This was a really enjoyable read, and I’d always wondered about Wuxia novels in a more modern setting. Lucra=chi/qi/power here… and there’s vending machines for it and demons giving shitty loan deals lol
Good hearted man down in his luck overcomes obstacles with hard work and quick wits- it’s a well loved trope for a reason. You root for the underdog, feel his struggle and rejoice in his victories.
MC Rick is a nice guy and uses a lot of common sense. His big thing is that he never stops trying to get back up- which is respectable. He doesn’t have delusions of grandeur or belief in Get Rich Quick! schemes. Even when he’s in a more comfortable place, he doesn’t just jump into the next best thing.
I fell in love with Rick when he called Uncle Frank- not to bail him out, but to ask for advice. He reached out to people he knows, listens to their recommendations, but does his own research- then makes a decision he can live with. Which honestly, it’s likely the most unrealistic thing about the story but dang, I love it!
As always, Travis is a fantastic narrator!