A Long River Myth

In the short half hour around noon, Li Hong and Shi Liang became friends, just like that.

Men usually don't have many hidden agendas. As long as they get along well and confirm they're kindred spirits, they can become best friends in the time it takes to drink a bowl of tea.

After a long conversation, Shi Liangcai left, informing Li Hong that he would be quite busy for a while.

The martial arts actors are assessed once a quarter.

There is now only one month left until the summer evaluation.

Currently, only Shi Liang in the martial arts hall has reached the middle stage of internal strength. He trains extra every day, hoping to compete for the martial arts exam before autumn.

During the conversation, Li Hong also learned that entering the Inner Strength realm and maintaining progress in martial arts would require even more money.

Although the current assistance Shi Liang received was not a drop in the bucket, it was gradually becoming insufficient, so he turned his attention to the identity of a martial arts performer.

If one can earn the status of a second-class martial arts student, although one cannot participate in the martial arts examination for the time being, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance one's reputation.

If word gets out, he'll be considered a martial arts "student" with a promising future!

Not only would they receive more financial aid, but the allure of a 30% tax exemption for the whole family would undoubtedly entice all martial artists from impoverished backgrounds.

The sight of the two chatting and laughing together made many of the outer disciples envious.

Shi Liang is now the most talented senior in the West Academy in recent years. The only one in the entire West Academy who can keep up with him is Huang Shan.

They don't know how many times the head instructor praised them in front of them, and they were already role models in the hearts of many poor students.

But now, he's become as familiar as a brother to a disciple who's only been in the West Courtyard for less than two months, which has naturally caused quite a stir.

After seeing Shi Liang off, Li Hong noticed that many of his disciples, who were usually good at currying favor, had changed their attitudes towards him.

He called out "Brother, brother" with a warm smile.

..........

evening.

Back to Jinshui Street.

Li Hong went to the butcher stall and cut off a small half of a pork chop.

Now that the gangs no longer leech off Grandpa's grocery store, the family's standard of living has improved.

Although Li Fulin and Yao Shi didn't get to eat meat at every meal, it was still much better than before.

Just yesterday, Li Hong took out five taels from the twenty-odd taels of black money, and tonight he asked Yao to stew some pork ribs to improve their meals.

"Take care, Brother Hong. I still have some pork belly left; it's getting late, so I'll see you off!"

Jiang, the butcher, chased after them. It was rare for Jinshui Street to produce a strong martial artist, so naturally, he had to curry favor with him.

"Uncle Jiang, this is quite expensive. I'll leave you fifty coins."

Li Hong glanced at the piece of heart meat, which weighed less than a pound; clearly, a whole pig would only produce this much.

After much persuasion, he finally threw down a large sum of money and ran away.

After a few breaths, the outline of his shop appeared at the edge of Li Hong's vision.

But from a distance, it looked like a large number of neighbors had gathered.

He quickened his pace, and just as he was about to arrive, he suddenly heard Yao's voice:

"Sir! Sir! Please have mercy, let my father have a drink of water before he leaves, I beg you!"

Li Hong suddenly felt a chill on his scalp, and his whole body felt a tingling and numb sensation as if prickled by needles. He hurriedly rushed to the door!

"Li Hong is back!" one of the neighbors exclaimed.

The neighbors immediately parted to make way.

Three inspectors, each with a sword at their waist, stood imposingly in their shop.

Li Fulin stood beside the cabinet, his hands already shackled, surrounded by three constables who looked ready to arrest him.

Yao cried and begged from the side, her hands gripping tightly around the waist of one of the constables.

"Hong'er! Hong'er, come quickly and say a good word to these officials, they want to arrest your grandfather!"

Her voice was shrill, her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked at Li Hong as if she had seen a savior.

Of the three inspectors, the tall, burly man in the lead gripped the hilt of his sword and turned to give Li Hong a cold glance:

"You're Li Fulin's grandson? What's your name?"

Li Hong tossed the pork chop to the neighbor, suppressed his anger, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice:

"Your Excellency, I am Li Hong!"

The head inspector, his face as hard as iron, nodded without saying a word.

Li Hong glanced at Li Fulin, whose head was bowed low, as if he felt guilty.

They initially thought it was Huang Lin's remnants causing trouble, but instead they saw these three constables dressed in the uniforms of the Inspectorate.

Officials wouldn't give him any special treatment just because he was a lowly martial arts practitioner.

"May I ask what brings my grandfather to the presence of you gentlemen?"

Li Hong showed the proper respect, asking questions with neither arrogance nor servility.

When dealing with officials, you must not pretend. These people are not like the Huang Lin Gang, who can be dealt with by fists.

However, his inquiry was polite and respectful, yet his voice was loud and clear, which could be considered a humble way of stating his identity as a martial artist.

Officials have always been accustomed to running rampant, and ordinary people with no background are no better than weeds in their eyes.

It's best to subtly highlight the differences to avoid unnecessary trouble.

These three people had already noticed that Li Hong was an extraordinary figure.

After a brief exchange, it was clear from his voice that he was an external martial artist.

The leader's expression remained unchanged, but a closer look revealed that his brows had visibly relaxed somewhat. He said calmly:

"It is suspected that Li Fulin is secretly colluding with Hao Laoliu, a salt smuggler. Hao Laoliu has already been arrested. The Inspection Department has ordered us to arrest those involved in this case today to participate in tomorrow's interrogation!"

"Young Master Li, if you have nothing else to do, keep an eye on your mother. Don't let this interfere with our work; beware the law is merciless!"

Grandpa's condition... it's too obvious, there must be something going on! Upon hearing this, Li Hong frowned slightly, his heart tightening.

His mind raced, and he walked over to Madam Yao, saying, "Mother... please let go for now. The adults still have errands to run, and you'll only make Grandpa suffer more if you keep doing this."

Li Hong's words were true; resources like salt and iron were subject to severe penalties in every dynasty.

Trying to cheat? That will only annoy the police officers handling the case, and might even cause Grandpa to suffer inside.

Moreover, the head constable is only saying "suspected," which means they haven't yet obtained the crucial evidence that Grandpa was involved in the smuggling of salt, right?

Tomorrow's interrogation... isn't that just asking that salt smuggler called "Hao Laoliu" to identify my grandfather?

After quickly reviewing the whole story in his mind, Li Hong helped Yao Shi to the side, as there were some things he needed to ask her privately later.

After all, he spent all his time at the martial arts training hall and didn't know much about the family shop.

There's still one night left, and the case won't be heard until tomorrow. Making a scene now won't solve anything.

Yao was crying and completely disoriented, but she knew in her heart that Li Hong was right.

The three constables did not stop him; one on each side helped Li Fulin up and escorted him out of the shop.

Li Hong followed them from the shop all the way to the end of Jinshui Street.

"Sir, my grandfather is getting old, and I would appreciate it if you could take care of him in the cell tonight. This is just a small token of my appreciation for the three of you as a small token of my respect."

He glanced around, then took out five taels of silver from his pocket, followed the leading constable, and stuffed it into his hand.

Seeing that none of the neighbors had followed, the leader clenched his fist tightly.

His expression suddenly softened, and he smiled, saying:

"No problem. Before the Inspectorate opens court tomorrow, your grandfather will be sure to get a single hair out of his body."

"But... Brother Li, let me give you a piece of advice: if it's related, you should move everything you can before tomorrow morning."

"In this case... your grandfather wasn't the main culprit, but anyone involved could face anything from imprisonment to a severe beating. Either way, it's causing your grandfather's..."

Without finishing his sentence, he smiled slightly, turned around, and followed the two officers.

If Li Hong hadn't been such a strong and sensible young man, he wouldn't have bothered saying these things.

Li Hong knew the end of his words, and his palms were already sweating.

Given Li Fulin's physique... if it's confirmed that he's truly connected to salt smugglers, he probably wouldn't be able to withstand any of the subsequent punishments...