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

The sudden sound caused the procession to stop abruptly.

All eyes turned to the source of the sound, and they discovered that there were more than a dozen figures at the top of both sides of the valley.

Their gazes downwards were filled with a hint of mockery and greed.

"Watch out, everyone! It's Qiu Feng from the Black Wind Gang!"

Shen Qing's expression changed, and then he shouted at the crowd behind him.

At the same time, he gripped the long sword even tighter.

Unexpectedly, they encountered the Black Wind Gang on their way back.

Su Hao stood at the back of the group, watching the dozen or so Black Wind Gang members descending the ropes. He drew his sword, ready to face any potential battle that might follow.

Sure enough, high rewards mean high risks. He didn't expect that his first escort mission would lead to him being intercepted by the Black Wind Gang.

"Chief Qiu, the toll is no problem; I know the rules!"

Shen Qing looked at the Black Wind Gang members blocking his way from both sides, cupped his hands in greeting, and then took out a money pouch from his pocket and threw it over.

"Here is twenty taels of silver. Please accept it, Chief Qiu, and let us pass."

"Haha! As expected, Captain Shen is the most straightforward!"

Qiu Feng smiled and caught the money bag that was thrown to him steadily.

Upon opening it, the coldness in my eyes dissipated considerably.

But they still didn't move aside.

"However, Captain Shen owes me a favor before, so how about I repay it all this time? But I'm afraid twenty taels won't be enough..."

After pondering for a moment, Qiu Feng spoke again with a smile.

"Owe you a favor? I wonder what Chief Qiu means by that?"

Shen Qing frowned slightly and asked in confusion.

Although he had met Qiu Feng before, the two did not have much interaction, so how could he owe him a favor?

"You passed through here yesterday, and I let you pass smoothly without delaying your journey. Doesn't that count as owing a favor?"

Qiu Feng smiled faintly.

The words he spoke, however, had a somewhat absurd quality.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing's expression immediately darkened.

"Chief Qiu, we've always followed the rules. Your actions are a bit excessive. Besides, we're working for the Zhou family of Yanshan City. How about we show some consideration for each other?"

Shen Qing said coldly.

This Qiu Feng is quite strong; I heard he's at the Iron Skin level. Although he's not afraid of him, he doesn't want to clash with him in order to protect his goods.

After all, the enemy has a large number of people, and there may be archers lying in ambush on both sides of the valley. If a fight breaks out, they will definitely be the ones who suffer.

Therefore, he had no choice but to bring up the Zhou family to make the other party wary.

"Heh, the Zhou family?"

Qiu Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "In Black Wind Valley, my rules are the rules. Don't even mention the Zhou family; even if three gangs or two factions came, I wouldn't give them any face. Do you think I'm negotiating with you right now?"

"you…!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt a surge of anger.

Just as he was about to make a move and meet the infamous leader of the Black Wind Gang, he suddenly noticed that five or six figures dressed in black had appeared in the valley.

Each figure held a longbow, black-feathered arrows nocked on the string, their gazes coldly fixed on the scene below.

"Captain Shen, would you like to try out our Black Wind Gang's bows and arrows?"

Qiu Feng looked at Shen Qing, who was about to make a move, and a mocking expression appeared on his face.

Shen Qing's face was ashen, and he did not answer, his eyes fixed on Qiu Feng.

The entire escort team stared coldly at the Black Wind Gang members.

Su Hao held the long knife in one hand, while his other hand had already quietly reached for the poison powder pouch at his waist.

It seems that Qiu Feng doesn't intend to let them leave so easily. No one can say for sure what will happen next.

The atmosphere between the two sides instantly became tense.

After a stalemate lasting several dozen breaths, Shen Qing's eyes flashed, and he took out another money pouch from his pocket and threw it at Qiu Feng.

"This is the maximum price I can pay. If that's not enough, then let's settle this with our fists!"

If it weren't for the fact that this batch of relatively precious medicinal herbs wasn't among the supplies being escorted, Shen Qing would have fought Qiu Feng today no matter what.

"Hehe, if you do as I say, I won't make things difficult for you. Leave quickly before I change my mind."

Qiu Feng paid no attention to Shen Qing's words.

He came prepared, and now he has the advantage in terms of both numbers and strength.

Even if Shen Qing is somewhat capable, he is certain that the other party will not dare to make a move.

However, since the other party has backed down, he will not completely break ties with them.

After all, although he was not afraid of the Zhou family's retaliation, being targeted would not be a good thing for him.

This is also the experience and insights he has gained from years of working in this field.

Only by acquiring limited and controllable profits can long-term development be achieved; the exorbitant profits from murder and robbery are unsustainable.

So all along, he's been blocking the road, asking for tolls, never goods.

"Walk!"

Seeing that the other party made way, Shen Qing didn't waste any words and immediately told everyone to leave.

The entire group quickly passed through Black Wind Valley and disappeared outside the valley entrance.

"Brother, that guy's willing to spend so much money to buy a passage, this batch of goods must be incredibly valuable! Should we...?"

As the herb-carrying procession disappeared into the distance, a glint of greed flashed in the eyes of a sharp-faced, narrow-eyed man from the Black Wind Gang.

He spoke softly to Qiu Feng, the leader, while making a slight gesture with his hand across his neck.

But Qiu Feng slapped him across the face, knocking him to the ground, where he howled in pain.

"You've been with me for so many years, and you've been wasting your time? If you miss, go do something else, but don't pull this stunt here!"

Qiu Feng glared fiercely at the sharp-faced man.

He was about to say something when he suddenly noticed a figure dressed in black robes and riding a black horse appearing on the road at the entrance to the valley behind him. The fierce look on his face froze instantly, and then a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"One man and one horse? Looks like a bold and daring sheep has come along. See, business is booming again!"

Qiu Feng chuckled and then told everyone to hide again.

……

Yanshan City, Yueshan Boxing Hall.

In the martial arts training ground, Liu Chongshan was reclining in a rattan chair, looking at a young man who was concentrating on practicing stance training not far away, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

The boy was none other than Tang Huang, who had recently gained fame at the boxing gym.

Liu Chongshan has run a boxing school in Yanshan City for many years and has taught more than a hundred students, but he is truly satisfied with very few of them.

As he grew older, none of the many disciples he taught were qualified to inherit his mantle.

This has always been a thorn in his side.

Although Yueshan Martial Arts School is now quite well-known in the outer city, other martial arts schools with the same name have already found clear successors.

He didn't want to fall behind others, and he didn't want the martial arts school to have no successors, so he had been looking for suitable disciples.

Tang Huang's appearance undoubtedly gave him hope.

"Master, someone has sent a message through a messenger."

Just as Liu Chongshan was becoming more and more satisfied with Tang Huang, a disciple hurriedly ran up to him and handed him a letter.

Liu Chongshan frowned slightly; he remembered that he rarely corresponded with others.

But since it was sent here, it must have been done by someone who wanted to become a disciple.