Chapter 41: Permanently in Genius Mode

"I'm running a bit low on cash..."

In Xianyun County, several dozen miles away from Yanggu County, Fang Can sat in a room he had just rented at an inn late at night, staring at the mere three taels of silver he had left, lost in thought.

According to the purchasing power of this world, these three taels were enough for an ordinary person to scrape by for half a month if they lived frugally. But for someone like him, who lived a life without roots, it wasn't even enough to cover his recent inn and food expenses.

"I should have brought some gold when I transmigrated. No idea when I'll be able to go back." Fang Can sighed and collapsed onto the bed, pulling a stack of receipts from his tunic.

These were the tribute pledges from the various major factions within a hundred-mile radius to the Tiger Spirit Sect. Every month, he could use these to collect protection money from the martial arts schools.

Fang Can flipped through the receipts, marking the next factions to visit based on the map in his head. Considering the payment dates, he selected three receipts: the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, the Azure Mist Pavilion, and the Black Stone Gambling Den.

As long as he showed up with these receipts, he could collect at least 300 taels tomorrow. That would keep him worry-free for a year, after which he could simply take the money and vanish, wandering the world as he pleased.

"I heard Senior Jiang's Tribulation Sword Mountain is over in the Liang Province area. It's a bit far, but should I go seek shelter there?" Fang Can lounged on the bed with his legs crossed, letting his imagination run wild.

But he immediately dismissed the thought, recalling her recommendation that he undergo a "gonad-swapping" surgery.

He gazed out the window at the scattered stars, his consciousness gradually dimming until he fell into a deep sleep.

He had only napped for four hours when a cold chill rose from the back of his neck.

In an instant, this all-too-familiar sensation made him spring up. His right hand gripped the Longquan sword leaning beside him, and he scanned the room like a startled cat.

Fang Can knew this chill well; it was his innate talent, "Misfortune Begets Fortune," manifesting. It meant that someone who posed a threat to him was lurking in the shadows, intending him harm.

"Where is the enemy?" He scanned his surroundings, sword drawn, feeling lost and alert.

Calming himself, he sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes to sense the shifts in his talent. He realized his superpower had indeed been triggered, but instead of the intense, short-lived burst he was used to, it was keeping his aptitude at a very stable, elevated level.

'Does "Misfortune Begets Fortune" feel that the thing in the shadows might pose a threat, but a negligible one, so it's just symbolically boosting my aptitude a little?' Fang Can speculated.

Checking his status interface, he found that compared to the dozens-fold boost he got from eating arsenic, his aptitude was currently hovering at about three times the norm—the kind of minor danger one might face from tripping while walking.

Although the increase was small, it was consistent. Having three times the normal aptitude meant he was in a state of "minor genius" at every moment.

Since his power judged the danger to be insignificant, Fang Can decided to ignore it. After all, having someone watch him who posed no real threat—and getting a free aptitude boost in the process—wasn't a bad deal. If they actually jumped out, he could just crush them then.

He looked out the window; the sky was just beginning to brighten. The weak morning sun shone on him, constantly recharging his cells.

He was no longer sleepy, so he simply grabbed his luggage and headed out to collect his debts. As for his first target, it was naturally the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, which was the closest.

With his sword on his back and his short hair, Fang Can walked past the early-rising crowds. Since leaving the Tiger Spirit Sect, the proportion of martial artists in the area had dropped significantly.

Of the eighty or ninety people he encountered, only a few had steady gaits and vibrant blood energy, and he hadn't seen a single one who had crossed the first threshold of martial arts.

After all, martial arts required a focused spirit. A gifted student usually had to train bitterly for two years just to barely reach the first threshold. Even then, the realm wasn't stable; it could rise or fall depending on one's state of mind.

Most people practiced martial arts to get ahead in life. But after a day of backbreaking farm work and enduring their boss's scolding, they were filled with suppressed rage. Even if they were disciplined at night, a deeply depressed state of mind would only hinder their training, leading to twice the effort for half the result.

Unless one was from a wealthy family, they wouldn't even have the opportunity to train. If life left one feeling embittered, the threshold of martial arts was impossible to cross.

Walking into the morning glow, Fang Can arrived at the gates of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall. He looked up at the vigorous, powerful calligraphy on the plaque and nodded slightly.

"May I ask what business brings you to the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, brother?" the guard at the gate asked, stepping forward.

As he spoke, he sized Fang Can up. Neither his attire nor the sword on his back looked like those of an ordinary person, prompting the guard to speak with a hint of extra courtesy.

Fang Can didn't waste time, pulling out the receipt. "I am from the Tiger Spirit Sect."

At the mention of the Tiger Spirit Sect, the guard's demeanor softened even further. He bowed respectfully, cupping his hands. "Please wait a moment, honored guest. I shall go inform the Master at once."

Watching the guard scurry off, Fang Can found the man's attitude a bit exaggerated. Moments later, he saw the guard grab a chair and place it behind him, fawning, "Please sit, honored guest. He will be back in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

Fang Can: "...Oh, you're too kind."

The guard waved his hand, flattered. "Not at all, honored guest. This is only what we should do."

Inside the hall, the guard trotted into the meeting room and reported to the current master, Ye Yonglie: "Reporting to the Master, the Tiger Spirit Sect is here to collect the rent."

"Oh?" Ye Yonglie, who had just risen early, tilted his head, puzzled. "Why so early today? They usually don't come until the hour of the Rooster."

"I'm not sure. And he's different from the disciples who usually come. This is a new one I've never seen before."

"A new disciple?" Ye Yonglie frowned. "Did he say how much he wants this time? 500 taels or 1,000?"

"He didn't say," the guard scratched his head. "But he looks young, probably just out of the training hall. He doesn't have much experience; maybe he'll ask for less."

"Hard to say." Ye Yonglie felt the situation was tricky. He pondered for a moment and said, "Show him in."

"Yes, Master."

Watching the guard jog out, Ye Yonglie sat in his mahogany chair and waited patiently.

It wasn't long before a spirited young man walked in, led by the guards. Ye Yonglie immediately stood up to greet him.

"Truly, heroes are born in youth. I am Ye Yonglie, the current Master of the Blazing Sun Hall. It is a pleasure to meet another talented youth from the Tiger Spirit Sect. May I ask your name?"

"You can call me Fang Can. You should know why I'm here," Fang Can said with a smile, pulling the receipt from his pocket.

"Ah, of course, no problem at all." Ye Yonglie smiled and pulled out a money bag, pressing it into Fang Can's hand. "This is just a small token of my appreciation."