Cultivate By Losing Money

Chen Ren's thoughts flowed like the river before a storm, the calm before inevitable trouble. Like any plan of his, starting a noodle business would never be smooth. It wasn't just the rice, the vegetables, or the mortar that demanded attention— oh no, where there was meat, the wild animals came.

Trouble, in any form, seemed drawn to him like moths to flame. After all, the path of a cultivator never allowed peace for long.

And now, even this humble noodle stall had become a stage for confrontation. His hand tightened around the spoon as he remembered how the guard had approached him, all swagger and false bravado.

The man's eyes spoke of arrogance, the kind born from ignorance. His words were aimed at attacking him and finding any reason to crumble the name Chen Ren had been creating around the marketplace.

Whoever sent him had no idea of him. No idea of who they were trying to bully. No idea that Chen Ren was a cultivator. That was a minus point for whoever was behind, not doing enough research.

But that was what made things interesting, wasn't it? Most wouldn't dare cross someone who could split stones with a finger, let alone simmer broth with a flicker of qi. The guard's ignorance had saved his skin— just barely.

However, Chen Ren doubted they'd just give up and not try something more to accomplish whatever goal they had in mind.

He sighed, stirring the broth with deliberate slowness as all these questions and confusions came to his mind one after another. "Where there's meat, the beasts gather," he muttered under his breath.

Being a cultivator had saved his stall this time, but Cloud Mist City nestled so close to a guardian sect and was home to more cultivators than he could count. He knew better than to rely on his status alone to protect him. A cultivator here was like a drop of water in the ocean— easy to blend in, easy to get swallowed by something bigger.

Even so, a small grin tugged at his lips. Let them come. Rivals or not, he had been in tougher battles than mere noodle stalls could ever provoke. If his enemies thought he'd be easy prey, they would soon discover just how deep the water truly ran.

For the next two days, Chen Ren's mind moved like the shifting clouds, mapping out scenarios, and contemplating every possible angle.

He wasn't one for brute force, not when he could win with finesse. Violence, while always an option, wasn't his first choice. His gaze flicked to the cat beside him, her amber eyes glowing as she looked at the streaming flow of consumers. She was his hidden trump card, a power he didn't dare reveal to the world yet. Not while he was still weak and unable to protect himself against anyone of a higher realm.

His cultivation, though progressing, was still in the early stages of body forging. Any opponent above that realm would crush him like dry leaves underfoot. Thus, brawn had to take a back seat. His brain, however, was sharper than any blade.

So, he focused on his noodle stall for some time until he decided on what was best to be done next.

Fortunately, everything ran without a hitch.

He made more money each day, his hands growing more accustomed to the daily grind. The qi that once surged through his core was diminishing, just as the cat had warned him. But that didn't stop him from keeping a vigilant eye on the horizon, half-expecting a debtor or some envious soul to appear, hungry for the wealth he was making. But no one came. Not yet.

On the third morning, an unease settled over him like a shroud. It wasn't just paranoia; this was something real, something tangible. Old Man Tian's hunched figure appeared near the stall, his weathered face grave with news.

"Young master Chen Ren," the old man grumbled, his voice a low rasp. His eyes narrowed towards the broth as he looked back up at Chen Ren who gave him his undivided attention, "I've heard it. For sure this time. They're going to make their move today. They're jealous your stall is minting money so fast."

Though the facts were loud, his voice was comparatively low, cautious enough not to let anyone else hear.

Chen Ren subtly nodded, stirring his broth with a forced calmness he didn't feel on the inside. "I see," he replied evenly, his mind already running through his contingency plans. "Well, I've prepared everything. It should be fine. You're sure they won't act before the afternoon?"

Old Man Tian nodded, squinting toward the marketplace. "Yes, not before. They're waiting for the crowds to build up first."

Chen Ren smiled. "Good. That gives me enough time to finish the morning rush."

Old Man Tian nodded firmly. "I wish you all the best."

Chen Ren exhaled slowly, his mind sharpening as he watched the old man.

At first, he'd considered Old Man Tian as a possible culprit behind his troubles. They had a rivalry, after all. The old man had his stall nearby, and while their competition wasn't exactly cutthroat, it was enough to raise suspicions. But Old Man Tian was no fool.

He'd been the one to help Chen Ren secure the elusive permit for his stall in the first place. If he had wanted him out of the way, he could have easily tipped off the guard about his status as a cultivator. Fortunately, Old Man Tian was wise enough not to take the fight against a cultivator.

Shaking off the thought, Chen Ren returned to the moment just as the old man spoke again.

"So, if all goes according to plan, you'll lend me the kids, right?"

Chen Ren gave a slow nod. "Yes, for an hour. They'll help advertise your stall, but you've got to feed them twice in return. Daily. No shortcuts."

He grinned, his yellowed teeth showing. "Yes, yes, I will. I'm fair."

With a satisfied nod, the old man turned to shuffle back toward his own stall, hurrying through the crowd knowing the morning rush was about to begin. As soon as he was out of earshot, Xiulan's soft voice cut through the morning air. "You sure it's okay to give away your marketing tricks like that?"

Chen Ren smirked, his gaze still fixed on the swirling broth before him. "It'll spread no matter what. At least this way, the kids get more food. The only reason Old Man Tian's even asking through me is because his breath scared them all away."

Chen Ren snickered at his own words while Xiulan let out a small chuckle, her amusement clear as they moved toward the bustling stall, which started getting busier considering more people were coming.

The line of customers waiting for noodles stretched longer with each passing minute as he and Tang Xiulan got to work.

The clatter of bowls and the murmur of conversation filled the air, as Chen Ren worked in rhythm with the growing demand, dishing out one bowl after another in almost mechanical movements as his muscles grew accustomed to the motion.

Hours passed by and soon, the sun was halfway through setting. Afternoon was here and with it, the crowd doubled, adding in the workers who were here to grab lunch.

"Here you go," Chen Ren handed a bowl of vegetable noodles to an older woman. She grabbed it with both her hands and then balanced it in one hand to pay seven copper wen.

Chen Ren retrieved the money with a small smile and focused on the next customer.

Everything was moving, just as planned, but he knew this peace wouldn't last.

Yalan, who had been lounging lazily in the sun, suddenly opened one of her flared amber eyes. "I see some movement up ahead," she told Chen Ren, her voice smooth as silk.

Chen Ren's gaze swept across the bustling crowd before locking onto two men moving purposefully through the throng. Unlike the leisurely pace of the other customers browsing stalls and sampling goods, these two stood out immediately. He squinted his eyes to take a good look at both of them— to clearly know what he was going to be dealing with.