Fang Jueyu did not know much about the ancient martial world, and Gu Yi and the others seldom had contact with those ancient martial sects and ancient martial families, with the White Family being the only exception.
Bai Ruhai had already recovered after taking the pills refined by Fang Jueyu and was now back at his Jiangnan villa. Bai You's martial arts progress was rapid, and in the entire Bai Family, besides her father Bai Xun, she had no rivals.
Bai You took a vow that nothing from the school should be revealed to outsiders, so the Bai Family credited her growth entirely to Fang Jueyu's guidance. Now, the entire Bai Family almost worshiped Fang Jueyu as a deity.
The Bai Family told Fang Jueyu that the things he encountered were not unusual; it was an unwritten rule among the ancient martial sects.
Like the ancient martial families, the ancient martial sects also needed to grow and strengthen. Their buildings and the daily training of disciples were resource-intensive, which meant their annual expenditure was astronomical.
The ancient martial families and sects generally operated numerous businesses in the secular world, spanning various industries, with personnel usually being disciples or core members of these families and sects.
One party provided protection and backing, while the other provided funds, creating a mutually beneficial collaboration.
But this still did not entirely meet their daily needs. These resources merely allowed them to maintain their existence. Seeking further prosperity required more funds, and this was one of their methods.
In Huaxia, almost every entrepreneur with some fame had the shadow of an ancient martial family or sect backing them.
These families and sects often wielded great power; even if they remained hidden, they still had significant influence in the secular world, to the point that they could manipulate the rise and fall of businesses at will.
Hence, the practice of collecting "protection fees" emerged.
Of course, some tough entrepreneurs did resist, but soon after, they faced various troubles. Some who were too resolute even faced threats, ensuring no one ever rebelled again.
These ancient martial sects and families formed a mutual association called the Ancient Martial Association, which wielded even greater power.
In the ancient martial sects, strong individuals emerged endlessly.
"Mr. Fang, if the Martial Artists Association really sent you this letter, it's best to do as they say," Bai Ruhai advised.
"Oh? What kind of trouble could I face if I don't comply?" Fang Jueyu asked with interest.
"When they send a letter, it's merely to inform you. If they visit for the first time and don't receive a 'management fee,' you will receive a severe warning. This warning might involve damaging some of your property, like a car."
"But if the second visit still doesn't yield a 'management fee,' then you might be the one who gets hurt."
"So unreasonable?" Fang Jueyu frowned. Whoever it was, the money was hard-earned. How was this different from robbery?
"Mr. Fang, though you may be a master of secret strength, never underestimate any ancient martial sect!"
"To establish an ancient martial sect, you must have deep foundations and meet a stringent condition: the sect must have at least one innate martial artist!"
"Innate martial artist?" Fang Jueyu's expression changed slightly. Such elite masters surpassed SSS-level superpower users, nearing the level of a Hidden Elementer. Fang Jueyu had never encountered anyone outside of his family's sphere of influence.
"That's right, the power of an innate martial artist is far beyond the imagination of ordinary people. If they were to intervene personally, the situation would likely not end well, so I advise Mr. Fang to comply with their demands. Actually, giving up 30% of personal income isn't much."
"I understand. Thank you for telling me all this," Fang Jueyu hung up Bai Ruhai's call, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Even my protection fee is up for grabs?"
Not to mention that Fang Jueyu's current strength was unparalleled below the innate level, even if an innate master did show up, Gu Yi alone could beat them beyond recognition. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire
He called Ma Teng, who informed him that his Tengxun had been paying that so-called "management fee" since it was officially listed.
Initially, Ma Teng had brushed off those people as lunatics; as a wealthy man, who wouldn't have some skilled bodyguards? He thought they were merely small gangs of hooligans. Could they truly overturn anything?
But Ma Teng hadn't anticipated that they were not normal people at all, but monsters!
The first time the fee collectors came, they were three young men in their twenties, dressed in traditional garb and speaking in an atypical manner.
Yet once they acted, they seriously injured his two bodyguards. His bodyguards were each capable of taking on a dozen trained individuals, but they were almost defeated within moments!
Ma Teng had reported it to the police, but he was told that nothing could be done!
Helpless, he asked several friends and, after much inquiry, finally understood the situation, leading him to comply and pay a hefty "management fee" annually.
"Mr. Fang, whatever you do, don't try to resist them. They are simply not ordinary people!" Ma Teng repeatedly cautioned.
Fang Jueyu vaguely promised that trying to make him pay protection fees was a dream. It would be more likely for him to collect protection fees from these sects.
Fang Jueyu casually crumpled the letter into a ball and tossed it into the trash without taking the so-called Ancient Martial Association or Gucang Sword Sect seriously.
"Beep!" Fang Jueyu's phone buzzed.
"Looks guy's free these days!" The message was from Wang Cong.
"Old Fang, got some time? I'll take you to a newly opened restaurant, guaranteed to serve the best food you've ever tasted!"
"Really?" Fang Jueyu was skeptical. His chef team was world-class, and Wang Cong knew this well. To still make such bold claims, could the restaurant's chef be even better?
"Of course it's true, and if it's not better than your food, I'll chop off little bro and serve it to you!" Wang Cong swore.
"Come on, you'd better save little bro for the ladies. I've got no use for it," Fang Jueyu replied with disdain, "Name the time and place!"
"No need, I've already booked the chef for tomorrow. I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon, and we'll head there together!"
"Alright, see you tomorrow!"