The discussion between Zhou Fu and Shen Shen kept going into the early hours of the morning because they could not sleep even just for a minute. They agreed on some things and argued each other about other things. However, Shen Shen and Zhou Fu's debate reached a stalemate when Shen Shen brought up the topic about money supply. They need a lot of money to get to Caihong, meanwhile at that time, neither Zhou Fu nor Shen Shen had any money.
Before Zhou Fu heard the story about Master Zhengyi and Yang Zi, getting money became an easy thing for Shen Shen when they arrived at a certain places. Previously, Shen Shen had told Zhou Fu about the several representative bureaus of the Caihong nobles scattered in the big cities outside the Caihong mainland. The representative bureau was set up to make it easier for the Caihong nobles who were experiencing difficulties when they were outside Caihong. The first purpose of Shen Shen and Zhou Fu's journey was to find the Bureau to ask for assistance which could be in the form of borrowing some money using Shen Shen's identity as the daughter of Master Zhengyi.
Since Shen Shen and Zhou Fu agreed to hide Shen Shen's identity, the Caihong representative bureau became a waste of their matter.
"I assure you, tomorrow I will bring a lot of money!" Zhou Fu said as he covered his mouth from yawning. He seems a little tired of arguing, “Arguing won't make us much money either. Come on, you can just go to sleep in the corner over there. This bed is mine!” Zhou Fu pointed to a corner of the room, telling Shen Shen to stay away from him because he was already sleepy.
For the first time in her life, Shen Shen encountered an incident where the beauty of her face was of no use at all. Her whimpering and pitiful face did not work when shown to Zhou Fu, she was forced to sleep on the cold floor while Zhou Fu slept in a warm and comfortable place.
***
The sound of a rooster crowing was loud enough to make Zhou Fu wake up in a sleepy state. He saw that Shen Shen had woken up early and was preening in front of the mirror.
"Are you awake? Alright, let's go out and prove that what you said last night wasn't bullshit!” Shen Shen smiled half mockingly. In her mind, she thought Zhou Fu was a teenager who was either optimistic or arrogant, who did not understand the reality that making money was not an easy matter.
Zhou Fu rubbed his eyes, he heard Shen Shen's words and understood the meaning of Shen Shen's smile. Even though he didn't have a plan yet, Zhou Fu would not back down. Due to the presence of Shen Shen, Zhou Fu was allowed to travel outside the Youhi Islan by Li Xian. Of course it was enough to make Zhou Fu excited to complete the task of taking Shen Shen to Caihong with or without difficulties.
"Let's go out and get much money!" Zhou Fu pulled Shen Shen's hand who had not even finished preening in front of the mirror.
The two of them came out of the room to meet the innkeeper's grandfather to say goodbye and thank him. Luckily, the person they were looking for was already in the front hall of the inn and ready to welcome Zhou Fu and Shen Shen.
“Grandpa, thanks for the ride. Later when I earn a lot of money, I will pay for my lodging," Zhou Fu said respectfully.
“Oh, no young master. I'm glad to welcome the young master and also… Oh, sorry I didn't see this lady yesterday. Oh yes, I get the point, sorry I was presumptuous.” The old man felt he had asked the wrong question because he seemed to think that Zhou Fu was calling for a comforter.
Even though Zhou Fu did not understand the old man's words, Shen Shen certainly understood the change in the old man's expression. Shen Shen also glared and pointed at the old man using her finger, “what's on grandpa's mind? This boy my little brother! Now, do you understand?” Shen Shen said angrily because she felt she was being considered as a whore.
“Oh, sorry… I'm sorry beautiful lady… Have a nice trip,” the old man bowed repeatedly to Shen Shen because he had misunderstood.
At the same time, Tang Quwo appeared with two friends. The three of them walked arrogantly towards Zhou Fu and Shen Shen, of course to take revenge for what happened to Tang Quwo on the other day.
“Hey, little boy! You are waited by my brother in the Douzheng arena today as well!” Tang Quwo pointed at Zhou Fu with a triumphant look.
The innkeeper's grandfather felt that Zhou Fu's good fortune would end that very day. The Douzheng Arena is an illegal martial arts tournament created by the Taoqi gang, the leader of the Taoqi gang is Wang Ling, someone who is called big brother by all the Taoqi members. Since establishing the Douzheng Arena ten years ago, Wang Ling had never experienced a defeat. This made him and his group a rich gang because the rules of the game were that the losing party had to pay dearly for the winning side.
In some cases, due to an initial arrogance, a traveler was forced to sell themselves into slavery because their wealth was not enough to pay for their defeat against Wang Ling.
At first, Shen Shen asked Zhou Fu not to be provoked by Tang Quwo's words. However, as soon as Tang Quwo mentioned the amount of money to be awarded to the winner, Shen Shen became the most excited person of all.
"Okay! Zhou Fu will attend the challenge from your big brother. Come take us to the Douzheng arena!”
The three people of the Taoqi gang glanced at each other with triumphant looks. It's as if their hearts are whispering to each other, your day is over, little brat!
***
The Douzheng Arena is located a bit far from the residential village of Dozhu. The venue, like an arena in general, has a large field surrounded by spectator seats surrounding the field. People who wanted to see the battle in the Douzheng arena had to pay an entrance ticket to the Taoqi member.
On a typical day, the Douzheng arena was filled with casual battles between challengers and some of Wang Ling's men. The battle system remains the same, the loser pays a certain amount of money to the winner. In other times, the Taoqi members had also experienced defeat when facing challengers, but not with Wang Ling. Wang Ling had never suffered a defeat before.
Wang Ling himself was only willing to leave the base if there was a challenger he thought had potential. He does not want to waste his precious time just to serve challengers who are not highly knowledgeable.
Zhou Fu and Shen Shen had arrived at the location, but because Shen Shen could not afford the entrance ticket, the arena guard did not let Shen Shen come with Zhou Fu. Meanwhile, Zhou Fu was simply welcomed in as he was the guest of honor at that day's match.
The match between Zhou Fu and Wang Ling turned out to be successful in making the Douzheng arena full of spectators. This was because Wang Ling had been sitting in his base for more than three months because no newcomer dared to challenge him.
Zhou Fu entered the arena and looked like he was still alone because Wang Ling had not yet shown his nose. The hundreds heads of spectators cheered loudly, their cheers filled with ridicule because they did not expect that the one who challenged Wang Ling was a young teenager who seemed inexperienced.
"Today will be a historical day in Dozhu! Remember my words! I will defeat the legend called Wang Ling as well!” Zhou Fu shouted loudly shouting at the audience who were also shouting at him.
