Trouble Comes Knocking

"Tai Chi Exercise reaching Great Accomplishment has such a big change?"

Xu Yuan was a little surprised and opened his System Panel to check.

[Name: Xu Yuan]
[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Great Accomplishment 1%), Stone Platform Stance Practice (Beginner 28%)]
[Aptitude: 5 (Slightly Uncommon)]

Xu Yuan's Tai Chi Exercise had reached Great Accomplishment, and his Aptitude had increased from 3 to 5.

Most importantly, his Aptitude evaluation had changed from 'Mediocre Talent' to 'Slightly Uncommon'!

"Mediocre Talent can only be considered ordinary, while Slightly Uncommon means at least having some talent."

Xu Yuan's eyes lit up, realizing that even a mere two-point increase in his Aptitude brought about a transformative change!

Practicing Tai Chi Exercise again, Xu Yuan could feel his body moving as gently as a breeze, yet his lower body remained as stable as a rock. With almost every repetition, he gained new insights!

"Now, I can barely be considered to have entered the category of the talented."

Xu Yuan's gaze was bright. Hard work was important; it could guarantee the minimum standard, but talent allowed one to break through the ceiling!

"Let's try the Stance Practice again. This is what can truly decide my fate."

Xu Yuan struck a pose, dropping his shoulders and elbows, his muscles condensing into a single point.

After dozens of such routine changes.

Suddenly, Xu Yuan found that trace of Essence of Qi and Blood within his body. Or rather, it was when he sent out a few signals to condense Qi and Blood that it found him on its own.

"It was actually this easy. That Tian Yang really didn't lie. Of course, this is also inseparable from my long-term accumulation."

Xu Yuan felt the tangible Essence of Qi and Blood surging within his body, and he was stunned for a long time before finally smiling with relief.

He wasn't doing pointless work after all.

[Name: Xu Yuan]
[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Great Accomplishment 1%), Stone Platform Stance Practice (Beginner 31%)]
[Aptitude: 5 (Slightly Uncommon)]

"The efficiency has increased significantly."

Xu Yuan recalled the many problems he had encountered before, and they were all resolved at this moment.

He could now practice the Stance Practice without any reservations!

"It's getting late. I'll practice another day."

Xu Yuan glanced around. The atmosphere was as calm as still water, and the night wind felt biting cold against his face.

Outside the house, several figures remained motionless like wooden stakes.

Among them, Xiao Sheng's thin yet determined face was particularly striking.

Xu Yuan wiped away the sweat and watched them silently for a while before returning to the communal sleeping area.

The various complex and unpleasant odors were not as jarring as usual at this moment.

He exhaled a breath and quickly pulled the covers over himself.

Soon, he fell into a deep sleep.

Besides his comprehension, Xu Yuan had another significant change.

His appetite had greatly increased, astonishing many people.

This indicated that his body was instinctively craving nutrients for new growth.

At the same time, his body's adaptability had also improved.

Previously, he had to do chores and work every day, as well as diligently practice martial arts, and his muscles were almost constantly sore.

But now, whether he was doing chores or practicing martial arts, he could complete them more easily, and his body did not feel as uncomfortable as before.

The weather was good today, with warm and gentle sunshine.

Xu Yuan asked for leave and went out of the Prefecture City, also buying two fresh crucian carp at the fish market.

He walked through streets and alleys, arriving at the increasingly deserted outskirts of the Prefecture City.

As he got closer to home, a dispute grew clearer.

Xu Yuan heard his eldest brother's voice among the arguments, and his heart tightened. He hurried over.

A crowd of onlookers had already gathered in front of his house.

Three ruffian-looking men stood there with their arms crossed, looking smug and fearless.

The leader, with a buzz cut and a rough, stern face, was tall and burly. However, his upper body was habitually hunched, making him look imposing yet comical.

He squinted his eyes impatiently and said, "Brother Xu, you used to read those scholarly books. Don't you understand that you have to repay your debts?"

"Bah!"

Xu Zheng, who was home alone, turned red with anger upon hearing this. He pointed at the man, his voice trembling as he said, "Li Daqiang, how did I ever offend you? It was clearly 2.7% interest per month, to be repaid within five months, and now you're arbitrarily raising the price!"

"What 2.7%?"

Li Daqiang raised an eyebrow and casually took a contract from his怀中. "You clearly borrowed under the 'nine out, thirteen back' scheme."

"Everyone heard it clearly. This is written in black and white. Even if we go to the authorities, we'll be in the right!"

Hearing this, Xu Yuan's eyes flickered. He immediately understood what was happening and hurried forward.

On the other side, Xu Zheng's face changed, and he angrily cursed, "I never signed this contract! You scoundrel, you're clearly using a fake contract to trick me!"

Upon hearing this, Li Daqiang's expression turned completely cold. He put away the contract and said unpleasantly, "So you're turning your back on the deal. Regardless, you'll pay today whether you want to or not. Search the house!"

Seeing that they were about to grab him without a word, Xu Zheng immediately cursed, "Li Daqiang, you animal! My mother even helped your family before. You're not even fit to be human!"

"Shut your damn mouth--"

A thug, impatient, walked up to Xu Zheng and was about to slap him.

But he was suddenly grabbed by another hand. The grip was like an iron clamp, and even though the thug's face turned red, he couldn't move an inch!

Xu Zheng scrambled to dodge, only to see a figure suddenly appear before him. He stood tall like a pine tree, his facial features sharp and defined, exuding an irrepressible youthful vigor.

"A Yuan?"

Xu Zheng, seeing who it was, exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you back?"

"This month's allowance was delayed for a while."

Xu Yuan explained, then shoved the thug away, sending him face-planting into the dirt.

He then looked coldly at the thugs before him and said calmly, "Brother Daqiang, we acknowledge the money my elder brother borrowed, but the rules can't be changed arbitrarily. We will pay the agreed-upon monthly interest at the end of the month."

"Second son of the Xu family?"

Li Daqiang looked Xu Yuan up and down with surprise and uncertainty. He saw that although Xu Yuan wasn't particularly strong, his stance was steady, and his eyes lacked the usual timidity of a young man.

"This kid has changed so much?"

Li Daqiang muttered to himself, but his expression remained tough. "And who do you think you are? If you can't come up with the money, I think your house..."

Xu Yuan's eyes turned cold. The other party was indeed here to cause trouble. He interrupted, "Brother Daqiang, doesn't the Shangyang Family have rules? Even if servants or their families are harassed outside, the household will inquire. If this escalates, it won't do you any good, especially during this period..."

"Are you trying to scare me with empty threats? You, a mere laborer?"

Li Daqiang knew Xu Yuan's background well and sneered, about to make a move again. Unexpectedly, a thug beside him leaned in and whispered, "Brother Qiang, I have a nephew working as a laborer in the Shangyang Family. He said the Martial Masters are teaching them martial arts recently, and it seems the higher-ups are paying close attention to this."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Teaching a bunch of laborers martial arts??"

Li Daqiang glanced at him incredulously, suspecting he was being deliberately mocked.

At this moment, the thug Xu Yuan had knocked down earlier also walked over, rubbing his wrist and saying in a low voice, "This kid is tough. This one has probably practiced before; his strength is immense."

Hearing this, Li Daqiang finally believed him a little, his eyes flickering.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan took out a few taels of silver from his embrace and smiled, handing it over. "Brother Daqiang, this is this month's interest. I'm paying you in advance so you don't have to make another trip."

Li Daqiang stared at him for a while, as if trying to find any sign of bluffing on him. But throughout, Xu Yuan met his gaze calmly.

After a pause, Li Daqiang suddenly grinned, revealing his rotten, yellow teeth. "Alright, Xu Er. You've certainly gained some knowledge after entering the Shangyang Family... However, you might get past me, but others might not be so easy."

With that, he glanced at the crowd and left with his subordinates.