Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Zhou Cheng's eyes.

He hadn't expected Fang Xia to agree so decisively; she had clearly hesitated before.

As the thought crossed his mind, Zhou Cheng smiled with satisfaction: "Good! Junior Brother You's initial plan is to provide you with five taels of silver and three bottles of body-tempering ointment every month."

As long as you break through to the meat barrier within six months, the funding will continue and may be increased depending on the situation.

If you can perform well in the subsequent martial arts tournament and prove your potential, the amount of funding will be increased.

Furthermore, if you attempt to break through to the next level, the You family will provide even more valuable resources as appropriate.

Upon hearing these specific conditions, Fang Xia finally felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.

Five taels of silver plus three bottles of ointment—that's almost equivalent to an average family's total annual income!

More importantly, with a stable source of resources, there is no longer any need to worry about ointments.

........

Fang Xia walked steadily, shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Cheng, out of Sanyang Hall.

Before parting, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhou Cheng again: "Thank you for your introduction, Senior Brother Zhou. I will remember it forever."

Zhou Cheng waved his hand, a look of satisfaction on his face: "Go, cultivate diligently, and don't waste this opportunity."

He greatly admired Fang Xia's character.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so proactive in mediating!

After bidding farewell to Zhou Cheng, Fang Xia turned and went home.

As I walked through the streets and alleys, I got closer and closer to home.

The somber atmosphere of the working class in the streets and alleys became increasingly clear.

The air was filled with the smell of cooking smoke.

At the narrow alley entrance, Fang Xia's eyes sharpened instantly.

Inside the alley, three figures, some burly and others sleazy, were pacing back and forth.

Their gazes were like hooks, their peripheral vision never leaving the Fang family's courtyard gate.

As soon as Fang Xia appeared, the three of them became like startled birds.

Upon recognizing Fang Xia, they all took a half-step back, their faces instantly showing undisguised panic.

His eyes darted away, avoiding Fang Xia's gaze.

The mysterious disappearance of Huang Laizi and his two companions, who were neither alive nor dead, had already spread throughout the Black Tiger Gang.

Scarface Liu, Shorty Qi, and Crooked Mouth Zhang all privately believed that the boy in front of them was inextricably linked to him.

That fear was etched into my very bones.

However, after being tempered by the "Qi Sensing Technique," Fang Xia's perception far surpassed that of others of the same level, allowing him to grasp something even deeper.

Their fear was real, but beneath that fear lay a sinister undercurrent.

The three of them either lowered their heads or looked away.

But her eyes never left him out of the corner of her eye!

"Hmph, Peng Heihu..." Fang Xia sneered inwardly, a chilling killing intent suddenly surging within him.

"The bodies of Huang Laizi and the other two are probably not even cold yet, and they've already sent people here again in such a hurry?"

It seems that Song Baishan, that scapegoat, didn't teach him the slightest lesson!

"They're here to keep watch...to figure out my whereabouts?"

Still looking for another opportunity to strike? They're truly undeterred!

Anger burned within him, and Fang Xia's eyes turned icy cold, a fleeting glint of cold light in them.

He almost couldn't control himself and wanted to make a move!

"No! Now is not the time..."

With a quick thought, Fang Xia suppressed her boiling killing intent.

"The situation is turbulent right now. The relocation funding has just been agreed upon, and it is not advisable to break ties with the Black Tiger Gang at this time."

If we were to take the initiative to injure someone, wouldn't that play right into Peng Biao's hands?

He probably hopes I'll lose my temper so he can get rid of me openly and legitimately!

Fang Xia took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in her heart.

"We must be patient and accumulate strength! Peng Biao, we'll settle this score later!"

With a thought racing through her mind, Fang Xia's expression remained calm and composed.

He ignored the three of them.

He walked straight past the three people without looking to either side.

Fang Xia's indifference sent chills down the spines of Scarface Liu and his two companions, their hearts pounding like drums.

They didn't dare to breathe loudly, much less leave.

Fang Xia pushed open the courtyard gate, but the heavy wooden door closed, blocking the view from outside.

..........

The next morning, the morning exercise at Sanyangtang ended.

The shouts on the training ground gradually subsided, and the disciples dispersed in twos and threes.

Following Zhou Cheng's instructions, Fang Xia passed through several moon gates and arrived at a quiet and elegant spot in the inner courtyard.

The plaque bears three small ancient seal characters: "Qinyun Residence".

Far from the hustle and bustle, this place is nestled among clumps of bamboo, with artificial hills and flowing water.

The air was filled with a faint, fresh scent of grass and trees, clearly indicating that the place had been carefully tended.

The interior furnishings are simple yet elegant, featuring a rosewood tea table and several round-backed chairs.

You Qian had been waiting here for a long time.

He wore a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns and a jade belt around his waist, exuding a calm and reserved demeanor.

Upon seeing Fang Xia enter, he stood up to greet him, a gentle smile spreading across his plump face: "Junior Brother Fang, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

"Senior Brother You." Fang Xia clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, his voice clear and resonant.

He sat down opposite You Qian, his eyes clear, without the slightest hint of obsequiousness towards his benefactor.

A hint of appreciation flashed in You Qian's eyes, and he gestured for a servant in blue robes standing beside him to step forward.

The attendant respectfully presented a contract document.

"Junior Brother Fang," You Qian said, pointing to the document in a calm tone.

"The funding conditions were explained to you by Senior Brother Zhou yesterday."

Five taels of silver and three bottles of superior body-tempering ointment per month for a period of six months.

The requirement is to break through the flesh barrier within six months and make a contribution at the martial arts tournament.

"Take a look and see. If you have any objections, please feel free to speak up."

Fang Xia nodded, picked up the contract, and began to read it carefully, word by word.

He knew the importance of contracts, especially when resources were involved, and there was no room for carelessness.

His own shortcomings urgently required resources to compensate, which made him cherish this contract immensely.

The terms were clear and exactly as Zhou Cheng had said.

After confirming that everything was correct, Fang Xia put down the contract and looked up at You Qian: "The terms are clear and there are no objections."

"I will forever remember Senior Brother You's kindness and will certainly live up to your expectations!"

After saying that, he picked up the pen and signed his name at the end of the contract.

"Great!" You Qian's smile deepened, clearly very satisfied with Fang Xia's straightforwardness.

He took out a small indigo package and pushed it in front of Fang Xia: "This is this month's subsidy, Junior Brother Fang, please accept it."

Fang Xia took the package with both hands; it felt slightly heavy.

Upon opening it, one finds five silver ingots and three small white jade medicine bottles.

Upon gently opening the bottle, a pure and rich medicinal aroma wafts out, refreshing and delightful.

Just smelling the medicinal fragrance seemed to subtly activate the blood and qi within Fang Xia's body.

With this resource in hand, Fang Xia finally relaxed a little.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute again and looked at You Qian: "Thank you, Senior Brother You!"

With the contract finalized, the atmosphere inside Qinyun Residence became even more harmonious.

With a relaxed expression, You Qian personally picked up the purple clay teapot and poured Fang Xia a cup of tea.

The tea soup was clear and emerald green, with a lingering fragrance.

"Junior Brother Fang." You Qian took a sip of tea and spoke casually, his tone carrying a hint of sincerity.

"Although your natural talent is only below level C, your understanding and temperament are truly rare."

Given time, it will surely achieve something.

He paused, his gaze sharpening slightly, "There are some messages that ordinary disciples have difficulty accessing."

Now that we have reached an agreement, I might as well explain a few points, just to broaden your horizons.

Fang Xia immediately sat up straight, put down her teacup, and looked at You Qian: "Senior Brother You, please speak. Fang Xia is all ears."

He knew that You Qian came from a wealthy family, and the "information" he spoke of was "secret information" that ordinary martial artists could hardly access.

You Qian smiled slightly and began to speak in detail.

He casually mentioned the delicate balance and potential friction among the prominent families in Heishan County.

It points out the connection between Tongbao Trading Company and a powerful force in the county town.

This hints at certain "special routes" used by the Weiyuan Escort Agency.

They even casually mentioned a certain county official who was a Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm cultivator, and who had once killed a mid-level demon with a single palm strike...

This information opened a door for Fang Xia to a wider world.

The complex web of power dynamics within the county, the distribution channels for precious resources, and the terrifying strength of truly powerful martial artists…

A world far more magnificent and turbulent than the martial arts training at Sanyang Hall slowly unfolded before him.

Fang Xia listened intently, her eyes sparkling.

The shadow of the Black Tiger Gang seems to have been temporarily dispelled.

During the conversation, You Qian changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "By the way, Junior Brother Fang, there's something important I need to remind you to prepare for."

Fang Xia keenly sensed the change in atmosphere and leaned forward slightly: "Senior Brother You, please speak."

"The autumn hunt is about to begin," You Qian uttered.

"Autumn hunt?" Fang Xia frowned slightly; the term was somewhat unfamiliar to him.

Fang Xia instinctively sensed the immense weight contained within it.

"That's right." You Qian nodded and explained, "Deep in the Black Mountain Range, demons lurk, wreaking havoc in the countryside and harassing villages."

Although those demonic beasts are muddled and lack intelligence, they represent a reserve force for the proliferation and growth of demons; if they are not eradicated, the consequences will be endless.

Fang Xia nodded slightly, explaining that the so-called demons were simply intelligent monsters.

The essential difference between the two lies in whether or not one possesses wisdom.

Demons possess intelligence, and therefore are cunning and cruel.

The threat is far greater than that of the muddled and confused monsters.

Therefore, every autumn when the horses are fat and the demons in the mountains are most rampant.

In the county town, the Demon Suppression Division would take the lead, uniting major martial arts schools and families to organize their capable disciples to go on an "autumn hunt" in the mountains.

"To eradicate the monsters in the mountains, strike at the root of demons, and safeguard the peace of this region."

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "Furthermore, the path of martial arts is ultimately a path of slaughter!"

Those who only practice stances and punches in martial arts schools, and engage in sparring and competitions, are ultimately like flowers in a greenhouse, unlikely to achieve great things.

The autumn hunt is a time for each family to hone their young disciples!

Unleashing your potential, honing your skills, and tempering your will in real, bloody combat is the true shortcut to a higher level!

Fang Xia's heart skipped a beat, and the thrill of killing Huang Laizi and the other two came flooding back to her.

That was indeed completely different from sparring at a martial arts school!

Seeing the glint in Fang Xia's eyes, You Qian then explained the benefits of the autumn hunt.

"Of course, risks are often accompanied by huge rewards."

Those monsters are treasures from head to toe!

Its fur can be used to make nails, its tendons and bones can be used in medicine, and its flesh and blood are a highly nourishing substance containing abundant blood and qi essence.

The so-called "demon meat" served in martial arts schools is actually mostly the meat of demonic beasts.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xia's eyes lit up.

Demon flesh is very precious; it can not only nourish blood and qi, but also help break through external cultivation levels.

His family's resources were too meager; even with the You family's financial support, it was still far from enough for his martial arts cultivation.

If he can gain something from the autumn hunt, it will be a good thing for him.

Furthermore, since autumn hunts are meant to hone skills, they must be led by experts.

It is much less dangerous than hunting alone.

You should know that many martial artists go into the mountains alone to hunt monsters in order to cultivate their skills.

Seeing Fang Xia's interest, You Qian couldn't help but sigh, "If we could be lucky enough to hunt down a 'lower-level demon,' the rewards would be even more astonishing!"

The amount ranged from several hundred taels of silver to nearly a thousand taels!

If it's a mid-level demon, it's worth several thousand taels! As for a high-level demon…”

A hint of longing flashed in You Qian's eyes, "Its value of ten thousand taels of silver is no exaggeration!"

"Last autumn, the Han family in the inner city hunted down a high-ranking demon called 'One-Horned Crocodile,' which was worth no less than 30,000 taels of silver!"

The Xiao family, in collaboration with several experts, laid a trap and hunted down the infamous "White Mountain Lord," shocking the entire Black Mountain County.

Fang Xia nodded silently. Demons are divided into lower, middle, and upper ranks.

The lower-ranking demons are equivalent to external martial artists, possessing more intelligence compared to demonic beasts.

A mid-level demon is equivalent to an internal martial artist, while a high-level demon is at least at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm.

As for innate demons, they are called great demons.

Deep within the Black Mountain Range dwells a powerful innate demon, which is the root cause of why demons and monsters are so difficult to eradicate.

"Sanyang Hall is a major venue in the county, and its autumn hunts have yielded considerable harvests over the years."

You Qian added at the end: "Even ordinary disciples of the Pi Guan realm who participated received at least a hundred taels of silver last year!"

This is far more lucrative than the meager monthly stipend for a temporary post, and it's an excellent opportunity to acquire resources and enhance one's skills.

One hundred taels of silver!

Fang Xia's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he grasped the most crucial question: "Senior Brother You, when exactly does the autumn hunt begin?"

"At the latest, early next month." You Qian gave a clear timeframe, "That's about ten days from now."

Ten days!

Fang Xia's mind was in turmoil, her thoughts racing like lightning.

"Ten days...that's enough!"

Introspecting my inner sea of ​​consciousness, the destiny of "late bloomer" clearly emerges:

[Sanyang Zhuang Minor Success (36/100)]

[Qingyang Palm Basics (75/100)]

[Body Tempering Realm: Skin Barrier - Initial Stage of Bullhide (94/100)]

[Introduction to Tiger and Leopard Bone Refining Technique (33/100)]

[Introduction to Qi Sensing Techniques (35/100)]

Fang Xia's gaze fell on the golden characters, and looking at the line 【Beginner Level of Bullhide (94/100)】, his thoughts stirred slightly.

His progress in the initial stage of Niupi Pass is only one step away from the intermediate stage of Shipi Pass!

Moreover, he also had three bottles of body-tempering ointment in his arms, which he had obtained from the You family.

Furthermore, he has the added advantage of being a "late bloomer" in his destiny... With all these conditions combined, he is absolutely confident that he will break through the stone skin within ten days!

"Starting at 100 taels of silver! Hunting demons is even more lucrative!"

The enormous profits instantly ignited Fang Xia's inner desire.

Self-cultivation, from the skin barrier to the bone barrier, and then to higher realms, is a bottomless pit that devours resources!

The meager monthly allowance from the You family was far from enough; the autumn hunt was the opportunity to resolve this predicament!

Moreover, it involves real combat experience... life-or-death battles...

Through the tempering of blood and fire, one can elevate their martial arts skills and hone the heart of a true warrior!

The monsters hunted in autumn are the perfect whetstone!

Fang Xia took a deep breath, suppressing the surging sense of urgency deep in her heart.

When he looked up again, his eyes had become incredibly sharp.

He abruptly stood up, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to You Qian, and his voice was full of fighting spirit:

"Thank you so much, Senior Brother You, for sharing such important news!"

"I, Fang, will certainly do my utmost to bring glory to my Sanyang Hall during the autumn hunt!"

Every word was as firm as iron, and each resounding phrase carried weight.

A surge of vigorous spirit bursts forth in the elegant Qinyun Residence.

You Qian looked at Fang Xia before him, his smile growing even deeper: "Very well. I await good news from Junior Brother Fang."