Gou Zai Wu Dao Chao Shi Xing Nian Da Gong

After leaving the pharmacy, Zhou Fugan deliberately walked through alleys and found a quiet, deserted place. He then used the water bag he carried with him to dissolve and swallow the body-strengthening powder.

"The host has taken the Body Tempering Powder. Its effects include: stimulating potential, making up for deficiencies, and assisting in body tempering during cultivation."

The consequences: Overtaxing the body, producing potent drug toxicity, causing hidden damage to the kidneys, and long-term use can lead to impotence and shorten lifespan!

"An exemption can be activated without incurring a cost, while retaining its effectiveness."

"Damn it. Taking too much of this medicine will make me impotent!"

Upon seeing the price, Zhou Fugan felt a dull ache in his lower back. He began to understand why this medicine was so much cheaper than those in other pharmacies. Only someone with his special ability would dare take it.

Then, he began his cultivation using the Hammer Cloud Stance Technique.

After doing it five times in a row, he stopped, looked at the virtual interface, and found that the progress points had increased by six. Overall, it was about 20% more effective than the Strengthening Powder. However, the price had doubled, making it less cost-effective.

However, Zhou Fugan was already very satisfied.

Although the body-strengthening powder was cost-effective, it was sold by Senior Brother Zhou Sheng. If he bought it in large quantities, it would inevitably attract attention. He knew nothing about the man surnamed Zhang, and at this critical juncture, he dared not take the risk.

After testing the effects of the Body Tempering Powder, Zhou Fugan did not continue practicing and left directly.

He felt a warm current flowing through his body, making everything it passed over feel cozy, as if he had just drunk several kilograms of strong liquor. This was the residual medicinal power of the Body Tempering Powder, which wouldn't dissipate in a short time. He could absorb and refine it later when he returned and practiced the Hammer Cloud Stance Technique.

Zhou Fugan returned to Chunhetang Pharmacy.

This time, both the shop assistant and the old manager were there. As soon as the shop assistant saw him, he immediately greeted him with a big smile.

"Hey, old man, you're here again!"

Zhou Fugan said calmly, "I'll take five more packets of Body Tempering Powder. When will it be ready?"

"Right now."

The old shopkeeper suddenly chimed in.

"Oh?"

Seeing Zhou Fugan's surprise, the old shopkeeper smiled and explained, "To be honest, sir, my Body Tempering Powder sells very quickly. It just sold out yesterday when you came. I've made a new batch today. I have enough for five packs, or even fifty packs."

"Okay then. Here's the money."

Zhou Fugan was also very happy; this was good, as he wouldn't have to wait anymore.

Soon, the shop assistant brought five packets of body-strengthening powder. Zhou Fugan opened them to check the goods, confirmed they were correct, paid, and left.

It was already noon when I got home.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Fugan told his son that he was a little tired, and went straight back to his bedroom to begin practicing the Hammer Cloud Stance Technique.

After an afternoon of cultivation, the remaining medicinal power of the Body Tempering Powder in his body was completely exhausted.

The progress of the virtual interface has advanced by twelve points.

"Hammer Cloud Stance Method: Introduction (198/300)"

"Good, very good!"

Seeing the progress points approaching two hundred, Zhou Fugan was overjoyed. If he continued cultivating at this rate, he would only need ten days to break through the skin barrier.

...

Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School.

Zhou Sheng stood in a corner, practicing the Hammer Cloud Stance Technique meticulously. His movements were somewhat agile, forming a stark contrast with the slightly stiff moves of the apprentices around him.

His face was resolute, large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, and his training clothes were already soaked through.

But he didn't feel tired at all; on the contrary, he was full of energy.

He had bought a bowl of Hammer Skin Soup today, and its effects were remarkable. That long-lost feeling of improved cultivation had returned. If there was a sufficient supply of Hammer Skin Soup, he was absolutely confident that he could break through to the Skin Membrane Barrier within two months.

"But this requires money! Grandpa is already very tired!"

Zhou Sheng felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

Grandpa was lucky to earn one or two taels of silver this time; people who are so generous with rewards are quite rare. Therefore, if he wants to consume as much of the Hammer Skin Soup as possible, he still needs to earn the money himself.

"You absolutely must take on freelance work. But you have to keep this a secret from Grandpa."

He made a decision in his heart.

Before long, Zhou Sheng finished one round of cultivation and was about to begin the next round when Liu Cheng walked over from the side.

"Junior Brother Zhou, how's the effect of the 'Hammered Skin Soup'?"

"The effect is amazing!" Zhou Sheng stopped and replied with a hint of excitement.

"Hehe, that's good. You still need to take more to meet the requirements for breaking through the skin barrier as soon as possible, and also to solidify your foundation, which will greatly increase your chances of successfully breaking through the barrier," Liu Cheng said with a chuckle.

"I will." Zhou Sheng nodded, then hesitated for a moment, before a determined look flashed across his face as he asked, "By the way, senior brother, when are you going on your next escort mission? Can you take me with you? I need to earn money."

"Oh? You're going?" Liu Cheng was slightly surprised. He had previously said he wasn't going.

"Yes." Zhou Sheng nodded and explained, "Before using the Hammer Skin Soup, I didn't know it was so effective. Now I know."

Liu Cheng laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Haha. Good. The escort agency will be sending out a shipment in ten days. Be prepared and practice your fighting techniques these next few days. Come find me then."

"Thank you, senior brother."

......

Three streets away from Xingcang Street, there is a rather spacious courtyard.

Two imposing stone lions stood at the entrance to the courtyard, and the gate was wide open, with fierce-looking men coming and going.

This is the Black Snake Gang's headquarters in this area—the Green Scale Hall, which governs several nearby blocks.

Inside the main hall of the courtyard, a short, stocky, bald man sat imposingly in a grand chair. He was Gao Fei, the leader of the Green Scale Hall, one of the five major branches of the Black Snake Gang.

At this moment, Gao Fei listened to his subordinate's report with a gloomy expression.

"Master, based on our investigation over this period, none of the Yunhe Gang's experts have appeared in the vicinity in the past two days."

"If none of our rivals are coming, then who killed Zhang Hu and stole the allowance?"

After listening, Gao Fei asked in a deep voice, his tone filled with anger.

His anger wasn't because Zhang Hu was killed, nor was it about the money; it was mainly because someone dared to provoke him and tarnish the Black Snake Gang's reputation. If he couldn't find the murderer, how could he explain himself to the gang, and how could he maintain his authority in the future?

"Master, could it be those peasants who did it? As far as I know, Zhang Hu exploits the neighborhoods under his jurisdiction ruthlessly to support his nephew's martial arts training, and he has quite a few enemies," a man with a sinister face suddenly said.

"Impossible." Gao Fei immediately waved his hand. "Besides Zhang Hu, his martial arts-practicing nephew also died. That kid was quite strong, yet he was easily killed. This shows that the murderer must be a martial artist, perhaps even a master who has broken through the skin barrier! There aren't any such masters among those peasants."

"Master, I've heard of a family that sent their grandson to learn martial arts. It's that old tailor from Xingcang Street. Last month, he sent his grandson to the Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School, saying he has inferior talent," the man added.

"Inferior aptitude? What kind of skills can he develop in just one month? It can't be him."

Upon hearing this, Gao Fei immediately lost interest.

But then he hesitated for a moment, then changed the subject, "However, we can't let this go unchecked. Take some men and test his strength. If he's weak, then forget it. That old man from Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School is extremely protective of his own. But if there's any real suspicion, come back and report to me. I'll handle it accordingly."

"Good! I've already figured out that kid's route home. Let's test him today."

"There's one more thing. How's the investigation going with that caravan from Black Street the other day?" Gao Fei turned to ask about another matter.

"I've had people keeping an eye on them for a few days now. They're acting suspiciously, and they're all unfamiliar faces. They've only done business with a few local small merchants and haven't had any contact with the major powers in the inner and outer cities. It's probably their first time doing business here," the man replied immediately.

"Keep a close eye on them and report their movements regularly. Be careful not to be discovered."

"Don't worry, Master. Our people won't show up directly. They'll have those beggars keep an eye on things, and no one will suspect them."

"That's good!"