Surviving in the chaos of battle, I'm grinding for proficiency.

Fan Family Winery.

"Sis, Brother Luo Zheng recommended one of his disciples to me. You should come and take a look!"

The handsome young man excitedly held up a portrait.

Under the willow tree, a woman in a light green dress is admiring the flowers.

When she turned around, her large breasts were particularly eye-catching, and they looked even more beautiful under the silk fabric.

Fan Wanyu's eyes lit up:

"Let your sister see it."

Fan Wanyu took the portrait and examined it carefully for a while:

"Not exactly handsome, but not ugly either, rather good-looking. How's your martial arts skill?"

The boy chuckled:

"I tried to pass the test at eighteen, and now I'm preparing for the second time."

The light in Fan Wanyu's eyes shone even brighter:

Did Luo Zheng tell you how long it took him to break through to the Ming Jin level?

The boy chuckled awkwardly:

"Well... a little over five months."

"If you ask me, sister, stop being so picky. There aren't many people willing to propose to you to begin with, and you're always complaining. There's no such thing as a perfect person in the world! Even if there were, they wouldn't come looking for you!"

Fan Wanyu glared at her younger brother, knowing he was right.

Although his family owns a winery and makes a fortune every day.

But for truly wealthy and powerful families, it's actually not something that can be presented in a respectable way.

Even the true disciples of the martial arts school, the legitimate sons of the inner city, wouldn't come looking for me.

Li Chuan's conditions were quite good among the many suitors.

Fan Wanyu thought for a moment, "What kind of innate talent?"

"Inferior".

"With inferior physique, it took five months to break through to the Ming Jin level. Doesn't that mean there's no hope of a second attempt?"

Disappointment flashed across Fan Wanyu's face.

If it were someone with average physical attributes, she really wouldn't rule out considering it.

"What is your family background like?" Fan Wanyu pressed.

"Well," the boy scratched his head, "it seems there's a breakfast shop in the outer city, it's a family business."

"Oh..." Fan Wanyu's enthusiasm was completely extinguished.

Seeing her like this, the boy immediately became anxious:

"Sister, you're eighteen already! If you don't get married soon, you'll never get married. You know your own situation; among the suitors, Li Chuan is already considered quite good!"

"And it was Brother Luo who strongly recommended it; the two have a close relationship, which is a huge advantage!"

Fan Wanyu unconsciously echoed her.

But the thought of marrying someone like that, who is indeed not bad, still leaves me with a sense of resentment.

His ideal man was someone like Qin Feng from Songfeng Martial Arts School.

At the very least, one should be like Luo Zheng, possessing both internal strength cultivation and a considerable family fortune!

The boy's face was ashen.

"You're going to refuse this one too?"

"No." Fan Wanyu thought for a moment, "Let's stall for time and see how things develop. If he manages to get through to us a second time, it wouldn't hurt to give him a chance."

The boy curled his lip and thought to himself:

"If you really develop hidden strength, will people still even look at you?"

……

The news quickly reached Songfeng Martial Arts School.

Luo Zheng held up a sign of conviction and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Li, but I am currently focused on supporting my family business and have no intention of getting married. If you are truly interested, could you please wait a little longer?"

"Smack!" Luo Zheng slammed the letter on the ground. "Wait a minute! What family would wait a minute when proposing marriage? I never imagined Fan Wanyu would be such a shameless person!"

Luo was indignant, but Li Chuan was not disappointed.

He had a rather casual attitude towards this matter and didn't have high expectations.

Being rejected is just being rejected, it's no big deal.

Luo Zheng, who had spoken with such certainty earlier, was now somewhat embarrassed after being rejected.

After Fan Wanyu, Li Chuan was given more than a dozen portraits to choose from.

But after being rejected, Li Chuan's feelings for her faded.

After being refused several times, Luo Zheng had no choice but to give up.

……

Two days before Lunar New Year's Eve.

Just as Li Chuan was packing his bags to go home, an unexpected person came to his door.

Wang Youfang came in from outside the shop, grabbed Li Chuan's arm, and tried to push him into the shop.

"Wait!" Li Chuan looked at him warily.

With his round face and thick beard, he couldn't help but overthink things!

Wang Youfang exclaimed in pain:

"Brother Li, what are you thinking? I'm a married man. I already said last time it was a joke. I have something important to discuss with you this time!"

Li Chuan weighed the strength of both sides and only felt relieved after confirming that he could easily defeat Wang Youfang:

"Speak, what is it?"

Wang Youfang also played a significant role in the last incident where refugees hijacked the convoy.

When Luo Houping needed to deliver some valuable medicinal herbs, he would call the two of them along.

After several trips to deliver medicine, the two became acquainted.

Wang Youfang's expression suddenly turned serious:

"In the south of the city, next to Old Liu's teahouse, is that yours?"

Li Chuan's heart skipped a beat:

"What's wrong? It's my house!"

Wang Youfang sighed heavily:

"Oh no! I passed by there today and saw a skilled martial artist loitering around there. I observed him for a while and noticed that his gaze kept drifting over your shop!"

"There's no mistake, they're definitely observing your house. I've delivered medicine so many times, I'm quite perceptive when it comes to people."

Ming Jin?

Li Chuan frowned:

"I haven't made any Ming Jin friends outside. I usually just stay at the martial arts school, and I don't have many enemies."

Unless... he's from the Black Bear Gang!

Wang Youfang shook his head:

"I don't know your situation, but that person looks fierce and doesn't seem like a martial arts student. Go back early and be careful. If you need help, just let me know."

Li Chuan glanced at him:

"Thank you, Brother Wang. I won't hesitate to help if I need anything."

Wang Youfang laughed and said:

"You little rascal, I was just being polite! Alright, I won't say any more to you, my wife is still waiting for me at home."

Li Chuan waved goodbye to Wang Youfang, but a hint of coldness had crept into his eyes.

After killing Liu Hu last time, the Black Bear Gang was repeatedly defeated by the Iron Tiger Gang.

He thought that he would no longer have the mind to care about himself and could focus on developing for a while.

Unexpectedly, not long after, they sent someone again, this time a master of Ming Jin (a martial arts technique).

If he goes berserk, Li Qing won't be able to stop him!

If he simply wants to buy the shop, Li Chuan is willing to accept it if they negotiate amicably.

Without even giving a heads-up, they sent people to observe from their own doorstep. What were they planning to do?

The Black Bear Gang's actions undoubtedly planted a thorn in Li Chuan's side.

He can't rest easy as long as Cao Yan is alive!

Li Chuan didn't pack any other miscellaneous items, only taking some essential belongings.

He tightened his collar and turned to walk into the wind and snow.

With Lunar New Year's Eve approaching, more shops are actually open on the streets.

The end of the year is the most profitable time. Ordinary people can take a break, but shops cannot close.

Many noisy conversations also reached Li Chuan's ears.

Most of the conversations were rather mundane, but a small portion contained a lot of important information.

"I heard that the Black Bear Gang has lost quite a few people recently, and the Iron Tiger Gang is getting stronger and stronger."

"Not only did many people die, but their gang leader Cao Yan was also surrounded and attacked by Song Jin and his men from the Iron Tiger Gang. He was seriously injured and only managed to escape the encirclement."

"These past few days, everyone in town has been saying that the Iron Tiger Gang is about to take over, all they're missing is taking Cao Yan's head!"

Li Chuan keenly grasped the key points in their conversation.

Cao Yan seriously injured?

To be honest, when he first heard it, he almost couldn't resist the urge to kill Cao Yan and eliminate the threat forever.

But after calming down, I rejected the idea.

How "severe" was Cao Yan's injury?

Information from street vendors is often inaccurate and easily exaggerated in conversation.

Cao Yan was, after all, a veteran of the Ming Jin style, his Qi and blood were honed to perfection, and he was surrounded by many members of the Black Bear Gang.

If I rashly get caught up in it, I might never be able to get out!

"Hey old man, this is an Iron Tiger Gang operation. Have you seen any trace of Cao Yan?"

Suddenly, a voice came from not far away.

Li Chuan looked up at the sound and found a strong and muscular man with a powerful stride, followed by more than ten gang members.

The stall owner, his lips trembling with fear, hurriedly replied:

"Replying to Chief Song, I've been selling melon seeds here the whole time, and I haven't seen anything."

Li Chuan understood.

So this fierce and burly man was Song Jin, the leader of the Iron Tiger Gang?

Song Jin wore a gentle smile on his face:

"It's alright, sir. If you hear or see any clues, you can come find my brothers."

"If the verification is true, a reward of ten taels of silver will be given."

The stall owner quickly cupped his hands and said:

"Chief Song is kind and righteous. If any clues are discovered, I will report them immediately!"

Li Chuan intended to walk past, but one of the gang members suddenly shouted at him.

In an instant, the other gang members tensed up, and their hands reached behind them.

Even the kind-faced Song and Jin soldiers' eyes narrowed, revealing a murderous intent.

"Li Mingjin!" the triangular-eyed gang member shouted excitedly.

Li Chuan looked at him and recognized him somewhat.

This man had come to him a few months ago, wanting to invite him to take a part-time position in the Iron Tiger Gang, with a monthly salary of two taels of silver.

The pay is generous, the attitude is polite, and they maintain respect even if you refuse.

Upon hearing that they weren't from the Black Bear Gang, Song Jin relaxed and smiled:

"Li Mingjin, Ah San, why didn't you introduce your new friend to me?"

The man with the triangular eyes called out to Ah San, and quickly replied:

"Chief Song, this is Master Liang's top disciple from Songfeng Martial Arts School. Not long ago, you sent me to recruit him when he came to us for a challenge."

Song Jin raised an eyebrow and carefully examined Li Chuan.

At that time, he did send someone with triangular eyes to find Li Chuan for a temporary post, but he heard that Li Chuan was only of inferior talent and had only broken through the assessment time.

I also heard some rumors that this man liked to drink and gamble and spent all the money in the house chasing women.

Therefore, Song and Jin thought it was just a hollow shell and didn't take it too seriously.

But now that they've met, Song Jin knows all those rumors are utter nonsense!

He remained unfazed even when facing the imposing presence of more than ten people.

Moreover, looking into his eyes, one can detect a hidden murderous aura.

Those who have never killed anyone could never possess such a temperament.

You can't fake it!

Although Li Chuan did not reveal his strength, Song Jin knew from the calluses on his hands that his combat power must be considerable.

It wasn't some silver spear with a wax head at all; it was a gun used to kill!

Song Jin clasped his hands and smiled:

"So it's Brother Li in person. I am Song Jin, the leader of the Iron Tiger Gang. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Li Chuan returned the greeting with clasped hands, unwilling to have much interaction with them. After exchanging a few words, he made an excuse to leave.

Song Jin watched Li Chuan leave into the distance.

The man with the triangular eyes was shocked. He never expected that his gang leader would show such respect to a mere Ming Jin.

Li Chuan bypassed the bustling crowd and arrived at the familiar Li Family Breakfast Shop.

But he didn't rush in; instead, he observed from the outside.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Li Chuan squinted his eyes.

Sure enough, a man dressed in black was loitering nearby.

He seemed aimless, but his gaze kept wandering over his own shop!