Chapter 116: I Haven’t Earned a Single Copper Coin Yet!
Chapter 116: I Haven’t Earned a Single Copper Coin Yet!
Qin Xi’s cooking skill was unmatched, putting everyone present to shame.
Soon, the fragrant rice was ready, and the group gathered in a circle around the big iron pot, scooping out meat.
Qin Xi frowned, feeling a bit uncomfortable. This was the first time she had eaten like this, and with a group of men at that.
If she hadn’t witnessed the wonders of the Divine Devil Dojo and confirmed that Jiang Taixuan was the Dojo Master, she would have suspected that these people were just rough, low-ranked mercenaries.
Jiang Taixuan shot a glare around, and the Innate Martial Artists quickly moved aside, clearing a large space for Qin Xi and Jiang Taixuan.
Only after watching Jiang Taixuan start eating first did the Innate Martial Artists begin their meal.
Seeing them eat so heartily, Qin Xi instead lost her appetite. It wasn’t because she wasn’t used to it, but because her mind was still occupied with Jiang Taixuan’s path to success.
She had had enough of the life of an Art Girl, performing daily and waiting for someone to bid a high price to buy her, only to become a plaything for life.
“Miss Qin Xi, this is Foundation Building Demonic Beast meat. Won’t you have some?” Jiang Taixuan swallowed a piece of meat, gave a thumbs up, and praised, “Great cooking.”
This was much more delicious than what Ximen the Fatty and Ahuai cooked. He really didn’t know if Huang Ruoyan was just not picky, but Ahuai’s cooking skills could actually raise someone that plump.
“You flatter me, Field Master.” Qin Xi smiled unnaturally. She wanted to open her mouth to ask something but stopped, looking without appetite at the big iron pot. If the Field Master didn’t explain clearly, she wouldn’t be interested even if it were dragon meat.
The Innate Martial Artists frowned, looking at the two with confusion, feeling something was off.
Jiang Taixuan also lost his appetite for now. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at Qin Xi. “Is Miss Qin Xi an Art Girl?”
He did know about Art Girls—they sold their talents, not their bodies, just like the pure courtesans in ancient times from his previous life.
In this world, brothels were called Art Pavilions, and they had a promising development. The lower levels sold skin, while the upper levels sold talents. These performers were trained from a young age, born with pretty faces, and were basically skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
These were considered premium products. Ordinary people could only spend money to rent a private room to listen to the music alone. Only those with wealth, influence, or power could buy them at a high price when their popularity peaked, allowing the Art Pavilion to make a huge profit.
Don’t think that selling them at their peak popularity was a loss—once their popularity declined, no one would buy them. Besides, these performers’ Martial Arts cultivation wasn’t high; they aged more easily than regular Martial Artists and were too delicate. Compared to Martial Artists, their shelf life was too short, and they weren’t much help, only fit to be playthings.
Qin Xi belonged to the premium category and would be sold off in the future.
Qin Xi nodded. “I am an Art Girl. You said you would show me a clear path, Field Master. Please speak plainly.”
“Cooperation.” Jiang Taixuan’s expression turned serious. “I’ll find you a business partner. You’ll earn money and I’ll take a cut. In the future, when you make money, come buy things and become a Martial Arts powerhouse. Then no one can control you.”
“A business partner?” Qin Xi was stunned, confused. “Who would cooperate with me? I have nothing to offer. Who would take me seriously?”
“Let’s be clear first. For every person you refer who makes money, I take a ten percent cut.” Jiang Taixuan held up one finger.
The Innate Martial Artists: “…”
They had a feeling Qin Xi was about to be led into a pit by the Field Master, and it was the kind where she’d work for free, promote for free, and even lose money!
Qin Xi forced a bitter smile. “You jest, Field Master. If I could make money, I would be grateful.”
“Good, then you cooperate with the Wind-Swift Express Company.” Jiang Taixuan pointed at the Innate Martial Artists and then said, “You provide them with information—which wealthy Martial Artists are down on their luck and need to buy things—and recommend they come to me or to the Wind-Swift company.”
Art Pavilions, whether in ancient times from his previous life or in this world, had very high foot traffic, especially those show-offs who loved to discuss poetry and lyrics with these Art Girls.
“Field Master, the Wind-Swift company doesn’t need a partner.” The Innate Martial Artists quickly said. If they had a partner, wouldn’t they have to share their earnings again?
“Are you all stupid?” Jiang Taixuan rolled his eyes. “Ask Miss Qin Xi how many people she knows. Who do you know in Cloud Water City? If she recommends in her name and you hand out flyers, how many would refuse?”
“We can hand them out slowly,” the Innate Martial Artists said. Sharing money? How could that work?
Jiang Taixuan sneered and looked at Qin Xi. “Miss Qin Xi, how many people do you know in Cloud Water City?”
“In Cloud Water City, I know the young masters from all the major families. I’ve also met some disciples and geniuses from the Five Great Sects. They occasionally visit the Art Pavilion in their spare time to see me.” Qin Xi, being a clever girl, quickly spoke up.
The Innate Martial Artists widened their eyes. She knew sect disciples?
“And, I have another advantage.” Qin Xi now understood what Jiang Taixuan meant. Thinking quickly, she said, “The Mercenary Guild—when those mercenaries are stuck in a difficult situation and can’t solve it, do you know?”
The Innate Martial Artists shook their heads blankly.
“Do you know when sect disciples are allowed to leave their sects? Where they suffer humiliation and can’t resolve it, do you know?”
The Innate Martial Artists still shook their heads.
Sect disciples couldn’t easily leave their sects. They could only depart for certain missions, after reaching a certain level of strength, or under special circumstances. This, the Innate Martial Artists didn’t know, and neither did Jiang Taixuan.
“I know.” Qin Xi lifted her head high and said proudly, “After they suffer humiliation, they often go to the Art Pavilion to vent, but they have no solution. And you can’t reach them.”
The Innate Martial Artists fell silent. They truly couldn’t reach sect disciples.
“And, I also know which sect disciples are generous spenders and have abundant wealth.” Qin Xi added.
“Generous spenders? Abundant wealth?” The Innate Martial Artists’ eyes lit up.
What they lacked right now were people with more money than sense!
“Now, will you cooperate or not?” Jiang Taixuan curled his lip.
“We’ll cooperate, but what about the split?” The Innate Martial Artists hesitated.
“For every person I introduce, I’ll take a twenty percent cut from their future deliveries.” Qin Xi said.
“Twenty percent?” The Innate Martial Artists frowned. The demand wasn’t too high, but combined with the Field Master’s cut, it became high. The Field Master took ten percent every time.
“Alright, it’s decided. Twenty percent. After all, for clients introduced by Miss Qin Xi, she can’t take too little.” Jiang Taixuan said.
“Then we’ll heed the Field Master.” The Innate Martial Artists didn’t cling to this share anymore. Qin Xi had her advantages that they couldn’t match.
“Field Master, there’s another thing.” Qin Xi seemed to get into the swing of things. “Some Martial Artists encounter dangerous situations and can’t escape. Can you deliver goods? Or help solve it?”
“Of course we can. However, the Celestial Network is very convenient. As long as they post a message on the Celestial Network, we’ll see it and go.” An Innate Martial Artist quickly said.
Qin Xi shook her head. “Sometimes, they can’t post on the Celestial Network. That would expose them. They can only send secret messages.”
“Miss Qin Xi is right.” Jiang Taixuan nodded, then looked seriously at Qin Xi. “Miss Qin Xi, do you still have the flyers?”
“Yes, Field Master.” Qin Xi quickly took them out.
“Good. I see you still have a few Yuan Coins left. Use them to buy some paper and copy these down. That’ll be new flyers. Promote well and develop the business.” Jiang Taixuan wore an expression that said he had high hopes for her.
“…”
Field Master, you’re not planning to let go of even a few Yuan Coins? I haven’t earned a single Copper Coin yet, and you’re already thinking of taking it?