After declining the aunties' kind offer, he asked his younger sister to keep them company.
Luo Yi left the courtyard and went to a wine shop in the county town, where he bought two jars of Bai liquor.
Carrying the Bai liquor home, he saw his younger sister and the aunties deep in a lively discussion.
He smiled at them, then carried the Bai liquor into the main room and soaked the Tiger Bone and the Tonic Medicine he had bought in Dongsheng Town in it.
Once everything was done, Luo Yi swallowed the Bear Gall and began practicing the Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique.
He practiced until noon. The aunties had to go home to cook, so they gradually went their separate ways. His younger sister, Luo Xi, went into the kitchen to start making a meal.
When he felt the effects of the Tonic Medicine wear off, Luo Yi took out the Three-Stone Hunting Bow and began practicing archery.
And so, he practiced the Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique morning and evening, using his spare time in between to practice archery.
Seven days passed in this dull, repetitive routine.
On the morning of the eighth day,
Bang! Bang! Bang! "The Green Wolf Gang is here to collect taxes! Whoever's inside, open the door at once!"
The violent pounding made the courtyard gate shudder.
Luo Yi, who had been practicing the Fierce Tiger Skin Refining Technique in the courtyard, was interrupted by the noise outside.
He stopped practicing and walked to the gate. Just as he was about to open it—
Crack!
Someone kicked the gate open from outside, snapping the crossbar that held it shut in two.
Looking at the gate that had been forced open, a cold glint flashed in Luo Yi's eyes. These people dared to barge into a private home in broad daylight.
According to Great Qi law, anyone who entered a private residence without the homeowner's permission was liable to at least three years of forced labor.
The authorities had yet to show up. It seemed the county town wasn't nearly as safe as he'd imagined!
While Luo Yi was still musing over this, several figures walked into the courtyard.
The man at their head was tall and broad, with bronze-colored skin. An old scar about an inch long ran across his left cheek and disappeared into his sideburns. His blue outfit hung wide open, revealing a muscular chest.
"Skin Refining mastery." Judging by the brawny man's skin, Luo Yi reckoned he knew the newcomer's cultivation level.
A thin, gaunt young man stepped out from behind the brawny man and looked at Luo Yi.
"New around here? We've been knocking for ages, and nobody came to open the door. Our Little Wolf Head used a bit too much force. You don't have a problem with that, do you?"
Looking at the man's ratlike face, Luo Yi still didn't know exactly who these people were, so he didn't dare make a move against them just yet.
He smiled and said, "Not at all, big brothers. I was slow to open the door. It's not your fault. But may I ask what brings you to my place?"
Seeing how sensible the new tenant was, the rat-faced man smiled.
"This alley officially came under the Green Wolf Gang's management this year. From now on, our gang will keep every resident safe. Of course, you residents will have to pay a small price for that."
Luo Yi had a pretty good idea why they were here. They were collecting protection money, and dressing it up as something respectable.
"Oh? Big brother, what kind of price are we talking about?"
When the young man answered readily, the rat-faced man became even more certain that he'd be easy to handle.
"Now that's a sensible lad!"
"Here's how it'll go. We brought a lot of brothers today, so it's one tael of silver per man for our trouble, plus five taels for patrolling the street. Twelve taels altogether. How does that sound, lad?"
The price the rat-faced man quoted gave Luo Yi a fright. What was this, a robbery?
"Big brothers, I just bought this house, and it cost me every last bit of the savings my parents left behind. I truly can't come up with that much silver. Could you give me a little more time?"
"Brother, breakfast is ready!" Luo Xi came out of the kitchen.
When Little Wolf Head, the leader, saw Luo Xi, greed flashed in his eyes. He walked up to Luo Yi and patted him on the shoulder.
"Brother-in-law, if you can't pay the patrol fee, that's no problem. Just promise your sister to me, and we'll be family. Then you won't have to pay any patrol fee at all."
As Luo Yi listened to Little Wolf Head, his expression gradually darkened. These men had dared set their sights on his sister. They had earned themselves a death sentence.
It looked like there was no way to settle things peacefully today. He reached for the saber at his waist, ready to act, when—
"The constables are here! The constables are here!"
At the commotion outside the courtyard, the ruffian behind Little Wolf Head looked worried.
The rat-faced man stepped up to Little Wolf Head and whispered:
"Boss, with the constables here today, some troublemaking commoner might report us! Should we pull out for now and come back for this kid later?"
After hearing his subordinate's report, Little Wolf Head patted Luo Yi on the shoulder.
"Lad, I'll give you a few more days. If you still can't come up with the silver, I'll take your sister off your hands." He finished with a lecherous leer.
The underlings behind him heard their boss and broke into leering grins as well.
"Monkey, all you other brothers, let's go."
With that, Little Wolf Head waved his hand and strode out without looking back. The rat-faced man shot Luo Yi a vicious glare, then hurried after him.
Luo Yi watched them leave with a smile, until they had vanished from sight.
The smile vanished in an instant, and his expression turned grim.
He'd thought that moving to the county town would give him more time to practice martial arts. But it had only been a few days, and trouble had already come knocking.
As soon as Little Wolf Head and his men left, several constables in official uniforms walked into the courtyard and looked at Luo Yi.
"Lad, are you all right?"
Hearing the constable's question, Luo Yi hurriedly cupped his hands. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, sirs."
"Let us know at once if anything happens." After saying this, the constables glanced around the courtyard, nodded, and headed back out.
Once they were gone, Luo Yi pulled the gate shut and went over to his younger sister, who was still shaken. He ruffled the girl's hair.
"Don't worry, Xiao Xi. As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."
Luo Xi nodded. "Brother, I'm not scared! I want to learn martial arts too. I'll protect you!"
"Hahaha!" After hearing his sister's words, Luo Yi's gloomy mood lifted.
"Come on, let's eat first. The food will get cold."
On the fine wooden table sat a plate of stir-fried pork belly, a plate of pickles, and a bowl of thin porridge.
After breakfast, Luo Yi went and sat at the stone table in the courtyard.
Buying this house a few days ago had cost him a great deal of silver. He had only a little over twenty taels left.
Now that they had settled in Yunlu County, it was time for his younger sister to start learning martial arts too. There would be plenty of expenses ahead.
Luo Yi returned to his room and took the Tiger Hide from the rack, packing it into his hunting bag. He planned to visit the Qipi Collection Shop and see how much he could sell it for.
He slung the pack over his shoulder, took his weapons, said a few quick words to his sister, and headed toward the busiest market in Yunlu County.
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