Moving into the Rich District! News of Top-Tier Secret Medicines for the Inner Three Harmonies!

"A-Hong, when you practice at home, don't you find the place too small?

Aunt Wu happens to have a residence on Center Street that she hasn't been able to rent out. It's equipped with a full set of training facilities, and leaving it vacant is a waste, so why don't you and Brother Huo move in for now...

There's no need to pay rent either. Whenever it gets rented out, you can just make room then!"

Wu Xiaoxia said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ting could not help glancing at her mother in surprise.

Wasn't that Center Street residence originally meant to be given to that Dark Force Attendant as lodging? How had it become something that could not be rented out?

She admitted that Huo Yuanhong was indeed a genius. At only nineteen, he had already reached Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment, even surpassing Yu Mingtang by a notch.

But he was still too young. Before he entered Dark Force and could truly help her mother, it would take at least another two years. There was no need to go all out to win him over so urgently; it could be done gradually.

In fact, even two years was deliberately optimistic on her part. One had to know that Manifest Strength Pinnacle to Dark Force was a chasm reaching the heavens. Even the foremost geniuses groomed from childhood by aristocratic families generally needed three to five years to slowly grind their way through it.

Yet the person her mother was trying to win over was already a veteran Dark Force expert, the most crucial figure at present. So long as he was willing to join her side, her mother would gain another trump card of martial force, and her chances of becoming North China's chief director would rise another step!

If she promised away this residence, how would she explain it to that Attendant later?

If he became dissatisfied and directly joined a competitor's camp, the loss would be far too great!

Wu Xiaoxia wore a smile, as though she had not realized this at all—or perhaps she had weighed it carefully, yet still made this choice during the critical competition for chief director, a choice that others would consider utterly foolish.

"Whenever it gets rented out?"

A trace of oddness also flashed through Huo Yuanhong's eyes.

If it never got "rented out," would they get to live there for free forever?

One had to know that the residences on Center Street were inhabited by wealthy people! It could be called Jin Gate's rich district!

The environment was excellent, with dedicated staff to clean the place. It was clean and tidy, unlike this old house, which reeked of damp mold and had cockroaches crawling everywhere.

Especially a residence fitted with a complete set of training facilities—the monthly rent would be at least fifty silver dollars, equivalent to half a year of his father's hard-earned income!

For her to give his family such a fine residence could not possibly be because he had casually saved Jiang Ting. Rather, it was...

An investment!

Wu Xiaoxia had taken notice of his talent and intended to invest in him ahead of time!

"Then thank you, Aunt Wu."

Huo Yuanhong did not refuse, nor did he become restrained because he was accepting someone else's favor. He was confident that he could repay this kindness in the future, so he had the confidence to accept this investment.

"Here are the keys to the residence. I'll have someone clean and arrange it, and you can move in directly tomorrow...

Take them quickly while Brother Huo isn't looking. With that temperament of his, always unwilling to take advantage of others, he definitely won't accept them!"

Wu Xiaoxia said with a smile as she pulled out a ring of keys from her bag. While Father Huo was still busy in the kitchen, she directly pressed them into his hand.

Huo Yuanhong saw clearly that there were only two rings of keys in that handbag altogether. Clearly, Aunt Wu was not in the business of renting houses at all.

"Fists are power! With fists, you have everything!"

Looking at the keys in his hand, this widely circulated saying could not help flashing through Huo Yuanhong's mind.

In the past, no matter how desperately he struggled, he could not change his family's circumstances. He could only remain huddled in this cramped, damp, dilapidated house.

Yet now, merely by displaying a small portion of his martial arts potential, the dream he had sought without success for a full ten years—moving into a clean, tidy mansion—had been realized so easily!

"Oh, right. There's one more matter. I wonder whether A-Hong might be interested?"

Wu Xiaoxia said with a smile.

"Please speak, Aunt Wu."

"You know that I am one of the main directors of the Ocean Shipping Guild's North China region, but in truth, I have another identity as well: I am a member of the Martial Prosperity Alliance."

"The Martial Prosperity Alliance?"

Huo Yuanhong was somewhat puzzled. He had never even heard of this organization.

"The Martial Prosperity Alliance is an organization founded by like-minded people from within the country and overseas, for the purpose of carrying forward the national martial arts of our Celestial Empire...

Its members are mainly martial artists not born into aristocratic families, though it also includes people from the business world like myself. Its purpose is to oppose the Aristocratic Family Alliance, which advocates implementing martial prohibition against the Commoner Faction...

Today, the Martial Prosperity Alliance's influence has spread like sparks setting the prairie ablaze, covering six provinces and thirty-seven prefectures. It was simply that its focus had always been on inland provinces and prefectures, which was why it was not widely known in Jin Gate..."

Wu Xiaoxia smiled faintly and continued, "But things are different now. This time, I came to Jin Gate not only to establish an Ocean Shipping Guild branch, but also under orders from the Martial Prosperity Alliance, responsible for selecting geniuses from Jin Gate and other coastal regions, then recommending them to the alliance."

"But I have already become my master's disciple, so..."

Huo Yuanhong frowned.

"There is no need to worry. The Martial Prosperity Alliance does not care whether you already have a master. So long as you harbor the ambition to promote the national martial arts, you may join. The alliance has also launched the Spark Plan, specifically supporting martial artists from the Commoner Faction by providing resources such as cultivation methods and secret medicines...

As for cultivation methods, Li Shuxing's inheritance is naturally sufficient for you. But when it comes to secret medicines, Li Shuxing likely cannot offer you much support. He himself is saddled with debts he could not repay even over several lifetimes—where would he find the money to buy medicine for you...

As for the Fang Family, the moneybag behind the Martial Arts Hall, they already have a cultivation target like Wang Tianlong. At this crucial juncture, when they are about to send him onto the stage to fight, they will not alter their allocation of resources."

Wu Xiaoxia said with a smile.

"Oh? What level of secret medicines can the Martial Prosperity Alliance provide?"

Huo Yuanhong asked.

If they were merely ordinary secret medicines for the Manifest Strength stage, he could simply obtain them from Spring Return Hall. There would be no need to join the Martial Prosperity Alliance.

"Many. Some are even secret medicines that the aristocratic families around Jin Gate may not possess. After all, the Martial Prosperity Alliance has immense influence and maintains covert contact with members of certain Central Plains aristocratic families who do not support the Martial Prohibition Decree against the Commoner Faction. We can obtain some top-tier secret medicines exclusive to the Central Plains aristocratic families!

So long as you are selected for the Spark Plan, you may apply for one top-tier secret medicine for the Inner Three Harmonies stage free of charge!"

Wu Xiaoxia said with a smile.

"The Inner Three Harmonies stage? What is that?"

Huo Yuanhong was somewhat puzzled.

"I am not from the Martial Arts World, so I do not know the specifics. I only know that transitioning from Manifest Strength to Dark Force is a qualitative leap in fist arts! After martial artists at Manifest Strength reach the pinnacle, if they wish to cultivate Dark Force, they must pass through the all-important Inner Three Harmonies!"

"They are Heart-Intent Harmony, Intent-Qi Harmony, and Qi-Strength Harmony! Some also call them Heart-Mind Unity, Intent-Qi Unity, and Strength-Unity, or Intent Harmony, Qi Harmony, and Strength Harmony! Each of these three harmonies is a whole new heaven with every step, blocking countless Manifest Strength practitioners. Only after all three harmonies are completed can one unleash Dark Force!"

"While taking these three steps, the consumption of essence, qi, and spirit is enormous. One needs three kinds of secret medicines—Spirit Nourishment, Qi Nourishment, and Essence Nourishment—to replenish oneself. If the secret medicines are inferior and cannot completely make up for the depletion of essence, qi, and spirit, flaws and hidden dangers will remain. Then one will be unable to reach the utmost limits in the Dark Force stage, and it will also be difficult to enter Transformation Strength!"

"Although the aristocratic families around Jin Gate also possess top-tier secret medicines for the Inner Three Harmonies stage, they generally only produce a batch every few years. The last batch was produced a year and a half ago, and the stock is likely nearly exhausted. Even if some remain, they must be kept for emergencies; they could never be given to outsiders!"

Wu Xiaoxia said with certainty.

"So... if one wants to obtain top-tier secret medicines for the Inner Three Harmonies stage in the short term, the Martial Prosperity Alliance is practically the only possibility?"

Huo Yuanhong pondered for a moment before speaking.

With his speed of martial training, the first harmony—Heart-Mind Unity—would likely be achieved within days. It truly was time to arrange the matter of secret medicines!

He was not overly concerned about whether Wu Xiaoxia's words were true. After all, he could simply ask his master and senior sister later and know everything.

"More or less. So long as you are successfully selected for the Spark Plan, you can choose any one top-tier secret medicine for Essence Nourishment, Qi Nourishment, or Spirit Nourishment!"

Wu Xiaoxia nodded slightly and said expectantly,

"If you are interested, I can submit the materials to the nearest North China branch tonight. There will be results in three or four days. At that time, you can decide whether to join based on the terms the North China branch can offer."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Aunt Wu. I should also tell my master and see what he thinks."

Huo Yuanhong agreed.

After Wu Xiaoxia and Jiang Ting left, Huo Yuanhong could not be bothered to travel all the way to the Martial Arts Hall. His master and senior sister were not there anyway, and he did not know anyone at the hall.

Since that incident, the fat steward had not come looking for him again. Not only that, none of the other stewards or senior disciples had sent him invitations either.

Huo Yuanhong was more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.

There was still plenty of rice paper left at home, so he stayed home and began practicing.

As usual, Father Huo went out and arrived at the Carriage Firm where he had worked for over twenty years.

With the living allowance from his son, it did not make much difference whether he pulled a rickshaw or not. An extra nine silver dollars each month was of little use.

But he was used to being busy. Whenever he had free time, he felt uneasy inside.

Besides, in his view, his son was indeed highly talented, but he was only a disciple privately accepted by Hall Master Li and could not be openly acknowledged.

What if Hall Master Li no longer thought highly of him one day? Would they not still have to rely on honest work to earn money and support the family?

"Hey, my son has reached Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment! Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment at just nineteen!"

"I'm telling you, my son is a genius!"

"My son is a genius! He's reached Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment!"

Whenever he encountered someone from the Carriage Firm, Father Huo would pat them on the shoulder and announce it loudly, his face full of pride and joy.

Previously, he had been afraid that publicly speaking of his son becoming Li Shuxing's disciple would bring trouble upon him, so he had never dared tell anyone.

But now, he could finally share the news that his son had reached Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment.

"Your son is truly remarkable..."

"Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment—he's so formidable..."

"Old Huo, you've truly struck it rich with luck, having a son like that..."

Seeing the familiar rickshaw pullers' envious and astonished expressions, Father Huo felt as though he were walking on air.

For so many years, whether outside or at the Carriage Firm, he had never dared speak loudly. He had only dared to smile cautiously and accommodate others.

Never had he experienced a moment like this, being flattered and praised by these familiar people.

At that moment, Father Huo felt as though he had suddenly become twenty years younger, as though he had once more become that high-spirited youth from back then. He straightened his back and greeted people loudly.

He was so overjoyed that he did not even notice that several familiar faces were missing from the Carriage Firm.

"Old Huo, your son truly is wonderful. Unlike my son—some time ago, he actually bribed someone to forge a fake perfect-score paper and deceive me..."

One of the rickshaw pullers sighed.

The smile on Father Huo's face gradually disappeared. He looked at the man and said, "What do you mean?"

"My son would not lie to me."

Father Huo emphasized it, as if he were trying hard to convince himself.

What had happened these past few days was simply too unreal—so unreal that it felt like an illusory dream, leaving even him feeling that it was inconceivable.

He was terrified that once he woke up, everything would be unchanged: Wu Xiaoxia had never come, and his A-Hong was still that apprentice abandoned by the Martial Arts Hall.

"No, Old Huo, don't misunderstand. I was just saying, just saying."

The man repeatedly waved his hands, then seemed to casually add,

"I was only thinking that my son is so clever, and I even hired an experienced master to teach him hand by hand, yet at twenty-three, he is still on the third step of Practicing Strength before Manifest Strength...

How clever must your son be, Old Huo, to reach Manifest Strength Great Accomplishment at nineteen!"

As Father Huo listened to the man's words, the smile vanished completely from his face.

"My son would not lie to me."

Father Huo repeated it. At some point, his voice had become slightly hoarse. His gaze swept around instinctively, wanting support from the others.

But everyone who met his eyes silently lowered their heads.

After all...

Old Huo's son was famously useless. He had spent ten years at Sword Inquiry Martial Hall and could barely manage even the first step of Practicing Strength.

"My son would not lie to me..."

Father Huo's eyes were somewhat dazed. He looked helplessly around him, his voice trembling faintly as it grew softer and softer.

"Boss, my son would not lie to me..."

At that moment, Father Huo saw the owner of the Carriage Firm—the fat man wearing a thick gold chain—walking over. As though he had seized a lifeline, he hurried to greet him, his voice shaking terribly.

Over all those years, the owner of the Carriage Firm had been the person he respected and trusted most.

Back when he had been destitute, when even his wife had run away, it was the boss who secretly gave him foreign milk powder behind his wife's back, allowing him to raise A-Hong, who had only been three months old.

When he had run a fever for days yet still could not bear to see a doctor, it was the boss who had people forcibly carry him to the best Western Hospital, then refused to take payment for the medicine afterward.

When A-Hong had injured his body through martial training and he could not scrape together money for medicine, it had also been the boss who privately had someone slip him several packets of good medicine, then lent him money to buy supplements.

Even now, he had not finished repaying the money he borrowed from the boss, and the boss never brought it up. Only that thick gold chain of his had somehow been replaced with a fake one.

All these brothers relied on the boss's protection to remain safe in Jin Gate, and their monthly wages were still three silver dollars higher than at other Carriage Firms.

What the boss said could not possibly be wrong.

It could not be wrong...

Thus, beneath Father Huo's expectant, pleading, even fearful gaze, the owner of the Carriage Firm—also the president of the Chauffeur's Association—fell silent for a moment before speaking:

"Your son lied to you."

Father Huo's world... collapsed.