Chapter 8

Stem was just about to scold the young apprentice who had run in, but then he noticed that Jiang Junming's movements had not changed at all. He turned his head and smiled at the young apprentice, saying, "That's great."

There was no need to concentrate; he was completely at ease making the invigorating potion. If one didn't know Jiang Junming's background and only saw him now, they would never guess that he was just a beginner, making the potion for the first time. Stem looked at Jiang Junming in astonishment, not knowing how to describe his feelings.

"Each bottle sold for three more copper coins. In my opinion, even five more copper coins would still sell," the young apprentice said excitedly. Not only did they sell, but at a high price. The normal market price for an invigorating potion fluctuates between five and eight copper coins. Usually, the potions could only be sold for five copper coins, which meant that Jiang Junming's potions were sold at the highest price.

Jiang Junming smiled but didn't say anything more.

"Junming, you must work hard! That person said the potion was good and will come back to buy more. If Mr. Vincent is happy, we might even get some meat for dinner tonight," the young apprentice said, his eyes shining with joy at the thought of meat.

"Go sell the potions quickly, don't disturb Junming's work," Stem shooed the young apprentice away. He organized the invigorating potions Jiang Junming had made while observing his movements. Stem wasn't trying to learn how to make the potions; he knew he couldn't replicate Jiang Junming's actions. He just felt happy watching Jiang Junming, and the rhythm in his every move brought him joy.

After all the herbs were processed, Jiang Junming showed no signs of fatigue and began tidying up the potion room, making everything neat and orderly.

Being young is truly wonderful, Stem thought, watching the energetic Jiang Junming. If he had to make so many invigorating potions, his back would probably be bent from the strain.

As Jiang Junming was tidying up the potion room, he heard a commotion from outside.

"Do you want to go out of business? I came here myself, and you still refuse to pay," a hoarse voice said rudely. The voice was full of aggression and irrationality, as if he was ready to start a fight at any moment.

An older apprentice from the Wild Herb Shop smiled nervously and said, "Sir, the boss is not at home, and we can't get the money. Why don't you come back this afternoon?"

"Do you want me to leave empty-handed?" The man who spoke earlier sneered, looking viciously at the apprentice. A scar on his face twitched menacingly.

Jiang Junming watched from the inner room. These thugs were here to collect protection money, and everyone had always been too afraid to speak up. Usually, when Mr. Vincent was around, he would pay to avoid trouble. Today, coincidentally, Mr. Vincent was out buying herbs, and no one had the money, so the two thugs started causing a commotion. Customers in the shop left in a panic, peeking from outside, watching the commotion.

"Smack..." An invigorating potion bottle fell to the ground, shattering into countless pieces. The slightly bitter smell of the herbs spread throughout the room.

"Is anyone going to pay?" The scar-faced man weighed another bottle of invigorating potion in his hand, clearly ready to smash more if no one paid.

There was a silence. All the people from the Wild Herb Shop looked at the invigorating potion in the scar-faced man's hand with anger or pain. Everyone knew what the invigorating potion meant. Each bottle smashed meant a harder time for the next few days. Jiang Junming was especially angry and heartbroken. These were potions he had made with his own hands! In the past, these thugs had also caused trouble at the Wild Herb Shop, and Jiang Junming, being young and weak, had always hidden in the back room to watch. But this time, after last night's experience, Jiang Junming suddenly felt an inexplicable courage, especially when the thug was about to smash the potions he had worked hard to make. The thought of the loss to the shop and his wasted effort made him furious and unable to control himself.

But Jiang Junming had no confidence. After all, a twelve-year-old child against two heavily armed thugs was a huge disparity in strength.

One bottle after another of invigorating potion was smashed on the ground, each sound like a blow to Jiang Junming's heart.

"Stop!" When the fifth bottle was smashed, Jiang Junming finally couldn't bear it and shouted, rushing out.

The two thugs were startled, then burst into laughter when they saw a child around ten years old rushing out. The scar-faced man picked up a wooden stick and walked towards Jiang Junming. The surrounding apprentices couldn't bear to watch and closed their eyes, not wanting to see Jiang Junming get beaten. Jiang Junming, having grown up in an orphanage, was small and weak, and always lost in fights with other children. He couldn't even stand up to his peers, let alone two heavily armed thugs. This time, he would not only lose but suffer greatly. Even the people outside watching the commotion felt uneasy; some turned away, some sighed, and some closed their eyes.

"Sir, he's just a child, he doesn't know any better. Please don't make it hard for him," the older apprentice, seeing Jiang Junming about to suffer, quickly hugged him and begged in a low voice.

The scar-faced man glared at the older apprentice and said, "Get lost!"

He swung his stick and hit the older apprentice on the head. The blow was powerful, and the older apprentice immediately fainted, his hair soaked in blood, which trickled down his face.

Jiang Junming's anger grew even more intense. As he rushed forward, he noticed many light points on the thug's body, similar to the human body he had dissected in the six-sided space last night, marking the weak points. A few points were flashing, as if indicating the most vulnerable and damaging areas.

Supporting the older apprentice, Jiang Junming roared and charged at the thug who was swinging his wooden stick at him. Jiang Junming was shorter than the thug, and the most convenient point to hit was the abdomen. This was the stomach area, and a hit there would cause stomach cramps and intense pain.

Jiang Junming's speed had become agile and powerful after entering the light brain last night. In his eyes, the thug's movements seemed to slow down, full of vulnerabilities, and there was a possibility of taking him down.

As he charged forward, before the thug's stick hit him, Jiang Junming's middle finger knuckle struck the thug's stomach, and he raised his knee. At that moment, the thug bent over, trying to cover his stomach. From the outside, it looked as if the thug was using his neck and chin to hit Jiang Junming's knee.

*****

Xiaolong sees everyone's support, please continue. Let's aim for the top of the new book chart, three updates today!

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