From breaking the limits of archery to achieving martial arts godhood

"Bloody Hand Gang, you dare to come here again."

With a furious roar, Chen Long sprang up, his entire body gleaming with a black iron-like luster, and punched the leader of the Blood Hand Gang.

The man, dressed in red, immediately circulated his qi and blood upon seeing this, and his body surface also showed a black iron luster as he threw a punch at Chen Long.

The next moment, the two black iron fists collided, producing a "clang" sound, just like real steel clashing.

With a "crack," after the collision, Chen Long staggered back three steps, each step leaving a cracked footprint on the blue brick floor.

As Chen Long retreated to his third step, his cloth shoes, unable to withstand the powerful force, burst apart with a "bang."

On the other hand, the man in red only took two steps back, each step leaving deep footprints on the bluestone bricks, but there were very few cracks around the footprints.

It is clear that his control over his body far surpasses that of Chen Long.

"admit."

The man in red clasped his hands in greeting first and then smiled.

At this moment, the black iron sheen on his body had disappeared.

On the other side, Chen Long put his trembling hands behind his back, looked at the man in red with icy eyes, and couldn't help but snort coldly.

On the surface, it seemed that Chen Long was only slightly inferior when the two exchanged a punch.

In reality, Chen Long knew in his heart that he was no match for the man in red.

If they were to fight one-on-one, Chen Long would likely be defeated within a hundred moves.

This is a difference in both strength and mindset.

"This person's cultivation level has probably reached the peak of the Iron Bone Realm."

Chen Long thought to himself.

Seeing Chen Long at a disadvantage, the people of Chenjiabao quickly drew their weapons and stared nervously at the Blood Hand Gang.

The Blood Hands gang members were not to be outdone, and they also drew their weapons, confronting the Chen family's men.

The atmosphere at the scene immediately became tense, and any slight movement could easily lead to a fight.

Just then, the man in red spoke first.

"Is this how you, Chenjiabao, treat your guests?"

Chen Long immediately retorted: "You are not guests of my Chen Family Fortress, but enemies."

"The day before yesterday, my Chen Family Fort caravan was attacked and killed by the Black Wind Bandits. Do you dare say that this wasn't orchestrated by your Blood Hand Gang?"

Upon hearing this, the man in red narrowed his eyes, staring at Chen Long with a half-smile, and said, "Chen Long, do you have any evidence?"

"Evidence," Chen Long repeated, but before he could continue, he suddenly stopped.

They really don't have any evidence to prove it.

Therefore, Chen Long could only force himself to shout loudly, "What evidence do you need? Everyone knows that the Black Wind Thief was supported by your Blood Hand Gang."

"Yeah?"

The man in red sneered, "If that's the case, why don't you report us, the Blood Hand Gang, to the authorities for colluding with bandits and harming the people?"

"Didn't you say that everyone knows the Black Wind Thieves and our Blood Hand Gang are in cahoots?"

"You," Chen Long pointed at the man in red, his face full of anger, but he couldn't say anything to refute him.

He has good talent in martial arts, but he is clumsy with words.

"Chen Long, get out of my way."

Suddenly, a dignified old man's voice rang out.

Everyone quickly looked back.

Five elderly men, surrounded by a group of people, hurried over.

These five elders are the five elders of the Chen family, and also the foundation of the Chen family.

To become an elder of the Chen family, there are two requirements: first, one must have a cultivation level of at least the Bone Forging Realm when young; and second, one must be highly respected in Chen Family Village.

Every eligible member of the Chen family can be elected as an elder after the age of 50.

The elders are responsible for managing the village, and all village affairs and decisions must go through the elders.

The elders usually live in the center of Chenjiabao, and a few errand runners will convey their decisions to every corner of the village.

That's why, when the Blood Hand Gang suddenly arrived, these elders were among the last to know.

"Elder!"

Chen Long wanted to say something, but when he met the old man's eyes, he immediately lowered his head like a child who had made a mistake, and dejectedly came to the back of the elders.

Then Chen Long heard a familiar voice.

"Big brother."

Chen Long looked up and saw his younger brother, Chen Hu, standing to the side.

"Ah Hu, why are you out here instead of resting and recovering?"

Chen Long frowned and reprimanded in a low voice.

He was feeling frustrated when Chen Hu happened to come over at that moment, and naturally, he received a scolding.

Chen Hu was reprimanded, especially since Chen Xun was also present, which made him so embarrassed that he kept scratching his head.

At this moment, the Chen family's eldest elder began to make contact with the man in red.

Compared to the hot-tempered Chen Long, the eldest elder of the Chen family was much more tactful, and with just a few words, he eased the atmosphere on the scene.

Then, they would invite the man in red to have tea and chat.

"No need for tea, Elder Chen."

The man in red waved his hand in refusal, then revealed the purpose of his visit: "I have come to your Chen Family Village on the orders of the gang leader to collect the annual tribute."

"Yearly silver" is another way of saying "protection fee".

"The gang leader said that as long as you pay in full today, you only need to pay 1500 taels."

"If you delay with any excuse, you will have to pay 2000 taels."

"Whether you pay 1500 taels or 2000 taels, you can choose one."

After the man in red finished speaking...

The people on Chenjiabao's side were immediately agitated.

After some reassurance from the Chen family elders, everyone finally quieted down.

But the anger in everyone's eyes did not dissipate.

"We, Chenjiabao, cannot accept this amount of pension."

"Unless it goes back to the original 1000 taels."

The eldest elder of the Chen family had a gloomy old face.

"That's a real shame. This is one of the few acts of kindness our leader has shown to your Chen Family Village."

The man in red seemed to know Chenjia Village's choice, and simply smiled faintly.

"However, since you have rejected the goodwill of our Blood Hand Gang leader, you should be prepared to bear the wrath of our leader."

"You," these words directly enraged Chen Long, his eyes blazing with fury, and he was about to attack the man in red again.

But he was held back tightly by two elders of the Chen family beside him.

The two elders were both at the Bone Forging Realm. Although they were old and frail and their physical strength was failing, their power had not diminished much. They were more than capable of holding Chen Long back.

"Chen Long, don't be impulsive."

The eldest elder of the Chen family gave a low shout.

Chen Long's body stiffened, and in the end, he just stared intently at the man in red, as if trying to imprint the other person on his eyes.

The man in red didn't seem to care.

After all, there are far too many people who hate him.

But in the end, he still lived a good life.

Before leaving, the man in red said to the Chen family's eldest elder with a half-smile, "By the way, I have some news for you."

"Before coming to Chenjia Village, I visited Liujia Village and Lijia Village."

"They have agreed to pay 1500 taels of silver as a yearly stipend."

As he spoke, the man in red waved his hand, and immediately two men carrying two boxes came out.

The box was opened, and it was filled with silver.

This scene made the Chen family's eldest elder's face even more unsightly.

"Now, of the three villages, only your Chenjia Village has not yet handed over its annual tax."

After saying that, the man in red waved his hand, and his men put away the silver. Then, the Blood Hand Gang members left Chen Family Fort in an orderly manner.

Mounting the horses left outside the fort, the Blood Hand Gang members left Chen Family Village.

On the way, one of the red-clad man's subordinates couldn't help but ask him, "Lord Lin Zhen, where have we been to the other two villages?"

"Fool."

Lin Zhen's face darkened, and he slapped his subordinate on the head, almost knocking him off his horse.

"I was just bluffing that old man."

"When we go to Liujia Village later, remember to say that Chenjia Village and Lijia Village have already presented 1500 taels of silver as a yearly tribute."

"Yes."

The other subordinates immediately replied.

"What if the people of Liujia Village don't pay either?"

Another subordinate asked in a low voice.

"Then let's teach Liu Family Village a lesson, just like we did with Chen Family Village."

A cold glint flashed in Lin Zhen's eyes.

"Why is the gang suddenly raising the yearly allowance? Wouldn't it be better to keep it at 1,000 taels like before? There's no need for this trouble."

This question echoed the sentiments of many, prompting them to turn to look at Lin Zhen.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhen glanced at his subordinate, then his face darkened, and he rebuked him, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

The subordinate was so frightened that he immediately fell silent and apologized repeatedly.

"Alright, ignorance is no excuse. Don't ask about this kind of thing again."

"Yes."

The others quickly responded.

Looking at his subordinates who were all bowing their heads and remaining silent, Lin Zhen couldn't help but sigh.

"Actually, the gang doesn't care about the extra few hundred taels of gold."

"The reason for doing this is simply..."

"I hope the gang leader's plan will succeed."

Lin Zhen shook his head, squeezed his legs together, and rode his horse, leading his men towards Liu Family Village.