Hua Force

Early spring.

Although the Ten Thousand Mountains had entered what the common folk called the beginning of spring in March, heavy snow had sealed the mountains for months without stopping.

This year's snow was exceptionally abnormal, so severe that even the grand hunting feast jointly held by the major trading houses had to be postponed, with no date in sight.

Countless villagers had starved to death. A large portion barely survived on their neighbors' charity, yet still cried misery to the heavens.

A heavy snowfall had cut off their former businesses, opportunities for labor, and hopes of going into the mountains to hunt and fill their bellies.

And because the snow was so fierce, even the roads connecting the county town and the major villages had all been sealed shut.

Duan Xuan's two childhood friends, Zhao Rui and Liu Chunmei, had not even been able to return for the New Year, for safety's sake.

Benevolent Harmony Hall.

Ren Xiaofei led several Ren Family disciples in sweeping the area before their storefront spotless.

Inside the hall's reception area, Duan Xuan, Ren Yu, Ren Yun, Zhou Wei, and Ren Wanqing sat together, chatting merrily.

"Brother Duan, thanks to your Demon Cores, the alchemists of Benevolent Harmony Hall have already achieved considerable results.

"At most, within a month, they will certainly develop the first true imitation for you!"

Ever since Benevolent Harmony Hall had won that boxing match and taken all of White Jade Hall's business territory in Yellow Snake County's outer counties,

the haggard face that had been filled with worry every day suddenly looked completely renewed.

She was now radiant, carrying the charm of a mature woman in her thirties.

The purple hairpin atop her head matched her purple cotton dress perfectly.

"Xu Song did not deceive me," Duan Xuan thought,