Time passed like a fleeting stream, and the days in Yanzhuang went on as usual. In the blink of an eye, five years had already passed, and it was spring, warm and turning into summer again, with a humid and rainy climate.
Deep in the mountains behind Yanzhuang, there lay a dangerous place, home to vicious beasts and overgrown with poisonous weeds. This valley, called Panshe Valley, stretched for dozens of miles. Not only were there numerous vicious beasts, but there were also a large number of venomous snakes. It was a restricted hunting area for the locals. Many skilled hunters had entered Panshe Valley and never emerged.
For this reason, Panshe Valley was known as the Land of Death by hunters within a hundred miles.
It was a hazy morning, before daybreak. A gloomy dusk shone over the lush green mountains, and against the backdrop of the drizzling rain, Panshe Valley seemed even darker and more mysterious.
Just then, a tall, handsome young man emerged from the gloomy jungle of Panshe Valley. This young man was Ming Qi. Five years later, Ming Qi had clearly undergone a dramatic transformation. His height had reached nearly 1.7 meters, and not only was his physique imbued with flawless curves, but his youthful face had also become resolute and handsome. Ming Qi even felt that his reborn self was even more handsome than in his previous life.
However, Ming Qi didn't believe that being handsome could earn him a living, as he had in his previous life. Therefore, during these five years, the golden period of physical growth, he meticulously performed the most fundamental and crucial exercises.
Repetitive body training, body training, and more body training!
Even though he had already reached the second level of the Acquired Realm, he continued his training.
Swoosh!
Clad in a black T-shirt and shorts, with a cloth belt tied around his waist, Ming Qi ran swiftly through the jungle of Panshe Valley.
He was agile and swift, like a meteor, like a divine monkey or leopard. His intricate steps traversed the pathless mountains and plains with ease. Even the renowned Nine-Ring Flying Snake was outmatched by his speed, leaving it far behind.
Furthermore, as he ran, his hands clutched a massive tree trunk, two feet long and as thick as a bowl. As he sprinted, he crushed every obstacle he encountered, even bludgeoning any venomous snake that tried to escape.
Don't underestimate this massive tree trunk. Though only the thickness of a bowl, it was incredibly heavy. Consider that it was made of ironwood, a material renowned for its weight. This two-foot-long ironwood must have weighed at least seven or eight hundred kilograms.
After running a bit further, Ming Qi, almost reaching the exit of Coiled Snake Valley, didn't stop. With a roar, he spun the massive ironwood trunk in his hand in mid-air, turning around. He then, still holding the massive tree trunk, rushed deeper into the valley.
Ming Qi turned back and ran a few hundred meters before he saw a flash of white in the distant dense forest. Dabai, with all four claws in the air, roared towards him. Compared to five years ago, Dabai seemed to have grown significantly larger.
"Dabai, you're so slow again! You won't be eating my roasted snake meat today!"
Seeing Dabai's "late arrival," Ming Qi laughed heartily, continuing his run without slowing down.
Roar...
Dabai roared repeatedly, as if in protest, and his claws seemed to increase their speed even further. He sprinted to the entrance of Coiled Snake Valley and then, like Ming Qi, returned.
This man and tiger were actually competing!
However, it was clear that Dabai, the king of beasts, could no longer keep up with Mingqi's pace, leaving him far behind.
Mingqi's current speed had completely surpassed that of a cultivator at the second level of the Acquired Realm, a result of his unremitting training.
The third level of the Acquired Realm, the Heart-Clearing Realm, was a crucial threshold, crucial for a cultivator's continued advancement on the path of martial arts. Therefore, Mingqi was extremely cautious.
Of course, there was a reason why he had spent five years laying the foundation. According to his memory, the stronger the foundation, the greater the future achievements.
Swish!
In a short while, Mingqi had reached the depths of Panshe Valley.
This was already the bottom of Panshe Valley. Beyond lay a sheer cliff. Without reaching the Heart-Clearing Realm and experiencing the mysteries of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, climbing the sheer cliff was impossible.
Not far below the cliff, there was an empty area about a hundred meters in radius. A simple shed had been built on top of it. This was where Mingqi usually rested after training.
After running here, Ming Qi tossed the ironwood trunk aside and dove into the nearby bushes.
A moment later, when he reappeared, several venomous snakes, each as thick as his arms, were in his hands. These snakes would be Ming Qi's food.
He expertly cleaned the snakes' internal organs, scales, and other belongings, then took dry firewood from the small shed, built a large fire, and began to grill the snake meat.
Only then did Dabai appear.
"Dabai, you're too slow!"
Seeing Dabai panting heavily, his head drooping, Ming Qi couldn't help but laugh.
Dabai grunted twice, then squatted beside Ming Qi, his head drooping in a formal manner.
After the man and the tiger finished their meal, Ming Qi decided to go back to the farm.
He hadn't been home for half a month. According to the timetable, it should be time for the officials to collect taxes, so he had to go home to check it out.
On his way back, Ming Qi also took with him all the animal furs, snake gallbladders, venom, medicinal herbs, and other items he had harvested that could be exchanged for money.
The two of them, man and tiger, were incredibly fast, returning to Yanzhuang in less than an hour.
Just as Ming Qi and Dabai emerged from the back mountain to survey Yanzhuang, they saw the spacious grounds in front of the manor filled with people, including a contingent of armored soldiers.
Ming Qi's heart skipped a beat; the tax collectors had indeed arrived.
He could tell from the style of their armor that they were private soldiers from Xiandu City.
Xiandu City was within the jurisdiction of the Jinchuan Bai Mansion, governing an area of several thousand miles. Yanzhuang fell under its purview.
Seeing these officials and minions abusing their power, Ming Qi's face turned grim. However, he left Dabai in the mountains while he quietly approached the gathered villagers.
"These are the City Lord's private army. They're even using their private army to collect taxes. Looks like the extortion will be even more severe this time."
Ming Qi stood in the crowd.
The official who came to collect taxes this time was a chubby, middle-aged man with a wispy mustache, slicked-back hair, and bags under his eyes. It was clear he was a drunk and womanizing type.
At this moment, the chubby, middle-aged man was standing before the entire village, speaking word by word.
"Fellow villagers, the leaders of the Bai Mansion are planning something big this year, so taxes will be increased—tripled."
"Twice!"
The villagers gasped and murmured. Even without doubling, the taxes were already ridiculously high. Now, doubling them would effectively eliminate their livelihoods.
"Sir Yuan, the taxes have tripled. It's too much. We simply can't afford it. Please, Sir, be kind."
An elderly man with white hair and beard stepped out of the crowd. He was the village chief of Yanzhuang.
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing that they couldn't afford it, the rotund Sir Yuan's mustache quivered and his face darkened.
"The high officials of the Bai Mansion have spoken. If I don't collect the taxes, I'll lose my head. And as for you, if you can't pay, I think you'll lose yours too."
With a wave of his hand, he led dozens of private soldiers forward, their swords drawn. The flash of their blades was chilling and intimidating.
"Sir!" the old village chief, face pale, trembling, knelt down. "Sir Yuan, please have mercy. We truly can't afford that much."
Seeing the old village chief kneel, Yuan snorted disdainfully and sneered, "Don't pay, or you'll die!"
At this point, all the villagers were terrified, their faces pale, barely daring to breathe.
Ming Qi was all too familiar with the situation in Yanzhuang. The taxes were already overwhelming, and if they were to double, even if they were killed, they wouldn't be able to pay.
Seeing that Sir Yuan showed no mercy, Ming Qi was filled with rage and thought of finding an opportunity to beat the fat man to death.
Until Sir Yuan gave in, the old village chief remained kneeling, refusing to rise, repeating the same words over and over.
Lord Yuan waved his hand impatiently, and a knife-wielding private soldier approached from behind. He stood before the old village chief, his blade raised, ready to strike.
The villagers gasped in shock. These minions were actually trying to kill the village chief in public!
"Hmph! This is what happens when you don't pay taxes!"
The flash of a knife made the villagers close their eyes.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a figure appeared before the village chief with incredible speed, and a hand firmly grasped the private soldier's wrist.
Ding!
Before the private soldier could react, his sword fell to the ground.
The sudden appearance was Ming Qi, and he certainly wouldn't stand by and watch them kill the village chief.
"You! Ah!"
The private soldier, still stunned, uttered only two words before he was sent flying.
A strong soldier, flung out like that! What a force!
Seeing this, Lord Yuan stepped back, uttering a horrified scream. He pointed at Ming Qi and shouted, "You, you dare to rebel? Come, kill them right here!"
Ming Qi dismissed the private soldier with one hand, but didn't continue his attack. Instead, he untied a hide bag from his waist and dropped it on the ground in front of Lord Yuan.
"I've paid the village's taxes. This contains Yuan Crystals. Even if the taxes triple, it's more than enough. Please, Lord Yuan, don't make things difficult for the villagers."
Ming Qi chose not to attack. While he could easily kill these people right now, doing so would bring disaster to Yanzhuang. He was no fool.
Without even glancing at Lord Yuan, he reached out and helped the old village chief to his feet, saying, "Village chief, it's all right."
"Sanlang..."
The old village chief stood up tremblingly, looking at Ming Qi, tears streaming down his face.
"My child, you are our Yan Manor's benefactor!"
Ming Qi smiled faintly. "Village Chief, I'm from Yan Manor too. This is my duty. Take the villagers back. Everything is fine."
Seeing that Ming Qi had no intention of continuing, Lord Yuan quickly bent down and picked up the animal hide bag on the ground. Opening it, he saw the gleaming Yuan Crystal. He was instantly overjoyed. This Yuan Crystal was only for martial arts masters, and its value was immense, incomparable to those animal hides and prey.
After examining it for a moment, he put the Yuan Crystal away. Suddenly, his eyes rolled, and he shouted, "Wait!"
"Huh?"
Ming Qi was about to leave when he heard the obnoxious rotund man shout. He turned back and looked at him calmly.
"Do you have any other instructions, Lord Yuan?"