Three taels a month, only three jin in ten months—which means it would take a hundred months to save up thirty jin. Nearly ten years of time spent, all for the sake of learning martial arts; such a dream is so simple and stubborn that it borders on foolishness!

Fortunately, the spirit rice saved up could be stored at the Sword Manor’s granary management office and exchanged for rice vouchers that could be redeemed at any time. Otherwise, over such a long period, before the dream could be realized, the spirit rice that wasn’t properly stored would have all gone moldy.

Ever since he let something slip last time, within the circle of menial workers, Brian Carter had become like a little sparrow that didn’t know the immensity of the sky, so he no longer spoke lightly. His secret act of quietly saving up spirit rice became a secret deeply hidden in his heart.

……

“What? No spirit rice distribution today?”

“Not only today—there probably won’t be any from now on.”

“What’s going on?”

“I heard it was Deacon Reed’s idea. That Ralph Reed who eats people and spits out only the bones, is finally making a move on our spirit rice…”

“Quiet! Be careful he hears you and kicks you off the mountain.”

When he entered the small canteen, Brian Carter sensed something was wrong. After asking around, his heart immediately sank, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

The inside story was simple: Deacon Reed, who was in charge of the outer manor’s chores, had set his sights on the monthly benefit of fifteen taels of spirit rice for the menial workers. With a big sweep of his hand, he took it all for himself and stopped distributing it. Naturally, all that spirit rice ended up in his own pocket, embezzled away.

The menial workers were furious but dared not speak out, completely helpless. Let alone going over Deacon Reed’s head to complain—even showing a hint of indignation would give him an excuse to fire them and cost them their jobs.

The chatter abruptly stopped as Deacon Reed’s plump figure appeared at the canteen door. With his hands behind his back, his gaze swept over them with intimidating authority.

“Huh, what does Brian Carter think he’s doing?”

“Sigh, that rash kid is about to get himself into trouble.”

They saw Brian Carter walk up to Deacon Reed, hesitate for a moment, but still ask, “Deacon Reed, I heard that from now on there will be no more spirit rice distribution for us. Was this your decision…”

“Hmm?”

Deacon Reed’s face hardened, and he immediately barked, “Brian Carter, you’ve got some nerve! Since when is it your place to ask questions? Don’t want to work anymore?”

His words were harsh and sharp, as if he was about to eat Brian Carter alive.

A surge of hot blood rushed to Brian Carter’s face, and he clenched his fists even tighter, his nails nearly digging into his palms. Maybe missing out on those three taels of spirit rice each month was just a lost benefit for others, but for him, it was a heavy blow.

“What, you even dare to lay a hand on me?”

Deacon Reed sneered, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes. Though he looked fat, he was actually a second-stage martial artist himself. Dealing with Brian Carter would be a piece of cake—he could beat this frail youth to the ground with just one hand.

Slowly unclenching his fists, Brian Carter lowered his head slightly. “I wouldn’t dare…” After all, he wasn’t some hotheaded fool. A conflict with such a disparity in strength was like an egg hitting a rock—utterly pointless.

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, he began to announce, “The day after tomorrow, all of you are to go help out as errand runners at the Sword Lecture Hall. You’d better be sharp about it. If you make any mistakes, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

With that, he strode away.

In truth, Deacon Reed was quite displeased that Brian Carter dared to question him in public. But since he needed people at the moment, he couldn’t lash out right away. Once the Sword Lecture Hall event was over, he would settle accounts as needed.

“Heh, just a lowly menial worker dares to question me? Doesn’t know what’s good for him. Let’s see how I deal with you later.”

The thought flashed by, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Brian Carter, you’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest. Deacon Reed is no ordinary person—his nephew Gary Reed is an inner disciple of the Sword Manor, and I hear he might even become a true disciple.”

At the mention of “Gary Reed,” all the menial workers’ faces turned pale. Some who had felt a bit of sympathy for Brian Carter immediately changed their tune:

“That’s right, you’d better hurry and catch up to Deacon Reed to apologize. Maybe there’s still a chance…”

“Brian Carter, I have to say, you were too reckless. Do you know what kind of person Deacon Reed is? He’s not someone you can afford to offend.”

“Exactly, don’t drag us down with you and get us scolded…”

“Yeah, Brian Carter, now you’ve gotten us all in trouble.”

As the old saying goes, “The bird that sticks its head out gets shot.” Deacon Reed deceived his superiors and exploited his subordinates, embezzling the benefits that belonged to the menial workers. But when Brian Carter asked the question that others dared not, he ended up isolated. Out of self-preservation, the others not only didn’t dare blame Deacon Reed, but instead all started blaming Brian Carter.

Such is the way of the world—always unpredictable!

Brian Carter bit his lip and said nothing. He’d long grown used to such faces, but he would never let himself be trampled on without resistance, becoming a puppet for others to manipulate.

In life, there are some things worth fighting for, and you must stand your ground. Otherwise, if you get used to being weak, your spirit will rot, and you’ll spend your whole life being trampled underfoot, never able to rise again.

The other menial workers, convinced that Brian Carter had offended the narrow-minded Deacon Reed and that retribution was inevitable, all distanced themselves from him to avoid association, not even daring to speak to him. Among them, there were even some gloating, just waiting to watch the show.