Su Yu’s interest was piqued. A single deacon was worth five thousand merit points—a truly tempting price.

Combined with his existing savings, his merit points were already approaching the ten thousand mark. If he took down a few more Black Lotus Sect deacons, gathering fifty thousand merit points wouldn’t be difficult.

Once he had fifty thousand merit points, he could go to the bureau’s treasury and exchange them for a Bone Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging Pill, ushering in his Root Bone’s second transformation.

’I wonder if I can shatter the shackles of my common Root Bone and ascend to the legendary Profound Tier!’

"Besides, with the strength you’ve demonstrated, you’re more than qualified for a promotion to Vice Commander. The only thing you’re lacking now is an opportunity to earn the respect of your peers."

Li Jingxuan picked up his teacup and took a sip, looking at Su Yu with a beaming smile and eager eyes. "Captain Su, I am truly hoping you can root out another Black Lotus Sect stronghold. If you can achieve another great merit and earn a smooth promotion to Vice Commander, this Commander will also gain face before Mansion Master Pang."

He paused, then dropped a bombshell: "And just so you know, upon promotion to Vice Commander, the treasury grants a direct reward of ten thousand merit points."

At these words, the breathing of Peng Ye and the others nearby grew heavier, their faces filled with even more envy.

Cai Yun went as far as to bite her red lip, shooting Su Yu a resentful glare.

The position of Vice Commander represented a substantial leap in real authority.

With the Black Lotus Sect pressing in, the Public Security Bureau, the body responsible for maintaining stability in the Outer City, was at the zenith of its power. What force in the Outer City would dare disrespect them?

Just half a month ago, the well-established Gongsun Family in the Outer City, unhappy that a Public Security Bureau Captain had seized their assets, secretly ordered a Tributor to retaliate.

Although the Captain only suffered minor injuries, the act was like poking a hornet’s nest.

Commander Zhao Sen personally led a team, identified the culprit within a day, and surrounded the Gongsun estate with hundreds of armored soldiers. If the Gongsun Patriarch hadn’t acted decisively by tying up the Tributor and throwing him out the gates, the entire family might have been uprooted.

As for the Tributor, he was publicly beheaded in the market square the next day, his head hung from the city gate. The Gongsun Family’s reputation was ruined, and they never recovered from the blow.

That an attack on a single Captain could provoke such thunderous retaliation spoke volumes about the Public Security Bureau’s might.

If Su Yu were promoted to Vice Commander, the power he would wield would be no less than that of a Patriarch from one of the great families.

Su Yu cupped his fists. "Eradicating the fiends of the Black Lotus Sect is my duty. I will do everything in my power."

"Excellent! This Commander will be waiting for your good news."

...

「The next morning, at the Su Mansion’s Martial Arts Arena.」

Before the morning mist had even dispersed, a bare-chested Su Yu had already begun his unfailing daily training regimen.

"Demonic Ape Beats the Drum!"

Drawing upon his profound foundation in the Martial Arts, his understanding of this Fist Technique grew ever deeper.

His body sank, his arms becoming a blur like a frenzied meat grinder. In an instant, he threw twelve punches, leaving afterimages barely visible to the naked eye. Twelve layers of Ming Jin superimposed, but instead of creating a series of explosive cracks like before, they condensed perfectly into a single point.

BOOM!

A dull boom, like the crack of spring thunder, echoed through the courtyard. The steward, Li Da, who had just stepped through the entrance, shuddered from the shock, almost thinking thunder had struck on a clear day.

’My fist speed has increased again. Although the total volume of my Qi and Blood hasn’t grown, the angle of my strikes and the circulation path have become much more fluid and natural.’

Su Yu slowly relaxed his stance, exhaling a plume of scorching white vapor. With his eyes slightly closed, he carefully contemplated the profound subtleties of the punch he had just delivered.

Using the same technique, the reason a genius could crush an ordinary person lay in their precise control over skin, muscle, and even their Qi and Blood.

Seeing Su Yu relax his stance, Li Da finally dared to approach and report respectfully, "My lord, someone from the White Ape Martial Arts Hall sent word. They’ve asked you to pay a visit."

...

「Outside the White Ape Martial Arts Hall.」

Su Yu pushed aside the carriage curtain, and the moment his feet touched the ground, he was taken aback by the scene before him.

A dense crowd of dozens of people was packed in front of the wide entrance to the martial arts hall.

"What’s going on?" Su Yu asked the disciple on gate duty.

The disciple immediately recognized Su Yu and bowed respectfully. "Senior Brother Su, these are all apprentices from the surrounding area who want to join. They heard that our White Ape Martial Arts Hall is now part of the four-family alliance, so they’re all rushing to sign up."

’News travels fast. It’s only been one day.’

Su Yu nodded slightly. For the common folk, practicing the Martial Arts was the only way to change their destiny. The White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s reputation was now soaring, but its fees hadn’t caught up yet, so it was only natural that people were flocking to it.

However, he also knew that to make a life out of martial arts required both talent and money—one without the other was useless. Among these hundred-odd people, it would be considered a stroke of great martial fortune if even one or two managed to open the gates of Qi and Blood and become true Martial Artists.

"Make way! Senior Brother Su has returned!"

The gatekeeping disciple cleared his throat, his face beaming with pride, and bellowed to the noisy crowd.

With a SWISH, the packed crowd parted to either side, clearing a wide path.

"It’s Senior Brother Su! The one who dominated the competition at the Dinglong Association!"

Countless gazes—filled with awe, fervor, and hope—were glued to Su Yu’s tall, straight back.

In these chaotic times, where human life was as cheap as straw, Su Yu’s rise was undoubtedly an inspiration to all commoners.

’I must follow Senior Brother Su’s example, train hard, and become the number one genius of Black Stone City in the future!’

’Senior Brother Su also came from a fisherman’s family, just like me! Once I join the martial arts hall, I will definitely train with all my might and not disappoint my parents and little sister!’

Hope flashed in the eyes of the youths, each one making a firm resolution in their heart.

He passed through the front courtyard and came to the teahouse in the Inner Courtyard.

Qin Fangqiong was lounging in a Grandmaster’s Chair, his eyes narrowed in contentment. Below him, Xu Feng, Jiang Liuchuan, Chen Fan, and the others were already seated. Qin Yu was holding a Zisha Clay Teapot, pouring tea for each of them in turn.

"Master." Su Yu pushed the door open, entered, and cupped his fists in salute.

"Haha, my good disciple! Quick, have a seat."

For a rare change, Qin Fangqiong sat up straight in his Grandmaster’s Chair and pointed to the first empty seat to his left.

Su Yu froze for a moment. That was the seat for the head disciple of the martial arts hall. Ever since the First Senior Brother, Qi Linfeng, had met with disaster, that seat had remained empty.

Seeing Su Yu’s slight hesitation, Qin Fangqiong chuckled and chided, "You brat. You’re so decisive when you’re training or killing people. Why are you being so hesitant now? I told you to sit, so sit."

With things put so bluntly, Su Yu stopped being coy and took the head seat with confidence.

Beside him, Lin Wanzhu peeled a segment from an orange with practiced ease and handed it to Su Yu.

Qin Fangqiong took in the scene, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He coughed twice, cleared his throat, and said with a serious expression, "I’ve called you all here today to discuss the future course for our hall."

"After the Dinglong Association, our White Ape Martial Arts Hall is now officially part of the four-family alliance. We’ve gained over a dozen new trade routes in one fell swoop, and the number of businesses seeking us for escort jobs and protection services is simply innumerable."

Qin Fangqiong’s gaze swept over his core disciples. "I’ve been thinking that these new trade routes should be jointly managed by the Lin Family and Jiang Family. As for the escort business, the Xu Family are experts, so we’ll partner with them. Xu Feng, you’ll be in charge of coordinating. What do you all think?"

Lin Wanzhu, Jiang Liuchuan, and Xu Feng exchanged a look, their faces alight with joy. These were tangible benefits; if managed well, they could elevate their respective family’s foundations to a whole new level.

"Thank you, Master," the three said in unison.

Qin Fangqiong nodded, then turned to Su Yu, his eyes filled with admiration. "The hall owes its current success primarily to Su Yu. Therefore, I have decided that from the profits of all trade routes, new and old, a ten percent share will be given directly to Su Yu for his own use."

At these words, a hush fell over the teahouse.

Su Yu was also surprised; he hadn’t expected his master to be so generous.

The White Ape Martial Arts Hall was now immensely prestigious. Ten percent of the trade route profits would amount to at least a thousand taels of Snowflake Silver every month.

Combined with the shares from the Yang Family and Jiang Family he already controlled, his monthly income would be approaching the three-thousand-tael mark. Such financial power was enough to support the expenses of a minor aristocratic family.

However, his Breaking Limit Trait was a bottomless pit when it came to consuming resources. Naturally, the more silver, the better.

"Thank you for your generous favor, Master." Su Yu rose and cupped his fists solemnly.

Chen Fan, who was sitting at the end of the table, felt his hand tremble imperceptibly. He tightened his grip on his teacup, his knuckles whitening as he nearly crushed it.

He quickly lowered his head, using the act of drinking tea to conceal the thick, undisguisable jealousy and malice in his eyes.

’On what grounds!’

’We both came from nothing, but I have a Top-Grade Root Bone! I train relentlessly every single day and even had to scheme with a tiger, so why? Why has all the glory and every resource gone to *him*, to Su Yu?’

’The position of head disciple, the hall’s profits, Senior Sister Lin’s favor... He took everything.’

Chen Fan clenched his jaw, his heart filling with ever more venom.

’But your arrogance won’t last for much longer.’

’If the plan succeeds, the Huyan Family will be the ones to cut you down!’

’The position of head disciple of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, and all the attendant glory and riches, will ultimately belong to me, Chen Fan!’