Don't Target Me (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

The Black Dragon Gang has never dared to mistreat martial artists who successfully pass the barrier; it is always the powerless commoners they choose to harass.

This is precisely why everyone, every family, views martial arts as their only way out, willing to gamble everything despite the extreme risks.

"Aunt, you two go ahead and eat. I'm going out for a stroll," Chen Yuan said, his mind heavy with turbulent thoughts.

"Do be careful and come back early," Huang Juan said, knowing her nephew had already eaten before returning, offering only a brief reminder.

Chen Yuan nodded in agreement and stepped over the threshold.

Walking along the bluestone path, he soon spotted Qian Bao and his group entering another household to collect "peace fees" and "filial piety money."

Chen Yuan waited outside, faintly hearing bursts of arguing and sobbing, followed by the crisp sound of a rice bowl shattering.

Clearly, not everyone could easily cough up this extra tribute.

In this world, ordinary people cannot even afford to fall ill once.

"Truly ignorant, refusing to be sensible until they've tasted some suffering," Qian Bao muttered, cursing as he walked out while weighing a money pouch.

Spotting Chen Yuan, he narrowed his eyes. "Brother Chen, is there something you need?"

Chen Yuan did indeed have business. Lowering his voice, he said, "Brother Qian, I have a private matter I'd like to trouble you with."

Seeing this, Qian Bao signaled his two lackeys, who tactfully retreated to keep watch.

Only then did Chen Yuan say in a low voice, "Brother Bao, I was ambushed on my way home earlier. After subduing them, I discovered they were from the Black Dragon Gang. Someone must have hired them, and I'd like to ask for your help in looking into it."

Qian Bao frowned immediately, looking troubled. "Brother Chen, it's not that I don't want to help, but the Black Dragon Gang is a mixed bag. Even in this territory..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yuan slipped him a tael of silver he had prepared.

"Brother Bao, a little something for your trouble."

Qian Bao weighed it twice, tucked it into his pocket, and chuckled.

"As expected of the talent the Gu Family thinks highly of; you're certainly generous. Those bastards must have grown guts of steel to lay a hand on someone from the Gu Family. They're tired of living."

Profit is the only motivator; since Chen Yuan paid, he would show him some face.

More importantly, to be counter-killed after launching an ambush—weren't they just complete trash?

Chen Yuan continued, "One of them was half a head shorter than me, with a sharp, monkey-like face, a black mole on his left cheek, a wart on his neck, and a scar on his left upper arm. The other one took a punch to the face from me and lost a few teeth; he should be quite badly injured."

After the description, Qian Bao already had the right candidates in mind; he knew everyone in this sector.

He immediately said, "Don't worry, leave this to me. I'll have news for you tomorrow."

Investigating two people was a trivial task, and it allowed him to earn a favor from Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan cupped his hands and smiled. "Many thanks, Brother Bao. There is one more thing—could you keep an eye on matters in the shadows for me? If anyone intends to move against me, I would be deeply grateful if you could give me a heads-up."

Qian Bao frowned again, looking troubled. "Brother Chen, you overestimate me. I don't get involved in things like hiring assassins. I'm just a small leader of a branch; this is..."

Chen Yuan understood and pulled out two more taels of silver, slipping them over.

Qian Bao's eyes lit up instantly. He took the money and tucked it away, though his tone remained somewhat grave.

"Brother Chen, I can only guarantee things on the Black Dragon Gang's side. Aside from the Gang Leader, if anyone else tries to move against you, you'll know in advance. As for other matters, that will be up to fate."

Chen Yuan nodded. "That is enough. Thank you, Brother Bao."

Watching Qian Bao leave once more, his gaze darkened along with the sky.

Finding out who was behind those two was inevitable; he didn't want to suffer in silence, and he certainly didn't want to do it a second time.

Having Qian Bao keep watch was a preventative investment.

As for why he snuck out, it was naturally because he didn't want his aunt to know he was associating with people like Qian Bao, who bullied men and oppressed women.

But sometimes, it takes a villain to deal with a villain.

And his, Chen Yuan's, money was not so easily taken.

The next day.

The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was to check the panel.

Both the sparring with Gao Mingchang and seeking help from Qian Bao had not violated the principles of the Dao of Survival, netting him a total of eight points.

With this, he had accumulated another ten points, which he again invested into his Bone Structure.

The number 39 flickered and changed to 40.

Chen Yuan didn't know if a Bone Structure of 40 counted as "Grade C-High," or if it required 45, or perhaps 50.

Forget it, no point in overthinking; as long as it kept improving, that was enough.

Additionally, the system provided a prompt:

[Detected that the host's martial progress is steadily improving and the interpersonal network is becoming more complex, with various gazes intersecting and converging. If the host can continue to "survive" in the shadows, the base settlement points will increase.]

Was this a reminder? Understood!

Chen Yuan thought about it; compared to his life moving cargo at the docks, his current interpersonal relationships were indeed much more complex, and he was facing people at higher levels.

However, he felt no tension.

In this situation, one only needs to grasp the crux of the problem.

Two words: get stronger!

He continued to train at Huo Academy, alternating between the Rock-Solid Stance Technique, Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, and sparring, steadily improving.

Sun Chengjie, heavy-hearted, had a verbal sparring session with the Zhou Brothers, but failed to extract any substantial evidence.

However, at dinnertime, Chen Yuan learned the two brothers' plans clearly from Qian Bao.

Those two actually had some schemes.

They hadn't dared to make a move for some time, but upon hearing that Sun Chengjie was no longer valued by the Gu Family, they finally acted on their intentions.

Through a cousin in the Black Dragon Gang, they spent money to hire two lackeys to cripple Sun Chengjie, never expecting that he and Chen Yuan would be together.

Those two were stubborn, thinking that if they were going to cripple one, they might as well cripple both, so they attacked directly.

Qian Bao lowered his voice: "Brother Chen, every debt has its debtor; you should hold those two brothers accountable. I've already taught those two pieces of trash a lesson, but they are still useful for now."

With the gang currently embroiled in conflicts with others, cannon fodder was still needed.

Chen Yuan nodded: "I understand. Many thanks, Brother Bao."

Returning to the courtyard, he glanced at the Zhou Brothers from afar but said nothing.

Now was not the time; he would record this grudge for later.

Time passed like a white horse galloping past a crevice, and another half-month flew by.

Chen Yuan maintained a routine of two points and one line, sleeping at home at night and spending his days at the martial arts academy, with no trivial matters occurring.

The disciples in the academy were also changing; several old disciples had left, either failing to break through the barrier or unable to afford the tuition.

A few new faces appeared, and watching them start from the Rock-Solid Stance Technique felt like seeing his former self.

As for geniuses with Grade B-Upper aptitude like Xu Heng, or even Grade B-Lower or C-Upper, there were none.

Grade B-Upper aptitude was truly rare; it was hard to recruit a disciple like Xu Heng even once every few years.

Some said that the disciples in the same batch as Xu Heng were quite miserable, all reduced to being green leaves to serve as his foil.

This day, the peaceful atmosphere in the academy was broken by a voice:

"Senior Brother Xu Heng has successfully broken through the barrier! He is now a Skin Realm martial artist!"

Then, a high-spirited Xu Heng walked out from the inner courtyard, head held high, calmly enjoying the admiration and envious gazes of the crowd.

Master Huo was also in a pleasant mood and announced with a resonant voice:

"From this day forward, Xu Heng shall be my personal disciple. You all should take him as your example."

Song Qiao walked over and naturally handed over a wooden box, smiling:

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu. These are three Blood Qi Pills. May you continue to advance triumphantly on the path of martial arts!"

Following that, other senior brothers and sisters who had successfully broken through the barrier presented their gifts.

Of course, this was treatment reserved only for geniuses.

When ordinary disciples succeeded in breaking through the barrier, usually only Tao Ping would represent the master to give a small gift as encouragement.

Chen Yuan also walked over silently, cupped his hands, and said: "Congratulations, Senior Brother Xu, on your successful breakthrough."

Succeeding in less than a month and a half was indeed impressive.

Since he was stronger and now a personal disciple, it would be impolite to continue calling him "Junior Brother."

Xu Heng glanced indifferently at the senior brother he used to be close with and lectured:

"Junior Brother Chen, if your aptitude is mediocre, just practice hard; getting a decent position is fine too. Also, don't view me as your goal; it's very discouraging."

Chen Yuan smiled, nodded, and stepped back.

He didn't feel much grievance; based on current appearances, what was said was the truth, so he just took it.

However, flowing water does not compete for the lead; it competes for the endless flow.

He smiled because he thought it would be quite interesting to return those exact words to him one day.