Chapter 4: Loyalty

After ten consecutive weeks, the spiritual energy in his dantian had reached 60%, but further increase proved as difficult as climbing to the sky. Once the dantian was filled with spiritual energy, it meant an imminent breakthrough. Reaching 60% in just ten weeks wasn’t due to Lin Dong’s extraordinary talent—it was because his predecessor, though dropped from the second level of the Lingdong Phase to the first, hadn’t lost all his progress, retaining 60% of it. Having not practiced for seven or eight years yet still having 60% of that progress was quite a surprise, saving him at least half a year of training time. Moreover, with spiritual energy at his disposal, Lin Dong believed that a dozen or twenty strong men wouldn’t pose a challenge to him.

Thirty-six weeks constituted one full cycle, which was far more effective than practicing intermittently for that length of time. With average talent, Lin Dong didn’t finish until late in the day. Outside the room, in the courtyard, the three carriages brought by Bai Jingtai were gone, likely on delivery.

In the main hall, Wang Liuzhi and the others were idly chatting together. Upon seeing Lin Dong arrive, they scattered and started frantically wiping tables and chairs with white cloths. Lin Dong couldn’t help but laugh and ordered Wang Liuzhi, “Go write an announcement saying we’re hiring a cook. Pay is three taels of silver per month, with food and lodging provided. Those who apply should show their skills; if they’re good, we’ll hire them.”

Wang Liuzhi nodded promptly. Three taels of silver per month was quite attractive in a small place like Xilan City. Less than half an hour after the announcement was posted, a middle-aged man came to apply. As soon as Wang Liuzhi stepped forward, the man left in frustration. Lin Dong smiled indifferently—the owner of Lin’s Inn was well-known for being easy to exploit in the area, and this man clearly knew that. He probably came just for the free food and money.

Lin Dong assigned Wang Liuzhi to recruit candidates to filter out cooks who knew the predecessor was easy to manipulate. Those who knew the predecessor was vulnerable would naturally also recognize Wang Liuzhi, who had considerable influence in Shi Bei Street. This move wasn’t because Lin Dong feared the cooks might cause trouble, but rather to avoid unnecessary issues. By evening, he found himself enjoying the feeling of his dantian’s spiritual energy gradually increasing. With fewer troubles, he had more time for training.

As lunchtime approached, another fat man, just as chubby as Bai Jingtai, came to apply. Wang Liuzhi led him to the kitchen, and soon the man returned with a plate of braised pork.

He would bring it over to taste for himself. Wang Liumozi was undoubtedly impressed with the chef’s skills. Lin Dong picked up a piece and tasted it—it had a proper balance of salt and sweetness, and the flavor was indeed good. It might not compare to chefs from large restaurants, but it was more than enough for a chef in a small inn.

After checking the fat man’s attributes, he found that although he didn’t have the potential to become an elite chef, he could still suffice for use, just like Wang Liumozi and the others. Even so, once the inn system reached level 2 and provided a bonus for the comfort of the lobby, they would be qualified to compete with the chefs from Fulaile Restaurant.

With the chef matter settled, Lin Dong went out to buy some steamed buns. After handing the counter keys to Wang Liumozi, he ate while heading back to the backyard.

In the lobby, Wang Liumozi stared at the keys in his hand, stunned. In just one day, had he already been promoted to half-manager?

Although the inn was small, it was Lin Dong’s only asset at the moment. He entrusted everything to Wang Liumozi not because he disdained Linji Inn, nor out of trust in Wang Liumozi. The main reason was that the inn system could track daily revenue, so there was no need to worry about him embezzling money.

If Wang Liumozi tried to flee with the money, these five men were now employees of the inn and had been registered in the inn system. As long as Lin Dong didn’t fire them, their whereabouts could be traced through the system no matter where they went.

Besides, Lin Dong would only come here at noon. Coming in the evening to collect the money, given the inn’s modest daily revenue, Wang Liumozi had no reason to be jealous.

After eating the steamed buns, Lin Dong sat down on the bed and entered a meditative state once again.

Thirty-six days passed, and when he woke up, it was completely dark outside.

His stomach growled. Lin Dong pushed open the door, intending to go to the kitchen to get something to eat. Seeing candlelight in the lobby, he grew curious.

It was already night, and the inn should have closed. What were these guys doing in the lobby?

Could they be gambling?

Just one day without supervision, and they already dared to gamble in the middle of the night? Lin Dong sneered. Before they had any extra money, these five men still needed to be disciplined.

He strode into the lobby and was stunned. Wang Liumozi and the five others were indeed there, gathered around a table. But instead of gambling, they were smiling apologetically at some customers.

“Third brother, I invited you out. We’ve eaten and drunk. I, Wang Liumozi, have also apologized for our dispute. Since Shibei Street will now be under your control, about the protection money… you have to give me an answer, right?”

“I told you! We’ll talk about this on the first day of the month!” Wang Liuzhi turned to the person he was trying to appease, wiped the grease from his mouth, and glared at him. “Besides, since you’ve given up your criminal ways and are content to be a clerk, you probably don’t deserve to interfere in street matters, do you?”
“Lao San, since the owner has entrusted me with managing the inn, it means he trusts me, Wang Liuzhi.” Wang Liuzhi’s tone turned harsher. “I have no problem paying one tael of silver per month as protection money—after all, our owner doesn’t have any strong backing. But if you demand five taels a month, without even the owner’s approval, I’ll be the first to refuse.”
“Oh? Since when has Wang Liuzhi become a lackey?” The man called Lao San also spoke in a hostile tone. “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve taken as much as one tael every three days. What, five taels a month is too much for me?”
Wang Liuzhi froze, unable to speak.
“Now that we’re full, guys, it’s time to check out Zuihonglou.” Lao San clapped his hands, and the other three stood up as well.
“Wang Liuzhi, let me warn you one last time—as a clerk, you don’t deserve to interfere in street matters.”
As they reached the door, Lao San turned back and gave Wang Liuzhi a sinister look. Before he could step over the threshold, a cold voice suddenly rang out.
“Have you paid for the food?”
“Paid for the food?” Lao San was stunned. Then he sneered and glanced toward the source of the voice. Lin Dong smiled politely. “It’s only natural to pay for food. If that’s inconvenient, we can keep it on the account.”
“Brat, quite bold. I, You Lao San, eat on my own territory—have I ever paid for food before? Just for that remark, the protection money is ten taels a month.”
Lao San snorted and turned to leave. Before going, he kicked the door panel once. The others followed his example. Someone kicked it several more times, and the already damaged door panel made five loud thuds before stopping, with dust falling all over the ground.
Lin Dong stepped forward, but was stopped by Wang Liuzhi and the others.
“Owner, he’s You Lao San from the next street. Hearing we’re no longer involved in criminal activities, he took over this street. Maybe we shouldn’t pay for the food? If we anger him and he starts hanging around outside the inn, we won’t be able to do business here,” Wang Liuzhi advised.
Lin Dong didn’t bother chasing after them. Let them keep it on the account! He would come back on the first day of the month anyway.
As for Wang Liuzhi, he made Lin Dong look at him differently. He had given the counter keys to Wang Liuzhi just for convenience, but he didn’t expect this kid to have some sense of loyalty and be willing to stand up for the inn.
Feeling uneasy under Lin Dong’s gaze, Wang Liuzhi swallowed hard. His left index finger, wrapped in bandages, began to ache.

“Boss, this… I asked You Lao San out because I also want to lower the protection fee. They…”
“It’s okay!” Lin Dong patted Wang Liuze’s shoulder and said slowly, “I apologize for the finger matter.”
Wang Liuze was startled and quickly shook his head, “It was my fault. Don’t blame the boss.”
“Go to bed! We need to get up early tomorrow.”
Lin Dong gave a call and went back to the backyard alone. He no longer had any interest in tidying up the silver in the counter every night.
After Lin Dong left, Wang Liuze gritted his teeth and looked at Shou Zhugan, “We still seem to have two taels of silver. Use it to reserve a table at Fulai Restaurant when you buy groceries tomorrow, and then ask You Lao San out again tonight.”
“Sigh!” Shou Zhugan felt reluctant, but thinking of Lin Dong’s apology earlier, he gritted his teeth and agreed.
A single key had inexplicably won Wang Liuze’s loyalty. To be honest, Lin Dong was a bit troubled. He had always been someone who returned respect with respect—originally, Wang Liuze and the other four were just temporary hires while he lacked the money to hire proper staff.
According to Lin Dong’s plan, once the inn had extra money, he would still replace the staff. Although there was an inn system that allowed staff to level up, improving skills like eloquence and agility, these five people’s initial stats were poor, lacking the potential to become top-notch staff.
If it weren’t for what happened tonight, Lin Dong would have simply replaced them and let them figure out how to pay off the inn’s debt. If they refused, breaking two of their arms would surely make them comply.
But now, Lin Dong had to consider a way out for Wang Liuze and the others.
When he arrived in the kitchen, Lin Dong gradually formed a decision.
Perhaps these five were better suited for collecting protection fees on the streets to pay off their debts. It was precisely when they lacked silver to buy spirit stones that they needed extra income to cover the gap.
After cooking a plate of fried rice, Lin Dong returned to his room to continue practicing.
As the moon faded, the first rays of dawn streamed through the white paper covering the wooden window into the room. There was a rapid knocking at the door.
Being interrupted after just 25 days of practice annoyed Lin Dong. When he opened the door, it was San Jiaoyan.
“Boss, the young master and miss have returned. And…”
Not completing a full cycle of practice would significantly reduce its effectiveness. Still annoyed, Lin Dong snapped at San Jiaoyan, who was hesitating, “Just say it!”
“And the dean of Qiushui Academy has also arrived. Judging from his expression… things don’t seem good,” San Jiaoyan said cautiously.
“Oh!” Lin Dong nodded, his expression unchanged.

Lin Tianhao and his sister only got time off to go home for two days on the 15th of each month, and they left just a few days later before returning again. On top of that, the dean brought them here personally…
Lin Dong smiled. These two kids must have caused some trouble again, and they did it together.
When they arrived in the hall, upon seeing Lin Dong, thesiblings both lowered their heads simultaneously. Beside them, Fu Chunjian, who was sitting on a bench, put down his teacup and stood up.
“Shopkeeper Lin, your children have caused a serious problem,” Fu Chunjian said angrily. “They broke Zhang’s son’s leg.”
“Hmm! Why?” Lin Dong looked at Lin Tianhao, who was staring at his toes.
Huh?
Fu Chunjian thought his ears were malfunctioning, as did Lin Tianhao and Lin Shuang.
Girls usually got more favoritism from their fathers, and it was the same in the Lin family. Lin Shuang mustered up the courage to speak softly, “Dad, are you asking why we broke Zhang Heng’s leg?”
“Hmm!” Lin Dong nodded. He understood why the three of them were acting that way. Usually, when parents heard their children had caused trouble, their first reaction was to go and apologize before asking for an explanation. It was indeed unusual of him to ask for the reason right away.
Lin Shuang pouted and explained, “It’s all because of that Zhang Heng. He bought my bamboo dragonfly but refused to pay, and even called my dad a good-for-nothing. I was so angry that I went to find my brother. He took me to confront him, but instead, Zhang Heng brought a bunch of his classmates to attack my brother. My brother didn’t fight back at first, but when they started attacking me, he finally reacted.”
“Anyway, hitting someone is wrong, and breaking someone’s leg is even worse,” Lin Dong said. Before he could add anything else, Fu Chunjian started scolding angrily, “Because of this, Zhang brought over a dozen servants to the academy demanding revenge. It not only disrupted the students’ studies but also severely damaged the academy’s reputation.”
Then she turned her anger on Lin Dong, “If it weren’t for me protecting them, those two kids would have been caught by the servants long ago. Shopkeeper Lin, I warned you again after Tianhao beat Zhong Xuechou last time—keep a close eye on him. And now, in less than two months, he’s broken another student’s leg. How can you be a father like this?”
“Hmm, let me think about what to do!” Lin Dong touched his neck. The bruise had faded, but he still felt it itched from time to time.
“What’s there to think about?” Fu Chunjian snapped. “If it weren’t for my connection with Tianhao, I really wouldn’t bother telling you. Since they hurt someone, they must apologize. I’ll talk to Zhang first. As for compensation, I’ll figure out how to cover it. You go buy some good tonics first. Once we’ve settled everything, I’ll take you to apologize.”

“Anger harms the body, Dean Fu. You’d better not get involved in this,” Lin Dong said leisurely.
Scattered eyeballs everywhere…
The two kids looked at each other—had their father changed?
Fu Chunjian widened his eyes and couldn’t help but wipe them with his sleeve before realizing that today, the usually gentle Lin shopkeeper had gone mad after his son broke a classmate’s leg.
“Dean Fu, please go back first! Tianhao and Lin Shuang can stay at home for a few days. They can return once things are resolved. If Mr. Zhang is unsatisfied, let him come to the inn to see me.”
Lin Dong remained extremely polite toward this dean in his fifties, who exuded an air of wisdom and integrity. After all, Lin Tianhao had caused over twenty incidents over the years, and previous attempts to resolve them usually involved just kneeling in apology—entirely thanks to this dean covering for them.
Especially the incident two months ago—Zhong Xue was an official sent by the government to investigate. Dean Fu must have been in a terrible bind to handle that situation.
No matter how Fu Chunjian pleaded or even slammed the table in anger, Lin Dong refused to compromise.
At this point, Fu Chunjian truly understood that the shopkeeper had indeed gone mad.
When people go mad, their behavior changes drastically from before.
With no other choice, he would have to find a way to handle this himself.
Fu Chunjian gave the siblings another stern scolding before storming out of the inn.