Lu Li had no idea that the Huang and Wang Families were backed by gangs.
He was perfectly at ease now. Even if anyone investigated, they would never trace it back to him.
Besides, once he found a great medicinal herb and joined the Huang Family as a martial servant, there was even less chance of him getting dragged into anything.
At that moment, Lu Li braved the wind and snow and climbed the mountain.
After days of snowfall, the mountain was sealed off, with drifts deep enough to swallow a person's calves. Ordinary herb gatherers could barely take a step.
But Lu Li walked as if on level ground, his pace not slowing in the slightest.
He hurried along the mountain path, intending to head into the deep mountains.
Today, he planned to venture into the deep mountains and test the waters.
He mainly wanted to get a sense of the place and wouldn't go too far in.
But as he walked, Lu Li's ears twitched.
As a martial artist, his strengthened body had sharpened his senses as well. He easily picked up a rustling sound coming from nearby.
Lu Li immediately slowed down. He quickly planted his foot in the snow, grabbed a branch to use as a walking stick, and pretended to trudge along with difficulty.
Before long, someone emerged from the woods on Lu Li's left.
He wore the same coarse hemp clothes as Lu Li.
The man had a square face and a pointed head, thin lips, and gloomy eyes. He looked mean and spiteful.
Lu Li recognized him. His name was Niu Er, and he was also an herb gatherer for the Huang Family.
They had only crossed paths a few times, though, and had no real connection.
Long-Abundance Mountain was vast. Since they had chanced upon each other here, Lu Li had no choice but to stop.
"Brother Niu Er," Lu Li greeted him with a smile.
"Oh, it's Lu Li." A smile appeared on Niu Er's square face. "Out gathering herbs again?"
Lu Li nodded.
Niu Er's smile suddenly vanished, and his expression turned serious. "Lu Li, these are hard times. You've felt it too. If you honestly spend your whole life gathering herbs..."
He shook his head. "It's hard even to survive, let alone rise above your station, become someone important, and live a better life."
"So, do you dare come with your big brother Niu and make a fortune?"
Seeing how solemn Niu Er looked, Lu Li grew suspicious.
Niu Er kept glancing toward the deep mountains, his eyes full of longing. Lu Li immediately understood.
He was planning to risk his life in the deep mountains!
But Lu Li was going there because he had the martial strength of the Flesh-Refining Realm.
Had Niu Er even learned martial arts?
Lu Li hurriedly refused. "Brother Niu Er, there are demons in the deep mountains, as well as strange and unusual forces. It's full of dangers."
"My father's dying wish was for me to continue the family line. Forgive me, but I can't go with you."
Hearing Lu Li's firm refusal, Niu Er knitted his brows, disappointment flashing in his eyes.
He nodded and didn't press him. His expression simply turned cold in an instant, and he turned to leave, unwilling to waste any more words.
Lu Li watched Niu Er's back disappear into the snowstorm, his thoughts turning.
Since Niu Er is going, could I let him test the waters for me?
At that thought, Lu Li abandoned the idea of entering the deep mountains that day. He stopped and began searching for herbs instead.
There's no need to rush.
If Niu Er succeeds, that'll prove the deep mountains really are rich in resources.
If he fails, that'll show how dangerous they are. I can use his experience to gauge the depth of the waters.
Niu Er walked alone toward the deep mountains. Once he had gone some distance, he muttered a curse under his breath. "Coward!"
"I'd thought two people could look out for each other. If danger really came, I could even shove him out to take the hit. Who'd have thought he'd be such a coward? Useless!"
"Hmph, forget it. I, Niu Er, can't sit around waiting to die like him. I'm going to make something of myself. I'm going to live like those rich and powerful people, too!"
"Once I'm living the high life, he'll be green with envy!"
Time flew by, and before he knew it, the sky had gradually darkened.
Lu Li headed straight down the mountain and made his way to the Huang Family.
As soon as he stepped inside, he heard a commotion from within.
Lu Li looked over.
A large crowd had gathered around Niu Er, their eyes fixed enviously on the azure herb in his hands.
The herb's rich fragrance filled the entire courtyard.
As a martial artist, Lu Li was especially sensitive to this kind of herb. His dantian stirred, and wisps of hot air rose within him.
It was a great medicinal herb!
Niu Er beamed, grinning from ear to ear.
His body bobbed along with his smile, and his pointed head bobbed up and down, making him look rather comical.
He solemnly handed the herb to Uncle Huang.
Uncle Huang was in charge of medicinal herbs.
All the herbs Lu Li gathered were handed over to Uncle Huang, who judged their varying quality.
At that moment, Uncle Huang narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.
He raised his nose and sniffed the herb, then finally relaxed his expression and smiled faintly.
"Hmm, a Blue Thorn Leaf. Good quality. You may make one request."
Niu Er answered without hesitation. "Uncle Huang, I want silver!"
At that, Uncle Huang's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, disdain flickering in his eyes. "You don't want to learn martial arts?"
Niu Er nodded. "Compared to the elusive path of martial arts, silver is more practical."
All warmth vanished from Uncle Huang's face, and his expression turned stern again.
He picked up a sheet of paper, wrote something on it, and handed it to Niu Er. "Take this to the accounts office and collect fifty taels of silver."
Fifty taels!
The words landed like a boulder dropped into water, and the entire crowd erupted!
A tiny herb was worth fifty taels—enough to cover nearly five years of expenses for a family of three!
Niu Er had struck it rich!
Niu Er was so excited that his hands trembled as he took the note.
He'd never imagined he could get fifty taels of silver!
He'd made it! He'd made it big!
"Thank you, Uncle Huang!" he said hastily.
Suddenly, as if noticing Lu Li's gaze, he glanced over at him.
He held his head high, his nostrils flared, his face full of disdain.
"Brother Niu Er, why are you looking at Lu Li like that?" someone asked.
Niu Er sneered. "I asked this guy to come into the mountains with me today, but he was as timid as a mouse. No matter how much I tried to talk him into it, he wouldn't go."
"Otherwise, we could've split those fifty taels of silver."
Everyone felt sorry for Lu Li. He'd just missed out on all that silver for nothing.
At the same time, their hearts began to burn with excitement.
"Brother Niu Er, are you going into the mountains tomorrow? Can I come along?"
"Brother Niu Er, I want to go too. I'm brave!"
"All right, all right. Tomorrow we'll all go into the mountains together. Today, it's my treat. Order whatever you like!" Niu Er declared, sweeping an arm through the air with grand bravado.
Everyone cheered.
Soon, the herb gatherers in the courtyard scattered in a great wave, leaving only a few people, including Lu Li.
After handing over his herbs, Lu Li left as well.
Niu Er's mockery and everyone's disdainful looks stirred nothing in his heart.
Paying them any attention was nothing compared to going home and practicing martial arts.
After they left, Uncle Huang leaned back in his chair, his gaze scornful. "Not one of them has any prospects. One is stupid and shortsighted, choosing money over martial arts. Let's see how long he can hold on to that silver."
"Another is timid as a mouse, too cowardly to take a risk. He's doomed to spend his life waiting around to die."
"Alas, the family head asked me to find someone trustworthy to cultivate. I'm afraid there isn't a single suitable person among these peasants."
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