North Market Chunfeng Tower.
In a tiny partition at the corner of the first-floor hall.
Sun Enqi, with his portly belly, sat carelessly in the middle of the soft couch.
Reaching out to pick up a slice of braised beef, he chewed with a face full of enjoyment.
"The food and drinks at Chunfeng Tower are always so flavorful," he said as he picked up the wine cup beside him and drained it in one gulp.
He immediately raised his head and stared at the enchanting figure on the distant stage.
"Uncle Seven, Dawang is honest and not good with words, but he's strong and obedient," Sun Enwu said in a low voice with a smile as he poured wine into an empty cup.
"You mentioned last time that the Tangshan Army Laborer Camp is short on people..."
Sun Enqi glanced at the mute young man in the corner, who didn't dare to raise his head, and shook his head.
"There was a kitchen helper who got his leg broken by a bag of grain."
"That can be arranged. But that old clerk is greedy and sly, it's quite troublesome," he added.
The wrinkled forehead of Sun Enwu furrowed even deeper.
Setting down the wine pot, he gritted his teeth and took out a small cloth pouch from his chest, handing it to Sun Enqi.
"Uncle Seven, I'm asking a favor of you."
Sun Enwu squeezed it. Ten taels?
A subtle smile surfaced on his face.
"I'll take Dawang with me tomorrow to see."
"Let's hope the old man isn't too greedy."
A smile immediately spilled across Sun Enwu's face, "Dawang, quickly thank your Uncle Seven! This boy is just too shy!"
The gaunt and wooden young man softly muttered a thank you to Uncle Seven.
Sun Enqi, with his large belly, waved his hand dismissively, "We are brothers of the same family, no need for formalities."
Sun Enwu kept thanking him while constantly pouring and urging wine.
In the corner, Chen Mu squinted his eyes, admiring Yu Tao's figure.
"Sun Dawang? Tsk tsk..."
"That's a really prosperous name."
...
Opposite the South Gate at the north end of Nanyang Prefecture City is Jingxing Alley.
Because it's close to the North Market, the alley is always bustling with people. Facing the North Market, a row of buildings in Jingxing Alley consists of various shops.
Directly across from the South Gate of the North Market is Mingyi Tea House.
At the moment, many strong men are queuing up at the entrance to register.
This is the recruitment office for the Tangshan Army.
A few long tables are set up on the first floor of the tea house, with personnel behind them responsible for scrutinizing and registering candidates.
The Tangshan Camp pays well and offers good conditions, attracting a crowd of applicants.
Secretly slipping silver to the registration clerks happens from time to time.
Xing Lao Liu sat in a corner of the tea house, and couldn't help shaking his head as he glanced at his colleague accepting silver.
He had been assigned to work as a clerk in the Dingyou Camp of laborers.
It was the kind of job that paid little for hard work.
There were few applicants, and not a single one offering a bribe.
"One must be alive to make money and even more so to spend it," Xing Lao Liu thought somberly.
Chen Mu watched Sun Dawang and his son leave, then turned back into the city.
"The Tangshan Army Laborer Camp is also inside the Tangshan Army," a hint of a smile flickered across Chen Mu's face.
He was seeking the Thousand Mechanism Token but didn't want to be controlled by others.
The Startling Swan Gang had means, and Tangshan Camp was no exception.
It might as well assume the role of a cook and hitch a smooth ride.
"No more flaws on Sun Family's end."
"Elder Xing Lao..." Chen Mu thought of a certain crafty old man.
"Need to keep an eye on him for a while."
...
The next day, at dusk.
Jingxing Alley, Chen Residence.
Chen Mu sat under the pavilion, a small porcelain dish laid out on a low table before him.
It was covered with a thin layer of jade-colored powder.
Chen Mu dipped a bit with his chopsticks and tasted it cautiously, closing his eyes.
"Unfamiliar?!"
Facing the Fasting Pill, his Third Rank culinary skills failed to identify the nutritive substances within the Fasting Pill.
"Is it a medicinal ingredient?"
He held up the porcelain dish with his left hand and fanned lightly above it with his right, towards himself.
"It's not among any known medicinal herbs," Chen Mu shook his head.
Is it a special ingredient from overseas?
"I've told you, you can't replicate it," Jie Jia walked into the courtyard leisurely with his hands behind his back.
Chen Mu exhaled, he had underestimated this thing.
"Give me a discount!" Chen Mu demanded fiercely.
"No problem," Jie Jia smiled agreeably.
...
Two days later, early in the morning, Jingxing Alley.
With the sky just beginning to light up, Chen Mu rose early from bed.
After a brief wash, he headed over to a row of three-legged wooden racks on the east side of the courtyard.
The racks had five layers, and each layer held a flat bamboo basket.
Inside each basket lay Fasting Pills the size of ping-pong balls, colored white.
Chen Mu picked one up, squeezing it slightly, "It's still a bit soft but now storable long-term."
He was about to enter the Tangshan Army Laborer Camp, and would soon be heading north with the army, looking for an opportunity to probe for the Thousand Mechanism Token.
"With this 3.0 version of the Fasting Pill for nourishment, I won't have to fear the halt of my Cloud Mirage Shape Cultivation Technique's progress."
This was also why Chen Mu grudgingly spent a fortune on twelve Fasting Pills.
The Fasting Pill 3.0 contained ingredients from the Fasting Pills.
Each pill had about one-twentieth of its content.
This would not only satisfy his hunger but also prevent him from overeating. It indeed took considerable effort.
Black smoke billowed and spread.
The Fasting Pills that had been sitting overnight suddenly vanished from sight.
"It's time to leave."