Chapter 3: Old Man Tian

His first trip to the market narrowed down the scope for what could be his first business, but there were still quite a few worries swimming freely in his mind. One of them was the constant reminder of debtors. The whole situation was sticky. Sticky enough that it would put him in deep trouble if he didn’t start working on the things he had planned. If only Chen Ren hadn’t been a hedonistic bastard. Now, he was gone, but the due hangers remained. Feng Ming, the first taste of the cruelty of the situation, didn't give the kindest of warnings until the collateral was given, but at least, it was just one person. If the others who Chen Ren owed had also come, he wouldn’t have that many assets to calm them down. In the best-case scenario, they might not come find him at all. Though it didn’t matter since he would have still needed at least five hundred silver wen in the next two months to get back his medallion from Feng Ming. Upon his return from the market to his abode, he immediately sought the aid of Tang Xiulan to pen letters to each of Chen Ren’s debtors, humbly requesting leniency and an extension of time. It was a gamble, sending out these letters, as it might either buy him the precious time he needed or invite unwanted scrutiny. But at this point, he was no stranger to risk; he would not sit idly by while the wolves circled closer. It was better to know what was coming to him rather than wait for them to knock on his door. As he wrote the letters, he understood more and more who his predecessor had borrowed from. Local gangs to even the Li Clan, he had taken money from whoever was willing to give it. It was a shock to learn that he hadn't borrowed anything from the Tang Clan, but he guessed that his predecessor was already living in the guestroom without rent for months and didn't want to do anything that might ruin the arrangement. With the letters sent, he knew the first stone had been cast. Chen Ren knew better than to invite disaster by waiting for it to arrive at his doorstep. His recent encounter with Feng Ming had left a bitter taste in his mouth, a reminder that his standing in this world was fragile. Though his pride chafed at the idea, he recognized the wisdom in humility. Moreover, Chen Ren's reputation in this world had been that of a man too proud for his own good, so a humble request for understanding might just catch his debtors off guard. It was a calculated move— one that could either buy him time or invite further disdain. But in his mind, the roll of the dice was worth it. Beyond this, Chen Ren established a disciplined routine over the next three days. Each morning, he would make his way to the marketplace, his eyes sharp as he perused the stalls. He made purchases sometimes, but he was not there to spend money. Instead, he observed, learning the intricacies of the marketplace: the competitions between stalls, unspoken rules, the ebb and flow of customers, and the subtle interactions between stall owners. His efforts were not in vain. The stall owners, most of them who were seasoned merchants, were more than willing to share their knowledge. Of course, he had to buy their goods to loosen their tongues, but the information he gathered was invaluable. They didn’t see him as a threat, which suited him just fine. Sёarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, the more they underestimated him, the better for him. As he gathered insights, he began to see the marketplace for what it truly was— a battlefield. But unlike other fights, this one required patience, cunning, and a keen understanding of the human heart. That was an economic market and one couldn't just brute force their way to the top in it unlike cultivation. Every time he made his rounds through the marketplace, he felt strange eyes on him. He understood why. Clad in the fine robes of a young master from a reputable household, his appearance alone made him an oddity among the rougher, more practical traders and common folk. His handsome features, sharp yet softened by the polish of privilege, only made him stand out more. It was clear to anyone with half a mind that he didn’t belong among the stall keepers and street merchants. Yet, here he was, day after day, seemingly more interested in their mundane dealings than a man of his stature should be. He didn't let their looks bother him, though. They could whisper and speculate all they wanted; he had more pressing concerns. Still, there was no denying that his behaviour drew attention, especially from the Tang Clan's family maid. Tang Xiulan didn’t accompany him every day, but whenever she had free time, she would quietly follow, her eyes constantly flickering to him as if trying to decipher some hidden motive behind his actions. Today was such a day where she had been around. At first, he ignored her glances. But as they walked, they grew more frequent until he could no longer pretend not to notice. Finally, he turned to her, his tone measured but with a hint of impatience. "If you have something to say, then say it," he demanded, watching as she flinched at his directness. She hesitated, clearly torn between her duty and her curiosity. After a moment, she nodded, gathering her courage before asking the question that had been gnawing at her. "Young master, why are you doing this? Visiting the stalls every day, speaking to these merchants… It's not something someone of your standing would usually do." His eyes softened slightly as he considered her question. He knew that his behaviour must seem strange to her, someone who had known his predecessor, an arrogant and untouchable young master. But again, it was not his reality anymore. He was not the previous Chen Ren and he could never be like a cultivator too stuck up his ass. Chen Ren’s response was simple, “I did tell you before. I want to start up a business and I’m doing market research for it,” he said with a straight face as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Xiulan blinked in surprise, her expression shifting from confusion to shock as if he had just uttered the most blasphemous statement she had ever heard. She stared at him, waiting for the punchline, but when she realised he wasn’t joking, her shock turned to concern. “Young master,” she began carefully, appearing as if she was trying to find the right words to convey her doubts without offending him. “Starting a business isn’t easy. There are many rules and regulations to follow. You’ll need to establish a supply chain, deal with suppliers, and manage all sorts of details. It’s... it’s not something to be taken lightly. If you really want to start up a business, you should do so with cultivators, not among stall owners.” You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. “Do you think cultivators would let me deal with them? Even if I have a good product, there's no guarantee they won't just steal it. I'm not strong enough to work with them.” Tang Xiulan again looked alarmed. “I’m sorry young master, but still, mortal businesses are a complicated matter.” He saw those words coming from a mile away. From the start, ever since he let her know what his plans were, she had not been optimistic about him starting a business. Chen Ren nodded along. “I’m aware of that, Xiulan. That’s why I’ve decided to start with something simple, something that’s easy to manage but has the potential to grow into something much larger. A business that could span the entire Kalian Empire if done correctly.” Her scepticism was palpable, but by how she was fidgeting her fingers, it looked like her curiosity got the better of her. “What kind of business can that be, young master?” she asked, her tone cautious. Chen Ren turned to her, his eyes gleaming with determination. “You already know the answer to that too. A stall.” For a moment, Xiulan’s face was a portrait of disbelief. She stared at him as if he had just declared himself the emperor of the empire: her eyebrows about to touch her hairline and her jaw about to hit the floor. But then, as if remembering her place, all her facial features quickly returned to their natural state. She inhaled a generous amount of air and stood like she normally did. After all, she had no right to question him, even if his plan seemed... contentious to her. They soon arrived at the familiar stall, one that had become a part of his daily routine. Today, there were only a few men who stood in front of it. Unlike some busy days where an extra person would be too much in a crowded place, Chen Ren found it easy to walk closer to the stall and stand in the front. The stall owner, Old Man Tian, was cheerful doing his daily skewer selling to a tall man who mindlessly captured the entire space. He immediately spotted him and greeted him with a broad grin, clearly pleased to see a repeat customer. “Ah, young master! Welcome back!” Old Man Tian called out. “You have brought the young miss here again today.” Chen Ren smiled at that. Without waiting for a response, Old Man Tian started preparing his grill. “What will it be today? The usual?” Chen Ren nodded, his expression calm. “Yes, two skewers, please.” As the stall owner expertly prepared the skewers, Chen Ren turned to Xiulan and handed one to her without a word. They ate in silence for a moment. After a few bites, Chen Ren looked up and asked, “Were you able to do that thing I asked for?” Old Man Tian’s eyes brightened with understanding. “Yes, young master,” he replied with a smile. “It’s all taken care of. All that’s left is to submit the document at the government office, explaining the nature of your stall and such.” Chen Ren gave a small nod of appreciation. “Thank you. What time would be best to do that?” The stall owner leaned in slightly. “Tomorrow morning, early. That’s when the clerks are in a good mood and the lines aren’t too long.” “Understood,” Chen Ren said, finishing his skewer with deliberate care. He handed the empty sticks back to the stall owner with a nod of thanks before turning to leave, Xiulan following close behind. As they walked back home, Xiulan stepped closer to Chen Ren. “Young master,” she began hesitantly. “What was that conversation about? You seem unusually close to that stall owner.” “Old Man Tian is one of the oldest vendors on this street,” he explained. “He’s seen many come and go, and he’s always been more than willing to chat. Over time, I’ve made it a point to talk with him whenever I visit his stall and get a good rapport with him. Yesterday, I talked to him about getting a permit for the stall and he helped with it. As you know, doing anything in a government office isn't something as straightforward as it seems.” Xiulan frowned slightly, trying to piece together what he meant. “Not straightforward...?” Chen Ren nodded. “Getting a permit isn’t just about submitting a document. Sometimes, you’re expected to grease a few palms to get things done quickly, but I don’t have the funds for that. So, I’ve had to rely on good relationships and advice from those who’ve been through the process before.” “Can’t you just… force your way through it?” she asked, surprising him a bit. “I can, but I have realised violence isn't the best way to solve things. If I forced my way in, there'd be tens of ways more trouble could come my way. If I smack a simple clerk, he would bring out his nephew who's in a sect. If I smack him, the nephew would bring out his master,” he said, ignoring the petrified look on Tang Xiulan's face. “I asked the stall owner to put in a word with a clerk he might know. Not every clerk is the same— some are more by the book, while others expect a little something extra. He pointed me toward one who won’t take bribes and will get the job done quickly.” “What does the stall owner get out of it in return, young master?” Chen Ren’s lips curled into a slight smile. “He gets to do a small favour for a cultivator and a young master. I’ve subtly hinted at my intentions while enjoying his skewers, and he probably thinks I’m just playing around with the idea of running a stall or that it’s some sort of mental training as a cultivator. It doesn’t matter what he believes. What matters is that he now has a story to tell— how he helped out a young master who’s also a cultivator. That’s worth more to him than any silver I could offer.” Xiulan nodded thoughtfully as they reached their compound. Chen Ren moved around to start heading towards his room from the courtyard. At that moment, Tang Xiulan’s voice called him out. “Young master, you might get the permit, but what are you planning to sell? From what I know, most things already have established stalls with regular customers.” Chen Ren paused, turning to her with a confident smile. “I’ve thought about that for a while,” he said. “And I’ve come up with something that will stand out— a dish that no one here has tried before, something they won’t be able to get enough of.” Intrigued, Xiulan’s eyes widened at his words. “What dish is that?” Chen Ren’s smile widened as he replied, “How about I make some for you to try? All I need is a bag of rice and a mortar.” Xiulan blinked in surprise but quickly understood the intention behind his words. “I’ll get them right away, young master,” she said, hurrying off to gather the requested items. *** A pair of sharp, shrewd eyes followed Chen Ren’s every move, hidden in the shadows of a nearby alleyway. The figure observing him had been tracking his behaviour for days, ever since he had begun his seemingly aimless wanderings through the marketplace. Tang Xiulan's flabbergasted expressions and confused questions did nothing to reassure the observer. If anything, they only confirmed what she had already suspected. Chen Ren was dead and someone else had taken over his body. The observer’s thoughts swirled as she recalled the events that had led her to this conclusion. She had already known something was amiss when he had woken up after that fateful defeat. The Chen Ren she knew would have been crushed by the loss, wallowing in despair, perhaps seeking solace in the pleasures of the brothels or the bottom of a wine jar. But this man— he had done none of that. Instead, he walked around town with a sense of purpose, a glint of determination in his eyes that had never been there before. He seemed... almost fascinated by the world around him as if seeing it for the first time. Her eyes narrowed as she continued to follow him, moving through narrow spaces, windows and rooftops. Every morning, she watched him converse with Xiulan, noting every detail, every shift in his demeanour. This imposter was clever, she had to give him that. But he had made a fatal mistake— he underestimated the power of those who could see beyond the surface. She could see the souls of everyone— and this soul was different. It was stronger and more resilient, and it was slowly merging with the remnants of Chen Ren’s original soul. Whoever this person was, he wasn’t the defeated young master who had once inhabited this body. Was he a demonic cultivator? Or perhaps a shapeshifter, one skilled enough to take on another’s identity so seamlessly? She couldn’t be sure. But she was certain of one thing— this man was not Chen Ren. Her gaze hardened as she stepped back further into the shadows, her eyes glinting with a menacing glow. Whoever he was, she would find out soon enough. Their meeting was inevitable, and when it happened, she would uncover the truth behind this strange soul inhabiting Chen Ren’s body. As she slipped away, blending into the darkness, a cold smile played on her lips. The imposter might think he was clever, but she was always one step ahead. And when the time came, he would have to answer for whatever game he was playing. That was her duty.