Two more days passed.
Inside the main hall, Zani was training alongside his disciples.
And like always, atmosphere was incredibly vibrant with everyone sweating profusely and their muscles trembled from exhaustion.
But this never stopped the youths to bicker and compare their gains.
“Did you see that?
I finally lifted the sixty-kilo dumbbell!
Tell me, am I not a peerless genius?” “Don’t make me laugh, you bag of bones!
This is what true strength looks like!” “You boys are so noisy, why are you not doing squats.” “Eldest Senior Sister Elisi, please save this junior!
They are bullying me!” Zani casually curled a heavy iron dumbbell, smiling as he watched their banter.
Nowadays, his only duty was to loudly remind them not to lift weights beyond their current limit, as some hot-blooded youths tended to ignore the limits of their foundation in the heat of the moment.
Otherwise, his days were peaceful.
Just as he was about to conclude the afternoon session, the heavy iron doors of the hall creaked open.
“E-excuse me…” “Oh?
A newcomer!
Are you here to register?
Welcome, welcome!” Seeing a potential new disciple, Zani put down his dumbbells and moved forward with welcoming vigor.
But, The young man at the door quickly waved his hands.
“No, please do not misunderstand.
I am merely a humble servant here to inquire about your fees and inspect the equipment.
My master will be the one joining your establishment.” Hearing this, Zani and the disciples paused, exchanging shocked glances.
From the servant’s grand tone and neat attire, it seemed someone of status from Grains City had taken an interest in his Gym.
“Where is your master currently?” Zani asked politely.
“My master, Cuby Leo, is resting at his estate.
He will only grace this gym if it passes my evaluation,” the youth said, raising his chin slightly.
“Now, if you would please lead the way?” The servant clearly wished to speak in private and Zani, understanding the importance of giving face to city dwellers, nodded respectfully and led the youth away.
Inside the second living room, which Zani had recently repurposed into an office for such occasions, they took their seats.
“May I know your name, brother?” Zani poured a cup of tea.
“I am but a humble servant.
You may call me Das.” “Brother Das, please tell me, what are your young master’s requirements?” Das took a sip of the tea and frowned slightly at the low quality taste.
“It is simple.
I merely needed to confirm the rumors that your establishment possesses perfectly graduated weights forged of pure iron.
Having seen them, the rumors are true.” “Is that all?” “No.
The true reason I requested a private audience is this: due to a severe childhood trauma, my master utterly despises interacting with strangers.” Das looked Zani in the eye.
“Therefore, I am here to ask how much silver you want for your equipment.
We wish to purchase it.” Hearing this, a cold sweat broke out on Zani’s back.
Cuby Leo.
This young master was absolutely not simple.
Because, By the strict imperial decree, common mortals did not possess surnames!
Only true Immortals, their descendants up to the fifth generation, and high-ranking imperial officials were bestowed the divine right to bear a family name.
Refusing a noble of such terrifying background could lead to his immediate destruction.
But he absolutely could not sell the System’s rewards!
Zani cupped his fists, his tone incredibly humble but firm.
“Brother Das, please understand…
these iron weights are the very foundation of my Dao and my sole source of income.
I cannot sell them.” What followed was a tense, lengthy negotiation where Zani continuously refused increasingly lucrative offers of silver and gold.
He even gritted his teeth and refused to ‘lend’ the equipment, knowing full well that items once borrowed would never return.
Though Das was visibly angered by this peasant’s stubbornness, he only offered light threats, seemingly restrained by his master’s strict instructions.
In the end, they reached a compromise: Zani would cordon off a massive, private section of the hall using thick curtains, creating an exclusive VIP domain for the young master.
Seeing the servant finally leave, Zani let out a long, heavy sigh.
This Young Master Cuby Leo…
he might not be an unreasonable tyrant.
As for the rest, I will only find out tomorrow.
That night, Zani could not sleep.
The stories from his past life had taught him that powerful people often kill weak over treasures in the dead of night.
Paranoia kept him wide awake, and he spent the entire night hauling equipment and stringing up thick, heavy curtains to prepare the young master’s private domain.
The next morning.
Before the village rooster even dared to crow, heavy knocking echoed against the main iron gates of the Gym.
Knock!
Knock!
“Who is it?” Zani called out, his eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night.
“Master Zani, it is I, Das!
Please open the gates quickly; my master is waiting outside!” Hearing this, a stupefied Zani hurriedly unbarred the gates and Standing outside, directly behind Das, was an unassuming but sturdily built horse carriage.
“Open the gates wider, Master Zani.
We must pull the carriage directly inside.” Nodding numbly, Zani did as he was told and then watched in silence as the carriage was driven straight through the gates of the main hall and pulled all the way behind the thick curtains of the newly prepared VIP area.
A moment later, Das emerged from behind the curtains and walked toward Zani, offering a respectful salute.
“Master Zani, although it is not as thorough as my master would prefer, your preparations are commendable.” Das reached into his robes and placed five gleaming silver coins onto his hands.
“Here are five silver taels.
My master will grant you this sum every single month.
However, you must ensure that absolutely no one disturbs him during his stay here.
Not even you.” Zani stared at the silver with buzzing mind.
“You may go now,” Das continued dismissively.
“And one more thing.
From this day forward, we will be living behind these curtains as Traveling back and forth is something my master finds distasteful.” Zani watched with a dumbfounded expression as Das prepared to retreat behind the curtains.
“Wait,” Zani blurted out.
“But…
the only washroom in the entire gym is located in that corner!” pausing briefly Das gave a faint smile.
“That is an excellent thing, then.
Now, go rest.
We shall discuss the finer details after the morning meal.” Like a wooden puppet whose strings had been cut, Zani staggered all the way back to his bedroom and collapsed onto his bed.
Am I hallucinating?
Five silver a month?
Nobles moving into my gym?
driving the cart straight into the main hall?
“I might as well sleep,” he muttered, his exhausted mind shutting down.
When Zani finally woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
He walked out to the main hall, fully expecting chaos, only to find the gym operating fine.
The Afternoon session had just ended, and the disciples were peacefully leaving to eat their lunch.
“Master Zani!” Turning around, he saw Elisi jogging toward him.
“Did you finally hire an instructor?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.
“An instructor?” Following Elisi’s pointing finger, Zani looked toward the center of the hall.
There, Das was patiently demonstrating proper breathing techniques to a junior disciple, correcting the boy’s posture so he could lift the iron more smoothly.
“is he not an instructor?
Anyway I am going to have a lunch, Care to join me Master?” Elisi giggled, skipping away to the corner to have her lunch.
Leaving frozen Zani behind, whose eyes were locked onto Das and his mind was spinning with sudden, glorious realization.
“Master Zani.” Having finished his instruction, Das walked over, cupping his fists.
“Many apologies for overstepping during your absence.” “No, Brother Das…
I must thank you,” Zani said, his eyes burning with a strange light.
“It was nothing.
My master ordered it.
He felt guilty that our early arrival disturbed your sleep,” Das explained.
“Anyway, now that you are awake, let us discuss our living arrangements for the next two or three months, until my master solidifies his foundation.” “Yes.
Please.” Returning to the office table, the atmosphere between them was much calmer and After smoothly discussing the daily logistics Das required, they sat quietly, sipping tea.
“May I ask…” Zani began.
“No.
You may not ask anything regarding my master,” Das interrupted smoothly.
“We will complete the formal registration after tea.” “No, no.
That is not what I meant,” Zani said, leaning forward.
“I meant to ask about you.” “Oh?” Das raised an eyebrow.
“Then speak.” Zani took a deep breath, his heart pounding as he thought of the System quest.
“Brother Das…
would you be willing to become the official Instructor of my Gym?” “What?!”