Starting with Xingyi Quan, it swept across the chaotic world.

The pipe that Grandpa Lu had just picked up fell to the ground with a "thud".

"Let them contribute?" Old Master Lu's cloudy eyes were filled with astonishment.

How could he possibly bring himself to say that?

He still remembers the scene from that day; it was clearly a case of never seeing each other again!

Of course, he was also in the wrong, although he didn't think he had done anything wrong, since he did all of this so that the Lu family could produce a martial arts scholar.

This is all for the sake of the bigger picture.

However, the third brother and Xiao Li would never understand the big picture of this family!

If I didn't understand then, how could I possibly understand now!

"Why can't we ask them to help raise the money?" Second Aunt coaxed. "Hasn't Third Brother's shop been doing really well lately? Well, they're just lucky that the gang isn't causing trouble, but they should have made quite a bit of money."

"What's the use of him earning so much money? Xiao Li's aptitude isn't good enough; after breaking through to the Ming Jin realm, he shouldn't need to spend money on martial arts training. As for Lu Yu'er..."

"His family only has one daughter; if things continue like this, she'll be destined to be childless and have no descendants."

"Instead of letting outsiders benefit, why not give it to our Xiao Heng? If Xiao Heng becomes a top martial arts scholar in the future, won't they also benefit? We can let Xiao Heng repay them in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Heng nodded repeatedly, and two streams of tears flowed down his face.

"Grandpa, I truly want to pass the martial arts exam and become a martial arts scholar, bringing honor to our ancestors and allowing them to hold their heads high in the afterlife. I also want our neighbors to call you Master Lu! If you feel you owe them anything, I'll repay your debt in the future!"

Hearing Lu Heng's words, Old Master Lu's expression was extremely complicated.

On the one hand, he really couldn't bring himself to say it.

This is more humiliating than slapping him in the face in public.

On the other hand, he really wanted Xiao Heng to be able to go to high school.

That would bring honor to one's ancestors...

"Never mind..."

Grandpa Lu sighed heavily, half-lying on the wooden chair as if all his strength had been drained away.

"I'm going to risk my reputation. No matter what, the third brother and his family wouldn't disown their own father, would they?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Heng's face lit up with a smile, and he quickly bowed deeply, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.

Suddenly, Lu Heng seemed to have thought of something, his eyes darted around, and he spoke again:

"Grandpa, Little Li is also working a temporary job outside, he must earn at least two taels of silver a month... Why don't you let him do it too..."

Grandpa Lu looked at Lu Heng with a helpless expression, hesitated for a long time, and then nodded emphatically.

That's enough.

There's not much difference between losing face twice and losing face once.

I'm going all in.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Lu Heng said with a smile, his words extremely sincere.

After chatting for a while, Lu Heng prepared to return to the martial arts school.

But he had only taken a couple of steps when he heard Old Master Lu's questioning voice:

"By the way, Xiao Heng, why didn't you take a temporary post outside?"

That's at least two taels of silver.

If Xiao Li can earn two taels of silver, wouldn't Xiao Heng earn at least three taels of silver a month if he were to take up a temporary post?

Upon hearing this, Lu Heng's breath hitched.

A fine layer of sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.

But he quickly recovered and said with a smile:

"Grandpa, didn't I tell you? Only people without potential choose to take a temporary post. If I spent my time on a temporary post, how would I ever have a chance to try again? What's the point of taking the martial arts exam!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Master Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, go back to the martial arts school. I'll definitely get the money for you tomorrow." Old Master Lu waved his hand.

After hearing this, Lu Heng bid farewell to the Lu family and left the Lu residence, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

He wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, and only after he had walked a distance did he mutter to himself:

"Honestly, I still have to wait until tomorrow to pay back the five taels of loan shark money I owe my senior brother!"

"Never mind, as long as there's money, that's good. Let's find somewhere to hide today and go to the martial arts school tomorrow when we get the money."

……

The next day.

Grandpa Lu stepped into Ping An Fang with hesitation.

From afar, he saw Lu Zhiyuan busily selling cornbread and steamed buns.

Old Master Lu was reluctant to do this, but thinking that he might one day have the same glory as Master Fan, he took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Third brother!"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Lu Zhiyuan paused in his actions and then looked over in disbelief.

But his eyes showed more than just disbelief; they were filled with wariness.

Lu Zhiyuan opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't go over to greet them. Instead, he went about serving the customers steamed buns and cornbread.

Not long after, Lu Zhiyuan called his father to the alleyway behind the house and instructed his wife, Han, to handle the business.

"Why are you here?" Lu Zhiyuan's voice was indifferent.

"What, am I so shameful to be seen in public?"

Old Master Lu snorted coldly, clearly displeased with Lu Zhiyuan's indifference and his act of calling him to the alleyway behind the house.

Lu Zhiyuan remained silent upon hearing this.

Silence, only silence.

This silence infuriated Old Master Lu, but he remembered that he was in the wrong and had come to ask for a favor, so he didn't lose his temper.

"I've come here today because of something..." Old Master Lu was somewhat embarrassed to speak, but still said firmly, "Xiao Heng has recently reached a critical juncture in breaking through to the Dark Force realm and needs blood-replenishing pills..."

"He's your own nephew, you should at least give him some money, shouldn't you?"

"He will never forget you when he passes the imperial examination with top honors in martial arts."

Blood-tonifying pills?

Hidden strength?

Lu Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes.

It seems he was being treated like a money lender who wouldn't have to pay back the debt.

He had heard Lu Li mention these terms before, but Lu Li had never asked him for money.

Xiao Li didn't ask me for money, so who else do you want to ask for money from?

"That thing is too expensive..." Lu Zhiyuan expressed a regretful expression, as if he couldn't help.

"Isn't your business doing very well right now?" Old Master Lu asked anxiously.

He had already promised Lu Heng before setting off, and if he failed this time, wouldn't he lose face? Besides, Xiao Heng was eager to break through.

"Zhiyuan, I know you're still angry about that, but there's nothing I can do. Xiaoheng is the only hope for our Lu family, so I have to think about him..."

Old Master Lu then said:

"If Xiao Heng breaks through, will he forget that he has a younger brother? Perhaps he can help Lu Li in the future."

Lu Zhiyuan didn't speak, but he kept sneering inwardly.

Xiao Li's family had done a great favor for the second wife's family, yet they were still bullied to this extent.

What I won't forget...

What, Xiao Heng's breakthrough led to Xiao Li's...

Shit!

Lu Zhiyuan had made up his mind that he would not lend the money no matter what!

We've already torn each other apart once, so what's wrong with tearing it apart again?

Seeing this from behind, Third Aunt Han silently shrank back.

Having just finished dealing with matters at the shop, Han noticed that her husband had not returned for a long time, so she came over to peek.

She naturally heard those words and became somewhat anxious.

The third aunt immediately headed towards the street and walked towards an acquaintance.

"Third son, don't you care about the bigger picture at all?" Old Master Lu said with a heart full of pain, "Our Lu family has finally produced a prodigy, and you're so heartless?"

Lu Zhiyuan remained silent, his face cold.

The old man's anger intensified. He never expected that after he had spoken for so long, Lu Zhiyuan would remain unmoved.

Just as he was about to lose his temper, a voice came from the alley entrance:

"Lu Zhiyuan! You fatherless bastard! Pay up!"