A Martial Saint Among Men: From Joining a Martial Arts School

27. Do I look 25 to you?

……

Seeing that Chu Xuan didn't agree, Lu Xiaoshuang became even more dissatisfied, frowning as she looked at him and said, "Junior Brother Chu, what do you mean by this? Are you perhaps still not satisfied with the price for Sister Zhiyi?"

Chu Xuan knew that Lu Xiaoshuang had misunderstood him, so he immediately shook his head and said, "Senior Sister, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm dissatisfied, but Miss Ye has offered such a high monthly salary, which I feel unworthy of. I wonder what Miss Ye needs me to do?"

Ye Zhiyi explained, "Firstly, it's about offering sacrifices, which is no different from other families. We just need to resolve some potential troubles that Jinxiu Pavilion might encounter. Secondly, I have a favor to ask."

"As a businesswoman, Zhiyi occasionally travels out. I would like to ask Young Master Chu to condescend to accompany me and ensure my safety!"

Chu Xuan frowned and said, "I have no problem with the first condition. As for the second condition, if the number of times is not many..."

"A maximum of twice a year!" Ye Zhiyi said directly.

That shows great sincerity.

Chu Xuan didn't hesitate and immediately nodded: "Okay, I agree to Miss Ye's conditions."

"I'll have someone draft the contract right away," Ye Zhiyi nodded.

Chu Xuan suddenly spoke up: "Miss Ye, I also have a favor to ask."

"Please speak," Ye Zhiyi said directly.

"May I receive a year's worth of offerings in advance?" Chu Xuan asked tentatively.

"Junior Brother Chu, don't go too far!"

Lu Xiaoshuang's face darkened, and she glared at Chu Xuan, saying, "Zhiyi has already offered you such a high monthly salary, and you're still pushing your luck, wanting to take a year's worth early. Do you think Zhiyi is a weak woman who's easy to bully?"

Chu Xuan looked at Ye Zhiyi.

Ye Zhiyi nodded and said, "Okay."

This time, not only Lu Xiaoshuang, but even Chu Xuan was surprised.

A monthly salary of twenty taels would amount to two hundred and forty taels a year!

This is no small sum of money.

"Zhiyi, you..." Lu Xiaoshuang looked at Ye Zhiyi in confusion.

Chu Xuan asked in surprise, "Miss Ye, aren't you going to ask me what I need this money for?"

Ye Zhiyi shook her head: "No need!"

She waved her hand, and soon a servant brought over the drafted contract and two hundred taels of silver.

Chu Xuan didn't waste any words. After repeatedly confirming that there were no problems, he signed his name.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Ye. Please let me know if you need anything in the future."

Chu Xuan cupped his hands in farewell and then took his leave.

Once Chu Xuan's figure disappeared, Lu Xiaoshuang could no longer hold back and pulled Ye Zhiyi aside, saying, "Zhiyi, why did you give him so much money all at once? Aren't you afraid he'll run off with it?"

Two hundred and forty taels of silver is enough for a martial arts master of the Ming Jin level to abscond with the money.

Ye Zhiyi smiled and said, "Sister Lu, why don't you guess what he'll do with this money?"

"What else can he do with it?!" Lu Xiaoshuang said irritably. "When a poor person suddenly becomes rich, they naturally spend it on extravagant living and squandering. If half of that money goes towards cultivation, that's already a good thing! You're not helping him, you're harming him!"

She had seen far too many examples like this.

Ye Zhiyi shook her head: "I bet he'll buy a house in the inner city and bring his mother and sister here!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaoshuang's expression softened somewhat.

She had also heard about Chu Xuan's situation and knew how dangerous it was for Chu Xuan's mother and sister in a place like the outer city.

"You shouldn't have given him so much money all at once. What if he thinks you're rich and powerful and starts asking for exorbitant sums later?" Lu Xiaoshuang retorted stubbornly.

"No way!"

Ye Zhiyi shook her head, looking in the direction Chu Xuan had left. "I treated him with sincerity, and I'm sure he won't let me down!"

"You're still too naive; you have no idea how treacherous people can be!"

Lu Xiaoshuang poked Ye Zhiyi's forehead in an annoyed tone.

At this moment, the maidservant brought Chu Xuan back and reported to Ye Zhiyi: "Miss, after Young Master Chu left, he went to Datong Brokerage at the end of the street..."

……

Two hours later, Chu Xuan stood in front of the gate of a two-courtyard house.

As the sun began to set, golden rays slanted across the bluestone slabs, making the black lacquered lintel of the two-courtyard house shine.

Li Siyang, a broker at Datong Pawnshop, had a large bunch of keys hanging from his waist and a smile on his face that was warmer than the sun.

But those big yellow teeth were a bit off-putting.

"Young Master Chu, what do you think..."

Li Siyang took out his key, opened the door, and pointed to the front yard, saying, "This front yard is perfectly square, about half an acre in size! The sycamore tree in the southeast corner is at least thirty years old; it's perfect for cooling off on summer nights..."

"These two side rooms on the west side can be cleaned up and used as guest rooms; they're very bright and spacious."

Chu Xuan stepped inside and indeed found the room bright and clean.

Although the carvings on the window frame are a bit old, there are no signs of insect damage or decay.

In the center of the courtyard, there is a carved blue stone fish tank with clear water and two koi swimming inside.

If one could practice martial arts in this courtyard and rest under the tree, that would be the most comfortable place, and it wouldn't disturb the backyard.

Li Siyang then led him through the hanging flower gate and into the backyard.

"Young master, look, this backyard is the real gem! The north wing has three main rooms, with blue bricks and gray tiles. The beast head on the roof ridge, though not ostentatious, is still the work of a true craftsman."

"Feel the paper on the windows again; it's all newly pasted. The main beam is made of a single piece of nanmu wood, which won't rot even after a hundred years."

"Take a look at the ground. The bluestone slabs are smooth and even, and even your footsteps make a steady sound when you walk on them. The east wing is the kitchen, which is connected to the well, so it's convenient to get water."

"The back door leads to a small alley, making it convenient to buy firewood and rice. It's also quiet and secluded, free from unwanted people..."

Li Siyang rubbed his hands together and leaned closer to Chu Xuan with a smile, saying, "To tell you the truth, this courtyard was originally the ancestral home of Master Zhang in the south of the city. It was only because they encountered an emergency that they reluctantly gave it up."

Chu Xuan looked around and nodded in satisfaction.

This two-courtyard house is naturally incomparable to Ye Ruyi's mansion, but compared to where his family lives now, it is worlds apart.

In two hours, he had already looked at seven or eight houses.

This set is the one I'm most satisfied with.

Of course, what Chu Xuan liked most was that it was very close to the Lu Family Martial Arts School, separated by only two alleys.

The inner city is much safer than the outer city, with patrols day and night. With a master like Lu Tong in charge, there's no doubt that no foolish thief would dare to come near.

"I'm very satisfied with this set. How much is it?" Chu Xuan asked.

"Not expensive! Two hundred and fifty taels!"

Li Siyang chuckled, as if he were looking at a fat sheep.

"Two hundred and fifty taels?"

Chu Xuan stared at Li Siyang with a half-smile.

Do I look like an idiot to you?

Inadvertently, the inner courtyard martial arts uniform embroidered with the words "Lu Family Martial Arts School" was revealed inside the clothes.

"Um...hehe..."

Li Siyang's eyelids twitched slightly, and he nervously revealed his bottom line: "Young Master Chu, if you are truly sincere in your purchase, I can offer a lower price. However, to be honest, the minimum is two hundred taels. This is the bottom line set by Master Zhang in the south of the city."

"How about this!"

Chu Xuan looked at him and said, "Let's set the limit at two hundred taels. You help me negotiate the price, and for every ten taels less, I'll give you ten percent, how about that?"

"This... isn't quite in accordance with the rules..." Li Siyang hesitated.

Chu Xuan said calmly, "Then let's split it fifty-fifty! Whatever we can negotiate, we'll split it 50/50! Also, the broker's fee will still be settled at two hundred taels. I can also give you one hundred taels of silver upfront so you can take it to Master Zhang to discuss things!"

As he spoke, Chu Xuan took out one hundred taels from his bag and handed it to him.

"Huff... puff..."

Holding the gleaming silver, Li Siyang's breathing quickened.

Finally, he stamped his foot and gritted his teeth, saying, "Young Master Chu, please wait a moment. I'll go talk to Master Zhang right away and I'll be back in half an hour at most."

After saying that, he grabbed the silver and ran away in a flash.

Chu Xuan, on the other hand, started wandering around the courtyard.

He wasn't worried that Li Siyang would run away with the money.

Datong Brokerage is one of the most reputable brokerage firms in Qingshan City, and it is registered with the government, making it an official brokerage firm.

As for Li Siyang embezzling one hundred taels of silver from him?

Do you really think he's a pushover?

As for the price of this house, referring to the previous houses, two hundred taels should be the market price.

But if it can save money, why not save it?

Anyway, trying it won't hurt to lose anything.

Of course, since it was the market price, he didn't expect Li Siyang to be able to cut the price down much.

It was agreed that it would take half an hour, but in reality, it was never used.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Siyang rushed back, covered in sweat.

"Young Master Chu, I have successfully completed my mission!"

Li Siyang wiped the sweat from his forehead, panting heavily, and said, "Thank you, one hundred and fifty taels!"

"..."