44-Forced Purchase and Sale.

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- Host: Zhong Lin

- Skills: Archery (Max Level), Flying Locust Stone (Max Level), Realistic Painting (Max Level), Calligraphy (Max Level), Culinary Arts (Max Level), Iron Mountain Strength Technique (Max Level), Instant Kill Technique (Max Level), Black Tiger Fist (Max Level), Willow Catkin Footwork (Max Level), Wind-Splitting Blade Technique (Max Level), Medicine (Max Level), Pharmacy(Max Level), Iron Sand Palm (Max Level), Rolling Stone Fist (Max Level).

Skill Points: ∞ 

Zhong Lin glanced at the system panel. Two new skills had been added: a fist technique and a palm technique, both of which he had learned at the yamen.

It wasn't a big deal anyway—more skills never hurt! 

For the past half-month, Zhong Lin had barely left the house, spending each day training at home in hopes of breaking through.

The Seventh Rank was called the Bone-Forging Realm. As the name suggested, it involved tempering the bones. Bones might seem hard, but they were actually quite fragile and required repeated internal-to-external refinement.

Of course, Zhong Lin's current strength hadn't yet reached the limit of the Tendon-Refining Realm. Though he hadn't started forging his bones, his power was still growing. Zhong Lin estimated his strength was now around seven hundred pounds, thanks in large part to the *Iron Mountain Technique*, a martial art that particularly boosted physical power.

"It's the start of the month again. I wonder if that ghost-masked guy will show up? I need to buy a batch of Bone-Strengthening Pills from him."

"Relying solely on my own gradual bone-tempering is too slow. I need external aids. Otherwise, even with a max-level *Iron Mountain Technique*, it'd take half a year. I don't have that kind of time."

Zhong Lin felt a pressing urgency in his heart. He needed to gain greater strength in the shortest time possible to protect himself and his brother in this chaotic world.

…

Outside Xu's Clinic.

Huang Sheng, dressed in pitch-black short robes, stood with two lackeys, gripping a simple saber in his hand.

"Lord Huang, a rare guest, a rare guest! Please, come in."

Though Xu Lewu didn't particularly like Huang Sheng, he still had to make a living under the man's influence, so he maintained the necessary politeness.

He led Huang Sheng and his two followers inside, instructing an apprentice at the clinic to bring chairs.

"Lord Huang, here's this month's protection fee. Please take it."

After partnering with Zhong Lin, Xu Lewu had made a hefty profit, so he didn't care too much about the fifteen large coins and handed them over readily.

Huang Sheng weighed the fifteen coins in his hand and nodded with satisfaction. "Old Xu, you're still the straightforward one. Not like those stingy bastards who always act like my blade's gone dull."

"With all due respect, Lord Huang, it's not entirely their fault. Times are tough these days," Xu Lewu said.

"They've got it tough, so I've got it easy?" Huang Sheng snorted coldly. "I won't hide it from you—I've been in a bind lately too. The gang's suddenly dumped a task on us these past couple of days to gather supplies. Tell me, isn't that just making things hard on purpose?"

Though Xu Lewu was puzzled why Huang Sheng was sharing this with him, he nodded along. "It does seem a bit unreasonable."

"Right? No one's got it easy. But the protection fees still need to be paid. That said, Old Xu, you could help me out with this."

"Me?"

Xu Lewu's heart tightened. Being called "Doctor Xu" like that felt ominous—like a weasel paying respects to a chicken with no good intentions.

Huang Sheng grinned slyly. "Doctor Xu, I heard you stockpiled a batch of herbs a while back. It just so happens I need what you've got. I won't shortchange you—I'll buy it at the original price. How's that?"

Xu Lewu's anger flared instantly. Son of a bitch, so this was the trap!

Buy it at the original price?

Spit! 

Everyone knew that in Heishan County, the prices of all kinds of goods had skyrocketed, especially grain and herbs. Herbs, in particular, were in high demand, with prices rising daily—sometimes even priceless in the market. 

If he sold his batch of herbs now, he could easily get three to five times the original price, with people scrambling to buy. If he turned them into "Eight-Treasure Blood Nourishing Soup," the price would multiply several times more.

And here Huang Sheng was, trying to take it back at the original price with nothing but empty words. What a joke.

"Lord Huang, I'm not planning to sell these herbs," Xu Lewu said, shaking his head.

"Oh?"

Huang Sheng's smile faded, replaced by a cold, insincere grin. "Old Xu, you're not willing to help me out, huh? After all the care I've shown you. The world's a mess these days—what if some thieves broke into your place one day? You're an old man; you might not fear death, but I recall you've got a grandson. If something happened to him… tsk, tsk."

The simmering anger in Xu Lewu's heart was suddenly doused by a bucket of cold water.

His grandson was his greatest weakness. Ever since his son and daughter-in-law died, his grandson had become his lifeline. Wasn't his whole partnership with Zhong Lin just to build a foundation for the boy? 

Huang Sheng's threatening words struck right at his core.

Huang Sheng slowly stood up, looking down at Xu Lewu with a chilling glint in his eyes.

"Old Xu, I'd advise you to think it over carefully. The waters here run deep—I'm worried you won't be able to hold on."

Xu Lewu took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Lord Huang, could you give me some time to consider?"

He still didn't want to give up the herbs and hoped to discuss it with Zhong Lin.

"You think I'm giving you too much face?"

Huang Sheng's face twisted with impatience. Xu Lewu's repeated refusals had already stirred his discontent.

When I give you respect, I call you Doctor Xu. When I don't, you're just Old Xu.

Did this half-buried old man really think he could defy him? Had his authority become so useless that even an old geezer dared challenge him? 

Huang Sheng's expression hardened, and his right hand reached for the simple saber resting nearby.

In an instant, the air seemed to freeze, thick with a murderous aura.

Tap, tap, tap! 

Footsteps sounded from outside, and then a tall figure strode in.

It was Zhong Lin.

Xu Lewu's eyes lit up as if he'd seen a savior.

Zhong Lin walked in boldly, acting like he owned the place. He plopped down on a nearby chair and feigned confusion. "Old Xu, aren't you going to introduce me?"

"This is Lord Huang from the Black Water Gang. He wants to buy our herbs. I said I'd think it over," Xu Lewu replied, deliberately emphasizing "our" in his tone—whether to clue Zhong Lin in or to pressure Huang Sheng, it wasn't clear.

"The Black Water Gang, huh!"

Zhong Lin glanced at Huang Sheng with a half-smile. "Lord Huang, right? Since you've taken a liking to my batch of herbs, it's not out of the question. I won't cheat you—how about we go by market price?"

Huang Sheng's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected this interloper to show up out of nowhere. His voice turned icy. "So it's Master Zhong, the painter, in person. I've heard of you. I didn't realize you'd dipped your toes into the herb trade too?"

"It's all about the silver," Zhong Lin said with a chuckle. "I got some tips from a few friends at the yamen and stockpiled a batch of herbs in advance. Lord Huang, you're actually my first buyer these days. You've got a sharp eye."

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