Hair Grows on the Gall

"How dare you, lowly peasant, block my path? You're seeking death!"

With a cold snort, a long whip whistled through the air, carrying a strong gust of wind and hurtling towards Long Chen.

The whip moved with incredible speed and at tricky angles. It was clear the wielder was an expert. Long Chen could have dodged, but he was holding a little girl, which made quick movements difficult.

Anger flared in his heart. It was too late to dodge now. He shielded the girl with his body, circulated spiritual energy beneath his feet to protect himself, and prepared to take the whip strike with his arm.

Just then, a massive figure stepped in front of Long Chen.

"Slap!"

A loud crack echoed. A' Man, standing in front of Long Chen, winced as his back took the full force of the whip.

"Rumble..."

Long Chen's eyes turned cold. By the time he could get a clear look at the attacker, the carriage had already sped away.

However, a surprised "Hmm?" could be heard. The attacker was clearly taken aback by A' Man's appearance but didn't linger.

"A' Man, are you alright?" Long Chen asked, suppressing his rage.

"Brother Long, I'm fine. I've taken so many beatings since I was little, I'm used to it," A' Man replied casually.

Despite his words, his clothes were torn, and a long bloody gash marked his broad back, with blood slowly trickling down the wound.

At that moment, a woman rushed over, snatched the little girl into her arms, and burst into tears, profusely thanking Long Chen and A' Man.

A' Man gave a simple, honest smile. Long Chen gently comforted the little girl before they also departed.

However, Long Chen was fuming. How dare someone ride through a crowded market and whip him? He was determined to find out just how audacious they were.

Although A' Man's injury looked gruesome with all the blood, it was merely a surface wound and not serious.

This made Long Chen marvel at A' Man's incredible physique. The attacker had been extremely powerful, yet they had only managed to break A' Man's skin.

As the two walked, A' Man's stomach suddenly rumbled like thunder. Long Chen paused, then a look of realization dawned on his face. A steamed bun shop was nearby, its savory aroma filling the air.

A' Man blushed and said, "Brother Long, I'm not hungry."

"It's fine, I'm hungry. Let's grab something to eat," Long Chen said.

Long Chen led A' Man to the bun shop and found a table. After they sat down, Long Chen tossed a Gold Coin to the owner. "Bring out all the steamed buns you have."

"Brother Long, I'm really not hungry. Um, actually, I'll just have rice," A' Man quickly added.

Countless past experiences had taught him that anyone who saw him eat would likely cut ties with him. A' Man feared a repeat of that.

"A' Man, you took that whip for me. You're my brother, and I, Long Chen, would do the same for you. So, don't say things between brothers that shouldn't be said," Long Chen said earnestly.

For someone who, after knowing him for only a short while, was willing to take a whip for him, Long Chen considered him worthy of being called his brother.

"Brother Long... I..."

A' Man suddenly covered his face and burst into tears. After so many years of hardship, this was the first time he felt warmth, the first time someone had treated him so kindly.

"Good brother, don't cry. From now on, we brothers will only sweat and bleed, never shed tears. Tears are for cowards," Long Chen said, patting A' Man's shoulder.

"Okay, Brother Long, I'll listen to you. I'll do whatever you ask," A' Man said, wiping his tears.

Long Chen initially wanted to tell him to have his own opinions, but remembering how A' Man had once covered a well with a chimney, he swallowed the words.

Just then, the bun shop owner brought over an entire large steamer basket. Long Chen smiled, "A' Man, eat to your heart's content. Brother Long has plenty of money, so don't hold back."

"Mm."

A' Man nodded and no longer hesitated. Buns the size of his fist disappeared one after another, like shooting stars.

Even though he had expected it, Long Chen was still shocked by A' Man's appetite. He had devoured over three hundred meat buns from the entire shop, and A' Man still seemed unsatisfied.

The bun shop owner, however, looked distressed. All his buns were gone, and making more would take too long.

Over three hundred buns only cost six Silver Coins, but by the time the owner went to get Long Chen's change, Long Chen had already left with A' Man.

Long Chen returned home and first introduced A' Man to his mother. Madam Long was initially startled by A' Man's imposing physique.

However, seeing A' Man's honest and loyal demeanor, she relaxed. When Long Chen told her A' Man's story, Madam Long readily agreed to let A' Man stay.

After settling A' Man in, Long Chen immediately began refining pills. He didn't need to hold back in his own home. He maximized his soul power and pushed his pill-refining speed to the limit.

Three full days passed before Long Chen emerged from his room. After three days and three nights of continuous refining, Long Chen had nearly a hundred Wind Mansion Pills in his hand, all of them mid-grade.

In addition to Wind Mansion Pills, Long Chen also refined Blood Condensation Pills, Qi Gathering Pills, and Detoxification Pills, which were in high demand in the market. These were to be sold to the guild to offset the cost of the medicinal ingredients he had bought on credit.

As soon as Long Chen stepped out of his room, Bao'er approached him with a somewhat hesitant expression. Long Chen blinked in surprise. "Bao'er, what's wrong?"

"Young Master... this..." Bao'er stammered nervously.

"Just say what's on your mind," Long Chen said with a smile.

"It's like this, currently, there's... no more food left in the mansion," Bao'er said uneasily.

A' Man was simply too much of an eater. Madam Long, knowing A' Man's pitiable background, had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare more food.

However, after three days, they had nearly consumed a month's worth of ingredients for the Long family. Madam Long had secretly taken out another piece of jewelry and asked Bao'er to sell it.

Bao'er felt it was best to discuss the matter with Long Chen, so she came to find him.

Long Chen chuckled and pinched Bao'er's cheek. "Little girl, you're getting smarter. I'll handle this."

Bao'er is Long Chen's personal maid. Even though the Long family had fallen on hard times, she refused to leave. Long Chen had long since treated her as his own sister.

"Young Master, we don't have any food for tonight either," Bao'er reminded him. After all, she was practically the entire Long family's little housekeeper. The accountant must have felt there was no future at the Long family and had already left.

"En, I know. I'll go take care of it."

Long Chen still had a few Gold Coins on him, but they were small change. He called A' Man to come along, and they headed straight for the Alchemist Guild.

He didn't have any grand purpose in calling A' Man out. Long Chen wanted to train his mind. Wisdom was related to experience and needed to be improved.

Upon entering the Alchemist Guild, Long Chen went directly to the pharmacy. When Long Chen handed over dozens of plump Pills to the young attendant, the attendant was almost scared stiff.

He clearly remembered Long Chen only picking up the medicinal ingredients three days ago. How could he be returning Pills today? The usual time for returning Pills was about half a year to a year. This was too fast.

Despite his shock, he professionally inspected each Pill with professional equipment.

Seventeen mid-grade Pills and thirty-six low-grade Pills. Even though he was extremely confident in his inspection skills, he almost doubted himself.

After repeatedly confirming there were no errors and offsetting the medicinal ingredients Long Chen had previously advanced, there were still some Pills left.

"Teacher Long Chen, for the remaining Pills, do you wish to exchange them for more medicinal ingredients, or would you like them converted into Gold Coins?" the young attendant asked respectfully.

Being called "Teacher" felt quite good. Long Chen said, "Convert them all into Gold Coins."

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The young attendant hurriedly pulled out a booklet. It contained the latest market prices for Pills, and he had to calculate the accounts for Long Chen according to the standards listed there.

"Teacher Long Chen, it's a total of eight million one hundred and seventy thousand Gold Coins," the young attendant said.

Long Chen nodded. The Alchemist Guild was a non-profit organization, and this price was very fair. It was only slightly lower than the market price by about ten percent, yet they enjoyed so many benefits. It was definitely worth it.

"Convert them into two Crystal Cards for me, one for two million, and put the rest together," Long Chen said.

When Long Chen returned home, Bao'er was already waiting at the door.

"Young Master, Young Master Shi Feng sent you an invitation." She handed Long Chen a red invitation.

Long Chen opened it and couldn't help but smile. It turned out Shi Feng had come out of seclusion, broken through to the Blood Condensation Realm, and was hosting a banquet at the Gathering Heroes Tower to invite everyone. Counting the days, it should be about time.

"Bao'er, here. Take good care of the household. In the future, your Young Master will prepare a generous dowry for you and marry you off grandly," Long Chen said with a smile, stuffing a Crystal Card into Bao'er's hand.

Bao'er's small face turned red, but when she saw the number on the card, she couldn't help but cover her cherry lips with her small hand, her face filled with disbelief.

"Little rich girl, from now on, the Long family's improvement work is up to you. Oh, and go redeem all the jewelry Mother pawned. It's fine even if it costs ten times the price," Long Chen said.

"Mhm, mhm, Young Master, don't worry. Bao'er will definitely handle it perfectly," Bao'er promised, patting her reasonably firm chest.

Long Chen nodded and headed to the Gathering Heroes Tower with A' Man.

The Gathering Heroes Tower was a very famous restaurant in the imperial capital. Those who dined here were either rich or noble. Primarily, the restaurant's name was very grand, and the dishes were excellent, making it a favorite gathering place for princes and nobles.

On the top floor of the Gathering Heroes Tower, a huge round table was already filled with all sorts of delicacies. However, everyone was just chatting, not showing any intention of picking up their chopsticks.

Suddenly, a figure walked in, and everyone quickly stood up.

"Brother Long."

"Brother Long."

"Lord Long."

Shi Feng and Fatty Yu had different ways of addressing him, but upon seeing A' Man behind Long Chen, they were all startled.

Shi Feng was already considered a strong man, but in front of A' Man, he looked like a little shrimp.

"Let me introduce you. This is my brother, A' Man."

When everyone heard Long Chen's introduction, they quickly greeted A' Man, but A' Man only nodded and smiled foolishly.

With Long Chen present, everyone finally sat down. Shi Feng raised his cup with both hands and said, "Brother Long, I won't say any more pleasantries. I, Shi Feng, will drink this first toast."

Shi Feng deeply remembered his gratitude towards Long Chen. What originally would have taken several years to advance to the Blood Condensation Realm had been accomplished ahead of time. This would be of great help to his future, giving him hope of reaching even higher realms.

"We also toast Brother Long!"

Fatty Yu led the way, and everyone stood up. They had received the medicinal liquid Long Chen had prepared for them and quickly sensed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Fatty Yu and the one called Skinny Monkey, Hou Tianming, were both already at the Qi Gathering First Heaven.

All of this was thanks to Long Chen's support. Everyone was filled with gratitude towards Long Chen.

"Good, cheers!"

Long Chen laughed heartily. Regardless of anything else, these people had helped him in his time of need, and Long Chen considered them friends.

After a few drinks, everyone opened up. Only A' Man was burying his head in food, not saying a word.

Long Chen had specifically instructed Shi Feng to order more dishes. Fortunately, A' Man had already eaten something before coming, otherwise, he would have scared Fatty Yu and the others to death.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone talked about their current treatment and felt invigorated. Now that they could all cultivate, their status within their families had risen significantly.

More importantly, the news that Long Chen was now a Pill Apprentice had spread throughout the entire imperial capital. And everyone knew about the relationship between Fatty Yu and the others with Long Chen.

Therefore, their respective families had secretly instructed them to build good relationships with Long Chen, making everyone feel proud and uplifted.

As they were talking, a sudden sound of footsteps echoed. Shi Feng frowned slightly. "I clearly told the boss that I booked the entire floor. Why is someone still coming up?"

"Forget it, more people make it livelier. Happiness needs to be shared," Fatty Yu said, clearly a bit drunk, his tongue a little slurred.

Just then, a voice came, "Get everyone here to scram. I don't want to dine with a bunch of lowly people."

Long Chen, who had been calmly drinking, suddenly his expression turned cold, and the veins on his hand bulged.