From Martial Arts Dungeon to Master of Martial Arts

"Martial Arts Dungeon"

A panel appeared in front of Mu Sheng, with only these four words on it.

He still doesn't understand what the meaning of this thing is.

But if you want to learn martial arts...

He doesn't have the money to study now.

A group of guests at a table not far away were making a lot of noise. It wasn't that they were deliberately raising their voices; they were just loud.

"The Zhao Family Village outside the city was in such a terrible state; not a single person in the entire village survived."

"They must have provoked some demon; this has wiped out an entire village."

"That demon won't enter the city, will it?"

"How could we possibly enter the city? Our city is guarded by three major martial arts sects. Those little demons and monsters wouldn't dare to come in."

"That Zhao Family Village is quite close to here," the accountant said, fiddling with his abacus. "It's probably a place where trouble could easily arise."

"With those three major martial arts sects guarding it, what could possibly happen?" Mu Sheng couldn't help but ask.

"Nonsense." The accountant slammed his abacus on the counter and said, "Are those three martial arts sects guarding us? They're guarding the powerful families of Changshu, guarding that city lord. What does it have to do with us?"

"If they really cared about us, do you think the Little Knife Gang could swagger around here?"

The accountant spoke with indignation.

"Waiter, bring the food!" shouted the bare-chested man holding a ring knife.

"Coming!" Mu Sheng called out immediately, hurriedly running into the kitchen and quickly stepping forward with a tray: "Esteemed guest, your food and wine are ready."

He immediately placed the two dishes he was holding on the table, along with a pot of fine Red Demon wine.

Seeing that the two men had no intention of giving him a reward, he immediately retreated with a smile on his face.

Please enjoy your meal.

Others transmigrate to a restaurant to eat, but he transmigrates to a restaurant to work as a waiter.

The difference is truly enormous.

But just surviving is no easy feat; he can't afford to be picky.

He strode to the counter, where the accountant was doing the accounting. Upon seeing Mu Sheng approaching, he immediately smiled and said, "Why didn't you collect your reward money?"

Mu Sheng placed the tray on the table and said, "These days, who's so generous as to give a tip?"

The accountant sighed and said, "Yes, it's not easy for anyone to make a living. You'd better find a different job soon. This place is very close to the city gate."

"I don't live far away either. If something really happens, I can't escape even if I find another job," Mu Sheng sighed.

There are demons in this world. Demons live outside the city walls, while humans live inside the city.

Warriors guard the gates of humanity; demons that enter will only be killed.

However, according to the accountant, this martial artist did not protect them.

Difficult.

"Then let's pray to God for protection," the accountant sighed.

"If I learn martial arts, will I no longer be afraid of demons?" Mu Sheng asked, her eyes sparkling.

His special ability can perhaps only be unlocked by learning martial arts.

The accountant glanced at him sideways and said, "Of the three major martial arts sects, even the cheapest one, Zhenyuan Temple, costs ten taels of silver. And if you can't even get started after a month, all ten taels of silver will be wasted."

"In previous years, there were at least eighty or a hundred people who joined them, but only a few could stay. You have that ability, even if you have the ability and the money."

These days, everything else is inferior; only martial arts are superior.

Getting in is not easy, and once inside, there are various places that cost money.

In previous years, countless people have lost everything, ending up with nothing but debt.

He completely disapproved of Mu Sheng's idea.

He shook his head and said, "Mu Sheng, one must be practical. Find a job near the inner city and try to get there. At least you can survive."

"Is that so?" Mu Sheng didn't say anything more.

But he was serious.

Perhaps he could master the basics in a month with his special ability, but the problem is that he simply can't afford the ten taels of silver.

Just then, several more people dressed in martial arts attire entered from outside the door.

"Let's get to work." The accountant checked his abacus.

"Please come in, sir." Mu Sheng forced a stiff expression and moved closer.

These people may look like江湖客 (jianghu ke, meaning wandering martial arts practitioners), but in reality, very few of them may actually know martial arts.

These days, government taxes are increasing day by day, and gangs are rampant. They may not know martial arts, but they are full of brave and fierce people.

The 500,000 commoners of Changshu were oppressed and could only barely survive. If there were able-bodied men in their families, they could make a meager living.

However, if there are no able-bodied men, the family will be devoured and its members will die out. But even if a family has able-bodied men, it is not impossible for someone not to be eyeing them.

As a time traveler, Mu Sheng actually had a way to make money, but the problem was that in this day and age, status was everything.

A blacksmith's son can only be a blacksmith, while an official's son can become an official.

His family were just ordinary poor people. They hadn't even made any money from the little thing they produced, and they were afraid the gang would exploit them to the bone.

If one were to acquire something of great importance, but were of humble origin, it would merely be stealing the achievements of powerful and influential families.

The lower classes are trapped in the mire, and no one can get out.

The only way to visibly change one's destiny is through martial arts.

Only by using force can one rise from the bottom.

...

night.

Mu Sheng used the bolt to close the door tightly. The innkeeper was dressed in coarse linen clothes and looked like a thin old man. He didn't seem to be the one who opened the restaurant. Instead, he was no different from these peasants.

The manager's name was Zhang Tu. He was getting on in years and had accumulated some wealth to buy this restaurant.

Zhang Tu pulled over a long bench and sat down. There were only three people in the restaurant: Mu Sheng, the accountant, and the cook. The restaurant wasn't very big, but the few of them managed to keep it afloat.

Zhang Tu's withered hands unfolded a package, revealing a considerable amount of copper and silver coins inside.

"I can't keep this restaurant going. I'm planning to go back to my hometown and farm. Today is the end of our partnership. Here's half a year's wages for you all. Let's split this money among ourselves."

Everyone looked at each other.

Zhang Tu sighed and said, "The government has increased commercial taxes again, and the Little Knife Gang is also raising protection fees. I'm actually losing money after a day's work. I really can't continue like this. I'm giving you six months' wages so you can find some work."

Although Zhang Tu was the manager, he treated people very well, and the business was quite good. It's a pity that this place is a place where restaurants prey on people.

"Manager..." the accountant wanted to say something.

Zhang Tu waved his hand and said, "Everyone, disperse."

He might have been able to hold on a little longer, but the main problem was probably the demons in Zhao Village.

Although the group was reluctant, they didn't know how to persuade them otherwise, so they could only keep their own money.

Mu Sheng received two taels of silver, which was quite a lot, considering his monthly wages were only two qian of silver.

But once you take the money, things will get complicated.

The gangs demanded money from every household, and the government was also pressing for tax payments.

After a month, including food, he could only save a few copper coins.

These two taels of silver should last about half a year, provided that the fees charged by the Little Knife Gang and the government don't increase.

Mu Sheng put the money into her pocket, where a cloth bag was sewn on. To take something out of it, she had to stretch her arm out and reach inside.

It's also to prevent things from falling.

He left the inn with the money; it was already dark. He hurried home.

His home wasn't far away; just two streets away, you could see a farmhouse.

Just as I reached the door, I heard crying coming from the courtyard next door.

A gaunt man, with a straw dangling from his mouth, swaggered out with a few people.

The windows and doors of the surrounding courtyards were tightly closed, clearly indicating that they did not want to cause any trouble.

It was too late for Mu Sheng to leave; the other party had seen him and was approaching with his men.

"Greetings, Fourth Master Wolf." He could only cup his hands and force a smile.

This man is called Wolf Four, the fourth leader of the Little Knife Gang, and is known for his ruthlessness.

"Mu Sheng, are you off work and heading home?" Wolf Four smiled kindly.

"I just finished up there and am heading home in the dark," Mu Sheng said immediately.

Wolf Four chuckled and said, "Go back and tell your brother that your yard is too big, so we're going to increase the security fee by 30% next month. Don't forget."

Mu Sheng immediately gave a bitter smile and said, "Fourth Master Wolf, our family is just a small one. I work as a waiter at that inn, and my brother does manual labor. The pay rises are so low..."

"That's alright." Wolf Four's smile grew even brighter. "We can lend you money. One tael of silver, that's only three coins a day. It's fair. Consider it a loan for your emergency. But we need collateral. I think your house is quite nice."

The loan is three coins a day, which is only one coin a month, so it seems fair.

But if the house is mortgaged, the house will definitely be lost, but the money will inevitably accumulate over time.

It was full of pits.

The Little Knife Gang has already used this trick to get the house from someone else.

Mu Sheng gritted her teeth and said, "Fourth Master Wolf, don't worry, I'll go back and ask my brother. We still have some assets at home. If we really can't hold on, I will definitely borrow money from you."

A sinister glint flashed across Wolf Four's face, but he still smiled and said, "Then go back and have a good talk with your brother."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely try to persuade my brother," Mu Sheng said, before hurriedly running home.

Wolf Four's face turned cold, and he waved his hand, saying, "Let's go."

Mu Sheng hurriedly ran to his own courtyard. This courtyard was his ancestral home. Although it couldn't compare to a wealthy family, it was still considered large among ordinary people, with three rooms and a courtyard.

This caught the attention of Wolf Four.

He pushed open the door and went inside, crossing the courtyard directly to the main house.

He saw his elder brother, Mu Yun, sitting in a chair with his arms crossed, while his sister-in-law was placing some pickled vegetables on the table.

His sister-in-law, Zhou Fanhua, greeted Mu Sheng with a smile, saying, "Little brother is here! Come and eat, look how busy you are."

This attitude is unlike before; he used to contribute to the family's tax payments.

It can also make the family much wealthier.

Mu Sheng sat down and said, "Brother, we just ran into Wolf Four. He said our home protection money will increase by 30%."

Mu Yun and Zhou Fanhua's expressions changed slightly. Zhou Fanhua immediately wailed, "Where would we get the money? This is trying to force us to our deaths!"

"Shut up!" Mu Yun snapped angrily.

"You think you're so tough with me? If you're so capable, go talk to that Wolf Four." Zhou Fanhua immediately covered her face and went back to her bedroom.

Mu Yun's face turned ashen. Although the family could save some money each month after expenses, they simply couldn't afford to pay 30%.

Mu Yun then looked at Mu Sheng and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

After thinking for a moment, Mu Sheng said, "Brother, I want to learn martial arts."