Chapter 8: Pay Your Taxes!

Chapter 8: Pay Your Taxes!

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a fiery glow over the academy, the students sat in silence, their eyes glued to the stage. The academy elder stood tall, his voice echoing through the hall as he called out names one by one, handing out the weekly allowance.

For these young Gu Masters, the allowance was a lifeline—a way to keep their Gu fed and their grindset intact in a world where resources were as rare as a quiet moment in Ohio.

"Gu Yue Fang Yuan," the elder called, his gaze lingering on the young man as he rose from his seat.

Fang Yuan walked to the stage, his expression as calm as a sigma male on his grind. He received two moneybags: one containing three primeval stones—the clan's allowance—and the other holding ten primeval stones as a reward for his recent wins.

"Work hard," the elder said, his tone carrying a hint of approval. Fang Yuan's consistent performance had begun to turn heads, even among those who had once dismissed him as just another C-grade NPC.

Fang Yuan nodded, tucking the purses into his robe like a true sigma, before returning to his seat.

The Seeds of Resentment

"Bro really got number one again? That's wild," Gu Yue Mo Bei muttered under his breath, his fists clenched in frustration.

"Was it luck, or maybe he's hacking?" Gu Yue Chi Cheng wondered, his eyes narrowing as he studied Fang Yuan. The question had been living rent-free in his head since the assessment.

Many of the students cast sidelong glances at Fang Yuan, their curiosity and resentment simmering like a pot of Ohio chili. They couldn't accept that a C-grade talent like him had outplayed them.

The Elder's Announcement

As the day drew to a close, the academy elder dropped a bombshell.

"In the coming days, I will teach you how to warm and nourish your aperture, advancing your cultivation realm," he began. "The higher your rank, the more rizz you have and the more powerful your primeval essence becomes. A Rank one Gu Master wields green copper primeval essence; a Rank two, red iron; and a Rank three, white silver. Each rank is ten times stronger than the last."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Cultivation is the foundation of a Gu Master's strength. In three months, the first student to reach Rank one middle stage will receive thirty primeval stones and the privilege of choosing their second Gu. Additionally, we will elect a class monitor and two vice-class monitors. The class monitor will receive ten primeval stones weekly, and the vice-class monitors will receive five."

The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the room.

The Carrot and the Stick

"The class monitor position is mine!" one student declared, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

"It's not just about the primeval stones—it's about the clout," Gu Yue Mo Bei said, his voice low. He and Gu Yue Chi Cheng exchanged glances, they knew that it was mog or be mogged.

Meanwhile, Fang Yuan leaned against the academy gates, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"How naive," he thought. "They're so eager to chase after titles and trinkets, not realizing they're just pawns in a larger game."

The Nature of Power

Fang Yuan's five hundred years of experience had taught him the truth about organizations—whether clans, sects, or demonic groups.

"Power is a carrot dangled in front of a donkey," he mused. "The higher-ups create positions of authority to motivate those below, exploiting their desires for personal gain. They sell the illusion of glory, masking the true nature of their control."

He understood that every organization, at its core, was about the redistribution of resources. The higher the position, the greater the share of those resources.

"And for a Gu Master," Fang Yuan thought, his eyes glinting with determination, "primeval stones are the most valuable resource of all."

The Sigma's Plan

Fang Yuan was long gone from the academy, and now, he could see the first batch of students coming closer towards the gate entrance, where he was.

"It's Fang Yuan."

"What's that kid doing there bro."

"Just ignore him, he looks like he has that discord mod energy around him."

The young teens paid no attention to him, but just as they were about to leave, Fang Yuan stopped them.

"Oi, pay your taxes," he announced, his voice calm but firm. "Ain't no one leaving until you give me a primeval stone. "

The students stared at him, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

Extorting Time (Free Loot)

The young teens were instantly SHOOK and BIG MAD.

"Wait, did I hear that right? Bro's really trying to mog us at the gates?!"

"Fang Yuan, your brain must've glitched. You'd actually stand here and try to rizz us out of our primeval stones?!"

"Have you gone full mew mode?! Who gave you the audacity to pull this kind of stunt?!"

"Scram, you're just a petty C-grade NPC. If you don't move, I'll send you flying with my—URGHH!"

Fang Yuan suddenly CRASHED OUT.

His right palm went full EDGE mode, cutting forward like a sigma grindset. His movement was quick and precise, his slice hitting the left side of someone's neck.

This unlucky teenager was totally NOT EXPECTING Fang Yuan to pull a move like that. While he was still mid-curse, he crumpled to the ground, eyes rolling back as he fainted on the spot.

The Rizzless Rebellion

"Bro actually struck first?!" The crowd jumped back, their bravado faltering.

"Gu Yue Bei Ju is down! What do we do?!" Some of them panicked, their voices trembling.

"What else can we do? There's so many of us, and he's just one guy. Lets rush him!"

"Yeah, he's courting death with this overconfidence. Everyone, get him!"

But before they could act, Fang Yuan was already moving. He strode forward, diving into the group like a tiger among sheep.

The Sigma Strikes

Fang Yuan's movements were calculated, each strike landing with precision. He slashed at another teen's neck, sending him to the ground.

"Ahh—!" Another teen swung a wild punch, but Fang Yuan ducked effortlessly. With a swift kick to the crotch, the boy's indignant roar turned into a high-pitched scream of agony.

Thump.

The boy collapsed, clutching himself as he rolled on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Fang Yuan moved like a seasoned fighter, his five hundred years of experience evident in every motion. These youngsters, barely starting their cultivation journey, were no match for him.

Everyone Comes (Everyone's Cooked)

"What's going on here?!" Gu Yue Mo Bei arrived, his eyes widening at the scene.

"AHAHAHA GIVE ME YOUR PRIMEVAL STONES!!!" Fang Yuan stood at the academy gates, surrounded by five or six students lying on the ground.

"Fang Yuan's trying to extort our primeval stones!" one of the fallen students shouted, clutching his stomach.

Fang Yuan's expression remained sigma as he delivered a sharp kick to the boy's abdomen, silencing him with a cry of pain.

The other students, witnessing Fang Yuan's ruthlessness, hesitated. Fear flickered in their eyes as they realized they were outmatched.

"Alright, hand over a piece of primeval stone each, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, you'll end up like them," Fang Yuan said coldly, gesturing to the groaning bodies on the ground.

"In your dreams! You think a petty C-grade can take me on?!" Gu Yue Mo Bei charged forward, fists swinging.

Fang Yuan sidestepped effortlessly, his fingers jabbing at Mo Bei's clavicle. The boy crumpled to the ground, unconscious. "L skill issue."

The remaining students froze, their courage evaporating.

The Aftermath

Fang Yuan's gaze swept over the terrified group. "Well? Are you going to hand them over, or do I have to take them myself?"

Reluctantly, the students began surrendering their primeval stones. Fang Yuan pocketed them with a satisfied smirk, his stash growing significantly.

As the last group of students arrived, Fang Yuan's twin brother, Fang Zheng, stepped forward, wide-eyed.

"Big brother, how could you do this?! You're going to get expelled!"

Fang Yuan chuckled. "Hold on, did you pay your taxes?"

Fang Zheng gaped. "Even me?!"

"Of course. Unless you want to join them," Fang Yuan said, gesturing to the unconscious bodies.

The Elder Watches

The academy elder stood at the pavilion, his gaze fixed on Fang Yuan as chaos unfolded below. The guards, visibly agitated, tried to plead their case.

"Sir elder, are we really just going to stand by and let this happen? What if someone dies? How will we explain it?" one guard asked, his voice trembling.

The elder chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Why stop it? Look at him—he's in complete control. His strikes are precise, targeting only non-lethal areas. He knows exactly what he's doing."

He pointed to the students on the ground. "Do you see any serious injuries? No. Even if there were, our treatment Gu Masters could handle it easily."

The guard hesitated, then argued, "But sir, his arrogance is UNHINGED. He's blocking the entrance, ignoring our presence. If word spreads, it could damage the academy's reputation—and yours."

The elder's expression darkened. "Are you suggesting that my reputation is more important than the students' growth? Or is it that you feel slighted because a student dared to ignore you?"

The guards fell silent, their faces pale.

The Elder's Lesson

"Let me remind you," the elder continued, his voice sharp, "these students bear the Gu Yue name. They are the future of our clan. Even if they're young and weak, they are still your masters. You are here to serve them, not the other way around."

He turned to the chief guard, who had spoken out of turn. "As for you, your disrespect has cost you your position. In half a month, there will be a re-examination to determine the new chief."

The other guards' eyes lit up at the opportunity, their earlier fear replaced by ambition.

"Now, get downstairs and clean up the mess," the elder ordered. "And remember your place."

The guards scrambled to obey, tripping over themselves in their haste.

The Final Confrontation

Back at the gates, Fang Yuan faced the last group of students, including his twin brother, Fang Zheng.

"Big brother, have you lost your MIND?!" Fang Zheng exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You're going to get expelled for this!"

Fang Yuan smirked. "You're right. But first, pay your taxes."

Fang Zheng gaped. "EVEN ME?!"

"Of course. Unless you want to join them," Fang Yuan said, gesturing to the unconscious bodies scattered around.

The remaining students, realizing resistance was futile, reluctantly handed over their stones. Fang Yuan's collection grew, his pouch now bulging with primeval stones.

The Sigma's Triumph

As Fang Yuan walked away, the academy elder watched from above, a faint smile on his lips.

"This boy… he's something else," the elder muttered. "A natural fighter, even if his talent is lacking. Perhaps he'll surprise us all."

The guards, meanwhile, rushed to tend to the fallen students, muttering among themselves about Fang Yuan's audacity.