Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

After the county examination, Zhou Yuan's life returned to normal.

Forging weapons, practicing hammers, boxing, and swordsmanship—although he didn't leave home, he was incredibly busy, fulfilled, and gained a lot.

That day, he put down his forging hammer, looked at the ruined iron billet, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

By comparing the weapon-forging techniques he learned from Li Lin with those from "The Collection of Military Skills," Zhou Yuan realized where he had gone wrong.

"I should be able to forge this hundred-refined sword in at most half a month."

Zhou Yuan pondered to himself.

According to Li Lin, the Hundred-Refined Blade is the touchstone of a weapon-forging master.

If one can forge a hundred-times-refined sword, it means that the skill of weapon forging has reached a high level and one can make a living from it.

Master Li said that it took him half a year to forge his first hundred-refined sword.

It's been less than half a year since I obtained the "Collection of Military Strategy," so my talent for forging troops should be slightly better than Master Li's.

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, but thinking about what Li Lin said about Luo Baiyan, he realized that Luo Baiyan forged his first Hundred-Refined Blade in just half a month back then, and he could forge the world-famous Jade Blade even when he was just practicing.

That's a true genius; compared to him...

"Diligence can make up for lack of talent, that's for sure. If it can't, then it just means that you're not diligent enough."

Zhou Yuan's expression was resolute.

Just then, Zhuo Changyu, who had gone out to sell ironware, hurriedly ran back home.

"Yuan-ge'er, something bad has happened!"

Zhuo Changyu said breathlessly, "Master Li has been taken away by Commander Pang's men."

Although Zhou Yuan had the financial support of Li Lin and Cheng Jiuhe, the cost of practicing martial arts was quite high, and money was being spent like water every day, so Zhou Yuan's family business never stopped.

Thanks to Zhuo Changyu, Zhou Yuan was able to focus on forging iron and weapons, while Zhuo Changyu handled all the sales.

She would bring back news from outside every day to share with Zhou Yuan, without complaining about the hard work or the embarrassment of showing her face in public.

"Don't rush, it might not be a bad thing."

Zhou Yuan asked Zhuo Changyu to sit down and handed him a bowl of warm water. "Master Li is, after all, a martial arts scholar. Even if Pang Yunlong is all-powerful, he wouldn't dare to openly attack Master Li like this."

"You watch the house, I'll go check on things."

He calmly changed his clothes and went out towards the inner city.

…………

Inside the commander's residence in the inner city.

A long table was filled with people on both sides. These people were either the heads of powerful families in Gaoshan County or the managers of various merchants and shops.

In short, they are all people with names and surnames from Gaoshan County.

Those of slightly lower social standing don't even have a seat here and can only stand at the end of the long table.

Everyone wore expressions of surprise and doubt, and those who knew each other whispered among themselves, speculating about Pang Yunlong's intentions.

Early in the morning, Pang Yunlong sent people to invite them to a banquet. When they tried to refuse, the fully armed city guards forcibly brought them to the commander's mansion.

This is hardly the attitude one would expect when inviting someone to a banquet.

Forget about a banquet, they didn't even offer a cup of hot tea.

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, Pang Yunlong came out from the back with several family members.

He walked straight to one end of the long table and sat down with an air of authority.

"I'm very busy with official duties, so I'll get straight to the point."

Pang Yunlong's sharp gaze swept over everyone, and the entire room fell silent before he spoke.

"My Pang family patriarch will be getting married soon. On behalf of Gaoshan County, I will present a congratulatory gift. Each of your families should contribute one."

Pang Yunlong's tone was not one of discussion, but of command.

Everyone secretly wondered, "How old is the head of the Pang family? A wedding? More like taking a concubine."

They knew perfectly well that Pang Yunlong was just making up an excuse to solicit bribes, but there was nothing they could do about it.

"It is only right. It is our honor to congratulate Patriarch Pang on his wedding. Feiyun Martial Arts School is willing to offer a thousand pieces of gold as a congratulatory gift."

Lin Jingsheng was the first to shout loudly.

Everyone cast disdainful glances their way.

Lin Jingsheng of Feiyun Martial Arts School is now Pang Yunlong's lackey; anyone with eyes can see that.

That's quite a generous gift, Qianjin!

"Our Zhusheng Trading Company is willing to offer three hundred taels."

An old man said with a worried expression.

"My Sun family will contribute five hundred taels."

"Five hundred taels from the Cheng family."

"..."

Everyone spoke up, though they were reluctant, but since Pang Yunlong had spoken, they still had to give him face.

As he listened to the numbers announced by the crowd, Pang Yunlong's face grew increasingly grim.

He snorted coldly, "People from small places really don't know any manners, and I, the commander, am too lazy to teach you how to behave."

"Lieutenant, you teach them a lesson."

Pang Yunlong slammed his hand on the long table and turned back to the inner hall.

A clear handprint was visible on the hardwood table, and a crack stretched from one end of the table to the other.

Everyone immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.

The deputy general left behind by Pang Yunlong was someone he had brought from the prefectural capital. He often represented Pang Yunlong in public and was familiar with everyone.

"My lords and managers, your time is precious, so I won't take up any more of your time."

Deputy General Pang said with a smile, "I have a list here. You just need to prepare according to the list."

I know everyone is busy, so I've thought of something for you all.

He clapped his hands, and immediately two imposing city guards spread a scroll out on a long table.

"The Flying Cloud Martial Arts School has 3,000 taels of silver, the Cheng family has 8,000 taels of silver plus a mine, and the Sun family has 6,000 taels of silver plus a cloth shop..."

Everyone peered over and, after seeing the words clearly, their faces instantly turned deathly pale.

If it were really as written on this scroll, most of Gaoshan County would fall into the hands of the Pang family.

Each family was secretly astonished. Pang Yunlong had thoroughly investigated each of them and was demanding the money and most profitable assets they could offer!

This isn't just about taking the eggs; it's about taking the hen that laid them too!

"Deputy General Pang, gifts should be given voluntarily. My Sun family is willing to offer three thousand taels of silver to congratulate Patriarch Pang on his wedding. As for other gifts, I'm afraid I cannot accept them."

The head of the Sun family stood up, his face ashen, and bowed.

Pang Yunlong comes from the Pang family of Shenbing Valley. It is true that he holds a high position and has a powerful background. However, they are not easy targets to be bullied. They have connections behind them.

"Is the Sun family head certain?"

Deputy General Pang had a smirk that was neither truly smiling nor truly smirking.

"Three thousand taels of silver. Even if Patriarch Pang were to marry the daughter of the governor, this wedding gift would be more than enough."

The head of the Sun family said.

"Sun Shanjun insulted the governor; his crime is unforgivable. Kill him!"

Deputy General Pang's face darkened, and he coldly shouted.

Before he finished speaking, all four windows suddenly slammed shut, followed by the sharp, clanging sound of bowstrings.

puff puff!

The head of the Sun family was immediately riddled with bullets.

The crowd looked on in horror and saw that the city guards, armed with crossbows, had surrounded them.

The head of the Sun family, who had broken through the barrier three times, was shot dead on the spot without even a chance to resist.

Everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.

"Deputy General Pang, is there a mistake written here?"

Lin Jingsheng asked cautiously.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

Deputy General Pang glanced at him sideways.

Lin Jingsheng cursed inwardly, "Are you a dog? We're on the same side! You're even biting your own people?"

He glanced at the crossbows gleaming with a cold light. He had also broken through the barrier three times, and his strength was similar to that of the Sun family patriarch, but he couldn't stop these crossbows.

He said cautiously, "I have no objection to Feiyun Martial Arts School offering three thousand taels of silver."

"The Zhuo family is so wealthy and powerful, why did they only offer five thousand taels of silver?"

He winked and made a face. Wasn't this all planned before? That they were going to take over the Zhuo family's docks and copper mines?

Now, his Feiyun Martial Arts School has to pay three thousand taels, so why is the Zhuo family only paying five thousand taels?

"Does being in charge require explanations to you?"

Deputy General Pang said coldly, "However, I can tell you with great compassion that if you also have a good son-in-law like Zhuo Wangsun, this 'congratulatory gift' can be reduced by a portion."

All eyes turned to Zhuo Wangsun, who looked astonished, yet his eyes held a hint of surprise.