Chapter 8: Steamed Buns

Boss Li was happily calculating how much money he had made from Yang Yun, while Xiao Zhen, taking advantage of her father's inattention, secretly added an extra bun to Yang Yun's pocket

This morning, I had bad luck; as soon as I stepped out, I saw two mangy dogs

Seeing Xiao Zhen's embarrassed and angry expression, the two ruffians became even more pleased. At that moment, a phrase floated into their ears:

Ten consecutive large buns would make even dragon liver and phoenix marrow lose their appeal, not to mention that Yang Yun has already been eating them for over ten days

After experimenting with several mice, Yang Yun found the results surprisingly effective. The mice that were exposed to the inferior poison essentially turned into a mass of indistinguishable flesh. Yang Yun decided to reserve this method as his trump card, using it sparingly.

Yang Yun walked ahead at a leisurely pace, while two thugs followed behind with ill intentions

Father, the copper coins you gave to Brother Yang are all inferior coins; if you throw them hard on the ground, they will shatter. Let's count a few less.

Just now, the techniques of using coins for acupoint stimulation and the body-leaping technique were both activated by Yang Yun using the Jiyang Transformation Essence Method. The ten buns consumed each day are transformed into essence energy through secret methods, stored within the meridians, and serve as fuel for the Jiyang Transformation Essence Method when necessary

Two thugs turned their heads, their eyes glinting with menace as they stared at Yang Yun

Xiao Zhen turned her head to take a look and frowned; the newcomers were two thugs from the street who often came to harass her.

By the way, here are twenty wen in cash, please take it first. The middle-aged man handed Yang Yun the cash and took out a ledger, reading: "I have already sold you one hundred and twenty buns, at one wen each, and additionally, I will return to you two hundred and sixty wen in cash. You have one tael of silver recorded, and there are six hundred and twenty wen remaining."

Sigh—how should I put this? It is not that I am giving him money; he asked for it himself. Is it not Yang the Scholar? Moreover, money is still money; this is all minted by the government. If it is not accepted, the authorities will hold us accountable.

Two thugs turned the corner and found the alley ahead completely empty, looking at each other in astonishment

Boss Li is right; I am indeed interested in inferior currency and would like to collect and see how many varieties there are. I have almost collected enough already; just another two or three hundred pieces will suffice.

"No problem," Yang Yun said with a smile, waving his hand.

Little Zhen, I have eaten quite a few of your big buns. When will you let me try the small buns as well

Xiao Zhen hesitated, when Yang Yun suddenly turned around, smiling and waving his hand. There was an indescribable calmness and composure on her face. Xiao Zhen's heart raced a few times, and Yang Yun had already walked into the alley and was no longer visible.

The thug holding the bun attempted to step forward to block the way, but was held back by a taller thug. He pointed with his mouth in the direction where Yang Yun had gone, which was a secluded alley.

After Yang Yun finished washing up, she left the room. Although it was originally agreed that meals would be provided here, Yang Yun did not want to trouble the landlord too much, so she usually had breakfast and lunch by herself

The alley has many turns, and Yang Yun's figure disappeared after turning a corner. The two thugs were not in a hurry; they were local bullies and knew that this alley had no branches. Unless one could fly, there was simply no way to escape.

The short thug in front reached into the steamer and grabbed two buns, too hot and slippery to hold, tossing them into his sleeve. Meanwhile, the taller thug leered at Xiao Zhen's chest with a lascivious gaze, saying:

The tall thug, who had been taunting Xiao Zhen, stroked the sharp knife in his arms, a cruel smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he thought to himself: "A mere pretentious scholar dares to insult me; I will let you bleed a little later."

Ah, silver, oh silver, if only there were a bit more silver, then I could dine at restaurants every day and enjoy the chef's specialties. Yang Yun, while fantasizing about the delicious dishes in the tavern, continued to eat while pinching his nose.

Two thugs, seeing that the alley was empty, showed signs of delight and quickened their pace to pursue.

"Xiao Zhen, don't speak carelessly!" At this moment, a middle-aged man walked out of the shop, smiling broadly as he greeted Yang Yun, "Scholar Yang, the little girl is just talking nonsense; please don't take it to heart!"

There are many advantages to using coins as concealed weapons. Firstly, they are inconspicuous; even when held in hand, others would not perceive them as a weapon. As a scholar aspiring to achieve academic success, Yang Yun does not wish to resemble certain martial artists who are adorned with several thick belts, densely packed with gleaming throwing knives.

Xiao Zhen's family runs a small business, selling buns for one cent each. Many customers use counterfeit money to make their purchases, and she reluctantly accepts it. However, when it comes to doing business—buying flour, meat, and firewood—the suppliers do not readily accept this counterfeit money. The owner of the bun shop has been lamenting his plight. Just when he finally finds a gullible customer who specifically wants to use counterfeit money, how could Boss Li let this opportunity slip away?

The one who just punished the two thugs was Yang Yun, who disguised his voice as that of a mysterious old man to avoid trouble. Yang Yun and the library do not wish for the fact that he possesses martial arts skills to become widely known.

The power of counterfeit coins was insufficient, so Yang Yun ingeniously collected a large number of inferior coins and sharpened their edges. Once these inferior coins struck a target, they would explode upon encountering resistance while cutting through muscle, resulting in secondary damage

Xiao Zhen wanted to run over and grab Yang Yun, but was caught by the owner of the bun shop, who said, "Don't cause trouble; those two guys are from the Black Wolf Gang and carry knives with them."

The Jiyang Transformation Technique is a means for Yang Yun to preserve his life; otherwise, despite possessing considerable skills, he could easily lose his life to a few petty thieves. Moreover, Yang Yun has never forgotten that the State of Wu will soon descend into chaos, where lives are as insignificant as grass. Without sufficient means, how can one talk about protecting oneself and one’s family in such times?

It seems that using coins as hidden weapons is quite effective. This time, it is merely a minor punishment, employing ordinary coins. If I were to use the inferior coins I have collected, these two rascals would either be dead or severely injured.

At the entrance of the shop, there is a stove, with layers of steamers stacked on top, from which wisps of white steam rise.

Only then did Xiao Zhen stop speaking. In fact, although the inferior currency was also mandated for circulation by the government, the government required taxes to be paid in shiny silver coins. This inferior currency was never accepted for tax payments, so on the market, a single inferior coin was worth virtually nothing.

As I stepped out of the street corner, although it was still early, a dumpling shop diagonally across had already opened for business

Unbeknownst to me, the night has faded, and morning has arrived

Several people have already lined up next to the steamer, and Yang Yun walked over and took his place at the end of the line

Moments later, Yang Yun's figure landed in an adjacent alley. Seeing that no one was around, he tucked a few coins into his sleeve, clapped his hands, and took out a steaming large bun, biting into it with gusto

Yang Yunhun was unconcerned, saying, "Forget it, I can't provoke a mad dog, I'm leaving now." After saying this, he picked up the bag filled with buns and left.

Xiao Zhen's face was flushed, and she was so angry that she could not speak

Yang Yun walked while eating, and a large bun quickly disappeared into his stomach, immediately taking out another one.

An aged voice reached the ears of the two thugs, and upon hearing it, they felt a pain that would last for another half hour, their faces turning pale with fear, yet in the midst of the excruciating pain, they could not even utter a word of plea for mercy

Moreover, the cost of making coins is low and they are lightweight, making it easy to carry several hundred of them. The concealed weapons commonly used by martial artists, such as flying daggers, money darts, sleeve arrows, and iron thorn balls, can cost several dozen coins for those of slightly better quality. If one were to equip a hundred of them, Yang Yun would soon be on the verge of bankruptcy

As the voice faded, a sound of garments tearing through the air was heard, indicating that the person who had struck had already departed

With the advancement of his cultivation, the function of the Moonlight Spirit Eye has gradually been developed, and Yang Yun's eyesight now far exceeds that of ordinary people. With this advantage, Yang Yun chose to cultivate hidden weapons.

In the orthodox martial world, practitioners look down upon hidden weapons, preferring direct confrontations with blades and swords. However, as a cultivator, Yang Yun believes that hidden weapons are the most effective means. Whether it is flying swords, magical treasures, or spells, cultivators engage in long-range bombardments; close combat resembles street brawls.

Hmph—if this had happened twenty years ago, the two of you would at least have lost an arm and a leg; now you are getting off easy

The thug who was stopped immediately understood that Yang Yun was, after all, a scholar, and that taking action in front of others would likely lead to some trouble.

As Xiao Zhen filled the buns, she said, "Still ten? Brother Yang, are you really a scholar? I think the dock workers carrying heavy loads can't eat as much as you do"

The tall thug was taken aback, as a sudden, tearing pain shot through his back, as if his flesh were being ripped open. The pain caused him to curl up on the ground like a large shrimp, tears and snot streaming down his face, making hissing sounds from his throat, yet he could not utter a single word

"How is it that you always arrive just in time? The first batch of steamed buns just finished steaming this morning," said Xiao Zhen as she removed the top layer of the steamer, instantly releasing a cloud of steam and a fragrant aroma.

Little Zhen, your brothers have come to buy your buns

Two insignificant creatures, daring to trouble the descendants of my friends, I shall punish you to suffer here for half an hour

The buns are quite large, with thick fillings, each resembling a big steamed bun. The people at the front either buy three or two, and when it is Yang Yun's turn, he hands over a bag, saying, "As usual, ten."

At that moment, a flowing and ethereal sound emerged

This fellow runs really fast, chase him!

The Moonlight Scripture is fundamental, requiring purity and speed; cultivation is inherently an act of defiance against the heavens

"Brother Yang has arrived?" a girl in green asked joyfully in the shop

"Xiao Zhen, your family's buns are so delicious, how could I not come?" Yang Yun replied with a smile

The short thug was about to run away when he suddenly felt something brush against his leg. A sharp pain spread through him, causing him to fall to the ground, clutching his leg and crying out in agony

The voice was not loud, yet the two ruffians heard it clearly, as if it were being whispered directly into their ears