Nouveau Riche Smugness

Lu Li was completely unaware that the Huang Family and the Wang Family were the backers behind the gangs.

He felt quite at ease now; in any case, even if an investigation were launched, it would never lead back to him.

Furthermore, once he found a Great Herb and entered the Huang Family as a martial arts servant, it would be even more impossible for him to be implicated.

At this moment, Lu Li headed up the mountain, braving the wind and snow.

With the passage of time, the heavy snow had sealed the mountain, piling up deep enough to submerge his calves, making it difficult for ordinary herb gatherers to even take a step.

Yet, Lu Li moved as if on flat ground, his speed not slowing in the slightest.

He moved rapidly along the mountain path, intending to head toward the depths of the mountain.

Today, he was going to enter the deep mountains to test the waters.

His main goal was to gauge the situation without venturing too far in.

But as he walked, Lu Li's ears twitched.

As a martial artist, his physical strengthening had brought with it a significant enhancement of his five senses, allowing him to easily catch the sound of rustling movements not far away.

Lu Li immediately slowed his pace, hurriedly planting his feet deep into the snow and grabbing a tree branch to use as a cane, feigning difficulty as he walked slowly.

Before long, a man emerged from Lu Li's left.

He was dressed in the same coarse hemp clothing as Lu Li.

The man had a square face, a pointed head, thin lips, and gloomy eyes, giving him a sour and mean appearance.

Lu Li recognized him; this man was Niu Er, also an herb gatherer for the Huang Family.

However, they had only met a few times and had no real connection.

Long-Abundance Mountain was vast, so it was quite a coincidence to run into each other here; Lu Li had no choice but to stop.

"Brother Niu Er," Lu Li greeted with a smile.

"Oh, it's Lu Li," Niu Er said, a hint of a smile appearing on his square face. "Out gathering herbs again?"

Lu Li nodded.

Niu Er's smile suddenly vanished, his expression turning solemn. "Lu Li, this world is extremely difficult, as you've surely felt. If you just honestly spend your whole life as an herb gatherer..."

He shook his head. "It's hard enough to even survive, let alone transcend your class, become one of those people above others, and live a better life."

"So, do you dare to come with me, Brother Niu, and pull off something big?"

Lu Li watched Niu Er's serious demeanor and felt suspicious.

Seeing Niu Er's gaze constantly darting toward the deep mountains with a look of longing, he suddenly realized.

He was planning to go into the deep mountains to risk his life!

However, he himself was going into the deep mountains relying on his Flesh-Refining Realm martial arts.

Niu Er didn't seem to have learned any martial arts, did he?

Lu Li hurriedly refused. "Brother Niu Er, there are demons in the deep mountains, as well as some strange and peculiar forces. It is fraught with danger."

"My father's dying wish was for me to carry on the family line; forgive me, but I cannot go with you."

Hearing Lu Li's flat refusal, Niu Er's brows knit together, a flash of disappointment crossing his eyes.

He nodded, though he didn't force the issue. His expression turned cold instantly, and he turned to leave, not wanting to waste any more breath.

Lu Li watched Niu Er's back disappear into the wind and snow, his thoughts turning.

Since Niu Er is going, perhaps I can let him test the waters?

Thinking of this, Lu Li abandoned his plan to enter the deep mountains for the day and stopped to start looking for herbs.

There's no rush.

If Niu Er actually succeeds, it proves that the deep mountains are indeed rich in resources.

If Niu Er fails, it means the deep mountains are full of crises, and I can use his experience to weigh the risks.

Niu Er walked alone toward the deep mountains. Once he was further away, he spat out a low curse: "Coward!"

"I had hoped that if we traveled together, we could look out for each other. If a real crisis came, I could have pushed him out to take the hit, but I never expected him to be such a timid, useless thing!"

"Hmph, whatever. I, Niu Er, cannot be like him, just drifting through life waiting for death. I want to get ahead; I want to be one of those extravagant people!"

"Once I'm successful, he'll be green with envy!"

Time passed quickly, and the sky gradually darkened without him noticing.

Lu Li headed straight down the mountain toward the Huang Family.

As soon as he stepped through the gate, he heard a commotion inside.

Lu Li took a look.

A large crowd had gathered around Niu Er, all of them staring with envious eyes at the blue herb in Niu Er's hand.

The fragrance of the medicinal herb was pungent, permeating the entire courtyard.

Lu Li was a martial artist, and his perception of such herbs was extremely keen; his dantian stirred, giving rise to wisps of restless heat.

This was a potent medicine!

Niu Er's smile was radiant, his eyes crinkling into slits.

His body heaved along with his laughter, his pointed head trembling, looking quite comical.

He solemnly handed the herb to Uncle Huang.

Uncle Huang was the person in charge of the medicinal herbs.

The herbs Lu Li gathered were all handed over to Uncle Huang, who judged their varying quality.

At this moment, Uncle Huang's stern face tightened, his eyes narrowing, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.

He sniffed the air again, and finally, his expression relaxed, revealing a faint smile.

"Hmm, Blue Thorn Leaf. The quality is good. You may make one request."

Niu Er didn't even hesitate: "Uncle Huang, I want silver!"

Hearing this, Uncle Huang's brows furrowed imperceptibly, a flash of disdain crossing his eyes: "You don't practice martial arts?"

Niu Er nodded: "Compared to the ethereal path of martial arts, silver is far more practical."

The warmth on Uncle Huang's face vanished, his expression turning stern once again.

He picked up a piece of paper, wrote something on it, and handed it to Niu Er: "Take this paper to the accounting office and collect fifty taels of silver."

Fifty taels!

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a giant boulder had been dropped into water; the entire crowd erupted in an uproar!

A single small herb was worth fifty taels, enough to cover the expenses of a family of three for nearly five years!

Niu Er had truly struck it rich!

Niu Er was incredibly excited, his hands trembling as he took the note.

He had never imagined that he would actually receive fifty taels of silver!

I'm rich, I'm rich!

"Many thanks, Uncle Huang!" he hurriedly thanked him.

Suddenly, as if sensing Lu Li's gaze, he glanced toward Lu Li.

He held his head high, 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 fellow to go into the mountains with me today, but this coward was scared out of his wits, and no matter how I tried to persuade him, he wouldn't go."

"Otherwise, he could have split these fifty taels of silver with me."

Everyone felt sorry for Lu Li, who had just missed out on so much silver for nothing.

At the same time, a burning desire ignited in their hearts.

"Brother Niu, are you going into the mountains tomorrow? Can you take me with you?"

"Brother Niu Er, I want to go too! I'm brave!"

"Alright, alright, alright! Tomorrow, we'll all go into the mountains together. Today, it's my treat—order whatever you want to eat!" Niu Er waved his hand grandly, full of bravado.

The crowd cheered.

Soon, the crowd of herb gatherers in the courtyard dispersed, leaving only a few people, including Lu Li.

After Lu Li handed over his herbs, he left straight away.

He felt no ripples in his heart regarding Niu Er's mockery or the cold stares of the others.

Paying attention to such things was far less practical than going back to practice martial arts.

After they left, Uncle Huang leaned back in his recliner, his gaze mocking: "Not many of them have any prospects. One is stupid and short-sighted, only caring about money and not knowing to practice martial arts—I wonder how long you'll be able to keep that wealth."

"The other is a spineless coward, afraid of everything and unwilling to strive; he's destined to just drift through life until he dies."

"Sigh, the family head asked me to find and cultivate trusted aides, but I'm afraid I won't find any among this bunch of peasants."