Chapter 10: Four Times the Strength
Beside the thatched cottage, the clay pot on the stove was bubbling and steaming.
A strong herbal scent drifted through the small courtyard.
Watching the boiling closely, Zhang Yuan saw that it was about ready. He grabbed the pot's handle and poured the dark medicinal liquid into a bowl nearby.
Then, he carried it to his mother's room.
"Mother, this medicine needs to be taken while it's hot. Let it cool for a bit and then drink it."
He gently blew on the steaming bowl and placed it on the small table by the bed.
These were herbs Zhang Yuan had specially bought for his mother from the pharmacy in the county town.
Due to overwork, his mother's health had deteriorated severely, leaving her weak and sickly for a long time.
They had seen doctors before, but couldn't afford the expensive herbs, so her condition had dragged on.
Thankfully, it hadn't turned into something fatal.
Now that Zhang Yuan had come upon an unexpected fortune, he naturally wanted to do everything he could to restore his mother's health.
Leaning against the bed, Zhang's mother gave a faint smile. "Yuan'er, my body can still manage. You should save the money and buy more food instead."
Zhang Yuan had always had a big appetite, but in over ten years, he had hardly ever had a full meal.
Just when he could finally support the household, a certain Master Chen arrived in the village, demanding labor and shrine repairs, extorting every coin from outsiders.
It seemed like hard days were coming again.
Although his mother didn't know where Zhang Yuan had gotten the money to pay the labor levy and buy medicine, she instinctively wanted to help him save.
"I've already bought rice, oil, and salt too," Zhang Yuan explained. "Don't worry, Mother. I've found a way to make money. From now on, we'll have enough to eat!"
A twinge of bitterness filled his heart.
It had already been five years since memories of his past life awakened, and only now had he managed to solve the problem of food and shelter.
Such was fate.
"Yuan'er!"
Suddenly, his mother sat up and gripped his wrist tightly.
Her eyes were filled with concern and seriousness as she asked in a low voice, "Do you still remember the Zhang family's ancestral teachings?"
"Of course I remember!"
Zhang Yuan answered firmly, "Starve rather than steal, die poor rather than become a slave. I've always kept the Zhang family creed in my heart."
He gently patted his mother's thin hand and said softly, "And I've never done anything unlawful!"
Seeing how resolute he was, his mother finally relaxed and reached up to touch his face. "Child, you've really suffered these years."
Zhang Yuan smiled. "It wasn't so hard."
He picked up the bowl of medicine again, blew on it a few more times, and handed it to her. "It should be okay now. Be careful, it's still hot."
"Okay."
His mother took the bowl and sipped the bitter herbal liquid slowly.
Though the taste was harsh, she drank it as if it were honey.
After finishing the medicine, she quickly closed her eyes and fell asleep leaning against the bed.
Zhang Yuan carefully helped her lie down, then quietly left the room.
But just as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard noisy voices outside — someone was coming!
Zhang Yuan's eyes narrowed, and he immediately went to open the door.
Standing outside was the weasel-faced steward, accompanied by two hired thugs, nearly bumping into Zhang Yuan as they approached.
"Hmph!"
The steward stopped and sneered, pretending to smile. "Zhang Yuan, the three days are up. Do you have the labor levy ready?"
His eyes were cold and sinister, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey — chilling to the bone.
Zhang Yuan remained calm. "I have it."
He turned, retrieved a cloth bag from his room, and handed it over. "You can count it."
Surprised, the steward took the bag, weighed it, and poured out the silver to count it.
He clearly hadn't expected Zhang Yuan to actually come up with the full five taels.
Looking at Zhang Yuan again, his expression turned sour. "You know what's good for you."
He signaled to his men, "Let's go!"
"Wait!"
Zhang Yuan suddenly called out.
The steward's face darkened, and the two henchmen's eyes turned hostile.
Zhang Yuan acted as if he didn't notice and said calmly, "Aren't you forgetting to give me a receipt?"
Without a receipt, how could he prove he had already paid?
There were no witnesses around either!
The steward paused, then forced a smile. "Ah, my memory!"
He took the paper and brush from his attendants, quickly wrote a receipt, and even stamped it with a seal.
It looked quite official.
Zhang Yuan accepted the receipt and watched the group leave.
He knew well — if they wanted to cause trouble, that receipt was as good as useless.
But the steward apparently wasn't planning to push things further, probably wary after the supernatural incident the previous night, not daring to cause too much stir in the village.
This ordeal was over — but only for now.
Zhang Yuan stared at the departing steward with a sharp, cold glint in his eyes.
The steward had no idea he was now on Zhang Yuan's kill list.
After walking a distance, the steward muttered coldly, "Didn't expect the brat to really come up with five taels."
One of the thugs said, "He went to town this morning and sold his family heirlooms, I heard."
"Heh."
The steward sneered. "That means there's still more to squeeze. No rush — we'll take our time bleeding him dry."
The two henchmen grinned knowingly.
To them, Zhang Yuan was just a fish on the chopping block — destined to be picked clean, not even a bone left.
They admired the steward's methods greatly.
A bunch of peasants could never fight back!
The three continued to the next household.
Ghosts might be scary, but as long as they couldn't enter the village, there was nothing to fear.
Failing the lord's orders — now that was terrifying!
Standing at his door, Zhang Yuan heard the sounds of pleading and crying from another home nearby.
It was another family on the labor draft list.
Expressionless, he shut the door.
Zhang Yuan clenched his fists.
His desire to become stronger had never been so fierce and overwhelming!
He opened the Divine Nest panel.
[Host: Zhang Yuan]
[Divine Nest: Level 1 (15%)]
[Symbiote: Level 2 Black Giant Ant (6%) / Four Times Strength]
[Vitality: 72/75]
[Source Energy: 0]
His first symbiote, the black giant ant, had leveled up!
With all the source energy previously acquired, it had evolved from level 1 to level 2, and its innate ability had become Four Times Strength!
Zhang Yuan had naturally been quite strong — capable of lifting over 200 catties (approx. 100 kg). With the level 1 ant's bonus, he could explode with 400–500 catties of force.
That was how he had defeated Sun the Guard, a martial artist with basic inner strength.
Now with the level-up, Zhang Yuan's explosive power could reach 800 to nearly 1000 catties.
Possibly stronger than a first-tier martial artist!
Zhang Yuan wasn't sure yet.
But his confidence had surged!
(End of Chapter)
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