Looking at the two kneeling on the ground to become apprentices, Zhao Ya was initially taken aback, then shook his head with a slight smile and said, "You two, get up first."
"No, if you don’t take us as disciples, we won’t get up," Big Eye Lamp said stubbornly.
"Exactly!" Erqiangzi echoed.
"Taking you two as disciples is impossible; even if you kneel here until you die, it won’t change," Zhao Ya said lightly.
Upon hearing this, disappointment appeared on the faces of Big Eye Lamp and Erqiangzi.
"However, I could first teach you some self-defense martial arts. If you manage to achieve something, then maybe I can take you as disciples," Zhao Ya said.
Big Eye Lamp and Erqiangzi couldn’t help but be overjoyed.
This result was more than they dared to hope for, so they repeatedly kowtowed.
Zhao Ya waved his hand, signaling them to get up, and then he took out over twenty taels of silver.
"Given your current skinny appearance, you may not even complete a set of fist techniques before collapsing from exhaustion. Take this silver back and buy some rice, noodles, and meat to eat, and build up your bodies first."
Big Eye Lamp refused to accept, "Master Zhao, you’ve already given me a hundred taels of silver before, how can I ask for more?"
"That was your due, this is extra, and this silver isn’t just for the two of you. Don’t you have many younger brothers? Buy more things so your brothers can have a few full meals, and also include your families," Zhao Ya advised.
Upon hearing Zhao Ya’s words, Big Eye Lamp and Erqiangzi finally accepted the money.
"Go on, get your bodies stronger. Use the remaining money to buy some clothes, and come find me at Ping’an Square when you feel energetic."
The two were moved to tears and nodded solemnly, then they left.
Watching the backs of these two children, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but sigh silently.
He really couldn’t take these two children as disciples.
Firstly, because they are still too young; though Big Eye Lamp seems organized, he is actually only nine years old this year, and Erqiangzi is even younger, at most eight.
How can they follow and learn martial arts at this age?
Secondly, and most importantly, without family background support, the flesh needed for martial arts training is a problem.
They can’t even eat enough daily meals, so how can they afford the enormous flesh consumption during martial arts training?
Zhao Ya can help at the beginning, but what about later?
Even Zhao Ya himself is barely managing, so how could he have the strength to help them?
This is also why social classes in this world are so rigid.
It’s incredibly difficult for children from ordinary families to rise through martial arts.
Not to mention, the consumption of Exotic Beast Flesh alone could bankrupt an ordinary family.
Meanwhile, wealthy families don’t have these worries; they can eat Exotic Beast Dried Meat arbitrarily, hire renowned teachers, or even pay heavily to join major martial arts sects. The gap is indeed vast.
If it weren’t for the aid of Golden Finger, Zhao Ya himself might still be a mere Escort Agency worker and might not even have broken through to the Second Realm.
Though unable to take them as disciples, Zhao Ya decided to help them as much as he could.
It’s not just out of kindness; Zhao Ya discovered through the capture of Jade Butterfly that using these kids to gather information is highly effective.
After all, even the most cautious veterans of Jianghu wouldn’t deliberately guard against seven, eight, or nine-year-old children.
At this moment, Zhao Ya searched once more at Lu Jicheng’s residence but found nothing.
He didn’t see any gold, nor even a single golden hair.
Zhao Ya wasn’t surprised by this.
If Lu Jicheng wasn’t lying, he certainly wouldn’t store gold at his residence.
Instead, he would hide it in a secret location for use in emergencies.
As for where this secret spot is, only Lu Jicheng would know.
Zhao Ya left Tongyi Square and returned home.
Although the rain had lessened, it was still drizzling, but Zhao Ya’s home was quite bustling.
Shen Dao, Miao Shaocheng, Xu De, even Meng Shiwen and Shi Qingqing were there.
Before leaving, Zhao Ya had instructed Zui’Er to inform Miao Shaocheng and the others that he was going to catch the Jade Butterfly.
Upon hearing the news, they immediately rushed over.
Miao Shaocheng was particularly anxious, wanting to help, but was helpless because he didn’t know Zhao Ya’s exact location.
So, when Zhao Ya returned, Miao Shaocheng eagerly asked, "How did it go?"
Everyone’s eyes instantly focused on him.
Zhao Ya smiled slightly, "Mission accomplished."
Upon hearing this, there was an uproar.
Miao Shaocheng patted his leg and exclaimed, "Amazing, amazing! Why didn’t I think of that!"
Xu De chuckled, "There are many things you haven’t thought of."
Shen Dao sincerely admired, "Fourth brother is truly resourceful, far beyond me."