My experience of grinding in another world

Chapter 19 Employment
Ping An Fang

Chen Mu climbed over the wall and jumped into the westernmost courtyard.

He changed out of his black clothes and mask.

Sitting at the square table, I slowly sipped a bowl of cool boiled water to calm my pounding heart.

"Thank goodness, thank goodness..." He almost killed someone tonight!

"It's all because of this malicious world," Chen Mu thought bitterly.

In his past life, he was a socially awkward, reclusive person; now he actually dares to poison and kill someone?!

"I just want to live a normal life and practice martial arts peacefully," Chen Mu thought with some grievance.

"We still need to keep a low profile. It's always good to be safe than sorry."

Just a second-tier drawing skill attracted a constant stream of malice.

If I were to reveal that I had quickly mastered the art of form-building, who knows what trouble it might bring.

"We must never let anyone find out about my martial arts training." Chen Mu became even more cautious.

……

Half a month later
Chen Family of Ping'anfang.

A serving of cold green vegetables, a serving of braised pork knuckle, and a serving of white rice.

This is Chen Mu's lunch.

Chen Mu picked up a piece of crystal pork knuckle and chewed it slowly. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"An unexpected surprise."

Not long ago, Chen Mu discovered a new skill on the gray wall—cooking.

Not long after he made the list, he noticed a significant change.

He used to boil meat in plain water.

It's edible, but the taste is... well, it's just salty.

Now I truly understand what delicious food is.

With this ability, Chen Mu certainly wouldn't treat himself unfairly.

He took out a recipe he had heard of or seen in his previous life and began to try making it.

Crystal pork knuckle was one of his attempts.

"You'll be in for a treat from now on."

……

After finishing the meal and clearing away the dishes, Chen Mu sat at the square table, drinking plum juice to aid digestion.

He has been a painter at Miaohuafang for half a month.

The most obvious change was that his fee for painting increased. It doubled, with each portrait costing at least twenty taels of silver.

However, the number of portraits also decreased accordingly.

I used to paint three or four pictures every two weeks. Now I've only painted two in total.

However, his paintings became increasingly popular with customers.

"An ancient version of scarcity marketing?"

Miaohuafang is indeed capable; no wonder it can occupy half of the calligraphy and painting industry in Qingshan County.

"Besides the voluntary labor at the county government office, I can earn eighty to one hundred taels of silver per month."

This is enough to support his current expenditures.

After eating and drinking his fill, Chen Mu changed into a gray-white long gown.

This is the standard attire for poor scholars these days, and they don't attract any attention on the street.

To this end, he once spent time observing the fashion choices of people in Qingshan County.

"I also want to dress more stylishly. Too bad..."

If he dares to flaunt his wealth and live a life of luxury, robbers and thieves will come knocking on his door that very night!
After tidying up in front of the reflection in the basin, Chen Mu prepared to leave.

Today he is going to help the clerks and officials draw up wanted posters.

Chen Mu did not stop doing voluntary work after joining Miaohuafang.

Although he didn't receive any payment for drawing arrest warrants for the county government, it brought him intangible benefits.

At least ordinary thugs on the street wouldn't dare to openly cause him trouble.

With higher income and no one to bother him, Chen Mu has had a very comfortable two weeks.

If there's anything to complain about, it's probably these two burly men at the door.

Chen Mu pushed open the door, and two tall, burly men stood like door gods at his door.

These are the bodyguards that Miaohuafang arranged for him.

Chen Mu couldn't refuse. It would indeed improve his safety.

But having two people following you around all day makes many things inconvenient.

For example, practicing physical training techniques, or procuring secret medicines.

"Fortunately, we stocked up on a batch of medicinal herbs in advance."

He had been focusing on his martial arts training and bought a lot of medicine at once. It's still barely enough for now.

"There will come a day when it will be useful but not useful."

"I need to think of a way to avoid the two of them from purchasing medicinal herbs," Chen Mu pondered to himself.

……

Two weeks later, Chen Mu was running wildly all over the yard, his speed comparable to a 100-meter sprint. There was almost no sound of his footsteps when he landed. Fifteen minutes later, Chen Mu stopped running, took a deep breath to calm his slightly rapid breathing.

Writing: 1342/10000/Second order;

Drawing: 1079/10000/Second order;

Throw: 2598/10000/Tier 2;

Red Falcon Form Training Technique: 7231/10000/Tier 1;
Cooking skill: 1326/10000/Tier 1;
A month later, the Red Falcon's Form Training Technique had increased by more than two thousand points of proficiency.

Compared to last month, it's down by eight or nine hundred.

"This is the downside of joining Miaohua Workshop." Chen Mu looked helplessly at the door.

Two burly men stood outside the door, and I had to be very careful every time I practiced my skills.

To this end, he even specially studied the training techniques for the kestrels to reduce the noise generated during their flight.

It's a pleasant surprise that it runs so quietly now.

But not daring to practice freely did affect the progress of improving proficiency.

"The secret medicine is gone too. The effects will be even worse afterward."

To avoid being discovered, Chen Mu didn't mind slowing down the pace of leveling up his proficiency.

But without the secret medicine, the effect would be immediately halved, which was unacceptable to him.

"We must find a way to procure medicinal materials."

Suddenly, voices came from outside the door.

Chen Mu went to open the door.

"Young Master Chen, where should I put your things?" A man in his forties with a dark complexion asked, standing at the door.

His clothes were patched, and his hands were rough and calloused; he was a manual laborer who often did heavy work.

At this moment, he turned his body to the side, revealing a large bamboo basket on his back, which contained more than ten kilograms of fresh meat.

"Old Li, help me carry it into the room," Chen Mu said with a smile.

This man was a deliveryman at the Xue family's warehouse in the East Market.

After placing the fresh meat down, Chen Mu handed Old Li ten copper coins.

"Thank you, young master." Old Li accepted it with a smile.

"I heard last time that your warehouse's errand runners are also divided into levels?" Chen Mu asked.

“Yes, like me, I’m wearing straw sandals. Above me are bronze shoes, iron shoes, and even gold and silver boots. Young Master Chen is…” Old Li looked at Chen Mu, puzzled.

"I need to hire a silver boots. Go back and tell your boss to arrange for someone to come and make contact this evening," Chen Mu said softly.

He had already inquired about it. Xue's freight station mainly dealt in escorting goods and delivering goods.

Among them, the gold boots were of the highest rank and had the best confidentiality. They even participated in escorting tax silver for the county government.

However, the Golden Boots service is a team service, with more than ten people deployed at a time.

Silver boots are the next best option, offering decent security and confidentiality. They can be used by one person or multiple people.

He planned to have the Xue family's warehouse help him purchase the secret medicine for the Body Refining Technique.

"Okay! Don't worry!" Old Li was overjoyed.

As long as he tells his employer this news, he will also receive a high share of the profits once the contract is signed.

"Have someone come tonight. I don't want too many people to know about this," Chen Mu instructed.

"Okay, don't worry," Old Li quickly assured him in a low voice.

After seeing Old Li off, Chen Mu closed the door and processed the fresh meat.

“There are warehouses that can buy medicinal herbs on my behalf. Although it’s not completely confidential, at least I’m not doing it myself, so it can keep me out of the public eye.” Chen Mu glanced at the gate.

He didn't want Miaohuafang to know that he knew martial arts.

"And there's also that Constable Lu."

The other party is a local strongman; if I were to purchase the medicine myself, I might get caught.

Once Officer Lu found out, Teacher Sheng Hong also found out.

The other party usually uses the Red Falcon Formation Technique as bait to earn money.

Chen Mu only went once and mastered the basics of the Form Refining Technique; the other party might be unwilling to accept that.

If you're unwilling to accept it, you might try to trip him up.

Chen Mu was willing to spend money to avoid any potential trouble.

"Nobody knows I practice martial arts, which is perfect for keeping as a trump card," Chen Mu thought happily.

"I can also move my practice time to the evening."

The two bodyguards at the door will leave at night. Then he can practice his skills to his heart's content.

"That way, no one will know I can practice shape manipulation!" Chen Mu thought to himself with delight.

Wash the fresh pork belly thoroughly, cut it into cubes, and then marinate it by rubbing it with salt and spices.

Then, using the newly learned seasoning packet, it was cooked until seven-tenths done, and then deep-fried in vegetable oil.

This process greatly extends the shelf life of fresh meat and enhances its flavor.

After finishing everything, it was already getting dark.

He handed two pieces of pork to the two guards at the gate, and sent them away early amidst their joyful thanks.

Chen Mu then made a cold vegetable salad, cooked a pot of white wheat, and sat at the square table eating freshly cooked pork belly while waiting for someone from Xue's warehouse to arrive.

(End of this chapter)