After firmly posting the notice outside the gates, Zani’s schedule became incredibly packed.
The following morning, he and his ten fully funded inner disciples spent the entirety of their time cleaning the old kitchen.
With the subterranean equipment now hauled into main hall, this space was being meticulously transformed from a sealed storage room into a temporary gathering hall.
Although the workload wasn’t insurmountable for eleven people, it was currently the absolute peak of summer.
The midday heat was suffocating, leaving Zani and his disciples sweating buckets by the time they finished.
Clap!
Clap!
“Well done.” Just as they finished the work and wiped the grime from their brows, Bai strolled into the room, a smug, entirely unbothered smile plastered across his rugged face.
Seeing this, Zani could only curse bitterly in his heart.
Although the gathering hall preparations required all hands, someone still needed to manage the outer disciples’ morning session.
To decide who would suffer the grueling task, Zani and Bai had made a bet on who could eat faster at yesterday dinner.
It was then that Zani came to realize that this monster looking brother of his, really is a bottomless monster when it comes to food.
“Are you done with the morning session?” Zani asked, panting slightly.
“Is the breakfast ready?” “Hmm.
The disciples have left,” Bai replied calmly.
“As for breakfast, bring it yourself.” While Bai maintained his calm, stoic exterior, deep inside the puppet’s hollow body, Little Leo was eyeing the sweaty men with pure, aristocratic disgust.
Hmph.
And this mortal peasant dares to compete with me?
Hehehe!
The body of the puppet ‘Bai’ was a supreme artifact forged by an Immortal clan.
It containes profound spatial and illusion formations, making the interior incredibly spacious.
Little Leo could sit, stand, jump, and even sleep comfortably inside it year-round.
Currently, she was lounging in a pristine environment, surrounded by a refreshing, cooled breeze.
As for the eating competition?
It was a complete farce.
She had simply dumped all the food directly into the puppet’s internal storage space!
Meanwhile, the other inner disciples staggered out in the hall, looking just as exhausted as Zani.
All of them, that is, except for a certain girl who miraculously revived the moment the word ‘food’ was mentioned.
“Master Zani!
Shall I go bring the food?” Zani looked at the energetic girl and sighed.
“Elisi?
Oh, fine.
Go.” Just as Zani was about to instruct her to purchase some highly nutritious boar meat from the tavern, Bai suddenly interjected.
“Come with me.” Before Zani could process what was happening, the burly, fierce-looking Bai reached out, grabbed the petite Elisi’s hand, and to Zani’s sheer bewilderment, the two of them practically skipped away in a merry fashion.
Zani stood frozen in his place, his eyes twitching.
“What the hell?” Time passed just like that.
Although Zani was deeply suspicious about the bizarre, almost sisterly dynamic developing between his Eldest disciple and rugged instructor, he wisely decided not to pry.
In the martial world, everyone had their secrets.
He would simply keep a close eye on the situation.
Two days later, the day of the gathering finally arrived.
To ensure smooth operations, the outer disciples were given the afternoon training session off.
The meeting hall had been properly arranged with borrowed wooden furniture and small snacks.
Most importantly, all the iron equipment in the main hall had been thoroughly hidden beneath heavy, thick curtains.
As a massive, whispering crowd of local hunters gathered outside the Gym, Zani waited for the exact appointed hour.
With a heavy creak, the grand iron gates opened.
Zani stepped out, dressed in immaculate, flowing robes, presenting a flawless, unfathomable front.
Standing firmly at his side like a towering guardian deity was the fierce-looking Bai.
Cupping his fists, Zani offered a warm, accommodating smile, giving maximum respect to the gathered crowd.
“I sincerely thank everyone for traveling such distances to come here,” Zani’s voice carried clearly over the chaotic chatter.
“If there are any experienced hunters among you, please step inside.
The gathering will commence in exactly one sichen.” Leaving Bai at the entrance to ruthlessly scrutinize the candidates with his sharp gaze, Zani turned and gracefully retreated.
One by one, the rugged hunters began to filter in.
“Please, welcome.
Come this way.” Elisi and the other inner disciples were placed on duty to greet the guests, strictly ensuring that no one wandered around the main hall.
“Oh?
Aren’t you Hunter Teer’s daughter?
Hahaha!” a burly man laughed, recognizing the girl.
“Nice to meet you,” Elisi replied politely.
“You should call me Uncle, little girl!” Most of the hunters present were either locals from Big Wheat Village or from the surrounding settlements, all drawn by the explosive gossip surrounding the Iron Core Gym.
A few had come specifically hoping to catch a glimpse of the rumored ‘divine iron artifacts,’ only to be deeply disappointed by the heavy curtains blocking their view.
As they were ushered into the gathering hall, Zani was already waiting at the door, warmly welcoming everyone to take a seat and enjoy the snacks until the hour was up.
Once the final minute of the hour came to pass, Bai stepped inside and pulled the heavy doors firmly shut.
The sudden thud sent a wave of tension through the room.
Zani walked to the front and took his seat on the master chair, while Bai stood guard at the entrance, his arms crossed.
“Greetings once again, and thank you all for attending,” Zani began, his voice calm and measured.
The chaotic murmurs in the hall instantly vanishing.
“The reason I have invited you heroes here today is to discuss the formation of a mutually beneficial partnership,” Zani announced, sweeping his piercing gaze across the room.
“I will not speak in circles, so please listen closely.” “Our Gym requires vast, daily resources.
From this day forth, whatever prey or medicinal herbs you normally sell to the city merchants or shops, we want you to sell directly to us at the exact same price.
In addition, we will handsomely purchase information regarding the traces of any wild beasts that you yourselves cannot safely hunt.” Zani paused, letting the profound weight of his words sink in.
“Do not worry; the Iron Core Gym will never shortchange you.
The pricing will remain absolutely fair.
Furthermore, as our recognized partners, we will grant you one favor.
This favor can be used in various ways, such as guarantee admission of one youth of your choosing into our Gym.” The moment Zani finished speaking, a massive uproar ignited.
Whispers and heated discussions broke out across the wooden tables as the hunters calculated the immense value of the offer.
Before long, an organized group of hunters and two solitary individuals stood up.
The group exchanged decisive nods before their representative respectfully cupped his fists.
“Master Zani, we wish to join your ranks.” Zani’s lips curved into a warm, satisfied smile.
“Thank you, heroes.
Now, for the rest of you: those who wish to join without any further inquiries may remain seated.
Those who have questions may stand.
And those who feel this partnership does not suit them…
you may freely leave.” Right on cue, Bai stepped forward.
His fierce, rugged aura flared slightly as he pulled the heavy door wide open, gesturing that anyone could depart without any worry.
Seeing this intimidating display, the group and one of the standing individuals quickly sat back down, leaving only one man standing alone.
A moment later, however, about a dozen others hesitantly stood up.
The man who had remained standing respectfully cupped his hands and bowed deeply.
“Master Zani, I apologize for wasting your valuable time.
But I cannot join this partnership.
My family already owes a great debt to a city shop.
I must sell to them.” “Hmm.
Brother, there is no need to humble yourself,” Zani replied smoothly, offering a forgiving wave of his hand.
“It is my own lack of foresight for not detailing these terms in the notice.
Everyone, please, if you must leave, you do not need to justify yourselves to me.
I will absolutely not hold it against you.” Given this graceful, face-saving out, the standing man and about ten others silently filed out of the room.
Now, only three figures remained standing.
Surprisingly, one of them was a ruggedly dressed woman.
One by one, they voiced their concerns.
“Master Zani, the child I admit using this guaranteed favor…
will they still need to pay the monthly tuition fees?” “Yes,” Zani answered firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Master Zani, I have two children.
Could you perhaps extend-” “No,” Zani interrupted, his tone turning strict and absolute.
“Allowing you to admit both children on a single favor would be breaking my trust with the others.
The rules are set.” Finally, the rugged woman spoke up, her voice laced with practical hesitation.
“Master Zani…
can I perhaps exchange this favor directly with you for silver?” Zani maintained his polite, accommodating smile, but inwardly, he was rolling his eyes.
Why did you think I called you all here?
To forge some deep karmic bond?
No.
I just want a stable supply of meat and herbs without paying exorbitant merchant markups, and I am desperately hoping one of you has clues about a Mud Boar!
However, after pretending to ponder the request for a moment, Zani nodded.
“Yes, you may.
However, we will only offer five silver coins to buy the favor back.” “Five silver?!” The woman gasped, her weather-beaten face instantly lighting up with sheer, unrestrained joy.
Hunting was an incredibly grueling and perilous livelihood.
Since Big Wheat Village bordered the terrifying Slaughter City, weak hunters like her dared only to scour the absolute outermost outskirts of the Brown Earth Mountain.
Those safe areas had been picked clean of valuable herbs decades ago, leaving her to scrape by on a measly one silver a month.
Receiving five silver coins at once was equal to half a year of her blood and sweat!
While seasoned hunters might earn two silver a month, or three if they managed to trap a wild boar, this was a great windfall for her.
Seeing her dramatic reaction, Zani’s eyes flashed with sharp business acumen as he leaned forward slightly.
“But,” Zani added smoothly, his voice dripping with temptation, “if you choose to sell this guaranteed spot directly to a wealthy family in the city who is desperate to send their child here…
you could easily squeeze them for as much as ten silver.” “Ten silver?!” The woman practically vibrated with excitement, her mind already spinning with the immense wealth she could accumulate.
Ignoring her joyful stupor, Zani turned his piercing gaze back to the seated hunters who had pledged their loyalty first.
“Since we are now partners, I will speak to you with absolute honesty,” Zani declared, his voice carrying undeniable, supreme confidence.
“The value of this favor will only increase in the future.
That…
I can promise you.” _______________________________________ [Author note: Thank you for support everybody.