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

"Father, Mother, I'm home!"

Chu Hong stood at the entrance of the pharmacy and shouted loudly.

"Hong'er! It's Hong'er! Hong'er is back!"

The mother quickly ran out of the inner room, wiped the fine sweat from her face, and smiled.

Looking at her son whom she hadn't seen in a long time, her face was filled with heartache.

Hong'er's figure seemed much more resilient, his skin was tanned, and his hands had thick calluses.

These scenes filled her with heartache.

How much suffering has my child endured to become like this?

Thinking this, her eyes even glistened.

"Mother, I'm back!"

Chu Hong was touched and said softly.

Chu Jianghe walked slowly out of the house and simply nodded calmly at Chu Hong.

He often delivered medicine and money to Chu Hong and witnessed Chu Hong's growth and transformation, so he wasn't that surprised.

"What are you standing there for? Come in and talk to your mother. She talks about you all the time."

As soon as Chu Hong entered, the room became lively.

His mother took his hand and showered him with concern and care.

She wished she could give all the tenderness of her life to Chu Hong.

At dinner, Chu Hong asked, "Dad, how's the cooperation with the Iron Fist Gang going?"

He knew, of course, that the cooperation had been agreed upon.

I don't know much about it and would like to know more details.

Chu Jianghe smiled and said, "Hong'er, with your father here at home, you can focus on practicing martial arts."

"As for the Iron Fist Gang, your old man argued with them on the side, and in the end we agreed on a 50/50 split."

"Moreover, we'll have to pay extra for treating their wounds, and they'll have to bear 90% of the cost of the medicines, so we won't lose too much."

Chu Hong frowned.

This is divided into proportions...

Zhang Laosan clearly stated that it was a 60/40 split, and that the Iron Fist Gang would take 60%.

But the father said it would be split 50/50, and that there would be extra charge for treatment.

Would the Iron Fist Gang be that stupid?

Chu Hong instantly realized that his father was lying and concealing the truth.

He didn't want to get distracted, so he deliberately tried to put a positive impression.

In reality, it's a 60/40 split, and there are definitely no extra consultation fees.

They will likely bear some of the cost of the medicinal herbs, but certainly not as much as Father said.

Chu Hong observed carefully and caught a hint of unease on Chu Jianghe's face.

He sighed silently to himself, without exposing the truth.

"Dad, you're amazing!"

Chu Jianghe forced a smile, then, as if remembering something, whispered:

"Hong'er, the world is getting more and more chaotic. Our family has some old scores to settle, and I'd like to take advantage of these next few days to do so."

Over the years, Chu Jianghe has been running a pharmacy and practicing medicine, and he has often been doing "good deeds".

Because he allowed credit, especially since the patients were neighbors and fellow villagers from Wutongfang.

The accounting books that have been accumulated at home are several thick volumes.

Some owed a few coins, some owed tens or hundreds of coins, and some even owed one or two taels of silver.

Chu Hong didn't know the total amount of the debt, but he knew it was definitely not low.

In previous years, around the end of the year, my father would take out his account book and go door-to-door to collect debts.

However, everyone was struggling financially, and the amount of money they could get back each time was very small.

Thinking of this, Chu Hong sighed inwardly once again.

In previous years, we would collect money at the end of the year, but it is still autumn now, and the cold winter months are still a long way off.

Dad suddenly suggested going to collect debts...

I'm afraid the family doesn't have enough money left.

Admittedly, pharmacies may seem to have a lot of income, but the cost of purchasing medicinal herbs is high.

Although some medicinal herbs can be collected by oneself in the mountains, this only applies to some common medicinal herbs.

Such returns are actually greatly reduced.

Add to that the exploitation by the government, the shady fees charged by gangs, and the debts incurred by those unable to pay their medical fees, and in the end, very little is left.

In this world, apart from the powerful and wealthy families, no ordinary family lives an easy life.

Of course, the Chu family's situation was better than that of ordinary families.

At least we don't have to eat coarse food and drink thin rice soup.

"Dad, I'll go with you tomorrow!"

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

The night deepened.

Chu Hong looked out the dark window, a cold smile playing on his lips.

He had long noticed that Zhang Laosan and his group were lying in wait outside, hoping to lure him out later to make their move.

Before long, Zhang Laosan's voice rang out from outside:

"Brother Chu, I heard you're back from the martial arts school."

"We were wrong a month ago, brother. We've come today to apologize. How about we invite you out for a drink?"

His reasoning, though weak, was at least passable.

After all, Chu Hong is now a martial arts school disciple, and normally, he is someone that they can't afford to offend.

At this point, it is only right to apologize.

Chu Hong replied casually, "We can talk about it tomorrow. I need to rest."

Zhang Laosan was clearly unwilling to give up and called out several more times, but there was no response.

They had no choice but to leave with their people.

"Damn it, this kid's pretty shrewd, he didn't take the bait."

"Tomorrow, we must get him out tomorrow."

Inside the dilapidated courtyard, several thugs gathered together, cursing Chu Hong in a fit of rage.

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

"Who?"

"I!"

Zhang Laosan's face lit up with joy. Chu Hong had actually come by himself?

He quickly stepped forward to open the door: "Brother Chu, I still..."

"puff!"

A handful of lime hit my face.

Zhang Laosan felt a sudden white light before his eyes, followed by a stinging pain, and then Chu Hong grabbed his throat with a throat-locking claw.

"Click!"

Chu Hong showed no mercy, his Nine-Forged Fist striking directly at vital points.

The battle began instantly, and then abruptly stopped within a few breaths.

The thugs stared wide-eyed at the sky, filled with despair.

Chu Hong clapped his hands.

Killing these thugs will be effortless.

They searched the thug's entire body but found only a few coins, which he stuffed into his pocket without any hesitation.

Looking around, Chu Hong threw the corpses into the dry well and then covered them up.

Go ahead and go.

Instead of going home, he turned around and headed straight for Chen Nian's place.

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

"Mr. Chen, I've missed you so much!"

"Do you miss me, or do you miss the money I have?" Chen Nian teased in a low voice, embracing the voluptuous woman.

"Of course..." The woman glanced at Chen Nian with a seductive look, "I missed you, Master Chen!"

As she spoke, she pressed herself against Chen Nian, colliding with him.

Chen Nian reached out, grasped the soft flesh that could be embedded in his fingers, and rubbed it for a while.

"Cough cough!" The woman suddenly coughed twice, her expression pained.

Chen Nian said with concern, "Ahua, are you still not better? Should I find a doctor to take a look at you?"

The woman shook her head: "No need to trouble Master Chen, this is an old ailment."

"No, he has to be treated!" Chen Nian hugged the woman tightly. "Isn't it said that Chu Jianghe is good at treating difficult and complicated diseases? I'll go see him tomorrow."

"If he can't be cured, I'll smash up his shop."

"Don't do this!" The woman hurriedly covered his mouth. "He's someone the gang leader specifically requested. If you smash his shop, what will happen to the Iron Fist Gang brothers if he doesn't cooperate with treatment?"

"Hmph, he wouldn't dare!"

Chen Nian gets angry whenever this is mentioned.

"Damn it, it's all because of him that I've suffered so much, he almost broke my bones."

His eyes flashed with malice as he spoke menacingly, "Once we take over the Triad's territory this time, I'll definitely seize their pharmacy."

"He's playing with his women!"

"I'll make Chu Hong, whom he sees as his hope, rip him out of his flesh and blood, turning him into a spineless wimp!"

"I must wipe out his entire family, otherwise I won't be able to vent my anger."

Outside the window, Chu Hong felt an even greater chill than before.

Just because someone was punished, does that mean they should hold a grudge and wipe out the entire family?

Do these gang members even understand reason?

Do you really think you're easy to bully?

"Knock knock knock!"

Suppressing his anger, Chu Hong gently knocked on the door.