Cyan Stone Lane.
Carpenter Zhang, who had worked all day, rubbed his sore back and shoulders, grimaced, and sat in the yard with a worried look, calculating the bills:
"It's getting harder and harder to make a living..."
Although carpentry is a skill.
But in this world, it's not considered a rare or dignified profession.
Though indispensable...
For most wealthy families, the materials used don't warrant hiring an obscure old carpenter from the Outer City District.
Therefore, Carpenter Zhang relies on the customers in Cyan Stone Lane and the nearby alleyways to maintain his business.
There are only a few customers a day, and most of them just need repairs on old items, earning very little.
Furthermore, according to the rules of 'Black Mountain City,' all trades must pay taxes.
In this inconspicuous little shop in Cyan Stone Lane, he has to pay thirty percent of every job as tax.
That could be tolerated, but the key is that some people don't pay after the job is done, or simply treat him like a beggar!
"Old brother, have you thought about the job at the Wei Mansion in the First Ring District?"
"It's a big business deal, and if done well, you could earn a lot of rewards!"
Speak of the devil, and he appears.
The young man with a burly physique, looking boorish and unruly, knocked on Carpenter Zhang's door, and upon entering, shouted loudly, causing Carpenter Zhang to shake his head and smile wryly:
"It's not that I don't want to take it, it's just, it's just..."
Thinking of the price this young man offered, Carpenter Zhang felt troubled.
He usually does odd jobs and repairs, earning about a hundred eighty coins a day; subtracting thirty percent, he makes about fifty coins a day.
For jobs from wealthy families, he usually earns by the day.
To be blunt, these 'blood-sucking' wealthy merchants have high demands and no spare time, working the whole day with barely two incense sticks' worth of rest.
Plus, the Master Wei at Fulu Street's Wei Mansion is notorious for being stingy.
Even though he runs a salt business connected to the Inner City, making him a 'tycoon' in the Outer City.
However, according to Wei Bao, the in-house manager, he only offered him a hundred coins per day.
The status of Wei Mansion's master is such that he wouldn't care about a small carpenter's business. This price was likely set by the man in front of him or his father, the mansion's manager.
Even if he's being exploited, he doesn't know!
Exploitation is one thing, he's used to being bullied.
The key problem is...
From dawn to dusk, working is far busier and more exhausting than his usual day, increasing by several times!
Moreover, he heard the renovation job at Wei Mansion would last a whole month before completion.
Additionally, such work also requires a thirty percent tax deduction.
After calculating, he's not only working hard and tiring himself but also can't earn much money, almost serving as a servant being bossed around.
No matter how good his temper, such a loss-making deal cannot be accepted.
Seeing Carpenter Zhang unwilling.
Wei Bao snorted coldly:
"Old man, think about it clearly, this is my second time coming to find you."
"My Wei Mansion still offers food and lodging, paying you for your work, giving you the face and recognition for being a carpenter."
"People from lower ranks, what's wrong with doing some hard work?"
He himself knows that he and his father pocket the mansion's commissions, causing many workers to avoid them like the plague.
But so what?
In the Outer City District, there's the 'Three Rings' area!
In such a large place, can't he find a few 'honest' workers?
This one right here is one, isn't it?
"Wei Bao brother, my dad is old, and his legs aren't good; perhaps... you could look for someone else?"
With a creak, the door to Carpenter Zhang's house opened, and his daughter Zhang Yun came out, speaking crisply as she negotiated with Wei Bao.
Zhang Yun is an apprentice at a major pharmacy in the Inner City, frequently dealing with martial artists; Wei Bao, being a household helper of Wei Mansion, grew up alongside the Young Master in the Inner City practicing martial arts.
Many times, when purchasing martial arts medicine for Young Master Wei, Zhang Yun has seen him.
Though she doesn't want to see him and feels disdain for such 'rogues,' she has no choice but to step in when her father is being bullied.
Unfortunately, her apprentice status, akin to being a servant, clearly doesn't interest Wei Bao.
"Oh, it's you."
Wei Bao raised his eyebrows, suddenly smiled ambiguously:
"I've seen you."
Recalling Zhang Yun's indifferent expression at the 'Danxia Hall' in the Inner City,
and comparing it with the status of a mere carpenter's daughter in the Outer City and Second Ring area.
Wei Bao suddenly felt inexplicably pleased.
That major pharmacy in the Inner City isn't easy to enter without some skill; even as an apprentice, she might have some background.
In the past, he was always cautious and didn't dare to offend, but he never expected...
She's actually a carpenter's daughter!
Looking at Zhang Yun's alluring figure under her clothes, her two straight jade-like legs, along with the slight disdain flashing in her eyes...
Unexpectedly, Wei Bao suddenly stepped forward and extended his hand.
Previously, thinking how noble she was, but now... he's a scion of the Wei Mansion, isn't he better than your dead carpenter father?
With his father around, even if Zhang Yun were to become his concubine and be wantonly humiliated, she could only swallow her teeth with blood, not daring to speak out!
Otherwise, you see how he deals with that old carpenter!
This trip was originally meant to scare him, if the old man truly refused, he wouldn't do anything to him, just disgusting him a little.
But now...
The situation has changed!
"Uncle, I misspoke just now, I didn't know this was your daughter..."
Wei Bao's eyes lit up, overcome with lust, he stepped forward trying to take advantage.
"I think our two families should get closer."
This appearance scared Zhang Yun into retreating repeatedly, her face turning several shades paler, seemingly not expecting this guy to be so bold.
The Wei Bao who once seemed reserved when collecting herbs in the Inner City gradually merged with this unruly young man before her, making her realize.
This guy, where is he a polite person!
His politeness wasn't because of her looks, but because of the apprentice doctor hall, 'Danxia Hall'!
Carpenter Zhang's eyes filled with anger, he stepped forward to intervene: "Aren't...aren't you afraid of 'Cyan Stone Lane's patrol officers?"
"Patrol officers?"
Wei Bao was taken aback, then laughed heartily:
"Guess who helped organize 'Lord Jiang's promotion banquet?"
"And who sent the most expensive gift among the congratulatory gifts?"
"In Cyan Stone Lane, I'm the sky!"
"I'm not afraid of a damn thing!"
Saying this, he shoved Carpenter Zhang, making the old man stumble, almost falling.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan, who had been panting all the way, happened to witness this scene at his doorstep, immediately shocked, wanting to immediately recount what he'd seen at the Government Office.
But...
Seeing Wei Bao's robust figure and his arrogant demeanor, he deflated like a balloon, suddenly losing his nerve.
The Wei Mansion on Fulu Street, in terms of Outer City wealth, ranks among the top ten, even the top five!
Ordinary constables wouldn't dare disrespect them!
Additionally...
His mother who goes out to work, he knows her character all too well!
Right in front of his father, she belittles Jixia, worth nothing, and lets people hear it.
In this scenario, even if that kid becomes successful, could he help his family just based on his father's slight favor?
If it were him, Zhang Yuan, it would be decent enough not to kick them when they're down!
Seeing Carpenter Zhang being pushed to the ground by Wei Bao, Zhang Yun's face became as white as paper.
She knows her background is ordinary, so she works hard to rely on herself to become better, aware that she won't marry into a particularly good family in the future.
But, she doesn't want to submit to someone like this!
Through Wei Bao's figure, Zhang Yun saw Zhang Yuan hesitating at the doorway, indecision keeping him from moving.
She realized, this brother, can't be counted on.
Pressing against the wall, Zhang Yun bit her lips, clutching her chest, feeling somewhat desperate.
However—
'Whoosh'!
A sheathed long saber swiftly crossed several yards!
Zhang Yuan only felt a cool breeze by his ear, something flew past.
Bang!
"Ah!" Wei Bao let out a miserable cry, the back of his head struck precisely by the sheathed saber, his vision blurred, anger rising:
"Who?!"
"Do you want to die?!"
Seeing 'Black Mountain Government Saber' about to fall to the ground.
A voice, calm yet filled with determination, rang out:
"You'd better not let that new saber touch the ground and get dusty."
"Or your head will roll too."
Instinctively, Wei Bao felt a trace of fear in his heart, as if following a natural reaction, he hurriedly grabbed the saber in panic.
Upon seeing the 'Black Mountain' inscription on the scabbard.
Wei Bao slightly lifted his gaze,
With this look, he saw a Black Mountain Lord clad in a Cyan Robe of Flying Bird stepping towards him!