Uncle Zhao's Family Crisis, Lu Li Makes a Move

"Uncle Huang, why does the Huang Family need to cultivate trusted martial artists?" Lu Li subtly took out a piece of broken silver and handed it to Uncle Huang.

Uncle Huang smiled and accepted it just as subtly, his movements fluid and natural, exhibiting the demeanor of a master.

This made Lu Li's heart stir; Uncle Huang was also a martial artist!

"The reasons why the Huang Family cultivates martial artists, I don't know myself, but rest assured, everything I say is the absolute truth, with no deception whatsoever."

Lu Li nodded, not asking further.

He changed the subject, his eyes darting around, a look of eagerness in them, and continued, "Uncle Huang, how are the realms of martial arts divided?"

Uncle Huang briefly explained, then stated proudly, "In the Flesh-Refining Realm, one can become a gang leader or a hall master in the outer city."

"However, in the inner city, being a martial arts hall master in the Flesh-Refining Realm is a bit lacking; at least the Tendon-Refining Realm is needed to firmly establish oneself."

"In the Tendon-Refining Realm, among the million people in Changfeng County, one can already rank among the top hundred."

"The Organ-Refining Realm is sufficient to dominate a region in Changfeng County, with no one daring to provoke you."

"As for the Blood-Exchange Realm, it's considered top-tier. As for the Inner-Qi Realm..."

Uncle Huang shook his head, a look of longing on his face, "Such a person has yet to appear in our Changfeng County."

Lu Li's eyes widened, feigning surprise as if deeply captivated by the splendor of martial arts.

He looked at Uncle Huang and asked, "Then, Uncle Huang, in which realm are you?"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Huang raised his head proudly, "I am in the Tendon-Refining Realm, and I rank among the best in Changfeng County!"

Lu Li outwardly flattered and expressed envy, but inwardly, he was dismissive.

It seemed his prediction was correct: in the outer city, no one could match his Flesh-Refining Realm.

But in the inner city, it was still slightly insufficient.

However, this deficiency would be rectified before long.

By then, he too could walk sideways in Changfeng County!

"Alright, come find me tomorrow, and I'll take you to the Martial Academy," Uncle Huang said after taking a sip of tea.

Lu Li respectfully took his leave, heading straight out of the Huang Mansion's main gate with Uncle Zhao.

Niu Er's heart was in turmoil, filled with regret and frustration.

Watching Lu Li leave, he quickly put on a smiling face and hobbled over to Uncle Huang, fawning, "Uncle Huang, I want to learn martial arts too. I'll return the silver, can you agree?"

Uncle Huang paused his tea-drinking, a look of disdain on his face, "You, a cripple, want to learn martial arts? Go dream your spring and autumn dreams!"

"Scram!"

Niu Er felt as if that single word had drained all his strength, and he could only dejectedly shuffle away.

Seeing this, everyone sighed in unison.

No one had expected that the opportunity that had fallen from the sky just days ago would turn around so quickly.

Judging by the Huang Family's intentions to cultivate trusted subordinates, Lu Li would also be a martial artist lord from now on!

Fortunately, most of them had not followed that actor Niu Er in forming any opinions about Lu Li.

Otherwise, they would have offended Lu Li and died without even knowing how!

Everyone looked at Niu Er's lonely retreating figure with complex expressions.

All the way, Uncle Zhao appeared hesitant, wanting to say something but unable to.

After a long while, he finally made up his mind, "Lu Li, that five hundred copper coins..."

His voice was as faint as a mosquito's, filled with embarrassment.

Lu Li smiled slightly, "Uncle Zhao, it's very chaotic in the city right now. I'll give you the five hundred copper coins when we get home."

Uncle Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, but his face suddenly turned red.

However, what puzzled him was that Lu Li wasn't heading home?

Yet, Lu Li seemed to possess a magical aura that made Uncle Zhao follow him involuntarily.

Before long, the two arrived at Spring-Returning Hall.

Spring-Returning Hall was the most renowned pharmacy in Changfeng County, its physicians claiming to cure all ailments.

But its prices were also extremely high; ordinary people didn't even have the qualification to seek an audience.

Uncle Zhao's eyes widened, and he instantly understood Lu Li's intention.

He grabbed Lu Li's arm, "Lu Li, your martial arts training is a bottomless pit, you this..."

Before he could finish, Lu Li patted his shoulder, signaling him to relax, and turned to step into Spring-Returning Hall.

Not long after, he emerged with an elder carrying a medicine chest, a beaming smile on his face.

"Lu Li, rest assured, as long as the silver is in place, I guarantee a cure!" the physician declared, patting his chest with conviction.

"Thank you for your trouble." Lu Li nodded in gratitude.

The three of them headed toward the outer city, taking about half an hour to reach Uncle Zhao's home.

From a distance, they saw that Uncle Zhao's house was actually packed with people.

Usually, people would avoid a household like Uncle Zhao's, where there was a sick patient, for fear of catching bad luck.

This situation did not look good.

Lu Li frowned and quickened his pace. From afar, he heard voices—it was Aunt Zhao and Zhao Yuanyuan!

There was another voice, too: Er Gou, one of Zhang Hu's subordinates!

"Aunt Zhao, how are you going to pay this month's protection fee?" Er Gou wore a hooligan's sneer, accompanied by two men holding clubs, their arrogance blatant.

Aunt Zhao, supported by Zhao Yuanyuan, looked as pale as paper. She coughed as she spoke, "Sir, cough, cough... have some mercy, could you grant us a few more days?"

Er Gou shook his head, refusing flatly.

He then leered at Zhao Yuanyuan. "This girl is a beauty."

"Sell her to me, and I'll waive half a year's protection fees!"

"How about it? Isn't that a good deal?"

"She's going to be married off eventually anyway, so you might as well sell her to me. I'll take good care of her."

With that, he stared at Zhao Yuanyuan like a hungry wolf.

He licked his lips and reached out to grab her.

Aunt Zhao tried to block him but was shoved to the ground by Er Gou. "Get lost, you old hag! It's an honor for your daughter that I want her. You sick old fool should just find a coffin and lie down in it instead of being an eyesore!"

The neighbors watching the spectacle shook their heads; the Zhao family was finished this time.

Trading a daughter for a protection fee—this Er Gou was truly going to pick the Zhao family clean to the bone!

Just then, Lu Li pushed through the crowd, stepped inside, and clamped a hand onto Er Gou's shoulder.

Er Gou whipped his head around. "Lu Li? What are you doing?"

"Er Gou, leave Aunt Zhao's family alone."

Er Gou acted as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, clutching his stomach and laughing hysterically. "Lu Li, who do you think you are, daring to spout such nonsense? Did a donkey kick you in the head?"

Lu Li did not get angry; his expression remained as calm as a still lake. "By the authority of my status as a martial arts servant of the Huang Family."

Er Gou's smile froze instantly. He scrutinized Lu Li, his expression shifting to one of shock and uncertainty.

Uncle Zhao arrived at that moment, bringing a physician with him.

The physician looked clean and respectable, his clothes made of soft fabric; one look was enough to tell he was no ordinary person.

Sharp-eyed onlookers recognized him and gasped in astonishment. "That's a physician from Spring-Returning Hall! Good heavens, Lu Li has really made something of himself!"

Er Gou's heart trembled. He hurriedly dropped his club, slapped himself in the face with practiced subservience, and offered a fawning smile. "Master Lu, I was blind just now and offended you. Please, have mercy."

"Get lost." Lu Li said coldly.

On the surface, he was still an unarmed man; otherwise, he would have made Er Gou pay the price right then and there!

Er Gou let out a sigh of relief, as if granted a pardon, and hurried away with his men in a panic.

One of his dim-witted underlings tried to ask Lu Li something, but Er Gou covered the man's mouth the moment he opened it and dragged him away.