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

Tang Sinian ultimately couldn't get over the blow.

He was picked up by his family the next day.

His glorious deeds have gradually faded into obscurity over time.

Just like Xiao Yi's experience back then, it has become an old story that few people mention.

The same applies to Chu Hong.

When he first came to the martial arts school, some people mocked him and pointed fingers at him.

But he was focused solely on practicing his skills and ignored those words.

The apprentices who had been gossiping gradually quieted down.

Apart from his tall, thin roommate who still disliked him, no one else deliberately targeted him.

The new apprentices even thought those rumors were nothing more than deliberately fabricated jokes.

During his martial arts practice, Chu Hong occasionally noticed that some of his senior female disciples from the inner courtyard were standing in the distance, quietly observing him.

However, he didn't care and continued to practice his boxing stances diligently.

In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days have passed.

During this period, Chu Hong maintained a high-intensity training regimen.

His father, Chu Jianghe, sent several more batches of medicinal herbs and added an extra two taels of silver.

This was all so that he could have enough energy and blood to practice martial arts with peace of mind.

"It's been almost a month since I came to the martial arts school, it's time to go back and visit."

Chu Hong looked at the panel, a smile playing on his lips.

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: 297/500]

【Nine-Forging Fist (Beginner)】

[Proficiency: 162/500]

"Next month, I will definitely be able to break through to the Ming Jin level!"

During this month, progress was slightly slower in the first few days.

Later, as the body adapted more and more, with the addition of medicinal herbs and dietary supplements, it became even more effective.

He trained hard almost from morning till night, becoming a veritable "martial arts fanatic" in the martial arts school.

Even Xiao Yi was impressed.

"Now, let alone ordinary thugs, even Chen Nian's few strong men are no match for me."

Chu Hong was resolute.

Furthermore, once he becomes a Ming Jin martial artist, the Iron Fist Gang will no longer dare to bully the Chu family at will.

Then, when cooperation is discussed again, the Chu family will be able to negotiate on an equal footing.

Even though the leader of the Iron Fist Gang had mastered the hidden strength, he didn't dare to target the Chu family too much.

After all, at that time, I was already a disciple of Chengfeng Martial Arts School.

If the leader of the Iron Fist Gang had any sense, he would have been wary.

Of course, the key to all of this was after he mastered the Ming Jin (明劲) skill.

Now, almost a month has passed, and he still hasn't achieved his goal. His father has also not mentioned any follow-up to the cooperation with the Iron Fist Gang.

He needs to go back and check on the situation.

If all else fails, I must persuade my father to back down and wait until I have made my move.

"Teacher, I need to ask for a few days off to go home and visit my family."

Chu Hong bid farewell to Senior Brother Xiao and went to the instructor to ask for leave.

Chu Hong's performance this month has been observed by the coach.

His initial disdain had long since turned into genuine admiration.

He even believed that among the apprentices of the lower-grade aptitude in the outer academy, Chu Hong was definitely one of the few who could break through to the Ming Jin level.

He looked at Chu Hong with satisfaction and nodded:

"Chu Hong, you've done a fantastic job this month. I was wrong before, so I apologize."

Chu Hong waved his hand and said, "Teacher, you flatter me. I was indeed too naughty before, which made you a laughingstock."

The instructor was slightly moved by such a humble and composed demeanor, showing good manners and knowing when to advance and retreat.

He's much more pleasing to the eye than Pang Hai, who's always right and never backing down.

He took out the booklet and registered Chu Hong's name:

"I'll grant you five days off. Go back and spend some quality time with your parents."

"Thank you, instructor!" Chu Hong cupped his hands in thanks.

"Go ahead, be careful on the road, things have been quite turbulent in the outer city lately."

Recently, Chu Hong had vaguely heard that things were not peaceful in the outer city, mainly due to fierce fighting between various gangs of all sizes.

Even a large gang like the Iron Fist Gang brazenly swallowed up several smaller gangs.

On his way home, Chu Hong could clearly sense that something was off about the atmosphere in the city.

The streets were less crowded than before, with pedestrians hurrying by.

Even if there is a need, they quickly make the purchase and leave.

The shopkeepers and vendors were constantly watching their surroundings, ready to pack up and run away at the slightest sign of trouble.

The entire outer city was extremely oppressive.

"Have you heard? It seems the Iron Fist Gang leader has emerged from seclusion."

"He's out of seclusion? Has he mastered the hidden strength technique?" someone asked.

"I don't know, but I heard that the Iron Fist Gang is going to take over more territory. The Blackwater Gang and the Wolf Head Gang's territories aren't enough for them."

"I remember Wang Yang, the leader of the Blackwater Gang, ran away, didn't he? Aren't the Iron Fist Gang afraid of being ambushed?"

"A sneak attack? The gang's already gone, he dares to come back? Isn't that just asking for death?"

Chu Hong's heart sank.

Is the Iron Fist Gang really about to make a move?

It seems we need to resolve the shop issue as soon as possible.

Chu Hong understood that if the Iron Fist Gang really wanted to take over territory, they would have to control key resources like pharmacies first.

After all, fighting for territory inevitably involves injuries and bloodshed.

As long as they control the pharmacies and doctors, they can obtain free or inexpensive medicine and treatment.

This is something that concerns the survival of the gang.

Thinking of this, Chu Hong suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"No wonder Chen Nian suddenly came to my father for cooperation a month ago; it turns out they had been planning this for a month."

"What they want isn't a share of the pharmacy's profits, but my father himself!"

Chu Hong quickened his pace, eager to return to the shop and discuss the cooperation with his father.

As I walked past the entrance of an alley, I suddenly saw several somewhat familiar figures passing by.

He recognized them at a glance; they were Zhang Laosan and his gang of thugs.

Chu Hong had a sudden thought and quietly followed.

"Boss, what's going on?"

"What else could it be?" Zhang Laosan slammed his fist on the wall, cursing, "Boss Chen got a severe scolding from the gang leader and's seething with anger, so he wants us to help him vent his frustration!"

"Who is it?! Who dares to mess with Boss Chen?! Damn it, let's go find him and cause him trouble!"

Zhang Laosan spat out a mouthful of phlegm: "Damn it, it's still the Chu family's pharmacy."

"Yesterday, after much persuasion from Boss Chen, the Chu family finally agreed to cooperate, but their share was reduced to 60%. The gang leader disapproved of Boss Chen's poor performance and punished him severely."

One of the thugs looked surprised: "The Chu Family Pharmacy, how dare they bargain with the Iron Fist Gang? The other pharmacies aren't that bold."

"That kid Chu Hong is practicing martial arts at the martial arts school, so of course they have confidence." Zhang Laosan's eyes revealed a fierce look.

"Boss Chen ordered us to cripple Chu Hong!"

"Huh?!" The thug's expression changed drastically, and he took two steps back.

They're just petty thugs, good at bullying ordinary people on a daily basis.

But they would never dare to provoke the martial arts school disciples, because that would be tantamount to courting death.

"What should we do then?" another thug asked, his eyes darting around. "Chu Hong is a martial arts school disciple, we..."

"What are you afraid of?!" Zhang Laosan's eyes flashed. "With me here, ten of them wouldn't be enough for me to beat up."

"Besides, he's only been practicing martial arts for a month, what skills could he possibly have?"

Zhang Laosan knew that practicing martial arts was not that easy.

Many people don't see much improvement in their skills after a month.

He assumed Chu Hong was the same.

Not to mention, with so many people here, they could easily overwhelm Chu Hong.

"But boss, isn't Chu Hong at the martial arts gym? Are we going to barge in and cripple him?"

"Damn it, you idiot, that's suicide!"

Zhang Laosan raised his hand and slapped the thug across the face, instantly turning the thug's face red and swollen.

He said with exasperation, "Starting tonight, we'll go and keep watch over the Chu family's pharmacy."

"Once he comes back, we'll find an excuse to lure him to a secluded place. Then, under the cover of darkness, he'll be completely at our mercy."

"Besides, isn't his mother at home? As long as we take advantage of Chu Jianghe's absence..."

"Hehe, boss, I'm going to break his arms and legs so he can never practice martial arts again."

"Hey boss, could I have some fun with him sometime... I've been drooling over his looks for ages..."

In the shadows, Chu Hong shook his head inwardly, a chill rising in his heart.

There's no need to keep this gang of thugs, including Chen Nian, around!