Chapter 86 - 87: Heading to Medicine Town, Change in Status

Chapter 86: Chapter 87: Heading to Medicine Town, Change in Status

Lin Mansion.

The building was empty, suddenly feeling much more desolate.

"Dingfang, you possess formidable strength, so I am at ease with you going to wipe out the Medicine Gang. However, the Medicine Gang has grown rapidly over the years and is secretly backed by the Rebirth Sect. No one knows what level the Medicine Gang Leader Jin Peng has reached by now. You must be careful!" Tao Wenxuan warned as he looked at his nephew, Tao Dingfang.

"Rest assured, Uncle. No matter how strong the Medicine Gang is, they cannot possibly be a match for the Iron Armor Army. This is the perfect opportunity to crush the Rebirth Sect’s arrogance and give you a peaceful White Stone City. I’m sure even Lord Hong Yue would approve of this move," Tao Dingfang replied.

"Mm, as long as you know your limits." Tao Wenxuan nodded, then suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, I heard that you had those Martial Artists join the operation to wipe out the Medicine Gang’s branches and promised them fifty percent of the profits. Is that true?"

"That is indeed true," Tao Dingfang replied without hesitation, his expression nonchalant.

This left Tao Wenxuan feeling a bit helpless. His nephew probably had no idea what fifty percent of the Medicine Gang’s profits actually meant.

The Medicine Gang essentially monopolized the medicinal herb business in White Stone City, and their operations even extended to several surrounding cities. They paid the highest annual tributes to the Government Office. Judging by this alone, their profits were undoubtedly massive.

Even though Tao Dingfang was only deploying White Stone City’s Martial Artists to clear out the Medicine Gang’s branches this time, the sheer number of branches meant that giving up half the profits would result in a staggering loss.

If this money were handed over to Hong Yue on Tao Dingfang’s behalf, his nephew’s position could likely be elevated even further. Giving it to those Martial Artists was simply a huge waste!

Knowing what Tao Wenxuan was thinking, Tao Dingfang chuckled. "You don’t need to worry, Uncle. If I didn’t offer these guys a share of the profits, they probably wouldn’t put in their best effort. Besides..."

"Besides what?"

"Besides, even if they take it, they won’t be able to keep it. Sooner or later, they’ll be forced to spit it back out—with interest!"

Tao Wenxuan froze for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. "Haha, then we’ll do as you say!"

On the road leading to the Medicine Town branch, a group of over forty people hurried along at a brisk pace.

"This operation is to wipe out the Medicine Gang’s stronghold stationed in Medicine Town. The previous Hall Master was Qian Ao, but it’s said that he was killed a while ago. The new Hall Master is named Liu Ming, and his strength is unknown.

"However, according to the intel we’ve gathered, Qian Ao was at the Perfect Power Realm. This Liu Ming is likely around the same level."

Captain Tian Yi from the County Magistrate’s Office spoke. Although he was the leader of this operation, the strongest person in the group wasn’t him, nor was it Hong Ming or the other masters of the Martial Arts Halls. Instead, it was a young man.

Thinking about how the other party had already stepped into the tier of a Power Training Martial Artist at such a young age, while he had spent most of his life training only to remain stuck at the Power Training Realm, Tian Yi felt a wave of shame. It was as if all his years of hard work had been in vain.

As Su Chen traveled amidst the group, he frequently drew attentive gazes. Ever since the battle at Lin Family Castle, everyone knew that Hong Ming had a disciple who had become an Entering the Realm Martial Artist, possessing quite impressive strength.

The three major Martial Arts Halls had originally been closely united with comparable strength, but the sudden emergence of such a genius from the Hong Family Martial Arts Hall naturally provoked the envy and jealousy of the other two.

Su Chen paid no mind to these stares. On the contrary, Hong Ming had a constant smile plastered across his face, occasionally casting sideways glances at the masters of the Jiang and Huang Martial Arts Halls. His smug demeanor made the other two men grit their teeth in irritation!

However, they had to admit that after this event, the gap in status between the Hong Family Martial Arts Hall and the rest would rapidly widen. A Martial Arts Hall with an Entering the Realm Martial Artist was destined to pull far ahead in White Stone City. It would inevitably become the city’s premier Martial Arts Hall, enjoying immense honor and wealth.

And all of this was solely because of this young man!

"Medicine Town isn’t far ahead. How about we take a break?" Tian Yi suggested, though his gaze shifted toward Su Chen as if seeking his opinion.

No one spoke. Instead, they all turned to look at Su Chen, who was lost in thought. Taken aback for a moment, he simply nodded. "Mm."

Having received permission, the group came to a halt. They took out their rations and water, resting where they stood. Su Chen didn’t pay it much mind and casually found a spot to sit down.

"Here, Junior Brother. Food and water." Li Mo leaned in, offering rations and a waterskin to Su Chen.

Su Chen took them and thanked him, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

"No need to be so polite." Li Mo waved it off and sat down next to him. He then chuckled, "How does it feel?"

"How does what feel?" Su Chen asked as he chewed his food.

"You haven’t noticed?" Li Mo asked in surprise. "Haven’t you seen the way everyone looks at you? Tsk tsk, such a young Entering the Realm Martial Artist... Junior Brother, I have to tell you, you’ve already made the list of must-marry bachelors for all the noble ladies in White Stone City, and you might even be at the very top!"

What nonsense was this!

Su Chen smiled wryly and shook his head without replying. He felt that this senior brother of his had become a completely different person after getting married. His personality had suddenly become much more excitable and boisterous.

"Senior Brother, stop teasing me. We’re about to head into battle soon, so you should focus on preparing for that!" Su Chen said.

"Haha, didn’t they just say it earlier? Liu Ming is only at the Power Training Realm. He’s worlds apart from you, so what is there to worry about? Honestly, with your participation in this operation, everyone seems to be brimming with confidence," Li Mo said with a laugh.

"Ahem, Chen is right. It’s always best to be cautious above all else!" Hong Ming walked over to remind them at this moment.

Su Chen nodded. Glancing around, he finally noticed that there wasn’t much worry on anyone’s faces. Perhaps it was exactly as Li Mo had said—having a Power Training Martial Artist in the group provided a massive guarantee for their safety, so they felt no need to worry.

This made Su Chen chuckle involuntarily. Since when had he become the person others relied on?

Half an hour later.

Having finished resting, the group resumed their journey.

They were currently less than five kilometers away from Medicine Town, so it took them less than an hour to spot a stone monument engraved with the words "Medicine Town."

"Lord Tian, are we going to make our move directly?"

The group did not enter Medicine Town, opting to continue resting outside the town borders. Hong Ming stepped forward and asked the question.

This was a concern shared by everyone. After all, Tian Yi was the one in charge of this operation, yet he still hadn’t informed them of his plan.

Tian Yi pondered for a moment before replying, "We’ll wait until dark before we make our move. For now, everyone should stay hidden."

He paused, then added, "Of course, if you have any better ideas, feel free to suggest them. As long as everyone is fine with it, it works for me."

These words were obviously directed at Su Chen, but since Su Chen raised no objections, the others let the matter rest.

Although he said they would wait until nightfall to act, Tian Yi still dispatched one of the Governmental Constables in disguise to infiltrate Medicine Town and scout out the specific location and details of the Medicine Gang’s stronghold.

The fading glow of the sun brought a warm breeze sweeping across the land. As the setting sun bashfully dipped below the horizon to draw the curtains on the day, the group began to stir with restless anticipation.

"It’s time to move out!"