An era of turmoil is upon us.

"Greetings, Master Yun. I'd like to rent a spot for business today," Zhong Lin said with a polite smile.

Yesterday in the black market, Zhong Lin had learned that the gatekeeper's name was Yun Ye. He was a seventh-grade martial artist in the Bone Refining Realm, possessing unparalleled strength. It was precisely because of his presence that the black market remained peaceful, with no one daring to cause trouble.

"Stall fee is two big coins per night," Yun Ye said casually.

"Understood."

After paying the market entry fee, the total came to three big coins. Zhong Lin received a palm-sized token with the characters "Ding You 18" written on it.

He was already familiar with the process. Upon entering the black market, he found his designated spot and placed the wooden token in a visible position.

Next to the stall, there was also a wooden signboard where vendors could write the name of their goods. Some who were illiterate simply laid out their products without any labels.

After a brief moment of thought, Zhong Lin wrote four bold characters on the sign: "Vital Blood Elixir." Then, he arranged several packets of medicinal powder neatly in front of him.

The words "Vital Blood Elixir" were quite eye-catching. Before long, literate passersby began stopping to take a look.

Seeing potential customers, Zhong Lin proactively introduced his product:

"This is the Eight Treasure Blood Nourishing Powder, an excellent remedy for replenishing energy and blood. Its effects surpass even the secret medicines sold by martial arts academies. Each packet lasts for three days."

"How much?"

The speaker was a man wearing a monkey-faced mask. His features were obscured, and his voice was slightly hoarse.

"Five taels of silver per packet," Zhong Lin said, holding up five fingers.

"That's expensive," the masked man responded in a deep voice. "Even the martial arts academies only sell theirs for three taels."

"Then you're welcome to buy from the martial arts academies," Zhong Lin replied with a half-smile.

The monkey-masked man instantly fell silent. It was obvious that he was someone who couldn't show his face in town, let alone walk into a martial arts academy.

"I need to test the medicine first."

"Of course."

The masked man opened a packet, pinched a small amount of powder between his fingers, and placed it in his mouth. After a brief moment, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Good effect. I'll take them all."

"Pleasure doing business with you."

Zhong Lin was overjoyed—he hadn't expected to sell out so quickly.

The masked man tossed over a pouch from his waist. Zhong Lin caught it and, from the weight and the sound of clinking metal, estimated it to be around fifty taels of silver. Still, he opened the pouch to check.

Sure enough, it was filled with fragmented silver pieces, and the amount was just right.

"Will you be selling again tomorrow?" the masked man asked in a low voice before leaving.

"Yes."

"Good."

Without another word, the masked man turned and left.

Zhong Lin erased the writing on the wooden sign and departed as well. Not long after, he walked out of the black market, his face filled with pain—twenty taels of silver had just been exchanged for two Blood Replenishing Pills.

"Damn it! I have to study more medical books these days. I refuse to believe I can't crack the formula for these Blood Replenishing Pills!"

With a determined heart, he set a goal for himself. In just a moment, twenty taels of silver had disappeared—too painful to bear.

On his way back, he took extra precautions, circling around to avoid being followed. Fortunately, he made it back to Heishan County without issue.

"No trouble… what a relief."

With a sigh, he returned home safely.

The next morning, Zhong Lin prepared a lavish breakfast, and the two brothers ate heartily.

He noticed that as his martial arts training progressed, his appetite was also increasing—though this was a good sign.

After sending Xiao Shitou to study with Master Liu, Zhong Lin made a trip to the Xu Medical Clinic to give Xu Lewu his twenty taels of silver.

Xu Lewu was overjoyed as he received the payment, smiling so broadly that his face almost split in two. He even closed the clinic for the day and immediately started making more Eight Treasure Blood Nourishing Powder.

After returning the previous night's borrowed book, "Ben Cao Meng Quan," Zhong Lin picked up another one—"Essential Principles of Food and Drink."

His plan was to go through all the books in the clinic as quickly as possible and eventually crack the formula for the Blood Replenishing Pills, achieving full independence in producing them.

After checking in at the county office, he headed straight to the warehouse where Old Zhou was stationed.

"Old Zhou, something's happening outside, isn't it?" Zhong Lin asked bluntly.

Old Zhou's face changed slightly. He glanced around to ensure no one was listening before whispering:

"So, you've heard the news too?"

"What news?"

"Hah! You're trying to trick me."

Old Zhou glared at him, then chuckled.

Zhong Lin grinned. "I just noticed that things seem off in town—too many refugees. And the price of rice has more than doubled. Be honest with me, is something happening outside?"

Old Zhou hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"Zhong Lin, have you realized that ever since you joined the county office, you've never once seen the county magistrate or Chief Clerk Zhang?"

A thought struck Zhong Lin. It was indeed strange—since arriving in Heishan County, he had only ever seen County Captain Du exercising authority, while the magistrate and Chief Clerk Zhang had never appeared.

"The situation outside is a mess," Old Zhou continued. "This summer's drought caused a massive reduction in grain yields. Refugees are multiplying, and some opportunists have started gathering bandits and stirring up trouble. Our Heishan County is fortunate to be backed by Heishan Mountain and the Baisha River. Otherwise, we would have been in chaos by now. At this rate, it won't be long before the magistrate returns to conscript soldiers."

"An era of turmoil is coming."

This phrase suddenly surfaced in Zhong Lin's mind. History had long proven that natural disasters and human calamities often went hand in hand. What he didn't know was how far-reaching this particular drought and war would be.

"Zhong Lin, if you have spare money, stock up on grain while you still can. The price will only go higher," Old Zhou advised.

"I understand. Thanks, Old Zhou."

"Ah, no need for thanks."

Hearing the news of an impending era of chaos, Zhong Lin was distracted all morning. He couldn't focus on his medical books and went straight home to train instead.

After swallowing a Blood Replenishing Pill, he immersed himself in martial arts practice in the courtyard. His movements shifted between overwhelming power and the ferocity of a tiger descending a mountain.

Although autumn had arrived, he felt as if there was a fire burning inside him. His breathing techniques vibrated his internal organs, and wisps of heat rose from his head. The surging of his blood was clearly audible.

After an hour, he slowly came to a stop, his eyes gleaming sharply like a tiger's.

He could feel a tingling sensation in his tendons and membranes, as if experiencing a second phase of growth.

Time passed steadily.

Each night, Zhong Lin continued visiting the black market, using most of his earnings from the Eight Treasure Blood Nourishing Powder to buy medicinal pills, while a smaller portion was spent on stockpiling grain.

The underground cellar where Xiao Shitou had once hidden was expanded again. Each night, Zhong Lin carefully disposed of the excavated soil. The interior was treated with insect-repelling and moisture-absorbing herbs.

A small-scale bunker was now complete.

Even if war broke out, it would be enough for them to hide for at least a month.