Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

Chapter 23: Chapter 20 Miscellaneous Affairs Selection (Request for Monthly Votes and Follow-ups)

Going home!

With the Star-Pointing Season concluded, Xu Jin had not only succeeded in Star Pointing but also entered the Middle Court as he had wished, so he must go home for a visit.

First to bring good news, second to make an appearance, and third to figure out a way to resolve the most urgent debts at home to avoid escalating issues.

Bringing good news was simple.

Knowing that he had not only succeeded in Star Pointing but also cured his Innate heart disease would most likely make Xu Dajiang cry with joy, and his sister Xu Jiang would certainly leap with happiness.

Making an appearance was Xu Jinʼs own idea.

In this world, succeeding in Star Pointing was considered a threshold of rank.

In a family, so long as one person succeeded in Star Pointing, their future would promise comparatively high income and social status, making it unlikely for neighbors and ruffians to oppress them lightly.

What troubled Xu Jin now was the issue of his familyʼs debts.

The bottle of Mental Awakening Pills that Xu Dajiang had brought eight days ago cost fifty taels of silver.

Xu Jin still did not know how Xu Dajiang had managed to obtain it, but it was certainly not through borrowing from friends and relatives; they did not have such capable friends or relatives.

Xu Dajiangʼs channel for obtaining it was probably borrowing usury from a bank or a gang.

The former was better; although the interest was high, at least they were only after the money.

The latter was a different matter.

Therefore, Xu Jin wanted to resolve this family hazard as soon as possible.

At Jinshan Taoist Instituteʼs Middle Court, after completing the corresponding menial tasks, there was a monthly salary of ten taels of silver, and they would distribute two Mental Awakening Pills as Cultivation resources every month, totaling twenty taels of silver.

In Jinshan County, that was considered a high income.

This was also the reason Xu Jin had previously sought to join the Taoist Instituteʼs Middle Court at all costs.

However, the familyʼs debt was a pressing matter.

A high-interest usury of fifty taels, even if borrowed from a bank, returning it at a rate of nine for thirteen was considered a merciful rate.

Thus, the fifty taels borrowed by Xu Dajiang might cost 72 or more to repay.

And that was a conservative estimate.

The last time he borrowed one hundred taels from Ning Yuchan to buy pills for cultivation, he still had six taels and four maces left, in addition to one Blood Replenishing Pill—the total of his assets.

To pay off this debt, Xu Jin would have to save for four months at the Middle Court.

Even with accumulating interest, it might take five to six months.

Saving for five to six months wasnʼt the issue, the fear was something unexpected happening in the meantime.

Xu Jin still wanted to repay this debt as soon as possible, to be worry-free.

But where could he conjure up silver from thin air?

After much thought, Xu Jin came up with a plan.

Without ruthlessness, you canʼt stand firm.

With thin skin, youʼll have no money to spend!

Having already borrowed once, Instructor Ning would probably lend a second time, right?

Xu Jin was a man of action; once he thought of it, he acted.

At worst, if he failed to borrow money, what was there to fear!

”Xu Jin?”

Ning Yuchan was a bit surprised by Xu Jinʼs return visit and didnʼt quite understand what he was looking for her for.

”Instructor, I have a question that I want to ask for advice?”

”Sure, tell me.” Ning Yuchan was quite willing to help these disciples with their doubts and confusion.

”Instructor, every disciple in the Institute must choose a menial task; I would like to ask which one offers the best monetary prospects?” Xu Jin asked.

”Menial tasks? What kind of prospects could they possibly have?” Ning Yuchan was puzzled.

”Er, no, Instructor, I mean to ask, which menial task would enable me to earn the most silver?” Xu Jin clarified.

Upon hearing this, Ning Yuchan immediately understood Xu Jinʼs meaning: he was short on silver and wanted to know which menial task could earn him some extra silver.

”Theoretically, each menial task has the potential to earn additional income.

Among the Six Arts, if you choose tasks related to Slaughter and tracking, catching bandits and chasing fugitives offer rewards and bounties, and the amount depends on luck.