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

The entire magistrate's residence fell silent instantly.

The heavy breathing of the crowd sounded even more jarring.

Some people secretly glanced at Li Chuan, and some guesses began to form in their minds.

The news came that the magistrate of Wei County had tried to recruit Li Chuan, but was rejected.

With the county magistrate's deliberate dissemination, it was hardly a secret among the upper echelons of various powerful forces.

Right now, taking advantage of this sensitive time, the county magistrate suddenly proposed to charge Songfeng Martial Arts School double the amount of silver.

Its meaning makes it hard not to associate it with four words.

Kill the chicken and the monkey!

Seeing the crowd's terrified reaction, a cold glint flashed in Magistrate Wei's eyes.

He personally invited him, but Li Chuan resolutely refused.

If he can remain unscathed even in this situation, then what prestige does he have left?

Is he someone that people can refuse just because they want to?

Even though Li Chuan clearly stated that he had no desire to participate in the dispute and only wanted to live a peaceful life.

But he had been in charge of such a large county for more than a decade, how could he not know?

This so-called "lack of desire to participate in the dispute" means that as soon as they sense even a hint of benefit, they will pounce on them like hungry wolves!

How can we allow you to sit idly by and watch the snipe and the clam fight while the fisherman reaps the benefits!

Liang Xingzhou's expression turned ugly, and he said coldly:

"The magistrate's actions are probably biased."

"The Seven Halls Martial Arts Competition is a place of life and death battles, so it's perfectly normal for accidents to happen."

Magistrate Wei calmly said:

"I don't care what you say, I only care about Zhang Chengfeng's death, which has resulted in Anning County losing a top-level expert!"

Liang Xingzhou sneered:

"With the magistrate acting so unfairly, I find it hard to believe that the money from Taiping Guard will be used for anything worthwhile."

"Ah Chuan, let's go!"

Liang Xingzhou immediately took Li Chuan and left.

Anger flashed across the magistrate's face:

"Anyone else who can't afford it, come with him!"

"But once you step out that door, it'll be difficult to come back!"

His words carried a subtle threat.

Even so, some powerful groups and martial arts schools apologized and left.

Some people had a sudden inspiration: they didn't want to spend so much money, but they also didn't want to completely offend the county magistrate.

So he took out fifty taels of silver to try to show his sincerity.

Unexpectedly, the magistrate brushed it away with a single palm strike, scattering silver ingots all over the ground.

Only then did everyone understand the magistrate's determination.

We will absolutely not allow any forces that want to wait and see to gain an advantage!

After the last representative of the faction left, the magistrate surveyed the entire area again.

It was discovered that approximately three-quarters of the people remained.

He was fairly satisfied with the number.

Those who dare to ignore him and leave must be punished.

Otherwise, wouldn't that discourage the people who stayed behind?

People are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality.

Promotions and demotions, rewards and punishments, should not be based on favoritism or prejudice!

"Zheng Li".

"Yes, sir!"

The magistrate calmly rubbed the lines of his palm and said indifferently:

"Spread the message."

"Songfeng Martial Arts School, Jushi Martial Arts School, Shenquan Sect, and the many families that just left, disregarded the safety of the people in the county and obstructed the establishment of Taiping Guard."

"List these people on a register and post it everywhere. Anyone who dares to associate with them is making an enemy of the government!"

……

……

After Li Chuan returned to Songfeng Martial Arts School, he could sense a significant change in the atmosphere.

His once vibrant and energetic features seemed to suddenly become silent and repressed.

Some disciples even lost focus while practicing standing meditation.

Many people were even whispering about whether or not to quit.

After all, no one is an island; everyone has a family and ties.

Facing a powerful county magistrate's government that seemed to have the upper hand, the fate of the Songfeng Martial Arts School was not hard to predict.

Li Chuan silently returned to his courtyard.

He knew that the atmosphere wouldn't improve.

With the implementation of various measures by the county magistrate.

In the public eye, they were labeled as disregarding the people.

As a result, many forces no longer dared to associate with them.

Even the Qiao family, who sell timber stakes, would probably choose to avoid suspicion.

In such a large martial arts school, one's food, clothing, and daily necessities would be severely restricted.

We must use a two-pronged approach to force them to back down.

Faced with this, Li Chuan could only focus on practicing martial arts and wait for an opportunity.

Fortunately, Dantang was independent of the county government, even though Magistrate Wei had repeatedly stated that Dantang could selectively sell medicine.

However, Lu Qiuhan used the excuse that Dantang did not participate in the disputes and only sold pills to suppress the conflict.

Therefore, Li Chuan was not restricted in terms of pills.

He had already stockpiled the medicinal herbs needed to cultivate the Jade Skin Technique.

In this turbulent time, he was able to stay in the martial arts school and wholeheartedly practice the Jade Skin Kung Fu.

Time passed day by day.

The magistrate's methods caused the disciples of Songfeng Martial Arts School endless suffering.

Due to their shortcomings in martial arts training and pressure from their families, many disciples chose to leave the school.

The number of new disciples is close to zero.

After all, Songfeng is not the only martial arts school in the county, so why take the risk here?

Under these circumstances, the county magistrate suddenly made an announcement.

If the forces that left previously change their minds, there is still a chance to seek reconciliation through affiliation.

Give them a stick, then give them a date.

With a combination of carrot and stick tactics, many forces were forced to back down under pressure.

In a short time, the magistrate's side gained increasing momentum.

The other three families, however, remained silent, as if their teeth had been knocked out.

More than half a month later.

[The Jade Skin Technique has been perfected!]

Li Chuan's Qi and blood were enhanced once again.

If we compare him to He Chen, Li Chuan could kill him with brute force alone.

There are no tricks, it's all about numbers.

Most importantly, his defense has been greatly improved.

Under the sunlight, Li Chuan discovered that when he circulated his qi, his skin was indeed as clear and translucent as a piece of jade!

Li Chuan picked up the dagger and gently sliced ​​across the skin.

The sound of metal clashing rang out, but afterwards, not even a white mark was left.

Li Chuan gradually increased the strength in his grip on the dagger, reaching a level roughly equivalent to ordinary internal energy.

Only then was a small opening cut into the jade skin.

This is terrifying defensive power.

Ordinary internal energy, if one has not cultivated external martial arts techniques, even if its killing power can overwhelm internal energy.

However, if attacked by hidden force or using concealed weapons, one can still get injured.

But when it came to his stage...

The hidden force couldn't hurt him at all!

It might not be so obvious in a one-on-one fight.

But if you're fighting against multiple opponents, the advantage is huge!

Li Chuan clenched his fist slightly.

At this point, all three fighting methods have been perfected!

All we need to do is wait for the right opportunity.

……

Six days later.

County Magistrate's Office.

Even the magistrate's usually refined and calm face showed barely suppressed excitement:

"The speed at which the silver was raised exceeded expectations, and the strength accumulated by the Rebirth Sect is already sufficient."

"The final assault will begin tonight at the hour of Yin!"

"First attack the strongholds of the three major families, then attack Songfeng Martial Arts School and all other neutral forces."

"No one will be allowed to steal the fruits of this victory!"

……

That night.

Suddenly, a torrential downpour began, pattering loudly.

The strong winds and heavy rain blew off many of the thatched roofs.

Li Chuan stood under the eaves of Songfeng Martial Arts School, quietly watching the raindrops fall.

"Tap, tap."

Lu Qiuhan, dressed in a long black robe, slowly appeared at the alley entrance:

"The time has come."

Li Chuan stepped out from under the eaves.

The torrential rain hung eerily around him, without soaking his clothes in the slightest.

"boom!"

A hideous bolt of lightning flashed.

The light illuminated his sharply defined, cold face!