Forced Purchase and Sale

"System."

Host: Zhong Lin

Skills: Archery (Max Level), Flying Locust Stone (Max Level), Three-Dimensional Painting (Max Level), Calligraphy (Max Level), Cooking (Max Level), Iron Mountain Skill (Max Level), Instant Kill Technique (Max Level), Black Tiger Fist (Max Level), Willow Catkins (Max Level), Wind Breaking Saber Technique (Max Level), Medical Arts (Max Level), Medicine Making (Max Level), Iron Sand Palm (Max Level), Rolling Stone Fist (Max Level)

Skill Points: ∞

Zhong Lin glanced at the System Panel. Another fist technique and palm technique had been added to it, both learned at the yamen.

It was no big deal, anyway. The more skills, the better!

Over the past half month, Zhong Lin had rarely gone out. Every day, he practiced martial arts at home, seeking a breakthrough.

The seventh rank was called the Bone Forging Realm. Bone forging meant tempering the bones. They might appear hard, but in truth, they were also fragile and needed to be tempered from within and without, time and again.

Of course, Zhong Lin's strength had not yet reached the limit of the Tendons Transformation Realm. Though he had yet to forge his bones, his strength was still growing. He reckoned that he already possessed around seven hundred jin of force, thanks to the Iron Mountain Skill, a martial art that gave greater boosts to strength.

"It's the beginning of the month again. I wonder whether that Ghost-Faced Man will come? I need to buy a batch of Bone Strengthening Pills from him."

"Relying on my own body to temper my bones bit by bit is far too slow. I need external aid. Otherwise, even with the max-level Iron Mountain Skill, it would still take more than half a year. I don't have that much time."

Urgency filled Zhong Lin's heart. He had to gain greater strength in the shortest possible time. Only then could he protect himself and his brother amid this troubled world.

Outside Xu's Clinic.

Huang Sheng wore a set of black short clothes and carried a Pudao in his hand, with two lackeys following behind him.

"Master Huang, what a rare guest, what a rare guest. Please, come in."

Though Xu Lewu greatly disliked Huang Sheng, he still made his living under the man's rule. The proper courtesies had to be observed.

He led Huang Sheng and his two lackeys inside, instructing an apprentice at the clinic to bring chairs.

"Master Huang, here is this month's regular payment. Please accept it."

After partnering with Zhong Lin, Xu Lewu had made a tidy profit. He no longer cared much about these fifteen Big Coins and handed them over without hesitation.

Huang Sheng weighed the fifteen Big Coins in his hand and said with satisfaction, "Old Man Xu, you're still straightforward, unlike those cheap-boned wretches. They always seem to think the blade in my hand isn't sharp enough."

"Master Huang, you can't really blame them. Times are hard these days."

"Times are hard for them, so they're easy for me?" Huang Sheng snorted. "To tell you the truth, I've run into trouble lately as well. The gang suddenly assigned us a task these past two days, telling us to find supplies. Isn't that making things difficult?"

Though Xu Lewu was somewhat puzzled as to why Huang Sheng was telling him this, he still echoed, "It is rather difficult."

"Exactly! Nobody has it easy, but the regular payments still have to be paid. However, Doctor Xu, you can help me with this matter."

"Me?"

Xu Lewu's heart tightened. He was even calling him Doctor Xu now. This was surely a weasel paying respects to a chicken—nothing good could come of it.

Huang Sheng said with a smile, "Doctor Xu, I heard that you stocked up on a batch of medicinal herbs some time ago. You happen to have what I'm looking for. I won't make you suffer a loss—I'll buy them at the original price. What do you say?"

Xu Lewu's anger flared at once. Damn it, so this was what he had been waiting for!

Buy them at the original price?

Pah!

Everyone knew that the prices of all kinds of supplies in Black Mountain County were sky-high, with food and medicinal herbs rising the fastest. Medicinal herbs in particular had become scarce goods, their price changing by the day. They could even be said to have a price but no market.

If he put this batch of herbs up for sale now, people would fight to buy them even if he tripled or quintupled the price. If he made them into Eight Treasures Blood Nourishing Soup, the price would multiply several times over again.

Yet here Huang Sheng was, demanding them back at the original price with nothing but his mouth. What kind of joke was that?

"Master Huang, I don't intend to sell these herbs." Xu Lewu shook his head.

"Is that so?"

The smile on Huang Sheng's face instantly cooled. Smiling without warmth, he said, "Old Man Xu, you're unwilling to help me? After all the care I've shown you normally? Times are chaotic now. What if thieves break into your home one day? You're an old man, perhaps you're not afraid of death, but I recall you have a grandson. If anything were to happen to him... tsk, tsk."

The anger that had been roiling in Xu Lewu's heart was suddenly extinguished by a basin of cold water.

His grandson was his greatest weakness. Ever since his son and daughter-in-law had died, his grandson had been the apple of his eye. Wasn't his partnership with Zhong Lin meant to earn his grandson some family assets?

Huang Sheng's threat struck him squarely at his vital spot.

Huang Sheng slowly rose to his feet and looked down at Xu Lewu, cold light flickering in his eyes.

"Old Man Xu, I advise you to think this through. The waters here run deep. I'm afraid you won't be able to hold on to them."

Xu Lewu took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Master Huang, could you allow me some time to consider?"

Xu Lewu still did not want to give up this batch of medicinal herbs. He wanted to discuss it with Zhong Lin.

"You're getting too much face!"

Impatience showed on Huang Sheng's face. Xu Lewu had refused him again and again, and he had long since become dissatisfied.

When he gave him face, he called him Doctor Xu. When he did not, he was merely Old Man Xu.

An old man with one foot already in the grave still wanted to resist him? Had his authority become so useless that even an old man dared provoke him?

Huang Sheng's expression turned hard as his right hand went directly to the Pudao lying beside him.

For a moment, the very air seemed to freeze, filled with a grim, murderous atmosphere.

Tap, tap, tap!

A series of footsteps came from outside. Then a tall figure strode in.

It was Zhong Lin.

Xu Lewu seemed to have seen his savior.

Zhong Lin strode in, immediately assuming the manner of a master of the house. He sat down in a nearby chair and asked knowingly, "Old Man Xu, aren't you going to introduce me?"

"This is Master Huang of the Black Water Gang. He wants to buy our medicinal herbs. I told him I'd consider it."

As he spoke, Xu Lewu deliberately stressed the word "our," whether to remind Zhong Lin or to pressure Huang Sheng.

"The Black Water Gang!"

Zhong Lin glanced at Huang Sheng, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Master Huang, is it? Since you've taken a liking to my batch of medicinal herbs, it's not impossible. I won't cheat you. We'll go by the market price. How about it?"

Huang Sheng narrowed his eyes. He had not expected Cheng Yaojin to emerge halfway through. His voice turned cold. "So it is Painter Zhong in person. I've heard much of you. I never expected Painter Zhong to have a hand in the medicinal herb trade as well."

"It's all because of silver," Zhong Lin said with a chuckle. "I got some information from a few friends at the yamen and stocked up on a batch of medicinal herbs in advance. Master Huang, you're my first buyer these past few days. You truly have a keen eye."