Coercion

Although the heavy snow was deep, the group of young people, fueled by the thought of practicing martial arts and changing their fates to get ahead just like Xu Yang, and bolstered by ample preparation, truly persisted all the way to the city without anyone falling behind.

Xu Yang only led them to the vicinity of the Huang Family before heading to the Liu Family; whether they could change their fates now depended on their own fortunes.

Soon, he learned from Zhang Bo that the Liu Family had concluded that Bao Gang had met with an accident and had provided his family with some money as a pension.

This move immediately won over the hearts of the people, and everyone praised the Liu Family for being righteous.

Even Xu Yang felt a bit of goodwill toward the Liu Family; after all, he knew how Bao Gang had died, and it could be said to have had absolutely nothing to do with the Liu Family.

Since the Liu Family was able to provide money to Bao Gang's family, regardless of whether it was to win hearts, they had truly given it.

In any case, this matter would not be traced back to him.

In the afternoon, when he arrived at Wei Yuan Hall, he saw the people selected by the Huang Family this time; there were not as many as last time, only five in total.

The Huang Family had raised their standards this time, refusing to take anyone with Grade D bone structure.

Their luck was also not as good as before; there were no geniuses like Lu Ren, and not a single person with Grade B bone structure.

All five people had Grade C bone structure: one Grade C-High and four Grade C-Low.

It was said that Second Master Huang Ping of the Huang Family was so angry he was nearly half-dead, and he had to grit his teeth and increase the intensity of their training.

Of the dozen or so people who came from White Stone Ward, one was actually selected—it was his cousin Xu Zheng, one of the four with Grade C-Low bone structure.

"Brother Yang!"

Seeing Xu Yang appear, Xu Zheng waved at him excitedly, his face flushed red.

Xu Yang only gave a faint nod. Although they were cousins from the same clan, they were already beyond the five degrees of mourning; before he became a martial artist, Xu Zheng would not have even greeted him.

Xu Yang did not pay any more attention to the Huang Family's affairs, and the things he had worried about did not happen.

Three days later, the heavy snow gradually melted, and he continued his cultivation according to his routine.

Mornings at the Liu Family, afternoons at Wei Yuan Hall.

"Thud, thud..."

Qiu Yongqiang looked flustered as he ran all the way, snowmelt splashing under his feet.

Finally arriving home, he pushed open the door to find his elder brother, Qiu Yongjian, lying on the bed with a pale face, a blood-stained garment piled on the floor beside him.

"Big Brother, are you alright?"

His eyes were full of anger, but he asked about Qiu Yongjian's injuries first.

A bitter smile appeared on Qiu Yongjian's face: "Your idea of hiring a martial artist retainer was right, Second Brother. Without a martial artist retainer, let alone business, even our lives can be taken by others whenever they please."

Qiu Yongqiang could no longer control himself and roared: "Hong Xu has gone too far! He uses force because he can't compete in business. Does he think only his Hong Family has martial artists? I have already sent someone to notify Wenjie."

The Hong Family and the Qiu Family both operated tea businesses, but the Qiu Family had better channels, and the tea they sold was not only of better quality but also lower in price. Although there had been competition for many years, they had never resorted to violence.

Unexpectedly, this time the heavy snow prevented outside shipments from coming in, and the Hong Family began to raise prices. The Qiu Family, worried about not being able to sell their large stock, did not raise prices, which caused the Hong Family's price hike to fail, leading to this conflict.

After several negotiations, the Hong Family's demands shifted from initially requiring the Qiu Family to raise prices along with them to demanding that the Qiu Family share their supply channels with the Hong Family.

The Qiu brothers naturally would not share such secrets with their rivals, but they did not expect that after the Hong Family's intimidation failed, they would actually resort to force today.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yongjian's expression changed: "This is bad. I only learned today that Hong Xu's demands kept changing because his eldest son, Hong Feng, had broken through to Minor Success in Qi Gathering, which is why he used force to intimidate us.

You must go and stop Wenjie; don't let him go to the Hong Family. He has only just started gathering Qi and is far from being Hong Feng's match. If they fight, Hong Feng will not show mercy.

Tell him to go to Wei Yuan Hall and find a senior brother who can speak with some authority.

Be quick; Hong Xu only gave us one day to consider. After one day, if we don't hand over the channels, he will have Hong Feng take action."

Hearing that Hong Xu's eldest son, Hong Feng, had reached Minor Success in Qi Gathering, Qiu Yongqiang's face also changed drastically. He did not care about anything else and hurried out to intercept his son, Qiu Wenjie.

Fortunately, he caught him before Qiu Wenjie reached the Hong Family. He quickly explained about Hong Feng's Minor Success in Qi Gathering and his elder brother Qiu Yongjian's plan.

"Don't worry, Father. I will go to Wei Yuan Hall right now and ask a senior brother with some weight to step in."

Qiu Wenjie gave Qiu Yongqiang a reassuring look and turned to leave, but once he stepped into the Inner Courtyard of Wei Yuan Hall, he looked around blankly, not knowing who to ask for help.

Among the senior brothers in the Inner Courtyard, there were many who could resolve this with a single word, but he had almost no friendship with them and had never even spoken to most of them.

Even if he were to swallow his pride and ask, they would not help him.

Having been in the Inner Courtyard for so long, he had only hung out with Xu Yang and the others; those with backgrounds simply looked down on him.

"Right, Senior Brother Zhang Yong."

He suddenly remembered that Zhang Yong was also at Minor Success in Qi Gathering and they had some friendship; Zhang Yong should be willing to help.

Qiu Wenjie walked quickly to Zhang Yong and cupped his hands: "Senior Brother Zhang Yong, my family has offended a master at Minor Success in Qi Gathering, and I would like to ask you to step in and mediate with the other party..."

Zhang Yong stopped his stance training. He did not refuse immediately but carefully asked about the situation of the person the Qiu Family had offended.

"This person is named Hong Feng, from the Tiger Roar Martial Hall. His talent is average, and it must have taken him three or four years to reach Minor Success in Qi Gathering. They are bullying us too much. My Qiu Family and the Hong Family both operate tea businesses..."

Qiu Wenjie did not hide anything and told him everything, from how the Hong Family and the Qiu Family developed their grudge to why it had reached this point.

In the end, he added: "If Senior Brother Zhang can help mediate, my uncle and father will certainly prepare a generous gift to show our gratitude."

He did not intend to let Zhang Yong work for nothing, as he understood the ways of the world.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yong changed his previous attitude, shaking his head as he said, "I apologize, but I cannot help you with this matter."

Qiu Wenjie's face turned deathly pale. "Senior Brother Zhang, you are also at the Minor Success in Qi Gathering stage. If you were to step in and mediate, Hong Feng would not dare to disregard your face. If you feel the gift is too light, just name your price."

Zhang Yong sighed before replying, "It is not that I find the gift light. If it were truly just a matter of a few words, given our bond as fellow disciples, I would gladly mediate for you.

However, based on what you have told me, the Hong Family is coveting your family's supply channels. They intend to swallow the Qiu Family to strengthen their own, which is by no means a spur-of-the-moment decision.

For me to intervene, it would not be a simple matter of exchanging a few words; it would inevitably require us to settle things with our fists.

With the Martial Exam Dragon Ascent approaching, I have yet to achieve Major Success in Qi Gathering. If I were to get injured and fall behind, there would truly be no hope left for me..."

At this point, Qiu Wenjie understood that Zhang Yong would not change his mind, and that saying anything more would be useless.

When people of the same cultivation level fight, how could they avoid injury? Mutual destruction was even a possibility.

Zhang Yong's heart was set on the martial path, and he would never jeopardize his own progress for someone with whom he shared only a casual acquaintance.

"I understand, Senior Brother Zhang. I will go ask other senior brothers."

Qiu Wenjie bowed to Zhang Yong and turned to leave, yet as he looked around the vast Inner Courtyard, he had no idea who else he could turn to.

If Zhang Yong had such concerns, the other senior brothers surely felt the same.

Unless it was someone with a powerful background who could make Hong Feng back down with a single word, anyone else he approached would inevitably refuse.

Sun Tao, Jiang Ping, Gu Fang, Zhao Zhi-fei!

The few individuals with the deepest backgrounds in the Inner Courtyard flashed through his mind, and he ultimately decided to swallow his pride and ask Jiang Ping for help.

Sun Tao represented Wei Yuan Hall and could not intervene casually.

Gu Fang was a woman and would likewise not go out to show her face and negotiate with others.

Zhao Zhi-fei was arrogant and only associated with those of status, looking down on students from humble backgrounds; he didn't even think much of Lu Ren. Only Jiang Ping was relatively amiable, offering a glimmer of hope.

Lost in thought, he walked quickly up to Jiang Ping and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang."

Jiang Ping looked at the junior brother he had no impression of and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Qiu Wenjie took a deep breath and spoke rapidly, "It is like this, Senior Brother Jiang: someone is trying to seize my family's business, and I would like to ask you to..."

Jiang Ping interrupted him, "Get lost!"

Qiu Wenjie's face flushed red. Feeling stifled, he muttered an apology to Jiang Ping, his mind in complete turmoil as he wondered who could possibly save the Qiu Family.

Suddenly, someone blocked his path. He looked up instinctively to see Xu Yang staring at him with a cold expression, with Wu Yongfeng standing beside him.

"Why didn't you come to me if you had a problem?" Xu Yang frowned and asked.