"Uncle Huang, why does the Huang Family need to train trusted martial artists?" Lu Li discreetly took out a small piece of silver and handed it to Uncle Huang.
Uncle Huang smiled and accepted it just as discreetly, his movements smooth and natural, with the air of a true expert.
Lu Li's heart stirred. Uncle Huang was a martial artist too!
"As for why the Huang Family trains martial artists, I don't know the reason myself. But rest assured, everything I've told you is true. I haven't deceived you in the slightest."
Lu Li nodded and didn't ask any more.
Then he changed the subject, rolling his eyes as a look of keen interest came over him. "Uncle Huang, how are the realms of martial arts divided?"
Uncle Huang gave him a brief explanation, then said proudly, "A martial artist in the Flesh-Refining Realm can become the leader of a gang or the head of a martial arts school in the Outer City."
"But in the Inner City, the Flesh-Refining Realm isn't enough to head a martial arts school. You need to be at least in the Tendon-Refining Realm to establish yourself securely."
"Among the million people in Changfeng County, a martial artist in the Tendon-Refining Realm can rank among the top hundred."
"Those in the Organ-Refining Realm are powerful enough to dominate a corner of Changfeng County. No one would dare provoke them."
"As for the Blood-Exchange Realm, they're considered top-tier. And the Inner-Qi Realm..."
Uncle Huang shook his head, his face full of longing. "No one like that has ever appeared in Changfeng County."
Lu Li widened his eyes, feigning astonishment, as though he were captivated by the dazzling world of martial arts.
He looked at Uncle Huang and asked, "Then, Uncle Huang, which realm are you in?"
At that, Uncle Huang lifted his chin and said proudly, "I'm in the Tendon-Refining Realm. I'm one of the best in Changfeng County!"
Lu Li flattered and admired him on the surface, but inwardly, he didn't think much of it.
It seemed things were just as he'd expected. In the Outer City, no one could stand against him in the Flesh-Refining Realm.
But in the Inner City, he still fell a little short.
That shortfall wouldn't take long to make up.
Once he did, he'd be able to swagger through Changfeng County!
"All right, come find me tomorrow. I'll take you to the Martial Academy," Uncle Huang said, taking a sip of tea.
Lu Li respectfully took his leave and led Uncle Zhao straight out of Huang Mansion.
Niu Er was torn inside, regretful and furious.
Watching Lu Li leave, he quickly put on a smiling face and limped over to Uncle Huang. With a fawning air, he said, "Uncle Huang, I want to learn martial arts too. I'll give the silver back. Would that be all right?"
Uncle Huang's hand paused as he lifted his tea. He looked at Niu Er with disdain. "You're a cripple and you still want to learn martial arts? Keep dreaming!"
"Get out!"
Those words seemed to drain every last bit of strength from Niu Er. He could only hang his head and slink away, dejected.
Seeing this, everyone sighed.
No one had expected an opportunity to fall from the sky, only for the situation to turn around completely in a mere two days.
From the looks of things, the Huang Family planned to train trusted subordinates. Lu Li would soon be a martial arts master!
Thankfully, most of them hadn't followed that two-faced Niu Er in judging Lu Li.
Otherwise, they'd have offended him and died without even knowing why!
Everyone looked at Niu Er's lonely retreating figure, their expressions complicated.
On the way, Uncle Zhao looked awkward. He seemed to want to say something but couldn't bring himself to speak.
After a long while, he finally made up his mind. "Lu Li, about those five hundred copper coins..."
His voice was barely louder than a mosquito's, and he looked terribly embarrassed.
Lu Li smiled faintly. "Uncle Zhao, the city's in chaos right now. I'll give you those five hundred copper coins once we get home."
Uncle Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, but his face immediately flushed red.
Still, what puzzled him was that Lu Li wasn't heading home.
Yet Lu Li seemed to have a strange pull about him, and Uncle Zhao followed along without thinking.
Before long, they arrived at Spring-Returning Hall.
Spring-Returning Hall was the most famous apothecary in Changfeng County. Its physicians were said to cure any illness with a single dose.
But its prices were exorbitant. Ordinary people couldn't even afford an appointment.
Uncle Zhao's eyes widened as he immediately understood what Lu Li meant.
He grabbed Lu Li by the arm. "Lu Li, learning martial arts is a bottomless pit. You..."
Before he could finish, Lu Li patted his shoulder to reassure him, then turned and walked into Spring-Returning Hall.
Before long, he came back out with a smiling old man carrying a medicine chest on his back.
"Don't worry, Lu Li. As long as you've got the silver, I guarantee we'll cure her!" The physician thumped his chest, making his promise with complete confidence.
"Sorry for the trouble," Lu Li said, nodding in thanks.
The three of them headed toward the Outer City. After about half an hour, they reached Uncle Zhao's home.
From a distance, they could see that Uncle Zhao's house was packed with people.
People avoided anyone with a sick person at home like Uncle Zhao did, afraid they'd catch bad luck.
This didn't look good.
Lu Li frowned and quickened his pace. From afar, he heard voices—Aunt Zhao's and Zhao Yuanyuan's!
Another voice belonged to Er Gou, one of Zhang Hu's men!
"Aunt Zhao, how are you going to pay this month's protection fee?" Er Gou asked with a thug's sneer. He had two men with him, both carrying clubs and swaggering arrogantly.
Aunt Zhao leaned on Zhao Yuanyuan for support. Her face was as pale as paper as she coughed and said, "Sir, cough, cough... Please, could you give us a few more days?"
Er Gou shook his head and flatly refused.
Then he cast a lecherous look at Zhao Yuanyuan. "This girl's a real beauty."
"Sell her to me, and I'll waive half a year's protection fees!"
"How about it? Sounds like a good deal, doesn't it?"
"Besides, once she marries, she won't be part of your family anymore. You might as well sell her to me. I'll treat her real nice."
As he spoke, he stared at Zhao Yuanyuan like a ravenous wolf.
He licked his lips and reached out to grab her.
Aunt Zhao tried to stop him, but Er Gou shoved her to the ground. "Get out of the way, you old hag! You should be grateful I want your daughter. That sickly old bag should find a coffin to lie in, instead of making me sick!"
The neighbors watching shook their heads. The Zhao Family was finished this time.
They'd have to trade their daughter for a single month's protection fee. Er Gou really was going to gnaw the Zhao Family down to the bone!
Just then, Lu Li pushed through the crowd and came in, grabbing Er Gou by the shoulder.
Er Gou spun around. "Lu Li? What are you doing?"
"Er Gou, leave Aunt Zhao and her family alone."
Er Gou reacted as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. Clutching his belly, he burst out laughing. "Lu Li, who do you think you are, running your mouth like that? Did a donkey kick your head?"
Lu Li didn't get angry. His expression remained as calm as a placid lake. "I'm a retainer of the Huang Family, here to train in martial arts."
Er Gou's smile froze. He gave Lu Li a long, searching look, his expression turning uncertain.
Just then, Uncle Zhao arrived with the physician.
The physician was neat and well-dressed, his clothes made of fine, smooth fabric. He clearly wasn't an ordinary man.
Someone with a sharp eye recognized him and gaped in shock. "That's a physician from Spring-Returning Hall! Good heavens, Lu Li really has made something of himself!"
Er Gou's heart jolted. He hurriedly dropped his club and, ever the quick study, slapped himself across the face. With a smile, he said, "Master Lu, I was blind just now. I've offended you. Please forgive me."
"Get lost," Lu Li said coldly.
On the surface, he was still just an unarmed man. Otherwise, he would've made Er Gou pay on the spot!
Er Gou breathed a sigh of relief as though he'd been pardoned from death. He hurried off with his men.
One of his men was a hothead and tried to ask Lu Li something, but Er Gou clapped a hand over his mouth and dragged him away.
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