Wang Sheng had really become a Martial Artist within a month.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Wang Sheng was still holding a grinding stone weighing over 200 jin in his hands, Li Wenguang would never have believed it.
If it were really that easy to achieve the status of Martial Artist, then the streets should be filled with Martial Artists.
When they had given the Tiger Bone Ointment, Li Yongfeng, his son, mentioned it was an investment and that if Wang Sheng became a Martial Artist, it would be a huge payoff.
In reality, however, Li Yongfeng was just comforting them at the time.
Their family never truly thought Wang Sheng would succeed; they were prepared for the possibility of the Tiger Bone Ointment investment going to waste.
But now, the reality was that his son’s words had become prophetic.
Seeing Li Wenguang standing there stunned, Wang Sheng set down the grinding stone and stuffed the cloth bag back into Li Wenguang’s hands.
“Uncle Li, you should take the money back and return it to the villagers. I don’t think I will need it for the time being!”
Li Wenguang was taken aback at first, then laughed and said, “It’s good if you don’t need it, not needing it is best!”
Not needing it meant that Wang Sheng wouldn’t have to take the risk of leaving his home and village.
“Yes, Uncle Li, don’t worry, go back first. I estimate it won’t be long before the Sun Family people will come here!”
Speaking of the Sun Family, Li Wenguang’s expression changed instantly.
The Sun Family, in Qingshan Village and Lijiang Town, had a “reputation” even more formidable than the official governance.
It was impossible for Li Wenguang to say he wasn’t worried about being affected, for Wang Sheng was a Martial Artist, but they were not.
Thinking about Wang Sheng’s current situation also put him somewhat at ease; he nodded apologetically and then turned and left.
After Li Wenguang left, Wang Sheng moved all the chrysanthemums to the front of the door and continued to practice the Eight Section Brocade.
If the Inner Core Skill was the Foundation Method, the Eight Section Brocade was an indispensable cornerstone of his Cultivation.
Therefore, every minute had to be utilized; this was self-discipline.
About half an hour later, two sturdy figures entered Qingshan Village.
The villagers, seeing the dark bird emblems on the clothes of the two men, avoided them from a distance.
It was said that the Sun Family, a branch of the Yanzi Clan, took the dark bird as their totem and thus used the dark bird emblem as their family crest, which also proved their ambition to become a truly powerful and influential family.
Even the family members who came out to collect goods wore clothes with the family crest.
Seeing that the villagers kept away from them, both sturdy figures wore a hint of smugness on their faces. In reality, both were lowly servants in the Sun Family, but with the Sun Family’s strong influence, few would willfully provoke even their servants.
Over time, some of these servants began to think this power was their own, perfectly exemplifying the phrase “a dog glorying in its master’s influence.”
These two people were called Li Da and Li Er, who were specifically responsible for collecting chrysanthemum-related medicinal materials, and they had been doing it for a long time.
“Big Brother, do you think that kid can gather 500 jin of dried chrysanthemums?”
“He’d be lucky to. The Flood Dragon’s passing destroyed all the raw chrysanthemum material in this village. How could he possibly gather enough in just a month?”
“Haha, that means he’s going to get sent to that place!”
“Well, who told that kid to have such a good-looking face, hahaha!”
Li Da was laughing loudly as well.
They were not good people to begin with. They had felt uncomfortable when they first saw Wang Sheng’s good looks and never expected them to catch the eye of Sun Family brothel’s Shopkeeper.
What was once a blessing quickly turned into a curse.
Why wouldn’t they revel in someone else’s misfortune, especially when seeing someone who seemed better off than them suffering; it made them feel immensely satisfied.
After their laughter, Li Er added, “Big Brother, do you think that kid named Wang Sheng will resist? You know, once you’re in that place, no matter if you’re a man or a woman, you’re stuck there. Which man could bear it?”
“Resist? How would an ordinary person dare to resist the Sun Family? Even if King Yan himself came today, he would have to follow us. The mission given by the master must be completed.”
They were as arrogant on the outside as they were servile in front of their masters. The master’s house can’t be arrogant, but is it necessary to be arrogant towards you lowly commoners?
However, when they reached Wang Sheng’s doorstep, they were dumbfounded.
A huge pile of chrysanthemums, intended for use as herbs, was a painful sight for their eyes.
Being the Sun Family’s servants specifically tasked with purchasing chrysanthemums, they could tell at a glance whether the amount was sufficient.
This pile of dried chrysanthemums was packaged according to the Sun Family’s requirements—there was surely enough.
But how had Wang Sheng managed to gather it all?
Wang Sheng naturally noticed the two men as well and stepped forward to speak, “You two must be from the Sun Family to collect the chrysanthemums. This is the batch I need to turn in, five hundred jin. You can check it, and if it’s not enough, I have some more inside my house.”
“…”
The two men exchanged glances, their faces struggling to maintain composure.
They had assumed Wang Sheng wouldn’t be able to gather enough, so they hadn’t even brought a cart to haul the herbs or a scale to weigh them to the village.
Now empty-handed, how were they to inspect the goods and take the chrysanthemums away?
Most importantly, their visit wasn’t about taking away the pile of chrysanthemums; it was about taking Wang Sheng himself away.
Now that there were goods—
Li Da subtly glanced at his younger brother, and Li Er instantly grasped his meaning.
“Wait while we inspect the goods!”
Li Er stepped forward and casually glanced over the chrysanthemums.
“At least forty percent of these chrysanthemums are substandard.”
Having said this, Li Er went silent, adopting an air of official business.
Li Da, on the other hand, sneered and said, “Wang Sheng, you heard him, didn’t you? My brother has been in the chrysanthemum business for over ten years; he would not make a mistake. Just be honest and come with us; don’t force us to get rough. If we damage that pretty face of yours, we’ll be the ones getting punished!”
Wang Sheng’s worst fears had materialized.
No matter if the person in charge of the brothel from the Sun Family really needed him to go there, those below might press him into it to curry favor.
“It’s easier to deal with King Yan than his little devils,” that’s the exact situation.
Therefore, training in martial arts from the start was the best choice.
“Are you sure it’s the quality of this batch of chrysanthemums that’s the issue?”
Could he not know whether the quality of these chrysanthemums met the standards with his “Chrysanthemum Planting: Breakthrough+1 (96%)” skill level?
“Of course, are you doubting my brother’s judgment?”
Li Da’s gaze turned fierce, and Li Er at his side displayed an appropriate level of dissatisfaction.
One could say that after working for a family like the Sun Family for over a decade, they did have some acting skills.
Wang Sheng sighed and said, “Does this mean there’s no room for discussion? How about calling your manager to have a look? What if you’re mistaken?”
“Kid, are you looking down on my brother? Who do you think you are to demand to see the manager? I’d advise you to just come quietly with me, or else, the Sun Family won’t be as easy to talk to as we are.”
A classic case of bullying by proxy; they were good at that.
“What if I say I’m not willing?”
“Then don’t blame us for not being polite!”
With that, Li Da and Li Er both moved in, intending to take action by force.
Seeing this, Wang Sheng inwardly relaxed.
“Finally, they’re making a move!”
He noted clearly—it was they who struck first. Hadn’t he just “swallowed his anger” for this moment?
He needed to avoid any reason that could be used to trouble him. The Sun Family might be unreasonable, but he had to be… still it was a lack of strength…