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

A glint flashed in Li Chuan's eyes, and he calmly smiled:

"Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate. I am extremely grateful."

However, he has only recently broken through to the Transformation Realm, and his strength is not yet stable. He still needs many days of cultivation.

He only wanted to live a peaceful life practicing martial arts at the gym, detached from worldly affairs.

There are no plans for a temporary assignment at the moment.

The magistrate, seemingly still unwilling to give up, urged again:

"Li Huajin, you haven't been in Huajin for long. I'm afraid you don't know much about the situation in Anning County."

Even though Master Lu and Elder Huang of the Dan Hall are unconventional, they are ultimately on the side of the government.

With the addition of Ji Yun, Wang Wenzhi, and others, my side clearly has an absolute advantage in strength.

The three major families are merely putting up a last-ditch resistance. Only by following the right people and choosing the right path can they achieve long-term development.

You tell me, is it yes or no?

Li Chuan's expression remained unchanged, but a slight thought stirred within him.

According to the magistrate, he probably didn't know that Lu Qiuhan was a special envoy of the prefect, sent specifically to deal with him.

Combined with Lu Qiuhan's ability to accurately tell him many secrets about the county magistrate.

Liu Peiran had a very clear understanding of He Chen's intelligence.

It seems that the magistrate's side doesn't have as much of an advantage as imagined, and there might even be an "insider" among them.

The apparent great victory is more likely a false prosperity.

The three major families and the Dan Hall are feigning weakness while secretly making preparations, all for the sake of a fatal blow!

After figuring out the key points, Li Chuan became even more determined in his decision.

He smiled and declined.

"Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate, but I am not yet very familiar with internal energy cultivation."

It would take a lot of time to hone their skills, and I'm afraid they'd be willing but unable to do so.

These words were spoken very tactfully.

But the core meaning is very clear.

He just wants to remain neutral and doesn't intend to take sides!

Upon hearing this, the magistrate's eyes flashed with disappointment, and his tone turned cold:

"In that case, I, Wei, will not insist."

"I just hope Li Huajin will think about it carefully after he goes back."

"Some choices, if made wrong, can lead to lifelong regret."

Li Chuan stood up to say goodbye:

"Thank you for the reminder, Magistrate. I'll take my leave now."

Take care.

After Li Chuan left, the county magistrate looked at the empty wine cup and felt a pang of regret.

Compared to Wang Wenzhi's apprehension, he was quite optimistic about Li Chuan.

If he can easily kill Zhang Chengfeng, he will definitely become an ace in his hand in time.

Unexpectedly, he was rejected both times he invited her.

So ungrateful!

"You want to remain neutral and not offend either side?" The magistrate sneered.

Not taking sides may seem like keeping one away from disputes, but it is actually the most dangerous situation.

Since they're not coming to our side, they might end up going to one of the three major families!

This means they should be treated as enemies.

As for the enemy, we must be ruthless, like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves!

Thinking of this, the magistrate's regret completely disappeared.

Despite such a clear situation, they still hesitated and dared not seize the opportunity.

That's foolish and cowardly!

"Such a fool deserves to die!"

……

After leaving Dongfeng Tower, Li Chuan's mind was in turmoil.

He knew that this move would undoubtedly offend the county magistrate.

However, as long as one has not clearly taken sides, the conflict will not erupt for the time being.

The magistrate wouldn't be so foolish as to kill himself now.

More likely, they will first accumulate strength, and then eliminate all opposing forces once the regime is established.

"But this is exactly what I wanted!"

Li Chuan knew very well that what he lacked now was time.

Given time, he can perfect both the Thunder Shadow Leg and Jade Skin Technique.

By then, it's likely that no one in the entire Anning County with the Transformation Realm will be his match.

At least, he had never heard of anyone who could master the second fighting technique to perfection.

Not to mention the third door!

So what I need to do now is stall for time.

At least for now, we can't let the flames of war reach us.

While one risk may be avoided, new problems may arise.

In Anning County today, apart from the martial arts schools that maintain a neutral stance on the surface, other forces have been more or less drawn into the conflict.

If he wanted to earn money, he had to deal with other people, which forced him into the eye of the storm in Anning County.

But without money, one cannot afford the Peiyuan Pill.

The progress of cultivation will be slowed down again...

And this surging undercurrent could erupt at any moment.

To remain safe in a struggle, the fundamental solution is to improve one's strength as quickly as possible.

A dilemma!

"Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Luo Zheng came looking for you earlier but couldn't find you."

"Please tell him that you need to go see him later; he has something important to tell you."

At the entrance of Songfeng Martial Arts School, Zhuang Beiwang approached respectfully.

"Senior Brother Luo?" Li Chuan nodded and turned to head towards Luo's pharmacy.

Since the Luo family consolidated the medicinal herb business in the outer city, Luo Zheng has been rarely seen.

In the initial stages, it is necessary to coordinate with all parties and redistribute interests, so being busy is inevitable.

Luo Zheng only attended the Seven Schools Martial Arts Competition and the Gathering of Heroes a few times.

After Li Chuan got into the carriage, he arrived at Luo's Pharmacy in no time.

But as soon as he got off the bus, Li Chuan felt a little surprised.

The signboard bearing the four large characters "Luo's Pharmacy" is being removed.

Luo Zheng was standing in front of the door, directing a group of people to work.

Upon noticing Li Chuan's arrival, he immediately put down what he was doing and quickly stepped forward:

"A-Chuan, you're here!"

Li Chuan asked in confusion:

"What... is going on?"

Luo Zheng laughed:

"Life is unpredictable. When the Qian family fought us, my uncle ran to Sanyuan Prefecture to find a way out."

"Unexpectedly, after some effort, we actually found him a new way out."

"The Qian family's previous domineering behavior made us realize that the Luo family is still too weak."

"If it weren't for your chivalrous help, Ah Chuan, I don't know where I would have ended up wandering off to."

"So my father, my uncle, and I all decided to go to Sanyuan Prefecture to seek greater opportunities."

Li Chuan nodded, indicating his understanding:

"So you're just handing this shop over to someone else like that?"

Luo Zheng laughed and scolded:

"How could that be? It's not like we have money to burn!"

"We negotiated many times before finally finding a wealthy merchant to take it over for two thousand taels of silver."

Li Chuan suddenly asked:

"When are you leaving?"

Luo Zheng pointed to the nine carriages outside and said softly:

"It'll be there soon, all my belongings are packed."

That's why I wanted to see you again.

Li Chuan was silent for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Shall I see you off on your final journey?"

Luo Zheng also laughed:

"To receive a gift from a master of internal energy is something I would be more than happy to receive."

And so, Li Chuan and Luo Zheng boarded the carriage together.

Looking at the familiar interior, Li Chuan felt a little dazed.

During the time I delivered medicine to the Luo family, I was fortunate to receive care from Luo Zheng and Luo Houping.

He was always more relaxed than others.

Half the time, he could practice martial arts while sitting in the carriage.

It felt a bit bumpy at the time, but looking back now, it was a unique period of time.

Luo Zheng lifted the curtain, gazing at the receding bungalows, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future:

"Ah Chuan, my uncle said that Sanyuan Prefecture is worlds apart from here."

"Willows and painted bridges, green curtains and emerald screens, a hundred thousand households scattered about."

"Of the thirteen counties under the jurisdiction of Sanyuan Prefecture, only the most outstanding few can set foot on that land."

"Five sects and seven schools, six great families, countless opportunities, and countless heroes and heroines take the stage."

Luo Zheng turned his head and looked at Li Chuan seriously:

"Achuan, do you know, when I first met you, I never imagined you could reach such heights."

"Anning County is too small for you. Someone like you can only truly shine in Sanyuan Prefecture."

Luo Zheng suddenly laughed with a hint of self-deprecation:

"When I taught you Tongbei Quan, you hadn't even entered the gate yet, but I had already reached the hidden strength level."

"You have now reached the Transformation Realm, while I am still at the Hidden Realm."

"Over the years, I've wasted too much energy on other trivial matters."

"Once I arrive in Sanyuan Prefecture, I will dedicate all my energy to martial arts training and strive to make a name for myself!"

Li Chuan joked:

"Then once you've made a name for yourself, I'll come and join you. At least you'll give me plenty of pills, right?"

Luo Zheng said generously:

"No problem, eat as much as you want, you can eat it like candy!"

The two smiled at each other, and the awkwardness caused by their long-standing silence vanished instantly.

It felt like stepping back into the past.

The carriage quickly arrived at the outer city gate.

Luo Zheng jumped out of the car:

"Achuan, let's leave it here."

After saying that, he rummaged in his pocket for a while, took out something, and placed it in Li Chuan's palm:

"This is the land deed for my family's house in the inner city. We don't need it anyway, so I'm giving it to you!"

Then, he took out a silver note:

"Here is a silver note for one thousand taels. Take it."

Knowing that you've reached the Transformation Realm, your need for money is even greater than before.

As the apple of my Luo family's eye, it's only natural that I should improve your treatment!

Although Luo Zheng said that, Li Chuan knew very well what one thousand taels meant.

Even the four great families of the inner city were unwilling to give away so much money at once.

Moreover, the Luo family was far weaker than them in terms of financial resources.

So he didn't accept it.

"Your shop only sold for two thousand taels... It will also require a lot of money to start a business in Sanyuan Prefecture."

Luo Zheng raised an eyebrow:

"Without you, you wouldn't even fetch a hundred taels. You should have been kicked out of Anning County long ago. Here, take it!"

Li Chuan didn't refuse any longer and readily accepted it.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Upon seeing this, Luo Zheng burst into hearty laughter:

"I'm leaving now. Remember to come find me at Sanyuan Prefecture."

"goodbye."

Luo Zheng, with his back to Li Chuan, waved his hand:

"How can people of the martial world say goodbye?"

Li Chuan smiled and said:

"Then let the green hills remain unchanged, and the clear waters flow forever."

"What do you mean?"

Until we meet again.