Zhang Xuan-ning lay on the bed, thinking carefully. Although the salt trade was mostly controlled by the Hai Sha Gang and the Shui Long Gang, that didn’t mean the other gangs had no connections at all. It was simply a matter of main routes and side routes, the difference between taking a big share or a small one.

Since the hotel was given to Mr. Foster, it was only natural for Mr. Foster to introduce a salt route. The salt trade was extremely dangerous, but it was exactly what he wanted. Without going through these trials, how could he possibly grow in such a short time? He also needed the support of some loyal and desperate followers—these things couldn’t be obtained by following the rules in Yangzhou.

With this in mind, he had already decided to open a small salt route. Making money was secondary; the key was to temper and organize his core group, weeding out the unqualified and keeping the capable.

But all this had to be done slowly. Cohesion, organization, and coordination among the people all took time—everyone knew this. For now, Grace Bolton was making preparations on one hand, and on the other, aside from necessary meals, he focused on cultivating in his room.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed, and Grace Bolton devoted himself to cultivation. Over the past year, his progress had been tremendous. The shattered true qi from before was constantly being recovered and transformed. During his practice, a stream of true qi circulated within his body according to a certain pattern; he was not far from reaching the first level of minor achievement.

As he cultivated slowly, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart. His breathing became long and steady, and he unintentionally entered a state of forgetting both himself and the outside world. In no time, all the meridians in his body trembled like thunder.

“I’ve activated the true qi mechanism!” Grace Bolton thought silently. According to his memory, this body had practiced before. Now, having seized the body and retrained, it was naturally much easier; otherwise, it would have been impossible to reach this level within a year. At this moment, Grace Bolton stopped thinking further. He felt the previously scattered true qi in his body constantly condensing, the qi mechanism flowing like pearls, circulating endlessly. A breakthrough to the first level was just around the corner.

You should know, once he broke through the first level, all the original true qi could be recovered. Of course, due to the toll taken between life and death, even if all the true qi was recovered, he wouldn’t immediately jump to the original third level, and might not even break through to the second level. But at least it would shorten the time needed to reach the second level.

More importantly, he could thoroughly reorganize his body, eliminate all hidden dangers, and build a perfect foundation for mind and body.

Chapter 7: The Salt Route (Part 1)

“Today, drink as much wine as you want, eat as much meat as you like! No one goes home until they’re drunk!” When the signboard for “Su Family Restaurant” was put up, Mr. Foster, beaming with joy, announced, and immediately, all the gang members cheered in unison.

“Mr. Foster, please, Mr. Foster, please.” Though they said this, except for Grace Bolton and his forty subordinates who didn’t have to pay, everyone else gave some respect—offering a gift of money.

Although such a small matter wouldn’t reach the ears of the gang leader, and few of Mr. Foster’s old brothers would come to celebrate just for this, since most of them now held high positions.

But the shop owners in Yangzhou city and nearby, some local officials, and the heads of small local establishments all came to offer their congratulations.

“The Lu Family Dojo presents a gift of twenty taels of silver.”

“The Sha Family Shop presents a profit gift of two taels of silver.”

Xing Rong announced the names of the guests and their gifts, while Grace Bolton acted as the accountant, writing swiftly, recording each guest’s affiliation and gift with neat and precise handwriting, not missing a single detail. The smaller establishments naturally gave more, while shops in controlled areas gave less.

All in all, about two hundred guests came today. The restaurant couldn’t seat them all at once, so they had to be divided into two groups.

“I’ve long heard of Mr. Foster’s great reputation but never had the chance to visit. Today, with Mr. Foster’s grand opening, I, Matthew Miles, have come to pay my respects!” As the first group of guests was being led upstairs, a voice came from outside. Though not loud, everyone inside and outside the restaurant heard it clearly.

Mr. Foster’s body trembled slightly. He stood up and said, “Grace, come greet the guest with me!”

Grace Bolton put down his pen and stood up as well. He didn’t say much, just replied, “Yes!”

At the restaurant entrance, among several men bearing the mark of the Shi Family Dojo, stood a man in his thirties. His gaze was sharp as a sword, fixed directly on Mr. Foster.

The surrounding crowd immediately parted, leaving an open space.

George Knight nudged Thomas Clark and whispered, “How do you think this will be resolved? Matthew Miles is Shi Long’s third disciple, and a quarter of the Shi Family Dojo’s influence in Yangzhou is under his control.”

Before Thomas Clark could reply, they saw the two sides exchange a few polite words, the other party presented four types of gifts, and then left. Although they didn’t join the banquet, there was none of the expected fighting or killing.

“That’s it?” George Knight looked at him in surprise.

“Hmph, little brother, there are rules in the underworld too. You can’t just start fighting the moment you meet. You should learn more from Mr. Foster; back in the day, Mr. Foster was a real expert on the streets.” A man, seeing the two of them both holding wind bamboos and recognizing them as fellow gang members, said this.