Zhou Dabao

The next day.

Before dawn had fully broken, Fang Han rolled out of bed.

He felt for the cloth bundle by the bedside. It clinked with coins—the savings his grandmother had accumulated over most of her life for her funeral expenses.

Fang Han opened the bundle and counted carefully. Between the copper coins and broken silver, there were eight taels in total.

Fang Han stared at the money spread across the cloth bundle, his brows tightly furrowed.

The martial arts school's tuition was thirty taels. They were still short twenty-two taels.

That was a terrifyingly huge gap!

As for the remaining twenty-two taels, he had no idea whether his grandfather could find a way to get them.

Just as he was thinking, he heard movement from the outer room.

After getting dressed and walking out, Fang Han saw his grandfather, Fang Yuanshan, wearing a jacket with only one patch on it, still looking fairly new. Without a word, he headed out into the yard.

Fang Han knew his grandfather was going to the main Fang Household in the city, to borrow money from those relatives of the same clan.

But though they were called family, they had rarely kept in touch for a long time. There was hardly any blood affection left to speak of.

His grandfather's trip would most likely be in vain.

Fang Han understood that clearly. He did not stop him, nor could he have stopped the stubborn old man.

In the old kitchen.

His eldest brother, Fang Ding, wolfed down a coarse grain pancake in a few bites, gulped down a bowl of cold water, wiped his mouth, and headed out.

Fang Han watched his brother's broad back disappear into the morning mist. His steps were much quicker than usual.

The dock laborers were paid by the load. The earlier one arrived, the more sacks one could carry, and the more copper coins one could earn.

Fang Han's heart warmed, then turned a little sour.

After greeting his mother and younger sister, Fang Han left as well.

As he passed the stove, he casually grabbed a coarse grain pancake and tucked it into his clothes. It was his food for the day.

The thin mist had yet to disperse.

Fang Han poled the small, battered fishing boat toward the Dragon King River.

The little fishing boat slipped through the fog, its oars entering the water without a sound.

At this hour, there was still hardly anyone on the river. Only a few water birds, startled by the oars, flapped into the river mist and swiftly vanished.

In truth, there was a story behind the Dragon King River.

Rumor had it that a powerful Flood Serpent Monster lived in the river.

In earlier years, it often stirred up wind and waves, capsizing fishing boats and devouring fishermen, terrifying the nearby people out of their wits.

Azure Cloud City was also a remote little city. There were only a few Martial Artists in the government office, and none of them were experts. They were no match for the Flood Serpent Monster at all.

Later, the Dragon King Gang suddenly appeared in the Outer City. They went around persuading people that as long as a pair of young boy and girl were offered to the Flood Serpent Monster in the river every year on the fifth day of the fifth month, the river would remain calm for an entire year.

At first, naturally, no one believed them.

But that year, the Flood Dragon Demon caused terrible havoc. Several times more fishermen died than in previous years, and even passing merchant ships did not dare approach Azure Cloud City's docks.

The government office had no choice but to secretly acquiesce to the Dragon King Gang.

They allowed the Dragon King Gang to draw lots and select two children as offerings to the Flood Dragon Demon.

Strangely enough.

Over the following year, the river truly remained calm, and no further accidents occurred.

From then on, it became a custom. This was now the seventh year.

Fang Han did not know whether there really was a Flood Dragon Demon in the river.

But it was better to believe than not. Having lived two lives, he had become even more cautious. Naturally, he did not venture into the middle of the river, only casting his nets near the shore.

Just as he was casting his net, a small fishing boat emerged from the fog.

Fang Han looked up and saw an acquaintance—Chen You's older brother, Chen Xiao!

When Chen Xiao saw Fang Han, he froze for a moment before pulling his lips into a smile.

There was something indescribably strange about that smile. It was as though he were seeing Fang Han for the first time, sizing him up from head to toe.

"Well, if it isn't little brother Fang Han," Chen Xiao said, poling his boat closer. "You're fine now? Still able to come out and fish?"

Fang Han did not answer.

Chen Xiao was not annoyed and continued on his own. "My little brother joined a martial arts school yesterday. From now on, he's a martial arts school disciple. Someday, he'll become a Martial Artist."

Fang Han's heart sank at those words.

He knew Chen You's circumstances all too well. Like himself, Chen You was one of the lowest mud-legged poor from Mud Bay Alley, perhaps even poorer than Fang Han's family.

Could the Chen Household really afford thirty taels of tuition with such a poor background?

In an instant, Fang Han understood.

It was that Spirit Fish!

He had been extraordinarily lucky to catch a Spirit Fish, only for that bastard Chen You to secretly attack him and steal it to sell. The money from the sale was just enough for him to join the martial arts school!

"Damn it, what a fucking beast!"

"When you see my brother from now on, stay far away," Chen Xiao said as he poled his boat slowly past Fang Han, lowering his voice. "Some things should be forgotten when they ought to be forgotten. Keep dwelling on them, and sooner or later, trouble will come looking for you. Who knows when loose lips might bring disaster."

After saying that.

Chen Xiao poled his boat away and disappeared into the fog.

The veins on Fang Han's hand bulged as he gripped the oar.

His face remained expressionless as he poled his boat away, but it felt as if a fire were burning in his chest.

Chen You!

Fang Han etched that name firmly into his heart.

That man had harmed his life and stolen his opportunity!

If he did not avenge this grievance, the hatred in his heart would never ease!

Fang Han took several deep breaths before barely calming down and continuing to cast his nets.

After working all morning, he had made some gains.

They could not compare to a Spirit Fish worth thirty taels, but they could still sell for more than a dozen copper coins.

Fang Han packed away the fish, poled his boat back to shore, and sold them at the fish market for a little over a dozen coins before pocketing the money and heading home.

The moment he entered the yard, Fang Han stopped short.

Four young men stood in the yard. Their leader was bald, with a face full of flesh and vicious eyes.

Fang Han recognized the bald man. His name was Zhou Dabao, a member of the Dragon King Gang.

He was in charge of this part of Mud Bay Alley, with six or seven lackeys under him. He usually ran rampant through Mud Bay Alley and committed every kind of evil. The residents would take detours whenever they saw him.

Grandmother Madam Liu was forcing a smile as she hunched over and said something to Zhou Dabao.

When Zhou Dabao saw Fang Han return, his gloomy gaze swept over him. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "The Fang Household's second boy is back? Good. Saves me another trip tomorrow."

At those words.

Fang Han's heart skipped a beat, though he kept a smile on his face. "Master Bao, what brings you here? If you need something, just send word."

"Need something?"

Zhou Dabao sneered. "Fine, then I'll tell you what I need. Ten days from now, on the fifth day of the fifth month, is the grand day of the River God Festival.

By custom, every household was supposed to contribute three taels of silver as an offering in previous years. This year is a little special, so it's been raised to five taels.

Your family needs to produce five taels of silver as an offering to the River God."

Five taels?!

Fang Han's heart tightened.

The family had only just scraped together eight taels of funeral savings, and they were still twenty-two taels short of the martial arts school tuition. Now another five taels for an offering had appeared!

"If you can't produce the River God offering..."

Before Fang Han could speak, Zhou Dabao dragged out his words. His cold triangular eyes fell on Fang Rui, who stood behind Chen Cui, her face already pale with fright.

"Then either you or your older brother signs a three-year indenture contract with our Dragon King Gang.

Or you offer up this little girl from your family as this year's maiden for the River God Festival."

Fang Rui trembled all over at those words and burst into tears.

Chen Cui hurriedly pulled her into her arms in terror, soothing her softly while her own eyes reddened with fear.

Zhou Dabao stepped forward and heavily patted Fang Han on the shoulder, making his body sway.

"Kid, look on the bright side. A girl is a money-losing burden even when she grows up. Sooner or later, she'll belong to another family.

Offer her up, and your family will save five taels of silver. You'll also get a year of calm waters, and you might pull in a few more nets of fish afterward. It's not a loss."

Fang Han wore a smile, but rage blazed in his heart. He wanted nothing more than to fight Zhou Dabao right then and there.

But he held himself back.

He was no match for him yet.

Zhou Dabao belonged to the Dragon King Gang, had several lackeys under him, and had learned martial arts himself.

With Fang Han's current abilities, fighting Zhou Dabao would be no different from courting death.

"You must be joking, Master Bao," Fang Han said, still smiling. "I'll definitely gather the five taels within ten days. I won't make things difficult for you."

Zhou Dabao narrowed his triangular eyes and stared at him for a long while before nodding. "At least you know what's good for you. Ten days. I'll be waiting."

With that, Zhou Dabao waved a hand and swaggered away with his lackeys.

After Zhou Dabao and his group had gone far away, the smile on Fang Han's face gradually disappeared.

He turned around. His mother held his younger sister, her face filled with sorrow and her eyes helpless.

Grandmother Madam Liu sighed repeatedly, muttering, "What are we going to do? What are we going to do?"

Fang Han took a deep breath and walked over. "Mother, don't be afraid."

His voice was soft but steady. "I'll find a way within ten days."

Chen Cui looked up at Fang Han. Her lips moved as though she wanted to say something, but all she managed was, "You... be careful."

Fang Han nodded. He already had a plan in mind, so he said no more.