Master Wang?

After a long conversation with Luo Zhengwen, Wang Sheng returned home, reeking of drink.

Seeing this, Li Xuan and Wang Qinshi hurried to boil water and make tea, helping Wang Sheng sober up and bathe.

The two women knew that, aside from relying on Wang Sheng, they had no other way out. Once they left his protection, their enemies might come knocking the very next moment.

Thus, having been conquered, the two women served Wang Sheng with all their hearts and did not dare voice much resentment.

Besides, everything that needed doing had been done. The quickest way to conquer a woman was still through intercourse.

Splash...

Hot water was poured into the wooden tub, sending up great clouds of steam.

Wang Sheng soaked comfortably in the water, closed his eyes, and considered the road ahead.

The path of the Great Tablet Shattering Hand had come to an end. Without another year or two, there was no point even thinking about obtaining its later methods.

He would need to find another cultivation method capable of reaching Dark Force, perhaps even Transforming Force.

The Forging Gold Technique could only reach Dark Force.

The Blood Stacking Technique was an explosive secret art, not a method for advancement or breakthroughs.

The Yin Blood Claw and Nine Dragon Staff—one only had methods for Bright Force, while the other reached the Dark Force level—neither possessed a cultivation method that led to Transforming Force.

"It looks like I need to make a trip to the Black Market and see whether I can buy a cultivation method that leads straight to Transforming Force."

"Senior Brother Luo said the Yu Family extermination case involved something enormous behind the scenes. Ordinary people must never get involved. I should be fine. If anyone is in trouble, it should be the Liu Family."

"I heard this Bone Strengthening Pill has miraculous effects. The first dose is the most effective; it can reshape one's sinews and bones, increase potential, and strengthen the skeleton. It is also a precious cultivation pill for Body Refiners."

Thoughts spun through Wang Sheng's mind. Just as the last bucket of hot water was poured in—

Wang Sheng abruptly opened his eyes.

Li Xuan and Wang Qinshi jumped in fright.

"Come in. Wash up together!"

Wang Sheng said calmly.

Li Xuan's face instantly flushed scarlet, and she turned her head away.

But then Li Xuan's expression froze. She saw that her mother, Wang Qinshi, was already obediently removing her outer robe and inner garment...

The next day,

Before Wang Sheng had even left home, the Li Family, where his parents were staying, sent one of the Li young masters in person to invite him over for a chat.

Because Wang Sheng had advanced to Bright Force and truly entered Great Martial Master Zhao Jie's notice, becoming a member of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy with dozens of Bright Force and Dark Force senior and junior brothers—

The Li Family saw Wang Sheng's rise and immediately invited him over to discuss his parents' servant contracts.

Li Manor.

Inside the main hall.

"Young Hero Wang truly is a hero in his youth! Spirited and handsome, yet so composed. At such a young age, you have already entered Bright Force. My useless sons ought to learn from you—they are far inferior to you!"

Master Li and Madam Li sat in the seats of honor. The pot-bellied Master Li did not stint on his praise, even belittling his own sons.

The three Li young masters seated on the right looked rather unhappy, but none of them spoke up.

They were furious that their father had compared their dignified status as young masters to the son of a servant, even claiming they could not measure up to him.

In the past, a mere servant's child would have had to tread cautiously just to enter this hall, much less sit here as an equal to the masters of the house!

But Wang Sheng's Bright Force status was right before them, and he was also a Great Martial Master's disciple. The three of them truly did not dare challenge Wang Sheng openly.

"Master Li flatters me. I merely had a bit of luck. I must also thank Li Manor for giving my mother a place to stay. I am deeply grateful."

Wang Sheng said evenly.

"Not at all, not at all!"

"It is the Li Family's fortune that your parents came to our household, young friend!"

Seeing Wang Sheng's courtesy, Master Li became even more courteous himself. At the same time, he placed another degree of importance on Wang Sheng.

So young, already a Great Martial Master's disciple, yet neither arrogant nor impetuous; he understood courtesy and reciprocity, and knew the ways of the world. He truly was someone remarkable.

Compared to his own temperamental sons, they were three lumps of mud that could not be plastered onto a wall!

Master Li was inwardly lamenting.

Suddenly,

Third Young Master Li rose directly from his seat and left the hall without a word.

He gave a cold snort, clearly fed up with this hypocritical politeness.

"Father, Mother, I'll go check on Third Brother!"

Second Young Master Li did not want to stay either. After speaking, he hurried away as well, leaving only Eldest Young Master Li inwardly cursing.

"Outrageous! You bastards, you utter bastards!"

Master Li had not expected that just as he was criticizing his disappointing sons, those brats would immediately embarrass him before everyone.

Master Li rose in fury and cursed them repeatedly.

After half a day had passed,

Wang Sheng left the Li Family after a lengthy conversation with Master Li, accompanied by his mother Madam Han and Father Wang.

"Hehe, I knew my son would make something of himself! I knew it!!!"

Father Wang was over the moon, his face brimming with pride. He had clearly forgotten how, just a few months ago, he had angrily scolded Wang Sheng for dreaming the impossible by practicing martial arts.

"Hmph, that wasn't what you said back then!"

Madam Han looked at her accomplished son, who could now sit as an equal with Master Li, and smiled until her eyes curved into crescents. She rolled her eyes at Father Wang and exposed his bluff.

"Well, well, I did that on purpose! If I hadn't provoked him, how could Little Sheng have become what he is today!"

Father Wang stubbornly argued.

"Go carry Mother's bundle for her!"

Unable to listen to Father Wang's hardheaded nonsense any longer, Wang Sheng spoke.

"I—I'll listen to Little Sheng!"

The moment Father Wang heard his son ordering his father around, his rebellious streak flared up and he wanted to retort. But when he saw Wang Sheng's calm eyes, he immediately fell silent. His lips trembled twice before he lowered his head and admitted defeat.

Before long,

The three returned home.

Because the old house was too cramped, Wang Sheng immediately bought the house next door as well. After knocking through the courtyard wall, the two houses became one.

Father Wang and Madam Han lived in the old house.

Wang Sheng lived next door with Li Xuan and Wang Qinshi.

The whole family bustled about, naturally drawing the neighbors' attention.

"Oh my, Old Wang, why have you come back? Did Li Manor throw you out?"

A gaunt woman came out from across the street. Years of carrying heavy loads had bent her waist early, and her face was full of weathered lines and wrinkles. Her surprise carried a trace of mockery.

Several other neighbors also emerged, watching them with rather cold eyes.

Compared with Father Wang and Madam Han, ordinary commoners felt their status was higher than that of servants, so they could not be bothered to associate with the Wang Family.

And because Wang Sheng often left early and returned late, focusing on martial arts and keeping an extremely low profile, these women could not find him even if they wanted to learn anything.

"Bullshit from your mother!"

"You think Li Manor could throw me out? Let me tell you, my boy has made something of himself! Master Li personally saw me off with the utmost respect!"

Father Wang immediately became displeased. Looking for trouble, were they? He cursed back on the spot.

"You dog servant, who gave you the nerve to slander Master Li?"

"Wang Sheng has made something of himself? Let me tell you, my son Yumu is a diligent and capable gray-clothed runner. The squad leader has already taken a liking to him, and he is about to become an official blue-clothed runner. From then on, he can arrest whoever he wants. Old Wang, if you apologize to me now, it may still not be too late!"

Though the bent-backed woman was small in stature, her tone was astonishingly grand, as if her son had become the county magistrate himself.

Father Wang's expression stiffened. He was genuinely frightened. After thinking it over, he felt it was not worth bringing a lawsuit upon his family and causing Wang Sheng trouble over a few words, so he wanted to lower his head and admit fault.

He still did not understand the confidence that came with a Bright Force Martial Artist. He felt that the authorities were always far more formidable than martial artists.

"Um, Sister Yu, look, this..."

Father Wang was just about to apologize.

Suddenly,

Someone pushed a one-wheeled cart piled high with goods into Loach Street. Several servant-dressed people escorted it, drawing everyone's attention.

"Master Wang, these are housewarming gifts from my master! There is rice, flour, salt, tea, and several bolts of cloth. It is only a small token of regard, but please be sure to accept it, so that we may return and report back!"

Da Chong, who had previously served as a servant in the Li Family alongside Father Wang, wore a complicated expression. With a broad smile, he hurried over to Father Wang, bowed and scraped, and repeatedly offered congratulations.

They had both been servants before, but because the other man's son had become a Martial Artist, he had leapt across the social divide and become a master!

Da Chong was filled with envy and jealousy. He secretly resolved that he, too, would have more children in the future and send them to practice martial arts.

"Ah, Da Chong, why are you being so polite with me!!!"

Hearing himself addressed as Master Wang, Father Wang grinned from ear to ear. His heart felt so good that even feasting on delicacies from the mountains and seas could not compare.

He knew it was all because his son had become capable that Master Li and Da Chong treated him with such respect!

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Da Chong would surely have said, "With the likes of you, you still dream of becoming a master? You are not even fit to polish a master's shoes!"

"Did I hear that right? You called him... Master Wang???"

Mother Yu, the gaunt woman, stared wide-eyed at the scene before her. Looking at the wooden cart piled high with goods, stormy waves surged in her heart. Her voice trembled as she cried out in disbelief, her face filled with shock.