On the table lay a stack of silver notes, all issued by Shengyuan Bank, the largest bank in the Commandery, which could be exchanged at any time, serving as solid hard currency.
Aside from that, there were a few gold notes, which were the reward for exterminating the bandits this time. In particular, when Kong Cun heard that those bandits were planning to target his family,
he was fortunate that Zhao Ya intervened in time to eliminate them, sparing his entire family from disaster. In his lingering fear and gratitude, he dug into his own pocket to give Zhao Ya an extra reward.
This was the entirety of Zhao Ya’s assets.
The silver taels he had brought from Wuxiang City were long gone; these were what Zhao Ya had earned through hard work during this period.
Although it wasn’t much, it sufficed to address the urgent crisis.
Besides, Zhao Ya also found some scattered silver taels on the bandits, but all together, they were just over a hundred taels.
It’s not surprising, as those bandits, living life on the edge of a blade, never knew if they’d see the next sunrise. Hence, whenever they had money, they spent it lavishly and never saved.
"Phew!"
Zhao Ya exhaled deeply, rubbing his throbbing temples, silently calculating in his mind.
Seven hundred and thirteen silver taels, eighty-four gold taels.
If he were to buy Exotic Beast Dried Meat on the market with this money, he could buy about thirty taels of Golden-spotted Blood Eel.
The Golden-spotted Black Eel was the Exotic Beast Dried Meat Zhao Ya chose after studying his situation for a long time.
Although it’s not as potent as the Seven-Star Blood Eel provided by Dingtai Martial Arts Hall, it was cheaper, at just five gold taels for one tael.
Even though Zhao Ya still felt the pinch at this price, there was no way around it. High-grade Exotic Beast Dried Meat was hard currency anywhere, purely a seller’s market. If you wanted it, you had to pay up, with no other options.
And this was considered good; for Exotic Beast meat of the level of the Seven-Star Blood Eel provided by Dingtai Martial Arts Hall, it was typically only supplied to large factions, and ordinary people couldn’t buy it even if they had the money.
Zhao Ya set aside money for buying the dried meat tomorrow, then pocketed the remaining dozens of silver notes.
"All packed up?" Zhao Ya asked.
"Almost!" came Zui’Er’s voice from the bedroom beside him.
Zhao Ya didn’t urge any further.
Tonight, he was going to invite three senior brothers and Meng Shiwen for dinner.
This was something Zhao Ya had wanted to do for a long time.
After all, he had joined the sect for several months, and often it was Shen Dao and Miao Shaocheng who treated him, yet he had never once reciprocated.
It was somewhat unjustifiable both in terms of emotions and reason.
Now that the Xiushui Square affair was handled, though he didn’t earn much, it was enough to cover a meal.
So, Zhao Ya reserved a table in the Feixian Inn this afternoon.
By then, Zui’Er had finished preparing and came out of the bedroom, saying to Zhao Ya, "Let’s go, Ya!"
What she called preparing was merely changing clothes and combing her hair.
But Zui’Er’s natural beauty didn’t need much embellishment; even without makeup, she was still extraordinarily lovely and unadorned.
Even Zhao Ya couldn’t help but glance a couple of extra times.
Zui’Er was a little puzzled, "What’s the matter, Ya? Is there something on my face?"
"No, just thought you look nice!" Zhao Ya answered honestly.
Zui’Er was initially startled, but then her cheeks visibly flushed, and her eyes were filled with joy.
After all, what girl doesn’t want to hear compliments from the one she fancies?
Just as Zhao Ya was about to leave with Zui’Er, Miao Shaocheng arrived.
"Hahaha, I heard junior brother is hosting tonight; I didn’t even eat lunch, just waiting for this dinner," Miao Shaocheng laughed.
Then he saw Zui’Er beside Zhao Ya and couldn’t help but praise, "Miss Zui’Er looks really beautiful today!"
Zui’Er, shyly, lowered her head without saying a word.
"Where is Senior Brother Xu?" Zhao Ya asked.
"His family had something, so he went back first. Before leaving, he told me he’d go straight to Feixian Inn, so we don’t need to wait for him."
"Alright, let’s go then."
Just as they were about to head to Feixian Inn, an unexpected figure appeared.
It was Meng Shiwen, wearing an elegant white dress, gracefully walking over.
"Se... Senior Sister?" Miao Shaocheng was extremely surprised.
Meng Shiwen paused briefly, then said to Zhao Ya, "Heading to Feixian Inn?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, let’s go together!"
Before they knew it, Meng Shiwen and Zui’Er were walking ahead, and the two seemed to be chatting quite well, as evidenced by the occasional smile on Meng Shiwen’s face.
Miao Shaocheng slowed his pace and moved closer to Zhao Ya, asking, "When did you invite Senior Sister?"
"I invited her when I invited you guys, just mentioned it in passing!"
"She didn’t say anything?"
"No, just nodded."
"Wow!" Miao Shaocheng patted Zhao Ya’s shoulder, giving him a thumbs up.
"Honestly, Senior Sister has really given you face today. Do you know how many people have tried to invite her for a meal before, and she never even gave them the time of day?"
Zhao Ya hadn’t anticipated this.
To be honest, he originally didn’t plan to invite Meng Shiwen.
But after thinking about it, he decided to at least mention it.
After all, they were part of the same sect. Even if she had some prejudice against him, at least they should maintain appearances.
Unexpectedly, Meng Shiwen agreed quite readily.
Now, hearing what Miao Shaocheng said, it seemed this was quite rare?
At this point, the group arrived at Feixian Inn, settling into the elegant room by the window on the third floor.
Not long after they sat down, Xu De also arrived.
Upon seeing Meng Shiwen there, Xu De’s face also showed a hint of surprise, but he quickly cupped his hands in salute.
"Senior Sister!"
"Hmm, hasn’t Shen Dao arrived yet?" Meng Shiwen asked.