Surviving in the chaos of battle, I'm grinding for proficiency.

After the last incident, the Rebirth Sect seemed to have disappeared, and there was no news about them outside.

All the major powers are also wholeheartedly preparing for the martial arts competition, and the fighting between them has decreased significantly.

Anning County fell into a long-awaited tranquility.

Days passed by, and the time to enter the martial arts field drew ever closer.

Meanwhile, Li Chuan's proficiency with the Thunder Shadow Leg technique was steadily increasing.

[Practicing the Lightning Shadow Kick, Proficiency +1]

[Practicing the Lightning Shadow Kick, Proficiency +1]

[Practicing the Lightning Shadow Kick, Proficiency +1]

……

[Skill: Thunder Shadow Kick (Minor Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 719/2000]

"We've finished all the tiger meat...we need to go buy some more."

I calculated that it had been almost ten days since I last left the martial arts gym.

After changing out of his soaked training clothes, Li Chuan first went to the inner city to see his family.

Only after finding that they were living well did he feel at ease and leave.

Then he went to the butcher shop in the east of the city and bought ten catties of tiger meat.

On the way back, I stopped by Luo's Pharmacy to collect my monthly salary and ten catties of tiger meat.

Logically speaking, he should not have received payment because he had to prepare for the martial arts exam for the past two months and did not have time to deliver medicine to the Luo family.

But Luo Zheng waved his hand and insisted on stuffing the silver into his hand.

The purpose was to reassure him so he could focus on preparing for the martial arts exam.

Li Chuan didn't say much, but simply kept the kindness in his heart.

After returning to the martial arts school, he resumed his monotonous life of going back to school, home, and work.

Practice, eat, sleep.

[Skill: Thunder Shadow Kick (Minor Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 1200/2000]

……

[Skill: Thunder Shadow Kick (Minor Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 1791/2000]

Li Chuan exhaled a breath of stale air and slowly opened his eyes:

"With only six days left until the martial arts examination, at this rate, I should be able to break through to the Great Perfection level the day before the examination!"

Li Chuan breathed a sigh of relief, his mind settling down.

"Knock knock knock".

Li Chuan opened the door and found Luo Zheng there.

"Achuan, the government officials have come to announce the list of conscripts; all disciples must go."

Li Chuan nodded:

"How many people can our martial arts school recruit each year?"

Luo Zheng thought for a moment:

"Our martial arts school has about 800 people, and we leave about ten people every year."

"After all, the Dragon Court has decreed that, except for those who have reached the Transformation Realm and those who are martial arts scholars, everyone else must participate in the corvée labor collection."

At this point, Luo Zheng shook his head:

"But they only draw this many people a year, so it's only a one percent chance. Don't worry, it's just a formality."

Li Chuan and Luo Zheng were talking when they soon arrived at the outer courtyard.

The outer courtyard was now packed with people.

On the high platform of the training ground, several officials in official robes stood, holding rosters in their hands.

After waiting a while longer, and once everyone had arrived, the head clerk announced in a loud voice:

"By the grace of the Emperor, those whose names are called next should gather in front of the government office in half a month, and someone will arrange your destination."

The minor official paused for a moment, then continued:

"Huang Wenbin, Lu Xiuhua, Wei Yan..."

The clerk's voice wasn't loud, and his tone was calm, but in everyone's minds, it sounded like the vengeful voices of Ox-Head and Horse-Face!

"Bang!"

Wei Yan collapsed to the ground, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

He had only been in the academy for a short time, just preparing to break through to the Ming Jin level, and his life was about to get back on track when he was struck by this devastating news...

"My lord, I have an elderly mother of seventy years at home, and I am her only son to take care of her. May I ask..." Wei Yan raised his head and pleaded.

The minor official glanced at him coldly:

"Do you intend to defy the law?"

Upon hearing the words "law," Wei Yan's face turned pale instantly, and he dared not say another word, only tears streaming down his face.

Seeing this, everyone sighed.

Murder and arson were rampant, and the Great Li Dynasty did not strictly control them.

As long as it doesn't happen under the nose of the government, or if it's something too egregious, they'll turn a blind eye.

However, when it comes to "taxes" and "corruption," the punishments can be severe.

If anyone tries to evade their duties, the "Six Doors" will personally apprehend them and bring them to justice.

By then, it will be too late to perform corvée labor.

Those who deserted their posts faced countless tortures.

"Lighting the sky lantern", "death by a thousand cuts", "dismemberment by five horses" - none of them are repeated.

After all, this is what truly shakes the foundation of the nation.

The clerk, like the King of Hell calling roll, read out several names.

Finally, he hesitated for a moment and said tentatively:

"Li Chuan."

"What?!"

Everyone was stunned, wondering if they had misheard.

Such a low probability, yet it happened to Senior Brother Li?

Zhuang Beiwang whispered:

"Sir, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

The clerk turned the booklet around, with his back to everyone, and the two large characters "Li Chuan" were clearly written on it.

Zhuang Beiwang was still somewhat unwilling and said:

"Perhaps the higher-ups..."

"How dare you!" the clerk roared. "How dare you interfere in the affairs of our superiors!"

This statement serves as both a warning and a reminder.

The minor official sighed, walked up to Li Chuan, and whispered:

"Li Qing, is that your older brother? He was also selected. Hurry up and reunite with your family..."

Luo Zheng gritted his teeth:

"The odds of one in a hundred are actually happening to you and your older brother at the same time?"

What a coincidence... It's probably not that simple.

Li Chuan's eyes flickered.

When his name was called earlier, he was only slightly surprised, but showed no other emotion.

But when the clerk told him that his elder brother had been selected for corvée labor, he became truly angry.

He absolutely refused to believe it was a coincidence!

"I act with prudence and never flaunt my abilities. When I encounter enemies, I eliminate them with swift and decisive action. Who is plotting against me?"

Li Chuan squinted, scanning everyone in the outer courtyard.

He never socialized or had the opportunity to meet other people.

Inside the compound, he also maintained the attitude of avoiding making enemies if possible.

Even after breaking through to the Dark Force realm, he did not exhibit such arrogant and conceited behavior.

The only ones who could be considered to be at odds are Tang Xiang, Qin Feng, and Jiang Ting.

At most, Jiang Ting and he disliked each other, but they were far from being enemies.

The only interaction between Tang Xiang and me was when I refused his offer to work for me.

Qin Feng had never given him a kind look, but there was no real grudge between them.

Li Chuan couldn't fathom what reason he might have to harm him.

Thinking of this, Li Chuan turned his gaze to Qin Feng in the distance.

He was looking down and rubbing his fingers, as if he sensed Li Chuan's gaze.

He suddenly raised his head and grinned, revealing his teeth.

His smile seemed strange, with a somewhat inexplicable meaning.

"boom!"

It's him!

The moment Li Chuan met his gaze, he was certain that Qin Feng was the one who had done it!

He didn't even try to hide it; he just stared straight at me.

It seemed she was certain that she couldn't do anything about him.

Go complain to the master? Who would believe that...?

The two of them never even exchanged a single word.

Qin Feng's eyes were filled with delight.

The scene from not long ago resurfaced in his mind.

That day, Li Chuan broke through to the Dark Force realm, much to his master's delight.

For this reason, his usually caring master reprimanded him for the first time...

From that moment on, his dislike for Li Chuan escalated into hatred!

Therefore, he went so far as to plead with the county magistrate...

Now, my revenge has finally been achieved!