy task."

Sitting down in the courtyard, Yang Pan poured himself a glass of water and pondered his future plans as he drank it.

Now that he has joined the Beggars' Sect, he can finally settle down. As long as history doesn't take a sudden turn, he can live peacefully in Jiaxing City for decades without any problems.

Of course, it's impossible for him to stay here permanently; at least in Yang Pan's plans, he didn't intend to stay in Jiaxing City for more than a few years.

He is, after all, an immortal being, so staying here for three to five years shouldn't be a problem, since the changes aren't significant.

But as time went on, everyone around him grew old, but he remained unchanged, still looking like he was twenty-five or twenty-six years old. At that point, even a fool would know that something was wrong with him.

Fortunately, the Beggars' Sect does not restrict its disciples to staying in one place. In the future, when Yang Pan becomes stronger, he can certainly roam the martial arts world under the name of a Beggars' Sect disciple.

Staying away from familiar people can greatly reduce the risk of the secret to immortality being exposed.

In addition, Yang Pan was also thinking about how to learn some disguise techniques. In this martial arts world, everything became extraordinary because of the existence of martial arts.

Going back further, during the Tianlong era, there was A'Zhu's disguise technique that could create a perfect illusion; more recently, it seems that there are also martial arts techniques related to disguise in the traditions of Peach Blossom Island.

After all, in the original work, both Huang Yaoshi and his disciple Cheng Ying wore human skin masks. Regardless of whether they could be mistaken for real ones, they could at least cover up one's appearance.

However, obtaining either A'Zhu's disguise technique or Huang Yaoshi's human skin mask would likely be quite difficult. Therefore, Yang Pan didn't have any particular interest in these things in the short term.

Besides the concern about immortality, another issue is his own strength. He has already planned to acquire advanced martial arts techniques for the future, and the techniques he currently possesses are sufficient for him for the time being. However, his only concern is the money required for cultivation.

It is said that the poor study literature and the rich study martial arts. In order to cultivate martial arts, in addition to having a famous teacher to guide you and martial arts techniques, the most important thing is the consumables needed to assist in the cultivation.

All the consumables need to be purchased with money. Given Yang Pan's current status as a low-level disciple of the Beggars' Sect, the money he earns each month probably won't be enough to support his future cultivation needs. If he wants to get a lot of money, he either needs to do some business or commit murder and arson to get rich.

Yang Pan had some ideas about this.

Firstly, regarding business, although he himself cannot support a business shop, Brother Huang intends to run a business in the future.

Yang Pan wondered if he could provide Senior Brother Huang with some advanced theories from later generations in order to establish a cooperative relationship with him.

He could even delve into high-proof liquor and see if he could concoct it in this world.

While he doesn't know how to refine perfumes and soaps, he has some knowledge of baijiu (Chinese liquor) and might be able to give it a try if he spends some time doing so.

In fact, Yang Pan had these thoughts back in Tongjiang County. Unfortunately, at that time he was barely alive, let alone having any real strength. Even if he did manage to concoct some liquor, it probably wouldn't be his.

Now, with the Beggars' Sect backing him and the future cooperation with Senior Brother Huang, if the liquor really comes to market, he should be able to get some of the profits.

Setting down his empty teacup, Yang Pan got up and went to the center of the courtyard to begin practicing the Five Tigers Severing the Gate Saber.

The essence of martial arts lies in perseverance. Perhaps influenced by more than twenty years of cultural immersion, Yang Pan has a truly fervent love for martial arts. Since he first encountered martial arts, Yang Pan has never slacked off, no matter when or where, even now he is practicing a sword technique that the sect's disciples don't really respect.

Whoosh!

The longsword twirled in the air. Perhaps it was the foundation laid by basic swordsmanship, but although the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber had more and more complex moves and variations, Yang Pan picked it up extremely quickly. Now, having only mastered the saber technique for seven or eight days, his practice already looked quite convincing.

White Tiger leaps across the ravine!

With a flash of light, Yang Pan leaped into the air, his massive body casting a huge shadow under the sunlight. At that moment, Yang Pan raised his sword high with both hands, the cold white blades carrying superhuman strength as they slashed down.

Hurala!

With a single strike, Yang Pan's longsword instantly shifted, the blade flashing left and right, fiercely slashing through the surrounding air – a testament to the fluidity and devastation of swordsmanship!

Then came the "Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Its Prey," "Hungry Tiger Descending the Mountain," "Tiger Tail Whip," and so on—one sword technique after another was unleashed by Yang Pan.

Time passed slowly, and Yang Pan continued his swordsmanship without stopping. Gradually, large beads of sweat began to drip from his forehead.

If talent determines the lower limit, then effort determines the upper limit. Yang Pan asked himself if his talent was outstanding, not comparable to various martial arts prodigies.

He didn't have any extraordinary encounters that allowed him to cleanse his marrow and change his aptitude. Fortunately, the Longevity Dao Fruit gave him plenty of time. Since his talent was insufficient, he would use endless time and effort to bridge the gap!