Luoyun Town, Sun Family.
The rising sun had only just peeked out, and there were still visible water droplets on the leaves in the forest, but the dense forest in the back mountain was filled with the sound of sword swings.
A sixteen-year-old boy, holding a three-inch long wooden sword, was diligently practicing Basic Swordplay in the forest. The boy had sword-like brows and starry eyes; although dressed simply, his expression was serious, and he was immersed in his sword practice.
The Swordplay he practiced was merely Basic Swordplay. Although the Moves were plain, every single Move and stance in Basic Swordplay was perfectly executed by the boy.
This boy was named Sun Bing, a Disciple of the Sun Family.
Chopping, thrusting, lifting, sweeping… each seemingly simple Move of Basic Swordplay seemed to regain its vitality in Sun Bing’s hands. Especially the wooden sword in his hand, which had transformed from its original wood color to pure black, exuding a strong sense of history, suggesting it had been used for a very long time.
However, after completing a set of Swordplay, Sun Bing’s face instantly turned pale, and a hint of unwillingness flashed in his eyes: “My physical fitness really can’t keep up. Just one set of Basic Swordplay is too much for me. Heaven is unfair!”
As soon as he finished speaking, his previous unwilling expression gradually faded. Looking at the already high morning sun, Sun Bing calculated the time and softly said, “It’s time to collect the monthly stipend again. I’ll go early; I hope my luck is better today.”
After speaking, he carefully put away the wooden sword close to his body, then turned and walked towards the Sun Family.
The Sun Family is one of the three great Families in Luoyun Town, originating two hundred years ago. They initially rose to prominence through medicinal herbs, and then their ancestor, through a stroke of Opportunity, began to Cultivate, eventually creating a prominent Family. It might not sound like much, but Luoyun Town has a population of 100,000, and within a hundred li radius, apart from the other two great Families, there are no other rivals. They are veritable local emperors.
The back mountain was not far from the Sun Family. Soon, Sun Bing arrived at the main entrance of the Sun Family. The entire gate was made of precious red sandalwood, so valuable that even if an ordinary person acquired a piece, they could live comfortably for several years.
The handles on the gate were made of gold, shaped like ferocious Yao Beasts. Beside the handles, two precious luminous pearls were embedded, pure white and captivating. Looking from afar, the golden gate, inlaid with gold, was even more dazzling under the sunlight.
Just a single gate was enough to display the majesty and heritage of the Family. Only the three great Families dared to be so ostentatious; if an ordinary person were to do so, even with vast wealth, they would not be able to withstand a Cultivator’s Divine Ability.
Beyond the gate was a spacious courtyard, with trees and flowers planted along both sides of the path for appreciation. However, at this moment, Sun Bing had no mind to admire the scenery; he only wanted to quickly collect his monthly stipend so he could Cultivate.
The monthly stipend was distributed in a remote accounting office by Steward Qin, an outer steward. However, the usually quiet accounting office felt somewhat bustling today; although there were many people, it was not chaotic at all. Everyone was queuing in an orderly fashion, and while there were some faint whispers of conversation, it was harmless.
However, Sun Bing was completely different from the others, like a transparent person. No matter how happily others chatted, it had nothing to do with him. In fact, there was an empty space in front and behind him; no one was willing to approach him.
Sun Bing didn’t care about this at all. He kept his gaze down, waiting quietly. The monthly stipend could be considered a benefit for Family Disciples; even if you were lazy, the monthly stipend from the Family could ensure your basic living.
The queue moved quickly. The Steward would usually glance at a person to confirm their identity before distributing the monthly stipend, with almost no delay. Soon, it was Sun Bing’s turn. Just as he was about to step forward to collect his monthly stipend, someone slowly walked in from the main gate.
He had no intention of queuing at all. He directly ran in front of Sun Bing and said indifferently, “Hand it over!”
This attitude could be described as arrogant. The surrounding conversations slowly stopped, but Steward Qin, facing such a rude attitude, not only showed no dissatisfaction but even had a smiling face: “Isn’t this Sun Yao? Are you here to collect the Young Master’s monthly stipend again? This is this month’s, please take a look.” After speaking, he gave Sun Yao two bottles of Body Tempering Pill and also offered tens of taels of silver.
However, Sun Yao’s nostrils were flared in arrogance. He casually took the monthly stipend, said nothing, and turned to leave. This left Steward Qin smiling awkwardly, and many people around him showed smiles, though they forcibly held them back.
But even if Sun Yao’s attitude was rude, Steward Qin could do nothing, because Sun Yao’s master was Sun Long, the Young Master of the Sun Family, who was already at Body Tempering eighth layer and even on the verge of Breaking Through to Body Tempering ninth layer. He was considered the Sun Family’s number one Genius. This small amount of monthly stipend was completely disregarded by him; it could even be said that it was a reward for his servant.
Steward Qin had no recourse against Sun Yao, and the anger was bottled up inside him. He couldn’t help but look at Sun Bing behind him with some displeasure. He casually took one tael of silver, placed it on the counter, and lazily said, “Here, this is your monthly stipend.”
Looking at the mere one tael of silver on the counter, Sun Bing couldn’t help but bite his teeth tightly, clenching his fists, while secretly remembering in his heart: “This is the tenth year, the one hundred and twentieth time.”
One must know that the Sun Family’s monthly stipend for the younger generation was ten taels of silver and one bottle of Body Tempering Pill per person per month, with the Body Tempering Pill being the main component. What Steward Qin gave Sun Bing was only one-tenth of what others received.
Let alone a bottle of Body Tempering Pill, he didn’t even get a single one. This was a world of difference compared to Sun Yao, who was merely someone else’s servant.
“Tsk tsk, I didn’t expect Sun Bing to still have the face to stay. He even has the courage to come and collect the monthly stipend. Heh, what a good-for-nothing.”
“Yeah, I really don’t understand why they keep him. He’s just a servant.”
A series of mocking laughs came from around, which made Wang Hong bite his teeth even tighter. His fingernails dug into his skin, but the pain only made him clearer-headed.
In ten years, he had experienced such scenes a total of one hundred and twenty times. It could be said that every time he collected his monthly stipend, he would be subjected to ridicule.
But Sun Bing dared not allow himself to get used to others’ mockery. Looking at the sneering faces around him, he silently told himself: “I must know shame and then be brave. Remember every single insult now.”
“Alright, Steward Qin, give him the monthly stipend.” Suddenly, a tall, beautiful woman walked in.
She was over twenty years old, with skin like congealed cream. Although her face was full of charming allure, it was also extremely serious, like a cold wind. These two temperaments intertwined, and her arrival immediately attracted everyone’s attention.
“I didn’t expect the Young Miss to come. I heard she also reached Body Tempering ninth layer. Not only is she beautiful, but her talent is also so good. Why is she here today?”
“I don’t know, maybe she wants to collect some Medicinal Pill.”
“Yes, Young Miss Sun Yanran.” Steward Qin dared not refuse the Young Miss’s command in the slightest. After bowing, he took out ten taels of silver.
He casually threw it on the counter, his face full of mockery, and whether intentionally or not, he still forgot a bottle of Body Tempering Pill.
Sun Bing did not engage in a war of words. In the past ten years, out of one hundred and twenty times, he had tried all sorts of methods, all to no avail. Finally, Sun Bing understood that only strength was the right path. What he needed to do now was to endure hardships.
After collecting the monthly stipend, Sun Bing said nothing and turned to walk out the door, disappearing from everyone’s sight shortly after.
In the side courtyard, Sun Bing, like a prophet, hid the gold coins.
Not long after, three young men slowly walked over. Sun Bing remained expressionless. Even though he was quite familiar with the people in front of him and knew what was about to happen, he watched quietly, as if it had nothing to do with him.
“Yo, I heard you got a lot of monthly stipend today? Hand it over!” Sun Yang said in a sarcastic tone.
“Yeah, I heard the Young Miss even helped you out. You really don’t know what’s good for you.” Sun Yong mocked as well.
“Why say so much nonsense? Let’s just do it.” Sun Ce’s words were sharp.
The three of them went forward directly and gave Sun Bing a severe beating. Their fists mercilessly struck Sun Bing’s body, and they continued to mock him: “Why do you have to be like this? Wouldn’t it be better to just hand over the monthly stipend? You’d get beaten less.”
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t hand it over. It’s good to beat you once a month to vent our anger; it makes us feel much better.”
These words made Wang Hong bite his teeth even tighter. His eyes stared fixedly at the three people in front of him, imprinting their faces firmly in his mind.
After a long while, the three clapped their hands and nodded in satisfaction: “Alright, that’s enough for today. If we keep hitting him, he might die, and that wouldn’t look good, after all, he’s still the Clan Chief’s adopted son.” After speaking, they turned and left.
In contrast, Sun Bing was in a state of extreme disarray. His already tattered clothes were like rags, his entire body was covered in bruises, and blood even flowed from the corner of his mouth.
He stiffly moved his body. Even with his willpower, he couldn’t help but gasp. Every part of his body ached. This made Sun Bing secretly vow: “Sun Yang, Sun Yong, Sun Ce, I remember the humiliation of these past ten years. One day, I will repay it tenfold, a hundredfold.”
After a while, Sun Bing endured the pain in his body, put away the ten taels of silver, and slowly walked towards his residence.
In the past ten years, he had not been without resistance, but as someone weaker than an ordinary person, he was no match for them and was even beaten more severely.
Moreover, when he was beaten, any extra movement or wail could become a reason to be beaten more. From then on, Sun Bing understood that this world was ultimately a world where fists spoke, and only by becoming a Cultivator could he seek revenge.
Therefore, since then, Wang Hong knew that he had to endure and bide his time, but he firmly remembered these ten years, these one hundred and twenty times.