[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult":3,"chapter-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-28":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Don't Mock the Poor Old Man: Gains a Year of Cultivation Every Day!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312520,4520,"Chapter 28","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>\"The Zhou state has finally reached this point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, though refugees and bandits had caused trouble, it was mostly limited to the countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the unrest had spread to the county seat, which meant the situation had deteriorated to a serious degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye fell silent for a moment, his sharp gaze gradually receding, his voice returning to its earlier calmness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Given the circumstances, I can't blame you. These Blood-Replenishing Pills... give me twenty vials first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't haggle over price, but stated the quantity outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With chaos imminent, resources to boost one’s strength mattered more than gold or silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twenty vials?!\" Cui Yang’s eyes flashed bright, his smile growing even more sincere and warm, \"Old sir, you’re truly straightforward! Please sit, I’ll fetch the finest stock right away!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately turned and personally instructed a quick-witted young apprentice behind him to retrieve the medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the apprentice hurried back, carrying a heavy purple sandalwood medicine box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the lid opened, deep red velvet lined the interior; twenty jade-white porcelain vials, each as thick as a thumb, were neatly arranged, their surfaces smooth and faintly fragrant with medicinal aroma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yang personally took one vial and presented it with both hands to Jiang Ye: \"Old sir, please inspect this batch. These pills are made from blood ginseng aged over three years—their potency is two-tenths stronger than ordinary stock, and properly stored, they retain full efficacy for a year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye took the porcelain vial, uncorked it, and brought it close to his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rich, mellow medicinal scent, slightly sweet and bitter, surged into his nostrils; merely inhaling a trace made his chest and abdomen stir with renewed blood and qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a slight nod, resealed the vial, and placed it back in the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without further words, he reached into his robe and pulled out a neatly folded silver note, slowly unfolding it on the counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thousand taels!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yang’s pupils contracted slightly; he took the note with both hands, carefully verifying the serial number and seal, confirmed its authenticity, and grew even more respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, old sir, here is your medicine, and the receipt is sealed as well. The Blood-Replenishing Pills require careful consumption—best to...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiftly packed the box, prepared the receipt, then eagerly handed it to Jiang Ye, adding a few instructions on dosage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye took the box, slipped it casually into the wide fold of his robe, and turned to leave, his steps steady and unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please take care, and if you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to return to Bao Yao Tang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yang called out to the retreating gray-brown figure already crossing the threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the figure vanished completely into the night outside did his smile fade, replaced by a flicker of deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man is at least an Inner Force expert. When did such a person appear in Anxi County?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any martial artist needs medicine; as head of Bao Yao Tang, he inevitably dealt with such people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this white-haired elder, an Inner Force expert, left no impression on him at all—truly surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell like a curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye sat cross-legged beside the hard wooden bed, sitting still for a long while, his breath steady as a still ancient well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, he slowly reached into his robe, pulled out the smooth jade-white porcelain vial, tipped out one Blood-Replenishing Pill, and swallowed it whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pill dissolved instantly upon entering his throat—cool at first, then swiftly transforming into a fierce yet not chaotic heat that spread through his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye grunted softly, a glint of brightness flashing in his aged eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The potency of this batch of Blood-Replenishing Pills was several degrees stronger than those he had seized from Xu Tao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no intention of wasting their power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the heat surged through his body, Jiang Ye moved instantly, rising from beside the bed and assuming the opening posture of the Five Animal Fist in the cramped guard room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since learning of the internal chaos and lockdown in Lushan County, Jiang Ye had felt a growing urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fire would eventually reach Anxi County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had lived peacefully for decades under Liu Qingshi’s protection, but this unrest spreading to the county seat was no ordinary disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Liu Qingshi, a Transformation Force expert, might struggle to remain untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he must strengthen himself as much as possible before the chaos arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I can break through to Transformation Force before the chaos comes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A solemn glint passed through Jiang Ye’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, no matter how great the turmoil, he would have the confidence to face it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days passed quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, the horizon just began to glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the open ground before the martial academy, Jiang Ye slowly concluded the final posture of the Five Animal Fist—the Bird Soaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood still, his aura shifting from motion to stillness, like a rushing stream merging into a deep pool, instantly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the faint flutter of his sleeves retained the lingering resonance of his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Host: Jiang Ye\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifespan: 85\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength: Inner Force (Mid-stage)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destiny: Ascend the Divine Staircase [Effect 1: Extraordinary Comprehension]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mastered Wu Gong: Five Animal Fist [Mastery, 501\u002F1000]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mastered True Meaning: Tiger Moves Like Illness, Monkey Changes a Thousand Ways\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the system panel, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three days of cultivation, his control over force had risen another level—he was now at Inner Force mid-stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his gaze slightly, looking toward a certain spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That girl Liu Yiyi had trained hard for years, her foundation solid; she should now also be at Inner Force mid-stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was only her surface strength; with two True Meanings of the fist art mastered, if they fought, Liu Yiyi would be no match for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time to rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye slowly exhaled a long, turbid breath; the surging blood and qi within him calmed, like receding tide returning to stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he now had no shortage of medicinal supplements, this aged body was not made of iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood better than anyone: excess is as bad as deficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his breathing was utterly steady and the thin sweat on his brow dried in the morning breeze, Jiang Ye slowly opened the academy’s main gate and resumed his role as gatekeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, have you heard? Our neighboring Lushan County has been locked down due to internal chaos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Locked down? I thought that was just rumor! So it really happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... could it spread to our Anxi County? My home’s near the west gate, not far from the refugee camp...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hard to say. My mom says rice and flour prices have already risen in the city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this turbulent world, life is getting harder and harder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting at the gate, Jiang Ye heard the worried chatter of the disciples, his eyes darkening with gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even these young disciples, who knew nothing of the world and devoted themselves solely to martial training, were now discussing Lushan County’s turmoil—proof the news had spread widely through the streets. The deterioration was likely worse than what he’d heard from Cui Yang three days prior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of panic spread among the academy’s disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the afternoon, another shocking piece of news reached the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian had successfully broken through to Ming Force!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, Hu Tian is really something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s only trained for half a month and already broke through to Ming Force!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At this rate, Hu Tian might even break through to Inner Force within a year!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such superior innate talent is truly enviable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner disciples stared at Hu Tian with envy, admiration, and resentment, their exclamations never ceasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian, at the center of the commotion, wore a look of wild joy, though less flamboyant than when he first mastered the fist form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, he’d been worried about offending Liu Yiyi and Su Yan, had no heart for anything else, and poured all his time into practicing the fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, he seized this opportunity and broke through to Ming Force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hu Tian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, resonant voice came from behind the crowd; the noise instantly ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi had emerged from his study, standing with hands behind his back beneath the corridor, his gaze fixed on Hu Tian, giving a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his usually stern face, a rare trace of approval appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you’d need a month to break through. Good—you’ve surpassed my expectations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward and withdrew from his sleeve the familiar small blue porcelain vial, offering it to Hu Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vial was smooth, faintly fragrant—a fresh bottle of Blood-Replenishing Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue this diligence. Don’t waste this innate talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Master, I’ll train even harder!\" Hu Tian accepted the pill vial with trembling excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After offering a few more words of encouragement, Liu Qingshi glanced at Shi Lei, who was diligently practicing nearby, and a faint, almost imperceptible warmth passed through his eyes before he turned back to his study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the academy head departed, the atmosphere inside the inner courtyard grew livelier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several disciples close to Hu Tian immediately gathered around him, their words now laced with unhidden flattery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hu Tian, brother—no, we should call you Brother Hu Tian now! Broke through to Ming Force, now we’re equals!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hu Tian, when you have time, let me treat you to a feast to celebrate your breakthrough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, wasn’t Shi Lei’s fist form breakthrough on the same day as Hu Tian’s? I wonder how far he’s come now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, come to think of it, Shi Lei and Hu Tian both started their fist techniques on the same day, right? I wonder how far he's come now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Need you even ask? Shi Lei is only middling-to-poor in root potential; by the time he breaks through to Ming Jing, Hu Tian’s probably already preparing for An Jing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone lowered their voice, deliberately teasing, glancing sidelong at the lone figure in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the surrounding disciples’ slightly flattering murmurs, Hu Tian couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smug smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Shi Lei remained completely unaffected, as if separated from the other disciples by two different worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gang, the senior brother of the Martial Hall, had originally planned to walk over and offer comfort, but seeing this scene, he couldn’t suppress a flicker of admiration in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never expected Shi Lei’s resolve to be so unshakable...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced again at Hu Tian, whose face glowed with triumph, and thought to himself: “Given time, Shi Lei might not fall far behind Hu Tian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hu Tian’s gaze swept over Shi Lei, who trained alone like a wandering ascetic, a trace of undisguised contempt flashed in his eyes, and he sneered inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Middling-to-poor root potential? No matter how hard he trains, he’ll never see the back of my heels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smug expression deepened, and he nearly burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His peripheral vision accidentally caught two figures beneath the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yiyi and Su Yan stood side by side, one as cold as snow, the other as gentle as the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t even looking this way...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Hu Tian’s heart suddenly trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if a bucket of ice water had poured down from the crown of his head without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly kindled pride, the swelling joy nearly bursting from his chest, was slashed in half by an inexplicable chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smug smile still clung to his lips—but now it was frozen into an unnatural curve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elation of breaking through Ming Jing had, in this moment, dimmed by a third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, closing time neared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian was the first to leave the Martial Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t wait to return home and share his breakthrough with his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed through a quiet alley, a black figure emerged as if grown from the wall’s shadow, blocking his path without deviation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Zhang Wang?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian halted abruptly, nearly stumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man before him was Zhang Wang, Zhang Xu’s trusted aide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Wang sized up Hu Tian, then slapped his shoulder with unmistakable familiarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impressive! Truly impressive! Young Master was right about you—just a few days? You’ve broken through to Ming Jing! Among all the young talents in Anxi County, your potential is unmatched!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slung an arm around Hu Tian’s shoulder. “Come on, Brother Hu Tian—the Young Master wants to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Hu Tian’s expression changed, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t know what Zhang Xu had done that night to get expelled from the Martial Hall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it was clear the two had broken ties completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Hu Tian himself had offended the two senior sisters by acting as a go-between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he went to see Zhang Xu now, his position in the Martial Hall would become even more precarious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Zhang Wang, do you know what Zhang Xu did that night...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian was about to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Wang let out a long sigh, cutting him off. “Brother Hu Tian, I don’t know the details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you can ask the Young Master yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hu Tian still hesitating, Zhang Wang added: “Brother Hu Tian, have you forgotten how the Young Master took care of you when you first entered the Martial Hall?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zhang Wang’s gaze swept over Hu Tian’s clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These clothes were the very ones Zhang Xu had taken him to buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll go see Zhang Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, Hu Tian followed Zhang Wang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anxi County, eastern district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhang family mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Zhang Xu... how... how did you get this badly hurt?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian, entering the room behind Zhang Wang, widened his eyes in shock, frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, lying on the bed, Zhang Xu’s face was deathly pale, his chest wrapped in blood-stained bandages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked as if he’d just crawled back from the gates of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Hu Tian grew even more curious—what had Zhang Xu done that night to end up like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Hu Tian’s voice, half-asleep Zhang Xu slowly opened his eyes, lips trembling as he spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu... Hu Tian... you’ve finally come...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice, weak and hoarse, carried an unnerving, feminine softness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian snapped back to himself, nearly stumbling to the bedside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Zhang Xu’s sunken, bloodless face, voice trembling: “Big Brother... what... what happened...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xu fell silent for a moment, then asked instead: “Hu Tian, how do you think I’ve treated you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tian froze, then after a long pause, nodded slightly. “Big Brother Zhang has been good to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xu stared straight at Hu Tian, his voice even more hoarse:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then... are you willing to leave Qingshi Martial Hall?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2468,"2026-06-20T12:57:27.461Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cf9b3ee40fa9a89efa56551f4ccc94dfe1fad36cabe08c863ef40bfad3cb0716","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-29","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-27",268,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdon-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-cover.jpg"]