The Black Dragon Gang had never dared mistreat warriors who successfully broke through. They only ever made things difficult for ordinary people with no power or connections.
That was why everyone, every family, saw martial arts as a way out. They knew the risks were enormous, yet they were still willing to gamble on it.
"Auntie, you all eat first. I'm going out for a walk." Chen Yuan's thoughts churned.
"Be careful, and come back early." Huang Juan knew her nephew had already eaten, so she only reminded him twice.
Chen Yuan nodded in reply, then stepped over the threshold.
He followed the bluestone path and soon spotted Qian Bao and his men entering another household to collect the residential fee and protection money.
Chen Yuan waited outside, vaguely hearing arguments and sobbing, along with the sharp crash of a bowl breaking.
Clearly, not everyone could easily come up with this extra protection money.
In this world, ordinary people couldn't even afford to get sick.
"Damn fool doesn't know what's good for him. He had to suffer a little before he'd learn." Qian Bao weighed the money pouch in his hand and came out, cursing under his breath.
When he spotted Chen Yuan, he narrowed his eyes. "Brother Chen, what brings you here?"
Chen Yuan did indeed have something to discuss. Lowering his voice, he said, "Brother Bao, I have a personal matter I'd like to trouble you with."
Seeing this, Qian Bao shot a glance at his two lackeys. They tactfully backed away to keep watch.
Only then did Chen Yuan say in a low voice, "Brother Bao, I was ambushed on my way home earlier. After I subdued them, I found out they were members of the Black Dragon Gang. Someone must have hired them. I'd like to ask you to look into it for me."
Qian Bao frowned at once, looking troubled. "Brother Chen, it's not that I don't want to help, but the Black Dragon Gang is a mixed bag. Even here in this area..."
Before he could finish, Chen Yuan slipped a prepared silver coin into his hand.
"Brother Bao, just a little something for your trouble."
Qian Bao weighed it twice, tucked it away, then chuckled. "No wonder the Gu Family thinks so highly of you. You sure are generous. Those little bastards must have had bear's hearts and leopard's guts to dare lay hands on someone the Gu Family values. They must be tired of living."
No one lifted a finger without something in it for them. Now that Chen Yuan had paid, Qian Bao was willing to do him a favor.
More importantly, they'd tried to ambush him and ended up getting beaten instead. Weren't they just useless?
Chen Yuan continued, "One of them was half a head shorter than me, with a sharp, simian face, a black mole on his left cheek, a large mole 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 pretty badly hurt."
After hearing the description, Qian Bao already had the right suspects in mind. He knew everyone in this area.
He immediately said, "Don't worry. Leave this to me. I'll get back to you tomorrow."
Tracking down two people was a simple task, and it would earn him some goodwill with Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan cupped his hands and smiled. "Thanks, Brother Bao. There's one more thing. Could you keep an eye out for anything going on behind the scenes? If anyone plans to come after me, I'd be grateful if you could let me know in advance."
Qian Bao frowned again, looking troubled. "Brother Chen, you're giving me too much credit. I don't get involved in hiring killers. I'm just a minor gang leader. You..."
Chen Yuan understood and took out another two silver coins, slipping them into his hand.
Qian Bao's eyes lit up. He accepted the money and tucked it into his pocket at once, though his tone remained somewhat grave.
"Brother Chen, I can only guarantee things on the Black Dragon Gang's side. Apart from the gang leader, if anyone else wants to make a move against you, you'll hear about it in advance. As for anything beyond that, it's up to fate."
Chen Yuan nodded. "That's enough. Thanks, Brother Bao."
As he watched Qian Bao leave once more, Chen Yuan's gaze dimmed along with the darkening sky.
He was determined to find out who was behind those two men. He didn't want to take a loss without knowing why, much less suffer a second time.
Asking Qian Bao to keep an eye out was an investment in advance.
As for why he'd sneaked out, naturally, he didn't want his aunt to know he was associating with someone like Qian Bao, a man who bullied men and women alike.
But sometimes, it took a villain to deal with another villain.
And Chen Yuan's money wasn't so easy to take.
The next day.
The first thing he did after waking was check his status panel, as usual.
Sparring with Gao Mingchang and asking Qian Bao for help had both adhered to the principles of the Dao of Survival. Together, they earned him eight Dao of Survival Points.
He had now accumulated enough for another ten Dao of Survival Points, which he invested in his constitution once more.
The number 39 flickered and changed to 40.
Chen Yuan didn't know whether a constitution of 40 counted as Grade C-Upper, or if it took 45—or even 50.
Never mind. There was no point thinking about it. He just had to keep improving.
In addition, the system displayed a notification:
[The host's martial progress is steadily improving. Your network of connections has grown more complex, and various lines of sight are converging upon you. If you can continue to lie low, your base settlement points will increase.]
Was that a reminder? Got it!
Chen Yuan thought about it. Compared with his life hauling cargo at the docks, his connections really were much more complicated now, and he was dealing with people of a much higher standing.
But he wasn't nervous.
In a situation like this, all he had to do was grasp the crux of the matter.
Two words: get stronger!
He still went to Huo Academy to train. He alternated between the Rock-Solid Stance Technique, Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, and sparring, improving steadily.
Sun Chengjie, weighed down by his worries, traded barbs with the Zhou Brothers for a while but failed to draw out any solid evidence.
However, at dinnertime, Chen Yuan learned the two men's plan in full from Qian Bao.
Those two had put some thought into it.
They'd been too afraid to make a move before, but after hearing that the Gu Family didn't think much of Sun Chengjie, they'd finally decided to act.
Through a cousin who was a hall leader in the Black Dragon Gang, they'd paid two lackeys to cripple Sun Chengjie. They just hadn't expected him and Chen Yuan to be together.
Those two had guts, at least. They figured if they were crippling one person, they might as well cripple two, and went ahead and attacked.
Qian Bao lowered his voice. "Brother Chen, every debt has its debtor. You should lay this at the feet of those two brothers. I've already taught those two useless fools a lesson. I still have use for them."
They were currently fighting other gangs, after all. They still needed cannon fodder.
Chen Yuan nodded. "Understood. Thanks, Brother Bao."
Back at the courtyard, Chen Yuan glanced at the Zhou Brothers from a distance but said nothing.
It wasn't the right time yet. He'd keep this grudge for now.
Time flew like a white colt flashing past a crevice. In the blink of an eye, another half month had passed.
Chen Yuan maintained his two-point routine: sleeping at home at night and spending his days at the Martial Academy. No other troubles came up.
The academy's students continued to come and go. Several older disciples had left, either after failing to break through or because they couldn't afford the tuition.
A few new faces had arrived as well. Watching them start with the Rock-Solid Stance Technique was like seeing his former self.
As for talented students like Xu Heng, with a Grade B-Upper constitution—or even those with Grade B-Lower or Grade C-Upper constitutions—not a single one had appeared.
A Grade B-Upper constitution was truly rare. In a span of several years, the academy might not take in another disciple like Xu Heng.
Some people said that the disciples who'd entered the academy alongside Xu Heng were rather pitiful. They'd all become green leaves, there just to set him off.
That day, the academy's peaceful atmosphere was broken by a shout.
"Senior Brother Xu Heng has successfully broken through! He's a Skin Realm warrior now!"
Then Xu Heng, brimming with confidence, emerged from the Inner Court with his head held high, calmly basking in everyone's admiration and envious gazes.
Master Huo was in high spirits as well. He announced in a booming voice, "From today onward, Xu Heng will be my personal disciple. You should all take him as your example."
Song Qiao walked over and naturally presented him with a wooden box, smiling as he said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu. These are three Blood Qi Pills. May you continue to surge ahead on the path of martial arts!"
The other senior disciples who had successfully broken through then presented him with gifts as well.
Of course, only geniuses received this kind of treatment.
When an ordinary disciple broke through, Tao Ping would usually represent their master and offer them something as encouragement.
Chen Yuan also quietly walked over, cupped his hands, and said, "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior Brother Xu."
To break through in less than a month and a half was truly impressive.
Xu Heng was stronger than him and had become a personal disciple. Calling him Junior Brother would be disrespectful now.
Xu Heng glanced coolly at the senior brother he'd once been close to, then lectured him. "Junior Brother Chen, if your aptitude is mediocre, then just work hard at your cultivation. You can still land a respectable position. Also, don't see me as your target. It'll crush your confidence."
Chen Yuan smiled, nodded, and stepped back.
He didn't feel particularly stifled. Given how he was performing now, Xu Heng wasn't wrong. He could accept it.
But running water didn't fight to be first. It fought to flow on without end.
He smiled because one day, he'd return those exact words to Xu Heng. That should be interesting.
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