Surviving in the chaos of war begins in the wilderness.

Chapter 77 Who's Gone Mad?

After seeing off the plague chief Gu, Zhou Ye hadn't even had time to feel relieved when he heard a knock on the door.

This time it was Black Six from the Flower Snake Gang: "Ah Ye, I'm here to collect this month's night soil fee. And some good news, my gang leader's third wife's birthday is coming up soon. Tell me, shouldn't the neighbors go out and celebrate? It's 350 coins for you. On behalf of the third wife, I thank you. Hehe."

Zhou Ye's face had become expressionless. "You think I need your thanks? What kind of lame excuse is that? Are you guys here to collect protection money?"

"Brother Hei Liu, isn't this a bit underhanded? I'm from the Woodcutter's Gang!"

Unexpectedly, a thug jumped out from behind Hei Liu and immediately shouted, "Don't think we don't know! Big Dog's grave is already overgrown with weeds! It's only because our Brother Hei Liu is kind-hearted that he waived so many fees for you before. If you don't know what's good for you..."

Fine!

You know what, among the low-ranking leaders of the Woodcutter Gang, Big Dog was actually a decent guy. He was genuinely willing to stand up for his underlings. Even if I was just an outsider, he'd still put in a good word for me. But now that Big Dog's gone, it's like the tea's gone when the man's gone. The Flower Snake Gang will start overcharging me again.

Let's just deal with it for now.

"Brother Hei Liu, I just paid that housing allowance from the government, and I really don't have any money left..."

"Damn it! You're trying to renege on your debt?"

"No, no. I only have 120 coins at home. Can I pay the rest with rice? Or with charcoal from the yard?" I can't give them the money too readily, otherwise Hei Liu and his gang will take advantage of me.

"Just use rice! Give me charcoal, are you trying to kill me? Everyone knows that in the entire county, only your woodcutter's gang can buy and sell charcoal."

"Yes, yes."

After seeing Hei Liu and his gang off, Zhou Ye shook his head. These thugs had already decided to die.

Thinking about how he had just returned home with a huge pile of dirty clothes, Zhou Ye went out to Xinghua's house.

Unexpectedly, Xinghua's complexion seemed much rosier, and she even had a new red ribbon in her hair. Xinghua said brightly, "Brother Aye, thank you so much for taking care of me these past few months. I've found other work; could I transfer it to Aunt Li next door? She's very hardworking."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Congratulations," Zhou Ye said with a smile. He didn't care who it was, as long as they could help with the laundry.

After introducing Aunt Li, she happily carried a pile of dirty clothes home.

Zhou Ye smiled slightly; this could be considered a good thing.

Perhaps it's true that good news makes people feel cheerful. Xiao Jie has started practicing martial arts, and Xinghua has a new job. They should be getting married this year, right? No wonder Xinghua is so beaming with joy.

So even in the darkness, ordinary people still have a glimmer of hope.

……

The next day, Zhou Ye went to the Fenglei Martial Arts School because it was almost time to pay tuition. He could previously use payments from goods to settle accounts, but now that business had stopped, he had to pay the tuition he owed.

Upon entering the martial arts school, they discovered that Wu Jun was not there today; only Huang Sheng was still diligently practicing in the training ground.

Since the emergence of two genius disciples, Yuan Zhen and Du Juan, at the martial arts school, Huang Sheng seemed to have been stimulated, and he actually worked even harder than before.

So, some people are not only geniuses, but also work even harder, which really makes ordinary people like me feel hopeless!

However, a short while later, Dujuan's maid, Xiaocui, came over: "Senior Brother Aye, Miss is looking for you."

Zhou Ye was already quite familiar with the maid, Xiao Cui. He smiled and said, "Xiao Cui, you should be old enough to practice martial arts next year, right?"

"Yes! It's just that my talent is definitely not as good as my young lady's."

"Oh, right. I almost forgot to congratulate your young lady on finding a perfect husband."

"That's right. Did you hear? Just a few days ago, the son-in-law challenged the young head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Yun Family Escort Agency. He won. Recently, he challenged Senior Brother Chen Liang of the Weiyuan Martial Arts School. Chen Liang is at the mid-stage of Ming Jin (Ming Strength), that's a challenge beyond his level!"

"..."

In reality, Xiao Cui was just a little girl of about 12 or 3 years old. She chattered incessantly, not only happy for their young mistress but also for Song Zhongqi, her new son-in-law. After all, as his personal maid, she would also be marrying into the Song family.

Zhou Ye found it amusing. He hadn't expected Song Zhongqi to be such a challenge maniac? But defeating powerful opponents in succession would certainly build a reputation quickly. Even Du Juan and the Feng Lei Martial Arts School would benefit considerably.

A short while later, Zhou Ye met Du Juan. Surprisingly, she seemed to have lost some of her usual liveliness, and upon seeing Zhou Ye, a hint of embarrassment appeared on her face.

"Senior Brother Aye, I didn't know about what happened before..." Dujuan hurriedly explained.

"Junior Sister, don't worry about it. I can sell them at the Mountain Merchant Market," Zhou Ye said with a smile. "To be honest, I should thank you, Junior Sister."

"Thank me?"

"Of course. The martial arts school's procurement over the past few months has helped me a lot. This is your kindness, junior sister, and I will always remember it."

"Yeah?"

A smile finally appeared on Du Juan's pretty face. This little girl is really easy to fool.

"Senior Brother Aye, I've already gotten Grandpa's approval. You can transfer all your remaining stock to them."

"Thank you so much! I appreciate it."

The sentiment itself is enough. At least Zhou Ye is no longer going to hold a grudge.

"Oh! This is for you. Consider it compensation from your junior sister."

He took a small bottle containing two pills. Zhou Ye was stunned. They were actually mid-grade Qi and Blood Pills? Holy crap! Mid-grade Qi and Blood Pills?

Zhou Ye quickly declined, saying, "Junior Sister, this is far too precious."

"Just accept it!" Du Juan rolled her eyes, she had actually become incredibly charming. "There's more. This is the Wind and Thunder Skill, and there's also a rubbing of the skill visualization diagram. It includes everything from Ming Jin, An Jin, to the final Hua Jin. As for future Innate Grandmasters, they all rely on personal understanding, each Innate Grandmaster forms their own school. They don't rely on previously established techniques. But I don't know the specifics. There are also these two martial arts. One is the first-class skill, the Immaculate Glazed Skill, and the other... you use a sword, right? That's our school's second-class martial art, the Wind and Thunder Saber."

At this moment, Zhou Ye was so shocked he couldn't close his mouth. Have you two gone mad? Or am I the one who's gone mad?

Even if you feel uneasy and want to compensate yourself, this is too much, isn't it?

Good heavens! Now I have all the cultivation techniques and martial arts skills. And I can even cultivate all the way to the Transformation Realm? Even the Innate Grandmaster relies on comprehension, so is it theoretically possible for me to reach the Innate Grandmaster level?

I never expected to acquire martial arts techniques so easily? Am I dreaming?