Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Each with Their Own Thoughts Outside Gu’s Manor. Han Lu led the Black Sand Gang members, galloping on horseback, heading towards the Li Family Fort. Gu’s Manor was just their first stop. What they said earlier was merely a deliberate act. Han Lu looked smug. Someone beside him immediately chimed in with flattery. "The Deputy Gang Leader is truly awe-inspiring. That Gu Changming is just a coward, completely spineless. He handed over three thousand taels of silver without protest. With this annual tribute collected, the strength of our Black Sand Gang will become even greater this year!" Han Lu laughed heartily but then shook his head and said: "Gu Changming is far more difficult to deal with than a brute like Gu Jingang. Only when I mentioned Liu Yuanhu did he back down." "All of you here are blood-sworn brothers, so I, Old Han, won’t keep anything from you. The boss has said that while our Black Sand Gang seems to have done great things, our situation is actually not good at all." The faces of those around him changed suddenly, and they looked at Han Lu with puzzled expressions. They had become accustomed to their swaggering presence recently, thinking they could dominate all of Canghe County in the future. Little did they expect Han Lu to say such a thing. Han Lu continued: "The boss said that when the birds are gone, the bow is put aside; when the rabbit is dead, the dog is cooked. Now that Cao Shiduan is gone, our Black Sand Gang stands alone at the top, and that will naturally make Liu Yuanhu wary of us." The gang member who had just been flattering hesitated and said: "If that’s the case, shouldn’t we keep a lower profile? Collecting more tribute earlier might only provoke more suspicion..." Han Lu looked surprised at the seemingly delicate member. "You’ve got a bit of intelligence, but the boss said our break with Liu Yuanhu is inevitable. No matter how we hold back, it’ll be the same. Since that’s the case, it’s better to plunder resources as much as possible while Liu Yuanhu is too busy to deal with us and strengthen ourselves." "Three thousand taels is roughly the bottom line. From now on, brothers should work hard on their martial arts training after sharing these resources. That’s the way forward. If someday our Black Sand Gang truly becomes the overlord of Canghe County, haha, that’s when..." With those words. The eyes of the people around him lit up with passion. The dynasty was crumbling. The magistrate and the county magistrate openly struggled for power, which had stirred thoughts among the Black Sand Gang that might not have existed before. In chaotic times, heroes emerge. Who could say for sure that the hero wouldn’t be them? "Let’s go! To the Li Family Fort! Let’s see how that bootlicker Du Jiangbo has been managing the place lately!" "Du Jiangbo is spineless and timid, skilled at flattery. But his wife is alluring and seductive. I caught a glimpse of her from afar last time; like an enchanting little vixen." The crowd laughed loudly, their laughter laced with some ambiguous mockery. ... At Gu’s Manor. Some skilled martial artists and clan elders from the main family were holding an urgent meeting. Naturally, Gu Sheng did not qualify to join, but he could roughly guess the content of their discussions. It was nothing more than how to deal with the Black Sand Gang’s aggressive pressure. And how to manage the extra expenditure of a thousand taels of silver that had been extorted. Life in Gu’s Manor would inevitably become even harder in the future, potentially impacting the resources available to the young martial arts trainees of the main family. Those with poor aptitude for training might see a significant decline in their treatment, never returning to how things were before. Gu Sheng felt a growing sense of urgency. The winds of change were sweeping through. No place was truly safe. If one day the Black Sand Gang truly tore apart all relations with Gu’s Manor, he would likely be unable to stay out of it. For now, he could only hope that day would come later rather than sooner. Looking at his Iron Stone Fist, which had reached 57% into the Small Success stage, Gu Sheng steeled himself. Training fists—only training fists could give him a sense of security. His archery had already been pushed to the limit. Only his Iron Stone Fist remained as something he could continue to work on. With more time available, his progress in Iron Stone Fist had improved significantly. In just over a month, he would be able to reach the Great Success Realm. Then, his speed in toughening his skin and muscles would improve further. Before summer, there was hope for him to become a true Martial Artist! This speed was already remarkably fast compared to the average person. Returning to his family’s small courtyard, Gu Sheng could hear villagers murmuring about the Black Sand Gang’s arrogance, their expressions filled with anger and disgust. Silently, Gu Sheng trained his fists, sweating profusely. As the sun set behind the western hills, Gu Xiaojiang finally arrived at Gu Sheng’s place, his expression gloomy, silently drinking away his frustrations. It wasn’t until an entire pot of wine was emptied, his face slightly flush, that Gu Xiaojiang finally spoke dejectedly: "With a thousand taels of silver gone, many people’s martial arts resources are going to be cut back. The clan elders have decided to pour everything into me, hoping I can reach the Blood Refining Realm sooner. Some others with high potential will also be prioritized for training." Gu Sheng’s expression froze, as he could understand. This wasn’t just targeting him; other main family youths with lesser aptitude were being affected too. Gu Xiaojiang did indeed have notable talent. With full resources dedicated to him—plentiful Body Refining Ointment each month, along with other resources—it wasn’t impossible for him to reach the Blood Refining Realm within three years. Under normal circumstances, Gu Xiaojiang would never have received such treatment. But desperate times called for desperate measures. If Gu’s Manor produced four Blood Refining Realm martial artists, they would be far more confident in their actions. However, even then, they alone might not be enough to challenge the Black Sand Gang. Gu Sheng suspected that Gu’s Manor had other plans in motion as well. As for the point dampening Gu Xiaojiang’s mood, Gu Sheng could guess it too. He likely felt guilty for drawing from the limited resources of other members of the manor. But it was the best option—one Blood Refining Realm martial artist was worth more than ten Refining Skin Realm practitioners. "The Black Sand Gang deserves to die!" Gu Xiaojiang cursed furiously. Gu Sheng could only softly console him: "Focus on your training for now. The Black Sand Gang is strong at the moment, so it’s best to avoid them for now. The day will come when we can repay them." "Hmm!" Gu Xiaojiang lifted his head, his fighting spirit revived. He added: "Asheng, don’t worry about your resources. Father has always been optimistic about you. What the clan elders cut from your share, he’ll make up for." Gu Sheng was stunned; he had already prepared to increase his trips into the mountains in the days to come. He hadn’t expected Gu Dajiang to make up for his resources personally. "This is what you deserve. If it weren’t for you in that battle, my father and I would have been separated by life and death. My father and I will always remember your kindness." Gu Xiaojiang’s expression became solemn. He seldom mentioned that event, but he never forgot it. He wasn’t saying this to curry favor, but to reassure Gu Sheng. Gu Sheng nodded lightly. "Thank Dajiang Uncle for me." He didn’t hypocritically refuse. Resources were exactly what he needed right now. Gu Xiaojiang grinned and said: "No need for such formalities between us. My father said to ask you over for a meal whenever you’re free." Gu Sheng smiled and nodded. After training in martial arts, Gu Xiaojiang had grown closer to him, and their relationship had improved further. Gu Dajiang had also invited him over for a meal once or twice. "Next, Uncle Jingang and my father will intensify my training. I’ll have less time to visit you in the future. Let’s drink well tonight!" Gu Xiaojiang put away his worries and laughed heartily with his friend. Gu Sheng laughed as well. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮 Becoming closer to Gu Xiaojiang, Gu Sheng saw that although the boy acted prideful on the surface, he was straightforward and loyal—a friend worth having. ... Time flew by. After collecting the annual tribute, the Black Sand Gang had not caused any further trouble for now. Villages and forts around the area, subjected to increased demands, grumbled endlessly but could only endure silently. Gu Sheng kept a low profile and focused on his martial arts training. Apart from his displayed archery skills, no one knew he was on the verge of becoming a true Martial Artist!