The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Li Family Grocery Store, Li Canghai's Residence.

The once-grand shop is now completely empty, with bare walls on all sides.

Those in the know naturally understood that Li Canghai and his wife had sold off all their stock at a low price to cover their son Li Hao's expenses for learning martial arts at the martial arts school.

The atmosphere in the backyard was rather bleak at this moment.

The family sat around a small table for their meal. On the table sat only a bamboo basket containing a few shriveled cornbread buns and a small dish of pickled vegetables. The porridge bowls for the four people were so clear that their reflections could be seen in them.

Li Canghai silently ate his cornbread without saying a word.

He used to be a chubby, fair-skinned man, but over the past few days, he has visibly become much thinner.

The cheap perfume scent of Li Taoshi was long gone; her face was sallow and she had little spirit.

Li Hao picked up a cornbread, took a bite, and his brows furrowed into a knot. He then slammed his chopsticks down on the table, making quite a commotion.

"Steamed cornbread, steamed cornbread, why is it steamed cornbread again? How can I have the energy to practice martial arts if I eat this stuff every day?"

Li Tao was heartbroken and secretly kicked Li Canghai's foot.

Li Canghai kept his head down and didn't look at her, his cheeks puffing out as he chewed the coarse grain in his mouth.

Li Tao rolled her eyes at him. "Father, Xiao Hao is right. The child's martial arts exam is just around the corner; how can he not get proper nourishment?"

Li Canghai was taken aback, and his brows furrowed even more.

But what other options did he have?

But what could he do? He had given up everything, even his own savings for his funeral, to his son.

He can't conjure up money now.

Seeing that her husband didn't respond, Li Tao continued, "Father, Aunt Wang at the vegetable market in the east village has always been on good terms with me. She has connections and can get some cheap meat; it's a rare opportunity. How about... you go borrow some more money, and I'll go buy a few pounds?"

Li Canghai's hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.

He's borrowed from everyone he knows and everyone he doesn't know. Now he's afraid to go out, worried that the elderly people he used to know will turn around and run away when they see him.

"Xiao Hao, if all else fails, you should try to find a temporary post outside..." Li Canghai suggested tentatively.

Li Haoteng stood up abruptly: "A temporary post? If I go on a temporary post, where will I find the time to practice my skills? Besides, if I go out on a temporary post, what will my friends think of me?"

Li Tao quickly chimed in, "Yes, we can't let the child lose face in front of his friends. Didn't we say last time that if the Ye family's daughter finds out about this, she'll definitely think our family is poor? If this marriage falls through, it will ruin Xiao Hao's future for life!"

Upon hearing the mention of the Ye family, Li Hao immediately lost his temper and sat back down dejectedly.

Ye Wenqing's heart was no longer with him.

That so-called marriage agreement had long been torn up cleanly by Master Ye in front of everyone.

He was already ashamed to tell his family the truth, and now that he had spent so much money on Ye Wenqing, he was even more afraid to let his family know.

No one spoke at the dinner table; a heavy cloud of gloom hung over the family.

With a creak.

A woman with a square face walked in with small steps, carrying a bamboo basket in her hand.

"Xiao Hao, look what delicious food your aunt has brought you!" Li Changhong exclaimed excitedly as she lifted the curtain.

The visitor was Li Canghai's younger sister and Li Hao's aunt.

The bamboo basket was lifted, and a fragrant aroma filled the air; inside was a plump chicken, stewed until tender.

"Changhong, you...you killed the old hen that lays eggs at home?" Li Canghai's voice trembled.

Li Changhong nodded, his expression calm: "The martial arts exam is just around the corner, and it's the most crucial moment for Xiao Hao. We can't afford to delay it."

"Thank you, Auntie." Li Hao tore off a chicken leg and ate it with his mouth full of oil.

The sound of swallowing saliva could be clearly heard in the small courtyard.

Li Canghai licked his lips and casually reached for the stewed chicken, only to have it immediately knocked back by Li Taoshi with a chopstick.

"This is for Xiao Hao to practice martial arts! Don't you have any shame?! Look at you, lying at home all day, unwilling to do anything. I must have been blind to have fallen for you..."

As she spoke, Li Taoshi began to sob and wipe away her tears.

Li Canghai felt extremely aggrieved.

Her family was just an ordinary family back then. She married him because she was interested in his family's general store.

Now that the shop is gone, he has become worthless and disliked.

After Li Changhong offered a few words of comfort, Li Taoshi finally stopped crying.

"Xiao Hao, how are things going with Master Ye's daughter lately?" Li Changhong deliberately changed the subject and asked Li Hao.

Li Hao stammered for a while, "...It'll be the same as before. Once I pass the martial arts exam and earn the title of martial arts master, won't the Ye family's daughter be begging me for a ride..."

"That's ambitious!" Li Changhong praised. "Auntie knows you can do it. The hopes of our Li family rest entirely on your shoulders. You must live up to their expectations!"

Li Hao swallowed a mouthful of chicken, patted his chest, and said, "Auntie, don't worry, your nephew will do his best. If I ever achieve success in the future, I will never forget your kindness and will certainly take good care of you as I would my own mother!"

"Xiao Hao is so clever, eloquent, and lovable." Li Changhong reached out and patted Li Hao's head, her face full of satisfaction. "He will achieve great things one day. Your aunt will be waiting for your good news at home."

A rare smile appeared on Li Canghai's face, and his brows relaxed considerably: "Xiao Hao, our family is counting on you. You must do well in this martial arts exam."

Li Hao shrank back: "Father, man proposes, God disposes. I will do my best."

……

The following day, at the Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.

However, a few disciples were still absentmindedly gathered together chatting and laughing.

Most of them had given up hope of taking the martial arts exam.

"I heard that this year's martial arts exam is more difficult than in previous years..." Jiang Ning murmured.

Qi Xiuyuan fiddled with the folding fan in his hand, a bitter smile on his face: "This year's newly emerging talents, plus those who failed in previous years, number no less than a thousand. But there are only ten spots available. It's no exaggeration to say that it's like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge."

"Have you heard of Xiao Yichen from Tianlong Martial Arts School?" a disciple asked, approaching him.

Qi Xiuyuan unfurled his folding fan with a clatter: "Last year's eleventh place finisher, narrowly missed the mark by a single move, shed tears in the examination hall. Now, after another year of arduous training, he's making a comeback. Xiao Yichen's goal this time is probably to reach the top of the list." Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement.

"And then there's Sun Lu from the Tiger Might Martial Arts School, another rare genius disciple. I personally witnessed her prowess at a sparring match once..."

"Teng Wenjie of Qingfeng Martial Arts School, Shi Dazhuang of Iron Fist Manor, Yan Wushuang of Xiaoxiang Martial Arts School... each one of them is a household name. This year's martial arts exam can truly be described as a battle of a hundred schools of thought, a clash of gods."

As they were discussing this, Lu Qing stepped into the courtyard.

He glanced around coldly, finally fixing his gaze on Li Yuan. He paused for a few moments before walking to his seat.

He looked even more haggard lately, but the look in his eyes when he looked at Li Yuan held a rather profound meaning.

Li Yuan naturally felt that gaze, but he didn't want to pay attention to it and just practiced his skills step by step.

The martial arts exam is just one point in a long career, far from the whole story.

Even though the progress I'm making right now is pitifully small, and there's little hope of raising my level to the next level before the martial arts exam, I need to have a long-term vision and make myself stronger, that's the real key.

Inside the room, Lin Chong gazed at the gradually darkening sky outside the window and gently placed the teacup he was holding back on the table.

People, you really can't deny getting old.

Back in the day, I was a grandmaster of internal energy, and I could take down an entire gang all by myself without breaking a sweat.

As I get older, my blood and energy decline, and old injuries and hidden wounds from the past recur from time to time. Whenever I think of the past, I can't help but feel a sense of regret.

"Master, it's time to administer the medicine."

Yang Cheng brought in the medicine.

Lin Chong drank the bitter medicine in one gulp, then let out a long sigh.

"Master, do you think I have any hope of winning this martial arts exam?" Yang Cheng asked.

Lin Chong remained silent for a moment, then finally shook his head: "It's difficult. Although you took the longest to break through to the Dark Force realm, in every aspect... you can't be considered the most outstanding."

Yang Cheng's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't take it too seriously.

Having experienced several setbacks and failures in the martial arts exams, he had long since become indifferent to them.

Some people are destined to be protagonists, while mediocre people will probably never get to the top.

"Between Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Lu, which one do you think has a better chance?"

Lin Chong glanced at the two figures practicing outside the window and couldn't help but smile bitterly. He thought to himself: If only I could combine the two of them into one—with Li Yuan's steadiness and diligence, and Lu Qing's intelligence, agility, and heaven-defying talent.

He chuckled twice, then composed himself and said solemnly, "If we're talking about the two of them, Lu Qing has a better chance. This year, the hopes of the Qingniu Martial Arts Club rest almost entirely on his shoulders."

……

"Are you perhaps Brother Li Yuan?"

On the deserted street, a voice rang out from behind.

Li Yuan, who was walking home, turned around, his brows furrowed slightly: "Who are you?"

A glint flashed in the man's eyes, and a warm expression appeared on his face: "My surname is Meng."

"Master Meng, what business do you have with me?"

This person's aura was refined, and his cultivation was definitely no less than that of the Dark Force. Li Yuan naturally remained somewhat wary.

The martial arts instructor, Meng, stepped forward with a smile, cupped his hands, and said, "With the martial arts exam approaching, I have prepared a small gift. Please do not refuse, Brother Li." As he spoke, a servant beside him handed over a small money pouch. "It's just a small token of my appreciation."

Li Yuan frowned but did not reach out to take it.

"Oh, look at my memory." The man patted his forehead. "I recently took over this area of ​​Lanshan Town. I heard that Brother Li lives in Wutong Lane, so I made a special trip to visit him."

"No problem." Li Yuan then took the money bag, weighed it in his hand, and found it contained about a dozen taels of loose silver.

When a newly formed gang takes over a territory, it must pay respects to the prominent figures on the ground, a process known as "testing the waters" to ascertain their background and distinguish between friend and foe.

This is simply the rule of the martial arts world.

"There are some things I'll need to ask Master Li for advice on in the future." Master Meng felt relieved after seeing that Li Yuan had accepted the money pouch, and immediately clasped his hands in a fist and smiled.

"Master Meng, you flatter me."

"Alas, the world is truly in chaos these days. First, the Sky Wolf Gang was wiped out overnight, then the Four Seas Society... and only a few days have passed. Making a living as a gang is no longer easy." Martial Master Meng sighed, his words quite earnest. Then, his tone suddenly shifted, "I've heard that even earlier, there was a Black Tiger Gang, supposedly destroyed by the Four Seas Society. Martial Master Li, do you know the details? How exactly did the Black Tiger Gang's leader die?"

"I don't know," Li Yuan replied calmly, his face expressionless.

"Alright, alright. Then I won't bother you any longer. Martial Master Li is welcome to visit my Siping Gang whenever he has free time." After saying this, Martial Master Meng clasped his hands in a salute, then turned and left with his servant.

Li Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

On the surface, this person came to pay his respects, but in his conversations, he was always subtly trying to find out information.

Just then, Li Yuan overheard the hushed conversation between the departing master and servant.

"Master Ren..."

Li Yuan suddenly stopped.

Renye?

His surname is Meng.

Meng Ren.

Aren?

On the day Meng San died, he mentioned this name, as if all the Black Tiger Gang's hopes for a comeback were pinned on this man named "A Ren".

Suddenly, Li Yuan's blood and qi surged up.

This isn't a visit to pay respects; it's clearly a show of force to intimidate others!

He calmly put away the money pouch, turned around, and slowly attached it to the pouch.

On the banks of the Blackwater River, near the dock.

The already desolate dock square became deserted as soon as it got dark.

These days, poor families don't have much entertainment, and in order to save money on lamp oil, most of them have developed the habit of resting at sunset.

At this moment, a gentle breeze blew across the river plaza, and not a single person could be seen in sight.

Meng Ren and his servant walked under the dim moonlight.

"Master Ren...Third Master died a horrible death, his skull was even smashed open...Do you think it could have been that kid who did it?"

"I'm not entirely sure yet," Meng Ren thought to himself, his mind racing.

Even as he faced death, Ding Zhen remained stubbornly silent, refusing to utter a single word.

But his trusted subordinates were spineless; they confessed everything at the slightest intimidation—claiming that someone had deliberately revealed Third Brother's hiding place to the Four Seas Society.

By the time the members of the Four Seas Society arrived, Third Brother's head had already been smashed and his body was cold.

The servant beside him said bitterly, "This grudge cannot be left like this."

"Of course not!" Meng Ren's eyes welled up with excitement. "If it weren't for my brother saving money to support my martial arts training back then, how could I, Meng Ren, have gotten to where I am today? Later, I got carried away and committed a murder, offending someone I couldn't afford to offend. It was my brother who spent money everywhere to smooth things over and get me sent far away from the city... Without my brother, there would be no me today."

"Master Ren, it's better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. Since we suspect that kid, why don't we take action now..." The servant made a throat-slitting gesture.

"What's the rush!" Meng Ren hissed. "That kid's internal energy cultivation is at the Dark Force level. I've recently sensed signs of breaking through to the Transformation Force stage, and I still have a Small Qi Cultivation Pill left. Tonight, I'll use that pill's power to break through the bottleneck. Once I reach the Transformation Force stage, killing him will be as easy as crushing an ant!"

"Congratulations, Master Ren! May you achieve great success!" the servant hurriedly said.

The servant's gaze grew increasingly cold and sharp: "By then, I'll make sure that brat dies a horrible death..."

Before he could finish speaking, a string of blood bubbles suddenly appeared in the servant's mouth, making a continuous gurgling sound.

His eyes were wide open like copper bells, filled with doubt and fear. He swayed and fell straight to the ground.

A "wolf fang" dagger was deeply embedded in his back.

"Who?!"

Meng Ren cried out in alarm, his hair standing on end.

(P.S.: Sorry for the late post today. I messed up the timing. I didn't cut the book out, so only 10,000 words were uploaded.)