Collect Rent Down the Mountain! Fierce Battle in the Woods!

Inside the Steward's Room of the Labor Courtyard, Cao Yi held a scroll of scripture and read with rapt attention.

Hearing footsteps, he raised his head. When he saw Su Haoran, a gentle smile appeared on his face. "Haoran? Is something the matter?"

Over the past month, Cao Yi had watched Su Haoran's performance closely.

Not only did he complete his daily chores quickly and well, but his vigor and bearing improved by the day. That tranquil, focused temperament no longer resembled that of an ordinary Sweeping Monk Disciple.

What a pity... to have been born into this Chaotic World.

Otherwise, Cao Yi believed Su Haoran would surely have a Boundless Future.

"Uncle-Master Cao." Su Haoran gave a respectful bow and went straight to the point. "This junior brother's Arhat Fist has recently reached Minor Accomplishment. My appetite has greatly increased, and four Steamed Buns a day are already somewhat... insufficient."

"I wished to ask Martial Uncle whether there is any work Down the Mountain that would let this disciple do more and earn extra rations, so my cultivation will not be delayed."

Cao Yi was stunned upon hearing this.

He had overseen Sweeping Monk Disciples for years. All he had ever seen were people trying every possible way to loaf around and cut corners. Su Haoran was the first to come asking for more work!

But after thinking it over, he still advised him:

"Work? First, the temple has its rules. Sweeping Monk Disciples are not permitted to leave the Mountain Gate lightly. Second, there are countless Refugees Down the Mountain. One careless mistake, and you could easily meet with misfortune..."

Yet a moment later, Cao Yi suddenly reacted, his tone carrying a trace of disbelief.

"What did you say? Your... Arhat Fist has reached Minor Accomplishment?"

Arhat Fist was easy to learn but hard to master. It was simple to get started, but to reach the realm of Minor Accomplishment, with fist strength flowing through the body and Moves Harmonious, one could not even dream of it without two or three years of Grinding Effort.

And Su Haoran, from the day he entered the sect until now, had only been here three or four months at most!

Su Haoran said nothing further. He merely took a silent step back and assumed a stance inside the cramped Steward's Room.

He drew a deep breath, letting his mind sink into the Realm of Emptiness brought by the Meditation Scripture. Then his right foot stamped down fiercely!

Whoosh!

With the move Child Monk Salutes Buddha, his fist shot out, carrying a fierce, forceful gale!

The Fist Wind surged, rustling the pages in Cao Yi's hand and making even the candle flame sway!

Clearly, if such fist strength struck a person, they would surely end up Bruised and Blackened, perhaps even Black and Blue.

Cao Yi's pupils abruptly contracted, and undisguised astonishment appeared on his face!

He himself was a Formal Disciple of Prajna Temple, specializing in Arhat Fist. He had now reached Major Accomplishment and was only one step away from Perfection.

How could he fail to see that Su Haoran's punch had already grasped part of Arhat Fist's essence?

One month! Only one month!

Such comprehension, such progress—it was simply horrifying!

Cao Yi abruptly rose to his feet and circled Su Haoran twice, sizing him up and down as though looking at some monster. Patting his shoulder, he muttered, "A monster... truly a monster!"

He finally understood why Su Haoran needed more food.

Martial Arts Cultivation was, by nature, an enormous drain on Qi and Blood. Especially with a forceful fist art such as Arhat Fist, the faster one's progress, the greater the body's need for energy.

Four Coarse Grain Steamed Buns a day were indeed A Drop in the Bucket for the current Su Haoran.

"Good! Good! Good!" Cao Yi said "good" three times in a row, the appreciation in his eyes growing ever stronger. "The temple supports you all in the hope that one day, a few promising talents may emerge to replenish its fresh blood. Since you possess such talent, if I do not support you wholeheartedly, would I not become a sinner of the temple?"

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Ordinary chores no longer have any Grinding Effect on you. How about this? The temple has several Tenant Farmers Down the Mountain whose Land Rent for this month has not yet been paid in full. Tomorrow, go Down the Mountain and collect it. If you Handle Affairs well, your future Meals will follow the specifications of Formal Disciples!"

Joy rose in Su Haoran's heart. This was tremendous news!

"Only..." Cao Yi pondered again. "Collecting rent requires traveling Dozens of Miles on mountain roads. After finishing your work during the day, can your body still endure it? By the rules, when handling affairs Down the Mountain, two people must travel together. I will assign another Sweeping Monk Disciple to go with you."

"Thank you for your concern, Martial Uncle." Su Haoran clasped his fists gratefully. "Since beginning Martial Arts Cultivation, this disciple has felt that his body recovers extremely quickly. This distance is nothing."

He was not lying. After Arhat Fist reached Minor Accomplishment, Su Haoran felt his Qi and Blood were far more vigorous than those of ordinary people.

Yesterday, after carrying water all day, his Arms and Legs would previously have been so Sore and Aching that he could not lift them. Yet now, after a night's sleep, he was Full of Vigor again.

Seeing that he was Full of Confidence, Cao Yi said no more. He merely patted Su Haoran's shoulder and solemnly said, "This trip Down the Mountain, be careful in all things. Outside the mountain is not peaceful. Go Early, Return Early."

The next afternoon, Su Haoran indeed finished all his chores an hour ahead of schedule.

His current physique and strength were far beyond those of the other Sweeping Monk Disciples. The same work came to him Effortless and Freehand, so his efficiency was naturally much higher.

At the Mountain Entrance, he met up with another Sweeping Monk Disciple assigned by Cao Yi.

This laborer was named Li Gui. He was small and scrawny, with a Sour and Mean Appearance.

As he looked at Su Haoran, his eyes brimmed with undisguised jealousy and dissatisfaction.

"Why does he get Uncle-Master Cao's Favorable Impression and even get to Handle Affairs like collecting rent, such a Lucrative Task?" Li Gui muttered inwardly, speaking in a strange, sarcastic tone all along the way.

"Junior Brother Su truly is capable. Who knows what method you used to make Uncle-Master Cao so happy? He even doubled your food allowance."

Su Haoran turned a deaf ear to such sour remarks, his Mind Like Still Water.

He knew very well that in this Chaotic World, where Human Lives Like Grass, jealousy and complaints were the most useless emotions.

Only strength was the foundation for Establishing Oneself.

If he had not displayed talent far beyond ordinary people, why would Cao Yi have given him a second glance?

The strong were honored, and the weak were prey to the strong. Such was the law of this world.

The rest of the journey passed without a word.

With Prajna Temple's Golden signboard behind them, the rent collection process went exceptionally smoothly.

The several Tenant Farmers had long prepared their Land Rent. Some offered strings of heavy copper coins, some several bits of Silver fragments, and others dried grain and Mountain goods.

Su Haoran did not stand on ceremony. In these chaotic times, being able to farm peacefully under Prajna Temple's name was already a blessing for these Tenant farmers. Countless Refugees wanted such a chance and could not get it.

Following the receipts, he checked each item one by one. After confirming there were no errors, he sorted and packed everything separately.

Li Gui received several of the lightest small parcels. Even so, after walking only a few miles along the Mountain Road, he was already panting and groaning bitterly.

Su Haoran, by contrast, carried the largest and heaviest Grain bag on his back. He also held two Cloth bags filled with Mountain goods, totaling seventy or eighty pounds, yet his expression did not change. His breathing remained steady and his footsteps light, as though he carried not heavy burdens, but a few pieces of clothing.

Following behind, Li Gui stared in utter shock, his heart filled with uncertainty.

Was this guy even human? He was clearly thinner and weaker-looking than me. Where did he get such tremendous strength? Could the rumors be true? Had he really made something of Arhat Fist?

A trace of fear quietly arose in Li Gui's heart.

The return Mountain Road was rugged and difficult, and the two walked even more slowly.

When the setting sun's afterglow dyed the mountain forest gold and crimson, they were passing through a secluded gorge.

At that moment, Su Haoran's steps abruptly halted.

The keen perception brought by the Meditation Scripture's Minor Accomplishment set alarm bells ringing in his heart.

He vaguely sensed that something was wrong in the Dense forest not far ahead!

For instance... there was not a single sound of Birdsong!

Su Haoran stopped without revealing anything, sweeping his gaze over the woods as he said in a low voice, "Come out."

Li Gui jumped in fright and asked blankly, "Ju... Junior Brother Su, what is it?"

Before his words had faded, three ragged, gaunt men emerged from the forest.

They each gripped a sharpened Wooden stick, their eyes fierce as they stared fixedly at the parcels on the two men like Hungry wolves.

They were Refugees fleeing disaster.

But Su Haoran did not dare let down his guard in the slightest. These people struggling to survive in chaotic times would do anything to stay alive.

He wanted to detour around them, but the two carried parcels large and small, making movement inconvenient. They could walk while carrying them, but trying to run with all these things was nothing but a fool's dream.

Moreover, these were temple property, and this was his first task. There could be no mistake.

"Good sirs, we are disciples of Prajna Temple, Down the Mountain to Handle Affairs for the temple." Su Haoran spoke gravely, attempting to intimidate them with Prajna Temple's name. "If you have difficulties, you may seek aid at Prajna Temple's Mountain Gate. The temple will provide porridge and meals. Please make way for us."

The refugee in the lead, with a knife scar across his face, gave a savage grin upon hearing this. "Prajna Temple? What an impressive name! Unfortunately, you are only two Gray-clothed laborers who cannot even wear Martial Monk robes! If you know what's good for you, leave the things and get lost! Otherwise, this gorge will be your burial ground today!"

They were Desperadoes to begin with, wandering from place to place. They had long seen through the fact that in Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries, the truly capable ones were the Formal Disciples wearing distinctive clothing. As for these Gray-clothed laborers, they were merely Coolies taken in by the temples. Just like them, they were soft persimmons waiting to be squeezed!

Scarface turned his gaze toward Li Gui, who was already trembling violently in terror, and threatened, "That Skinny monkey! I'm talking to you! You have three breaths to drop your things and get lost! I can spare your worthless life!"

Li Gui had always been timid. Now, with three vicious Robbers pointing Wooden sticks at him, how could he hold on?

His legs went weak, and a warm stream ran down from his crotch. He had actually wet himself from fright.

"Don't... don't kill me! The things... you can have all the things!"

With a shriek, he threw the parcels in his hands onto the ground in blind panic. Then he scrambled and crawled frantically back the way they had come, vanishing around the bend in the mountain path in the blink of an eye.

The three Refugees burst into smug laughter.

"Ha ha ha! Just as expected, a spineless coward!"

"There is still one left. Boy, your senior brother has run away. What are you standing there for? Do you want to wet your pants like him?"

Scarface shifted his gaze to the now solitary Su Haoran. Using the same old tactic, he sneered, "We only want money and food. We do not wish to create more slaughter. Get lost!"

Watching Li Gui flee, Su Haoran's heart sank.

What had been two against three had become one against three.

The situation appeared even worse.

But he also knew that he could not leave.

Once he ran, all the Land Rent would be lost. Not only might he be Expelled from the sect, but more importantly, if they saw him as weak and easy to bully, there was a great chance they would pursue him and Kill to silence him!

Therefore, his only path to survival lay right before him!

Su Haoran slowly set down the parcels in his hands, drew a deep breath, and narrowed his eyes like blades.

"You cannot take these things." His voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve.

Scarface's smile instantly froze. His eyes turned vicious. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! You shameless bastard! Third, cripple him!"

The Tall and thin refugee who had circled behind Su Haoran heard this, and a vicious gleam flashed in his eyes. Seizing the moment while Su Haoran confronted Scarface, he snatched up a head-sized rock from the ground and viciously hurled it at the back of Su Haoran's head!

The strike was sinister, poisonous, swift, and ruthless!

Had it been an ordinary Sweeping Monk Disciple, his head would surely have been split open and bleeding by now.

Yet just as the rock was about to strike, Su Haoran's body seemed to grow eyes in the back. His head sharply tilted at an unbelievable angle!

Whoosh!

The rock, whistling through the air, nearly brushed past his ear before smashing heavily into the ground ahead with a dull thud.

That did not hit either?

The ambushing refugee froze, his face full of disbelief.

But before he could pick up another rock, Su Haoran had already moved!

"You are courting death!"

With a low shout, Su Haoran advanced instead of retreating. He spun sharply, power surging from his waist and abdomen. His right arm cracked out like a whip, and an incomparably fierce punch shot forth like lightning!

Before the fist arrived, the Fist Wind came first!

The Tall and thin refugee felt a foul gale rush into his face, cutting off his breath. He stared blankly as that seemingly not-so-thick fist rapidly enlarged in his vision!

Bang!

A crisp sound of breaking rang out!

Su Haoran's fist struck solidly against the man's Adam's apple.

Crack!

That was one of the human body's most vulnerable places, packed with blood vessels and nerves, as well as the vital airway!

The Tall and thin man fell at once, clutching his throat as he crashed heavily onto the leaf-strewn earth. His face had already turned purple. He was clearly dead.

One punch, one kill!

What ruthless means!

The savage smiles on Scarface and the other refugee instantly stiffened, replaced by shocked disbelief and fear.

"Third... Third died just like that?"

"H-How is that possible?"

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the shock in the other's eyes.

They had thought that three against one would be easy prey in their hands. They had never expected this man, who did not look strong, to strike with such ruthless decisiveness!

But matters had reached this point. There was no longer any way back.

Their hands had both been stained with human lives. They knew full well that if they retreated now, they would only die faster!

"Together! Kill him!" A flash of madness passed through Scarface's eyes. He roared to bolster his own courage, then yanked a rust-covered short blade from his waist and charged fiercely at Su Haoran!

The other short and stout refugee also came to his senses, raising his Wooden stick as he attacked from the other side!