#286 - Chapter 286 Test
These disciples at the Perfected Skin Refinement stage were not only powerful but also full of vitality and fighting spirit. Looking at them, a sense of satisfaction welled up in Cheng Feng's heart.
“Everyone, you have passed the test of martial strength, which is excellent, but the path in this world is far more than that,” Cheng Feng's voice echoed across the training ground, carrying a hint of composure and depth. “Next, I will test your survival skills, or more specifically, your ability to make money.”
“What are we doing out here?” Cheng Feng asked loudly, his gaze sweeping over each disciple.
“Isn’t it just to earn a living!” he continued, his tone firm and forceful. “Many of you know that I used to sell fish on the streets, and even now, I’m still hustling to make a living.”
These words deeply resonated with everyone present. Which wealthy young master would need to live such a life of licking blood from the edge of a blade?
He took out several stacks of silver notes from his sleeve, distributed two hundred taels to each person, and announced the rules: “This two hundred taels is your starting capital. I will give you three days, and regardless of the method you use, as long as you do not violate the Hong Sect's rules, whoever earns the most money will be the winner of this round.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the training ground erupted. The disciples looked at each other, some surprised, some excited, and still others secretly planning their strategies. Seeing this, the smile on Cheng Feng's face deepened.
“Remember, the ultimate goal of being out here is to survive, to ensure that you and the people around you can have a stable meal,” he said earnestly. “I, Cheng Feng, have the ability to lead everyone to a bowl of rice, but I also hope you understand that true experts must not only possess outstanding martial skills but also the wisdom and means to survive in complex environments.”
The disciples nodded in response, their eyes gleaming with thoughtful light. They were contemplating the deeper meaning in Cheng Feng's words.
Over the next three days, a tense yet excited atmosphere permeated both inside and outside the Hong Sect training ground. The disciples each displayed their unique talents.
Some used their martial skills to work as bodyguards, protecting courtyards.
Others, with their keen sense of observation, discovered business opportunities and started small businesses.
Still others used their connections to facilitate large transactions.
And some, who had long been in high positions, directly engaged in forced buying and selling, frantically testing the boundaries of the Hong Sect's rules.
The starting capital was two hundred taels, which was much better than Cheng Feng's initial start.
The three days passed in the blink of an eye. As the last ray of sunlight fell on the training ground, the disciples returned one after another. Some did not show the slightest joy on their faces; instead, they held their money bags with heavy hearts.
Some disciples, however, were radiant, feeling that victory was within their grasp.
Those who failed had a very profound experience.
While in the Hong Sect, they didn't feel anything, but once they started working alone, everything went wrong.
Some had their martial arts questioned by their peers, leading to fights over turf.
Some lost everything in scams.
Others were pulled in as guarantors after the money didn't arrive when they acted as middlemen.
The unlucky events of all walks of life taught them a lesson: “Money is not so 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, force, or oppress the weak.
The fifteen disciples presented their gains one by one, awaiting Cheng Feng's final judgment.
Cheng Feng examined each of the fifteen full money bags, secretly praising them in his heart. He saw the growth and transformation of the disciples and, even more so, the hope for the future of the Hong Sect.
From the moment they started walking out of this door, the members of Black Ear began to report their movements one by one.
And those unfortunate events of theirs were also arranged by Cheng Feng. Otherwise, would they really think the Hong Sect's influence in Qingxi County was useless?
Cheng Feng's gaze was deep and sharp as he stared at the fifteen branch-level members before him, a complex mix of emotions surging in his heart.
This round, for him, was not only a test of their ability to make money but also a test of their morals and bottom line.
As long as they did not violate the sect rules, whether they earned a little silver or lost a little silver, Cheng Feng didn't care at all.
After all, not everyone needs to do business themselves.
It was also possible to arrange for some strategists to assist them. There were many smart people in this world, but they just needed a platform.
But if anyone used unscrupulous means for profit in this small test,
Cheng Feng dared to assert that if such a person were to sit on the throne of a branch leader, they would definitely be the epitome of betrayal.
Whether the general headquarters could recover the accounts was secondary.
The Hong Sect's reputation would definitely be ruined by them.
In this world that values reputation, once the reputation of a Hong Sect branch had a stain,
it would definitely not be a good thing for the entire Hong Sect afterward.
Cheng Feng was following the path of encircling the cities from the countryside, like the great man from his previous life.
Starting small and gradually expanding his power.
And the foundation of an organization lies in the quality and beliefs of its members.
If the foundation is unstable, then even the greatest power will eventually collapse.
Therefore, his test for these fifteen branch leaders was not only a recognition of their abilities but also a test of their morals.
He believed that only those who could uphold their bottom line in the face of temptation and not forget their original intentions could become the true pillars of the Hong Sect.
As the test came to an end, Cheng Feng already had the answer in his heart. He saw the members who had legally and compliantly earned silver through their own efforts and wisdom, their faces filled with satisfaction and pride.
He also saw those who tried to take shortcuts and use unscrupulous means, their eyes revealing a trace of panic and unease.
There were also those who hit Cheng Feng's arranged targets, losing everything.
For the former, Cheng Feng gave affirmation and encouragement. Those who acted properly and occasionally excelled, Cheng Feng also noted.
As for those who tested the boundaries, he secretly noted their names, already having a decision in his heart.
The situation in each place was different. Some places might need these ruthless and black-hearted people to suppress the situation and open up the situation.
However, they were definitely not suitable for guarding the local area, and someone needed to secretly watch over them in terms of money.
As for those who lost money, Cheng Feng had already begun to think about how to find a strategist to arrange for them.
These fifteen Perfected Skin Refinement martial artists, who were one step away from Blood Refinement, were all valuable assets of the Hong Sect.
Cheng Feng would definitely not do anything to them.
But as a leader, one must see without seeing, hear without hearing, and know without knowing.
This was also the principle that Cheng Feng had recently realized. People are talents, and all have their uses.
These fifteen people were all Cheng Feng's members and disciples, but each person had a different way of handling things.
Cheng Feng only needed to place them in the right position to unleash their greatest power.
Cheng Feng certainly had biases and preferences, but that didn't prevent him from using people to bring benefits to himself and the Hong Sect.
