Martial Arts: My talent multiplier increased

The rumors lingered for three days.

Fang Yuan sat at the stone table in the first-class courtyard, with Fang Ping's account book spread out in front of him.

The numbers are straightforward.

The weekly sales of Qi and Blood Pills dropped from thirty to twenty-four. The old customers of the Mercenary Guild didn't waver much. The slap from Manager Zhao and the personal endorsement from Old Man Chen of Huichuntang were like two iron stakes driven in. Anyone who wanted to spread rumors would have to get past these two hurdles first.

But the outer perimeter was scattered.

The purchasing managers from several small families in the south of the city, who were vying to place orders last week, have all backed out these past two days. It's not that they believed the rumors; it's that they're afraid. Afraid of being associated with Fang Yuan and attracting the attention of the Li family.

Fang Ping squatted down beside him, poking around in the ledger with his finger.

"One hundred and twenty taels. That's 30% less than last week."

Fang Yuan closed the ledger.

One hundred and twenty taels. After deducting the family share of 20%, the net income is ninety-six taels. Adding the income from the standing meditation instruction, the total weekly income is about one hundred and sixty taels.

It wasn't a small amount, but it fell short of the speed he needed.

A level 3 boost to stance training requires 100 taels. I currently have 60 taels in my pocket; I can save up for another week.

The problem isn't the money. The problem is that Li Jue won't give him a week of peace.

The rumors were just an appetizer. Fang Yuan mentally reviewed Li Jue's moves over the past few weeks—blocking channels, cutting off medicinal herbs, stealing formulas, and spreading rumors. Each move was more ruthless than the last, but all were business-related tactics.

Business battles don't kill people.

Li Jue spent over four hundred taels of silver without harming Fang Yuan a hair on his head. This kind of person can tolerate losing money, but absolutely cannot tolerate losing face.

What's the next step?

Fang Yuan unconsciously rubbed his fingers on the stone tabletop twice.

There's a limit to how effective commercial tactics can be. Beyond that, there are only two paths: using official power, or taking direct action.

Li Jue is not stupid. Taking direct action would leave too much leverage, and the Fang family would not sit idly by and watch their core member be crippled.

official.

Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes.

The city guards of Liangshui City are nominally the city lord's direct armed forces, but in reality, the three major families each have fed many people into them. Fang Yuan wasn't sure what level of support the Li family's money could buy within the city guards.

But he was certain of one thing—if Li Jue was going to use the city guards to pressure him, it meant that Li Jue no longer cared about decorum.

People who don't care about table manners are the most dangerous, but also the most prone to making mistakes.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Fang Ping's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"It's alright. Keep a close eye on the guild these next couple of days; the goods will continue to be shipped out as usual."

Fang Ping responded and left.

Fang Yuan sat alone for a while, then got up and went to the martial arts training ground.

Lunch break.

On the training ground, more than thirty disciples were practicing in groups, the sounds of fists and feet clashing echoing throughout. Fang Yuanshan stood on the high platform, hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the entire arena.

Fang Yuan walked to the stance training guidance area on the west side and set up a table.

I've scheduled appointments with six people today, and the first one is already waiting. Fang Yuan just finished adjusting his scapular angle and was preparing to correct the second problem—

A commotion arose from the direction of the entrance to the training ground.

The dozens of students practicing together stopped their movements almost simultaneously.

Outside the main gate, a line of city guards clad in black armor marched in formation. Four men, each with a standard-issue sword at their waist, moved in perfect unison, their armor plates clanging with a crisp metallic sound.

The leader was a squad leader in his early thirties, with a square face, high cheekbones, and small but extremely bright eyes. The qi and blood of the late-stage Body Refinement Realm weighed heavily on his body, giving him a brisk walk.

The two guards at the main gate of the Fang family immediately stopped them.

"The city guards are on official business. Please inform them." The squad leader's voice was neither loud nor soft, but each word seemed to be forced out of his throat, carrying a cold, businesslike tone.

He took out a stack of documents from his pocket and held them in front of his chest.

"Following a joint report from merchants in the city, Fang Yuan, a core member of the Fang family, is suspected of privately manufacturing poisonous pills, causing several people to suffer severe poisoning symptoms. In accordance with Article 7, Section 3 of the Liangshui City Municipal Security Regulations, Fang Yuan must be taken to the city guard garrison for formal investigation."

The sound wasn't loud, but it carried extremely far in the training ground during the afternoon training session.

Dozens of eyes immediately turned to the direction where Fang Yuan was standing.

The faces of the collateral relatives were mostly filled with astonishment and fear. The expressions of the main family members were much more complicated—some shrank back, some craned their necks to watch the spectacle, and some subconsciously glanced in the direction of Fang Cheng and Fang Yong.

Fang Cheng stood at the back of the crowd, his arms crossed over his chest. The corners of his mouth were tightly closed, but the excitement in his eyes was undeniable.

The city guards arrested him. This was much more satisfying than Fang Teng beating up Fang Yuan on the martial arts stage.

Regardless of who wins or loses on the martial arts stage, Fang Yuan remains a core member of the Fang family. However, being taken away by the city guards for investigation changes the nature of the matter—it transforms from an internal dispute into external law enforcement.

Where will the Fang family put their face?

Should the head of the household keep the person or hand them over?

Regardless of which option is chosen, Fang Yuan's aura will shatter.

Fang Cheng wanted to laugh, but he forced himself to hold it back.

The Fang family guards were resolute. Two guards at the mid-stage of the Body Refinement Realm stood on either side of the door, their eyes cold.

"The Fang family's inner courtyard is off-limits to outsiders. Without the elder's authorization, entry will not be permitted."

The squad leader's expression remained unchanged. He stepped forward and handed the document.

"This is the official complaint material, along with the victim's statement and doctor's diagnosis. We're not just here for a casual visit."

"We can hand over the materials to the elders for review. But the person cannot be taken away."

"The regulations stipulate that in the event of an emergency report involving public health, the implementing agency has the right to directly contact the person concerned within a reasonable scope."

"The Fang family's residence is not within the 'reasonable range'."

Both sides held their own version of events, and neither was willing to give in.

The squad leader's face began to darken.

The three city guards behind him simultaneously placed their hands on the hilts of their swords. Not to draw their blades, but as a well-trained, intimidating gesture.

The air froze.

The news spread extremely quickly within the courtyard. In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the corridors near the main gate, behind the courtyard walls, and at the windows of the flower hall were filled with people peeking and looking around.

The disciples in the training ground almost stopped all training and squeezed in twos and threes to a spot where they could see the main gate.

Fang Yuanshan stood on the high platform, the veins on the back of his hand throbbing twice. He didn't go down immediately, but instead glanced at the layout of the training ground.

The main family's children are on the east side, while the collateral family's children are on the west side.

On the host's side, the expressions on several faces made him very uncomfortable—not nervous, but waiting to see a good show.

Fang Yuanshan pursed his lips into a thin line.

The direction of the Third Elder's courtyard.

Fang Teng stood at the second-floor window of the flower hall, looking down at the standoff at the main entrance.

The city guards were mobilized. The informant's materials were presented. The arrests were made publicly.

This is no small matter that the Fang family can easily resolve internally.

Fang Teng's mind worked incredibly fast. The mastermind behind this whole affair was undoubtedly Li Jue. But Li Jue couldn't have fabricated the report out of thin air—he must have used his connections within the city guard. The squad leader's attitude was too forceful; it didn't seem like he'd been given a temporary assignment, but rather that he'd been thoroughly lobbied beforehand.

The city guards' intervention in the Fang family's internal affairs was unprecedented in Liangshui City.

If Fang Yuan is forcibly taken away, even if it's just for "assisting in the investigation," the Fang family's reputation among the three major families will be completely undermined by the Li family.

However, if the Fang family firmly refuses, the city lord's mansion behind the city guards will also have a hard time explaining itself.

Fang Teng's brows were furrowed tightly.

He really wanted to see Fang Yuan suffer. But not in this way. Being defeated by external forces and being dealt with by the family internally are completely different things.