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

Luo Zheng paused for a moment, then thought for a moment and said:

"The pill business in Anning County is completely monopolized by Dantang. If you want more Blood Strengthening Pills, you'll probably have to get them from Dantang."

"But Master Lu is a figure sent down from the Sanyuan Prefecture. Although our family supplies them with medicinal herbs, they may not necessarily show me any favors."

Luo Zheng gave a wry smile:

"After all, anyone can run a medicinal herb business, but this alchemy hall requires government backing..."

Elixirs, salt, and iron are the lifeblood of the Dragon Court and cannot be given to others.

Although Dantang is said to be an independent establishment, it has intricate connections with the government.

"However, you are preparing for the Seven Halls Martial Arts Competition recently, which must be because you urgently need the Blood Strengthening Pill."

"Fine," Luo Zheng paused, "I'll forgo this meal and plead for you."

Li Chuan clasped his hands and said:

"Thank you, Senior Brother Luo!"

Luo Zheng shook his head:

"It's too early to thank me now."

"Master Lu has a cold and aloof personality, and no one in Anning County can control her."

"If she doesn't like someone and doesn't want to give them face, she won't give them face either, including the county magistrate."

I'll just go and try my luck.

Li Chuan nodded slightly:

"Then we'll have Senior Brother Lao Luo."

After saying that, Luo Zheng changed his clothes and quickly went out.

Back in his own courtyard, Li Chuan's heart sank.

If Luo Zheng is to say that, it would be difficult to get the noble and aloof Hall Master Lu to give him any preferential treatment.

We must be prepared for failure.

However, without these pills, he would not be able to master both the Baoshan Zhuang and Tongbei Quan techniques to perfection.

In a competition among seven martial arts schools, things are never that easy.

"Could it be... that we're going to go back to our old ways and resort to robbery?"

Li Chuan thought of Brother Zhou's spoils of war: ten perfectly round Blood Strengthening Pills.

However, he quickly dismissed the thought.

Too dangerous.

If he didn't have a grudge against Brother Zhou, he wouldn't want to provoke a master of internal energy for no reason.

As the saying goes, if you walk by the river often, you're bound to get your shoes wet.

Li Chuan sighed and decided to wait and see what Luo Zheng would say when he returned.

In any case, practicing martial arts is the most important thing.

Two hours later.

The sudden knocking pulled Li Chuan back to reality from his flow state.

Li Chuan opened the door.

Luo Zheng's face was filled with excitement:

"There's hope! Hall Master Lu says he wants to see you!"

Li Chuan's eyes lit up:

"When?"

"Right now!"

Luo Zheng pulled Li Chuan along and quickly stepped out of the courtyard gate.

On the way to Dantang, Luo Zheng gave him some instructions:

"When you see Hall Master Lu later, you'd better keep your eyes to yourself and don't look around."

"You also need to be careful about your words and actions. Don't be fooled by her stunningly beautiful face; she's not just a pretty face."

"She is a master of internal energy transformation. I've heard that her swordsmanship is so superb that ordinary internal energy transformation masters are no match for her."

Li Chuan was speechless.

He knew that there were two people from Sanyuan Prefecture.

There's a Brother Zhou, with hidden strength.

One of them was a Master Lu, at the Transformation Realm.

They are all quite strong.

At least in Anning County, it is considered top-tier.

Could it be inside the Sanyuan Prefecture...?

Hidden strength is as common as dogs, while neutral strength is everywhere?

"We've arrived. I'll wait for you outside; I won't go in!"

Luo Zheng's voice pulled Li Chuan back from his wandering thoughts.

Li Chuan looked up and discovered that the location of the Dan Hall was right next to the county government office!

Although in name, Dantang is independent and has nothing to do with the government.

But this position doesn't seem unrelated at all.

"Magistrate Wei, I'll see you off here."

"Mr. Huang, there's no need to be so polite. I'll head back now."

At the entrance of the Dan Hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a green robe with a round collar and wide sleeves, and a black horn belt around his waist, was exchanging pleasantries with an elderly man with gray hair.

"The magistrate and Elder Huang, the protector of Dantang... both are masters of the Transformation Realm." A ripple of emotion stirred in Li Chuan's heart.

The county magistrate and Elder Huang stood on either side of the gate, leaving only the passageway in the middle.

Li Chuan lowered his eyelids and calmly walked between the two.

The two continued chatting and laughing, seemingly oblivious to his presence.

Li Chuan breathed a sigh of relief as he was about to pass the county magistrate.

"Young friend Li, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

Li Chuan turned his head and found Magistrate Wei smiling at him.

Only at this moment did he have the opportunity to see the magistrate's exact appearance.

His face showed signs of aging, covered with fine wrinkles.

But he is quite handsome.

Especially her deep, phoenix-shaped eyes, which are unforgettable at first glance.

Li Chuan feigned surprise:

"I thought that Magistrate Wei was only concerned with the future of Anning County and had no room for a rough man like me."

Magistrate Wei laughed and said:

"Young friend Li has been making quite a splash in the county lately, and he's even showing signs of taking over Chengfeng's mantle and becoming the number one Dark Force master. How could I not recognize him?"

Faced with these words that were subtly meant to flatter and undermine, Li Chuan's response was naturally very appropriate.

Having been bullied by his superiors countless times in his previous life, he already had a wealth of experience.

After a few polite exchanges, he answered fluently and smoothly.

For a moment, Old Huang looked at him with a lot of admiration.

"Magistrate Wei, Elder Huang, and Hall Master Lu are still waiting for me inside..."

"Go ahead, I dare not keep Master Lu's men around," Magistrate Wei joked.

Li Chuan turned around and continued walking forward.

Just as he was about to cross the high threshold of the gate, Li Chuan inexplicably turned back to look.

He discovered that the magistrate of Wei County had been watching him the whole time.

Seeing him turn his head, she smiled and nodded.

Li Chuan withdrew his gaze and went straight into the alchemy hall.

"This way, please. Master Lu has been waiting for you for quite some time." The maid led Li Chuan to a room.

Li Chuan pushed open the half-closed door and smelled a strong odor of alcohol even before he stepped inside.

Li Chuan frowned subconsciously.

How much did they drink?

As you step inside, the smell becomes even stronger.

Lu Qiuhan sat in the main seat, sipping the wine from his gourd.

Upon seeing Li Chuan, her stunningly beautiful yet aloof face seemed to snap out of its daze:

"sit."

After Li Chuan sat down, she calmly said:

"Luo Zheng has already told me why you've come."

"I can give you the Blood Strengthening Pill you want."

"But not because of your strength, nor because of your recent narrow victory over Zhang Chengfeng."

She sat up slightly, gazing at Li Chuan with her clear, autumn-water-like eyes:

"It's because of your act of loyalty in standing up for Luo Zheng."

"In this world, there are only busy people chasing fame and fortune, and there are not many people with a sense of righteousness left."

Being loyal and righteous is always a great asset, earning you praise from many people.

Li Chuan clasped his hands and said:

"Then I, Li, will thank you for your kindness, Hall Master Lu."

Lu Qiuhan chuckled:

"I gave you the blood-strengthening pill because of your loyalty."

"But because of your capabilities, I can offer you a business deal. Would you like to discuss it?"

Li Chuan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"May I ask, Master Lu, what kind of business do you run?"

Lu Qiuhan's smile faded, and he said calmly:

"Kill the county magistrate."