Dao of Money

The air seemed to thicken as the rat beast charged, its claws scrabbling across the rocky ground. Chen Ren’s muscles tensed, his mind blanked for a split second, time stretching unnaturally. Fear prickled at the edge of his thoughts, locking him in place. He could almost hear the rhythmic pounding of his own heartbeat as he froze, watching the beast bear down on him. But then, a stray thought broke through the haze— move.

Electricity crackled around his fists as he snapped out of his stupor, and with a forceful exhale, he drew upon the power of the [Thundering Fist], a technique he’d drilled countless times.

His right arm whipped forward, muscles straining, and his fist collided with the rat’s bony shoulder. A shockwave of energy burst from the impact, throwing the rat several feet backward, its body skidding across the dirt.

Chen Ren’s breath came in sharp gasps, and he glanced down at his fist, still tingling with residual energy. Surprise lit up his face. So this... is [Thundering First?] But before he could dwell on the thought, a sharp voice cut through his reverie.

”Focus! The bloodsnout isn’t finished yet.” It was Yalan’s voice, stern as always, her amber eyes locked on the struggling beast.

Bloodsnout… So, that’s what this ugly thing is called!

His gaze snapped back to the rat, just in time to see it push itself up from the ground, its bloodshot eyes fixed on him. It let out a high-pitched screech that echoed through the trees, its rage palpable. Without a moment’s hesitation, it charged at him again, the ground trembling beneath its heavy footfalls.

Chen Ren felt the rush of panic claw at him but forced it down, inhaling deeply. He clenched his fists, letting the lightning pool around his legs. The air around his calves crackled, and in the blink of an eye, he moved— his body disappearing just as the rat’s claws slashed through the empty space where he had stood.

Chen Ren reappeared several paces away, lightning still crackling around his legs. This was [Lightning Step], a movement technique that he had practised in the back alleys of the city, a technique that channelled lightning through the body, making him as quick as a lightning flash.

The previous Chen Ren used it often. Hence, despite his lack of practice, his body seemed to remember the rhythm of it, every muscle attuned to the technique’s flow.He dashed to the side, blurring into motion, leaving arcs of electricity trailing behind him.

The bloodsnout’s claws slashed at him again and again, but each time, they met only the empty air. With every dodge, Chen Ren countered with a strike, his fists slamming into the rat’s body, the impact ringing through the forest like distant thunder.

Yet, even as his attacks connected, a sinking realisation grew in his mind. Each punch drove the rat back, but its tough, bristly hide absorbed the brunt of his blows. Bruises formed beneath its fur, but the beast barely slowed, its rage driving it forward through the pain.

Chen Ren risked a glance towards Yalan, his unspoken plea for guidance clear in his eyes. But she simply watched from the shadows, her expression unreadable. She shook her head, a silent message: This is your battle.

His thoughts swirled as he ducked under another wild swipe from the rat. What am I doing wrong?

The [Thundering Fist] technique was supposed to be a powerful, decisive blow— one that could shatter bones and rend flesh. Yet, his attacks barely seemed to scratch the surface of the bloodsnout’s defences.

He could move swiftly with [Lightning Step], weaving through its attacks like a dancer amidst a storm, but speed alone wasn’t enough.

Another exchange, and this time, he could feel the strain in his muscles, the growing fatigue of maintaining the lightning coursing through his legs.

He gritted his teeth, pushing through the exhaustion.

A [Thundering Fist] should be devastating, not just pushing a beast back.The realisation stung. He was failing to channel the true essence of the technique, unable to draw out the full power that should have existed behind each strike.

His movements slowed, and the rat sensed it, lunging with renewed ferocity. And as its claws grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood, Chen Ren’s mind sharpened.

He could feel the raw energy flickering within him, untapped and wild. I need to channel it, direct it, or this fight will end in blood— my blood.

Chen Ren’s mind raced, recalling the manuals he had painstakingly studied.

[Thundering Fist] wasn’t just about brute force. It was about control, about channelling the energy with precision, not letting it scatter wildly around his fists. Until now, he had merely been releasing bursts of electricity with each punch, the power dispersing before it could pierce through the target.

The realisation hit him like a jolt of his own technique. I need to focus on it. Condense the energy into a single point, then let it explode.

As the thought crystallised, he looked up to find the bloodsnout charging at him again, its bloodied eyes gleaming with fury that could’ve killed Chen Ren if it had power. But this time, he was ready.

He sidestepped the creature’s lunge with the speed of his [Lightning Step], the world blurring for a split second as he vanished from its path. With a surge of energy, he propelled himself upward, leaping over the rat’s gnashing teeth and clawed limbs. Twisting mid-air, he turned to face its exposed back, gathering the lightning into his palm.

With a deep breath, he let the energy concentrate, feeling the charge intensify until his entire arm buzzed with barely-contained power. The air around his hand crackled, the sound like a rumbling thunderstorm.

“[Thundering Fist]!” He thrust his hand forward, releasing the technique in a blinding flash of blue and golden light.

Electricity arced out, a condensed, crackling bolt that struck the bloodsnout directly in the back.

A sharp, sizzling noise filled the air as the lightning surged through the beast’s body, its muscles seizing violently. Then, with a sickening sound, a portion of its chest exploded outward in a spray of flesh and blood. The rat’s shriek was cut short as its body crumpled to the ground, twitching before finally lying still.

Chen Ren landed lightly, his feet crunching on the wet ground.

He stared at his hands, electricity still sparking faintly from his fingers. Awe flickered in his eyes, but when he looked down and saw the blood and gore splattered on his palms and staining the edges of his robes, a wave of nausea hit him like a punch to the gut. He stumbled back, swallowing hard, and turned toward the nearby lake.

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Kneeling at the water’s edge, he plunged his hands into the cold, clear water, scrubbing away the sticky remains with frantic motions. His stomach twisted, the taste of bile rising in his throat. He focused on the sensation of the water, trying to drown out the memory of the flesh peeling off under his attack.

Yalan approached him, her steps soundless on the forest floor. She sat down gracefully by the lake, watching him, her eyes were squinted in amusement as she licked her paw. “I’d rate that a four out of ten.”

Chen Ren paused, water dripping from his fingers. “Four out of ten? Seriously? Why so low?” He shot her an incredulous look, half expecting some sort of praise.

Yalan flicked her tail, her expression unchanging. “You took too long to figure out the proper way to use the technique. A lowly beast like that shouldn’t have been able to push you so far. And then you nearly vomited at the sight of a bit of gore— how will you handle tougher beasts? Not to mention, you ruined the carcass. A blast like that makes it nearly inedible.”

Chen Ren blinked, turning to look at the mutilated rat’s corpse lying by the water’s edge. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of eating something so grotesque. He glanced back at her, his expression incredulous. “You would actually eat that... thing?”

Yalan gave him a small, enigmatic smile. “Of course. If you cook it, that is. Beast meat is often more nourishing than that of regular animals. And despite their unsavoury appearance, these bloodsnouts live in the caves near lakes. They keep themselves clean in the waters.”

Chen Ren took another look at the bloody mess that was once the rat, its twisted body and vacant eyes staring into nothingness. He shuddered, the idea of roasting it turning his stomach once more. “I... think I’ll pass,” he muttered, stepping away from the remains as if they might spring back to life.

Yalan only chuckled, her tail flicking in amusement. “Suit yourself. But remember, next time, aim for the head— it makes for a cleaner kill.”

Chen Ren wiped the last of the blood from his hands and stood up, casting one more wary glance at the rat’s mutilated corpse.

With a deep breath, he turned his focus to the task that had originally brought him into the forest— gathering herbs. The moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating the silver-green leaves of a plant he recognized. Its flowers had a faint blue hue, and as he reached down to pluck a few, he brought one to his nose, inhaling its soft, earthy scent.

The fragrance was subtle yet refreshing, carrying a hint of sweetness. He found himself smiling, thinking, This would make a decent perfume. It was a strange thought amidst the chaos of battle, but he’d always been intrigued by the simple things.

He tucked the herb carefully into his satchel, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. The tension of the fight melted away, replaced by a sense of relief.

“Well, that’s that. Job’s done for today,” he muttered, stretching his limbs.

As he turned to head back, Yalan’s voice cut through the night air. “And what about those spicy herbs you were talking about back at the tea stall?” She glanced at him with a raised brow, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

Chen Ren paused, then snapped his fingers as if just remembering. “Oh, those aren’t for perfume. I wanted to get those herbs to experiment with... try turning them into a sauce.”

Yalan tilted her head, a curious expression crossing her feline face. “A sauce?” she echoed, as if tasting the unfamiliar word on her tongue.

Chen Ren nodded eagerly, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. “Yeah, it’s something you pour over food— like noodles— to give it more flavour. I think if I get the right balance of spice and seasoning, it could really take off. It might even be a hit in the city.”

Yalan’s eyes narrowed as she considered his words. “Spicy herbs? Those are usually burned around campsites to ward off beasts. I’m not sure how much of their heat humans can actually tolerate.” She spoke matter-of-factly, her tail twitching as she gauged his reaction.

Chen Ren laughed, shrugging lightly. “That’s why I need to experiment! Find the right blend, you know? But I haven’t seen any of those herbs near the lake.” He glanced toward the deeper, shadowy parts of the forest. “According to what I’ve read, they grow deeper in, near a cliffside. I’ve also heard that stronger beasts roam around there, which... well, might be a problem. But I don’t want to travel further tonight. I’m tired, and it’s been a long day.”

Yalan arched her back, stretching gracefully as she looked up at him with a knowing smile. “So, you want to keep up with your training then?” Her tone held a playful challenge.

Chen Ren glanced down at his fists, still tingling faintly with the lingering sensation of power coursing through them. He met Yalan’s gaze and nodded slowly, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, I do. As gross as that fight was... it was fun too. There’s a thrill in using my techniques, testing my limits. It’s one thing to have power, but using it is a whole different matter. In the city, I can barely let loose.”

Yalan’s smirk widened, and she padded closer, her tail swaying behind her like a pendulum. “Good. Then I’ll make sure to train you well. I wouldn’t want my student to embarrass me by struggling with a mere rat beast again.”

Chen Ren rolled his eyes, but a hint of warmth seeped into his expression. “Sure, sure. Just don’t push me too hard, or I might end up needing those herbs to treat my wounds instead of using it for cooking.”

Yalan’s laughter echoed softly through the forest, a surprisingly melodious sound. “Rest for now, then. But don’t think you’ll be slacking off next time we’re out here.” With that, she turned and slinked away, disappearing into the shadows between the trees.

He knew she wasn’t going too far away, too used to having an eye on him always.

Chen Ren exhaled, his smile fading into a thoughtful expression as he glanced deeper into the forest where the spicy herbs— and greater challenges— awaited. He’d have to face those soon enough, but tonight, he let the tension melt from his shoulders, savouring the cool night air.

***

Tang Yuqiu sat at the large mahogany table in her room, her fingers tapping impatiently against the wood. Before her lay an open book of accounts, its pages filled with neat columns of numbers and records. She stared at them, but the content seemed to blur together, refusing to hold her attention.

With a frustrated sigh, she pushed the book away slightly. Lately, it seemed she couldn’t concentrate on anything— her mind was too restless, too caught up in something else.

It wasn’t just business, either. Meals felt tasteless, and even the simplest pleasures like the morning walk through the garden held little appeal. Just a few days ago, her closest friend had invited her to a cosy tea stall where a popular novel was being recited. It was the kind of thing she would usually enjoy, but she had turned her down without a second thought. Why?

Because Chen Ren had promised her something.

A new product he’d spoken of with such conviction, insisting it would work wonders and become a sensation. But what was it, exactly? How was it supposed to work? He had never elaborated, and she hadn’t thought to ask at the time, thinking he’d reveal it soon enough.

Now, that curiosity had become a constant itch, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts. Why hasn’t he shown up yet? What could he possibly be doing that’s taking so long?

Her fingers stilled their tapping, and she muttered under her breath, “Is he not going to show up at all?” Frustration tightened in her chest, and she pressed a hand against her forehead, her brow furrowing deeply. If he’s tricked me again, I swear I’ll have Father kick him out for deceiving me. The idea brought a bitter satisfaction, but beneath it, an unfamiliar twinge of disappointment. She hated feeling like she was waiting on someone— especially Chen Ren of all people.

As she was caught up in her thoughts, a sudden knock at the door startled her. She straightened, smoothing her robes as her maid poked her head in.

“Miss Yuqiu, Young master Chen Ren is here to see you.”

Tang Yuqiu’s eyes widened in surprise. “Send him in, quickly!”

The maid nodded and withdrew, leaving the door ajar. A moment later, Chen Ren stepped into the room, his expression relaxed. At his hip, a small pouch was tied securely, its contents hidden but somehow intriguing. Tang Yuqiu’s gaze immediately locked onto the pouch before flicking back to Chen Ren’s face.

“So, are you here with the product you promised?” she demanded, a hint of sharpness in her tone that masked the curiosity bubbling beneath.

Chen Ren smirked slightly and gave her a nod. “Obviously. I wouldn’t break a promise, would I?”

His tone was casual, but there was a glint in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

Tang Yuqiu leaned forward slightly, her impatience returning tenfold. At last, she thought, trying to keep the eagerness from showing on her face. Now, let’s see what you’ve got up your sleeve, Chen Ren.