Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

"I could kill ten pieces of trash like you with one punch!"

-----------------

Chu Family Pharmacy, Yunxi County, Hualong Prefecture.

On the old, yellowed bed.

Chu Hong's eyelids felt heavy.

Outside, the medicine stove gurgled and occasionally the whooshing sound of fans could be heard.

The strong, bitter smell of medicine seeped into the room and filled the nostrils.

Chu Hong finally opened his eyes.

Looking at the medicine bowl containing half a bowl of medicinal soup, and the simple, coarse linen clothes...

This scene is both strange and familiar.

He couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

This is... time travel.

"Hong'er! You're awake?"

The door creaked open.

A woman dressed in coarse linen clothes held a bowl of medicine and exclaimed with delight.

"daughter."

Chu Hong spoke up instinctively.

The mother, filled with heartache, helped Chu Hong sit up, then scooped up a spoonful of medicine and blew on it repeatedly.

"Hong'er, don't be so reckless next time. Let those thugs like Zhang Laosan cause trouble, your father will handle it when he gets back..."

"Your fall really startled your mother."

"Listen to me, come on, drink your medicine."

The medicine tasted bitter, and memories flooded Chu Hong's mind.

The Chu family was not wealthy, but they were not poor either.

The father, Chu Jianghe, had some medical knowledge and ran this small pharmacy in the outer city.

Although it can't compare to those long-established pharmacies, it's doing quite well.

Since the original owner was found to have the potential to practice martial arts, his father planned to send him to a martial arts school to practice.

It is hoped that he can pass the military examination and obtain official rank, thus exempting him from the ever-increasing heavy taxes levied by the government.

Also to avoid being forcibly conscripted into the army like his elder brother Chu Tian, ​​whose fate remains unknown.

However, the original owner was lazy and afraid of hardship and fatigue, and it took a lot of persuasion before she finally agreed to practice martial arts.

After only one day at the martial arts school, he complained and ran back home.

He refused to practice martial arts anymore.

Today, my father went to the mountains to collect herbs, and a few local thugs came to our door and caused trouble.

Unable to withstand the provocation, the original owner recklessly attacked, only to be knocked to the ground by a single punch.

He died.

Chu Hong sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of disappointment and frustration.

In this world, human life is as worthless as grass.

He had a chance to practice martial arts that many people would kill for, but he was afraid of hardship and threw it to the back of his mind.

See? Without strength, even thugs dare to bully you.

After feeding him the medicine, his mother tucked Chu Hong's blanket in.

"Hong'er, you rest first. Mother has made some pork rib soup to nourish you later... Your father will be back soon too."

Looking at his mother's red eyes, Chu Hong sighed silently.

After my older brother was forcibly conscripted, my parents worried about him every day.

I've heard that the barbarians to the north are extremely fierce, and it's rare for ordinary people to survive a battle there.

Recently, the government has increased taxes by 30%, forcing the Chu family to carefully plan their previously comfortable lives.

That's why his parents placed all their hopes on him.

But who knew... he would be so disappointing.

Chu Hong continued searching his memories and discovered that it wasn't entirely his fault that the original owner had become like this.

Like many families in the previous life, the younger son usually receives more attention and love.

His parents focused more on him, and even his older brother took good care of him.

All of these factors contributed to the original owner's current personality.

"Spoiling children can do them a lot of harm."

Chu Hong pondered silently; his father's idea was actually quite forward-thinking.

With chaos looming, the Chu family must have someone who practices martial arts if they want to avoid being bullied.

Only with strength can we protect this home.

Not to mention that the original owner had inferior physical constitution, the key issue was that her personality was not suitable for martial arts.

But he was different.

Chu Hong's mind stirred, and a light blue panel that had been flashing for some time suddenly unfolded:

Heaven rewards diligence.

[Effect: Reflecting on all methods, diligent study and practice will surely yield results!]

[No bottlenecks, no limitations, advance to the next level as soon as you reach the maximum proficiency level!]

【Hun Yuan Zhuang (Beginner)】

[Proficiency: 1/500]

Chu Hong was overjoyed.

Heaven rewards diligence; as long as you work hard, you will surely be rewarded.

What's even more terrifying is that there are no bottlenecks!

In other words, as long as you keep practicing, you will definitely become stronger.

As long as you keep working hard, you can become invincible.

"If I had this thing in my past life, I would never have had to worry about not getting into Tsinghua or Peking University."

"Now that I have this cheat code, even with inferior talent, I can still learn martial arts!"

Chu Hong propped himself up and got out of bed, immediately wanting to practice the Hunyuan stance he had learned from the martial arts school.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion outside.

"Chu Jianghe, what do you mean? We didn't do it on purpose!"

Chu Hong pushed open the door and saw three or five thugs lying on the ground, rubbing their bodies and looking furious.

Ahead of them, Chu Jianghe, carrying a medicine basket, had a cold look in his eyes.

"Get lost! If you dare cause trouble again, I won't be so polite!"

The thugs dared not stay any longer and scrambled to leave.

Just then, a mocking voice came from not far away:

"Oh, Dr. Chu, your temper has gotten worse in just a few days!"

Chu Hong looked over and saw that the newcomer was a big, burly man with a knife scar on his arm.

It was Chen Nian, the leader of the Iron Fist Gang who controlled these three streets.

He was followed by four burly men, their clubs stained with dark blood, looking menacing.

Several thugs' eyes lit up, and they quickly hid behind Chen Nian.

Chu Jianghe's newly raised momentum was instantly suppressed.

He instinctively stood at the doorway, shielding his wife and children behind him, and bowed slightly.

"Mr. Chen, it's not that I have a bad temper, it's just that they harmed my son, I..."

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that." Chen Nian waved his hand dismissively. "I'm asking you, are you going to cooperate on this shop or not?"

This is the second time he has come to inquire.

The so-called cooperation is just a convenient but empty name.

In reality, the Iron Fist Gang didn't contribute a single penny; they only took money.

The nine-one split, Iron Fist Gang nine.

They disregarded everything, including the loss of medicinal materials and the treatment of the injured.

Even when the Iron Fist Gang needs them, they have to do things for them for free.

It's no different from outright robbery, except they're planning to "take it slow and steady."

Chu Jianghe shook his head, firmly refusing:

"Mr. Chen, our family relies on this shop to make a living. Ninety-one percent is absolutely impossible."

How could Chu Jianghe possibly agree to such an unequal partnership?

Upon hearing this, Chen Nian's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes, saying:

"Doctor Chu, you should think this through. This is an opportunity the gang leader is giving you to prove yourself."

"I'm trying to talk to you nicely, but you won't listen."

"If we wait until the gang leader is dissatisfied, your shop... hmph..."

Wei He, the leader of the Iron Fist Gang, was a big shot in the outer city of Yunxi County.

Chen Nian's use of his name at this moment was highly threatening.

Upon hearing this, Chu Jianghe's body trembled involuntarily.

If Chen Nian only wanted to gain benefits, he could easily get entangled with him.

But if it were the gang leader Wei He who wanted it, he hesitated.

The Iron Fist Gang is powerful, with five Ming Jin martial artists alone.

Not to mention that the gang leader, Wei He, is about to attempt his second breakthrough and become a master of internal strength.

He couldn't afford to offend such a powerful force.

He turned to look at his wife and children again, and Chu Jianghe felt his mind was in turmoil.

Chen Nian smiled faintly, knowing that he had achieved his goal.

He didn't dare to push too hard, after all, Doctor Chu was in charge of medical skills and medication.

If you really push them too far, they might suppress their hatred and poison you while you're treating their illness or injury.

At that time, the entire Iron Fist Gang will be wiped out.

Therefore, he only needs to gradually reduce the other party's bottom line and make Chu Jianghe change his mind.

If 91 points isn't enough, then 28 points should be fine, right?

If all else fails, Panax notoginseng will do!

Anyway, it's all free profit.

Thinking of this, Chen Nian smiled kindly again:

"Chu Jianghe, I'll give you some time to think it over, but you need to hurry."

"If you haven't made up your mind by the time the leader breaks through to the Dark Force realm, then... hehe..."

He smiled with narrowed eyes, his gaze sweeping over Chu Hong, then lingering on Chu Hong's mother.

Finally, he turned his attention to Chu Jianghe and patted him on the shoulder.

"By the way, the guild leader will be breaking through in about a month, so I hope you won't make things difficult for me."

"Otherwise, the Chu family would have no reason to exist!"

After making his statement, Chen Nian led his men away arrogantly.

Chu Jianghe clenched his fists, staring intently at the departing figure, his chest heaving violently.

But a moment later, he let go of her hand helplessly.

"Jianghe, if it really doesn't work out, just agree." His mother stepped forward, patted the back of Chu Jianghe's hand, and comforted him softly.

Chu Hong softly called out, "Father."

He understands this feeling of powerlessness all too well.

His wife and children were right behind him, and he was being openly threatened, but he didn't even have the right to resist.

The greatest humiliation for a man is being unable to provide his family with any security or sense of safety.

Chu Hong in his previous life was the same.

"The government recently increased taxes by 30%. If we agree, I'm afraid we'll be..."

Chu Jianghe feigned calmness, exhaled a breath of stale air, and spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Xuemei, Hong'er, don't worry, I will handle this matter."

"I will never let you suffer any injustice."