In the world of martial arts, grind your skill level to become a saint.

"Uh...isn't that a bad idea?"

Zhou Zhengtang paused, then hesitated.

I thought you couldn't hear me.

Su Chen was somewhat speechless.

"That's because I was afraid you'd overthink it..." Zhou Zhengtang said with a smile.

"I don't have time for that, all I want to do right now is make money!"

Su Chen was speechless.

I kept emphasizing it in his ear because I was afraid he would overthink it, and even though there was nothing wrong, I made him think there was something wrong.

"Okay, okay, but it's not convenient to talk here. How about we find a quiet place to chat after closing time?"

Zhou Zhengtang suggested.

"good!"

Seeing that Zhou Zhengtang finally stopped repeating the previous topic, he nodded in agreement.

The two then continued practicing their boxing moves until evening, when they returned to their previous circle.

Su Hao did not slack off and continued to practice his stance.

However, perhaps because of his breakthrough, some new disciples who were not acquainted with him before also gathered around and tried to strike up a conversation with him.

The topics of conversation naturally all revolved around martial arts.

Su Hao was generous with his answers to his fellow disciples' questions, telling them everything he knew.

Besides these newcomers and disciples who hadn't broken through to the Stone Skin stage, there were also some disciples who had previously had a good relationship with Su Hao who came to congratulate him on his breakthrough.

This naturally included people like Sun Ping.

Su Hao responded with his gratitude for the congratulations, and the crowd surrounding him gradually dispersed as the blood-strengthening soup began to be distributed.

"It seems Senior Brother Zhou has a good eye. This Junior Brother Su Hao does have some talent. He reached the Stone Skin Realm in just about a month, which is not much different from what we were like back then. But Senior Brother Zhou must have put in a lot of effort behind the scenes, right?"

In front of a stone table in the training ground, a handsome young man holding a folding fan turned his gaze to Zhou Zhengtang, who was munching on an apple, and tentatively asked.

"Me...?" Zhou Zhengtang was stunned, not reacting for a moment, but before he could finish speaking, another clear and pleasant voice rang out:

"I think Senior Brother Mu Bai is right. Senior Brother Zhou is trying to win people over! My mother taught me that if you help someone in their time of need, they will be loyal to you, no matter if your intentions are good or bad. My two maids were won over by my mother in this way. Now they don't fight back or talk back when they are hit or scolded. They are more obedient than dogs."

A woman with delicate features and short hair, dressed in loose-fitting training clothes, said.

"No, Junior Sister Xinxin, please don't misunderstand, I..."

"Junior Brother Zhou, there's no need to explain. We've seen this kind of thing many times. It's just a pity that Su Hao comes from such a poor background. He may have some talent in martial arts, but he lacks status, background, and resources. It's hard for him to go far on his own. However, it's lucky that he can become your little follower."

Another young man with thick eyebrows shook his head, seemingly looking down on someone like Su Hao, who came from a privileged background, even if he performed well.

In their eyes, only someone as outstanding as Tang Huang, who is valued by Master Liu, could be recognized and befriended by them.

The others nodded in agreement.

In their view, Su Hao's ability to break through the stone skin was most likely due to his constant following and entanglement with Zhou Zhengtang, from which he received considerable benefits, coupled with good luck, which allowed him to break through by chance.

Otherwise, given the other party's background, lack of resources and connections, how could they possibly break through?

"You really..." Zhou Zhengtang was quite helpless and was about to explain when the tall woman who had been silent at the table spoke up:

"I know that Junior Brother Zhou is generous and willing to get to know new disciples, but it is ultimately a futile effort. The background of these people has already determined that their future path will be difficult. They are more like fleas on a dog. Being attached to them will only result in being sucked blood. Once they are full, they will look for another, fatter host."

Several people nodded in agreement.

Then, each person said a sentence before getting up to leave, without waiting for Zhou Zhengtang to explain.

"I said you guys too..."

Zhou Zhengtang tried to explain for a long time but was interrupted. When he finally had a chance to explain, the person left.

He could only sigh as he watched their retreating figures.

However, he wasn't in a hurry to explain, nor was it necessary.

Because he knew that explaining wouldn't change anything for them.

These people won't listen, much less believe it. After all, their background and life experience lead them to believe that someone without talent or connections can never go far, no matter how hard they try.

Su Hao's breakthrough to the Stone Skin level in a month may seem impressive now, but in their eyes it was ultimately just a flash in the pan.

He shook his head at this, took a bite of the apple in his hand, and got up to leave.

……

Hongqiao Town, Fuquanlou.

"Does Senior Brother Zhou mean for me to join your Zhou family's guard?"

Inside a quiet and elegant private room, Su Hao was somewhat surprised.

He never expected that his senior brother would take the initiative to invite him to join the Zhou family this week.

Moreover, the Zhou family was not a powerful force in Hongqiao Town, but rather a prominent family in Nanshan Town.

"That's good. It's fifteen taels of silver a month, and there's also a daily supply of Qi and Blood Tonic. However, the responsibilities are quite heavy, as you need to accompany the herbal medicine caravan to various cities to escort the medicine."

Zhou Zhengtang nodded and said.

After witnessing Su Hao's breakthrough today, he decided to try and win him over.

Zhou Zhengtang knew that Su Hao's breakthrough was entirely due to himself and had nothing to do with him.

His relationship with Su Hao was merely that of business partners.

Su Hao's potential, excelling in both literary and martial arts, makes him a perfect candidate to be won over with a large sum of money.

The Qi and Blood Powder was a bargaining chip he added specifically to persuade Su Hao, something his family wouldn't normally allow.

But that's alright, we can just let the clan know when the time comes.

"Traveling between cities and towns? How long would it take to escort a shipment of medicine?"

When Su Hao heard the conditions offered by Zhou Zhengtang, he was tempted.

However, the question now is how long it takes to escort the medicine and whether it will take up too much of my personal time.

"It can take anywhere from two or three days to half a month."

Zhou Zhengtang replied.

Upon hearing this, Su Hao's initial excitement subsided somewhat.

Because this takes too long.

"Junior Brother Su, there's no need to rush to give me an answer. Anyway, after today, when you go back, someone will find you. You can make a decision then by considering the conditions given by others."

Zhou Zhengtang said.

He was confident that the conditions he offered were unmatched by any other family or power, at least in Hongqiao Town.

With such treatment, you could almost hire a master craftsman specializing in metal mirrors.

"Then thank you very much, Senior Brother Zhou."

Su Hao clasped his hands in thanks.

Indeed, if someone comes to them seeking affiliation, the terms offered by the Zhou family can certainly be used for comparison.

"Oh, by the way, I happen to have a few doses of Qi and Blood Powder here. You can take it with hot water when you get home and see if it works."

Zhou Zhengtang took out several triangular yellow paper packets from his person and placed them on the table.

Su Hao picked up the paper package and saw a faint medicinal smell wafting out, mixed with an earthy smell.

"Thank you, senior brother!"

Su Hao put away the paper package and thanked him.