Chapter 286: The Test

These disciples at the Skin Refining Perfection stage were not only powerful but also full of vitality and fighting spirit. Looking at them, a sense of satisfaction could not help but well up in Cheng Feng's heart.

"Everyone, you have already passed the test of martial strength, and that is good, but the path of the world extends far beyond that." Cheng Feng's voice echoed over the training ground, carrying a touch of steadiness and depth. "Next, I want to test your ability to survive, or more specifically, your ability to earn money."

"Why do we come out to hustle?" Cheng Feng asked loudly, his gaze sweeping over every disciple.

"Isn't it just to have a mouthful of food?" he continued, his tone firm and forceful. "Many people know that I used to sell fish on the street, and I've hustled my way to where I am now just to earn a mouthful of food."

This sentence deeply touched everyone present; what person of significant wealth would need to live this life of licking blood off the edge of a blade?

He took several stacks of silver banknotes from his sleeve, distributed two hundred taels to each person, and announced the following rules: "These two hundred taels are your starting capital. I will give you three days. No matter what method you use, as long as you do not violate the Hong Sect rules, whoever earns the most money will be the winner of this round."

Once these words were spoken, the training ground immediately erupted. The disciples looked at each other; some were surprised, some excited, and others began to secretly calculate their own plans. Seeing this, the smile at the corners of Cheng Feng's mouth grew even wider.

"Remember, when you come out to hustle, the ultimate goal is survival, to allow yourself and those around you to have a secure meal," he said earnestly. "I, Cheng Feng, have the ability to lead everyone to have a meal together, but I also hope you understand that a true powerhouse must not only have extraordinary martial arts but also the wisdom and means to survive in a complex environment."

Hearing this, the disciples nodded one after another, their eyes flickering with the light of contemplation. They were pondering the deep meaning in Cheng Feng's words.

In the following three days, an atmosphere of tension and excitement permeated inside and outside the Hongmen Training Ground. The disciples each displayed their own strengths.

Some used their martial arts to act as bodyguards and protectors for others.

Others relied on their keen insight to discover business opportunities and started small-scale trades.

Still others utilized their personal connections to facilitate one big deal after another.

And some, long accustomed to high positions, engaged in direct forced buying and selling, repeatedly dancing on the edge of the Hong Sect's rules.

The starting capital was two hundred taels, which was much better than how Cheng Feng had started out.

The three days passed in a flash. When the last ray of sunlight fell upon the training ground, the disciples returned one after another. Some had not a shred of joy on their faces; instead, they were heavy-hearted as they held their money bags.

Some disciples were glowing with health, feeling that victory was within their grasp.

Those who failed had a very profound realization.

While in the Hong Sect, they hadn't felt much, but once they went out on their own, everything went wrong.

Some had their martial arts questioned by peers who came to steal their business, leading to fights.

Some were cheated in business and lost everything.

Others acted as middlemen, but when the money didn't arrive, they were dragged in to provide guarantees and compensation.

The bad luck of every trade taught them a lesson: "Money is not that easy to earn."

The only thing they had in common was that they did not violate the Hong Sect's rules; they did not rob, they did not coerce, and they did not bully the weak.

Fifteen disciples presented their gains one by one, waiting for Cheng Feng's final judgment.

Cheng Feng examined the fifteen full money bags one by one, secretly marveling in his heart. He saw the growth and Transformation of his disciples, and even more, he saw the hope for the future of the Hong Sect.

From the moment they first walked out of this gate, members of Black Ear began reporting their news one by one.

And those unfortunate events of theirs were also things Cheng Feng had ordered to be done; otherwise, did they really think the Hong Sect's influence in Qingxi County was useless?

Cheng Feng's gaze was deep and sharp. He stared at the fifteen department-level members before him, complex emotions surging in his heart.

For him, this round was not just a test of their ability to earn money, but a probe into their character and bottom line.

As long as they didn't violate the sect rules, Cheng Feng didn't care at all if they earned a little silver or lost a little silver.

After all, not everyone needs to do business personally.

Arranging some White Paper Fans to assist those around them is also fine; there are many smart people in this world, they just need a platform.

But as long as someone acts unscrupulously for the sake of profit in this small test,

Cheng Feng dares to assert that if such a person were to sit on the throne of a Branch Hall Master, they would definitely be a classic example of someone who bites the hand that feeds them.

Whether the main hall's accounts can be collected is secondary.

The reputation of the Hong Sect would definitely be ruined by them.

In this world that values reputation, once the reputation of a Hong Sect branch has a stain,

then for the entire Hong Sect, it certainly wouldn't be a good thing.

Cheng Feng is following the path of the great men of his past life: the countryside encircling the cities.

Starting small and growing, gradually strengthening his own power.

And the foundation of an organization lies in the quality and beliefs of its members.

If the foundation is unstable, then no matter how large the force, it will eventually collapse.

Therefore, his test for these fifteen department heads was not only an acknowledgment of their abilities but also a test of their character.

He believes that only those who can hold their bottom line in the face of temptation and not forget their original intention can become the true pillars of the Hong Sect.

With the end of the test, Cheng Feng already had the answer in his heart. He saw those members who had earned silver legally and compliantly through their own efforts and wisdom; their faces were overflowing with satisfaction and pride.

He also saw those who tried to take shortcuts and act unscrupulously; their eyes revealed a trace of panic and unease.

There were also those who hit the bullseye of the unfortunate events Cheng Feng had arranged and lost everything.

For the former, Cheng Feng gave affirmation and encouragement; their work was standard and proper, and for the occasional outstanding one, Cheng Feng also made a note of them.

As for those who danced on the edge, he secretly noted their names, and his mind was already made up.

The situation in every place is different; some places are exactly where people with black hearts and ruthless hands are needed to suppress things and open up the situation.

But they are definitely not suitable for guarding the local area, and someone also needs to secretly keep an eye on the silver.

As for those who lost money, Cheng Feng's heart was already pondering how to find a White Paper Fan to arrange for them.

These fifteen Martial Artists at the Skin Refining Perfection stage, one step away from Blood Refining, are all precious wealth of the Hong Sect.

Cheng Feng would absolutely not do anything to them.

But those in positions of authority must see without seeing, hear without hearing, and know without knowing.

This is also a principle Cheng Feng only recently realized: people are talents, and all have their uses.

These fifteen people are all Cheng Feng's disciples, it is just that everyone's methods and ways of handling things are different.

Cheng Feng only needs to place them in the appropriate positions to exert their greatest strength.

Cheng Feng certainly has his biases and preferences, but that does not hinder him from using people to bring benefits to himself and to the Hong Sect.