In this chaotic world of vying for power, I can become stronger by marrying a wife.

The biting wind lashed at my face like a knife. It took more than an hour to travel from the village to Jing'an City.

Su Ming braved the wind and snow, struggling to walk through snow that reached above his calves.

Occasionally, you can see frozen corpses huddled in the snow by the roadside.

This is a chaotic world.

When the majestic city wall came into view, Su Ming did not breathe a sigh of relief; instead, he became even more vigilant.

At the city gate, several ruffians in tattered armor were lazily inspecting the refugees entering the city with rusty spears, occasionally snatching the last few copper coins from some poor soul.

Su Ming tightened the package in his arms, lowered his head, and blended into the crowd, successfully entering the city.

The scene inside the city was quite different.

Although desolate, it was more lively than the area outside the city.

The sounds of hawkers' cries, carriages, and the clanging of blacksmiths' shops mingled together, creating a symphony of life amidst chaos.

He had no interest in strolling around. After making a few inquiries, he headed straight for the most impressive shop in the city—Liuyun Pavilion.

The three characters "Liuyun Pavilion" are written in a vigorous and elegant style. The facade is made of the finest golden nanmu wood, and two majestic stone lions stand guard. Those who enter and exit are either rich or noble.

Su Ming, dressed in tattered clothes, stood at the doorway, completely out of place with everything around him.

"Please come in, sir."

A waiter dressed in a blue cloth shirt showed no disdain whatsoever; on the contrary, he greeted them with a smile and was very polite.

"I'm here to sell something."

Su Ming's voice was not loud, but it was very steady. "I want to see your manager."

Just as the waiter was about to speak, a middle-aged man dressed in brocade and slightly overweight came out from the inner room. Hearing Su Ming's words, he glanced at him and paused for a moment.

"Oh? What treasures do you have, young brother, that you wish to offer to our Flowing Cloud Pavilion?"

This man is Hu Qing, the manager of Liuyun Pavilion.

He's here welcoming and seeing off guests; he has a very discerning eye.

Although the young man in front of me was poorly dressed, he had a tall and straight posture and his eyes were frighteningly bright. Especially in this magnificent hall, he did not show any of the timidity or fear that an ordinary poor person should have.

Su Ming didn't answer, but simply looked around at the bustling hall.

Hu Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood.

This person knows the rules; the item they're selling is probably something special.

"It was Mr. Hu who was being presumptuous."

His smile widened, and he gestured for him to come in, "Young man, please come in. Let's have tea and talk in detail in a private room."

Inside the private room, the charcoal fire was burning brightly.

Hu Qing personally brewed a pot of hot tea and pushed it in front of Su Ming: "Young brother, can you show us your treasure now?"

Without wasting words, Su Ming took out the tattered bundle from his pocket and slowly unfolded it.

The moment the jade-colored semi-spiritual plant was exposed to the air, a faint, exotic fragrance wafted out.

Hu Qing's breath hitched!

His shrewd eyes widened instantly, and he sprang up from his chair as if struck by lightning, stumbling and falling to the table.

"This...this is...a precious medicine imbued with spiritual energy!"

Hu Qing's voice trembled. He cautiously reached out his hand, but dared not touch it. He simply brought it close and sniffed it hard, his face full of fervor and excitement.

Su Ming picked up the teacup, gently blew on the steam, and slowly took a sip, as if it were just a larger radish.

"I found it by chance while quarrying stones in the mountains," he said casually.

Hu Qingqiang suppressed his overwhelming joy, sat back in his chair, and took several deep breaths to calm himself down.

He knew he had met a big customer.

Such rare and precious materials are something that martial arts masters who cultivate can exchange their lives for.

"Young brother, this treasure... what price are you planning to offer?" Hu Qing asked tentatively.

Su Ming put down his teacup, looked at him, and smiled: "Manager Hu is an expert. I'm just a country bumpkin, how would I know anything about this? You can decide what to pay. If the price is fair, maybe there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future..."

That last sentence was like a needle, piercing precisely into Hu Qing's heart.

besides?!

Hu Qing was filled with excitement. This kind of medicinal herb containing spiritual energy has always been in high demand and short supply. If it can be supplied in a long-term manner, then his Liuyun Pavilion will have another signature product to make its reputation known!

He dared not entertain any further probing thoughts, and decisively held up five fingers: "Young brother, my Liuyun Pavilion will offer fifty taels of silver for this precious herb! What do you say?"

Fifty taels!

Su Ming was also taken aback.

In an era when an ordinary family's annual expenses did not exceed ten taels of silver, this amount of money was enough to allow Li Yueru to live a life free from worries about food and clothing for several years after he joined the army.

He remained expressionless, simply nodding slightly: "Okay."

"Great! That's awesome!"

Hu Qing was overjoyed and immediately ordered someone to bring him the silver notes.

"In addition, this is our Liuyun Pavilion's VIP token. Next time you come, just show the token and someone will take you to see me."

Su Ming accepted the silver notes and token, and felt a bit more favorably disposed towards the fat man named Hu Qing.

This person is very shrewd.

"Manager Hu, until we meet again."

"Respectfully seeing off our distinguished guest!"

Su Ming, carrying a large sum of money, had just reached the entrance of Liuyun Pavilion when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

At the street corner, a furtive figure was pointing and gesturing at him; it was Zhao Hu, that scoundrel.

Beside Zhao Hu stood a man with a towering, imposing physique.

The man was wearing a military uniform, with a face full of scars, a sinister look in his eyes, and a standard military knife at his waist. A stench of blood emanated from him.

As soon as Zhao Hu saw Su Ming come out, he immediately leaned close to the man's ear and whispered obsequiously, "Lord Liu, it's him! I saw him go in with my own eyes, and Manager Hu even personally escorted him out! He must have found some treasure on the mountain and sold it for a fortune!"

The man known as Lord Liu, Liu Tao, a centurion of the Liangzhou Army's Tiger Warrior Battalion, had his eyes fixed on Su Ming like those of a hungry wolf.

Zhao Hu understood Liu Tao's look and rushed out to block Su Ming's path.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Tao slowly walked out from behind, his voice hoarse, carrying a sense of oppressive superiority.

"You're Su Ming?"

Zhao Hu chimed in sarcastically, "Su Ming, why don't you kneel down before Lord Liu! Lord Liu is in charge of this batch of new recruits!"

"Whether you go to the logistics team to survive or to the vanguard team to die will be decided by a single word from Lord Liu!"

"Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Tao raised his head arrogantly, as if waiting for Su Ming to fawn over him.

However, Su Ming merely smiled dismissively, "Just say what you want!"

He now possesses a personal space capable of cultivating spiritual plants, as well as the skills of a sharpshooter, herbal identification, and the strength of a half-step martial artist!

He would rather join the dangerous vanguard team than the logistics team where everyone just loafs around and waits to die!

Only by joining the vanguard team can one have the opportunity to make meritorious contributions, and even great ones!

Liu Tao was displeased to see that Su Ming did not show any fear or awe on his face.

He strolled forward slowly, extended his gloved hand, and patted Su Ming's shoulder lightly, yet it felt as if a mountain was pressing down on Su Ming.

"I heard you found some treasure in the mountains?"