C14 He Had Lost His Wife and His Soldiers.

"You lowly worker, accusing me of extortion? What kind of job could possibly earn you 30,000 yuan in an hour?" Hong Chenghui fumed, his face beet red.

Drenched in tea by Chen Yuangan, he dared not lash out, so he redirected his fury toward Luo Ke.

He had assumed Luo Ke was too scared of retaliation to demand payment, but it was clear Luo Ke feared nothing.

Hong Chenghui was determined to find an opportunity to give Luo Ke a harsh lesson.

"I work at Huang's Pharmacy. Indeed, I made 30,000 yuan in just over an hour. If you don't believe me, I can call my boss to vouch for me." Luo Ke said, activating the virtual keyboard on his wrist.

"Go ahead, call. I'm curious how a high schooler like you earns 30,000 yuan in an hour," Hong Chenghui said, dabbing at the droplets on his clothes.

He had agreed to double Luo Ke's wages, thinking the part-time work would net a mere pittance, not the audacious sum of 60,000 yuan.

That kind of money could buy three Blood Gathering Pills to enhance a martial artist's vitality!

The call connected immediately, and a middle-aged man's voice came through: "Luo Ke, I was just about to call you. Come to work quickly. People have been flocking here with questions for you since Master Liang's departure."

"You know I charge for my answers," Luo Ke replied with a light smile, pleasantly surprised by the quick opportunity to make money.

"Of course, but your rate of ten thousand is steep. Maybe lower it for more sales?" Huang suggested cheerfully.

"We can negotiate that later. Uncle Huang, I'm in a bit of a bind and need you to testify. Did I really earn 30,000 yuan in just over an hour at your shop?" Luo Ke inquired.

"Absolutely, I stake my reputation on it—Luo Ke is telling the truth," Huang affirmed, thumping his chest.

"How did he earn it?" Hong Chenghui suspected Luo Ke and his boss were conspiring to swindle him.

"Luo Ke answered two of Master Liang's questions for a twenty thousand reward. He also won a ten thousand yuan bet with a One-star Alchemist during pill refining. That totals thirty thousand," Huang explained, then urged, "Luo Ke, get back here and make money. Don't delay any longer."

"Okay, Uncle Huang, I'm on my way," Luo Ke said, ending the call. He turned to Hong Chenghui, "See? I didn't lie. Now, stop wasting my time and pay up."

"You expect me to pay sixty thousand yuan for an hour's delay? That's extortionate. Why don't you just rob me?" Hong Chenghui was desperate.

"It was you who said you'd pay whatever I asked. Now you want to back out? Mr. Chen, I think we should take this to the school," Luo Ke said indignantly.

"Hong Chenghui, Luo Ke has lost a significant amount due to your false accusation. You ought to pay up. If you don't, I'm sure Luo Ke will report this, and then it's out of my hands what the school decides," Chen Yuangan added, fanning the flames.

He now knew that Class 6 boasted a martial student and another with a remarkable aptitude for pharmacy. He secretly hoped the two would clash, leaving both worse for wear.

"Exactly. If you don't pay up, I'll report you to the principal tomorrow," Luo Ke said with feigned innocence.

"Luo Ke, you... But, teacher, I..." Hong Chenghui's face twisted as if he'd swallowed something vile, desperate to negotiate and avoid paying such a hefty sum.

Cheng Linglong, however, sympathized with Luo Ke's financial struggles and wanted to lend a hand. "Hong Chenghui, you've made a promise to compensate Luo Ke. It's only right you honor it."

"Fine, I'll transfer the funds," conceded Hong Chenghui, seeing he lacked any advocates, and reluctantly completed the transaction.

The money, initially meant for purchasing Blood Gathering Pills as per his father's instructions, was now a 60,000 yuan settlement to Luo Ke.

Ironically, instead of punishing Luo Ke, the complaint resulted in a personal loss of 60,000 yuan—a costly defeat indeed. He usually spared the Blood Gathering Pills during his training, but today, he had squandered the equivalent of three pills in one fell swoop.

Watching Luo Ke walk away, Hong Chenghui's fists tightened. He vowed to exact a twofold revenge on Luo Ke for today's grudge.

Cheng Linglong had intended to have a heart-to-heart with Luo Ke, but knowing he was preoccupied with solving problems for the denizens of the Spiritual Battle World to earn money, she let him be. This incident had thoroughly altered her perception of Luo Ke.

Upon receiving the 60,000 yuan transfer, Luo Ke figured he could repay his credit card debt in a month. He decided to hold onto the money until after the college entrance exams, keeping it aside for now.

Exiting the teacher's office, Luo Ke reached the Yellow Elixir Pharmacy in the Spiritual Battle World within ten minutes. He had anticipated a crowd of inquisitive customers after his boss, Huang Cheng, had mentioned selling elixirs at low prices. Yet, upon arrival, he found the shop devoid of patrons, save for a distinguished-looking woman engrossed in a pharmacology book, her long legs gracefully extending from her chair—a sight to behold.

"Boss, I'm back. Any questions for me?" Luo Ke called out to Huang Cheng.

His recent realization that money could unlock knowledge had ignited an unprecedented, burning desire to earn—an urge a hundredfold stronger than before.

"Are you Luo Ke?" The woman, exuding an air of superiority, stood up, her voice laced with a hint of scorn.

Luo Ke inwardly noted her chilly demeanor and replied, "Yes, that's me. Do you have questions? I just resolved two queries for Master Liang at a fee of 20,000 yuan. What would you like to know? I might consider a discount."

He knew not everyone could afford Master Liang's rates—a four-star pharmacist who had just paid him 20,000 yuan, possibly with the intention of befriending him.

Judging by the woman's youthful appearance, he doubted she could spare such an amount and was prepared to lower his price in pursuit of maximizing his earnings.

Upon Luo Ke's return, Huang Cheng quickly introduced him to the woman, saying, "This is Luo Ke, one of our pharmacy's staff members. He's just successfully assisted Master Liang with a challenging issue in creating a one-star super-grade potion."

The woman, seemingly unimpressed and disregarding Huang Cheng's introduction, scoffed and said coldly, "I've heard you're still a student, aiming to sit for the Martial Arts exam?"