A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

The attic door was flung open with a thud, then slowly closed again due to inertia.

Zhang Hao's figure completely disappeared behind the door.

After a deathly silence, the attic suddenly erupted in uproarious laughter.

"Hahaha, a core disciple of the Black Tiger Martial Arts School? What a spineless coward!"

"He'd risk his life for a woman? This kid's got guts!"

Ding Yong and the others slapped the table, laughing so hard they were doubled over. Their gazes toward Song Fang were filled with undisguised sarcasm and mockery.

The laughter was like sharp steel needles, piercing Song Fang's heart.

She stood frozen in place, as if all her strength had been drained away.

The man who had vowed to stand up for her and personally plead with the Salt Gang abandoned her and fled alone.

It's laughable that she actually thought she had found her ideal husband to entrust her life to, dreaming of living in the inner city and becoming a young mistress.

She looked around nervously at the ravenous Salt Gang members, but her gaze eventually fell on the figure who had remained silent throughout.

Zhou Yuan.

He sat calmly in the main seat, sipping his tea with an indifferent expression, as if everything happening before him was just a farce that had nothing to do with him.

These thugs from the Salt Gang, who had driven him to the brink of despair, were all extremely respectful in his presence, not daring to even breathe loudly.

An indescribable sense of regret surged wildly from the deepest part of Song Fang's heart.

If only... if only I hadn't broken up with him...

"He was just a good-for-nothing, so he's gone."

Xu Zhan, seated at the head of the table, waved his hand, silencing the laughter of the crowd.

He looked Song Fang up and down with great interest, and a strange light appeared on his rugged face.

He was about to speak when he seemed to remember something, turned to look at Zhou Yuan, and instantly put on a respectful smile.

"It's just a private matter within the gang; please excuse me, Master Zhou."

Zhou Yuan put down his teacup, still maintaining his calm and composed demeanor.

"Please do as you please, Chief Xu."

Whether it's the Song siblings or that Zhang Hao, to him they're no different from ordinary passersby on the street. The only connection might be the long-dead marriage contract left behind by his predecessor.

With Zhou Yuan's permission, Xu Zhan finally felt relieved and looked at Song Fang again.

"Your brother harassed my woman; he was in the wrong first."

"Even if it goes to the authorities, I'm in the right."

Xu Zhan spoke slowly and deliberately, as if he were a magnanimous and benevolent person.

"However, I'm in a good mood today, so I can give you, and your Song family, a chance."

Upon hearing the word "opportunity," Song Fang, whose heart had already turned to ashes, subtly flickered her dim eyes.

She looked at Xu Zhan with suspicion, but a deeper sense of foreboding rose in her heart.

What will this opportunity be? And what awaits me?

Xu Zhan ignored her reaction and simply clapped his hands towards the door.

"Bring that blind scoundrel up here."

Soon, two gang members dragged a person in and threw him heavily to the ground.

The man was dressed in rags, covered in wounds, his legs twisted at an odd angle, his face bruised and swollen, and his eyes swollen shut.

It was Song Tao.

As soon as he was dragged in, he smelled the familiar scent of incense in the attic and was terrified. He rolled on the ground, clutching his head and begging for mercy.

"Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! I'll never do it again!"

He shouted incoherently, and suddenly saw his sister Song Fang standing to the side. As if grasping at a lifeline, he scrambled over and clung tightly to Song Fang's leg.

"Sis! Help me! Please help me!"

Looking at her younger brother's miserable state, Song Fang felt both pity and resentment.

If he hadn't been so arrogant and domineering, and hadn't tried to form a gang, how could he have gotten himself into such a terrible mess today!

Suddenly, Song Tao remembered something and looked up urgently, saying, "Sister, let's go find brother-in-law! Let him come and save us! He's a martial artist at the Bone Forging Realm!"

Upon hearing the words "brother-in-law," Song Fang's body trembled violently, and her already pale face lost all color.

The surrounding Salt Gang leaders let out another undisguised sneer.

Ding Yong added sarcastically, "Your so-called brother-in-law? He just abandoned your sister and ran away to save his own life. You're so pathetic, still counting on him."

Upon hearing this, Song Tao froze, his face filled with disbelief.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the young man leisurely sipping tea at the head of the table.

Zhou Yuan!

How did he end up here?

Moreover, judging from his seat, he was clearly a distinguished guest of the Salt Gang!

Song Tao's mind went completely blank for a moment.

Xu Zhan coldly watched the farce unfolding in the hall, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

He ignored Song Tao on the ground and turned his gaze back to Song Fang.

"I told you, I'll show you and your brother a way to survive."

Upon hearing that he had a chance to survive, Song Tao, who was on the ground, immediately perked up. He didn't care why Zhou Yuan was there and hurriedly kowtowed desperately in the direction of Xu Zhan.

"Thank you, guild leader! Thank you, guild leader!"

Xu Zhan didn't even glance at him.

"Recently, a few new brothels have opened in my Salt Gang's territory. However, the locations are a bit out of the way, and the girls inside are all old and faded, so business isn't very good."

"I think you're quite attractive. How about you become the top courtesan?"

As soon as the words were spoken, Song Fang was struck dumb, her face filled with terror and despair.

Song Tao, who was on the ground, was also taken aback.

Zhou Yuan, who was sitting at the table, paused slightly in the hand holding his teacup, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"How about it, think about it?" Xu Zhan clapped his hands again, admiring Song Fang's expression.

A middle-aged woman, dressed in flamboyant clothes and covered in perfume, swayed her hips as she walked in.

As soon as she entered, she greeted Xu Zhan with a smile and bowed, then her shrewd eyes began to dart around Song Fang.

A moment later, she smiled at Xu Zhan and said, "The gang leader has excellent taste! This girl is truly beautiful! That figure, that face, tsk tsk, if she were to enter the brothel, wouldn't all those salt workers doing hard labor outside go crazy?"

Xu Zhan smiled smugly.

It was his idea to open a brothel near the salt fields.

The salt workers' hard-earned money was immediately thrown into the brothels he ran. The money went in one pocket and out the other; not a single penny could be taken out of the salt gang's territory.

However, the salt workers always thought the girls in the building were withered and faded, and were unwilling to spend more money on them.

With such a beautiful young lady as the top courtesan, the brothel's business is sure to boom.

Song Tao, lying on the ground, was ashen-faced.

He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, looked up at Song Fang and said, "Sister... Dad is getting old and his health isn't good. I'll have to take care of him in his old age and see him off when he passes away... How will Dad live without me...?"

"What do you think... how about we just sign it?"

Upon hearing this, not only Song Fang, but even the ruthless leaders of the Salt Gang around them looked at Song Tao with undisguised disdain.

To save his own life, he actually sold his own sister into prostitution.

This thing is worse than an animal!

Song Fang's face was deathly pale as she stared in disbelief at her younger brother.

She never imagined that after taking such a huge risk to save him, she would receive such a response.

"Sister! I beg you! If I stay here any longer, they'll beat me to death!" Song Tao was still shaking Song Fang's arm, pleading desperately.

Song Fang felt cold all over, her vision went black, and she could barely stand.

In just one night, she was betrayed twice.

Utterly despondent.

Zhou Yuan watched this scene and felt a surge of emotion.

Zhang Hao's desertion in the face of battle can still be explained by the principle of seeking advantage and avoiding harm.

But Song Tao, Song Fang's own brother, could actually commit such a beastly act.

Seeing this, the madam immediately stepped forward, supporting the swaying Song Fang, and gently advised, "Girl, listen to my advice. In this chaotic world, what right do we women have to choose? Take it easy, sign this contract, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury and wealth."

"Don't worry, you won't have to entertain guests tomorrow. You can wash and dress up properly first. The day after tomorrow, we'll hold a 'Queen of Flowers' ceremony, and you'll make a grand appearance, stunning those stinky salt workers!"

As she spoke, the madam pulled out a contract and inkpad from her bosom, grabbed Song Fang's cold hand, and was about to press it onto the inkpad.

"That's enough."

Just then, a long sigh echoed clearly in the attic.

"Chief Xu, could you possibly give me, Zhou Yuan, some face today?"

......