He was perfectly clear about such matters; it had always been the case that gentry landlords and the well-fed exploited the vast laboring masses, never the other way around.
However, the situation was different now, with new tools and a new taxation system.
With farmers able to produce more and pay less tax, they naturally became much wealthier than before.
After bidding farewell to the farmer, Chu Chen continued on his way. He could already sense that those lurking in the shadows were becoming impatient to make their move against him.
If Chu Chen had stayed with the farmers, they might have suffered collateral damage.
Therefore, Chu Chen cut short his conversation with them and moved to a seemingly open area.
There was no one else around, and the space was quite wide, suitable for a fight.
"Since you've come, then come out. If you want to attack me, shouldn't you at least have some courage?"
Chu Chen's voice echoed in all directions, but there was no movement around him.
No one responded to Chu Chen, as if there was truly no one lurking in the darkness.
Chu Chen couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. These fellows were truly detestable. Why wouldn't they come out and fight him?
They should have the absolute advantage right now, so why were they being so hesitant?
After a moment of thought, Chu Chen understood the reason.
These fellows intended to make him constantly anxious and fearful.
This way, it would be easier for them to deal with him.
There was also the matter of the Old War God. These people were afraid that the Old War God might launch a surprise attack.
Even though the Old War God had already left, he still held a significant place in their minds.
They dared not take that risk. If the Old War God were to make a move, these fellows would surely be no match for him.
Although the other side also had experts, perhaps their experts had encountered some unexpected trouble or were delayed at this moment.
Before the other side appeared, anything Chu Chen thought was just speculation.
Chu Chen simply sat down cross-legged, waiting in place for those people to appear.
He believed that those people would surely give him a satisfactory answer.
At the same time, he wanted to take this opportunity to recuperate and face them in his best state.
His current condition was already optimal, but after all, the opponents were three experts at the Qi Condensation realm.
Such beings were normally beyond his reach in terms of combat power.
Yet now, he had to fight them with the help of a single Dragon Ascension Pill, and even defeat them.
It had to be said that for Chu Chen, this was indeed a rather difficult task.
But he truly had no other choice now. Was he supposed to keep delaying? Perhaps at some point, when he let his guard down, these people would swarm him from all directions.
By then, it would be too late to react.
Chu Chen rested for an hour, also waiting to see if the Old War God would appear.
However, the Old War God seemed to have vanished into thin air. By the time Chu Chen finished cultivating and emerged from his meditation, he still saw no sign of anyone in any direction.
Chu Chen couldn't help but feel anxious.
His intention this time was to resolve these matters. If they didn't show up, wouldn't his efforts be in vain?
Thinking this, he felt he couldn't just wait passively. He needed to provoke them.
"You're not really going to be cowards, are you? The Old War God has already been driven away by me. You can come out now."
Chu Chen said with a mocking tone, "If you don't come out now, you'll never find such a good opportunity to deal with me again."
"When you return to your homeland, you'll become the object of ridicule from your family and friends."
"Even if you live, what meaning will it have?"
"Are you really not planning to come out? I'll give you another quarter of an hour. If you still don't come out, I'll leave."
As he spoke, Chu Chen sat down again, not looking in any direction, and continued to cultivate.
Those people wanted to make him anxious, but he would do the opposite.
At the same time, a few hundred feet away, in a hidden corner, three cultivators dressed in earthy yellow robes were looking in Chu Chen's direction.
"Do you think this kid Chu Chen is for real? Could he really have no defenses?"
"There must be something wrong. This kid holds a high position, is he really not afraid of death?"
"But the Old War God has indeed left. Even though this fellow is from Xiongnu, his reputation is thunderous. Moreover, according to the information we've gathered these past few days, his strength is unfathomable."
"Yes, that old fellow stayed with Chu Chen for several days, preventing us from making a move."
"This is a good opportunity. If we miss it, who knows when the next one will come."
"That makes sense. In that case, let's make our move quickly. It'll be too late if we delay."
"But the boss hasn't arrived yet. If we three attack Chu Chen, we might have full confidence, but if the Old War God suddenly appears, we'll be finished."
As one cultivator spoke, the other two nodded, realizing the complexity of the situation.
"We can't worry about that anymore. Didn't Chu Chen just say he'd give us another quarter of an hour? If we don't appear by then, he'll leave?"
"That's right. We can't wait according to the original plan anymore. Let's attack immediately."
After a brief discussion, the three of them immediately charged towards Chu Chen.
At this moment, Chu Chen had just finished cultivating and was about to leave when he felt a cold wind behind him.
He dodged to the side and saw a large fist appear to his right rear.
Immediately after, Chu Chen felt a powerful surge of spiritual energy and wind surrounding him, almost engulfing him entirely.
Chu Chen dared not be careless. There were three opponents, and one of them was a formidable expert. If they attacked together, Chu Chen would have no power to resist.
Chu Chen immediately fled in a certain direction and stood there, watching the figures who had suddenly appeared.
There were only three of them, which was slightly different from his previous simulation.
However, it couldn't be said to be entirely different. The initial combatants were indeed only three people.
"Who are you? Why did you ambush me? If you tell me, perhaps I can spare your lives?"
Hearing this, the three of them burst into laughter.
"Are you too arrogant, kid? You're facing death, yet you dare to say such things. It truly makes one laugh."
One of the cultivators couldn't help but mock Chu Chen.
Chu Chen sneered and said, "I don't need you to tell me. I know you must be from Xiongnu."
Upon hearing this, the three of them were somewhat shocked.
"How did you know our background?"
This was the first time the three of them had taken Chu Chen seriously. Before this, they had never considered him a threat.
Chu Chen said with a cold smile, "That's nothing."